Chapter 821: Mastering the Long-Term Technique to Counter Shen (Part 1) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]

Qin Li kept his promise and searched for suitable materials for making a bow the next day. The eldest son treated him with increasing affection, and this soon reached the ears of the second son. Thanks to his inadvertent revelation, Wu Xian also found out, but he was not displeased as expected.

They even seemed somewhat pleased with it.

The second young master's heart was stirred, but his face showed only admiration: "I saw Mr. Qin and my elder brother at the training ground this morning. It was the first time I had ever heard that Mr. Qin's archery skills were so superb."

Wu Xian immediately became interested: "Gong Su's archery skills?"

The second young master shook his head and said, "My son is far inferior."

Wu Xian's tone was quite proud.

"Shame is the mother of courage. You are still young, so it's normal that you are not as good as Gong Su. A man of his stature is naturally proficient in the Six Arts. It would be good if your elder brother could learn a little from him... Speaking of which, I have never even seen Gong Su's archery skills."

The second young master rode behind Wu Xian on horseback, his expression subtle.

He naturally didn't know the details of Qin Li's relationship with his elder brother, or when the two had become so close, but judging from his father's words, the other party seemed pleased. This discovery displeased the second young master, and he was distracted during the hunt.

That said, his father's recent cold treatment of Qin Gongsu was a stark contrast to the rare fondness he had shown him a few years ago, which initially puzzled him. He had vaguely heard that the two had a conflict, but his advisors hadn't told him the specifics.

Reanalyzing it now, however, sends a chill down his spine.

Father, you didn't do this on purpose, did you?

By deliberately giving Qin Gongsu the cold shoulder, he took the opportunity to let his elder brother get close to him, which would surely make Qin Gongsu develop a good impression of his elder brother.

The thought lingered in his mind like a curse.

The more you try not to think about it, the more it haunts you.

The second young master also had a strong attachment to Qin Li. After all, Qin Li was a favorite of his father. If he could gain Qin Li's support, what could his useless older brother use to compete with him? With the status of the eldest son? Apart from being born earlier, he was inferior to him in every way!

As a result, the second young master's attempt to curry favor was met with Qin Li's refusal to open the door.

Not long after, he heard Qin Li mention to others something about "the proper order of seniority and the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children; all illegitimate children should abide by their duties to avoid the tragedy of brothers fighting each other." It was clearly a warning to him. He was so angry that he lost his appetite for several days!

They all share the same father and mother!

Why should an incompetent person who only knows how to be born into a wealthy family be appointed as a major figure?

Will you and your descendants always be minor descendants?

Is this fair?

At that time, he didn't know how to restrain himself and cried to his mother, only to find out that the matter had somehow reached his father's ears, earning him a severe scolding. The father subtly warned him to respect his elder brother, to be fraternal, and not to cause any further trouble…

He argued back with Wu Xian and got a good beating.

The second son was devastated. Qin Gongsu, whom he had always longed for but could never have, was now getting close to his elder brother, and his father was even pleased with it. Everyone said his father loved him more—love, love, love—what good was love then? Who would be the head of the family in the future?

His staff all said his father valued him more, but he didn't think so. Could an outsider feel a father's love more directly and clearly than he, the son? What a joke! Of course, he also wanted to kill the eldest son.

With the eldest brother dead, he now has the rightful claim to the position.

But after that incident, the eldest son was surrounded by his father's men, who protected him so tightly that any small move he made would be discovered! They were afraid he would harm his most precious eldest son! Even if he was a good-for-nothing!

The second young master remained expressionless, but his hand gripped the reins tightly.

Qin Gongsu went to his boss's place; he really couldn't sit still any longer.

When you're preoccupied with your own thoughts, even an arrow loses its aim.

Wu Xian finished off the tiger with a follow-up arrow. The tiger's skin was intact, and the hide should have been quite nice. However, Wu Xian gave the prey to his son. The second son was just showing his delight when Wu Xian said, "The eldest son likes tiger skins. His birthday is next month, isn't it?"

The second young master felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar: "In the middle of next month."

“Perfect, saves on a gift. This tiger isn’t valuable, but brothers should learn to share. You and the eldest brother have grown distant lately, so take this opportunity to reconnect.” Wu Xian said earnestly, “Now that this battle is over, I also want to rest. Tianhai still needs your brothers’ support to manage it. Only when brothers are united can they overcome any obstacle…”

To be honest, Wu Xianzhen was not satisfied with her eldest son.

The fact that his successor was so incompetent made him lose face.

But times have changed. His younger sister, Chen, is gaining momentum, and he can't defeat her. The future situation is unfavorable for his side. At this point, it's naturally more reassuring for the allies to have the eldest brother take the lead than the second brother. Wu Xian thought a lot about it. He planned to push the eldest brother into the position after returning, while he secretly built up his wealth behind the scenes. Perhaps in a few years, the situation would be completely different, and he might be able to turn things around.

The eldest brother is timid and will cooperate with you more.

The second son's personality was exactly like his own; father and son would argue whenever they disagreed. If he chose him, why would he willingly follow his orders? After much thought, Wu Xian had made up his mind. However, he couldn't be honest with his son about this plan.

I hope they can understand my good intentions.

As for the second son's ambitions?

He is still alive, and they dare not rebel.

The second young master was inwardly seething with anger, but outwardly he said respectfully and obediently, "Yes, son will remember father's instructions."

"My lord, there is prey ahead!"

The voices of the guards could be heard in the distance.

Wu Xian's eyes lit up: "Great, a bountiful harvest today."

A group of over a hundred people galloped through the mountains near Chaoli Pass. As the sun began to set, their horses were laden with game. Wu Xian was delighted, and the group chatted and laughed, creating a relaxed atmosphere: "Haha, my lord, we're in for a treat today!"

"I haven't had meat in so long, I've almost forgotten what it tastes like."

Wu Xian was very generous: "Everyone gets a share!"

Military campaigns are arduous, and perishable meats are rarely prepared. Even Wu Xian could only afford dried or cured meat; to taste fresh meat, he had to go hunting in his spare time. How much he caught depended on luck, and today his luck was quite good.

Others also found it unusual.

Chaoli Pass is no peaceful place. Various forces have fought here so many times that the wild game in the mountains has been almost completely hunted down. No one expected that there would be so many harvests today. This inevitably makes people associate it with an auspicious omen.

Everyone started talking at once.

The conversation eventually turned to the second young master.

They wouldn't have come out if it weren't for celebrating a birthday.

It's hard to say whether this good fortune had anything to do with the second young master.

Wu Xian listened attentively but made no comment, which embarrassed his close confidants. In the past, Wu Xian was never stingy with praise for his son. What father doesn't enjoy hearing his son praised? His attitude today was unusual.

The second young master lowered his head, the setting sun casting shadows on his face, obscuring the surging resentment in his eyes, creating a slightly awkward atmosphere.

The group of shrewd people, sensing the atmosphere, tacitly changed the subject, turning their conversation to how to distribute the prey.

The mountains near Chaoli Pass are very complex.

The group did not take the same route they had taken to descend the mountain.

As they walked, the experienced soldiers vaguely sensed something was amiss—a kind of inexplicable intuition. They exchanged glances, and Wu Xian discreetly placed his hand on his sword. He gave one of his trusted men a meaningful look.

The believer understood.

His figure vanished from the spot as lightly as a wisp of smoke.

Not long after, he returned silently, looking very unwell, carrying a bag of soil wrapped in rags.

The soil showed signs of having been turned over.

Judging from the tracks in the woods, there was activity nearby, and the footprints were quite large; it definitely wasn't villagers from the nearby village going into the mountains to hunt. Wu Xian pursed his lips and lowered his voice: "Don't alert them. Turn back and retreat via the original route—"

He patted his second son's back lightly as if to comfort him.

"You go first."

They dared not make a sound and alert those hiding in the shadows.

The second young master knew the seriousness of the matter and dared not delay. Before leaving, Wu Xian glanced into the distance and set off under the escort of his guards. However, their luck seemed to have run out with their prey, as a cold arrow shot from the shadows!

The soldiers traveling with him were greatly alarmed.

He decisively struck and knocked the cold arrow away.

"Let's go, break through!"

Their movements had been discovered, so there was no need for stealthy retreat anymore. They instinctively increased the speed of their horses. However, the enemy had anticipated their actions. From the dense forest in their retreat direction emerged numerous longbows, their arrowheads gleaming coldly. This number—at least five hundred archers! Wu Xian's mind raced through the numbers, his heart pounding with fear.

They were standing on a range of mountains stretching to both sides of Chaoli Pass; crossing the mountains would mean reaching their rear. This was their territory, a perfectly safe place. How could so many enemies have suddenly appeared? Hadn't their scouts spotted them?

In a flash, countless guesses flashed through Wu Xian's mind.

He looked at his left and right, who shouted, "Who are you? How dare you act so arrogantly on the territory of my lord Shen Youli?"

Everyone spontaneously surrounded the father and son.

Wu Xian shouted this as a test.

To test whether this group is a real enemy or a fake one!

Yes, Wu Xian also suspected Shen Tang, even though the possibility was low, it's always good to be cautious. If it weren't for Shen Youli's troops, how could these things have appeared in the Chaoli Pass mountains? This is the defensive line under Shen Youli's command!

If it weren't for Shen Youli's troops, that would be even better. If the enemy knew Wu Xian's identity, it would be really difficult for him to leave today!

So he took the initiative and introduced himself—the heads of Shen Tang's soldiers were not as valuable as Wu Zhaode's head.

But what they received in response was a barrage of arrows!

Wu Xian cursed on the spot.

Before long, a whistling arrow soared into the sky with a dazzling light.

The whistle-like arrow soared into the air, emitting an extremely piercing whistling sound.

As the arrow formed from martial energy reached its highest point, it exploded in all directions, creating a dazzling display of "sparks." This thing made quite a commotion, and since it flew high enough, the guards on watch in the watchtower quickly noticed it and hurriedly reported the news.

"Report—"

Chaoli Pass covers a considerable area.

To deliver the message as quickly as possible, martial energy transformed into raptors carrying the message everywhere. At this time, Shen Tang had finished eating and was standing on the outer corridor of the government affairs hall, hands on his hips, twisting his waist and neck, stretching his arms and legs, and patting his shoulders and legs.

It's euphemistically called: to aid digestion after meals.

Before, it was just her alone, but then the bored Gong Xichou joined her. According to his promise, as long as Huang Lie and Zhang He were alive, and the battle wasn't over, he would be stuck in this rut ​​for another day. He was so bored every day that he felt like he was going to rot. When he tried to play with Shen Tang, she was busy with official duties. He felt like he was going to become depressed.

He keeps muttering to himself, "Why hasn't he been called yet?"

Shen Tang sighed, "Your nagging skills are almost on par with Xianglin's wife. What's so good about fighting? People die."

Gong Xichou stood not far from her, doing exercises along with her.

Who is Xianglin's Wife?

Shen Tang said, "I don't know."

The two twisted their waists in unison: "Don't know?"

Shen Tang bluntly stated, "This person just suddenly popped into my head. How would I know who she is? Maybe she's someone I knew before... Your sacred object doesn't have any past memories."

Gong Xichou simply said "oh" and didn't press the matter further.

Naturally, he also overlooked Shen Tang's complaints about him.

After finishing her exercises, Shen Tang clapped her hands together and shouted energetically, "A walk after a meal will help you live to ninety-nine!"

Gong Xichou muttered, "That's really short-lived."

Unless they die in battle or are killed, people of their strength can live quite a long time; ninety-nine years old is practically the same as dying young.

"I'm going to work."

There's still a lot of backlogged official business to handle today.

Gong Xichou squatted by the door, his boredom returning and he started acting emo again, but Shen Tang didn't have time to pay attention to him. She had just picked up her pen and written a few words when hurried footsteps came from outside the door, followed by an exclamation of "Ah!" Lin Feng stumbled in.

Gong Xichou: "..."

Which impetuous clerk stepped on him?

Lin Feng was also startled.

Shen Tang always advocated frugality, and after nightfall, he would not turn on any lights in places that were not necessary, so the outer corridor and entrance were completely dark.

Lin Feng was preoccupied with the urgent battle report and didn't pay attention to his footing, while Gong Xi Chou's ability to conceal his aura was unparalleled. If he closed his eyes, he wouldn't even be there.

"Lingde, what happened?"

She arrived hastily, her breathing still a little unsteady: "The sentry arrows from the Zhaode Public Camp have suddenly risen from the Chaoli Pass Mountains..."

Lin Feng and the others' experimental fields were relatively close and had the clearest view, so they dared not delay and rushed to report!

Shen Tang was astonished: "Wu Zhaode's?"

Why did this guy end up in the mountains?

Wu Xian, young and already renowned, was certainly a capable fighter. The mountains were only home to wild beasts; surely he couldn't defeat them? Did he really need to send out a whistle for help? But this thought only lasted a moment. Shen Tang immediately realized something else, and her expression changed drastically!

"Gather your men and follow me!"

The listless Gong Xi Chou immediately perked up.

She replied, "Mama, I'm coming!"

This is a sign that a fight is about to break out.

Gong Xichou was unaware of the gravity of the situation, but Shen Tang was fully aware. However, before she could even step out of the government office, two more groups of soldiers delivered battle reports—all about the same thing!

With a whistle, Chaoli Pass began operating at full power.

Wu Xian's camp was also affected.

However, the main camp was far away, so the news arrived late.

The eldest son clutched the new bow Qin Li had given him as if it were a priceless treasure, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw a glimmer of light appear in the direction of the mountains at the edge of his vision. He was not talented, his strength was low, and his eyesight was insufficient to see what the light was, but Qin Li beside him was different.

The eldest son only had time to see Qin Li's expression change drastically.

"What's wrong, sir?"

Qin Li simply didn't have time to fob him off at the moment.

He simply said "something came up" and hurriedly returned to his tent.

He opened the path of the scholar with a snap of his fingers—

【Cloudy and foggy】!

During the brief moments as the sand table was taking shape, only one thought occupied my mind.

Something terrible has happened!

|ω`)

Qin Li's way of the scholar is very impressive, but it also has a fatal flaw.

PS: I previously deleted a rather unfriendly book review, which basically said that according to the setting of a certain book, the thief star is Tang Mei, the savior is also Tang Mei, and the gods' tribulations are just deliberately creating disasters to harvest faith, etc. No, this book is "Step Aside, Let Me Do It," what does the setting of other books have to do with it? As the author, did I say that the disasters of the past two hundred years were caused by Tang Mei? Did I say that it was caused by her tribulation? You know the background setting better than I do? I've already written the foreshadowing, and I've hinted at what's going on in this world, so why are you blaming my Tang Mei? She hasn't even cursed humanity for fighting, causing global explosions and widespread nuclear radiation, turning her sweet tribulation script into a post-apocalyptic survival story!

(End of this chapter)