MTCCP Chapter 24

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At the moment of acceleration, Yue Yiwan felt as if he had been thrown out by an excavator.

The sudden lift brought a distinct sense of weightlessness, but the up-and-down jolts gradually diminished.

The rushing wind swirled around his ears like whirlpools in a rapid current, leaving him no time to take in his surroundings.

Breathing heavily, he gripped Hua Muzhi’s hand tightly, feeling as if he were riding on an Arabian flying carpet.

A racehorse, once it starts running, can be as fast as a small car.

Within just a few minutes, even his thoughts seemed frozen. His vision and hearing were heightened to the extreme, and even his blood felt like it was boiling.

When the white horse soared over another obstacle, it was as if an electric current surged from his fingertips straight to his mind, igniting all his emotions.

—Exhilarating!

Yue Yiwan grinned, straightened his posture, and shouted, “Hyah!”

The white horse raised its hooves and picked up speed once more. The roaring wind swept everything away, making him forget all trivial matters. Even the slightest slope felt like an extreme dive.

He laughed freely, his breaths carrying a fiery exhilaration.

This horse should not be confined to a riding arena. Such a fine steed belonged to the vast plains, to the most unrestrained of winds.

It wasn’t until much later that the speed finally slowed down, and Hua Muzhi led him down for a break.

“You have a natural talent.”

Yue Yiwan took off his helmet, raised an eyebrow with a smile, and said, “That’s because Teacher Hua is such a great instructor.”

The two of them enjoyed some tea and snacks in a nearby pavilion before deciding to try riding another horse.

Since Yue Yiwan was still a beginner and unfamiliar with many commands, Hua Muzhi remained seated behind him, guiding him on how to control the horse’s movements.

Dressage was not only an elegant art form but also a prestigious equestrian event in sports competitions.

Before starting, Hua Muzhi carefully checked his riding gear and protective equipment once more. Then, he handed the reins back to Yue Yiwan, keeping his hands lightly poised at the sides.

“Let’s start with the basics—halting and walking.”

At first, it seemed almost elementary, but the deeper he delved into it, the more fascinating it became.

The horse could not only change its gait but also move in serpentine or figure-eight patterns. Even the more complex movements, such as the travers and renvers, were entirely within its grasp.

Hua Muzhi rested a hand lightly against Yue Yiwan’s waist, his voice low as he explained the movements of the piaffe and passage right beside his ear. The horse, as if understanding human speech, cooperated flawlessly.

Its steps alternated between swift and slow, and it cleared obstacles with effortless precision—a true testament to its training.

For a moment, Yue Yiwan even felt like a medieval knight, gripping the reins in a state of near euphoria.

“You’re doing well… Let’s try a full sequence of movements.”

A deep, magnetic voice murmured beside his ear, crisp and cool, as if it had been steeped in the autumn waters beyond the Ming Court.

Yue Yiwan found himself momentarily distracted. Listening to Hua Muzhi’s detailed explanations, his thoughts wandered beyond just the lesson.

That evening, they attended yet another round of formalities and ceremonies. The birthday gifts had already been carefully selected by the royal attendants, so all that was required of them was to say a few auspicious words.

The elderly prince was fond of hunting, and the estate’s mountains had been purposefully stocked with game. It was said that the roasted rabbit and grilled venison served at the banquet had been hunted by his own hand.

Yue Yiwan had assumed he would be spending the evening conversing with elderly noblewomen, so he had mentally prepared himself for hours of courtly gossip.

However, after dinner, the Crown Prince led him to a side chamber of the hunting lodge to select new equipment.

“I—am I going hunting too?” Yue Yiwan asked, clearly excited. “Is it difficult?”

“It’s not hard. Let’s pick out your hunting attire first.”

A royal attendant unlocked three wardrobes, revealing an array of gear.

Yue Yiwan had expected something reminiscent of equestrian formalwear—perhaps attire with an English aristocratic flair. Instead, the garments were camouflaged in shades of green and brown.

However, they were nothing like military training fatigues.

Out of habit, he reached out to feel the fabric and examine the cut, only to discover that it was entirely different from what he had imagined.

“These clothes… why are they so light?”

Surprised, he pulled out a jacket and expertly checked the lining and surface coating.

Hua Muzhi watched with a faint smile, a touch of admiration in his gaze.

“It’s made of insulating material—excellent for wind resistance and warmth.”

Yue Yiwan put the jacket on, testing its feel, and exclaimed in amazement, “This thing is lighter than a pigeon’s egg—almost impossibly so.”

Hearing this, the attendant handed him a brochure from the manufacturer, confirming his guess.

‘This garment uses advanced PrimaLoft Silver Active insulation, weighing no more than three ping pong balls.’

The technology behind Sitka Gear was truly impressive.

After selecting his jacket and pants, Yue Yiwan handed them to the attendant before heading to another room with Hua Muzhi to pick out hunting boots.

Modern hunting, of course, was nothing like the dramatic scenes in My Fair Princess, where a group of riders galloped noisily through the forest while servants drove the animals toward them for an easy kill with bows and arrows.

Though high-tech hunting bows were available, most people preferred rifles.

Using firearms naturally required dealing with recoil.

Besides the shock-absorbing properties of hunting attire, the boots also needed strong traction and support.

In his teenage years, Yue Yiwan had bought plenty of trendy sneakers and had a good understanding of footwear.

He picked a pair that he found reasonably stylish, and upon touching them, he noticed the midsole was made of nylon material.

Whether hunting on plains or in mountainous terrain, he knew he would encounter mud and dew. Hunting boots needed to be not only waterproof but also breathable and resistant to wear and tear.

After some careful selection, Yue Yiwan picked out two more pairs and handed them to the attendant.

Hua Muzhi then led him further inside to a more concealed section—the gun room.

The young prince was visibly taken aback by the sheer scale of the collection and instinctively started counting the rows of firearms.

The room resembled a high-end exhibition hall, filled with an impressive array of handguns and rifles—all legally owned and brand new.

The walls were lined with elegant golden nanmu wood display cases, each brightly lit, while the center showcased various accessories, neatly arranged and labeled.

"Qingzhi was still talking about how much he wanted to come back for another hunt before he left," Hua Muzhi remarked as he picked up a nearby rifle and tested its weight. "He liked using this one—a .22 caliber. Low recoil, excellent accuracy. Took down quite a few rabbits and pheasants with it."

This was definitely outside Yue Yiwan’s area of expertise.

Scanning the rows of firearms, he felt the same kind of confusion as a straight man picking out lipstick. Turning to Hua Muzhi, he asked for help, "Your Highness, can you choose one for me?"

"If you’re inexperienced, go with a bipod-supported firearm. You can mount it on either a shotgun or a rifle." Hua Muzhi casually handed him a few options to test their grip and weight.

As he explained, he absentmindedly spun a handgun in his palm, twirling it single-handedly with fluid precision.

His movements were clean and effortless—a clear sign of someone well-versed in handling firearms.

He explained which guns were best for hunting deer, which were powerful enough to take down a bear, and how to use them with both precision and etiquette.

The usually refined and gentle crown prince spoke about bolt-action rifles and Remington models as easily as if he were selecting pastries. He described the precision of Winchester rifles with the same ease, making everything sound crystal clear.

There was no trace of bloodlust in him—only the elegance of nobility.

A man who knew his way around guns undeniably had a certain allure.

Following behind Hua Muzhi, Yue Yiwan listened, half-understanding, and picked a few rifles with lower recoil. Then, they moved on to selecting other accessories.

"This one I know—it’s an 8x scope!"

The crown prince gave him a slightly surprised look and corrected him, "This is a variable scope—adjustable from 3x to 9x magnification."

Yue Yiwan coughed awkwardly. "I misremembered."

Damn you, PUBG!

"For hunting, we usually set the standard magnification at 3x," Hua Muzhi instructed, demonstrating how to adjust the dial. "9x is highly precise but has a narrow field of view, making it easy to lose track of the target."

They also selected muzzle brakes and bore sighting tools, along with a stock of ammunition.

By the time they were finished, the attendants had already prepared carrying cases and transported everything to the lodge’s resting area at the base of the mountain.

The deer hunt was scheduled for early morning—it was bound to be exciting.

The couple returned to their quarters, washed up, and changed clothes, only to suddenly remember that they still had work to do.

—They hadn’t tackled their deadlines yet!

Throwing on a robe, Yue Yiwan immediately grabbed his tablet and sprawled across the bed to draw.

Meanwhile, Hua Muzhi opened his notes and reference materials, settling at the desk to work on his writing update.

After an entire day of dealing with relatives, they had almost forgotten about it.

…Working overtime on a cold winter night was pure suffering. If only there were a machine that could just extract the ideas straight from their brains!

Yue Yiwan wasn’t having the easiest time drawing. Frustrated, he even felt the urge to bite his pen.

The theme of "minimalism" was deceptively tricky.

Achieving a minimalist design wasn’t just about using solid colors or contrasts—it required a sharp eye for fabric selection and precise tailoring.

Lying on the bed, he kicked his legs back and forth, his long, fair limbs practically glowing under the light.

Hua Muzhi had been fully focused on drafting a fifteenth-century city scroll, typing away on his keyboard—until something in his peripheral vision shifted.

Looking up, his gaze landed on Yue Yiwan’s legs.

Long, smooth, and impeccably toned, with not an ounce of excess flesh.

The graceful lines of his limbs were as if drawn with a single, perfect stroke. Under the glow of the lamp, his ivory-white skin looked exceptionally striking.

Hua Muzhi rubbed the bridge of his nose, silently dismissing certain thoughts, and forced himself to focus on his manuscript.

—After all, tomorrow’s update still wasn’t finished.

_____

Author’s note: 

Such heartwarming dedication to work! (Or not…)

Reference material: [Hunting Gear Camp] Super Practical! A Guide to Choosing Your Hunting Rifle!

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