The way Uma Musume looks at me is so scary!

Upon hearing Xiu Xingmeng's words, a commotion immediately broke out among the reporters, with everyone discussing it animatedly. Tian Shenguan also widened his eyes and shouted.

"You want to achieve the Emperor's Award for consecutive seasonal hegemonies?!"

"That's right, I will carry on the legacy of my predecessors—"

Before Xiu Xingmeng could finish speaking, the voices from the crowd grew louder and louder, with people saying things like "So that's how it is, I guessed it a long time ago."

Before Xiu Xingmeng could even wonder why they had already guessed her target, Tian Shenguan had already shifted his gaze from the top of the notebook where he was recording questions to the bottom, and a look of realization appeared on his face.

"As expected! As the racehorse girl of the Mejiro family, you still want to achieve the great feat of winning the Emperor's Slam again!"

"Mejiro Asama and Mejiro Titan once achieved a mother-daughter consecutive win of the Autumn Emperor's Prize, and a few years ago Mejiro McQueen went even further, achieving a spring and autumn consecutive win of the Emperor's Prize!"

"Now, the Mejiro family is finally moving towards the almost impossible goal of consecutive reigns in the Emperor's Spring and Autumn Annals!"

Seeing Tian Shenguan blush with excitement, Xiu Xingmeng felt as if she had been hit by a heavy hammer, and for a moment she didn't know how to reply.

The Mejiro family? Me? What is the connection between the Northern Territory's Emperor's reward for consecutive victories in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Mejiro family?

Chapter 194 Declaration

Kentaro Sugiki, who was trapped in the crowd, was also taken aback when he heard Tagami's words, and then immediately realized that something was wrong.

While he was in charge of his work, the Mejiro family had obviously already held a press conference to announce that Hokuho Hoshino was born with Mejiro family blood. After finishing his work, Sugimoto Kentaro was busy looking for her and didn't notice this at all.

But if that's all there is to it, it would be fine. If he could tell Northern Star Dream about this before the reporters, then at least there would be some room for maneuver.

It didn't matter how intense Hokuho Hoshino's reaction was during their private conversation; Kentaro Sugiki would never reveal it to anyone.

But things are different now. Facing the cameras of numerous reporters and their intense gazes, if Northern Star Dream does anything rash because of the news under such scrutiny, there will be no room for maneuver!

As soon as he thought of this, beads of sweat trickled down Kentaro's forehead. He hurriedly tried to push past the reporters blocking his way in order to get closer to Xiuxing Meng.

If he can get to Xiu Xingmeng in time, there might still be a chance for things to turn around. Whether he calms her down or takes her away directly, it would be better than having a conflict break out here!

However, his actions were seen by other reporters as a fellow journalist trying to seize a better shot. They would never give up their shooting angle for the front page, so they did their best to stop him.

Two fists can't beat four hands, especially since Kentaro Sugiki was already past middle age and his physical condition had deteriorated significantly over the years of work. How could he possibly defeat this group of strong and robust reporters carrying cameras?

Through the crowded throng, Kentaro Sugiki saw that after a long silence, Hoshino finally opened her mouth, and he knew that he could no longer stop it from happening.

As the situation spiraled further into unpredictability, he clenched his fists and once again felt a deep resentment towards his own incompetence.

"Why... do you want to connect me with the Mejiro family?"

Xiu Xingmeng spoke calmly, looking at Tian Shenguan in front of her without changing her expression. Her eyes, as dark and deep as the night sky, flickered with a meaning that others could not see through.

Tian Shen Guan seemed completely unaware of Xiu Xing Meng's strangeness, and instead asked her with some oddity.

"The Mejiro family held a press conference shortly after your match ended? Judging from the number of people gathered and the speed of the event, the Mejiro family must have been preparing for a long time."

Xiu Xingmeng nodded upon hearing this, her expression unchanged, and continued to ask.

"Is that so? Perhaps I was too excited about winning the Emperor's Spring Appreciation competition and forgot. Could you explain it to me in more detail?"

Tagami looked up and pondered for a moment, completely unaware that the subtle changes in the eyes of the other reporters behind him had occurred when they heard those words.

"Actually, it was just a short press conference. The head of the Mejiro family, Mejiro Asama, came out to explain to the reporters the origins of your and your mother's bloodlines, and then it ended."

Upon hearing Tian Shenguan's words, Xiu Xingmeng's eyes grew even deeper.

"The head of the Mejiro family...Mejiro Asama, is it?"

As she chewed on the name, her tone turned cold, and a deep-seated fear, like a blade slicing across her neck, silenced the entire crowd.

Even the usually oblivious Tagami Kane noticed something was amiss. He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing, and finally mustered the courage to cautiously ask.

"Is there... a problem? Maybe I have a bad memory and forgot there were other steps?"

"Why don't you ask your other journalist friends? Their records might be more complete."

Looking at the cautious Tian Shenguan, Xiu Xingmeng shook her head expressionlessly, then looked at the camera again and said indifferently.

"The camera is filming right now, isn't it?"

The sense of danger emanating from Xiu Xingmeng at this moment was completely different from before. The reporters, who had been frightened by her sharpness, didn't dare to answer for a moment after hearing this, and all lowered their eyes to try to avoid Xiu Xingmeng's blade.

"answer me."

As Xiu Xingmeng finished speaking, an even more ferocious aura swept over the entire crowd, startling everyone present. Some of the usually timid reporters were trembling, and if they hadn't been supporting their colleagues, they might have collapsed to the ground due to their weak legs.

"They're...filming it..."

In the suffocating silence, only Tian Shenguan mustered the courage to take over Xiu Xingmeng's words, while the other reporters holding cameras also nodded hurriedly.

Xiu Xingmeng nodded and spoke to the camera.

"My name is Northern Star Dream."

"You all agree on this, right?"

Before this, some people might have wanted to ask when Xiu Xingmeng would change her name to Mu Bai, but at this moment, the crowd, who had already been terrified, dared not have any objections and quickly nodded.

"Then why connect me with the Mejiro family?"

Upon hearing her words, everyone involuntarily swallowed hard. Xiu Xingmeng was terrifying in the moment, so how could they dare to respond casually?

Only Tian Shenguan, seeing that Xiu Xingmeng was clearly asking him, cautiously answered when he realized he couldn't avoid it.

"After all, the Mejiro family just held a press conference, and it was the head of the Mejiro family who said it... so for now..."

"Is what she says really that believable?"

"Forehead……"

Faced with Xiu Xingmeng's persistent questioning, Tian Shenguan was momentarily speechless and didn't know how to respond. At this moment, they were talking about the head of the thriving Mejiro family. If he accidentally said the wrong thing, Tian Shenguan was afraid that his reporter career would end on the spot.

"He's nothing but a coward who doesn't even dare to show his true face to the world. Do you really believe what he says?"

Upon hearing Xiu Xingmeng's evaluation of the imposing Meguro Asama, Tian Shenguan couldn't help but close his eyes, feeling that his journalistic career might truly be coming to an end.

After expressing her disdain for Mubai Qianjian in front of everyone, Xiu Xingmeng turned her gaze to the camera again and spoke slowly.

"My name is Beifang Xingmeng, the last glorious successor of the prestigious Beifang family."

In the frozen air, Xiu Xingmeng's cold voice cut through the silence like a sharp blade.

"I stepped onto this field to revive the century-old glory of the Northern family."

She stared at the camera, speaking in a cold voice as if she were addressing the Mejiro family outside the camera's viewpoint.

"And I will personally shatter the winning streak myth built up by the Mejiro family, and with an indisputable victory, forever engrave the crown of the Emperor's Spring and Autumn Ranking on the monument of the Northern Family!"

"Wait, then……"

"Mejiro...Asama!"

Chapter 195 On the Edge of the Storm

Having declared war on the Meguro family in front of numerous reporters' cameras, Xiuxingmeng returned to the courtyard that same day before the news spread. Fortunately, Meguro Aldan was not there, and Xiuxingmeng had no more constraints. After taking her mother's portrait, she resolutely left the place.

She wanted to return to her home in the north, to the place where her grandmother and mother had once lived.

Meanwhile, the reporters were also working at breakneck speed to fabricate news stories.

So, just a few hours later, while people were still marveling that Hokuho Hoshimu was actually the Mejiro family's horse racing girl and thinking that the Mejiro family had a good chance of winning the Emperor's Spring and Autumn Championship, Hideho Hoshimu's declaration of war against the Mejiro family caused a huge uproar in the horse racing world, just like dropping a bomb.

These two news items, one after the other, focused everyone's attention on the Mejiro and Hokuto families. Through Xiuxingmeng's statement that she was the last heir to the Hokuto family's glory, the story of the prestigious family hidden deep in the mountains was also unearthed. The few lines describing the grudges and affections between the Hokuto and Mejiro families also made many people think.

As public opinion exploded, almost the entire horse racing world turned its attention to this once-famous but now-fallen horse racing line. Through the piecing together of records and accounts from those involved, people gradually pieced together a story for themselves.

In the past, the Hokuho family and the Mejiro family, both prestigious families, had intermarried for generations. The racehorse girls who shared the same bloodline were regarded as the future stars of the family. Among them, the most shining one is the mother of Hokuho Hoshimu, who is now famous all over the world.

The racehorse girl displayed exceptional talent in a classic year, showing tremendous improvement almost every time she stepped onto the track. As a result, she received considerable recognition when she declared to reporters that her goal was to compete in the Emperor's Spring Festival next year.

Bearing the bloodlines of both the Meguro and Hokuto families, the glory she could achieve would naturally be shared equally between the two families. This should have been a perfect collaboration, with the two prestigious families working together to make this horse racer who won the Emperor's Spring Festival Appreciation a star.

But then something unexpected happened. The racehorse girl who claimed she would win the Spring Emperor's Prize did not come to Kyoto Racecourse on the day of the race. After that, she disappeared from the public eye and left the racecourse without even a retirement press conference.

Strangely, neither the Mejiro nor the Hokusho family ever mentioned the racehorse girl again, and after that, the two families seemed to have parted ways and never had any contact with each other in public again.

As time passed, the Meguro family became increasingly glorious thanks to the emergence of many outstanding descendants, and they had long since fulfilled their long-cherished wish of winning the Emperor's Award for consecutive years.

The Northern family, on the other hand, has been silent ever since, and for more than a decade, no new generation of racehorses has appeared on the track. The younger generation of viewers has never heard of her past glory, and the older generation who witnessed her glory back then have long forgotten her.

That's how it is in the world of horse racing; new generations replace the old, and even prestigious breeds can't stay prosperous forever.

What no one expected was that, many years after the entire horse racing world had assumed that the Northern family had withdrawn from the racetrack, the last successor who inherited all the past glory of the Northern family once again stepped onto the racetrack.

Having both Mejiro and Northern bloodlines, she not only seeks to reclaim her family's past glory but also seeks revenge against her former enemies. Since the Mejiro family values ​​the Emperor's Award so much, she will personally take it away and cut off the wings that have enabled the Mejiro family to prosper to this day.

A story of powerful families, hidden secrets, and blood ties that lead to blood feuds and bloodshed—a tale spanning generations—converges today.

As more and more shocking content is unearthed, the rumors that once surrounded Xiu Xingmeng will soon vanish, and claims such as attacks from powerful families and the Northern family bribing commentators will seem utterly ridiculous.

With only Xiu Xingmeng left, what power did the Northern Family have? Not only did she lack the support of a powerful backer, she also had to shoulder the family's century-old honor and legacy all by herself.

Under such immense pressure, she even endured months of criticism. Many people, if they put themselves in Hokuho Shinmei's shoes, would feel that her future was bleak. Yet, she managed to win again and again under such pressure, not only defeating Narita Shirohito once more, but also winning against the rice bath located at the Kyoto Racecourse.

What's truly impressive is not just her skill, but also her willpower.

As more and more background information was added, the last successor, who carried the blood of his enemy but also had to bear the glory of a fallen noble family, was deduced. In the eyes of countless people, Xiu Xingmeng was transformed from a shameful thief who appreciated chrysanthemums into a tragic hero who persevered through countless days and nights.

Naturally, the Mejiro family, who had a strong conflict with Xiuxingmeng, became the antagonists in the story. Compared to the desolate Northern family, which was reduced to only one person, people were more willing to believe that the Mejiro family, who were at the peak of their power at the time, were the masterminds behind that old incident.

As a result, the Mejiro family was thrust into the spotlight, and as the person who gave the press conference and the head of the family, Mejiro Asami naturally received more attention and criticism.

Such scrutiny came not only from outsiders, but also from within the Meguro family.

"What exactly happened?!"

Megumi raised her voice, perhaps influenced by the months she had spent with Xiuxing Meng. At this moment, she no longer beat around the bush, but went directly to Megumi Asami and knocked on the table to ask.

The old woman sitting behind the table also took off her beret, and her blue-white hair, unique to the Meguro family, was neatly tied together, with a pair of horse ears standing out prominently on it.

Megumi Asami, who had always pretended to be innocent in front of Xiu Xingmeng and refused to reveal her true identity, finally showed her true colors at this moment.

She gazed at her anxious granddaughter across the table, and spoke softly to Meguro Mineki without changing her expression.

“Gao Feng… as the heir to the family headship, you can’t be so impulsive.”

Upon hearing this, Meguro Mineko frowned, and the anger in his eyes became even more pronounced.

"Am I impatient...?"

"That's true... Compared to a family head who doesn't say a word, acts unilaterally, and accomplishes everything behind everyone's back, I'm probably still far from being good enough!"

Faced with Meguro Takamine's rebuke, Meguro Asama did not respond but simply looked at her silently.

Looking at his grandmother's calm gaze, Mubai Gaofeng found it increasingly difficult to suppress the frustration in his heart.

"You knew this would be the outcome!"

"Since you don't want to talk, then let me do it!"

After saying that, she immediately turned and left, slamming the door shut with a loud bang, just like Xiu Xingmeng had done before.

Chapter 196 The Curse Arrives as Scheduled

Back at her home in the north, Xiu Xingmeng first re-hung her mother's portrait, then tidied up her room and personal belongings before resuming her training as before.

However, in the few days since returning to her home in the north, Xiu Xingmeng has not been very satisfied with her training results. At first, she thought it was because of the environment, since this place was far too rudimentary compared to the professional training track at the Megumi family's home.

However, she quickly found the real reason for her decline in performance.

Having just finished a speed training session, Xiu Xingmeng didn't wipe away the sweat that was trickling into her eyes, but let it sting in her eyes. Compared to this slight pain, the information coming from her legs was much more important at this moment.

"My legs... feel so much heavier?"

Xiu Xingmeng frowned as she stared at her long, slender legs, glistening beads of sweat sliding down her skin.

Under the sunlight, those legs that were invincible on the track were still as flawless as white jade, but she keenly sensed that some indescribable change was quietly taking place.

Unlike Narita Shirahito's visible injuries, what was currently swirling around Xiu Xingmeng's legs was a more hidden and subtle change that had been imperceptibly affecting her until today.

To test her hypothesis, Xiu Xingmeng gradually increased her strength. At first, it was no different from usual, but when she tried to push herself to the limit, her legs suddenly felt a sharp pain.

"Has my limit for endurance been lowered?"

Xiu Xingmeng frowned and thought to herself.

"No... no, the power I just felt was actually greater than my previous self. I can feel that my limit has not only not decreased but has actually increased slightly, but my body can no longer bear any more power."

Recalling the strange feeling she had during the endurance training, Xiu Xingmeng immediately silently recited the name of the panel in her mind. As soon as she thought about it, the semi-transparent blue panel reappeared before her eyes.

【Horse Girl Raising System - Scenario Panel】

Character: Northern Celestial