He had already missed an arrow, how could he win?
In a flash, Shan Chao could only say that. Before Xie Yun could ask, she saw Shan Chao riding on the back of the horse, his entire body leaning to the side. He pulled the bow with both arms and looked at the target a hundred paces away.
The standard military target was as tall as an adult, so it was not small.
However, a hundred steps was about thirty-three feet. With such a long distance, and on top of a divine steed that was galloping at full speed, even those with excellent eyesight could only see a fleeting shadow of the target.
— — To accurately capture the target, which was smaller than the tip of a needle, from that fleeting shadow, coupled with the wind speed, the speed of the horse, and the weight of the thousand-stone bow, was easier said than done.
Shan Chao's pupils almost narrowed into a thin line.
The wind whistled, the horse galloped, and his robes fluttered in the wind. The whole world was shaking up and down, and only he was like an extremely quiet mountain wall.
The tiny dot a hundred steps away grew larger and larger in his eyes, and gradually turned into a bright red target on the center of the target.
That arrow.
"Shooting an arrow requires a clear eye, steady hand, and calm heart.
Do you see that fox?
Aim the arrow at it. Think about the wind speed and the distance, but do not be affected by anything else. "
In the desert, the young man rode on the horse, pulled the bowstring, and narrowed his eyes in the direction the arrow was pointing.
His face, which was particularly rough because of the wind and sand, was very handsome, and full of concentration and calmness.
"It's moving," the young man shouted, "Release!"
The young man's strong fingertips loosened, and the arrow whistled through the air. The fox suddenly jumped up, and then its head was pierced through, and fell to the ground with a "Pa!"
The young man dismounted and went forward, picked up the dead fox, and looked at it. He shook his head and said, "I wanted to shoot the eyes, but if the skin is damaged, I can't make clothes for you."
The young man was like a deep lake, and all his emotions were suppressed at the bottom of the lake. It was difficult to show his handsome face, and only a fleeting smile appeared on his face.
The young man walked back to the young man and used the fox to measure in front of him, as if he was thinking about how many pieces of fox skin he would need to make a fur robe.
Immediately, he raised his chin and looked at the young man. After a while, he suddenly said, "Master, you're really handsome."
The young man turned and left.
"Really, Master, you're more handsome than the wine seller in the market … no, you're more handsome than the dancing barbarian girl in the tavern."
The young man carried the fox on his back, led the horse, and followed behind the young man. He turned his master over and over, and seemed to find no one else who was more handsome than him... Then he had some doubts, "Master, why are you always unhappy?"
"I'm not unhappy," the young man said without turning his head.
"But you've never smiled at me like that barbarian girl."
..
The youth moved his head closer and asked, "Is it because I'm not learning well enough that you're unhappy?"
The young man's face was still a little immature, but he was already showing the deep and handsome outline of an adult.
The young man shook his head helplessly. He was used to this face and pushed him away.
"What do I have to do to make you happy? Does defeating you count?
Ah, no, that's cheating the master and destroying the ancestors.
Does surpassing you in horseback archery count? "
"..
. "" But how do I surpass you in horseback archery? "
The young man seriously pondered for a long time. He looked at the eagle claw on his chest and said with a smile, "Master, when I'm done with horseback archery, I'll hunt an eagle for you!"
The young man sighed.
"Then it's settled. Wait for me!"
The young man patted the bow and said confidently, "At this time next year, I'll be able to hunt an eagle for you!"
Hunting an eagle.
In the whistling wind, the young man's voice was close yet far. On the horse, Shan Chao held his breath.
In the next moment, he released the arrow.
The steel arrow passed through the horse racing field and disappeared into the distance like a meteor. Then, under everyone's gaze, the arrow target shook violently.
— — It hit!
Shan Chao put away the bow and didn't even look at it. He wrapped his arms around Xie Yun and grabbed the reins. He shouted, "Go!"
The red date horse had two people on its back. No matter how brave it was, it would inevitably slow down. Moreover, Yuwen Hu was more than ten feet ahead. For some reason, he looked back after he released the arrow. Otherwise, he should be ahead by now.
Even so, under Shan Chao's urging, the red date horse ran at a very fast speed. In the end, it was only half a horse's length behind Yuwen Hu and crossed the finish line!
Night.
"The soldier who reported the target was dumbfounded. When the Emperor saw it, he couldn't believe it. He hurriedly ordered someone to take a knife and dig out the center of the target. Sure enough, at the end of the arrow that Brother Shan shot, they found the arrowhead of the Yuwen General embedded in the wood. Yuwen Hu's arrowhead had already burst open and couldn't be found …"
"Isn't that right?
Brother Shan's arrow split open the tail of Yuwen Hu's arrow and entered the target. Think about it, the tail of the arrow is smaller than a fingernail. Brother Shan's accuracy is very good! "
"Not only was it accurate, but it was also strong enough to split open the iron arrow!
When the Emperor saw it, he was very happy. He wanted to reward Brother Shan with a thousand taels of gold and give him the position of Deputy Commander of the Imperial Army … "
"Cough, cough!"
Shan Chao finally couldn't take it anymore and interrupted. Under the burning gaze of the crowd, he said helplessly, "… There is no such thing as a thousand taels of gold or the position of Deputy Commander of the Imperial Army. Don't talk nonsense."
A group of Imperial Guards who had nothing to do laughed. They were drunk and took turns to call Shan Chao brothers. Then, they happily drank and ate meat.
Most of the members of the Imperial Army came from good families. Many of them had scholarly achievements and titles. Therefore, when Shan Chao suddenly appeared out of nowhere and became Commander Xie's deputy, most of them were not convinced.
Although they didn't go so far as to humiliate him in front of his face or cause trouble behind his back, it was normal for them to laugh at him and call him a bald donkey when they were drinking together without him. Shan Chao's hair had grown longer in the two months after he left the Ci 'en Temple. However, it was still a long way from being able to wear a tall hat and tie his hair. It was barely reasonable to call him a bald donkey.
Shan Chao had been practicing Buddhism for two years. He had cultivated his heart to be as calm as water. Even when he was deliberately isolated, he was still unmoved.
Originally, they thought that after the Eastern Patrol, everyone would go back to their own homes and not interact with each other again. Who knew that in these two days, Shan Chao would be so lucky. Last night, he beat up Yuwen Hu with a single blade. Today, he shocked everyone with an arrow in the drill ground, blinding everyone's dog eyes.
The bald donkey immediately became Brother Shan. He was handsome, brave, and had won a lot of face for the Beiya Imperial Guard.
"Those country bumpkins from the Valiant Cavalry Battalion are now listless. His Majesty said that the Beiya Imperial Guard won a complete victory. In the future, if the Valiant Cavalry Battalion dares to do as they please, we will beat them …"
Shan Chao couldn't help but rub his nose. He covered half of his mouth with his wine glass and said, "… We didn't win a complete victory. His Majesty said that it was a tie."
"That's because His Majesty was worried about the face of the Yuwen aristocratic family!"
Wu Ting was spitting saliva as he described how ugly Yuwen Hu's face was. When he heard this, he didn't even think and said, "The aristocratic families of the imperial court hold up half the sky. The Yuwen aristocratic family is the head of the family. Even His Majesty doesn't want to face them head on. Otherwise, why would our commander endure Yuwen Hu's attitude again and again?
If it was someone else, they would have been beaten up and thrown on the streets! "
Shan Chao, "…"
"Besides, if His Majesty didn't think that you would win, why would he reward you with the fine steed and colt?"
Wu Ting happily rolled his eyes and lectured, "Since you have entered the Imperial Guard, you must always remember not to lower your family's morale. When we return to the capital, we brothers will take you to the Valiant Cavalry Battalion for a spin. Don't walk, ride a horse. Ride the date red horse that His Majesty gave you today!"
Shan Chao, "…"
Wu Ting's jawline was very similar to Xie Yun's. If the upper half of his face was covered, he could be mistaken for the real deal. He was the shadow guard that had disguised as Xie Yun and held back Yuwen Hu.
He had suffered at the hands of Yuwen Hu before and was very rude when he spoke. Especially when he rolled his eyes, it made Shan Chao think of Xie Yun rolling her eyes at him … he quickly calmed down.
"Shan Chao is already in His Majesty's mind," another guard said, "It was obvious today that His Majesty wants to promote him, but because of the Yuwen general's face, he couldn't immediately give an edict.
As long as nothing happens on the way to the east, His Majesty can find a reason to reward him when we return to the capital. The edict will definitely be passed down … "
"We'll just wait for Brother Shan's banquet!" A group of youths hooked their arms around each other's shoulders and started to cheer, "Changping Square's Chong Xin Restaurant, we'll book the entire night starting —"
"Starting what?" Suddenly, a cold voice sounded from the door.
"Of course it's …" Wu Ting smiled and turned around. He was scared out of his wits and dropped his wine bowl. He got up and knelt down.
The tables and chairs behind him were overturned and the bowls and chopsticks rolled all over the table. The imperial guards half-knelt down and were scared out of their wits, "Commander!"
Xie Yun stood at the door with her arms crossed. She was wearing a sky-blue cloak and a brocade robe. There was an emerald jade pendant hanging from her waist that matched the color of her cloak.
His appearance was much more elegant and refined compared to the standard robes of the Imperial Army's commander. Unfortunately, his face was still as cold and emotionless as before. His gaze was devoid of any warmth as he swept his gaze over all the people in the room who had their heads lowered.
"Gathering in the middle of the night in an important place like the temporary imperial residence and drinking without restraint. Do you want to drag each person out and give them ten lashes to teach them a lesson?"
Wu Ting peeked around and saw his colleagues trembling like quails with their beaks cut off. He knew that he could not rely on any of them. He could only muster up his courage and tremble as he said, "Commander, so it's today …"
"It's because I came back from the military field today. Everyone drank a few cups to help me get over my shock and celebrate." Shan Chao lowered his head and said, "It's not anyone else's fault. Commander, if you want to punish someone, punish me."
Everyone was thinking the same thing at this moment: Brother!
Xie Yun narrowed his eyes and glanced at Dan Chao from top to bottom. That gaze was enough to make the younger guards pee their pants on the spot.
Then, she snorted softly and said, "Good things don't always happen. Trouble can't run away from you.
I'll remember the ten lashes. Come with me. "
… Brother, rest in peace!
Dan Chao stood up and walked out under the gazes of the crowd. Before he crossed the threshold, he looked back and saw that everyone had raised their hands at the same time, waving the nonexistent handkerchief in the air with deep affection and righteousness.
In the garden of the inner court, the sound of running water could be heard.
On this day, the moon was high in the sky. The moonlight was thin and light. The rockery and flowerbeds seemed to be shrouded in a layer of fog. It was hard to see clearly.
Shan Chao silently followed Xie Yun. He looked like he was taking a stroll under the moonlight. His sky-blue back slowly passed through the vermillion railings. Suddenly, he said carelessly, "Did Yuwen Hu or Helan Min Zhi look for you later?"
"No." Shan Chao was a little surprised, "Why do you ask?"
After the Emperor announced a tie, Yuwen Hu's expression was not good, but he did not protest. After thanking the Emperor, he left without saying a word.
Helan Min Zhi smiled and went forward to congratulate Shan Chao. He also congratulated the Beiya Imperial Guard for taking down the Valiant Cavalry Battalion twice. In the future, there would be no one in the capital who could compete with Beiya. The title of the world's number one army was just around the corner.
Helan Min Zhi was the type of person: Before you did anything, he would make up a tall hat and put it on you without any explanation.
The title of "the world's number one army" was a taboo for the Emperor. If you really did it in the future, he would be the first to jump out and accuse you of being arrogant and having evil intentions. If you didn't do it, he could go around and laugh at you for having a face bigger than the sky. He would not admit that he was the one who made up the tall hat.
The former was poisonous, the latter was despicable. Although they were both small tricks, they could be disgusting if used too many times. Thus, Xie Yun immediately replied with a smile,
"I don't dare to accept the title of the world's number one army, but I know who the world's number one thick-skinned person is."
Thus, Helan Min Zhi followed Yuwen Hu's example, turned around and left.
"Yuwen Hu comes from an aristocratic family and cares a lot about face.
His face has been shaved twice by you. In the future, he will definitely get it back. Who knows when he will make trouble for you in your official career.
Helan Min Zhi is a gloomy and paranoid person, and his heart is full of resentment … "
Shan Chao interrupted Xie Yun, "Do you have any old grudges?"
Xie Yun coldly said, "I thought that the whole Chang An knew that I had tied him up and left him in front of the Musical House."
"…" Shan Chao praised in his heart, 'I knew you would do something like that.' Then, he immediately asked, "What about before that?
There should be some old grudges, right? Otherwise, why would he molest the palace maids in the Pure Tranquility Palace in broad daylight just to frame you? "
Under the moonlight, most of Xie Yun's face was shrouded in shadows. However, Shan Chao's eyesight was extremely sharp, and he immediately noticed that there was something strange about Xie Yun's expression.
It was a mixture of disgust and awkwardness, as well as … a slightly indescribable expression.
Shan Chao was suspicious, but Xie Yun slowly asked, "Those two from the Helan family are brainless idiots who came out of their mother's womb. Just let them be. Why do you want to try to understand the thoughts of these idiots?
Are you sympathizing with each other or sympathizing with each other? "
Shan Chao's eyebrows twitched slightly.
"I didn't call you out to talk about this." Xie Yun obviously didn't want to talk about the trivial matter related to Helan Minzhi. She changed the topic and said, "The Empress intends to promote you to be the real Deputy Commander of the Imperial Army. However, you are still a monk of the Ci 'en Temple, so it's not appropriate for you to be officially appointed. What do you think?"
"Ah?"
Xie Yun didn't stop. She looked back at Shan Chao and said impatiently, "Can you still go back to the Ci 'en Temple?"
Shan Chao's first reaction was that he couldn't go back. Could the Empress ask the Emperor to order him to return to the secular world?
However, after thinking about it, he knew that Xie Yun meant that he had seen the wealth of the Imperial Palace and the prosperity of the Musical House. Even if he could go back, his heart couldn't.
He laughed in spite of himself and shook his head. "The world is vast and boundless. How can it be limited to just Chang An and the Northern Desert?
As long as one's heart is steady, there can be a Ci 'en Temple in the Musical House. If one's heart isn't steady, the Ci' en Temple is just a big house made of rotten wood. Why can't you go back? "
Xie Yun was silent for a moment. She suddenly opened her mouth.
For a moment, Shan Chao thought that she was going to say something sarcastic. Unexpectedly, she gently exhaled.
The slightly warm breath condensed into white frost in the water-like night. Immediately, it disappeared without a trace between her lips.
"Your heart has always been steady," she said in a low voice. It was impossible to tell whether she was praising or mocking him.
However, the word "always" was very subtle. It was as if something had happened in the past.
Shan Chao's heart jumped. He tentatively called out, "Shifu?"
"However," Xie Yun said in a deep voice, "Since ancient times, it has been an unbreakable rule to learn martial arts.
Even if you don't want to be born, there are countless people in the mortal world who invite you, pull you, scheme against you, and even use violent means to force you … It's fine if you're not in Chang An City, but you passed through the Illustrious Virtue Gate and Zhuque Street. You carried the Seven Star Long Yuan Sword and entered this Da Ming Palace. When have you ever been forced by anyone? "
Shan Chao was speechless.
Xie Yun said, "Since you want to avoid the world, where can't you avoid it? Why did you come to Chang An City?"
Xie Yun's eyes narrowed. Her expression was slightly heavy. Under the light of the moonlight, her side profile made it difficult to distinguish her from the beautiful jade on her waist.
Shan Chao stared at her. Suddenly, an urge to be honest surged in his heart. "It's because of you that I …"
Xie Yun looked up.
"… I came here to find you." Shan Chao's Adam's apple moved violently. He met Xie Yun's gaze.
"Shifu, I've forgotten what happened in the desert. But no matter what, I don't want to lose it so inexplicably.
Chang An City is not my hometown. Mo Bei Tian is big and unrestrained. After the matter is settled, if you want to go back with me … "
Xie Yun's lips curled up. She seemed to have heard something ridiculous. "Go back where?"
Shan Chao's voice paused. It seemed that something sour and hard was stuck in his throat.
"When I go to Mo Bei, it's called exile. When I come to Chang An, it's called 'return'."
Xie Yun looked at him from the corners of her slender eyes. There was a hint of mockery in her eyes. "Thank you for your wrong love, disciple. But most people in this world are willing to work hard for power and wealth. Your shifu is the biggest loser among them. Back then, it was just convenient for me to raise you."
— — She seemed to be implying that Shan Chao was stabbed by her when he tried to stop her from going back to Chang An in the desert.
If Shan Chao was still in Ci 'en Temple at this moment and had not stepped out of the temple, he would have thought that he was being mocked again just by looking at Xie Yun's cold eyes.
But after experiencing the poisoning of the Eastern Palace, the destruction of the Casting Sword Village, and the continuous scheming of the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince, he could not be more familiar with the meaning of the words' a person's heart '. He felt that 20% of Xie Yun's mockery was directed at others, and 80% of it was directed at himself.
"… … Shifu," Shan Chao finally spoke with difficulty. He asked, "You already have a lot of power and wealth in your hands. What else do you want in your heart?"
Xie Yun was about to say something when she suddenly raised her hand. She signaled Shan Chao not to move.
Shan Chao's internal energy was abundant. His five senses were more sensitive than Xie Yun's. It was only because he was distracted that he did not notice it. Now that he was startled, he immediately noticed the movement.
They had unknowingly walked into the depths of the inner court. Not far away, there were flowers and trees. The eaves were deep. A somewhat sneaky shadow was walking around the vermilion pillars. It was hurriedly walking towards the end of the long corridor.
Shan Chao recognized the figure at a glance. He softly said, "Helan Minzhi?"
It was the middle of the night. What was Helan Minzhi doing sneaking into the inner court of the Temporary Imperial Residence?
Shan Chao had a bad feeling. He was about to ask when he saw Xie Yun's body moving like a ghost. She quietly followed the figure. She flew through the flowers and silently landed on the railings of the long corridor.
— — After all, she was an assassin. Shan Chao admitted that he could not catch up to her in terms of agility and lightness. He could only use his internal energy to jump up. In midair, he used the branches of the trees as leverage to land on the limestone floor of the corridor.
As soon as he landed, he slipped. He quickly stabilized himself and looked down. He saw that he had stepped on something slippery.
Shan Chao made a sound of surprise in his heart. He picked it up and looked at it. It was a green silk handkerchief with a willow branch embroidered on the lower corner.
Although Shan Chao was a country bumpkin who had not seen many good things, he could feel that the silk handkerchief was precious. It was obvious that it was not left here by a servant girl or palace maid.
He turned the willow branch embroidered handkerchief over and over again for a while. He vaguely felt that there was something familiar about it. Suddenly, his mind exploded.
— — Pei Ziliu!
This is Pei Ziliu's handkerchief!
How did it end up on the path that Helan Minzhi took?!
All kinds of rumors about Helan Minzhi quickly flashed through Shan Chao's mind. Then, he stopped at the back of the figure that was sneaking into the inner court. Shan Chao's hand tightened and the silk handkerchief was balled up in his fist.
Xie Yun walked over to take a look. A trace of surprise flashed across her face. "The young lady from the Pei family is only twelve or thirteen years old. Helan Minzhi really wants to die …"
Her voice was very soft, but it was like an iron clamp that tightened around Shan Chao's heart. Without hesitation, he ran in the direction that Helan Minzhi left in. Turning the corner of the long corridor, he saw a row of servants' rooms not far away. At this moment, it was all dark and silent. Only a barely noticeable light flickered in the corner before it suddenly went out.
If Dan Chao still had some doubts before, that trace of hesitation had completely disappeared now. Pei Ziliu was such a rich young lady, if she wanted to meet her lover in private, why would she choose to meet him in such a shabby servant's room in such a remote corner?
At this moment, a muffled shout mixed with the night wind. Due to the distance, it was extremely soft. If not for Shan Chao's sharp hearing, he would have definitely thought that this sound was the rustling of tree branches in the garden and ignored it.
— — Not good!
Shan Chao's eyes flashed fiercely. He was about to rush over when he felt a weight on his shoulder. When he turned around, he saw that it was Xie Yun holding him down.
"Shi — —"
If one were to observe carefully, they would find that Xie Yun's reaction was a little strange. He lifted his chin slightly, looking at the deep and dark forest in the distance. His pupils rapidly dilated and then suddenly contracted. Because of the extreme tension of his muscles, the lines under the wide sleeves of his robe were not very obvious.
"Don't go," he spat out.
In his extreme anger, Shan Chao did not understand these two simple words. "What?"
Xie Yun did not speak. His hand did not move an inch from his shoulder.
"…" Shan Chao was finally a little dazed. He could not believe that he understood what Xie Yun meant.
For so many years, Helan Minzhi had run amok and lived smoothly. Other than the fact that he was the last male descendant of Queen Wu's maiden family, there was also the fact that the Wei Kingdom's Madam, Helan, supported him in front of the Emperor.
Based on this person's character, he had probably badmouthed Xie Yun many times in front of the Emperor. However, Xie Yun was afraid of taking action and was unable to completely kill him.
But if … this rat wanted to die, then it would be much simpler.
Moreover, the Pei Family of River East was one of the most powerful supporters of the Eastern Palace. Almost everyone knew that Miss Pei was the future Crown Princess.
If something happened to her in the temporary imperial residence, if the Eastern Palace lost an arm …
Shan Chao felt a chill run down his spine. He gritted his teeth and felt a chill run down his spine.
"Most people in this world are willing to curry favor with power and wealth." But to curry favor, they had to use such a despicable and even dirty method. Did they have to use another innocent girl as compensation?
How could they be at ease with that kind of power and wealth?
Wouldn't they feel bitterly disappointed?
Shan Chao opened his mouth. His voice was hoarse and unsteady as he said to Xie Yun, "Let go of me."