Fighting for His Life (1)

'Jesus, God, Allah, the Three Pure Ones, the Four Sovereigns, the Buddha... Whoever brought me here, please save me!!!'

Xu Ning pleaded with every god and immortal he could think of. Never had he been so sincere. Whoever could get him out of this terrifying predicament now, he swore he would become their devout fanatic from that day onward. Even if he could never eat meat again for the rest of his life, even if he could never marry, none of that mattered, so long as he could survive this moment.

He still clung tightly to the saddle. The violent jolting made him feel that he might be thrown off at any moment. If he fell now, the others could not possibly slow in time. The only possible outcome would be for thousands upon thousands of hooves to trample him into pulp. Even two layers of heavy armor covering his entire body could not save him.

If he did not want to die, he could only do everything in his power to control this magnificent, fiery horse.

The two stirrups and the high-bowed saddle helped keep his body from falling off so easily, but he still could not find his balance on horseback. Whenever he tried to straighten up to look at the situation, intense panic spread from the middle of his back. It felt as though lifting his head even a little farther would send him tumbling beneath the horse.

He could only maintain this strange posture, both hands gripping his spear and shield desperately. If he lost these two things, he would have no choice but to die here or flee in front of everyone.

It was an army of only a thousand men, yet their imposing presence and the noise they made seemed to shake the mountains. The smooth scales of their armor shone brilliantly in the drizzle. Spears and swords in their hands flashed with a dazzling, cold light.

With every step forward, the heavy scale barding covering their horses rustled. The sound was not faint. It was loud and forceful, like marching drums beating without pause, driving the cavalry toward the battlefield.

Rustle, rustle, rustle... Rustle, rustle...

The armor plates, secured together with tough strips of cowhide, rubbed against one another. Like heavy waves, they brushed past the insides of his lower legs. The horse's breathing was so clear, and strands of mane escaping through the gaps in its armor flicked against his hands.

Strong muscles twitched beneath its coat. Even through such thick, heavy armor, he could easily feel them... This was unquestionably a fine horse. Even the greatest fool would have known that. Especially in ancient times, only gold could buy it. Yet now he was riding such a horse...

Tentatively, he extended his legs rather than keeping his whole body curled up. He did not know why he did it. Perhaps he felt that posture did not do justice to such a good horse.

As his legs straightened, his feet settled firmly into the stirrups, finding solid support. He adjusted his hips and slowly shifted his waist. At last, he gradually raised his head and saw the scenery constantly sweeping from in front of him to behind...

Lush green blades of grass stretched in the rain. Clear, sparkling droplets ran down their tips, before the horses' hooves mercilessly trampled these vigorous living things. Some would rise again; others would merge completely with the soil.

The surrounding mountains still towered above them, though none were particularly high. Everything seemed to have made way for the enormous basin in the center, providing a place for people to slaughter one another.

A raindrop struck his helmet, then leaped merrily into his eye. The clear, glistening water brought a slight coolness to his eyeball. As he instinctively closed his eyes, he squeezed the drop out of the corner, and it ran down his cheek.

Dense raindrops pattered against his body, seeping through the gaps in his mail and other armor before the thick padded clothing absorbed them. Even so, he felt cold.

The immense heat radiating from the horse warmed his face, carrying the distinctive odor of an animal. They maintained a trot. Everyone restrained their mounts, arranging them into a wedge formation.

With deft movements of reins and whips, the riders kept their horses disciplined. Maintaining their close formation all the while, they approached that hell on earth.

The wind, the rain, the rubbing of armor, the horses' breathing, the dense drumming of hooves against the earth, the cavalrymen's shouts and calls... All of it presented itself before him exactly as it was, with nothing screening it away.

Never had he felt the world to be so vivid, life so distinct. He could even hear each person's heartbeat and their breathing behind their mail masks. He heard someone praying to the gods for victory in the attack, and someone praying for himself, hoping his soul would find peace after death.

Suddenly, he was no longer frightened or panicked. He listened and looked about with keen interest... Everything in the world slowed before his eyes, and his ears caught more and more sounds. The rubbing of each blade of grass against another was clearly perceptible. With every breath, the rings of mail vibrated...

"Riding requirement: 105

Riding level: 277

Check passed."

"What?! ... What was that sound?"

Somewhat alarmed, Xu Ning looked left and right. A cold, mechanical voice had suddenly sounded in his ears just now. And the information it had conveyed...

"My lord!! ..."

Alka's frightened voice suddenly rang out beside him. A rabbit hole concealed by weeds in the grass appeared abruptly at extremely close range. It was already too late for them to turn their horses aside.

With both men and horses armored, even a single fall could have devastating consequences for heavy cavalry. And that rabbit hole was now directly beneath his horse's hooves...

Almost by instinct, he suddenly squeezed the horse's belly lightly. His right hand, still holding the spear, gave a slight tug on the right rein, while he shifted his body's center of gravity a little. The powerful horse seemed to understand his thoughts. With a slight adjustment of its four hooves, it swerved around the dangerous hole and continued galloping forward.

He immediately adjusted his seat as well, returning to his previous posture. The rest of Alka's warning caught in his throat. He could only fall silent and continue following.

Xu Ning, however, involuntarily tightened his grip on his spear. A complicated surge of emotion suddenly welled up in him: joy, anger, relief, and above all, reassurance...

He really had received help. He simply had not been able to discover it before. Only in that strange state he had entered a moment ago had he heard the voice he had been overlooking all along, the voice drowned out by the clamor of the battlefield.

And now, at last, he had gained a little confidence...