“In ten days, I will defeat you.”

The youth’s words rang clear, their smile radiant, with sunlight reflecting in their pupils like sparkling gems.

For a moment, Wang Ba found himself doubting.

The next instant, he was startled by his momentary doubt, silently cursing himself for being intimidated by a wet-behind-the-ears youngster. He had lived half his life; how could he be inferior to a weakling like this? Such an inexperienced child, speaking without restraint, self-important, not knowing life and death!

He coldly snorted, “He Yan, do you understand what you’re saying?”

“Would you like me to repeat it?” the youth said with a smile. “Since your hearing isn’t good, I’ll say it again: in ten days, I will defeat you.”

“You!” Wang Ba clenched his fists.

“Has He Yan gone mad…” Hong Shan muttered. Everyone had witnessed Wang Ba’s archery skills. Although He Yan had improved slightly from yesterday,… hitting the target wasn’t something that could be mastered in just ten days!

While it was understandable for young people to make bold claims in the heat of the moment, what would happen if they couldn’t live up to such excessive boasting?

“If you can’t beat me in ten days, what then?” Wang Ba said through gritted teeth. He decided to stop bantering with this youth – He Yan’s skin was too thick, taking any mockery in stride.

“If I can’t beat you, I’ll become a cook,” He Yan answered promptly. “But if you can’t beat me…”

“I’ll become a cook!” Wang Ba shouted.

“I didn’t say that,” He Yan shook her head. “Even if I wanted you to be a cook, Instructor Liang wouldn’t agree.” She looked meaningfully at Liang Ping.

The calculating Liang Ping: “…”

How strange, how did this kid know what he was thinking? Wasting Wang Ba’s talent as a cook – the Head Instructor would kill him!

“Then what do you want!” Wang Ba said impatiently.

In He Yan’s mind, she suddenly recalled the young men’s favorite gambling challenges at Xian Chang Hall. Xiao Jue, as the top student, had been frequently challenged in his youth. What did he say then? She remembered that youth sitting behind the artificial mountain in the study hall, half-asleep, irritably sitting up when disturbed, lazily telling his challenger who wanted to compete in archery and horsemanship: “Fine, if I lose, you can do as you please. If you lose,” he curved his lips, “you’ll have to call me father.”

He Yan thought this current situation was quite similar to that time.

But she couldn’t make Wang Ba call her father.

“How about this – I hear you’re the leader of mountain bandits, their boss. If I beat you, it means my ability surpasses yours, and you’ll have to call me boss from now on. How’s that?” she said.

This demand was unheard of.

Everyone looked at He Yan, who wasn’t even as tall as Wang Ba’s chest and whose arms were as thin as firewood, then at the tall and sturdy Wang Ba, whose fist was bigger than He Yan’s face, and fell silent.

“Your ambition isn’t small,” Wang Ba stared intently at He Yan, smiling without warmth.

“To be honest, before joining the army, I had considered becoming a bandit,” He Yan said nostalgically.

When she ran away from the He family, carrying her bundle at night, she had hesitated at the city gate, undecided between two paths. One path led south to become a bandit, the other west to join the Fu Yue Army. Being a bandit offered freedom without restrictions, but during poor harvests with few travelers, there would be no food, and they’d have to dodge government forces, constantly hiding – not very dignified.

Joining the army was more difficult, but at least it meant eating imperial grain and carrying some prestige.

However, neither accepted women, forcing her to disguise herself. Fortunately, she was skilled at playing the young master’s role, allowing her to rise through the ranks.

Looking back now, it was quite remarkable.

Seeing He Yan’s reminiscent expression, Wang Ba grew even angrier. This kid looked only fifteen or sixteen, why act so mature? Reminiscing – what past could he possibly have to reminisce about?

“Fine,” he struggled to contain his rage from decapitating this youth, squeezing words through his teeth, “If you want to be boss, let’s see if you have what it takes.”

“Excellent!” He Yan cupped her hands toward the surrounding recruits, “Please witness this wager. We’ll meet here in ten days to settle this! Wish me luck!” She snapped her fingers carefreely, either simple-minded or confident in some special skill, looking certain of victory.

Wang Ba stormed off angrily.

Xiao Mai and Hong Shan rushed to He Yan’s side. As the spectators gradually dispersed, those who remained watching He Yan wore complex expressions of both admiration and sympathy.

They probably all assumed He Yan would end up as a cook.

Liang Ping glanced at He Yan, shook his head, and left with his hands behind his back, sighing that young people were impulsive and didn’t consider consequences, but… why did he feel a little excited thinking about it?

……

Within half a day, the entire Liangzhou Guard knew about He Yan and Wang Ba’s wager.

People in the barracks secretly started betting and being poor, they used kitchen hardtacks as stakes. Betting on Wang Ba’s loss paid ten to one while betting on He Yan’s loss paid two to one.

Fewer people ate hardtacks these days. With daily training, finding entertainment was rare.

In the room, Cheng Li Su entered. He wore a new yellow robe with a red koi fish embroidered on the hem, looking lively and adorable. As soon as he entered, he called out to the young man sitting at the table: “Uncle, do you know everyone in the barracks is talking about the archery duel in ten days?”

Xiao Jue didn’t even look up from his book, saying, “I know.”

The entire barracks knew about it – a weak kid who wanted to be a bandit boss and a skilled archer who wanted to make the other a cook, what an odd pair.

“There’s even betting now. I’m planning to place a bet, want to join?” Cheng Li Su squeezed in front of Xiao Jue, asking excitedly.

“Cheng Li Su,” Xiao Jue put down his book and looked at him calmly, “You’re gambling in the barracks?”

Though his tone was neutral, Cheng Li Su shivered. He quickly raised both hands, “No, no, it’s not me. Others set it up, and we’re not betting money, just some hardtacks for fun! Uncle, I’m still a child, it’s normal to seek entertainment!”

Xiao Jue snorted, “Trifling pursuits destroy ambition.”

“I never had any ambition to destroy,” Cheng Li Su answered righteously.

Xiao Jue had no response to that.

“Uncle, if you’re not going, I’ll place my bet alone. I don’t eat hardtacks, I’ll bet my dried meat instead, not money.” He said cheerfully, heading for the door.

“Who are you betting on?” Just as he reached the doorway, he heard Xiao Jue’s voice.

Xiao Jue usually had no interest in such matters. Cheng Li Su was surprised for a moment but still obediently answered, “Wang Ba, of course! Isn’t Brother He Yan as unsuccessful as me?”

Xiao Jue curved his lips, “I advise you to change your stakes.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t underestimate a hardworking fool,” the young man lowered his eyes, seemingly recalling another figure, his autumn-water-like eyes rippling attractively, “The last fool like this I met is now a third-rank military officer.”

Uncle: I advise you to quickly vote for my wife.

PS: Throughout history, which young person hasn’t wanted to be someone else’s father?