The challenge platform was set up on the street diagonally across from Ningxiang Pavilion. From a distance, Ye Li could already see the jewel-encrusted dagger placed at the center of the platform. Either the challenger was extremely confident in his archery skills, or he simply had too much money to spend. Not even considering the quality of the blade itself, just the various rubies, sapphires, and emeralds adorning the blade and scabbard – the gems on the scabbard alone were worth a fortune.
“Qin Feng,” Ye Li called softly.
Qin Feng stepped forward from behind her and asked quietly, “Princess, what are your orders?” Ye Li glanced at the middle-aged man wearing Northern Rong warrior attire on the platform and said, “Investigate this person’s background.”
Qin Feng looked at the man on the platform and nodded, “As you command.”
The three of them stood at the back of the crowd watching the platform. In front, Yun Ting had already jumped onto the platform and proudly faced the Northern Rong man, saying, “Tell me, how does this challenge work?” The Northern Rong man looked Yun Ting up and down and smiled, “Young master looks so fair and delicate, you want to take the challenge too? I hope you can even draw the bow. Our Northern Rong strong bows aren’t like your Da Chu ones.” Yun Ting gave a cold laugh and said, “Why else would I come up here if not to take the challenge? To chat idly with you?” He walked to where the bows and arrows were placed, casually picked up a bow and arrow, and without turning shot an arrow at a bowl-thick pillar at the edge of the platform. With a sharp sound, the arrow embedded itself three inches deep into the pillar. The spectators below cheered in approval.
The Northern Rong man also clapped and smiled, “Good! I didn’t expect a young master to be such an expert. In that case, let’s begin.”
Yun Ting snorted lightly, looking down at the bow and arrows in his hands without acknowledging the other. The Northern Rong man didn’t mind and smiled, “The rules are simple. I hear you people in the Central Plains have a saying called ‘shooting through a willow leaf at a hundred paces.’ We Northern Rong people don’t care for such refined things, so let’s forget about that. Please look over there, young master.” Following his pointing finger, about seventy or eighty paces from the platform stood a towering tree. Countless threads hung down from the branches, each thread with a copper coin dangling at its end. It was already night, and although the street lanterns made it bright as day, it still wasn’t as bright as actual daylight. Without looking carefully, one could barely see the threads holding the copper coins. In the evening breeze, the copper coins swayed, occasionally colliding with clear, crisp sounds. The man continued, “There are thirty copper coins up there. If the young master can shoot them all down, this blade is yours. You have half an incense stick’s time and ten arrows.” In other words, he had to shoot down thirty copper coins with ten arrows in the time it took half an incense stick to burn.
“Yun Ting…” Chen Yun below the platform frowned. In archery skills, he was no worse than Yun Ting, but in his view, shooting down thirty copper coins with ten arrows was impossible. These coins were hung at various heights in an arranged pattern, making it incredibly difficult to shoot down several at once. Compared to the so-called ‘shooting through a willow leaf at a hundred paces,’ this challenge was many times more difficult. Yun Ting stared at the tree dozens of paces away for a while, then gave a cold snort, raised his hand to nock an arrow, and under everyone’s gaze, released it toward the coins under the tree’s shade. Several clear sounds rang out as an arrow pierced through the center of one coin, the tremendous force of the arrow shattering the coin into several pieces that fell to the ground. The arrow didn’t stop there, cutting through another thread holding a coin before embedding itself in the tree trunk.
“Excellent!” The spectators below burst into another round of cheers. To hit two targets with one arrow in this night light was certainly no less impressive than the legendary ‘shooting through a willow leaf.’ The Northern Rong man standing on the platform showed no surprise, and neither Yun Ting nor Chen Yun on the platform spoke. Those who understood archery knew that the shots would become increasingly difficult, and while Yun Ting’s archery was good, he might not be able to shoot down all thirty coins. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the coins under the tree as Yun Ting nocked another arrow and aimed.
By the time Yun Ting had shot his seventh arrow, fifteen coins remained on the tree. Qin Feng appeared silently behind Ye Li, startling Yaoji who stood beside her. Ye Li turned her head slightly to look at Qin Feng, who said quietly, “This middle-aged man is indeed from Northern Rong, but not an ordinary one. He’s a capable general under Helian Zhen, known as Northern Rong’s number-one archer. Moreover, that blade he’s offering as a prize is no ordinary weapon – it was given to Helian Zhen by the Northern Rong King when he was still in favor. It’s said to be sharp enough to split a hair.”
“Oh?” Ye Li raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Northern Rong’s top archer has come to Ruyang to set up a challenge?” Qin Feng smiled, “His setting up this challenge has nothing to do with the Northern Rong King. Since Helian Zhen fell from favor, several factions tried to recruit him, but he rejected them all, even giving up his original military position. So now he’s just a common citizen – as long as he doesn’t break any laws, no one can control where he sets up his challenge.” When the city sent out invitations for the young heir’s full-month celebration, they had announced that people from all countries and regions were welcome to come to the northwest for trade or travel, so these days there were quite a few martial arts experts, jianghu travelers, and even poets setting up various competitions. Of course, even more were merchants and tourists who had come after hearing the news.
Ye Li looked back at him and asked with a smile, “So you’re saying he’s Yelü Ye’s man?”
Qin Feng nodded, “You could say that.” Ye Li smiled coldly, “Well played, Yelü Ye, quite the Seventh Prince of Northern Rong!” Yelü Ye knew Ruyang was where the Mo family army and Black Cloud Cavalry were stationed, yet he sent such a person to cause trouble. Wasn’t it just to let people know that the Mo family army and Black Cloud Cavalry’s archery skills were nothing special? Seeing Ye Li’s anger, Qin Feng asked quietly, “Princess, shall I send some men to deal with him?” Even among the Qilin, few could meet such demanding archery requirements, but fortunately, some could. Among the several hundred Qilin, they could probably find seven or eight who could take the challenge. However, based on his previous position in Northern Rong, there probably wasn’t anyone else with this man’s skills, otherwise how could he be called Northern Rong’s number-one archer? Ye Li shook her head and said calmly, “This kind doesn’t require the Qilin to handle. Perhaps Yelü Ye just wants to get a look at the Qilin?” How could the Qilin be seen just because someone wanted to see them? Special forces, regardless of the era, were synonymous with mystery. If everyone could gauge their combat ability, what kind of secret trump card would they be?
“Commander Yun is likely to lose,” Qin Feng pointed at Yun Ting, who was preparing his final shot. Thirteen coins still hung on the tree, and there was no way Yun Ting could shoot them all down with one arrow.
Ye Li smiled faintly, “It’s good for young people to have their edge tempered a bit. Losing to Northern Rong’s number-one archer isn’t unfair.”
Qin Feng nodded, “The Princess speaks truly.”
Yun Ting’s final arrow left the string, remarkably taking down three copper coins at once, but even so, he had lost this round. His young, handsome face was cold as ice, with a barely perceptible trace of disappointment. The Northern Rong man smiled, “Young master, you’ve lost. Fifty taels.” Yun Ting, with a stern face, took out a fifty-tael silver ingot from his robes, handed it to the Northern Rong man, and jumped down from the platform.
“Would any other expert like to come up and try?” the man asked the spectators below with a smile, putting away the silver.
“If even the Mo family army’s people can’t do it, who else could win?” someone in the crowd shouted, and suddenly all eyes were on Yun Ting. The man on the platform smiled, “Oh? So this young brother is from the Mo family army? My apologies. I’ve heard that the Mo family army are all one-in-a-hundred master archers. Would any other Mo family army soldier like to come up and demonstrate? How about this young master?” He looked down at Chen Yun beside Yun Ting, his voice now carrying obvious provocation. Chen Yun’s archery skills were about equal to Yun Ting’s, and now he was in an awkward position whether to accept or not. Yun Ting’s face darkened, realizing his momentary pride had implicated Chen Yun. Just as he was about to speak up, Chen Yun held him back with his hand. Chen Yun thought for a moment and was about to speak when a clear, pleasant voice came from behind, “In that case, may this Princess try? General Huyan of Northern Rong?”
Everyone was startled. They had been so focused on watching Yun Ting’s archery on the platform, and because it was night with Ye Li and Yaoji standing in an inconspicuous position at the back, the crowd around the platform hadn’t noticed the two beautiful women. Now hearing Ye Li speak, all eyes turned to her, while some people began scrutinizing the Northern Rong man on the platform. Northern Rong’s hostility toward Da Chu was understandable, so nobody had paid much attention to the slight provocation toward Chen Yun earlier. But if it was a once-famous general of Northern Rong, their number one archer, coming to provoke an unremarkable young officer of the Mo family army, that was somewhat unreasonable.
“Greetings, Princess!” Half the crowd at the platform were Ruyang City residents who quickly bowed and made their way upon seeing Ye Li. Others naturally followed suit with bows – though not under Mo family army or Prince Ding’s jurisdiction, as guests they still needed to show respect to their hosts.
Suddenly having his identity exposed, the Northern Rong man was startled. He saw an elegant, beautiful woman in cyan robes emerge from the crowd, her smiling expression like that of any noble lady from Da Chu. Yet that smile inexplicably sent a chill down his spine. He smiled at Ye Li, “So it’s Princess Ding. I’m not quite sure what General Huyan the Princess speaks of?” Ye Li smiled faintly and gracefully leaped onto the platform amid everyone’s gaze, saying coolly, “Huyan Lü, once Northern Rong’s number one archer. Though some of my subordinates may be somewhat unaccomplished, it’s rather excessive for a general of your status to personally instruct them. I must properly thank the Northern Rong Crown Prince later.” The implication was clear – Huyan Lü was long established, yet he publicly challenged two young Mo family army officers, clearly bullying those beneath his station. Ye Li smiled at Huyan Lü, her calm eyes carrying a hint of coldness. Did Huyan Lü think that after leaving the Northern Rong army for many years, no one would recognize him? Even if others didn’t, surely the Northern Rong Crown Prince would.
Huyan Lü was inwardly shocked but forced a smile, “Since the Princess wishes to take the challenge, you’re naturally welcome. Please proceed, Princess.” He intended to gloss over his identity. Ye Li didn’t mind and turned to look at the jewel-encrusted dagger placed in the center of the platform, smiling, “A gift from the Northern Rong King must be extraordinary, so I won’t be polite.” Huyan Lü’s face darkened as he said, “Let’s wait until the Princess wins first.”
He stepped back to get a bow and arrows to hand to Ye Li. Huyan Lü didn’t try to make things difficult with the bow – he wasn’t foolish enough to give her an extremely heavy bow that even strong men would struggle to draw, as that would only be seen as taking advantage of the Princess’s feminine status. Better to let her choose a suitable bow and admit defeat on her own. Huyan Lü had absolute confidence in his archery skills and naturally didn’t believe this gentle, delicate woman before he could be an infallible archer. He had heard about how the Princess had once frightened Princess Lingyun with a single arrow, but in his view, the Princess could barely be called competent at archery back then.
Ye Li calmly accepted the bow and arrows Huyan Lü handed over, tested them, and smiled faintly, “A good bow.”
Huyan Lü said proudly, “Naturally, everything from Northern Rong is of good quality.”
New copper coins had been hung on the tree dozens of paces away. Huyan Lü said, “Princess may move closer to shoot.” Ye Li smiled lightly, “Thank you for your kindness, General Huyan.” Others might have accepted Huyan Lü’s offer, but Ye Li knew that in archery, closer wasn’t necessarily better. In the current situation, even if you stood directly under the tree, whether you were a one-in-a-hundred or one-in-ten-thousand master archer, it would be impossible to shoot down all the coins.
Under everyone’s gaze, Ye Li calmly took three arrows and placed them on her shoulder, then drew the bow. The crowd gasped – the Princess planned to shoot three arrows simultaneously. They watched as Ye Li skillfully drew the bow, made a slight adjustment to her position, and then released without hesitation. The arrows whistled through the air, three silver streaks shooting toward the distant tree in the lamplight. Then came a series of clear sounds of falling copper coins. Ye Li didn’t pause or even look to see how many of her first three arrows had hit, but immediately took another three arrows, nocked them, and shot—
After another series of clear sounds, before anyone could react, Ye Li had drawn the bow again. This time she spun her body, crouching down to shoot three arrows upward.
In an instant, only one arrow remained of the ten. Looking toward the tree, five copper coins still hung there. Many people were secretly anxious for Ye Li, but regardless of the outcome, no one would doubt the Mo family army’s archery skills anymore.
In a room at nearby Ningxiang Pavilion, two men sat facing each other by an open window overlooking the platform below. Their expressions were complex as they watched. “Prince Li, what do you think… about Princess Ding’s final arrow?” Mo Jingli threw back his head and drained his wine cup, saying coldly, “What does it matter to me whether Ye Li wins or loses? The Mo family army’s reputation isn’t mine, nor is that Howling Moon blade.” Hearing this, Yelü Ye shook his head and sighed, “Prince Ding is truly blessed. To have such a woman as a wife is truly the greatest fortune in life.”
Bang! Mo Jingli slammed his wine cup heavily on the table, making the wine pot and dishes shake.
Yelü Ye smiled as he watched Mo Jingli’s face darken like gathering storm clouds, saying with a smile, “Speaking of which, Princess Ding was originally the late Emperor’s chosen fiancée for Prince Li. What a pity…”
Crack… Mo Jingli’s wine cup shattered in his hand, leaving only fragments.
In another room, Lei Tengfeng and the Garrison South Prince were similarly watching the platform opposite. Lei Tengfeng smiled in admiration, “Who would have thought Princess Ding would improve so rapidly? I remember two years ago she was still unfamiliar with drawing a bow. Father, who do you think will win?” The Garrison South Prince seemed not to hear, focused intently on the cyan-robed woman on the platform, his eyes flickering with strange light. Seeing this, Lei Tengfeng said no more, quietly lowering his gaze, lost in thought.
On the platform, Huyan Lü stared at the cyan-robed woman before him while hiding his shock, “Princess, this is the final arrow.”
Ye Li smiled slightly and calmly took an arrow. This time she didn’t rush, but carefully nocked the arrow and aimed. Everyone held their breath watching the few remaining coins on the tree. Suddenly Ye Li’s foot tapped the ground as she flew up, stopping briefly on the table behind her before leaping higher, drawing and releasing an arrow mid-air. Whoosh—
The arrow embedded itself in the great tree, and everyone stared dumbfounded at the now-empty tree. The coins that had hung from the treetop had vanished, though those with keen eyes could see several threads of equal length still hanging. The Princess’s final arrow had cut the fine threads – how could such archery skill and eyesight not astonish everyone? Ye Li turned to look at the pale-faced Huyan Lü and smiled faintly, “Same rules – if General Huyan can do the same, I’ll count it as my loss!”
The crowd erupted in exclamation. Earlier Huyan Lü had set up the challenge to test others, but now the situation had reversed with Princess Ding publicly challenging Northern Rong’s top expert. The crowd below buzzed with discussion, while Yun Ting, who had been cold-faced earlier, was now extremely excited, “What do you say, General Huyan? Surely you’re not afraid to accept our Princess’s challenge?”
Huyan Lü’s face was ashen – he indeed didn’t dare. Though worthy of being called Northern Rong’s top expert with real skill, given time he might achieve what Ye Li had just done, but now he was helpless. He could shoot down all the coins one by one within ten arrows, but he couldn’t control three arrows to simultaneously take down seven eight, or even more coins. Ye Li had known this and thus posed this challenge.
“General Huyan?” Ye Li reminded him with a smile.
“I admit defeat!” Huyan Lü said through gritted teeth, raising his head to a chorus of boos. Ye Li walked to the platform center and picked up the jewel-encrusted dagger from its stand, unsheathing it. A cold air immediately rushed forth. The bright blade surface could reflect one’s image, while its sharp, cold edge showed it had drunk much blood. Ye Li casually waved it, and the stand that had held the blade instantly split into pieces. She sheathed the blade and praised, “Truly an excellent blade. Many thanks, General Huyan.”
Watching the precious blade disappear into Ye Li’s sleeve, Huyan Lü’s face was ashen, but he had nothing to say. He could only watch as Ye Li gracefully descended the platform with his prized blade and departed.