Chapter 62: Teaming Up for Challenges
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On this day, late into the night, new recruits who had come to befriend He Yan gathered around her, asking for her guidance in blade techniques. She spent hours teaching them until the middle of the night before finally finding time to rest. Due to the lateness of the hour, she decided not to go to the training ground for practice during the night.
Xiao Mai laid beside her, one hand propped under his head, his eyes shining as he spoke, “Brother Ah He, you were so impressive today!”
“You know,” He Yan pondered for a moment, “when I was dueling with Uncle Huang earlier, did Commander Xiao really leave before it was over?”
She had been thinking about Xiao Jue’s actions during the daytime. With her remarkable blade technique, he had left before the match was finished? Did he think her blade technique was too ordinary to be worth his attention?
“Huh?” Xiao Mai hadn’t expected He Yan to ask about this, and he struggled to recall the details before answering, “Commander Xiao was here for a while and then left, but we were so focused on the match at the end that we were all watching you. We didn’t notice when Commander Xiao left. I think… he might have watched the whole thing?”
He Yan sighed and turned over.
“Brother Ah He, do you really want Commander Xiao to see it?” Xiao Mai asked.
“Of course I do. I’ve trained in both martial and literary arts to sell myself to a royal family. I need to prove myself first, but if he didn’t even watch, how will he know I’m the best in the Liangzhou Garrison?”
From another corner, Hong Shan’s leisurely voice came, “Your reputation as the best in the Liangzhou Garrison has already spread far and wide. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of opportunities for people to challenge you and for Commander Xiao to take notice.”
That was reassuring, He Yan thought, closing her eyes.
…
Hong Shan’s prediction was accurate. Early the next morning, right after completing a grueling run with heavy weights, and before she even had a chance to go to the training ground for archery practice, Liang Ping approached her.
“Come with me.”
Confused, He Yan followed along and arrived at the long pathway behind the training ground, where two more individuals were leading three horses. He recognized their faces—both were instructors from the Liangzhou Garrison. One was named Du Mao, who often spoke to Liang Ping. The other was a short, elderly man with graying hair named Ma Damei.
“Instructor Liang, what’s going on…” He Yan was puzzled. Could it be that she had shown such exceptional skill that they wanted her to be an instructor as well? But how could a new recruit become an instructor? Promotions didn’t work that way, and she certainly didn’t want to be an instructor in the Liangzhou Garrison.
Liang Ping’s words put her worries to rest.
“We heard you say on the training ground the other day that you’re willing to take on any challenge from the Liangzhou Garrison and win every time,” Liang Ping explained.
Although she didn’t quite understand what he meant, He Yan nodded in agreement, “That’s right.”
“Today, the three of us will challenge you in mounted archery,” Du Mao stepped forward, handing He Yan the reins of a horse. “Let’s begin now!”
“Huh?” He Yan was taken aback. “You guys want to challenge me?”
She had set up a challenge platform to make a name for herself among the new recruits. She had never considered the instructors. What was the deal with these instructors? They weren’t young guys; why were they so eager to compete with her? Could there be some sort of hidden agenda?
Her guarded gaze shifted between the men. Her eyes settled on the elderly man, Ma Damei, who smiled and said, “What’s the matter? Young man, are you afraid to compete against us instructors? I thought you were courageous. Is this where your courage falters?”
Ma Damei’s smiling face was creased with wrinkles, but it wasn’t unpleasant; it gave him a kind and amiable appearance. However, He Yan knew that this person wasn’t as gentle as his appearance suggested. The words he spoke were all meant to provoke. Yet, now that the challenge had been put forth so directly, if she refused, she might earn a reputation for being timid and fearful. Considering that Xiao Jue was someone who couldn’t tolerate any shortcomings, he probably wouldn’t allow her to join the Nine Banner Battalion.
With this in mind, He Yan let out a hearty laugh, “How could I? I’m just worried about embarrassing myself in front of the esteemed instructors. I hesitated a bit. Since you’re willing to give me guidance, how could I refuse? Let’s compare our skills, one challenge at a time.”
Liang Ping, Du Mao, and Ma Damei exchanged glances and nodded in agreement, “Alright!”
He Yan had become a celebrity in the Liangzhou Garrison. Any slight movement or action of hers became widely known. When news spread that the three instructors were challenging He Yan to a mounted archery competition, all the new recruits went wild with excitement. They wanted to watch, but their own instructors stopped them, allowing only training on the training ground.
This was naturally arranged by Shen Han. Although Xiao Jue only said he wanted to test He Yan, he couldn’t risk using the reputation of all the instructors in the Liangzhou Guard for the test. It’s not about fearing a single outcome, but rather the possibility of what could happen. If He Yan were to win, it would be uncertain whether these new recruits would respect He Yan or their own instructors in the future. It’s hard to predict.
So, it’s better to keep this competition hidden.
The new recruits couldn’t gather around to watch the spectacle, and even Cheng Li Su, who wasn’t a new recruit, wasn’t allowed either. He was confined to his room in the Liangzhou Guard, with guards stationed outside to prevent him from leaving.
He didn’t know about the mounted archery competition He Yan was about to participate in. Suddenly being locked away, he pounded on the door and asked, “What’s happening? Is there a rebellion in the Liangzhou Garrison? Why won’t you let me out, Uncle? Why are you keeping me locked up?”
A dispassionate voice from outside replied, “Young Master, the Commander said you can only leave after copying the ‘Selections of the Zhaoming Text’ three times.”
“I swear you want me dead! Why don’t you just kill me?” Cheng Lisu plopped down at the table, grumbling. He couldn’t finish copying it even in a month!
Outside, Shen Han and Xiao Jue were making their way out.
Shen Han glanced back and said, “Young Master Cheng seems to have quite an affinity for He Yan. If He Yan does indeed have ulterior motives, could it be possible that she approached Young Master Cheng for a different purpose?”
“It’s highly likely,” Xiao Jue replied. “Cheng Lisu was the one who told her about the Nine Banner Battalion.”
Shen Han fell silent for a moment before saying, “If that’s the case, then it’s truly problematic.”
To think that individuals with hidden agendas had infiltrated the ranks of the new recruits in the Liangzhou Garrison. He Yan was one, but she likely wasn’t the only one. If there were others, the situation could become very dire. Even worse, they would be clueless about it. If Xiao Jue hadn’t been present this time and hadn’t noticed the difference in He Yan’s movements, the entire Liangzhou Garrison could have fallen into the hands of others.
As they spoke, they had arrived at the edge of the training ground. There stood He Yan and the three instructors, each holding onto a horse, lined up at the end of the track. It started with Liang Ping, followed by Du Mao, then Ma Damei, and finally He Yan. They all mounted their horses.
He Yan stood on the farthest side, and her horse was the smallest. This was probably done to accommodate her smaller stature. She gracefully mounted the horse, handling the reins with ease. With a quiver slung over her back and a longbow in hand, she exuded a commanding presence. She appeared nothing like the frail young boy she usually seemed to be.
He didn’t even have equestrian attire. The sunlight reflected off his scarlet battle armor, adding a special air of heroism to his delicate features. Meanwhile, He Yan smiled, her lips curving slightly. Her appearance on horseback, a symbol of valor, brought to mind the dazzling figure of a young general.
Shen Han secretly glanced at Xiao Jue by his side. The latter seemed disinterested and indifferent, lost in thought. Shen Han knew that, for a brief moment, the He Yan they had just seen bore a resemblance to him.
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