The vast field hummed with anticipation, a living, breathing entity of eager spectators. Thousands lined its edges, their hushed murmurs a backdrop to the ten gleaming archery targets standing sentinel at the far end, like silent, metallic guardians. The air crackled with a palpable excitement, a mix of hope and nervous energy.
A judge, his voice deep and resonant, stepped forward, his presence commanding. "Twenty-five teams remain, but today," he announced, his gaze sweeping over the assembled hopefuls, a stern challenge in his eyes, "only ten teams will advance to the next round. The other fifteen may return and try again next year. Everyone, select your two team members to enter the shooting range, now!"
"It's our turn, brother!" Tam Liang exclaimed, a thrill of excitement in his voice, his eyes bright with eagerness. He flashed a confident smile at Tam Kun, his partner.
Tam Kun cracked his knuckles, the sharp snaps echoing in the sudden quiet, a sound of readiness. "It's time to put some serious points on the board," he declared, his eyes gleaming with determination, already visualizing victory.
Tam Qiu beamed at her brothers from the sideline, her voice brimming with affection and unwavering belief. "You two are the best! You'll win this game easily; I just know it!"
The two hunters, Tam Liang and Tam Kun, along with Ho Jinhai, their captain, strode onto the field, joining the other twenty-four teams. The brothers lined up at the designated markers, their bows held steady, while Ho Jinhai walked briskly to the judges' stand, his face serious as he submitted the names of his participating team members.
The judge's voice boomed once more, cutting through the murmurs. "The two teams to shoot first are Team Yi and Team Hu. They will inaugurate today's competition, setting the standard. After the first five arrows are shot, the second person may pick up their bow and begin shooting their five arrows. Good luck to all contestants! May your arrows fly true!"
One by one, the captains sent their two chosen members forward. Ho Jinhai turned to the Tam brothers, his expression serious, a hint of desperation in his eyes. "Whatever you two do, you must not lose," he urged, his voice low.
Tam Kun chuckled, a playful light in his eyes, enjoying his captain's anxiety. "Why such a lack of confidence, Captain? Your encouragement is the most important part! Where's your faith?"
"I don't know what to say when I don't even know the game we're playing!" Ho Jinhai protested, his hands thrown up in exasperation, his face a mask of frustration. "You didn't tell me the rules!"
"He's just joking with you, Captain Ho, don't worry," Tam Liang said, a reassuring pat on Ho Jinhai's shoulder. "We will definitely win. We've got this."
A thought, a sudden, brilliant idea, struck Ho Jinhai. "Okay, if you two win," he said, a mischievous glint in his eye, "I'll buy two roast ducks for you both! My treat!"
"Deal!" Tam Liang grinned, his eyes alight, a new motivation. "That's a promise, Captain!"
"I have to go now. Good luck, and don't lose!" Ho Jinhai called out, already sprinting off the field, a newfound spring in his step.
Yu He and Sien Yi, representing the arrogant Yi Clan, entered the field, their movements deliberate, their expressions smug. Their eyes immediately sought out the Guozhao hunters on the sideline, a mocking smirk playing on their lips, a clear challenge.
"Brother Sien," Yu He said, his voice laced with disdain, loud enough for others to hear, "we're in Cloud City. What if their students were to accidentally bump into us? Such clumsy oafs."
Sien Yi scoffed, a sneer twisting his features. "Brother Yu, don't worry. Whoever dares to lay a hand on us will be severely punished, they'll regret it." He cast another contemptuous glance at the Guozhao hunters, his eyes filled with scorn. "If someone were truly smart, if they wanted to 'beat' us, they would use their words instead of their fists. But they lack the wit." He smiled thinly, a cruel curve of his lips, then walked towards the shooting range with Yu He, their arrogance radiating.
Yue Lei clenched his jaw; his face contorted in a furious glare at Yu He and Sien Yi. "I truly hope Ah Kun or Ah Liang accidentally shoots them both!" he muttered, a furious whisper, his hands clenching into fists.
"Ah Lei, do not wish ill on others," Lee Nianzu admonished gently, his voice calm, placing a hand on Yu Lei's shoulder.
"Or any of those people," Yu Lei seethed, gritting his teeth, his eyes blazing, "accidentally shoot their mouths and permanently disable their tongues! That would be justice!"
"Ah Lei, stop thinking like that," Yang Bao urged, his voice firm, trying to diffuse the anger. "It's not worth it."
Yu Lei's face contorted in a furious frown. "I can't stand those two! Their faces are so thick to even show themselves here! I will never forgive them for humiliating Third Master, Teacher Lee, and Senior Brother! They deserve to be punished!"
"Those who were humiliated by them have already forgotten, and you should also forget, Ah Lei," Lee Nianzu reasoned calmly, his voice steady. "Holding onto anger only hurts you."
"But..." Yu Lei began, his frustration palpable, unable to let go.
"Ah Lei, we know you love them, and you're angry for them, but Nianzu is right," Yang Bao said, placing a comforting hand on Yu Lei's shoulder. "If Third Master, Teacher Lee, and Senior Brother have all moved past it, we should too. If you truly want to avenge them, then make sure they lose in the last game. That's the best revenge."
Tian Xiang, standing a little distance away from Yu Lei, overheard the conversation. He bristled with anger, his own memories of the humiliation resurfacing. "Look at that annoying Yi Guozhi! I hope he does participate in the competition! I will crush him without hesitation! I'll make him regret it!"
"He knew you would crush him, Tian Xiang, so he didn't participate," Zheng Tingfeng deadpanned, a slight smirk on his face, a dry humor.
Lim Junjie strolled over to Zheng Yaozu, whispering something conspiratorial in his ear. Zheng Yaozu's eyes lit up, a wicked gleam. He glanced at Tian Xiang and Zheng Tingfeng, then grinned, a wide, mischievous smile. "Hey, I heard that he's most afraid of caterpillars. What do you think would happen if a caterpillar suddenly appeared on his bed, Yaozu?"
Tian Xiang's eyes widened in shock, a dawning horror. "No way, you two didn't! You wouldn't!"
Lim Junjie smiled and nodded, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Oh, yes, we did. It was glorious."
Zheng Yaozu chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound. "He was so afraid we'd prank him that he placed guards all around his hotel room! I'm dying to see his face when he lifts the blanket and finds caterpillars crawling all over his bed. It'll be priceless!"
The four brothers burst into uproarious laughter, their mirth echoing across the field, a shared moment of gleeful anticipation.
Yu Lei quickly moved aside for the laughing group, intrigued. "What are you laughing at?" he asked, his anger momentarily forgotten.
Lim Junjie quickly whispered the story to Yu Lei, and soon, Yu Lei also joined the wave of laughter, his face alight with amusement.
Guozhao Zhiqiang, Deming, and Weici walked towards the group, their presence bringing a subtle shift in the atmosphere, a quiet dignity amidst the boisterous laughter.
Weici glanced at the gathered hunters, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Have they already started?" she asked.
"Almost," Xiao Mei replied, her gaze fixed on the shooting range, her excitement palpable.
The echoing gong finally shattered the stillness, signaling the start of the competition. Yu He and Sien Yi simultaneously released their arrows, followed swiftly by the two Hu disciples, their movements practiced. The countdown began, a steady rhythm punctuated by the whizz of arrows, each one a testament to skill. When the count reached ten, the bell rang again. Some contestants, unable to release all five arrows in time, were automatically disqualified from the final game, their hopes dashed.
The Tam brothers were next in the final round. They exchanged a brief, confident look, a silent understanding passing between them, then released their first arrow. With a precise thwack, their arrow pierced the Yi team's arrow already embedded in the center bullseye, a perfect shot. The Yi arrow splintered into three pieces, falling from the target, a clear demonstration of superior skill. The crowd erupted in a thunderous cheer, a wave of awe. Their second arrow followed, embedding itself perfectly into the shaft of their first, a feat of incredible accuracy. Arrow after arrow, each one found the exact same spot, a testament to their legendary precision. The Tam brothers released their final arrow, and as it struck their fourth, the gong rang once more, signaling the end of their turn. The crowd's cheers swelled into a deafening roar, a standing ovation for their incredible display.
As the two Tam brothers walked back to the sideline, their faces flushed with triumph, the citizens and the Guozhao hunters alike chanted their names: "God of Bow… God of Bow… God of Bow!" The chant echoed across the field, a powerful tribute.
Deming turned to Guozhao Zhiqiang, his eyes wide with admiration, truly impressed. "God of Bow?" he questioned, his voice filled with wonder.
"They are known as the God of Bow," Guozhao Zhiqiang affirmed, a proud smile on his face, his eyes fixed on the brothers. "They are the best archers in Cloud City, perhaps in the entire land."
Deming chuckled, his gaze still on the brothers, a genuine delight. "I can certainly see why people call them the God of Bow. They absolutely deserve that title. Their skill is incredible."
"They are apprentices of First Master, their primary weapons being the bow and sword," Guozhao Zhiqiang explained. He then pulled out a handkerchief, its fabric soft, and gently wiped a smudge from Deming's face, his smile softening as he looked at the younger man, a tender, intimate gesture.
Deming noticed the delicate embroidery in the corner of the handkerchief and teased, a playful glint in his eye, "Which lady made this for you, Zhiqiang? I'm guessing... is it Sister Yang Chuntao? Am I right?"
Guozhao Zhiqiang's smile widened, a soft laugh escaping him. "No, Deming. Shimu made it. She makes them for all of us."
Across the field, Hu Dingxiang sat beside Zhou Caihong, his gaze fixed intently on Guozhao Zhiqiang, a simmering intensity in his eyes. He narrowed his eyes, confused by the young man standing so intimately close to Zhiqiang, the tenderness in Zhiqiang's actions. Guozhao Zhiqiang had once told him that he couldn't love others, that his heart was closed, broken by Deming's death. If that was truly the case, then why was he so intimately close to this unknown boy? If Guozhao Zhiqiang were ever to allow himself to love again, that person shouldn't be some nameless boy; that person, Hu Dingxiang was convinced, must be him, the one who truly understood him.
"Who are you looking at, dear?" Zhou Caihong asked, her voice laced with curiosity, following his gaze.
Hu Dingxiang forced a smile, turning his attention back to her, his face a mask of polite indifference. "No one in particular, dear. Just admiring the archery."