Chapter 966 - 430: Ghost Arrow Yama! Ferocious Bandits Scattered, Martial Selection at the Stele Tower, Mysterious Stone (Part 2)

Chapter 966: Chapter 430: Ghost Arrow Yama! Ferocious Bandits Scattered, Martial Selection at the Stele Tower, Mysterious Stone (Part 2)

The gaze involuntarily penetrated through the small holes, extending forward... One pavilion, two pavilions, three pavilions, with people reading, singing, playing... In that instant, it seemed as if I witnessed all the human dramas of Jade City. Finally, a cold glint flashed, and my gaze fell on a flying arrow.

After that, all that could be seen was the flying arrow.

This arrow passed through the small ventilation hole, shot through the slightly open window, flew past the hair of a maiden playing the zither, skimmed past the teapot ear as the waiter was pouring tea, and after traversing countless things, finally hit the left eye of the Flying Thief.

Three ruthless thieves fleeing from the southeast and west were all struck down by the flying arrow.

Even though Gong Kuai was at a high vantage point, he couldn’t see the mysterious intricacies within, only knowing that the Flying Thief had been hit by the arrow. But the shock in his heart was like overturning rivers and seas; he couldn’t predict any of these three shots.

Gong Kuai murmured, "Who... Who possesses such archery skill? I couldn’t react to the first arrow, I could see some hint at the second, but this third arrow... it seems even more inexplicable."

He was lost in thought. His wife, "Madam Wang," returned with their beloved son Gong Wen from prayers. Gong Wen said, "Father, what are you thinking?" Madam Wang, with a charming appearance, glibly chided with a smile, "Your father must be thinking about going on duty again to catch the thieves. Wen’er, let us go, let’s not bother this rough man."

Gong Kuai hastily smiled and said, "Madam, don’t be angry, don’t be angry, I have witnessed a great spectacle, shall I tell you?" Madam Wang said, "If it’s about catching thieves and martial contests, then there’s no need. Although we both come from martial backgrounds, Wen’er is a scholar. We should not let the fierceness of martial artists taint him, otherwise luck may not favor him."

Gong Kuai felt stuffy inside, greatly frustrated. He very much wanted to meet that archer but feared his wife’s anger, so he forcibly suppressed the thought. He could only look afar and see a figure in a black robe, separately capturing the three ruthless thieves, binding them tightly with ropes and escorting them away.

Gong Wen said, "Father, I obtained the best fortune stick, and for this academy’s major exam, I will surely achieve an extraordinary rank." Gong Kuai said, "Good child, just do your best!"

Madam Wang laughed and said, "Wen’er, mother believes you will definitely obtain luck."

...

...

A few days passed after the incident at the Literary Tower, yet Gong Kuai remained preoccupied with thoughts of it, contemplating the Treasure Bow in his solitude. Among the three arrows, the second, the "Feather-Cutting Arrow," was the clearest, vivid in his memory. He faced the target, attempting to replicate that arrow. Although the Feather-Cutting Arrow was executed with divine mastery, easily changing direction, it injures two with one shot, ultimately making it quite difficult.

Although he occasionally managed to replicate it, the arrowhead and arrow tail were always prone to deviating. After practicing several times, he made some progress but remained unsatisfied.

He suddenly thought, "I rarely have time off, such so free time. Wen’er often tells me the principle of ’not ashamed to ask for guidance from those below,’ so why not seek advice?"

At that time, he was residing in the west of the city, speculating that the captor might be a Gold Appraisal Guard, and knowing "Xu Shaoqian" was the Central Lang General of the Gold Appraisal Guard. So he visited, seeking information. Xu Shaoqian, upon seeing Gong Kuai, paused in surprise, then clasped his hands and laughed, "How rare, how rare, what wind has blown General Gong here? Has Xu done anything earth-shattering recently?"

Gong Kuai glanced around, noticed Xu Shaoqian donned in training attire, entirely black, breathable and sweat-absorbing, with a Treasure Bow in his right hand. It seemed he was practicing archery at home.

Gong Kuai said, "Central Lang General Xu, you’re jesting! Since I’m rarely on leave, I happened by and realizing that Central Lang General Xu lives nearby, I decided to pay a visit."

Xu Shaoqian laughed and said, "Please, come in." He pulled Gong Kuai into the courtyard, had a servant secure the door latch. Gong Kuai said, "Central Lang General Xu’s residence is splendid!"

Xu Shaoqian said, "I’m usually busy with affairs, this place is in the city, timely for dealing with matters. You know, my Gold Appraisal Guard members are unlike your Divine Cavalry Guard, they are all mediocrities and cowards; when tasked with something, they never do it efficiently."

Gong Kuai said, "Oh?" thinking inwardly, "Could it be Xu Shaoqian despises the officers, the commander-in-chief of the Gold Corsair Guards, hence he personally hunts the thieves. Could the archer that day actually be Xu Shaoqian? But Xu Shaoqian’s archery, I’ve seen it. Although exquisite, it’s not necessarily better than mine. I should be able... to discern some clues."

Moreover, Xu Shaoqian was young, in a high position, with exceptional talent; if he made great progress recently, it’s not impossible. He calmly said, "Not at all, not at all, we also have mediocre ones in the Divine Cavalry Guard, as is inevitable."

Xu Shaoqian led them to a pavilion, a maid brought hot tea, and he said, "Come, Brother Gong, try this Grade Four Red Tea." Gong Kuai took the red tea, sipped it gently, the fragrance lingering, the aftertaste clinging to his lips and teeth. He beheld the scenery around the pavilion, brilliant purple and bright red, myriad flowers in full bloom, like spring. It was already nearing August, the height of summer, and midday at that, which should be oppressively hot, but the residence felt entirely cool, and he said, "Brother Xu, your residence is truly extraordinary."

Xu Shaoqian said, "This is nothing, I have a large mansion outside the city, with even more splendid decorations and a far greater expanse. But... living alone, it ultimately feels a bit too quiet."

Gong Kuai said, "Indeed, Brother Xu holds a high position, making people forget you are still young and unmarried. Hahaha, Brother Xu, without a wife, no matter how large a mansion, there’s no meaning, much joy cannot be experienced."

Xu Shaoqian smiled and said, "The falling flower has affection, but the flowing water is unfeeling. This matter cannot be forced." Gong Kuai said, "Is that so? I see Brother Xu as quite determined. I’ve heard Brother Xu’s romantic tales, that renowned beauty surely has long since set her heart on Brother Xu. Delaying her answer is probably testing your sincerity."

Xu Shaoqian confidently laughed and said, "Thanks for the good words, old brother. Hahaha, Madam Gong was also a renowned beauty in her youth. So, only you can envy me, young brother! Nephew Gong seems to be... seems to be studying at Jiyin Academy, with boundless prospects in the future!"