Chapter 66: Shooting Fei Xiong

Though Fei Xiong possessed immense strength, even he began to feel weary over time, and the swing of his bronze mace gradually slowed. Gao Li grew restless; the disciples of the noble houses were all keen-eyed, watching the shifting tides of offense and defense on the field with clarity.

“Noble Son of Guo, when two tigers battle, one must be wounded. Why not call it a draw?” Gao Li suggested.

All the young nobles glanced sideways; the Gao clan had been a venerable family for centuries, yet this generation’s direct heir behaved with such unbecoming conduct. In truth, Gao Li had his own difficulties. Raised away from Linzi since childhood, he returned with eccentric manners and felt shunned by his peers. This time, he had finally persuaded his elder brother—who served as a general—to lend him a warrior, hoping to seize some glory. If his champion were injured, he would have no explanation to offer.

Guo Yuan hesitated. During martial contests, even the host rarely intervened, lest it damage the reputation of the Guo family if word spread.

Just as he wavered, the situation on the field shifted.

Liuxia Zhi, sensing Fei Xiong’s impatience, feigned a stumble, deliberately exposing a glaring weakness. Fei Xiong, worn out from swinging his bronze mace, grew anxious and fell for the ploy, mustering his remaining strength for a reckless charge.

Liuxia Zhi had anticipated this. He nimbly evaded, and as his opponent exhausted his technique, he pressed forward, the tip of his sword resting at Fei Xiong’s throat.

Fei Xiong froze, panting heavily, his eyes wild yet he dared not move a muscle.

The crowd fell silent, then erupted in cheers. Witnessing Fei Xiong’s cruelty, they had already united in opposition; seeing Liuxia Zhi triumph over strength with skill, they rejoiced as if they themselves had won.

Guo Yuan struck the bronze bell atop the table, announcing Liuxia Zhi’s victory. Gao Li, seething, stood to leave in indignation.

Liuxia Zhi sheathed his sword and turned, bowing respectfully toward Guo Yuan, who smiled in return. According to the rules, he would need to secure nine more victories or last an hour without challenge to leave the field. Yet everyone understood: if even the ferocious Fei Xiong had fallen to his blade, few would dare risk their pride.

Liuxia Zhi thought much the same and stood at ease, bowing to the crowd, which stirred another round of applause.

Suddenly, a thunderous roar erupted behind him. Liuxia Zhi sensed danger; before he could turn, a violent gust swept overhead.

The crowd cried out in alarm. From their faces, Liuxia Zhi saw unmistakable terror, but everything happened too quickly.

“My fate is sealed!” he cursed his own arrogance, resignedly closing his eyes. With such force bearing down, he doubted his body would remain intact.

A flash of white light streaked by, the roar abruptly halted. Fei Xiong’s neck spurted a jet of blood, and he collapsed with a crash, his bronze mace dropping heavily beside him.

What happened? The crowd was stunned, unable to comprehend. A few sharp-eyed onlookers searched for the source of the white flash.

Liuxia Zhi reacted first. He rushed to retrieve the feathered arrow from the ground, wiped it clean with his sleeve, and presented it to Meng Di, kneeling in shame. “I failed in my duty and troubled my lord,” he said.

The young nobles were at first baffled, but upon seeing this, realized Fei Xiong had been killed by an arrow.

“What speed!” someone exclaimed. All had learned archery from childhood, and knew how difficult it was to shoot an arrow with such velocity.

Gao Li stood dumbfounded, seemingly unable to grasp what had occurred. Fei Xiong was his brother’s most valiant and loyal general, lent only after much pleading, and now slain before him. How could he account for this to his brother?

Only when Guo Yuan reminded him, “Would you like to take your man’s body for burial, Young Master Gao?” did Gao Li finally respond.

“To take him? No, I shall take the murderer!” he spat, finally coming to his senses.

A squad of sharply dressed guards moved in, dispersing the crowd and surrounding Meng Di and his companions.

“So it was you who shot Fei Xiong?” Gao Li stood before Meng Di, gritting his teeth.

“It was,” Meng Di replied calmly, the Sun-Shooting Bow still in hand.

“Very well, you dared to kill in front of me. Seize him!”

“Who dares?” Liuxia Zhi sprang up, sword drawn, shielding Meng Di.

Gao Li sneered, waving his hand; armored soldiers advanced, spears at the ready.

Meng Di exchanged a glance with Su’er. With their martial skill, escaping was no challenge, but if they fought their way out, their trip to Qi would be for naught.

Liuxia Zhi understood this, frustrated, sword held across, glaring at Gao Li.

“Hold!” Guo Yuan strode over, his face set in anger. “Young Master Gao, you must not act recklessly!”

Gao Li pretended not to hear, ordering his guards to move in.

Guo Yuan, furious, called his own men to surround the group. Gao Li’s guards, confused, turned their weapons on each other.

“Guo Yuan, our families have been allies for generations. Why take sides against me for strangers?”

“If you know our families are close, then as the host of today’s contest, why disrupt proceedings?” Guo Yuan, always proud, forced himself to keep his temper.

“This man killed Fei Xiong; he must pay with his life!”

“Fei Xiong attempted a sneak attack; he deserved death. If you persist, don’t blame me for reporting to Uncle Gao when I return,” Guo Yuan retorted.

The young nobles hurried over, advising peace so as not to let trivial matters sour relations.

Seeing Meng Di and his companions composed, Gao Li found their words all the more galling. He laughed bitterly, “Very well, with the Guo family supporting you today, we’ll settle this another time.”

With that, he left with resentment in his heart.

The crowd exchanged looks. Gao Li was merely a direct heir of the Gao clan, with several elder brothers ahead; his status paled compared to Guo Yuan, the eldest son of the Guo family. Such conduct was truly unwise.

Guo Yuan forced a smile, bowing to the three. “Young Master Gao is still childish; please don’t take his antics to heart.”

He had originally admired Liuxia Zhi’s skill, but after witnessing Meng Di’s lightning-fast arrow, he was even more eager to win them over. After formalities, he introduced the three to each noble present.

The state of Qi boasted many noble clans. Besides the Guo and Gao families who dominated the court, there were the Tian, Bao, Cui, Qing, Yan, and Gao clans among the ministerial houses. Of these, the Tian clan was strongest, while the Bao clan always followed their lead.

Though today’s martial contest was hosted by the Guo family, the younger generation from each house came to observe. After selection, any warrior who caught their eye could be invited into their ranks.

With the contest settled, Guo Yuan declared Liuxia Zhi the champion. Any who passed the test of a thousand catties of strength could choose to join any family present.

The crowd dispersed, discussing the day’s excitement as they went. The twists and turns made for excellent conversation at meals and over wine.

“May I invite the three of you to my residence?” Guo Yuan asked politely after settling affairs.

Before Meng Di could reply, Su’er gave a soft snort beside him. She had always suspected the Guo and Gao families of involvement in her father’s death; she would never willingly visit an enemy’s home.

Meng Di, slightly apologetic, replied, “We have companions in the city; perhaps we might visit another day.”

Guo Yuan was surprised and tried to persuade them. “You’ve made an enemy of Gao Li; you may find it difficult to move freely in the city.”

“Linzi is governed by law. Does Young Master Gao have the right to harm us at will?” Meng Di countered.

Guo Yuan thought for a moment and did not press the matter, instead inviting the three to enter the city with him.

Meng Di realized this was a subtle way of offering them a protective charm; once they appeared in the city with him, it would signal to all that they were guests of the Guo family. He found himself regarding Guo Yuan with newfound respect.