"Ne-e-eigh..."
Stung by Yang Ge's two punches, the black horse threw a tantrum, carrying him wildly back and forth along the lake embankment through wind and rain. Now and then it reared, trying to throw him off its back, its bowl-sized hooves striking the mud with dull thuds like a great oxhide drum.
Yang Ge clamped his long legs around its belly and sat as though rooted to its back, letting it buck and run. Only when it strayed too far did he deftly turn its head.
The people outside the lakeside cabin could only watch as man and horse went back and forth...
Only after a full two hours did the black horse finally slow down and start panting. Yet its indignant snorts, spraying flecks of saliva everywhere, made it clear that it was merely tired, not subdued.
Yang Ge swung down and pulled its face toward him by the reins, staring it straight in the eyes.
The black horse stiffened its neck and cocked its head, baring gleaming white teeth as it glared fiercely at Yang Ge. That savage, devil-may-care face seemed to say, Take this muzzle off if you've got the guts, and see whether I gobble you up!
Yang Ge could see clearly that more than half the teeth in this beast's mouth were the fangs of a carnivore!
"Had enough?"
As though he hadn't noticed the ferocity in its eyes, he smiled and gently stroked its face.
"Pfft..."
The black horse tossed its huge head and spat a mouthful of saliva at Yang Ge.
Yang Ge stepped aside, calmly avoiding the spray.
"Good. Plenty of spirit!"
Smiling, he stroked its face again. "You've had your fun. Now it's my turn!"
He stepped forward and crouched against its belly, reaching one arm underneath to hook around