Chapter 143: The Duel (Part IV)

On the training grounds where a gentle winter breeze swept past, two imperial Tang officials strode back swiftly from the viewing platform. They informed Inugami no Shunjun and Yue'er that their competition in mounted archery could now begin.

With Emperor Li Shimin's permission, Inugami no Shunjun and Yue'er rose from their resting places. Taking up the ten arrows they had prepared in advance and grabbing their recurve bows, the two leaped onto their warhorses and rode to the center of the training grounds.

"Little lady, have you made peace with your fate?"

Seeing Yue'er's frost-cold expression once again, Inugami no Shunjun raised his hand slightly, showing her his bow with a mocking smile. "Once my bow and arrows are released, your life will come to an end."

Staring at Yue'er's icy countenance, Inugami no Shunjun grinned smugly. Evidently, he remained as confident as ever in his archery skills. Although he had lost the previous round to Yue'er, the rules of this contest were completely different. This life-or-death duel was the style of mounted archery at which Inugami no Shunjun truly excelled.

Yet, upon hearing these words, Yue'er merely glanced at him indifferently and replied coldly, "Cut the nonsense. Let us begin!"

With that, she held her bow in her left hand, grasped the reins with her right, and turned her horse around. She couldn't be bothered to dignify Inugami no Shunjun's arrogant threats.

Finding himself dismissed and ignored, Inugami no Shunjun narrowed his eyes and gritted his teeth in anger. A dark shadow crossed his face, but feeling it futile to say more, he remained silent.

*Hmph, stinking wench, let's see how I slaughter you honorably in a moment! I will let all these Tang people know that we Japanese are the true masters of mounted archery!*

Cursing inwardly, Inugami no Shunjun pulled his reins and wheeled his horse around as well.

The two stopped at a distance of about a hundred paces apart, turned their mounts to face each other, and locked their gazes with lethal intent.

"The mounted archery competition begins now! Life and death are up to fate, and the survivor is the victor!"

As the Tang official's booming voice faded, Inugami no Shunjun was the first to flick his reins and press his heels into his horse's flanks.

"Hah!"

With a sharp cry, he spurred his steed into a mad gallop straight toward Yue'er. Simultaneously, he deftly drew an arrow from his quiver, nocked it, took aim at Yue'er, and loosed it with fierce momentum.

*Whoosh!*

Cutting through the whistling winter wind, the arrow flew straight toward Yue'er's chest.

Maintaining her composure, Yue'er urged her horse forward at a full gallop while throwing her body down to the right. Planting her right foot firmly in the stirrup, she leaned her entire torso horizontally across the right shoulder of the horse, narrowly dodging Inugami no Shunjun's arrow by a hair's breadth.

However, before she had time to right herself and return to the saddle, another chilling whistle pierced the air as a second arrow came screaming toward her.

This arrow traveled with terrifying speed, launched through the narrow gap just as the first arrow had passed. Moreover, it was aimed directly at the space right above the horse's back—instantly blocking Yue'er's opportunity to climb back into the saddle.

Following closely behind, two more arrows were fired in rapid succession. Meanwhile, Inugami no Shunjun was already drawing his bow once again, targeting the center of Yue'er's forehead.

Yue'er knew very well that if she continued to remain on the defensive, she would be left with no choice but to await death, having lost any chance of counterattacking.

*No, I promised the Young Master that I would return to his side! Even if it costs me my life, I must never bring shame upon the Young Master!*

Frowning slightly, Yue'er bit her lower lip. Then, executing a swift and daring maneuver, she inverted her body, hooking both feet securely into the stirrups and hanging head-down against the horse's belly in the classic "Fishing the Moon from the Bottom of the Sea" technique.

Quickly nocking an arrow to her bow and aiming it in the direction of the charging Inugami no Shunjun, she released her shaft with the posture of Houyi shooting down the suns.

*Whoosh!*

The moment the arrow left the bowstring, even the freezing, murderous air seemed to shudder.

At the same time, Yue'er pulled the reins near the horse's neck, her body slung diagonally with her right foot planted in the stirrup, and galloped past Inugami no Shunjun like passing strangers in the night.

*Thud!*

Abruptly, a terrifying sound of piercing flesh echoed through the air and struck Inugami no Shunjun's ears.

As Inugami no Shunjun charged forward on horseback with a lingering sneer at the corner of his lips, the moment he heard that sound, a piercing agony erupted in his chest.

The pain felt as though he had been impaled by a heavy spear. With his eyes wide and strength draining from his limbs, his body bent backward like a drawn bow as he was violently thrown off his horse, flying backward through the air.

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

Amidst the violent thuds of his body striking the ground, Inugami no Shunjun realized with horror that an arrow had embedded itself deep into his chest, piercing straight through his heart. Blood welled continuously from the wound, staining the corners of his mouth a bright crimson.

"How... could... this..."

Before he could finish his gasp of astonishment, Inugami no Shunjun's head lolled to one side, and he breathed his last.

At that moment, Yue'er had already hoisted herself back onto the saddle. Seeing that Inugami no Shunjun was dead, she let out a soft sigh of relief, grinned, and whispered to herself, "Young Master, Yue'er promised that she would never bring shame upon you. Yue'er has done it!"

Smiling brightly at the thought, Yue'er quickly dismounted. Standing in the middle of the training grounds, she flashed a row of neat, white teeth toward Li Yi's direction with a radiant smile. Her two dimples bloomed a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand times more lovely than any flower bud.

Seeing this, Li Yi returned her smile and nodded. Collecting her expression, Yue'er bit her lower lip, turned away from the training grounds, and walked swiftly back toward the viewing platform.

...

"Well struck!"

Seeing that Yue'er's arrow had not only slain Inugami no Shunjun with exquisite form but also hit its mark with absolute precision, the crowd gathered near the viewing platform burst into a wave of enthusiastic cheers and applause. Countless Tang officials clapped and praised her performance, their faces beaming like autumn chrysanthemums as they chatted merrily among themselves.

At the edge of the viewing platform, Cheng Zhijie and Qin Shubao stared in utter shock upon witnessing Yue'er's display of the "Fishing the Moon from the Bottom of the Sea" technique. With wide eyes, they turned their astonished gazes toward Li Jing.

"Yaoshi, did the Madam teach this girl the 'Fishing the Moon from the Bottom of the Sea' archery technique as well?" Cheng Zhijie asked with a frown of disbelief.

Qin Shubao also narrowed his eyes, staring at Li Jing in sheer amazement.

Li Jing's expression remained grave. Instead of answering them immediately, he first glanced at the smile lingering on Li Yi's face. Collecting his thoughts, he slowly replied, "This archery technique carries extreme danger. A single moment of carelessness, and the archer will be slain by the enemy. The Madam did not teach this to the girl."

"What? She didn't teach her?!" Cheng Zhijie and Qin Shubao widened their eyes in collective shock, staring at Li Jing in disbelief. "Yaoshi, you old bundle of silence, don't you dare lie to us!"

Li Jing cast a sidelong glare of utter annoyance at Cheng Zhijie, let out a cold snort, and asked, "When have I ever lied to anyone?"

"Just a moment ago!" Cheng Zhijie replied with a straight face.

Li Jing's mouth twitched slightly. Rolling his eyes with an indifferent expression, he picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and waved a hand dismissively. "Forget it, you old ruffian. Believe it if you wish, but this old man certainly does not recall the Madam passing this technique on to little Yue'er!"

Cheng Zhijie: "..."

Qin Shubao: "..."

...

On the viewing platform, at the central dragon throne, Emperor Li Shimin narrowed his eyes as he watched Yue'er's archery display, feeling a sense of awe. *Isn't this the legendary 'Fishing the Moon from the Bottom of the Sea' technique, which hasn't been seen in the world for years? To think that a mere maidservant by Li Bao'an's side has mastered such a move?*

Li Shimin found it utterly incredible. While this archery style was formidable, it was exceptionally difficult to learn, and the risks involved in executing it were immense. Aside from Yue'er's demonstration just now, only a handful of people in the world—such as the Red-Sleeve Woman and Li Jing—knew it.

After a long moment of astonishment, Li Shimin finally collected his thoughts. When he looked toward Inugami Odahian and Hiei, however, he found their expressions as unsightly as a lump of mud, which instantly brought a wave of amusement to his heart.

"My two ambassadors, it seems the mounted archery skills of your nation are indeed formidable," Li Shimin said with a teasing smile before adding nonchalantly, "Now that the outcome has been decided, I trust neither of you is disappointed?"

Twitching at the corners of their mouths, Inugami Odahian and Hiei cupped their hands together and forced bitter smiles. "We dare not. Never did we expect the Great Tang to be a land of such spiritual energy and boundless heroes, where even a young woman is so heroic and unyielding!"

"Ha-ha!" Li Shimin laughed heartily, waving his hand with feigned modesty. "A mere trifle, hardly worth mentioning."

Amidst the banter, Li Shimin caught sight of Yue'er's figure as she slowly approached his throne. She bowed respectfully and said, "This humble commoner pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Rise." Li Shimin smiled and waved a hand, studying Yue'er with a warm, beaming expression. "What is your name?"

"This humble commoner is Yue'er," she answered honestly.

"A fine name!" After a brief murmur of praise, Li Shimin flicked his sleeve, gazed benevolently at Yue'er, and spoke in a clear voice, "Yue'er, name whatever reward you desire. Whatever is within My power to grant, I shall approve."