Chapter 77

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In a moment, he also shot four arrows, all hitting their marks.

The two were evenly matched, but in the next two rounds, Li Danghu missed one arrow, while Liang Xiao did not miss a single one.

"Hey—boring, boring, too close, too close." Han Yan waved his hand indifferently, and the others also remained calm, not taking the competition between Liang Xiao and Li Danghu seriously. Liang Xiao's perfect accuracy did not impress them.

Liang Xiao was quite surprised. He knew that Han Dynasty youths were very arrogant, especially those who served the emperor, whose pride often exceeded their abilities. However, he also knew that the arrogance of Han Dynasty youths did not come from their family backgrounds but from their extreme confidence in their own abilities. In other words, they were not impressed because they thought hitting the target from fifty paces was not a big deal, and they could do it too, so they did not care.

If that was the case, then these people's archery skills were quite impressive, at least not much worse than Li Danghu's.

While Liang Xiao was thinking, Li Danghu walked over and said with a bright smile, "Mr. Liang, are you warmed up? Show us your sound-shooting skills?"

Liang Xiao was taken aback and looked at Li Danghu in surprise. How did Li Danghu know I have sound-shooting skills?

"Sound-shooting skills?" Han Yan exclaimed, not hiding his surprise.

Liu Che was also very surprised. He called out, "Danghu, is Liang Xiao a sound-shooter?"

Liang Xiao did not have time to think much and quickly bowed. "Sir, you flatter me. Although I have learned from a sound-shooter, I have not practiced long enough to call myself one."

Liu Che waved his hand, impatient. "Whether or not, we'll know after a demonstration. Hurry up, hurry up. I've heard about sound-shooting skills for a long time, but this is the first time I've seen them. Today, I will have a great time."

"Exactly," Han Yan said excitedly, rubbing his hands together. His indifference from earlier had vanished. The other youths were also very excited, and their gazes towards Liang Xiao became enthusiastic, no longer lazy.

Liang Xiao could not refuse and had to nod in agreement.

Li Danghu smiled, raised his hand, and before he could name anyone, Han Yan rode over, shouting, "I want to participate."

Soon, two older youths also rode over, each holding a torch, lining up with Han Yan and Wei Qing. The four were staggered but not far apart, with the farthest not exceeding sixty paces and varying by three to five paces on either side. Li Danghu took a piece of cloth from his pocket and waved it at Liang Xiao.

"Are you ready?"

To be honest, Liang Xiao was a bit nervous. He practiced night shooting every day, so this distance was not a problem, but the targets were people. What if he missed and hurt someone? Killing one Hu Lai caused so many problems; if I hurt these people, where will I run?

Seeming to understand Liang Xiao's concern, Li Danghu smiled. "Don't worry. They will protect themselves. Just do your best."

Seeing Li Danghu's encouraging gaze, Liang Xiao mustered his courage and nodded firmly. Li Danghu blindfolded Liang Xiao, turned him around twice, and made him stand still, whispering, "Focus, calm your breath, just like your usual practice."

Liang Xiao nodded, adjusted his breathing, and calmed himself. He relaxed his muscles, freeing himself from tension, and carefully felt the habits he had developed from daily practice, bringing himself to his best state, as calm as usual. He focused his mind and listened to the sounds around him.

Liu Che and the others also held their breath, eyes wide open, watching Liang Xiao intently.

Gradually, the only sounds in Liang Xiao's ears were the snorts of the horses. He waited a moment until he adapted to these sounds, then nodded.

Li Danghu stood beside him, watching his mouth and nose, and when his breathing steadied, he whispered, "Can we start?"

"Sure," Liang Xiao said.

Li Danghu raised his hand and gently waved it. Han Yan called out first. Before he finished, Liang Xiao raised his bow, nocked an arrow, and shot it. The bowstring vibrated, and the arrow flew over fifty paces, heading towards Han Yan.

Seeing the arrow coming, Han Yan quickly moved his horse aside and shouted, "Hit!"

"Bravo!" Liu Che slapped his saddle, his excitement evident.

Li Danghu raised his hand again, signaling the second person to call out.

Hearing Han Yan's "Hit," Liang Xiao was reassured and shot in response. Each arrow he shot was met with an excited cheer, and Liu Che would also shout to encourage him. Although Liang Xiao did not hit the torches, his aim was accurate, proving his hearing was superior to that of ordinary people.

After Liang Xiao shot four arrows, Han Yan and the others holding the torches rode back, their eyes shining as they stared at Liang Xiao. Wei Qing, walking last, handed Liang Xiao four arrows. "Mr. Liang, you have excellent hearing and archery skills."

"Thank you, thank you. I hope I didn't hurt anyone?"

"No, no, we're not that useless." Han Yan jumped off his horse and laughed. "I understand now. In the future, I must never compete with you at night. This skill of shooting by sound is something I can't do. I am Han Yan, son of the Marquis of Gao, fifteen years old."

Liang Xiao smiled and bowed. By introducing himself and his age, Han Yan was indicating his intention to befriend him. Even if he did not like Han Yan, he had to follow the proper etiquette.

The other two young men also introduced themselves. One was Zhang Cigong, son of the military archer Zhang Long, whom Liang Xiao had some impression of. The other was Qin Ge, whom Liang Xiao had never heard of. However, he greeted each of them.

The young man who seemed to be Wei Qing quietly stepped back, hiding in the shadows.

Liang Xiao took a step forward and clasped his hands. "May I ask your name, sir?"

The young man smiled shyly, moved his lips, but did not speak. At this moment, Liu Che rode over and took over. "He is Wei Qing, styled Zhongqing, a knight in my Pingyang Marquisate. Liang Xiao, with your excellent archery skills, it's a waste to guard melons. Why not come to my Pingyang Marquisate and be a retainer? Accompany me in hunting and games, isn't that better than guarding melons?"

The opportunity he had dreamed of was right in front of him, but Liang Xiao hesitated.

He was Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, that was certain, but his current identity was the Marquis of Pingyang. He could not expose his true identity. But if he missed this opportunity, he did not know when he would think of him again.

Liang Xiao hesitated for a moment and made up his mind. He clasped his hands and smiled. "Thank you for your invitation, sir, but my lifelong wish is to serve in the military and contribute to the country. Being a retainer for hunting and games is not my desire. I hope you understand."

Liu Che was somewhat surprised. "Serve in the military? The world is at peace now, and there are no battles to fight. If you want to earn a title through military service, it won't be easy. It would be better to be a retainer in my household. Then I can recommend you to the military, which would be easier than joining on your own."

Liang Xiao smiled inwardly. You really are a good actor. If I didn't know your true identity, I wouldn't have seen through it. Your words and actions are no different from those of ordinary nobles. But this is my chance to show myself.

Liang Xiao put away his smile and shook his head seriously. "Sir, you are mistaken. Although I am of low status, I cannot agree with you."

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