Chapter 223: First Victory

Chapter 223: First Victory

The equestrian archery competition began with a horse race, followed by the archery portion. As it was the first event and coincided with the Great Shen crowd's excitement, there was an immediate stir in the stands, with many young ladies calling out in anticipation.

"Who's running the fastest? Is it someone from our Great Shen?"

"You guys, move over! I want to see too!"

"It's someone from our Great Shen, looks like Xiao Sanlang! Oh no! He's been overtaken by that Dongrong Country rider!"

The young ladies were chattering away, and the young men on the other side were no different, clenching their fists and craning their necks to watch the race below.

Xiao Feiyan arrived late and couldn't squeeze next to Su Youyue, so she had to watch from another spot. Seeing her third brother being overtaken, she stomped her feet anxiously and shouted, "Run faster, Third Brother!"

Her shout was anything but reserved, drawing many eyes, but since most people were equally worried about Xiao Sanlang and he was her own brother, they didn't find it inappropriate.

With her leading the way, the young men and women in the stands raised their voices.

"Xiao Sanlang, run faster!"

"Xiao Sanlang, if you win, I'll be your sworn brother!"

Their voices grew louder, and finally, some of the shouts reached the racetrack. Xiao Sanlang clenched his teeth, wishing he could fly past the Dongrong rider ahead of him.

However, after two laps, as they entered the third lap, the Dongrong rider was pulling further away.

Sweat dripped down Xiao Sanlang's forehead, but he couldn't wipe it away, even when it stung his eyes. He blinked once and then forced them open again.

He must not lose!

The Dongrong rider, realizing he had left the second-place rider from Great Shen far behind, became smug and glanced back at Xiao Sanlang, laughing and shouting something in Dongrong dialect.

Though no one knew what he said, it was clearly insulting.

The young people from Great Shen watching the race grew increasingly frustrated as the gap between the two riders widened.

Some of the older officials wore expressions of resignation, as if this outcome was expected.

"This was bound to happen. Xie Yuan is mad for insisting on competing with these Dongrong riders. He's a traitor to Great Shen!"

Just as this old man finished speaking, the previously silent young people suddenly burst into exclamations.

When he turned to look at the racetrack, he saw someone had overtaken the Dongrong rider and was racing towards the finish line at breakneck speed.

The Dongrong rider realized what was happening and hurriedly tried to catch up, but within moments, the pursuer crossed the finish line.

Everyone from Great Shen who had been sitting jumped to their feet.

"Which country won?"

Everyone asked, looking at each other, but no one knew who had taken the lead.

Finally, amid the anxious waiting, a voice emerged.

"It's someone from Great Shen!"

This single voice sent waves through the crowd. Most of the spectators were from Great Shen, and upon hearing it, they stared in disbelief before looking down to see the winner heading straight for the Great Shen flag and raising the red banner.

"Did we... actually win?" the old official muttered, incredulous, sinking back into his chair.

"We won! We won!" The official's wife grabbed his arm, shaking it excitedly, forgetting all decorum. "My lord, Great Shen has won!"

"Who took first place?" the official asked, his face filled with excitement.

But among the crowd, only those near Su Youyue knew who the victor was.

"Miss, it's Zhe Jing! He won!" Jin'er exclaimed, both shocked and delighted. She had been following Zhe Jing's progress closely, so she knew immediately it was him.

She never imagined that at the last moment, when the Dongrong rider seemed certain to win, Zhe Jing would overtake three riders and claim victory!

Like most people from Great Shen, Jin'er was overwhelmed with joy, her eyes shining as she watched the victor raise the Great Shen flag.

Su Youyue, though she had suspected this outcome, still felt a surge of excitement seeing Zhe Jing win.

"Well done!"

The emperor, pleased by the grim faces of the Dongrong envoys, exclaimed, "Our Great Shen sons are indeed heroes, taking two of the top three spots!"

Seeing the emperor speak, the ministers who had initially opposed the wager quickly agreed.

"Indeed, who would have thought we had such hidden talents in Great Shen!"

Now that the competition was irreversible, if they had a chance to win, the emperor might hold them accountable later.

Other opposing ministers also changed their stance, saying,

"Yes, who would have thought we had such a talent. Perhaps we really can win this competition! If we do, we must celebrate!"

Their changing attitudes seemed comical, but it improved the atmosphere among the Great Shen spectators.

Watching them revel, the Dongrong envoy sneered, "They're getting so cocky after just one win. They act as if they've already won the entire competition."

"Let them enjoy their moment; they'll have plenty of time to cry later!"

In the past, the Great Shen people would remain silent when faced with such taunts from the Dongrong.

However, the moment those around them heard this, they immediately rebutted: "If you can't even win the first match, how do you expect to win the rest? We thought your country's warriors were impressive, but it turns out they're just for show!"

The envoys of Dongrong Country had never experienced such treatment in Great Shen before. They couldn't help but bristle with anger: "You!"