forehead band
The following day, the archery ceremony was held on the main peak of Qishan Mountain. The target path, paved with bluestone, stretched straight out, ending at a target ten zhang high, with a glass mirror embedded in its center, gleaming coldly in the sunlight. On both sides stood the Wen clan's ritual officials, all dressed in black sacrificial robes, holding bronze bells and chanting incantations. This was a ritual imitating the "general sacrifice" of ancient archery ceremonies, which should have been solemn and dignified, but was rendered absurd by the scarlet figure leaning against the high platform.
"Today's archery competition is about 'intellectual skill'." Wen Chao toyed with a carved wooden arrow. When the arrowhead brushed against the arrow paper, the runes on it seemed to writhe as if they were alive. "Each person will have three arrows. You may bring your own arrow paper, or you may use the 'specially made' ones from the Wen family."
The targets, set three hundred paces away, were not fixed but moved irregularly within a limited area, driven by spiritual energy, significantly increasing the difficulty. Even more chilling was the fact that each target was faintly imbued with the restless aura of a malevolent spirit. If an arrow failed to pierce the spirit and hit the bullseye, it would trigger a backlash, causing not serious injury, but certainly mental disturbance and embarrassment. This was clearly a deliberate "bonus" added by the Wen family, their malice blatant.
"Disciples of each family, enter in turn." The master of ceremonies rang a copper bell.
Jin Zixuan was the first to step forward. He took the gold-lacquered quiver handed to him by the servant, glanced at the Wen family's arrow paper, and said with a disdainful look, "The Jin family has its own 'Tranquil Jade Paper,' so the Wen family doesn't need to bother." He held the bow like a full moon, and the arrow flew out like a shooting star, but it suddenly veered off course three feet from the bullseye, grazing the edge of the target and embedding itself in the ground.
"Ha, all show and no substance." Wen Chao sneered.
Lan Xichen then entered, using the Lan Clan's "Cloud Pattern Arrow Paper," the arrow shafts enveloped in a pale blue spiritual light. He fired three arrows in quick succession, each hitting the target, though none reached his heart, yet he remained as steady as a rock. "Young Master Lan has such composure." Wen Chao clapped insincerely, but a sinister glint flashed in his eyes. The Lan Clan's spiritual power was so pure that it could suppress evil spirits.
When it was Wei Wuxian's turn, he casually strolled to the target area, refusing to use his own arrow paper and instead drawing a bright yellow one from the Wen clan: "I want to see what kind of 'mind manipulation' is so mysterious." Before he finished speaking, the arrow paper suddenly erupted with a piercing shriek, and black energy condensed into a small demon that lunged at his face. Wei Wuxian, however, smiled even more roguishly, a talisman flashing at his fingertips, and casually tapped his sword sheath against the bow arm: "Go!" The little demon was actually shaken and shattered. Three arrows hit the target, two hitting the bullseye.
“That’s interesting.” Wen Chao raised an eyebrow.
Just then, a very light footstep came from the entrance of the shooting range. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a fair-skinned young man from the Wen family standing timidly in the shadows, holding a quiver.
He was wearing an ill-fitting red robe, the cuffs rolled up three times, revealing wrists so thin they looked like they would snap at the slightest touch, and the arrow shafts in his arms were trembling.
"Where did this wild brat come from? He doesn't even deserve to be on stage!" Wen Chao's attendant immediately scolded him and reached out to push him.
The boy staggered backward, the quiver in his arms clattering to the ground, arrows scattering everywhere. He hurriedly tried to pick them up, but his fingers trembled so much he couldn't hold the shafts, and his face flushed red.
"Wen Ning? What are you doing here!" Wen Chao strode over, his face full of sarcasm. "With your frail appearance, do you think you can even draw a bow? Don't embarrass the Qishan Wen Clan here! Go back!"
Wen Ning trembled at his shout, his face turning pale instantly. His lips trembled, but he couldn't utter a single word. His fingers, gripping the bow, turned white from the force of his grip. He looked pitiful and helpless. Many people around witnessed this scene. Some showed sympathy, some were indifferent, and most dared not speak out in anger.
Jiang Cheng frowned, looking at Wen Ning's aggrieved appearance. He felt that the Wen clan was in a state of chaos, but as an outsider, he could not interfere in the Wen clan's internal affairs. He could only snort coldly and look away.
Wei Wuxian curled his lip, even more disgusted by Wen Chao's arrogance, but he was more focused on the competition at the moment, secretly resolving to make Wen Chao lose face later.
Just as Wen Ning was about to bury her head in her chest, preparing to retreat in despair, a clear, melodious female voice rang out:
"He is a disciple of the Wen family, why can't he be compared to them?"
A clear, cold voice suddenly rang out, and Xie Linyang had already arrived at the center of the target range. She was still wearing that striking red robe, but her steps were composed, her demeanor serene. She walked to the center, first giving a slight nod to the steward, then calmly meeting Wen Chao's gaze: "The purpose of this grand gathering of intellectual discussions is to allow disciples of the immortal sects to exchange skills and showcase their talents. Since the rules allow disciples from all sects to participate, and Young Master Wen Ning is also a member of the Wen clan, why can't he participate?"
Her tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable force, "Besides, the art of archery emphasizes cultivating the mind and focusing the spirit, not fighting and thrashing. Judging from Young Master Wen Ning's clear eyes and simple nature, he may be in line with the true spirit of archery. Why should Young Master Wen judge people by their appearance and block their path to advancement?"
Jiang Cheng turned sharply to look at her, a hint of surprise and disapproval flashing in his eyes. Her open defiance of Wen Chao, and her support for a branch of the Wen clan, was truly unwise! He subconsciously clenched his fist, leaning slightly forward, ready to stand up for her if she were to be blamed.
Wen Chao narrowed his eyes: "Miss Xie wants to stand up for him?"
"According to the rules of the archery ceremony, all cultivators from the immortal sects may participate." Xie Linyang picked up an arrow that had rolled to his feet and handed it back to Wen Ning. "Since Wen Ning is from the Wen clan, he is a participant."
"Him?" Wen Chao said as if he had heard a joke. "A mere servant from a collateral branch of the family, does he even deserve to use the bow of my Wen clan?"
"What does archery skill have to do with status?" Xie Linyang looked directly at him. "If Young Master Wen is afraid he will win, he can just say so. Why use 'status' as a pretext?"
"Insolence!" Wen Chao shouted angrily, "Who do you think you are, daring to question me?"
“I’m nothing,” Xie Linyang said calmly, but with an undeniable firmness. “But I’m willing to give up my qualification to participate today in exchange for his chance.”
The entire audience erupted in uproar.
She actually wanted to forfeit her qualification for the competition! Everyone was stunned. Although this archery competition was just for fun, winning a prize would be a great opportunity to make a name for oneself.
Jiang Cheng's heart tightened, and his disapproval deepened. He felt that it was too impulsive and...foolish for her to give up such an opportunity for a nobody like Wen Ning! Wei Wuxian stroked his chin, his eyes flickering, finding Xie Linyang's unpredictable actions quite amusing.
Nie Huaisang even dropped his fan: "Miss Xie, what is this...?"
A look of worry flashed in Lan Xichen's eyes.
“Alright.” Wen Chao suddenly smiled, his expression sinister. “Since Miss Xie is so ‘righteous,’ let him go. Don’t cry if he loses.”
Wen Ning clutched the arrow Xie Linyang had handed him, his fingertips icy cold. He looked up at the back of the man who had stood up for her, then quickly lowered his head again, his lips moving but unable to utter a single word.
"Don't be afraid," Xie Linyang said softly. "The arrow is on the string; just look at the bullseye."
Wen Ning took a deep breath, picked up his quiver, and walked onto the target range. The master of ceremonies rang a copper bell, and the "pre-shooting ceremony" began. He should have stood solemnly and focused, but Wen Chao suddenly sneered, pulled out a paper arrow imbued with a malevolent spirit, and casually tossed it toward the bullseye: "I'll give you a little 'bonus'."
Black mist instantly filled the target path, and the little devil actually condensed into a ghostly figure half the height of a person, opening its sharp claws and pouncing towards Wen Ning!
Everyone gasped in surprise, only to see Wen Ning suddenly look up.
The boy, who had been trembling with fear just moments before, now showed no trace of panic in his eyes. He held his breath, nocked the arrow, and drew the bow, his movements as swift as if he were a completely different person. As his red sleeves fluttered, the arrow was already off the bowstring, striking the ghostly figure squarely between the eyebrows! The black mist vanished with a "whoosh," and the arrow shaft remained firmly embedded in the bullseye of the glass mirror, causing the mirror to vibrate and hum.
"First arrow, hit!" the official exclaimed.
Wen Ning seemed not to hear, and fired the second and third arrows in quick succession. His movements became faster and more steady, as if he were not shooting arrows, but wrestling with something. Cowardice was crushed by focus, and humility was cleaved by the arrows. His red clothes fluttered in the wind, giving off a fierce and solitary courage.
Three arrows struck the target, each piercing the heart. The glass mirror shattered from the impact, and as the fragments flew up, Wen Ning snapped back to reality, taking a step back as if startled awake, and reverted to the boy with his head down, clutching his quiver tightly.
“Wen, Wen Ning…first place?” Nie Huaisang stammered.
On the high platform, Wen Chao's face was ashen. He had intended to personally oversee the proceedings, but the moment he drew his bow, the arrow missed the target and landed right at the feet of the official in charge of ceremonies. "That doesn't count!" he roared. "He used sorcery!"
"Young Master, what was the matter with the arrow paper you threw earlier?" Lan Xichen stepped forward slowly, his tone gentle yet sharp. "The archery etiquette says, 'If you miss, look within yourself.' Young Master's archery skills are lacking, why take your anger out on others?"
Wen Chao was speechless and could only glare fiercely at Wen Ning.
Xie Linyang was lost in thought, watching Wen Ning being pulled along by a collateral disciple of the Wen clan to express his gratitude, when he suddenly felt someone approaching from his side. Turning around, he was met with a pair of sharp eyes; it was the Wen clan's female physician, the scene from yesterday still vivid in his mind.
She appeared there at some point and said, "You stood up for Aning earlier, and Wen Chao's men are watching you. Be careful." Her voice was very low, with a barely perceptible hoarseness.
Xie Lin simply said, "It was nothing."
"Just a small favor?" Wen Qing sneered, her eyes suddenly sharpening. "Miss Xie, you're not one to wade into the muddy waters of the Wen family. Aning... he doesn't deserve what you did. From now on, don't meddle in our siblings' affairs." With that, she turned and left, the hem of her red dress brushing against Xie Linyang's shoes like a hastily erected barrier.
Xie Linyang suddenly understood; this warning was actually another form of protection.
Xie Linyang watched her leave, feeling a growing understanding and sympathy for the siblings' plight. Just then, a commotion arose from the other side of the target practice area. Wei Wuxian had moved closer to Lan Wangji, playfully tugging at his forehead ribbon.
The forehead ribbon fell off with a sound.
Lan Wangji's face turned deathly pale. He turned his head sharply, his eyes filled with unprecedented rage and panic, like a shelled clam revealing its softest interior.
"Wei, Wu, Xian!" His voice trembled, and the veins on his hand gripping the bow bulged, but he didn't fire the last arrow. He turned and staggered away, his black robes billowing in the wind, his back view so resolute it seemed to sever something.
Wei Wuxian, holding up his forehead ribbon, froze with a smile: "Huh? Lan Zhan? I was just kidding..."
When the final results were announced, the venue was so quiet you could hear a pin drop: Wen Ning came in first, Wei Wuxian second, Lan Xichen third, Jin Zixuan fourth, and Lan Wangji fifth. Because he left midway through the event, his last arrow was invalidated.
As dusk fell, Xie Lin Yang encountered Lan Xi Chen on his way back to his residence. He was standing under a peach tree, gazing at the distant mountain path, where Lan Wang Ji's figure had long since disappeared.
“Wangji…” Lan Xichen sighed, “The Lan clan’s headband is something that no one but parents, wife, and children may touch.”
Xie Linyang was suddenly stunned.
"Not to be touched except by parents, wife, and children?"
She recalled Lan Wangji's deathly paleness and fury when Wei Wuxian tore off his headband, his staggering figure as he walked away, and Wei Wuxian's hand frozen in mid-air... Her heart suddenly skipped a beat, as if fireworks had exploded.
I see.
Xie Linyang lowered his head and secretly curled the corners of his lips.
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