Chapter 2: The Horse Leaps over Tan Creek (2 / 2)

Fifteen minutes later, suddenly a soldier ran out from the back hall and reported to Cai Mao, “General, bad news, Liu Bei has escaped!”

“Chase him!” Cai Mao’s face changed dramatically, throwing down his wine cup and rushing out to the back hall.

At this point, the banquet hall was still filled with singing and dancing. People were getting drunk, some toasting each other, others watching the dancers, with no one noticing what was happening over here.

Liu Qi patted the confused Liu Zong and followed him to the back garden, where there were still a dozen horses tied up. As expected, the horse Dilu was gone.

Liu Fu was standing under the porch, nodding slightly at him, signaling that everything was going smoothly.

“This Liu Da’er, every time something important happens, he just runs away.”

Liu Qi thought to himself, estimating that Cai Mao had already chased out of the city and quickly returned. He rushed to the gate and found Zhao Yun.

“General Zhao, Uncle went to the back courtyard to use the restroom, but he’s nowhere to be found.”

“What?” Zhao Yun was shocked, standing up and walking to the gate. He saw the seat was empty and Cai Mao was also missing.

“General Zhao, Liu Shijun must be…”

“Get out of the way!”

Zhang Yun was still planning to stall, but Zhao Yun pushed him down the stairs, causing him to crash.

Hearing Zhang Yun’s screams, Liu Qi secretly felt pleased and quickly caught up with Zhao Yun, concerned. “General Zhao, quickly gather the guards, I’ll go with you to find him.”

“Thank you, young master!” Zhao Yun didn’t look back, rushing off in a panic.

Back at the mansion, Liu Pan and Huang Zhong had already prepared. They were informed about the changes at the banquet, and the three of them acted according to plan.

With Huang Zhong and twenty guards, they left the city. When they reached the west gate, they saw Zhao Yun leading soldiers there. The guards tried to stop them, but Liu Qi dismissed them and they all left the city together.

After traveling two or three miles, suddenly Zhao Yun’s horse neighed loudly and collapsed on the side of the road, causing chaos among the soldiers.

Zhao Yun shouted and jumped off the horse, using his spear to steady himself on the ground, landing firmly.

Liu Qi reined in his horse and asked, “General Zhao, what happened?”

“Not good, someone tampered with my horse,” Zhao Yun’s face darkened. He was more worried about Liu Bei’s horse.

“General Zhao, get a new horse. I’ll go rescue him first.”

Liu Qi spurred his horse forward in a hurry, really anxious now, fearing Cai Mao might be getting close.

Dilu was indeed a fine horse. Even though Zhao Yun’s White Dragon Horse couldn’t hold up, Dilu was still running strong.

After turning around two mountain ridges, they heard the sound of rushing water, and Tan Creek was right ahead. The river was at least ten meters wide, and it was where a tributary merged with the Xiang River, the water flow rapid.

Not far from the bank, dust was rising as a group of soldiers chased after them. Just a few steps ahead, Liu Bei was seen riding Dilu, pacing along the riverbank.

In front of them was a dense forest and a cliff, with no way forward, and no boats in sight. Dilu was kicking its hooves and neighing, restless.

Seeing the pursuers getting closer, Liu Bei urged his warhorse, and Dilu’s front hooves stepped into the water, constantly tossing its head and scraping its hooves, stepping forward two steps before retreating suddenly.

At this moment, Cai Mao had brought his soldiers close and directly ordered them to shoot arrows. Liu Bei raised his whip and struck fiercely.

With a shrill sound, a sharp whinny of a horse drowned out the roar of the waves as Dilu leapt out of the water.

From a distance, it looked as if Dilu was like a flying dragon soaring through the air, its form elegant, its tail raised, utterly magnificent.

“What a horse…” Huang Zhong couldn’t help but praise from the saddle, but before he could finish his sentence, his expression suddenly changed: “Eh…”

Just as the white horse leapt, a bubble burst out from beneath its tail, spraying foam like a fountain, and then it fell straight down.

Liu Qi finally breathed a sigh of relief, as Dilu’s jump was short, like a deflated balloon, rising halfway before falling back down.

With a loud splash, the water splashed up from Tan Creek, and Liu Bei, along with his horse, fell into the river and disappeared from sight.