Name: Tang Fan
Age: 24
Martial Artist Rank: Middle-Stage Second Rank
To avoid being discovered by the school, Jiang Fan continued to use the alias " Tang Fan " and also slightly falsified his age.
He had no choice but to fabricate the story; he couldn't very well tell the truth that he was only 17 years old, could he?
A 17-year-old at the Middle-Stage Second Rank? Who would believe that?
No, it should be said that a 17-year-old complete rookie—which mercenary team would be crazy enough to take him on?
"Mr. Tang, if there's nothing else, I'll go and attend to the other guests." The female staff member smiled as usual.
Jiang Fan scanned the bustling hall; many mercenary teams were setting up booths to recruit, a mixed bag that made it impossible to choose a suitable team immediately.
"Could you recommend a mercenary team for me?"
The female staff member knew it was Jiang Fan's first time visiting, so she was quite patient.
"May I ask which weapon you are proficient in? That would make it easier for me to recommend one."
"Bow and arrow."
As soon as she finished speaking, the female staff member's eyes visibly brightened, and her smile widened even more.
It was only at this moment that they belatedly discovered the bow and arrows on Jiang Fan's back.
The next second she looked at the crowd and said into the small microphone clipped to her collar, "There's an archer here who hasn't teamed up yet."
Swish, swish, swish!
All eyes turned to Jiang Fan, looking like a group of starving monsters seeing cooked Tang Sanzang flesh. Even the usually calm Jiang Fan felt a chill run down his spine.
Immediately, the crowd surged towards Jiang Fan like a tidal wave, surrounding him in layers.
Well...
Jiang Fan's forehead creased with three black lines. He knew archers were popular, but he hadn't expected them to be this popular.
"Young man, what's your strength?" a burly man squeezed in and asked.
" Middle-Stage Second Rank."
" Middle-Stage Second Rank? That's a bit low. The lowest level in our team is Late-Stage Second Rank."
"Lower my ass! This is an archer. Do you think others train like us? They spend most of their time honing their archery skills. He doesn't want him, we do! Tang Fan, right? Join us!"
"Hey, hey, hey? Who said we don't want you anymore? I was just saying that. Brother Tang Fan, join us! Everyone in our team Third Rank. You'll be absolutely safe with us, and we guarantee we'll carry you all the way."
"Tch! Everyone's at least Third Rank person..."
At that moment, a group of five people entered through the hall entrance; all five were wearing gray robes.
"Huh?" The leader's gaze fell upon the crowded people.
Why is it so lively today?
A staff member nearby replied respectfully, "A new archer has arrived, and everyone's vying for him."
"Oh, I see. That makes sense then."
Wei Cangyue seemed to be talking to himself.
Another short, gray-robed companion spoke up, asking a staff member.
What's the skill level of the new archer?
The staff member replied, " Middle-Stage Second Rank."
The short man in the gray robe shook his head, his tone disappointed.
"Only Middle-Stage Second Rank, too low."
Wei Cangyue turned to look at him, "It is indeed too low. Although our team is lacking a true archer, a Middle-Stage Second Rank archer is not even as good as A San."
A San in the team wasn't a real archer, mainly because he lacked talent. Fortunately, he worked hard to improve his archery skills, so he could barely serve as the team's archer.
The A San whose name was called instinctively clenched his bow and arrow. He genuinely loved archery and enjoyed being the archer in the team.
Unfortunately, his lack of talent in this area made him a weak link in the team.
He knew that if the Captain Wei found a more suitable archer in the future, they would definitely replace him.
As the crowd surrounding Jiang Fan grew larger, the female staff member quickly began to maintain order.
"Everyone, please don't panic. Spread out and let Mr. Tang demonstrate his skills so everyone can see just how proficient he is in archery."
Hearing the female staff member say this, everyone cooperated, mainly because they wanted to see what this Middle-Stage Second Rank archer was all about.
The crowd finally dispersed, and Jiang Fan was finally able to breathe some fresh air.
"Mr. Tang, you may begin."
"Um."
Jiang Fan nodded, then took the bow and arrow hanging behind him and drew the bow without hesitation.
With a "whoosh!", the arrow sliced through the air and hit the bullseye like a meteor.
An uproar erupted in the hall.
A San stopped and turned his head to look.
"Spot on target..."
It seemed as if he was talking to himself.
The short man in the gray robe put his arm around the A San's shoulder, looking rather lewd.
"I think it's just a coincidence. If he were a really skilled archer, he would have been recruited by elite mercenary teams long ago, or supported by various families. Why would he be performing in public at the Mercenary Guild all by himself?"
The words had barely left his mouth.
"Clang!" The arrow pierced the bullseye once again.
A San's pupils narrowed slightly. "Not bad."
The short, gray-robed man's frivolous expression betrayed a hint of his smirk.
He chuckled dryly. "Looks like it's not just a coincidence; he does have some skill after all."
Wei Cangyue's attention was also drawn, and he turned to look.
Wearing a mask and a baseball cap, Jiang Fan hit the bullseye with several arrows in a row.
"This kid... he looks familiar..."
Upon hearing Wei Cangyue's mutterings, the short, gray-robed man immediately asked gossip-loving questions.
"You know the Captain Wei?"
Just as Wei Cangyue was about to say something, he heard the crowd become noisy again.
" Tang Fan, join us! Become a regular member!"
Um?
Tang Fan?
"Ha ha!"
Wei Cangyue grinned, revealing a set of bright white teeth. He already knew about Jiang Fan's joining Xiaoqiang Studio under the alias Tang Fan at Fortress No. 31.
"So it's this kid."
This kid is playing dumb again, trying to take advantage of others.
Upon hearing this, the short man in the gray robe became even more certain that Wei Cangyue knew Jiang Fan.
" Tang Fan!" Wei Cangyue called out to Jiang Fan in the crowd.
At this moment, everyone's attention shifted from Jiang Fan to Wei Cangyue and the others.
"It's the Sharp Edge Squad of the Divine Wind Camp!"
"The captain of the Sharp Edge Squad is Fifth Rank expert, and the other four teammates are at least Fourth Rank Middle Stage. Could it be that they're also here to steal Tang Fan?"
"Really? Tang Fan's archery skills are indeed very high, but his overall strength is only at the Middle-Stage Second Rank. Would the Sharp Edge Squad even consider him?"
In fact, not only were these people completely confused, but even Wei Cangyue's teammates were puzzled.
Jiang Fan also saw Wei Cangyue walking towards him, and seeing the other's smug smile, he immediately guessed that the other must know his identity.
" Instructor Wei, what are you doing here?"
Instructor?
This title once again puzzled everyone, especially Wei Cangyue's teammates.
Wei Cangyue grabbed Jiang Fan's shoulder tightly, as if afraid that Jiang Fan would run away at any moment.
How could he not be afraid?