Chapter 64: Jin Bihan’s Inner Turmoil, Hua Ying Arrives to Poach
By: Gu Zhenren
“The Star Saint Grand Archery Ceremony? The team that wins first place gets 80 academic credits each?” Jin Bihan shook her head, her face dim, and whispered, “What’s the use of me getting these 80 credits? Even if I learn ‘Tremor Nine Heavens’, what’s the point? I have no power or influence, and I’m all alone. How can I possibly reverse the decline of Dunhuang Country?”
She looked dejected. In recent days, she had seen rumors and gossip about Dunhuang Country on the Flowered Vine. Jin Bihan’s heart felt heavier than she could bear.
She suddenly realized that defending the throne was an impossible task. The enemies she faced were all powerful ministers, generals, and princes, commanding tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands, of soldiers. Was the “Tremor Nine Heavens” archery technique the only thing she had?
“Brother Shi, cheer up. Since you’ve been assigned the task of learning ‘Tremor Nine Heavens’, the royal family must have their reasons. You can’t lose your fighting spirit,” Chu Yun advised.
Jin Bihan sighed deeply. “Learning ‘Tremor Nine Heavens’ seems to increase our chances of opening the imperial tomb’s secret treasure. But even if the secret treasure holds infinite riches, what use can I, alone, be?”
Chu Yun frowned. He realized the situation was serious; Jin Bihan had lost her fighting spirit. What use was a person without the will to fight, even if they held a peerless divine weapon? However, he also understood her. After all, she was only a 13-year-old child. How could her mental fortitude compare to his? Her current state was already remarkable, considering. If it were his past self, he wouldn’t have lasted this long.
Chu Yun had witnessed Jin Bihan’s recent changes but was helpless. Psychological issues had to be resolved by oneself.
“In any case, I’ve already registered you. The 20 people are assembled. Let’s work hard together,” Chu Yun said.
Jin Bihan slowly shook her head. “I’ll withdraw. I don’t know archery at all. I don’t want to drag you all down.”
“As a member of the royal family, archery is a basic requirement. How could you not know it?” Chu Yun smiled and patted Jin Bihan’s shoulder. “It’s settled.”
How could Jin Bihan not know archery? It was just that her memories were too beautiful. She often practiced archery with her imperial brother and father at the archery range. Those happy memories were now a cruel pain. As soon as she picked up a bow and arrow, she couldn’t help but recall her father and brother. The pain in her heart, coupled with her helplessness in the face of reality, made her reluctant to face it.
East Mountain Dormitory.
“Chu Yun has gathered a team aiming for first place in the Star Saint Grand Archery Ceremony? Heh heh heh.” Upon hearing this news, Hua Ying chuckled. His peach blossom eyes, radiating a charming aura, now flashed with sharp light. Since being defeated by Chu Yun, Hua Ying had strived for improvement with a sense of shame, and his archery had reached a state of great mastery.
“Chu Yun, our score hasn’t been settled yet. You actually intend to win first place in the Star Saint Grand Archery Ceremony through archery? Have you forgotten about me, Hua Family’s Young Island Master?”
Tiange Academy, Archery Range.
*Ding, ding, ding…*
A flock of Light Feather Wind Chime Pigeons soared gracefully above the archery range. Though these lesser demonic beasts were cute and plump with emerald green bodies, they made crisp, wind-chime-like sounds as they flew. In reality, they ate everything and reproduced rapidly, posing a significant threat to farmland in the Archipelago.
“Little White Feather.” Chu Yun called out softly, drew his bow, and nocked an arrow. The arrow exploded mid-air, forming a shower of light feathers, and with a *swish*, it cleared a large portion of the pigeon flock, leaving only two or three to escape. With a flash of white light, the birds’ corpses transformed into demonic crystals as they fell, clattering to the ground like a rain of demonic crystals.
“Starlight Flash.” Chu Yun changed direction and shot another arrow. A fleeting blue starlight flashed in the air, accurately striking the seven-inch vital spot of a Spiral Blind Snake. The Spiral Blind Snake, with its striking black and red spiral patterns, was eerily beautiful. It had no distinct head or tail, with both ends being spiral cones. It was adept at burrowing underground and possessed incredible regenerative abilities; even if cut into two, each half could grow into a new snake. Its only weakness was the seven-inch mark. Hitting that spot was the only way to kill it instantly. Under Chu Yun’s precise shot, the Spiral Blind Snake immediately died, turning into demonic crystals.
“Excellent archery!”
“A fatal shot, as expected of the President.”
Amidst the cheers, Chu Yun turned around to face the 18 people behind him. These were the individuals he had gathered to form a team for the Star Saint Grand Archery Ceremony. Including Jin Bihan and himself, they were exactly 20 people.
He smiled slightly and began to explain. “As you all know, the Star Saint Grand Archery Ceremony has three rounds. The first round tests ranged archery. At that time, the Academy will release thousands of Light Feather Wind Chime Pigeons. The team that collects the most demonic crystals will pass and qualify for the second round.”
“The second round tests archery precision. 20 Spiral Blind Snakes will be released, with each of us getting one shot. Based on the number of collected demonic crystals, two teams will be chosen for the third round.”
“The third round tests archery lethality. The demonic beasts released change every year, but they are always beasts with strong regenerative and defensive abilities. The remaining two teams will take turns shooting arrows. After the beast dies, the team that absorbs the most demonic crystals will be the winner.”
“Many of you are senior students here. The Star Saint Grand Archery Ceremony is your final curtain call. It is also the beginning of your careers. Please work hard, everyone! Aim for the top spot in your lives! The 80 academic credits are a generous reward, and our goal is first place!”
“First!” “First!” “First!” Chu Yun’s words resonated with everyone, who raised their arms and cheered, their morale soaring.
“Let’s begin practice now.” Chu Yun nodded and stepped aside. Arrows flew like rain. The archery skills of the participants varied, but overall, they were excellent, representing the pinnacle of skill within the Academy. The chances of winning first place with this team were very high.
“The only flaw is Shi Jiaming. Young Master, can’t you persuade him?” Yan Que stood beside Chu Yun, observing the practice session and asked.
“An inner knot cannot be untied by a few words from outsiders. Shi Jiaming has a strong personality and carries too heavy a burden. All we can do is do our best, and trust him,” Chu Yun replied slowly, then suddenly frowned. He saw a young man in a pink scholar’s robe, holding the Hundred Flower Bow, elegantly walk into the archery range. He had delicate features, a somewhat effeminate appearance, and carried himself with an unrestrained, scholarly demeanor. It was Hua Ying.
“Hundred Flowers Blossom.” He gracefully drew and shot five arrows. Instantly, the sky was filled with an endless rain of flowers, not only slaughtering the flock of Light Feather Wind Chime Pigeons but also destroying the arrows in mid-air.
“Wronged Flowers.” He then drew an extremely thin, spiral-tipped, fletchless flying arrow. He drew his bow and shot it with a *whoosh*. The arrow transformed into a pink thread in mid-air, winding and looping. It didn’t fly in a straight line, seeming to drift with the wind, unfettered. The pink thread coiled around ten Spiral Blind Snakes, causing corresponding flashes of white light, leaving only ten demonic crystals on the ground.
The entire place fell silent. Hua Ying’s perfected archery skills were breathtaking. Chu Yun’s gaze sharpened, and he took a deep look at Hua Ying, knowing that after his defeat, Hua Ying had worked tirelessly and finally broken through his bottleneck, elevating his archery to mastery.
“The first round of the Star Saint Grand Archery Ceremony tests ranged attacks. However, the targets will not only be pigeon flocks but also the arrows of competing teams. The second round tests precision. Under pressure, everyone makes mistakes. In such a situation, what would be the effect of having an archer in the team who can strike multiple targets with a single arrow? Think about it.”
Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, Hua Ying put away his Hundred Flower Bow and elegantly walked up to everyone, a confident and composed smile on his face.
“Historically, at the Star Saint Grand Archery Ceremony, at least three Country Lords will personally attend and observe. Senior students, if you perform exceptionally well at that time and are summoned by a Country Lord for a personal interview, your future will undoubtedly be bright. Consider how rare such an opportunity is.”
Hua Ying’s words struck home, sharp and to the point, immediately causing the senior students to whisper amongst themselves. Seeing that the time was right, Hua Ying finally revealed his true intentions and stated the purpose of his visit. “As a third-year senior student, at this crucial juncture, I am willing to lead you all to the summit. Those who wish to join my team, please follow me.”
With that, Hua Ying smiled and looked at Chu Yun, his eyes filled with mocking amusement. He intended to dismantle Chu Yun’s team and poach his members right in front of him!
“Hua Ying, your mastery of archery is indeed impressive. President, I apologize. I’m also a third-year senior student, and I need to plan for my future.” The first scholar stepped forward, apologized to Chu Yun, and then walked to Hua Ying’s side.
“I’m sorry, but with mastered archery skills, I believe our chances of getting first place will be greater.”
“I’ve also decided to go with Hua Ying.”
With the first, came the second, then the third. Soon, nearly ten scholars gathered around Hua Ying, most of them being third-year seniors whose archery skills were much more mature and stable than those of the new students.
“Damn it! This Hua Ying is poaching people right in front of us!” Yan Que cursed but couldn’t find any flaws in his approach. In understanding people’s hearts, he was inferior to Hua Ying. In analyzing the general situation, Hua Ying was not as good as him.
Chu Yun smiled slightly, stepped forward, and said, “Hua Ying, after three days, one should look at someone with new eyes. Your archery has reached mastery. Congratulations. In terms of archery alone, you are indeed the best in Tiange Academy. You will surely shine at the Grand Archery Ceremony. But it’s a shame you are the Young Island Master of the Hua Family. With your family’s legacy, even if favored by the Country Lord, it matters little to you.”
Hua Ying’s expression froze, and the mocking smile in his eyes disappeared. The faces of the scholars standing beside Hua Ying also changed slightly. Some of the remaining restless scholars suddenly calmed down. Chu Yun’s words were skillfully delivered. On the surface, he was praising Hua Ying’s excellent archery, but he was actually pointing out that joining Hua Ying’s team would mean being overshadowed by the brilliance of his mastered archery. How could one showcase their own value? Conversely, his own team provided fertile ground and an environment for everyone to demonstrate their abilities.
Yan Que, hearing this, almost couldn’t help but cheer aloud. Chu Yun’s words, with a clever turn of phrase, turned Hua Ying’s advantage into a disadvantage.
“Heh, your words are far more potent than your archery. We’ll see, Chu Yun.” Hua Ying let out a cold laugh. Seeing that he could gain no more, he turned and left without dwelling further.
(PS: Thank you for your continued support! Thank you!)
