CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 51: THE BET, BAI CANG, AND BLACK STRIPE!

Zhao Yi thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "It really is a unique secret!"

"What secret?" Miaoyin’s eyes lit up.

Zhao Yi said, "The secret is having money!"

Miaoyin was taken aback, "What kind of secret is that? Who doesn’t have money? I haven’t seen anyone else train a Fierce Beast like a tube of toothpaste!"

Zhao Yi shook his head, "The wealth I speak of is different from what you understand!"

After he spoke, he looked at Bai Cang, who was eating, pointed at the wooden bucket filled with meat, and explained, "Did you see the meat Bai Cang is eating?"

Miaoyin nodded, "I saw it, what’s with the meat?"

Zhao Yi said, "There’s nothing wrong with the meat; it’s just extremely expensive! One piece of meat weighs a pound and costs a tael of gold!"

Hiss!

Upon hearing this, Miaoyin gasped.

Bai Cang had been eating for a while since he landed, already devouring dozens of pounds of meat.

That’s dozens of taels of gold!

Miaoyin hesitated, looking at Bai Cang still engrossed in his meal.

She was considering changing the wager.

Given Bai Cang’s appetite, even if she won, she likely couldn’t afford to keep him!

Zhao Yi, seeing the look on her face, generously said, "Don’t worry, if I lose, you can take Bai Cang with you. His meals will still be on me, not costing you a penny!"

Miaoyin’s face broke into a wide smile.

"Are you a man of your word?"

"A promise is a promise!"

After Zhao Yi finished speaking, he waved to Miaoyin, "I’m taking my servant girl into the mountains. I hope to hear good news when I return!"

Miaoyin was brimming with confidence, "Don’t worry, you won’t be disappointed!"

Zhao Yi nodded, then said to Xiaoxiao, "Have you seen enough? If you have, let’s go!"

Xiaoxiao was puzzled, "Go, go where?"

Zhao Yi said, "Of course, I’m taking you home. Aren’t you in a hurry to save your friend?"

Xiaoxiao quickly reacted.

She suddenly turned around, looked at Bai Cang, and hesitated, "Master, are we riding a bird to go back?"

Zhao Yi confidently nodded, "That’s right, it’s Bai Cang! Don’t worry, Bai Cang is very gentle and won’t throw you off in the middle of the journey! Its speed is also very fast; it can cover a hundred miles in the time it takes to burn an incense stick!"

After Zhao Yi finished speaking, he stepped towards Bai Cang.

Huang Ying was serving at the side.

Seeing Zhao Yi coming, she hurriedly draped a black feathered cloak over him.

Xiaoxiao finally understood.

She saw Zhao Yi about to mount the bird and hurriedly came in front of him.

Then, to Zhao Yi’s astonished gaze, she knelt down and crouched on the ground.

Zhao Yi was dumbfounded and asked in confusion, "What are you doing?"

Xiaoxiao said, "Master, I’m being your footstool, step on me to get up!"

Zhao Yi’s mouth twitched.

He looked at Bai Cang, then at the tiny Xiaoxiao crouching on the ground, his expression quite colorful.

Finally, Huang Ying couldn’t take it anymore and pulled Xiaoxiao up.

She stifled a laugh and said, "Xiaoxiao, I know you’re eager to earn money, but some tasks should be within your capacity!"

Xiaoxiao asked puzzled, "What do you mean by within capacity?"

Huang Ying pointed at Bai Cang’s pillar-like legs and paws, then gestured Xiaoxiao’s height, explaining, "Do you see clearly? Standing, you’re not even as tall as Bai Cang’s legs. If you crouch on the ground, are you implying the master should sit on Bai Cang’s paws? This task isn’t for you, nor should it be; this is what it means to consider one’s own ability!"

Xiaoxiao saw the issue then.

Bai Cang was just too enormous!

Its wings could envelop the entire courtyard.

Standing with its wings folded, it was as big as a three-story building!

Xiaoxiao’s height was like that of a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl.

She truly didn’t measure up next to Bai Cang!

Xiaoxiao was very dejected.

She recalled how, back at the Four Seas Restaurant, those waiters who served as footstools for Zhao Yi received golden coins as a reward.

Now that no one was competing for the job, Xiaoxiao thought she could monopolize all the money, only to find out she couldn’t even reach by crouching!

"I must eat more in the future; that’s the only way I’ll grow taller and stronger and earn more money!"

Right before her eyes were golden coins, but they remained unearned.

Xiaoxiao was extremely frustrated!

She made a silent vow, determining that once she returned, she would eat more.

Next time, she must earn the footstool money!

Zhao Yi looked at Xiaoxiao, caught up in her body image worries, feeling a pang of sympathy in his eyes.

In the original story, when Xiaoxiao last appeared, she was only about as tall as a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl.

This was related to her childhood malnutrition.

Xiaoxiao had suffered physical deprivation for too long; even with improved nutrition afterward, she might not have the chance to grow taller!

Zhao Yi saw her confidence and chose not to comment further.

When the guards brought a ladder, he climbed up to Bai Cang’s back step by step.

Miaoyin truly couldn’t bear to watch!

Throughout history!

Using a ladder to mount a steed—Zhao Yi was a first.

He was certainly without precedent!

Once Zhao Yi was up, Xiaoxiao quickly followed up the ladder.

Huang Ying also intended to climb up but was stopped by Zhao Yi.

Zhao Yi said, "You stay to look after Qing Feng."

Qing Feng was severely injured last time. Xiaoxiao had been treating her for the past two days and had seen some progress.

Zhao Yi heard from Xiaoxiao that as long as Qing Feng continued to take medicine, she would be fully recovered in three to five days.

As it was a critical period, to prevent Qing Feng from running around, Zhao Yi left Huang Ying behind to care for her!

Huang Ying understood the importance.

Seeing Zhao Yi had made up his mind, she nodded and said, "Your servant obeys!"

Zhao Yi nodded, ordered for some grains and dried fruits to be brought as gifts, and then commanded Bai Cang to set off.

Bai Cang finished the bucket of meat and drank a bucket of warm water.

Upon hearing Zhao Yi’s urging, it joyfully let out a sharp cry, slowly flapping its wings, and flew towards West Mountain!

The early spring wind was still chilly.

Zhao Yi wrapped his cloak around himself, found a warm, furry place near Bai Cang’s neck, and sat down.

Xiaoxiao, flying on a bird for the first time, excitedly gestured and called out along the way.

By the time they reached West Mountain, her voice was hoarse!

Bai Cang had excellent vision.

Based on Xiaoxiao’s descriptions, it easily found Black Stripe’s location.

Seeing the legendary Black Stripe, Zhao Yi was taken aback.

"Why is it a dog?"

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pps: I’ve told the editor, not following the recommendations anymore, ending the new book period early, all big Chapters from now on, let’s see who calls me short, this one is 5200 words!