Yuchi Jie expressed his interest and said,
"So, you've used a new thod to determine the winner? That does sound fresh."
"What kind of thod is it?"
Gao Zhenhai chuckled, "It's just a little idea of mine, which Master Zhong thought was quite good, so I brought it to discuss with everyone."
Yuchi Jie narrowed his eyes and smiled,
"Oh, it originated from Brother Gao's thoughts, then it must certainly be worthy."
"I'm just here to join in the fun, naturally, I have no objections, and will defer to Brother Gao's proposal."
Gao Zhenhai smiled, apparently expecting this response. He then turned to Wang Anfeng with a smile and asked, "And Brother Da Ye..."
Wang Anfeng shook his head faintly, and said,
"I'm rely accompanying them, Brother Gao, you don't need to mind ."
"How could that be acceptable."
Gao Zhenhai was attempting to turn his plan into reality when the distinguished young master of the Wen Family had already dismounted. Soone had promptly taken his outer robe and laid it on the blue stones.
Seated upon it, the Wen Family's young master toyed with the folding fan in his hand.
Dressed in white robes, his hair bound with a jade crown, surrounded by beauties, he appeared not as one out on a hunt, but rather as if he was on an outing with ladies, enjoying the spring scenery. A servant with a jug of fine wine knelt at his side, pouring for him.
Wen Yuzhe held a jade cup in his hand, his deanor tranquil.
With a different status co different perspectives.
On this matter, Gao Zhenhai and the others thought about how to vindicate a mber of their group. At most, they considered how to remind the envoy from the i Family in Heavenly Capital City to enhance their standing in the eyes of their elders.
Wen Yuzhe was different. His family hailed from among the top Noble Clans in the world, not quite on par with the Four Great Clans but not far behind. Dynasties may change, but the Noble Clans stayed solid like an immovable boulder, deeply rooted for thousands of years.
His ancestors had included a Pri Minister and a Great General, who once held great sway. Today, although the Family Head was not as illustrious as his forebears, he still held the rank of a Third Rank Court Official, an esteed position within the Imperial Court, and was in good terms with two of the Pillar of the State.
One of them, a Su by surna, was ennobled for his military exploits during the war that conquered the Six Kingdoms. Beyond holding a high office as a Pillar of the State, he also held the title of a Third Rank General of the Great Qin, commanding one of the eighteen divisions of the Iron Cavalry, always at odds with the Yuchi lineage.
He had heard from his father that the present Emperor had ambitious plans and seed intent on challenging the authority of the aristocratic Noble Clans.
Though the Noble Clans of the world were as the unbreakable formation of a continuous line in the military, where attacking the head would cause the tail to respond, and vice versa, emperors throughout the millennium had harbored such ambitions, only to end up tightening the bonds among the Nobility.
But today was different from the past; the nation's strength was unprecedented. If the Imperial Family intended to make a move, naturally, they had to seek self-preservation.
He had heard that Su Zhuguo's favored son had once been insulted by Yuchi Jie, using his influence to humiliate him. The two sides were already irreconcilable, and if an opportunity arose to thwart him, or perhaps...
A startling notion briefly flitted through Wen Yuzhe's mind.
He lifted the cup to his lips, his expression still one of nobility.
Wang Anfeng glanced up, sensing that nearly imperceptible intent to kill, but his face remained unchanged, as he withdrew his gaze, appearing like a reticent youth.
Gao Zhenhai's so-called new competition thod combined a leisurely spring outing with hunting. As for the reasoning, he argued that if they were separated, so might buy prey from hunters, and also, it would not showcase the skill of hitting the targets.
Rather than that, he proposed that they prepare geese and Flying Eagles, release them from where they stood, and shoot from their original positions. The one who hit the targets most would win. This would not only show their elegance but also prevent cheating—a plan to kill two birds with one stone.
After he explained these rules to everyone, Gao Zhenhai smiled and said, "Hunting birds is indeed quite challenging, and there is the glory of hitting two birds with one arrow. Now, as we hunt with large geese, which are not as nimble as hawks, it still counts as big ga, befitting the martial spirit of Great Qin."
The crowd, having never played this ga before, was very excited. Everyone held their bows and vied to be the first to act, and so even opened a betting pool, guessing who would erge as the champion of the spring hunt, creating a fervent atmosphere.
Wang Anfeng, however, was largely disinterested. He moved a few steps away from the crowd, gazing at the undulating mountain ranges, lost in thought.
Divine Martial Mansion, Divine Martial Mansion, he knew well that he could not avoid dealing with the officials and Noble Clans. Just seeing Yuchi Jie's insincere courtesies today was already unbearably dull, far less interesting than the freedom of Jianghu.
But he could not forsake the Divine Martial Mansion.
It wasn't just his father's regret, but also Libo's. It was the mory of their generation, the past of his parents, and also his responsibility. He could let go of many things, but this matter was non-negotiable.
With a sigh, he regained his composure and said,
"Miss i, do you need sothing?"
i Lianhua, realizing she had been discovered, dropped the pretense and said with a smile,
"It seems I couldn't keep hidden after all. It appears Brother Wang of the Wang Family is quite skilled in martial arts."
Wang Anfeng replied with a warm smile,
"I only know a little."
i Lianhua kicked a stone and said with a laugh,
"You scholars always say 'a little,' which is the most troubleso and hardest to understand. Saying more is wrong, saying less is also not right—it's all quite headache-inducing to think about."
"By the way, Brother Wang, are you here alone because you find the stationary archery dull?"
Wang Anfeng shook his head. Seeing that several mbers of the i Family had been escorted to the center amid cheers—previously just on the fringe of the Noble Clan youths, they had now beco the focus—he knew sothing was unusual. He withdrew his gaze and said,
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