Chapter 17: Arrow Destruction

Chapter 17: Arrow Destruction

The archery exam had lower requirements for beginners.

For the supervisors who had been in school longer, they were required to hit a certain total score across all rings. For new supervisors, many of whom were beginners, hitting the target was enough.

Hitting the target with eight arrows was considered superior, while five or fewer arrows was deemed inferior.

Superior performance would earn half a point, while inferior performance would accumulate three deductions of half a point from the total score, which could also be understood as hitting the target with five arrows being the passing grade.

Yu Jianli held the bow and arrow borrowed from Lu Huaijing, enduring strange looks during his warm-up at the training ground.

News of his superior performance in the oral exam had already spread, causing fellow supervisors from the same branch hall to no longer doubt his talent, but private discussions couldn't be avoided.

Seeing Yu Jianli with his own bow and arrow today, their dissatisfaction was inevitable.

Although some students from the Four Doors Academy also brought their own bows and arrows, it was mainly because they could practice privately, and using familiar equipment during the exam would make them more adept. However, the quality of those bows and arrows was inferior to Yu Jianli's.

In their eyes, Yu Jianli was simply cheating!

Some even secretly sought out the examiner, claiming that bringing one's own bow and arrow was unfair.

The examiner, however, nonchalantly replied, "The exam doesn't require uniform bows and arrows. We provide you with the ones distributed because you don't have your own."

The examiner didn't explicitly state that the supervisors at the Imperial College all used their own bows and arrows because they found the ones provided by the Imperial Academy to be hand-damaging.

If they managed Yu Jianli, would they also have to manage those supervisors who were too troublesome to deal with?

Most students at the Four Doors Academy used the Imperial Academy's bows and arrows because they were mostly from poor families and couldn't afford their own.

With the examiner not intervening, Yu Jianli wasn't breaking any rules, leaving them resentful yet helpless.

Yu Jianli held the bow and arrow lent to him by Lu Huaijing as he queued up for his second warm-up, wanting to adapt to today's wind speed before the exam and find his feel.

At this moment, for some reason, the people queuing in front of him suddenly started arguing, alerting Yu Jianli to something amiss.

He slightly stepped back to avoid the situation but was held back by the person behind him. "Don't disrupt the queue."

"Let go of me!" Yu Jianli tried to break free from his grip, but the person only tightened their hold.

Those in front began shoving each other, coincidentally bumping into Yu Jianli.

Despite his efforts to protect the bow and arrow in his arms, he couldn't prevent it.

Someone forcefully restrained his arm, while others rammed into him. They worked together, and within an instant, they broke the bow and arrow.

A crisp "snap" sounded like a trigger, causing their struggle to pause momentarily.

Yu Jianli could only watch helplessly as the bow and arrow fell to the ground, broken underfoot.

It was then that the person holding him let go.

After the person released him, Yu Jianli's arms still ached, indicating how much force the person had used on him.

These people had planned this beforehand.

Yu Jianli could confirm it.

At this moment, Yu Jianli actually felt like laughing. He had grossly underestimated the foolishness of these minor characters in the book. They actually did such thankless tasks.

So eager and lacking in sophistication.

He had actually thought about these people with a normal person's mindset... he must have become foolish as well.

The examiner heard the commotion and walked over. Those involved had already dispersed, continuing to queue as if nothing had happened.

Yu Jianli could only pick up the bow and arrow to inspect it, confirming that it was unusable for today.

The supervisors queuing behind Yu Jianli couldn't resist looking at the Imperial Academy's reserve bows and arrows. The better ones had already been selected by other supervisors preparing for the exam, leaving only the visibly old and worn-out ones.

Yu Jianli would have to choose from among those if he wanted to take the exam, and they couldn't help feeling a sense of schadenfreude.

Those queuing with him all looked over at him.

Someone feigned concern and said, "How did your bow and arrow get damaged? How can you take the exam now?"

"You'll just have to use the same bow and arrow as us for the exam. All the Imperial College students use their own bows and arrows; it's fair this way. Using a good bow and arrow in the Four Doors Academy to compete with us, aren't you ashamed?"

However, Yu Jianli wasn't as panicked as they imagined. He calmly said, "It's fine. Actually, I had already chosen my bow and arrow for the exam preparation. It's currently in my storage locker.

"I just wanted to use this bow and arrow for warming up since it's lighter and saves energy. I'm too weak, and I might not be able to endure the exam if I warm up with the Imperial Academy's bow and arrow."

"You, you have a good bow and arrow, why wouldn't you use it for the exam?!" one of them loudly questioned.

"The registration before the exam records the bow and arrow used for the exam, and it's hung with red silk. Do you see any on mine?" Yu Jianli said, lifting his bow and arrow.

Only then did they notice that there was indeed no red silk hanging from Yu Jianli's bow and arrow.

Previously, their attention had been solely on the bow and arrow, not noticing the red silk.

Some assumed that Yu Jianli hadn't registered for the exam yet and didn't think much of it.

Who would have thought that Yu Jianli would set aside a good bow and arrow and instead use the uniform bow and arrow provided by the Imperial Academy?

Yu Jianli was cautious.

He was indeed eager to revitalize the Yu family, but he didn't want to invite trouble, especially not wanting Ming Zhiyan to do too much for him, as if constantly cleaning up after him.

Lu Huaijing's bow and arrow were too eye-catching. It was better to use them for daily practice, but using them for the exam would inevitably invite criticism.

Already in a mess, there was no need for him to leave any further leverage.

As Yu Jianli's gaze swept over these people, he continued, "I'm just worried that this bow and arrow might be quite expensive. When the time comes, you all should accompany me to apologize and compensate the Lu family; it will cost us all."

The faces of those few changed upon hearing this: "What do you mean?!"

Yu Jianli held up the bow and arrow for them to see: "When you all had your dispute and stepped on my bow and arrow, and someone deliberately prevented me from dodging, we can say that we all damaged the bow and arrow together, so naturally, we must compensate together."

The faces of those few suddenly turned ashen, and they immediately played the victim: "It was your carelessness that broke it; what does it have to do with us?"

Yu Jianli replied, "Then let's report it. The Supervisor of the Hall of Discipline, or the authorities, should be able to clarify matters."

"Who are you threatening?!"

"I'm not threatening anyone. Let's take the exam first; afterward, I'll handle it properly." As Yu Jianli spoke, he gave up his second warm-up opportunity, retrieved his own bow and arrow for the exam, and then closed his eyes to rest on the side.

His chosen position was also clever, right beside the examiner, making it impossible for others to tamper under the examiner's watchful eye.

This time, the atmosphere of the queue had changed.

Those who had previously been involved seemed to begin feeling uneasy, unsure how things would be handled later.

Perhaps it was their first time doing something wrong, and they lacked confidence.

Breaking the bow and arrow was the result of a group discussion; they were selected to carry out the deed because they were positioned around Yu Jianli.

Though hesitant, for the sake of "fairness for the entire branch hall," they agreed.

But now, with compensation involving money, they couldn't maintain their righteous indignation.

How could they afford to compensate for such an expensive bow and arrow? They might even go bankrupt trying.

Lu Huaijing, with his wealth, actually lent rather than gifted the bow?

If they stubbornly denied it and claimed that Yu Jianli alone damaged it, wouldn't that be fine?

Lu Huaijing was close to Yu Jianli; he wouldn't blame Yu Jianli, right?

That was their initial thought.

The archery exam proceeded smoothly. When it was Yu Jianli's turn, the weather was still good, the wind neither too fast nor too slow, suitable for archery.

He stood at the designated spot, picked up the bow and arrow, adjusted his posture according to what Ji Yanbai taught him, and then shot.

The first arrow flew past the target.

*

Tan Hui, watching the exam from afar, couldn't help but tut: "An inauspicious start. Did the earlier incident affect his state of mind?"

"His emotions are still stable. He's adapting to this bow and arrow right now; it seems he's not used to its strength."

"Pity... If he had used his usual bow, this arrow would have hit. He's just too cautious."

Ji Yanbai didn't respond to Tan Hui's words, only exhaling in relief when Yu Jianli's second arrow hit the target.

Tan Hui craned his neck to look for a while, somewhat worried: "No one else will testify for Master Yu either. Our spying from the tree doesn't count as witness testimony. I wonder if we can resolve this matter properly."

"If we can't handle it, we'll deal with them."

"That's true. You can't stand people like that, and you always find opportunities to deal with them." Tan Hui nodded, knowing that his young master would definitely not stand idly by.

"You go check if Ming Zhiyan has finished his exam."

"Understood." After replying, Tan Hui leaped off the tree, revealing himself to be an expert in lightness skills as well.

They couldn't intervene directly in this matter, but with Ming Zhiyan prepared, they could better assist Yu Jianli.

Ji Yanbai remained in the tree, watching Yu Jianli's exam until he finally hit six arrows before leaving using his lightness skills.

*

Lu Huaijing looked at Ming Zhiyan, wanting to sneer in disdain but felt that the occasion wasn't quite appropriate.

Wanting to discuss things with Ming Zhiyan, yet wishing to argue with him at the same time.

Seeing Ming Zhiyan's face reminded him of the humiliation he once suffered at his hands!

"It's just a bow and arrow; I initially wanted to give it to him anyway." Lu Huaijing muttered.

"The point isn't about compensation, but making those who did wrong pay the corresponding price. And they know the bow is borrowed from you; isn't that bullying you?"

Indeed, Lu Huaijing was incited by these words, his eyes widening instantly: "Really, they're not taking me seriously!"

"Damaging someone else's property and compensating accordingly, isn't that a given?"

"But Tan Hui also said there are no witnesses, and those people are a gang. Will the Supervisor believe us?"

"You just need to show anger, even cursing Yu Jianli along with them. Leave the rest to me."

Lu Huaijing remained skeptical: "Will it work?"

"Mm, Jianli is a smart person; he'll quickly cooperate. The troublemakers are new supervisors, timid. I've dealt with many like them; I have the confidence."

Lu Huaijing crossed his arms and sized up Ming Zhiyan, sighing deeply: "Who would have thought that one day I'd be on the same front as you, needing to coordinate with each other. Truly unlucky."

"I still need to thank you for the bow and arrow incident."

"Hmm." Lu Huaijing cleared his throat lightly, "Well, are there any precautions I should take?"

"Just act like you won't let anyone off unless you're satisfied. Show that you won't let anyone have it easy if you're unhappy."

Lu Huaijing tried to understand, realizing that he usually acted that way.

Thus, he nodded and said, "Alright."

Meanwhile, Ming Zhiyan was pondering other matters during the wait...

How could it be such a coincidence that Tan Hui happened to witness Yu Jianli being harassed, and furthermore, knew to inform him?

Would Tan Hui have come if not for Ji Yanbai's instruction?

This wasn't the first time.

Ji Yanbai was far from an easy person to deal with.