The Wager (Part 2)

Chapter 41: The Wager (Part 2)

However, he could also see that this Young Marquis Changle possessed martial arts skills. To fire five arrows in succession within five breaths, and to have every arrow hit the target, required a high-level combination of strength and technique, nearly comparable to the martial arts examinations at the military Martial Hall.

"It's nothing." Luo Yun waved her fan. "Although this is my beloved sword, as long as the game is fun, it is no big deal. Besides, Young Marquis, you might not necessarily win it away."

"No." In particular, Huoluo horses were skilled at running and even better at carrying heavy loads. The "Fire Cloud" heavy cavalry of the Huoluo Kingdom were even more ferocious and battle-hardened than the "Iron Pagoda" heavy cavalry of Yunmeng. It was all thanks to the charging power of these Huoluo horses. If it weren't for the fact that Huoluo horses were a rare breed even in the Western Regions, the iron cavalry of the Huoluo Kingdom would likely have invaded the Dagan Empire just like Yunmeng.

Regarding his own situation, Hong Yi was also clear in his heart, so he naturally had to decline.

"Ah, oh..." Such strength, accuracy, and speed, if transformed into fist techniques, would also make for a formidable combat style.

"Bring the bow." The group of young masters discussed among themselves, their eyes fixed on the Shark Slayer with great fervor. A gasp of astonishment erupted from the scene.

"It seems Young Master Hong has truly inherited the martial spirit of Marquis Wuwen. I wonder if you would be interested in another match of hand-to-hand combat? The wager would be this Warm Jade Thumb Ring in my hand, and Young Master Hong can continue to wager the horse." Young Marquis Changle was not reconciled and added.

"Just a stroke of luck." Hong Yi smiled.

However, that was one thing; while a Huoluo horse was a symbol of status among the nobility, it was not particularly rare, as it could be obtained for a high price.

"Young Marquis Changle, I concede." After Hong Yi finished shooting, he handed over the bow, unbuckled the quiver, and wore a smile.

Seeing Hong Yi agree, Young Marquis Changle let out a loud shout, displaying a powerful, masculine aura. With one hand holding the bow and the other slinging the leather quiver onto his back, he bent his knees into a horse stance, grounded his strength, channeled it through both arms, and pulled open the eighty-pound ox-sinew bow before nocking an arrow.

Hong Yi pondered in his heart, preparing to use the drawing technique from the Ox Demon Great Strength Fist to have a proper go at this Young Marquis Changle.

At this moment, Hong Yi did not speak further. He had long since secretly channeled his spirit, focusing his mind on his eyes. He stared at the bullseye while visualizing the image of the drawing posture from the Ox Demon Great Strength Fist in his mind. It was vivid and lifelike, and as he took the bow, the posture and the image instantly merged with his body.

Young Marquis Changle's eyes flickered. "It wouldn't be good if the Princess's sword were to be won away, would it?"

"Fine, then next month, after the imperial examinations, let us have a match of hand-to-hand combat. Brother Hong, feed the horse well this month; don't let it get thin. I intend to win it back then." Young Marquis Changle caught his breath, and at the same time, the way he addressed him changed, shifting from "Young Master Hong" to "Brother Hong," clearly acknowledging that Hong Yi had the strength to be qualified to join their circle.

A divine weapon in hand could increase a martial artist's lethality tenfold. A martial artist holding this Shark Slayer sword could go head-to-head with a master-level expert.

Just now, while shooting, although he had used the technique of combining soul and spirit with body and flesh, his tendons, bones, and skin had not yet reached the peak of toughness. He was still lacking, and in the continuous drawing of the bow, he had slightly strained himself. If he were to engage in a real fight, he would surely suffer a great loss.

Think about it: when clashing blades with someone, the moment you make contact, your sword snaps the enemy's blade. How could the battle continue?

"Archery is archery, but hand-to-hand combat is too extreme. If word gets out that there was a brawl at my gathering, it would be very bad. Why don't you two set a time and have another wager? Look, Miss Su Mu is here." Princess Zhennan, Luo Yun, said with displeasure.

"Today is a gathering, and archery is an elegant pursuit, but hand-to-hand combat is too much." Hong Yi refused flatly because his hands were aching slightly, and his waist was also a bit sore.

Everyone widened their eyes. They saw Hong Yi holding the bow in one hand and, as if by magic, grabbing an arrow from the quiver with the other. With one push of the string, one full-moon draw, and one release, there was a lingering, endless resonance. The first four arrows all hit the bullseye; only the last arrow, due to excessive speed, deviated slightly from the center, yet it still buried itself deep into the target.

"Miss Su Mu is coming, and the Young Marquis wants to show off. Don't say it, even I want to show off." Hong Yi nodded, looking at that Huoluo horse, his heart feeling a slight stir.

Even though these young masters of nobility all came from families with vast fortunes and had seen everything, they were still slightly shocked by the stakes of the two men's bet.

"I fear this Young Marquis Changle's martial arts are above mine. However, I practice the Ox Demon Great Strength Fist, and my foundation is solid. All the muscles and tendons in my body have been trained to the right level, whereas the best muscle-training techniques of the Dagan Empire, such as the Small Heavenly Cycle Strength Training Method of the Daoist sects, are still a notch inferior. Even if he has reached the level of a Martial Master, there is a slight difference in our foundations."

However, the blade of the Divine Wind Kingdom was thick and heavy, with a slight curve. It was longer than an average sword, and before the tip, there was a blood groove. It was neither quite a sword nor a saber, perfectly suited for battlefield slaughter!

The bowstring rang continuously. After Young Marquis Changle fired one arrow, he used a lightning-fast technique to retrieve another from the quiver, nock it, draw the bow again, and fire. He completed the sequence five times, indeed finishing within five breaths.

Having this Shark Slayer sword would be very advantageous for these young masters who aimed to earn titles through military service.

After speaking, his eyes quickly turned to a woman of peerless beauty approaching gracefully in the distance.

"Is that so? Since the Princess says so, then the game begins. I won't be polite." Young Marquis Changle looked at Hong Yi, sizing him up carefully. "A distance of one hundred paces, five arrows in five breaths. If it takes even one breath more, it counts as a loss. Missing the target also counts as a loss. Finally, we compare accuracy. Does Brother Hong have any objections?"

"Fine!" These five arrows fired in succession were indeed the work of an expert archer.

However, the wager Luo Yun lent to Hong Yi, this Shark Slayer sword, was forged entirely from Chrysanthemum Pattern Cloud Steel. It could cut hair as if it were silk and was a divine weapon that money could not buy. Furthermore, it was a sword forged by the Divine Wind Kingdom, completely different from the swords of the Dagan Empire.

"Aren't we just playing around? This wager is too big." Clearly, Young Marquis Changle was quite satisfied with his own performance. He handed the bow to Hong Yi and wiped his hands.

Moreover, this Young Marquis Changle before him was clearly someone who practiced martial arts frequently and had rich combat experience. Hong Yi's only real combat experience in his life was that one clash with Hong Gui, which had been a surprise attack. In terms of experience, he was likely far inferior to Young Marquis Changle.

"You won." Young Marquis Changle stared fixedly at the target, seemingly unable to believe the facts. It was only after a long while that he said those three words with a pained expression.

Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish! Five arrows were fired in succession, and every single one hit the bullseye. The very first arrow had actually pierced through the leather target.

The swords of the Dagan Empire were soft and thin, suitable only for dueling and stabbing, not for the battlefield. This was also the reason why the Dagan court banned sabers but not swords in its weapons laws.

Not to mention this magnificent Huoluo horse, which was countless times better than an ordinary warhorse. It was a "thousand-li horse" that money could not buy. With such a mount, traveling five hundred li and back in a single day would be no difficult task.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

He had borrowed the soul-visualization technique from Daoist arts and combined it with his martial skills. In that instant, his soul and spirit merged with his body and flesh.

"Ah..." The crowd was astonished. No one had expected that Hong Yi, who appeared unremarkable, would possess such archery skills.