Chapter 297

Chapter 297: If You Know, You Know

Han Lian Qiao’s father was the Tang Sect’s sect master. She and Chen Xin Yue had known each other since childhood. She always knew Chen Xin Yue was not from the Jiang Clan, but she never despised her background. On the contrary, she had believed Chen Xin Yue was gentle and kind, able to endure what others could not, and worthy of respect.

Even though her friends had warned her many times that Chen Xin Yue was not simple and that staying close would only get her hurt one day, Han Lian Qiao never took it to heart. She thought her friends were overthinking it.

Today, she had to believe them. Chen Xin Yue was, in fact, not simple at all.

Chen Xin Yue did not yet realize she had just lost a friend without meaning to. She was still explaining to everyone, “Yes, these people are the bodyguards who came back with sister. They are not from the Martial Alliance.”

Her words were still ambiguous. People had already gossiped about Yu Zhi Yi’s return. She had been found and brought back by Second Master Jiang and Fifth Young Master Jiang. So it was hard to say whether these bodyguards were hired by Second Master Jiang for her. Even if the guards denied it, few would believe them. They needed to protect their employer’s name. They all understood.

Han Lian Qiao let go and quietly stepped away, saying, “I have to go compete. Rest here for a while.”

Before Chen Xin Yue could respond, Han Lian Qiao leaped off the viewing platform.

Yu Zhi Yi did not know what had happened up there. She was busy checking her horse, which was actually Chen Xin Yue’s horse.

The horse was strong and full of spirit. Its coat was glossy and smooth. It was clearly a fine horse. The only problem was that someone had just fed it a laxative. It would likely take effect soon.

Yu Zhi Yi shook her head, [What a clumsy trick.]

She plucked a small handful of grass from the ground and let a touch of spiritual energy flow into her palm. Fed by that energy, the weeds turned a rich, vivid green in an instant.

The horse snorted and ate the grass, then nudged Yu Zhi Yi’s hand with its head.

Yu Zhi Yi smiled and said, “You will suffer today because of me, so I’ll give you a chance in return. Then we are even.”

All things have spirit; the difference is whether their intelligence has awakened. After eating this grass suffused with spiritual energy, the horse’s diarrhea would stop, and it might even awaken some intelligence. If it could find a safe place to hide and begin cultivation, it might, after a few hundred years, even gain the path to immortality. But Yu Zhi Yi could not promise that. She did not even know when she herself could become immortal.

From the stands, Chen Xin Yue saw her own horse rub its head against Yu Zhi Yi’s hand and felt even more hatred. [Ungrateful beast.] With that, the last bit of guilt in her heart vanished. When something went wrong later, she could push the blame entirely onto the horse.

Just before the race began, Li Chang Huai finally showed up. Seeing Yu Zhi Yi, he looked surprised. Then something flashed across his face, as if he felt guilty.

Yu Zhi Yi had not paid him any attention at first, but his expression was too obvious. She was not blind. Her gaze swept across his face, and she felt it click into place, [So that’s it.]

Li Chang Huai sat on his horse at the starting line. Out of the corner of his eye, he kept wanting to sneak a look at Yu Zhi Yi. At first he felt guilty, but when he noticed that she never even glanced his way, his worry faded.

Yu Zhi Yi ignored him. The moment the whistle blew, she snapped her whip.

Snap.

Hooves thundered across the grass as dust rose like waves. Horses of many colors shot forward in a staggered line. The riders sat tall and alert, drawing their bows and nocking their arrows, itching to shoot.

Yu Zhi Yi had not trained much in riding and archery. Her master had taught her the basics, but she had not had many chances to practice. Still, she thought, [Skills share the same core.] She was good with hidden weapons; this should be similar.

In truth, riding and archery were different. Her first arrow missed.

For a beginner, hitting even a still target is hard. Shooting from the back of a fast-moving horse at a target that was also moving made it far harder.

Jiang Liu Yun pulled up beside her and said, “Sister, why don’t you hand me your arrows later, and I’ll shoot for you?”

Yu Zhi Yi had already found a bit of rhythm, [I’m getting it.] Though the weapons and the motions were different, the key to hitting a target was the same few points. Her second arrow struck the edge of the wooden plaque. It did not look pretty, but it still counted.

After that, things went much more smoothly. Each shot grew more accurate, and her arrows landed closer and closer to the center. By the ninth arrow, she had stopped missing and no longer wavered from the bull’s-eye.

The organizers had people assigned to record the results. After the riders passed, those staff ran out to gather the arrows and wooden plaques. They marked who hit and how many, then saved it all for the final tally.

Chen Xin Yue never took her eyes off Yu Zhi Yi’s horse, timing things in her head. [Almost there. Any moment now.] The person who provided the drug had said it was not very strong and had a delay. It would take about a quarter of an hour to work. So she had made sure the horse was fed only when it was led into the arena. By her count, this was the moment the drug should take effect. [She’s doomed.]

Holding her breath, she waited for the horse to act up and for Yu Zhi Yi to make a fool of herself.

But nothing happened.

Yu Zhi Yi loosed all fifty arrows, then urged her horse toward the finish line. The horse was as sturdy as an ox. People might even think it had eaten a powerful tonic.

“How is that possible?” Chen Xin Yue whispered, digging her nails into her palm.

Yu Zhi Yi felt a surge of strong resentment and stirred inwardly. The feeling was icy cold, not normal resentment. It had become almost solid and could hurt someone. If it was aimed at someone other than her, the result would be terrible.

She ignored it and snapped her whip one last time. Her horse crossed the finish line.

No matter how her arrows were scored, her speed was first place.

Yu Zhi Yi waited at the finish as more riders crossed the line. When people saw that first place went to an unknown miss like Yu Zhi Yi, many felt complicated. Some could not accept it. But she had beaten everyone under the eyes of the crowd. They could not claim it was unfair. Even so, losing to a nameless young lady did not make them happy.

Jiang Liu Bin and his brother were overjoyed. Their sister really was the best.

Li Chang Huai let out a breath. He had come in second. If he had lost to another member of the Jiang Clan, he would have been upset. Losing to Yu Zhi Yi, he had no complaints at all.

By then, the stray arrows had been cleared, and the riders turned their horses to head back.

Chen Xin Yue had been waiting for Yu Zhi Yi to get into trouble, but what she saw was Yu Zhi Yi returning safe and sound, even chatting and laughing with the young lord of Tianyu Manor. Her resentment grew heavier.

Yu Zhi Yi’s eyes moved slightly, [Hm? The resentment just got stronger.]