Chapter 503: A Decisive Victory
Chapter 503: A Decisive Victory
The hundreds of civil and military officials couldn't believe their eyes, almost thinking they had seen wrong.
"What's going on? Did His Highness Zhangsun... draw the Hou Yi Bow?"
The speaker was a military officer under General Hu.
Having followed General Hu for many years, he understood the power of the Hou Yi Bow better than anyone. Many desired it, but only a few could draw it.
Even Prince Jian, he wouldn't dare say the other party had a foolproof grasp.
Moreover, this was after two rounds of competition, having already consumed a large amount of internal strength and arm strength.
He couldn't bear to think about how this young prince managed it.
"General, did we pick the wrong bow?"
Besides this, he couldn't think of any other possibility.
It couldn't be that the Imperial Grandson actually had this ability, could it? He wasn't the only one with this doubt.
The civil officials also suspected that it wasn't the Hou Yi Bow.
After all, during the second round, the Imperial Grandson couldn't even draw the three-stone bow.
On a large tree a li away, Ji Li stood with silver hair and black robes, leisurely fanning himself as he said, "Ah She, what do you think?"
Si She stood on another thick branch, gazing towards the horse ranch.
Hearing Ji Li's words, he calmly said, "The three-stone bow of Great Liang is heavier than those of other countries, and the Hou Yi Bow is the number one divine bow in the Southwest. To draw this bow, one needs not only innate divine strength but also sufficient skill."
Ji Li fanned himself, smiling without really smiling as he said, "Innate divine strength? That's an exaggeration, isn't it?"
Si She said, "That General Hu has possessed astonishing strength since childhood, and he's the only one who can draw the Hou Yi Bow."
Ji Li laughed and said, "Then why did he bring out the Hou Yi Bow? Who is he trying to embarrass? Isn't he afraid his sister's grandson will lose face?"
Si She looked at General Hu in the shaded pavilion and said, "He should have taught Lu Qi some techniques. Lu Qi's strength isn't weak; at least, he's considered one of the top among the younger generation. Unfortunately, he met Lu Yuan."
Lu Yuan was truly a prodigy. He had incomparable talent and had undergone hellish training in the Dark Hell. Every step he took was on the edge of a knife.
Others worked hard to become superior one day, but his efforts were for survival.
If he had the slightest slack, Prime Minister Xun would have gnawed him to the bone.
Given this, what reason did Lu Yuan have to lose to Lu Qi? Ji Li clicked his tongue and said, "In my opinion, he just wants to show off in front of the little tiger. Alas, he's just a tiny bit better than me."
Si She stared intently at the movement in the center of the horse ranch.
If Ji Li had looked closely, he would have noticed that his gaze had always been on the Hou Yi Bow, and his eyes showed the same change as when he saw the Qing Luan Sword.
Lu Yuan drawing the Hou Yi Bow shocked the entire horse ranch.
If this Hou Yi Bow was real, then what was the second round's competition about?
Prince Ming glanced meaningfully at Prince Jin and General Hu, asking in confusion, "Oh dear, Father Emperor, something's not right. The great nephew can even draw the Hou Yi Bow, but why is the three-stone bow not moving at all? Did General Hu offer a fake Hou Yi Bow, or did someone tamper with the three-stone bow earlier?"
Lu Zhaoyan said, "Sixth brother, don't speak without evidence. General Hu is a senior official of our dynasty and would never commit the crime of deceiving the Emperor."
Prince Ming scoffed, "What about the three-stone bow, then?"
Lu Zhaoyan solemnly said, "Today's competition is fully managed by the Imperial Guards, and the Imperial Guards are the older brother's former troops. I think the older brother wouldn't tamper with the bow used by Yuan'er."
Prince Jin secretly clenched his fingers, maintaining his composure as he said, "I walk and sit upright. If the second brother has any doubts, he can have people investigate. All the bows used are kept, and if any problem is found, I will apologize myself."
The evidence had already been disposed of; how could they wait for an investigation?
Lu Zhaoyan understood this logic.
The purpose of Lu Zhaoyan and Prince Ming's back-and-forth was not to catch the thief red-handed but to take the opportunity to publicly voice all the doubts.
Once the seeds of suspicion were planted, they would take root and sprout as the situation developed.
Lu Yuan's quiver was empty, but fortunately, he had a spare quiver on his horse.
Then, he rode over the high fence and entered the arena for the final round.
He aimed at Lu Qi's kite.
However, just as he was about to shoot the arrow, a fierce golden eagle suddenly swooped towards Lu Yuan's kite.
Prince Jin calmly took a sip of tea.
Qilin, Qilin, embracing the great destiny.
If your kite is gone, isn't that also fate?
Everyone was startled by this turn of events.
"Oh no! His Highness Zhangsun's kite!"
The head of the Hanlin Academy exclaimed.
As the man finished speaking, a hunting hawk, like a meteor hammer piercing the sky, fearlessly collided with a golden eagle twice its size.
The golden eagle, knocked off course, let out a fierce screech and fiercely pecked at the hawk.
The hawk, now with a mouthful of feathers, continued to protect Lu Yuan's kite.
Just as Lu Qi was about to shoot the hawk with his bow, a sharper arrow, with lightning speed, struck and severed Lu Qi's arrow.
In that instant, a sudden change occurred.
Taking advantage of Lu Yuan's distraction as he saved the hawk, Lu Qi turned and shot an arrow at Lu Yuan.
Crack! Lu Yuan's quiver dropped.
"Excellent!" The Qi King applauded with delight.
The military officials were startled, drawing in cold breaths one after another.
"What a brilliant move, feinting east and striking west. As expected of the General's nephew, this unexpected attack caught us off guard. We can't help but admit defeat."
"Without arrows, even the Houyi Bow is useless."
"Indeed, this round has already been decided."
Hearing the military officials' comments, the civil officials couldn't refute them.
While the Houyi Bow was impressive, the winner was determined by who shot down the opponent's kite string first.
This difficulty was added by the Imperial Grandson himself.
Zhang Qufeng, who had held back for an entire day, finally spoke up, feeling vindicated, "It's like lifting a rock to drop on your own feet. If he hadn't been so showy, he would have won by now. But now, look at the consequences of his arrogance!"
Prince Rui, with a serious expression, said, "Qi'er, quickly shoot down his kite string!"
Prince Ming stood up, "You—"
Prince Rui, rarely speaking up in front of his brothers, responded, "Sixth brother, General Hu mentioned that if one couldn't obtain the Houyi Bow, using their own bow to shoot the kite string would also work. Yuan didn't refute that."
He continued, "This should have been his backup plan, but who would have thought Qi'er would use it against him? Perhaps it's fate."
The Qi King, taking pleasure in others' misfortune, laughed, "Indeed, if fate has it so, we can only say Qi'er is blessed with good fortune. After all, only a true Qilin can win in the end!"
Lu Zhaoyan smiled coldly and said, "Are you sure? Do you want to see another one?"
"Hmph, do you want to see how your son loses?"
As soon as the Qi King finished his mocking words, his smile froze on his lips.
The white horse under Lu Yuan neighed, raising its head like a majestic ruler.
At that moment, the Qi King and the others realized that it had an arrow in its mouth.
This was surprising because there was no arrow there earlier. When did this happen?
Lu Zhaoyan smiled faintly, "Feinting east and striking west? My son's leftover arrow is something you all praise to the skies."
Ever since Lu Yuan grabbed the Houyi Bow, everyone's attention had been focused on him.
The only thing that drew their gaze away was the high-altitude battle between the hunting hawk and the golden eagle.
In other words, if Lu Yuan wanted to hide an arrow, he could have only done so during that fight.
Lu Qi decided to feint east and strike west after seeing the hunting hawk, while Lu Yuan had already hidden an arrow before Lu Qi's action.
Lu Yuan had anticipated Lu Qi's anticipation.
The civil and military officials, realizing their mistake, were deeply impressed and couldn't say a word.
"Thanks, little brother," Lu Yuan said, taking the arrow from the white horse and pulling the Houyi Bow once more.
Astonishingly, after already shooting an arrow with the Houyi Bow, he managed to draw another full draw! What incredible arm strength! Even General Hu had never drawn two full draws in a row.
Jiang Guogong's eyes widened in amazement, "I want to adopt him! I want to adopt him! He'll be my grandson!"
Fu Wang: It's not easy for him to have grown up like this...
Lu Yuan and Lu Qi released their arrows simultaneously, aiming at each other's kite strings.
The outcome would be decided in this moment.
The kites soared higher, appearing like two ethereal birds in the sky, while the strings were more sensed and calculated than seen.
Two sharp hisses cut through the air.
In an instant, the tense wait seemed to stretch an eternity.
"Look! The kite is flying!"
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"Whose... whose kite is flying?"
"It seems... both kites are flying away!"
Meng Qianqian frowned, stood up, and walked to the railing of the Imperial Platform, gazing at the vast sky, "How could this be?"
"Oh dear, did both the Imperial Grandson and the Prince of Jian shoot the kite strings? Then... who won?"
"Wait! Look!"
One of the kites flying away was now returning.
The Grand Agricultural Commissioner excitedly stood up, "It's the Imperial Grandson's kite! His kite string wasn't cut!"
Yu Zichuan, expressionless, reeled in the kite string that he had deliberately let out.
Chen Long, disguised, stood by his side.
"Don't you dare pull any more stunts, or I'll beat you up."
Scaring Lu Yuan was one thing, but scaring his sister was another.
Yu Zichuan remained silent, solely focused on reeling in the line.
Lu Zhaoyan heaved a long sigh of relief.
He naturally knew that Yu Zichuan was the one flying the kite.
Whether the rebellious son was scared or not, he wasn't sure, but he himself was thoroughly frightened.
The Ming Wang let out a scoff, "You said you didn't care about winning or losing, but look at you now, so concerned about it?"
Lu Zhaoyan replied, "He's my own son, what's wrong with me caring a little?"
The Ming Wang raised his voice, "So what if you have a son?"
Lu Zhaoyan said, "That depends on what kind of son he is. Ah, big brother, I'm not talking about you."
It was unclear if he was scolding Lu Qi or the Jin Wang.
The Jin Wang's face turned ashen.
All the officials collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
Those who had doubted the Imperial Grandson's abilities, whether they were martial officials or not, were either humiliated or convinced.
Who had said that the Imperial Grandson was good for nothing?
They had believed it, but now they wouldn't dare look down on him again.
From now on, they wouldn't dare belittle anyone.
The Liang Emperor looked at the little one in his arms, "Your father won, isn't he amazing?"
The little one proudly wiggled his tiny feet, "Ma ma hu hu."
The Liang Emperor listened to her soft, cooing voice and burst into laughter.
Holding the little one, he stood at the highest point of the Imperial Pavilion, overlooking the entire horse ranch. With the dignity of an emperor, his presence shook the four directions.
"In the third trial, my Imperial Grandson, Lu Lin Yuan, is victorious!"
All the officials bowed in unison, "Long live the Emperor, long live, long live, long live forever!"
"Long live the Emperor, long live, long live, long live forever!"
"Long live the Emperor, long live, long live, long live forever!"
Amidst the chorus of 'long live', Lu Yuan rode his horse, holding the Houyi Bow with carefree elegance as he approached the Imperial Pavilion.
The remaining rays of the scorching sun chased after him, casting a divine glow upon his heroic figure.
Lu Qi, who had lost the competition, appeared a bit lonely and disheveled in comparison.
As Lu Yuan passed by Lu Qi, he casually tossed something to him, "Just in case, I'll keep this safe for you for now."
It was the gu bottle given to him by Dou Qingyi.
Lu Qi clenched the bottle in his hand, "Are you going to ask me—"
Lu Yuan interrupted, "No, I don't want to know anything. I'm the kind of person who doesn't gamble with anyone's conscience. Whether you're a gentleman or a villain, it's none of my business."
Lu Qi asked, "Why didn't you give it to the Emperor?"
Lu Yuan nonchalantly replied, "I was afraid you and your father would turn around and blame me."
Lu Qi spoke sternly, "Lu Yuan, you won this time, but you won't always win."
He addressed Lu Yuan, not Lu Lin Yuan.
Lu Yuan didn't correct him but smiled faintly, speaking with a heavy heart, "Brother, I advise you not to be stubborn. If you should yield, then yield. I'm so strong, losing to me isn't shameful."
After saying this, he rode off on his horse, carefree and relaxed.
Since birth, Lu Qi had never lost to anyone. He was the most outstanding student in his teacher's eyes and the most satisfying disciple for his master. Lu Qi was naturally gifted, quickly grasping everything he was taught, and everyone praised him as a once-in-a-millennium genius.
But in this competition with Lu Yuan, all his self-respect and confidence were trampled underfoot by Lu Yuan.
He clenched his fists tighter and tighter until the gu bottle in his hand shattered, and the fragments pierced his palm.
His chest surged with blood, causing excruciating pain, and a sweet yet pungent taste rose in his throat.
Lu Yuan smelled a hint of blood, and his eyebrows lifted, "I didn't touch him, so don't blame me."
He pulled the Houyi Bow, "This bow is not bad; it's worth the effort."
As he passed by Hu's shaded pavilion, he said, "Thank you, General Hu!"
General Hu closed his eyes and clenched his fists.
In one competition, he had lost the Houyi Bow, which had been his trump card when he became a general.
At this moment, Lu Yuan was terrifyingly strong, and no one from the Jin Wang's lineage wanted to talk to him.
However, Lu Yuan understood the importance of sharing blessings and burdens. If his son had coughed up blood, how could he let the father off the hook? Sharing joys and sorrows, this was the bond of father and son.
Lu Yuan hooked his lips, "Thank you, Uncle, for your recommendation. Otherwise, how could I have experienced the awe of drawing the Houyi Bow?"
The Jin Wang covered his heaving chest.
His gaze swept over the Rui Wang and the Qi Wang.
The eyelids of the two princes twitched uncontrollably! Then, Lu Yuan didn't say anything, but he winked and made faces at them, appearing to be secretly colluding.
The two princes shuddered!
Don't drag us into this!
Meng Qianqian watched him, bathed in glory, riding a white horse.
The brilliance that had once been hidden now shone brightly in Great Liang.
He dazzled the entire world.
Zi Wu Xian Sheng clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Grandson possesses both literary and military talents, and has the potential of a general star. May Your Majesty heed the will of heaven and bestow upon the Imperial Grandson the title of State Guardian Qilin!"
A 4,000-word chapter, is today's chapter handsome or not?
(End of Chapter)
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