As soon as Qi You struck, he destroyed one of Chu Xingbai’s target achievements.

Yet Chu Xingbai didn’t seem particularly anxious. In fact, at the very moment Qi You made his move, he seemed to abandon the target in front of him and galloped swiftly in another direction.

There stood a target that had been shot askew from the beginning, making the angle difficult to shoot. Not many arrows had hit it.

Chu Xingbai galloped over, drew his bow and nocked an arrow. With a sweep of his fingers, five arrows lined up in a row on his bowstring.

Those with sharp eyes cried out in amazement.

Rapid-fire volleys, one bow with five arrows—this was nearly the pinnacle of archery skill.

In the next instant, the bowstring sang through the wind, and a fan-shaped light spread across the sky. Sand and dust rose from all directions, dyeing the air a faint yellow. In the next moment, the light fan swept past the sandy veil, falling on the target like a sudden downpour.

Because of the incredible speed, the five sounds merged into one.

Thunderous applause erupted from the sidelines, while Qi You relentlessly pursued, drawing his bow behind Chu Xingbai.

The crowd applauded without tension, all believing that with Chu Xingbai’s archery skills, he would have time to save himself. Even if he didn’t, being hit by an arrow with its head removed wouldn’t matter much.

But Tie Ci suddenly shot to her feet.

As she stood, she already had a stone clasped in her hand. With a flick of her finger, it shot out like lightning.

In the next moment, Qi You’s arrow suddenly trembled, and a cold gleam flashed.

Ordinary people naturally couldn’t see what had changed, and the cheering continued.

But Tie Ci’s eyesight was sharp enough for her to see that Qi You’s arrow had been modified—the arrowhead had sprung out!

And he was aiming for Chu Xingbai’s heart from behind!

“Whoosh!” came a sharp sound.

Qi You’s arrow suddenly veered off course and pierced Chu Xingbai’s right arm!

Blood splattered as the arrowhead emerged from the other side of Chu Xingbai’s arm, cold light glinting in the bloody gap.

Tie Ci frowned.

The distance was too great, and she lacked suitable tools at hand. She had only managed to deflect the arrow in time, avoiding vital points.

The cheers turned to cries of alarm.

The academy instructors sprang to their feet. Countless guards blew whistles to signal the end of the competition while pushing through the crowd to rush onto the field. One group went to support Chu Xingbai, while another surrounded Qi You.

Bai Xingchu charged to the front, his usually smiling face pale and covered in sweat, looking even worse than the injured Chu Xingbai.

Meanwhile, Qi You had also lost his earlier carefree elegance. Surrounded in the center, clutching his bow, his expression was bewildered.

Rong Pu approached quickly amid the crowd, bringing the academy physician. He first sent someone to examine Chu Xingbai’s injuries, then looked toward Qi You.

His expression was very grim.

Qi You’s performance in the final competition had been outstanding, and barring any accidents, he would certainly have placed in the top three. Who could have expected such an incident at the end?

Chu Xingbai was Mingquan’s hope. Now injured and with his performance affected, his future prospects were damaged. The twin’s younger brother had already been eliminated due to poor lottery luck, and if Chu Xingbai lost his chance as well, Leaping Carp Academy, as the host, would certainly owe Mingquan an explanation.

More critically, Rong Pu had no factional prejudices. The twins were students he had favored and strongly recommended to the Crown Princess. Their performance over four competitions had been commendable, which had greatly pleased Rong Pu. He hadn’t expected such an incident to suddenly occur, and from Qi You no less.

This single incident had ruined three promising candidates, removing three of the most outstanding prospects while dragging Leaping Carp Academy down with them. This made Rong Pu almost unable to avoid conspiracy theories.

At other times, conspiracies might be acceptable, but now, with Tie Ci present at the academy, Rong Pu couldn’t help but think the worst.

Shen Mi followed behind him, speaking sarcastically: “Academy Director, I’ve always said you’re too lenient with Qi You! You’ve spoiled him until he’s lawless, taking pleasure in challenging rules. Now look what’s happened—he dares to do even this!”

Rong Pu suddenly stopped in his tracks and said coldly: “Supervisor Shen, the matter hasn’t been investigated to a conclusion yet. Why are you speaking so recklessly? Have you considered the students’ futures and Leaping Carp’s reputation?”

Born naturally gentle with an elegant, refined temperament, he had always treated others mildly, never speaking harshly or severely. Such an attitude was almost unprecedented, leaving everyone around stunned.

Shen Mi’s face turned white with anger as he shouted: “This incident occurred before everyone’s eyes—what conclusion is needed! A black sheep like Qi You should be expelled early to preserve the academy’s reputation!”

Rong Pu’s lips curved in a mocking arc as he said coldly: “Since becoming supervisor, Supervisor Shen has gained control over these students’ fates and become increasingly imperious. Expulsion and removal, spoken so lightly. I wonder if Supervisor Shen still remembers that he too was once expelled from an academy?”

“…”

The students were all stunned.

Tie Ci was stunned too.

This was… hitting someone without hitting their face!

Shen Mi’s face turned white with rage. Usually articulate, he actually began stuttering: “You you you… I I I…”

Rong Pu just stood there smiling as he watched him, as if still waiting for him to get his tongue straight. This made Shen Mi almost explode.

After stammering for a long while, he flicked his sleeve angrily and said: “Since that’s the case, Shen Mi is too ashamed to continue as academy supervisor. I hereby resign!”

With that, he turned and left.

A large group of academy instructors surged forward, saying “Why go so far, why go so far,” trying to stop him. But Shen Mi ignored them all, pushed through the crowd, and stormed off in anger.

In the crowd, the representatives from Deer Chasing and Mingquan academies exchanged glances.

Outside the crowd, Tie Ci propped her chin up, watching this farce and catching a whiff of something unusual.

The Mingquan Academy representative stepped forward: “Is Academy Director Rong trying to protect the perpetrator?”

Rong Pu replied: “This matter is suspicious and requires careful investigation…”

The Mingquan representative laughed coldly: “It occurred before everyone’s eyes, witnessed by all. What does Academy Director Rong need to investigate?” He turned his head, and several Mingquan Academy guards charged toward Qi You.

Qi You stepped back to avoid them and shouted loudly: “It’s precisely because it happened before everyone’s eyes that it’s strange! Knowing I would be seen by everyone, would I still harm Chu Xingbai in public? Do I have an entire Ding River in my brain?”

The Mingquan Academy representative said coldly: “Who knows this isn’t exactly what you planned in advance as an excuse to escape guilt!”

Suddenly someone said: “Not necessarily.”

Everyone turned to see a masked youth emerging from the crowd.

The youth was Tie Ci, who had casually grabbed a mask to wear before speaking.

All eyes turned to her. A Mingquan student angrily demanded: “Who are you? Hiding your face like that? Are you Qi You’s accomplice?”

Tie Ci didn’t even glance at him, only saying: “If Qi You had accomplices, they could only be among the last few people on the field. When would it be my turn?”

“What do you mean?”

“Everyone saw the competition earlier. This arrow competition was about speed, and Qi You shot faster than anyone else. He drew arrow after arrow continuously, never having time to look back. So if he placed that arrow in his quiver himself, how could he ensure he wouldn’t draw that arrow, wouldn’t shoot it prematurely?”

The arrow Qi You shot was the last arrow in his quiver.

Everyone fell into thought. Indeed, if that arrow had been in the quiver all along, given Qi You’s shooting speed and random arrow selection, there was no way to guarantee the arrow aimed at Chu Xingbai would be that specially modified arrow.

“The only possibility is that at the end, when his quiver was empty, someone placed that specially modified trick arrow into his quiver, calculating that Qi You would certainly intervene when Chu Xingbai was shooting.”

That person could only be among the last few remaining on the field.

On the field, riding back and forth, passing each other—someone could have thrown the arrow into Qi You’s quiver. Then Qi You drew the arrow, pulled the bow, and Chu Xingbai was hit.

Everyone’s gaze fell on those last few people.

Fang Huai’an, Li Yuncheng, plus one student from Deer Chasing Academy and one from Mingquan Academy.

The Mingquan student had mediocre rankings previously but excellent horsemanship and archery, so he persisted to the end.

The Deer Chasing student was different—he had hardly shot any arrows, surviving to the end by playing it safe, and had stayed close to Fang Huai’an throughout, helping deflect attention from him. Clearly, he was there to escort Fang Huai’an.

Deer Chasing Academy’s attitude toward this grand competition was evident from their treatment of Jian Xi from the beginning. They pursued high rankings and sought to promote talent that could truly enter His Majesty’s and the Crown Princess’s inner circles, sacrificing other prospects for this goal. They had done this with Jian Xi, and with these qualifying students as well. The one they truly wanted to ensure success for was only Fang Huai’an.

As for Li Yuncheng, no need to consider—though he came from Deer Chasing, he had already graduated.

All of these people were suspects. Under everyone’s scrutinizing gazes, Fang Huai’an and Li Yuncheng appeared composed and upright, the Mingquan student looked innocent, while the Deer Chasing student seemed somewhat panicked and uneasy.

The Mingquan student named Dong Ce raised his bow and said: “I was shooting at the western target the entire time, never approaching Qi You at all.”

Li Yuncheng said: “I was at the easternmost position.”

The Deer Chasing student said: “I stayed close to Senior Brother Huai’an the whole time… I didn’t do it.”

Fang Huai’an remained silent, pressing his lips together.

Everyone looked at him.

He said: “I didn’t do it.”

Dong Ce suddenly said: “Setting aside everything else, I caught a distant glimpse earlier and seemed to see Brother Fang riding past Brother Qi You’s side?”

All eyes turned to Fang Huai’an in unison.

Fang Huai’an frowned, thought for a moment, and said: “That did happen. I also wanted to attack Chu Xingbai from both sides, but it was only for an instant.”

“An instant would be enough,” Dong Ce said.

Fang Huai’an wasn’t good with words. After a long pause, he could only say emphatically: “I didn’t do it!”

These words seemed rather weak.

After all, the suspect could only be among the four people present, and only he had passed by Qi You’s side.

The Mingquan Academy representative immediately said: “In that case, Fang Huai’an is equally suspect. Arrest him along with Qi You for joint interrogation.”

People stepped forward. Fang Huai’an stood straight and said coldly: “The innocent are innocent, the guilty are guilty.”

The Deer Chasing Academy people all frowned, thinking this wasn’t the time to display noble character. Once taken as a suspect, it would mean losing qualification for selection as well.

Students under suspicion would not appear on the list presented to His Highness.

The Deer Chasing Academy people all glared angrily at Tie Ci.

Just as Fang Huai’an was about to be taken away, another voice called: “Wait.”

Everyone turned to see the masked Tie Ci again.

“What trick are you pulling now!” someone couldn’t help but say.

Tie Ci looked back at the crowd and smiled: “Was it really Fang Huai’an who threw the arrow? Does anyone have a different opinion? Or perhaps, little darlings from Deer Chasing Academy, can any of you defend your senior brother?”

A moment of silence fell as everyone looked at each other.

Suddenly, an arm shot up.

Everyone looked over to see the female warrior who had beaten up the lecher and demanded audience participation in the first competition.

The female warrior raised her arm high, grinned at everyone, but then said: “It’s not me.”

Everyone: “…”

The female warrior casually grabbed the arm of Jian Xi beside her, who was staring at her in amazement, and raised it up: “It’s her!”

Jian Xi was startled and tried to break free but couldn’t.

The female warrior smiled: “Don’t be shy! I saw your expression was wrong earlier—you looked like you wanted to raise your hand but didn’t dare. So I helped you raise it!”

Jian Xi: “…”

This girl had one good quality: she was usually timid and avoided standing out when possible, but once truly cornered, she was never really afraid.

She took a deep breath, pulled the female warrior out of the crowd, and said to the competition steward: “We need two horses.”

The steward looked at Rong Pu, who glanced at Jian Xi and nodded.

Soon two horses were brought over. Jian Xi and the female warrior each mounted, riding on the field. They crossed paths once, with Jian Xi in front and the female warrior approaching from behind. The female warrior raised her arm in an arrow-throwing motion, but found that Jian Xi’s quiver was on the other side. She swung her arm around, and Jian Xi’s raised arm perfectly blocked her raised arm.

The two held this position for a while, letting everyone see clearly. After a moment, they both withdrew and rode back.

Throughout the entire demonstration, they didn’t speak a single word.

Most people were still confused, but those like Rong Pu already understood.