Chapter 33: The Celestial Horse

Chu Xiaoyu had always despised those who spoke in circles. “Village Chief, is there something else you want to say?”

“Well... it's like this, Xiaoyu. When we originally signed the land contract, the term was five years, right?” As he spoke, Zhu Fugui produced a contract and leafed through it in front of Chu Xiaoyu. “Now, this contract has changed. The village land is to be redistributed, and the old contract must be amended—it no longer counts.”

“I came today mainly to inform you. Previously, we signed for about 5.9 acres—let’s call it 6 acres. And your other contract? I need to collect it now; hand it over.”

No matter how much Zhu Fugui muttered and tried to haggle, Chu Xiaoyu remained unmoved, almost as if he were lost in thought, not listening at all.

Zhu Fugui grew irritated. “Chu Xiaoyu, I'm talking to you, you—”

“Heh, Village Chief, why are you so anxious? I understand what you mean: you intend to void the contract and reclaim the land I leased, isn’t that right?”

“That’s right, exactly. Xiaoyu, after all, this is a directive from above. As a village official, I must—”

“Enough. There's no need to elevate yourself or pretend to be so noble and selfless. Frankly, you're just jealous of my farm, aren’t you? You want to take back the land, that’s the real reason, isn’t it?”

“Heh! Are you all illiterate? Once a land lease contract is signed, the term is thirty years, unchanged. It’s there in black and white, protected by law. Do you take me for a fool, or are you just too arrogant?”

Zhu Fugui was left red-faced and speechless by Chu Xiaoyu’s words. “Chu Xiaoyu, you, you—”

“Don’t stammer. Since we’re being direct, I’ll be frank. The contract was lawfully signed. You’re the one trying to breach it unilaterally. Fine, let’s take it to the city government and let them decide what’s right.”

“Village Chief Zhu, do you dare?”

“I... you...”

“Go home, and don’t stir up any more trouble. I’m willing to help everyone make money, but let me say this upfront: if I eat meat, you won’t miss out. As long as you’re practical and honest, and don’t scheme or play tricks, I’ll be pleased.”

But once I’m displeased, forget about eating meat—even soup will be out of reach.

In the end, Zhu Fugui could only leave, disgraced and dejected. He had hoped to drive out this young man and bring his own people in to manage the farm. But now, there wasn’t even a taste of soup to be had, and instead he’d only brought trouble upon himself.

...

Meanwhile, Sun Wukong returned to the Heavenly Palace and entered the stables. Without delay, he searched for a horse for Chu Xiaoyu, settling on a magnificent steed, pure white from head to hoof.

Its head was held high, majestic and proud; its face lean but full, nostrils black, coat shining brilliantly white.

Sun Wukong instantly chose this horse, thinking, “Such a fine steed, the Immortal Lord will surely like it.”

Having made his choice, Sun Wukong quickly set about grooming the horse. As night fell, he planned to secretly transport this prized steed out of the stables and present it, with delight, to the Immortal Lord.

Ha!

Let the Monkey King of Heaven be a stableman in the Heavenly Palace? Such a trifling post as Keeper of the Royal Horses? To tell the truth, Sun Wukong really looked down on it.

But the Immortal Lord had said: “If you cannot sweep your own house, how can you sweep the world?”

So for now, he would do the job. Since he was here, he might as well settle in. Sun Wukong assumed his modest post as Keeper of the Royal Horses, though he never managed to make a splash.

Once his duties were finished, and under cover of darkness, Sun Wukong hurried on to his real business.

...

“Immortal Lord, Immortal Lord, aren’t you up yet?” This time, Sun Wukong arrived with Fat Ox and Iron Fan in tow.

It was exactly ten in the morning.

Opening the window, Chu Xiaoyu was surprised to find the entire farm enveloped in a dense purple mist.

Purple mist—the arrival of auspicious fortune.

“Immortal Lord!”

“Master!”

Sun Wukong, Fat Ox, and Iron Fan all greeted him.

“You all came together? That’s quite orderly.”

“Immortal Lord, look—what is that?” Sun Wukong could not hide his excitement, grabbing Chu Xiaoyu and rushing outside.

Hiss!

There, a white-maned steed galloped across the farm. Its shining white coat streaked past like lightning, dazzling and swift.

Chu Xiaoyu drew in a cold breath.

Was this the horse from the Heavenly Palace?

Incredible!

This was truly a stroke of fortune. Unique in all the world, one of a kind!

“Come, horse!” Chu Xiaoyu called out.

The white horse, bounding with joy, suddenly seemed to sense some mysterious summons and grew calm. It approached with strong, steady steps, stopping before Chu Xiaoyu. Its once wild eyes now became respectful and gentle.

The scene left Sun Wukong and his companions astonished.

Iron Fan could not help but say, “Master, you’re amazing. This white horse is fierce—it wouldn’t let any of us near. When I tried to touch it, the brute kicked me. Luckily I dodged quickly, or else I’d have been in trouble.”

Sun Wukong chimed in, “That’s right, Immortal Lord, you may not know, but your disciple struggled a lot to smuggle this beast from the Heavenly Palace stables. It’s so fierce, even I couldn’t tame it.”

Yet watching the Immortal Lord handle the horse was effortless, as if it required no strength at all.

Fat Ox looked on, envious. “Master, you’re incredible! You tamed the white horse so easily—how miraculous.”

“Well, although it’s just a beast, as long as you truly connect with it, it will understand you.”

After all, this was a steed from the Heavenly Palace—a creature beyond compare.

Chu Xiaoyu gently stroked the horse’s forehead, silently infusing it with a touch of mental power.

The white horse, suddenly startled, let out a wild, agitated cry.

Sun Wukong’s face changed. “Immortal Lord, careful! The beast may go berserk.”

“No matter! This is a normal reaction,” Chu Xiaoyu replied calmly. “From now on, your name is White Dragon Horse.”

Hiss!

The white horse seemed to hear Chu Xiaoyu’s naming, and, delighted, it kicked its hind legs repeatedly, bounding with joy.

Moments later, the horse soared into the air, its graceful form like a dragon playing with a phoenix.

High above the farm, the rare white steed floated, joyfully drifting and darting.

Chu Xiaoyu had no worries. No matter how high the horse flew, the purple mist formed a natural barrier—no one outside could see what was happening within the farm.

Such was the uncanny nature of this farm, wrapped in purple mist.

Time slipped away like a fleeting shadow.

Indeed! With the White Dragon Horse at the farm, an aura of immortality lingered.