CHP 37 The Road to Wu Clan (and Wang San's Endless Mouth)
The five clans were traveling together toward Wu Clan's territory, banners fluttering in the wind, warriors riding in neat formation…
…And then there was Wang San.
He was riding right beside Yun Zhan, leaning so far into his space that Zhan's horse kept flicking its ears in irritation.
San: "Hey, Zhan. If Wu Clan's queen turns out to be hideous, will you still bow to her?"
Zhan: "Yes."
San: "Even if she has a beard?"
Zhan: "…Yes."
San: "Even if she's missing teeth, smells like rotten fish, and calls you 'Little Zhan-Zhan'?"
Zhan's hand tightened on his reins. "Yes. And I will throw you in the river."
San grinned like he had just won a battle. "Ooooh, a threat! That means I'm getting to you!"
Up ahead, Gu Nie muttered to Tang Hao, "Why hasn't anyone gagged him yet?"
Tang Hao replied without looking back, "I think Yun Zhan's considering it."
At one point, San decided the whole ride was "too quiet" and started loudly singing a made-up song about Zhan's "beautifully grumpy face" and "the way he never talks but secretly loves me."
Half the riders were trying not to laugh.
Finally, Zhan stopped his horse, turned his head just enough to look at San, and said in a dangerously calm voice:
"Walk."
San blinked. "What? No! My horse is comfortable."
Zhan raised an eyebrow. "Walk… or I'll tell Wei Liang what you said about her soup last week."
San's face went pale. "You wouldn't dare…"
Zhan's expression didn't change.
San got off the horse. "…Fine. But I'm walking in front so you have to look at me the whole way."
Zhan sighed. This was going to be the longest journey of his life.