Fear and dread were like tangible entities, weighing heavily on the hearts of the Da Xing people.

Polo matches in Da Xing were often held on vast, flat grasslands or open fields accommodating thousands, surrounded on three or four sides by walls, with viewing platforms set up at higher elevations.

However, the Imperial College’s martial arts training ground wasn’t as large, and the viewing platforms were only opened during regular military drills, so the spectators stood around the edges of the training ground.

If Treasure Bead couldn’t control the startled horse and it charged into the crowd, the consequences would be unimaginable.

On the field, Treasure Bead could hear only the neighing of the startled horse in her ears, her vision blurred with residual images. She tightly clenched her legs, her boots firmly on the stirrups, one hand gripping the polo mallet without releasing it.

"...Quick...drop it..."

Someone shouted in the arena, but the shout sounded as if it was carried far by the wind, leaving no trace in her ears.

But only one sound did she hear, and she heard it clearly.

That was the piercing sound of the polo ball breaking through the air.

A few Yelv women nearby were too frightened to approach, but at that moment, Treasure Bead released the stirrups. Then she freed her legs, leapt up, her boot tip kicking the horse’s flank on one side, and used the force to leap further to one side, the scimitar’s end of the raised mallet precisely striking the hollowed ball.

The small fist-like polo ball made a crisp sound when struck.

The hollowness transmitted the hit sound far.

The crowd watching: "..."

The people on the field yelled: "Why focus on this at such a time?"

In the shouting, the lone brave ball swiftly swooped through the Yelv goal.

However, nobody cared to cheer.

Few even noticed where the ball went.

Seeing this scene, Qin Yuan’s heart was about to leap out.

At this moment.

She deeply felt that tenacity rooted in the Gu Family’s character.

That stubbornness of never admitting defeat.

"Treasure Bead!"

Gu Jinghui’s face broke into a relieved smile, and he stretched his arms, leaping forcefully off the horse.

Simultaneously, Treasure Bead’s boot tip borrowed force again from the horse’s back, jumping outward, causing the startled horse to lurch to the other side.

Landing was undoubtedly dangerous now, but it was her best choice.

Treasure Bead was indeed very lucky.

Before she reached the ground, she was caught solidly in mid-air by Gu Jinghui, quickly whisked several meters away from the startled horse.

"Third Brother!"

Treasure Bead’s scarf was disheveled, her sweat-soaked hair clung tightly to her cheeks.

Only now did she feel the delayed fear, her tears breaking forth uncontrollably, her voice hoarse and trembling.

Gu Jinghui didn’t have time to comfort her, instead, he thrust her upward, letting Treasure Bead fly out of the field like a kite.

He then soared like a bird again, clutching the startled horse firmly.

Freed from Treasure Bead, the horse skittered wildly across the ground, but weakened under Gu Jinghui’s forceful hold, while its hooves stubbornly stomped.

Slowly, the stomping weakened, ultimately pressed forcefully to the ground, its head drooped foaming at the mouth, nostrils flaring, panting heavily.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye.

The crowd stopped breathing, frozen like they were marked with immobilization acupoint, motionless.

Qin Heng exclaimed sharply: "Brother-in-law! Brother-in-law mighty! Dingbei Marquis mighty!"

The young voice was clear, breaking the momentary stillness.

The scholars awoke from dreams, raising their arms to cheer.

"Dingbei Marquis mighty!"

The guards of Dingbei Marquis Mansion shouted loudly: "Dingbei Marquis mighty!"

Sixth Master laughed and cried: "Third Brother mighty! Dingbei Marquis mighty!"

Qin Yuan couldn’t help raising her pink fist, softly saying: "Marquis mighty!"

Her heart, her eyes were all on the handsome and agile Marquis Gu.

The Yelv Clan people were quiet as chickens.

Gu Jinghui raised his hand to signal, his voice like morning bell resonating deeply, enough for everyone to hear.

"Where’s the referee? Da Xing got a point."

"Yes, Da Xing got a point."

Da Xing maidens cheered as they struck their polo mallets, producing "bang bang" sounds.

"Where’s the referee? Quickly raise the flag." People outside joined in the shout.

The referee on the flag platform suddenly remembered, planting a banner on Da Xing’s side of the flagpole, then beat the drum three times and announced: "Home team scores a point."

"Da Xing mighty! We won a point."

The inside and outside of the field erupted in jubilation.

No other goal stirred hearts like this one.

"Where’s Treasure Bead?"

Qin Yuan asked anxiously.

Sixth Master replied: "Don’t worry, Sister-in-law. There are guards over there, they should have caught her. Third Brother’s force was used skillfully, Treasure Bead has martial arts, she can borrow force and land steadily without injury."

Qin Yuan finally relaxed, and asked: "It’s already dark, we can’t even see the ball. Do we still have to compete? If Treasure Bead doesn’t play, we’re short of people."

She did not support continuing the match.

The Yelv team physically surpasses Da Xing. Da Xing’s advantage lies in the agility of their skills; if they don’t restrain the Yelv Clan’s malicious collisions, not only would Da Xing not benefit, there’s fear of injuries.

Sixth Master said: "We’re likely to light lamps for a night battle."

On the field, Marquis Gu waved his arm, saying: "It’s getting dark, why not pause the match."

Outside a thickly accented foreign voice loudly replied: "Why not light torches and fight again? Are Da Xing women scared?"

Marquis Gu fixed his gaze and saw the opponent provocatively looking at him.

"Yelv Guza."

Marquis Gu’s right-side molars unintentionally itched.

He had long wanted to deal with the opponent.

He believed the opponent had the same intent.

Yelv Guza waved a piece of paper in his raised, strong arm.

"It’s written in black and white that a life and death document is signed. If you don’t play now, you must admit that those defending poem verses are nonsense! They’re all weak lyrical phrases! Far inferior to our Yelv Clan folk songs."

"Yes, they’re nonsense. Fireflies, our folk song can make plenty, nicer sounding than your lyrical phrases."

"Admit defeat and there’s no need to play. Admit defeat."

The Yelv men echoed in agreement.

Though Da Xing scholars were angry, they were helpless, only able to boo in response.

Standing beside Yelv Guza, Qin Siyuan looked indignant, but he wasn’t adept at horse riding or polo, so he could only fret.

On the field, Yelv women whistled, mockingly saying: "Still playing or not?"

Their Da Xing was pronounced stiffly, but it sounded more challenging.

The originally retreating Da Xing team was rekindled with fighting spirit.

"Yes, light torches and fight again."

"No victory, no cessation."

"We refuse to believe we can’t beat them. Anyway, if one of ours steps down, they must step down too."

Treasure Bead reentered the field on a new horse, calling loudly: "Sisters, we will never admit defeat."