The Great Song Dynasty's Soul-Forging in Progress

Mayaopo, a vast expanse of plains, where the north wind howls.

The withered yellow grass was pressed down by the wind, unable to lift its head, bowing down in waves and struggling to rise again, much like the farmers who have struggled to survive on this land for generations. In the distance, the surface of Laomentan was covered with a thin layer of ice, and the gray sky and earth merged into one. Only the wind was alive, howling and sweeping over the slope, carrying up clouds of grass clippings and dust.

Wang Zhonghua stood at the top of the slope, gripping the reins in his hand, but a layer of fine sweat seeped from his forehead—not from exhaustion, but from tension.

The steed beside him, named "Treading Snow," was looking down at him with a condescending gaze. There was no hostility in that gaze, only naked disdain, as if to say: You? You think you're worthy to ride me?

"Treading Snow" is entirely maroon, resembling a flowing flame in the sunlight. Its four snow-white hooves tread on the withered grass, spotless and untouched by a speck of dust. Its muscles rise and fall slightly with each breath, every line as smooth as if sculpted, brimming with a sense of power poised to be unleashed. Most captivating are its eyes—as black as ink, yet deep within them lie two defiant sparks, their gaze carrying a mixture of wariness, wildness, and…provocation.

"Brother, why don't you go for it!" Qin Tiedan, leading another yellow horse, stamped his feet impatiently. The young man's face was full of schadenfreude. "Didn't you always say 'Try it if you don't believe me'? Give it a try!"

Wang Zhonghua glared at him: "If you're so capable, you do it."

"I'll go, I'll go!" Qin Tiedan shoved the reins into Wang Zhonghua's hand and strode towards Taxue.

Ta Xue stuck its ears back, snorted, and pawed at the ground with its front hooves.

Qin Tiedan paused, then retreated with an embarrassed laugh: "Well... let the older brother go first. 'Think carefully before you act,' how can an older brother beat a younger one?"

"Don't give me that!" Wang Zhonghua laughed in exasperation.

As the two were arguing, the sound of horses' hooves came from behind. Du Ziteng, leading several members of the "Dark Arrow" team, rode up and, seeing the scene, reined in their horses to watch the spectacle.

"Young Master Wang, Instructor Wang, if you're too scared to ride this horse, why don't you let the brothers try it out?" Du Ziteng taunted with a grin.

"That's right! General Di said this horse recognizes heroes. Young master, whether you're a hero or not, just ride it for a spin and you'll know!" another team member chimed in.

Wang Zhonghua took a deep breath. He knew these guys meant no harm; they just wanted to see him make a fool of himself. As a former "writer," he had read countless time-travel novels, but were time travelers supposed to be born knowing how to ride horses? In his previous life, he had barely even touched a horse. Although he had practiced for a while here, he only rode the old, slow horse that pulled his family's cart. It was fine for it to walk a few steps slowly, but he had never seen anything like this before.

But the snow was right before his eyes, and Di Qing's words still echoed in his ears—"I hope you will make good use of it and not let it go to waste."

Buried?

Wang Zhonghua's eyes narrowed. Having lived two lives, he had too many things to do in this one; how could he not even be able to tame a horse?

He wrapped the reins around his wrist twice, his face radiating the confidence of Louis Koo, and strode towards Taxue.

Ta Xue's ears pressed back again. This time, it didn't snort. Instead, it stood quietly in place, its eyes fixed on Wang Zhonghua, its pupils slightly constricted, and its muscles tense like a fully drawn bow.

Wang Zhonghua walked to its side, not rushing to mount, but instead reaching out and gently pressing his hand on its neck. Beneath his palm, the muscles were hot and stiff, the veins throbbing as if concealing a surging underground river.

"Treading Snow," he called its name softly, his voice as steady as if speaking to someone. "I know you're not convinced. You're fast, strong, born in the Northwest, raised on the battlefield, and have seen real fighting. What am I? A country bumpkin who farms and brews wine. What right do I have to ride you?"

Ta Xue's ears twitched, but she didn't shake off his hand.

"But you have to understand," Wang Zhonghua's voice was still soft, yet carried a stubbornness, "the world is changing. From now on, there will be not only battlefields, but also mines, workshops, and schools. You're following me not so you can charge into battle, but so you can accompany me and accomplish these things one by one. If you're willing, we'll be partners from now on; if you're not..."

He paused, then suddenly blew on his palm and chuckled, "If you don't believe me, let's try it."

As soon as he finished speaking, he grabbed the saddle, put his left foot in the stirrup, and with a stride of his right leg, he was on the horse!

The snow-covered area exploded instantly!

It kicked hard with its hind legs, reared up, and almost stood upright, letting out a piercing neigh! Wang Zhonghua felt a sudden lightness, the world spinning before his eyes, and he was flung into the air like a withered leaf. He clung tightly to the horse's neck, his legs gripping its belly, his knuckles almost digging into the reins—

"Brother Zhonghua!" Qin Tiedan exclaimed.

"Young Master!" "Instructor Wang!!!" Du Ziteng and the others all changed color.

As soon as its front hooves touched the ground, it leaped again. This time, it didn't stand upright, but swung wildly from side to side, like a giant fish struggling to break free of the water, trying to shake off the burden on its back! Wang Zhonghua's body was thrown about, almost falling off the saddle several times, but he managed to pull it back.

"Giddy up!" he roared through gritted teeth, spurring his legs hard against the horse's flanks.

Ta Xue became even more enraged and galloped away on all fours!

The wind howled, the wheat seedlings surged backward, and everything before his eyes became blurred lines. Wang Zhonghua felt the wind fill his ears, stinging his face; each jolt felt like it was shattering his internal organs. He clung tightly to the horse's back, forgetting all about posture and technique, with only one thought remaining—

We cannot let go! We must not loosen our grip, even if it kills us!

After running for an unknown amount of time, Treading Snow finally slowed down.

It was still running, but no longer in a frenzied outburst; it was a true run—its four hooves leaping, its body stretched out, like a red lightning bolt streaking across the withered yellow field. The wind brushed past its ears, no longer biting, but instead bringing a strange sense of exhilaration.

Wang Zhonghua slowly straightened up, trying to relax his clenched legs, adjust his breathing, and keep up with the horse's rhythm. One leap, two leaps, three leaps—he suddenly discovered that there was actually a wonderful resonance between man and horse. Every leap of the horse seemed to tell him in advance; the horse seemed to sense every subtle movement he made.

Ta Xue's ears twitched, and then it suddenly snorted softly.

Wang Zhonghua was delighted and tentatively tugged on the reins. Ta Xue obediently slowed its pace, from a gallop to a trot, then to a brisk walk, and finally came to a steady stop at the top of the slope.

Behind them, Qin Tiedan, Du Ziteng, and the others rode up, panting heavily, their faces filled with horror.

"Brother Zhonghua!" Qin Tiedan dismounted and ran over to look him up and down. "Are you...are you alright?"

Wang Zhonghua dismounted, his legs buckling, nearly causing him to kneel. Qin Tiedan quickly supported him, only to see his face pale, his legs trembling, yet a smile spreading across his lips—

"It's alright." He patted Taxue's neck. This time, the horse didn't dodge. Instead, it turned its head and nuzzled his shoulder.

"Amazing!" Du Ziteng exclaimed. "This horse has recognized its master! Young master, how did you do that?"

Wang Zhonghua thought for a moment and said seriously, "I'll tell it, and see if you don't believe me."

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

Qin Tiedan laughed so hard he couldn't stand up straight, pointing at Wang Zhonghua between laughs: "Brother Zhonghua, your catchphrase... even horses fall for it?"

Ta Xue snorted, seemingly laughing as well.

Wang Zhonghua patted its neck and looked up into the distance. The Mayaopo plain stretched as far as the eye could see, withered grass undulating like waves in the wind. In the distance, the surface of Laomentan shimmered with a grayish-white light; further still, smoke rose from Huluwan, the faint glow of firewood flickered in Lüjiachang, and the medicinal herb drying yard of Sanshenglu was being laid out.

"Treading on the snow," he whispered, "from now on, we'll run together."

Treading on the snow, it raised its head and let out a long neigh, its sound echoing across the fields.

Qin Tiedan's eyes lit up at the sight. He suddenly grabbed his yellow horse, mounted it, patted its neck like Wang Zhonghua had done, and then shouted at the top of his lungs—

"drive!"

The yellow horse took two slow steps, then lowered its head and nibbled on some dry grass.

Qin Tiedan's heroic spirit froze instantly.

Du Ziteng and the others erupted in thunderous laughter once again. Wang Zhonghua laughed too, mounted his snow-covered horse, rode over to Qin Tiedan, and patted him on the shoulder:

"Take your time. Try it and see."

Qin Tiedan gritted his teeth, slapped the horse's rump, and the yellow horse finally started running—although it ran crookedly, and although the big man on its back was jolted about, it was running nonetheless.

Suddenly, a man and a horse galloped against the wind from where they had been. The horse was covered in sweat and foaming at the mouth, clearly having traveled at full speed.

Wang Zhonghua recognized the man on horseback—it was Lü Maoyi.

Lu Maoyi shouted hoarsely, "Young Master, Instructor, hurry back to Lu Family Village! Something terrible has happened..."

Wang Zhonghua gripped the reins tightly, his knuckles turning white.

"drive!"

Like an arrow released from a bow, it pierced through the snow, rushing out of Mayaopo and heading towards the hazy horizon.