The debates continued one after another. Qu Zan won match after match.
Although some monks still went mad or became deranged because of the debates, none ended up like Qu Zan or Chilie.
The debates here represented the highest standard among the Druptsawa and Beqawa of Changyun Prefecture. Qu Zan remained the most eye-catching of them all.
"Today's Scholar Monk debates are concluded," a middle-aged monk announced loudly. "The champion is Scholar Monk Gyatso of the Corpse Camel Temple. Now follow me to choose a horse."
Qu Zan followed him to the stables beside the temple.
A herd of horses stood there, all powerfully built and exceptionally magnificent.
The middle-aged monk told Qu Zan, "All the horses here are fine animals. Choose one."
Qu Zan walked back and forth through the stable, looking for a horse he liked.
Suddenly, he spotted a great horse some eight feet tall, breathing white vapor into the cold wind. Its body was strong and powerful, its legs long and slender, and its glossy coat was as crimson as fire.
There were many horses in the stable, but an empty ring surrounded that red horse. None of the others dared approach.
Whenever a horse came close, the red horse raised a hoof and kicked at it.
Even when the stable monk pulled at it, the red horse refused to obey.
"How about this one?" Qu Zan asked, pointing at the red horse.
The middle-aged monk said, "This is a mare. She has the strongest build of all these horses, but her temper is extremely fierce. Are you certain you want this one?"
A stable monk said, "This horse is fierce and unruly, with a very violent temper. Earlier, we tried putting a rope around her, but that only enraged her. She wouldn't let anyone or