Three Years (1)

When Sima Ruiming woke up, he was already in Huainan.

But it is not the Firmament Heaven once was.

Instead, the Sima Clan had a simple temporary palace in Shouchun Huainan, which was cramped and narrow, with its doors wide open like the mouth of a beast, devouring the essence and flesh of all living beings.

The world is broken on all sides, and the hearts of people are beyond repair. The power of the world is cold and indifferent, and everyone you encounter insists on making you feel uncomfortable.

I remember when he left, he was a man of boundless glory, the young master of the Firmament Heaven. But he returned like a prisoner, withered and haggard. The Sima Huanyu lineage was either ostracized or placed under house arrest...

"Supreme Azure Waves instructed that His Highness Ruiming has worked tirelessly for the Sima Clan, conquering a vast world. He should rest at the palace first. Once he has recovered from his injuries, we will arrange a task for him."

The messenger was a pale-faced, beardless eunuch who gave a forced smile and then left.

Sima Ruiming gazed silently at the palace, its walls riddled with cracks, remaining motionless for a long time.

This wait lasted three years.

When he was about to set out for the Wind Abyss Ruin Realm, his father, Sima Huanyu, personally saw him off, hoping that he could make a name for himself in one battle, enhance the prestige of the Great Jin, and demonstrate the grandeur of Huainan Firmament Heaven.

My third uncle, Spring Rain Hong Dharma Heaven, who was far away in Luoyang, sent someone to deliver generous gifts. My sixth uncle Sima Canglan, was only a minor figure in the imperial clan at that time. He often flattered and fawned over his father, and was even more amiable when he saw him.

Now, my father's fate is unknown. My sixth uncle has taken over Huainan and become the new master.

As for Sima Ruiming, he could only live a miserable life, and he didn't even have the qualifications to step into Sixth Uncle Azure Waves Heaven.

He felt a bitter smile and depression in his heart, and even his arrogant and domineering spirit dissipated. However, his usually narrow-minded mind had become much broader during this period.

About three or four hours later.

"Sima Ruiming, someone has come to see you."

The monk stationed at the palace pushed open the door and entered, followed by a burly young man.

The man had thick eyebrows and large eyes, with a black longbow at his waist, and a sharp edge honed by the mountains and wilderness between his brows.

The Zhengxian.

When Sima Ruiming saw him, he was taken aback at first, then gave a wry smile.

Why are you here?

Three years had passed, and Sima Ruiming had become so thin he looked unrecognizable. The golden mark between his eyebrows had faded, his eyes were sunken, and his lips were chapped.

Only his eyes, Sima Ruiming his father's, still possessed a sharp, eagle-like quality.

Zhengxian stood at the door, not going inside.

"Having received the emperor's bounty, I bear his burdens. The young lord's past kindness was immense; I have remained loyal and faithful for three years, yet I have no way to repay it..."

His tone was flat, without any inflection, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Sima Ruiming remained silent for a moment.

"Come in and sit down. It's been so long since I've spoken to anyone."

Zhengxian shook his head.

"Young Master, I must also be leaving."

Sima Ruiming was taken aback.

"Let's go? Where to?"

Zhengxian did not answer.

He simply looked at Sima Ruiming, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

"Young Master, I am just a nobody, a lowly commoner from a poor family."

"That arrow from the Wind Abyss Ruin Realm struck Ye Anlan, injured Ye Jinxuan, and forced Ye Jinming back. At that time, I thought that after returning, I could use these skills to make a name for myself in the Huainan officialdom..."

Sima Ruiming looked at him.

"Did someone bully you?!"

Zhengxian wore a numb and naive smile, a self-deprecating sadness mixed with a hint of inexplicable anger.

"Bully? I am not worthy."

How did a hunter, by working for Azure Waves Heaven, enjoy such generous resource treatment?

Someone reported to the Supreme Azure Waves Zhengxian was of lowly birth, and that the disciples of the Immortal Clan were ashamed to associate with him.

Not long after, Azure Waves Heaven an edict that all previous benefits, salaries, and official positions were to be revoked.

But knowing my archery skills, they want to humiliate and amuse me.

He was then exiled to the gladiatorial arena in Huainan to fight against Demon Beast and provide amusement for the nobles.

Sima Ruiming's hand suddenly clenched.

Zhengxian reached out and placed his hand on Sima Ruiming's clenched fist, and continued.

"Although my family is poor, my family members are worth a fortune in the world."

They wanted me to betray my former master, and in order to gain my exceptional archery skills to serve in their camp, they seized my parents and younger sister, and overnight, they disappeared without a trace."

Silence.

a long time.

Sima Ruiming suddenly laughed, his laughter hoarse.

"Born a hunter, unworthy of such talent?" he murmured.

"Not good enough, indeed."

"Father, this is the Sima Clan. This is our clan—a world of the strong preying on the weak, and of currying favor with the powerful!"

Sima Ruiming was once such a person.

I used to look down on Zhengxian's background.

But now, he himself has become someone who is looked down upon.

"Young Master," Zhengxian suddenly spoke.

"Tell me, is this world fair?"

Sima Ruiming shook his head.

Zhengxian smiled.

"I don't think it's fair either, but if the Supreme Being of the Huanyu were still alive, I would be fair."

He was Sima Huanyu's man. The Supreme Being of the Huanyu was trapped, but the imperial court did not announce the Supreme Being's demise.

And so he lived on.

Living is suffering, waiting to die, and reminiscing.

He recalled the battle in the Wind Abyss Ruin Realm, and every arrow he fired. It was the most glorious moment of his life.

Then came endless darkness.

Zhengxian sometimes thinks--

What if the arrow had missed back then?

What if he hadn't worked so hard back then?

If back then, he had been content to remain an ordinary hunter and hadn't entered this cannibalistic Heavenly Palace, what would have happened?

I can't think of an answer.

All I know is that there are no "what ifs" in this world.

Only results matter.

After saying that, Zhengxian turned around and walked out.

He stopped at the door.

"Young Master, take care."

After leaving the palace, Zhengxian made up his mind.

Being born into poverty is not a disgrace; true manhood lies in being able to bend and stretch!

His very blood told him that a swordsman is fearless, a loyal and generous minister, and would rather break than bend.

With his family gone and no worldly ties to him, he sought death! This would also fulfill the supreme grace bestowed upon him by the Huanyu.

If I survive by sheer luck and am reborn in blood, I will go even further! I will wreak havoc and uncover the truth. Whoever it is, I will shoot them with an arrow!

They went straight to the most bustling street in Huainan City and entered a building called Tianlan Gladiatorial Arena.

The enormous circular building had a central arena spanning hundreds of feet, surrounded by tiered stands filled with elegantly dressed spectators.

On the arena, two people are fighting fiercely.

A burly, shirtless man, wielding two axes, was covered in blood. A thin, young man, holding a short knife, was also wounded in several places.

"Kill him! Kill him!"

Someone shouted from the stands.

Zhengxian stood at the entrance, watching this scene unfold.

A moment later, a man who looked like a manager came over and looked him up and down.

"You've made up your mind and you're back?"

Zhengxian nodded.

The steward glanced at the black longbow at his waist and sneered.

What weapons will you use?

"Bow."

The manager paused for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"A bow? Using a bow in this arena? Do you know how big the ring is? Do you know how close your opponent is?"

Zhengxian remained silent.

The manager, having finished laughing, waved his hand.

"Fine, whatever. Sign the waiver and go in. If you win, you get Spirit Stone; if you lose, you're in a mass grave."

Zhengxian took the life-or-death agreement, didn't even look at it, and directly pressed his fingerprint on it.

He stepped into the ring.

Someone in the stands recognized him.

"Isn't that Zhengxian? The hunter who returned from Wind Abyss, renowned for his skill?"

"I heard you made a great contribution in Wind Abyss, what are you doing here?"

"Meritorious service? For whom? With his background, who respects him? Who dares to protect him?! The Ye Clan is a guest of Supreme Azure Waves!"

"How dare a peasant from a hunter's family be ranked alongside us, scions of the Aristocratic Clan immortal clans? He even dares to overshadow us!"

"What weed that sprouted from some obscure corner dares to associate with us?"

"His archery skills might be stolen and passed down through generations! He must be a despicable thief!"

"Tsk tsk, what a waste of all that skill."

Zhengxian stood on the arena, listening to the discussions, his face expressionless.

A tall, burly man, over ten feet tall, walked up, carrying a giant hammer. He was at the Foundation Establishment Peak stage.

"Kid, you're using a bow?" The burly man grinned. "On this stage, a bow is a joke."

Zhengxian remained silent.

He simply took down the black longbow and nocked an arrow.

The burly man charged forward with a sinister grin.

The Zhengxian taut, the bowstring taut like a full moon.

The arrow is fired.

That arrow was incredibly fast, so fast that even the dignitaries in the stands couldn't see its trajectory.

A bloody hole appeared between the burly man's eyebrows, his Dao foundation shattered and dissipated, his eyes widened, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud.

The stands were deathly silent.

Immediately, a deafening cheer erupted.

Zhengxian his bow, turned, and stepped off the stage.

There was no joy on his face.

There's only one indescribable feeling... numbness.

He knew this was just the beginning.

One's own life is exchanged for resources; one's own blood for dignity; one's own bow for a breath of fresh air.

He looked up at the sky.

The sky was overcast, and the Greater Yang's rays were not visible.

Is this world fair?

"Unfair."

"But so what?"

Ten games!

Twenty games!

Thirty-nine games!

Zhengxian was covered in wounds, his clothes were tattered, and his hair was disheveled, making it impossible to see his face.

Only those eyes, when they occasionally open, will flash a sharp glint.

He is the Youyan Fierce Bow, its Zhengxian!

With unwavering resolve, their arrows never turn back!

Huainan, Azure Waves Heaven.

Sima Canglan sat high on the throne, looking down at the kneeling ministers below.

Three years.

Within three years, he had completely seized control of Huainan. Sima Huanyu's former subordinates were either demoted, exiled, bribed, or suppressed.

Those who disobeyed have long since disappeared. Those who obeyed have become the loyal dogs of Azure Waves Heaven.

"Your Highness," Chief Clerk Li bowed and reported, "Governor Ye Zhanxin of Yangzhou has once again sent this year's tribute: 30,000 cartloads of spiritual herbs, 5,000 boxes of elixirs, and countless other treasures."

Sima Canglan nodded.

"The Ye Clan is quite submissive."

Chief Clerk Li laughed and said, "Fourth Ye Clan is especially respectful and naturally knows what's important. With Your Highness's power extending Huainan, how dare they be disrespectful?"

Sima Canglan smiled.

"Wei Jia Huainan?" He shook his head. "Not enough."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at the bustling land of Huainan.

"The Ye Clan has been operating in Jiangnan for many years and is deeply entrenched. My fourth master appears respectful on the surface, but who knows what he's really thinking?"

Chief Clerk Li said in a low voice, "What does Your Highness mean..."

Sima Canglan turned around.

"Keep a close eye on them. Report every move the Ye Clan makes."

"Yes."

Sima Canglan paused, then asked, "What news is there from the imperial court?"

Chief Clerk Li said, "The Northern Frontier is in a state of extreme heat, and war is fierce! There is a severe drought, You and Bing and Bing have no harvest. The spiritual atmosphere has greatly declined, and Devil Dao and evil paths have Evil Dao up, causing chaos in the region. Tax revenue and spiritual resources have greatly decreased, and the people of the north are fighting each other! People are even resorting to cannibalism!"

Sima Canglan raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Eating each other? Dao Devouring?"

"Yes. The court suppressed the news, only reporting the victory and saying that the country was at peace and the borders were stable."

Sima Canglan smiled.

He returned to the throne and sat down again.

"Keep an eye on things. I will not allow anyone to interfere in the affairs of Huainan."

"Yes."

A thousand sails race, axles and pulleys travel a thousand miles. The wealth of Jiangnan is transported northward day and night.

Today, half of Luoyang's grain supplies come from Huainan.

Sima Canglan thought to himself.