C15 The Northern King Yue Xiliang

"Don't worry, Master. I'll handle it," Zhuo Yuv said, taking the porcelain bottle, hesitating to speak further.

"What is it?"

"Wen Wan..."

"Leave."

Wen Wan. The past was something he no longer wished to dwell on. Whoever she married was no longer his concern.

---

Early the next morning, Wen Yu took Wen Wan to meet his old subordinate, Zheng Jun, at the Feather Forest Battalion. This battalion, unlike the Imperial Guard directly commanded by the emperor, was under the Ministry of War.

At mid-morning, at the Feather Forest Battalion, Xiao Chen, temporarily assigned as a captain by the Ministry of War, stood quietly beside the commander, Zheng Jun, watching him hold a bow. Yet, he didn't shoot.

Zheng Jun, around forty, had a rugged, commanding presence. As the leader of the battalion, his martial skills were profound. He rarely appeared on the training grounds, but today was different. Not only did he come, but he insisted Xiao Chen join him in archery practice.

Targets were set up ahead, and the arrows piercing the bullseye were all Xiao Chen's doing. Zheng Jun hadn't shot a single one. Xiao Chen couldn't fathom the purpose of this exercise.

"The Duke's archery skills are impressive," Zheng Jun acknowledged, though his initial genuine praise for Xiao Chen's first shot had now turned to a more perfunctory nod.

Just as Xiao Chen was about to suggest heading back to camp, two small dots appeared in the distance.

“They’re here!”

“My turn!” Zheng Jun announced, already drawing his longbow with an arrow nocked.

Xiao Chen could see that the arrow was aimed directly at the distant figures. Before he could say anything, Zheng Jun pulled the bowstring back fiercely and released the arrow.

Whoosh!

A piercing whistle sliced through the air as the arrow shot forward like a gust of wind, tracing a stunning arc across the sky. At this distance, Xiao Chen knew he couldn’t hit the target, but watching the arrow’s trajectory, it was clear Zheng Jun truly deserved the title of the best archer in the land.

“Commander…”

Just as Xiao Chen was about to speak, Zheng Jun thrust the bow into his hands. “Practice hard!”

Zheng Jun walked away without looking back.

Xiao Chen was left speechless.

Meanwhile, in the distance, Wen Wan was about to ask her grandfather why they were taking the rough path instead of the main road.

Thwack!

Out of nowhere, an arrow pierced through her left shoe with unerring accuracy!

Time seemed to freeze, and Wen Wan’s expression turned to stone.

Beside her, Wen Yu’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, his heart leaping into his throat.

“Zheng Jun, that scoundrel!”

Wen Yu quickly steadied his granddaughter. “Does it hurt? Are you okay?”

Wen Wan wiggled the toes on her left foot and said, "It doesn't hurt."

"That's good... let's go!" Wen Yu's voice was firm, but Wen Wan broke into a cold sweat. "Grandfather, don't you think we should turn back?!"

The warning signs were crystal clear!

"Even if I were to leave, I need an explanation from your Uncle Zheng!" Wen Yu was furious.

As they got closer, everything became clearer.

Seeing Wen Yu approaching with Wen Wan, who had an arrow stuck in her left foot, Xiao Chen's mind buzzed. He glanced at the bow in his hand and then in the direction where Zheng Jun had disappeared.

In no time, Wen Yu was right in front of him, glaring. "It's good that you're here, Duke Wai!"

Xiao Chen was anxious. He wanted to explain that he hadn't shot the arrow, but with the bow in his hand and no one else around, it seemed a weak defense.

Wen Wan hadn't expected Xiao Chen to be the one who shot the arrow at her, so she tugged on her grandfather's sleeve.