Chapter Sixty-Six: Demonstrating Archery

Qin Cheng and Li Guang conversed as they walked toward the parade ground. The day was overcast and windless; on the vast field, the soldiers from each division busied themselves with their daily training. The parade ground was divided into several sections, with different branches led by their respective captains, each sweating profusely in their territory. Though the requirements varied between branches, their basic training was largely similar—combat, wrestling, and swordplay were mandatory disciplines.

The officers strolled about, barking orders, while the soldiers followed commands. The shouts and clashing of weapons sounded, some light as insects awakening, others deep as dragons roaring. The soldiers’ spirit soared, seemingly piercing the clouds above!

Qin Cheng and Li Guang arrived at the training grounds for the new cavalry camp. Here, the cavalry captains and sergeants led a group of instructors, teaching the basics to the recruits. In the army, newcomers were always the ones to bear the brunt; the veterans, especially the instructors, were never gentle with them, and even a minor mistake could earn a beating. Of course, if a recruit managed to stand up to the veterans, that would be another matter entirely.

When the soldiers saw Qin Cheng, their eyes all turned to him in unison. Among the fifteen hundred new recruits and five hundred instructors, Qin Cheng knew only a few, but everyone knew him. His exposure of Zhao Lu, the hidden traitor among the troops, had already been widely publicized by Li Guang, and those who had participated in the mission spread the tale throughout the ranks. Now, his name was known to all, and the soldiers’ gazes upon him were filled with fervor.

Qin Cheng and Li Guang walked slowly past the soldiers, their eyes moving from one to another. Whenever Qin Cheng’s gaze settled on a soldier, that soldier instinctively straightened his chest, striving to appear more imposing. As they reached the middle of the ranks, someone suddenly shouted, “General Qin, mighty and powerful!” Instantly, all the cavalry recruits and instructors stopped what they were doing and joined in the cheer.

Soon, the spirit of the cavalry recruits’ shouts spread to the other divisions, and the soldiers raised their voices as one. The parade ground echoed with the calls of four or five thousand troops.

Qin Cheng was momentarily stunned by this sudden surge of enthusiasm. He hadn’t expected to command such respect in the camp after only two months since arriving in this world.

Seeing Qin Cheng’s bewildered expression, Li Guang laughed heartily, his beard shaking. “Qin, are you surprised?”

Qin Cheng smiled. “I am indeed surprised. What have I done to deserve such favor? I am flattered and ashamed.”

“No need for modesty,” Li Guang replied with a smile. “That’s how the army is. If you’re capable, everyone respects you. If not, they won’t even look at you. Everyone’s seen what you’ve accomplished. This scene is the natural result of your deeds—like flowers blooming without words. Thanks to you, even I’m greeted with cheers today, and I’m quite pleased!”

Qin Cheng grinned shyly, thinking to himself that this wasn’t the first time Li Guang had benefited from his deeds. Without him, would Li Guang ever have earned a noble title?

Qin Cheng then turned to address the soldiers, pressing his hand down to signal silence. When all was quiet, he spoke, “I am but a commoner, unworthy of such deep affection. If any merit has been achieved in the army, it is thanks to the wise guidance of the general above and the efforts of the soldiers below. I alone am not worthy of mention. Today, I am honored to serve as the cavalry captain, overseeing the cavalry in the camp. I rise early and toil late, striving only to do my utmost. With all soldiers united, how can we not forge an invincible cavalry? How can we not build an iron army? How can we not vanquish the Xiongnu?”

“General Qin, mighty and powerful!” The soldiers shouted in unison once more.

After speaking with the troops for a while, Qin Cheng and Li Guang let them resume their training. The two continued to inspect the parade ground, but several cavalry sergeants and squad leaders gathered around, clamoring for Qin Cheng to demonstrate his archery skills.

Hearing their request, Qin Cheng felt a headache coming on. Fame, it seemed, came at a price, and retribution had arrived swiftly. He knew better than anyone how skilled some of these cavalry recruits were. Archery was Qin Cheng’s weakness, so to display his archery in front of such experts was courting embarrassment.

Yet, with everyone chattering excitedly, how could Qin Cheng refuse? When he glanced at Li Guang for help, Li Guang paid him no heed, wandering off to enjoy the scenery. Clearly, he intended for Qin Cheng to handle this himself, which made Qin Cheng curse inwardly.

With no way out, Qin Cheng reluctantly took a bow and arrow from a soldier and walked toward the target, bracing himself.

The soldiers followed him, laughing and joking, perhaps unaware of their captain’s predicament. But Qin Cheng couldn’t very well admit to his shortcomings. After all, a general need not excel at every skill, right? That would be unreasonable.

Amid laughter and cheers, Qin Cheng reached the archery targets. When he glanced at them, his eyes brightened—he’d found a way to save face.

The two targets before him offered a perfect opportunity.

Qin Cheng fixed his age-old smile on his face, drew the bow, and took aim at the target. The bowstring stretched like a full moon.

The soldiers immediately held their breath, eyes wide. Some skilled archers among them secretly smiled, for Qin Cheng aimed not at the distant target a hundred paces away, but at the nearer one fifty paces ahead. They realized his archery skill was not exceptional.

But then, with a clear twang, Qin Cheng released the arrow. It flew straight toward the target.

“Crack!” A sharp sound—the iron arrow pierced the bullseye.

But that wasn’t all.

The arrow sank entirely into the target, then shot out the back.

Finally, another crisp “thud” sounded!

The iron arrow came to a halt.

The soldiers gasped in astonishment, faces filled with shock.

For Qin Cheng’s arrow had penetrated the target fifty paces away and struck the bullseye of the second target ten paces behind!

Extraordinary skill!

Such power!

The soldiers could not help but exclaim in admiration!

Qin Cheng, meanwhile, tossed the bow to a nearby soldier and turned away with a flourish.

“An excellent shot, Qin!” Li Guang laughed.

“General, please don’t tease me. I rely on brute strength to impress the simple soldiers; I could never fool your eyes,” Qin Cheng replied honestly.

“Haha!” Li Guang laughed again. “No matter, I only worried you might lose face!”

“By the way, I nearly forgot something. We’ve been busy with official matters, but you still have some personal business to attend to.”

“Personal business?” Qin Cheng was surprised.

“When you pursued those assassins into the woods, we didn’t know if you were alive or dead, nor when you’d return, so I had the physician stationed beside your tent, waiting day and night. You were injured in the forest, and though you seem fine now, you should still have it checked. Go now.”

Qin Cheng felt a warmth in his heart and bowed deeply. “Thank you, General.”

Li Guang waved his hand. “Think nothing of it. It’s a small matter. But that young Liu—he took an arrow for you. Though it wasn’t fatal, he’s still badly wounded. Now that you’re back, you should pay him a visit.”

“Young Liu? Where is he now?” Qin Cheng asked.

“Despite his injury, he’s anxious about you. Right now, he’s probably in the physician’s tent. Go see for yourself,” Li Guang said, his expression turning odd. “His wound hasn’t fully healed.”

“I’ll go at once.”

Qin Cheng approached his own tent and from afar saw Xiao Lou searching around outside. She looked for Qin Cheng everywhere, and not finding him, crept to the tent, furtively lifted a corner of the flap, and poked her head inside, as if to check if he’d returned. The two guards outside seemed familiar with her and did not stop her.

Just as Xiao Lou stuck her head inside, before she could see anything, she felt something catch her ear. She reached up and scratched, sensing something strange—something soft, like skin. Frightened, she yelped and jumped back, eyes wide with alarm.

Then, her face blossomed into a smile.

“Brother Qin!” Xiao Lou cried, leaping into Qin Cheng’s arms, his face bright with sincerity.

“Haha!” Qin Cheng laughed, ruffling her messy hair. “Little rascal, why are you always running to see your Brother Qin? Is your master here too?”

The sunlight faded from Xiao Lou’s face, replaced by a pout. She grabbed Qin Cheng’s hand off her head and protested, “Don’t put your dirty hand on my head! What if I never grow tall? And you’re the rascal—I’m not a little kid anymore!”

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Ah, ten thousand words will be updated tomorrow and the day after; if not, throw all your negative votes at me, haha!