Ye Tang didn’t hear anyone calling her. She was concentrating wholly on aiming her bow and arrow.
Since childhood, she had only her father to rely on. His archery skills were extremely precise, and it was with these skills that he raised her. And he imparted all his lifelong techniques to her. Therefore, Ye Tang’s archery was extremely exquisite. However, she had been working at the Bureau of Warhorses and hadn’t had many opportunities to display her prowess. That’s why no one knew about it.
Now, after Ye Tang took aim, with a loud TWANG, the arrow sped towards the enemy ship with great velocity. Her arrow, amidst a rain of thousands, was inconspicuous, and thus no one paid it any attention. But moments later, all the other arrows deviated in different directions. Only her arrow, upon reaching its apex, slightly changed course and shot directly towards where Min Zhuo stood.
Perhaps it was sheer arrogance. Min Zhuo had actually ignored such a small arrow! And so...
"AH!"
After a scream, Min Zhuo looked at his own arm.
"Damn it! Resorting to such despicable tactics when you can’t beat me! You feeble chickens of Great Chu, just you wait!"
Having said that, Min Zhuo pulled out the arrow and shouted fearlessly, "Set sail! Chase them!"
As for the bloody wound on his arm, he didn’t care. It was just a minor injury.
However, Ye Tang on the opposing ship smiled. Because I hit my target.And because the arrow was coated with poison—a deadly one!Heh heh, although this tactic might indeed be a bit underhanded.But as the ancients say, all is fair in war.Besides, there’s probably no need to be righteous or virtuous against those pirates who wear human skins and plunder everywhere, right?What Min Zhuo called foul play was merely the pot calling the kettle black.We’re all the same! Ye Tang smirked mischievously.
Just as she had stowed her bow and stepped down from the deck, a soldier approached to summon her.
"General Xiao Ye, Commander Liang requests your presence!"
Ye Tang wasn’t surprised at all; while she was shooting the arrow, she had caught a glimpse of Commander Liang watching her from the other ship. But that’s not an issue; I’m skilled and have nothing to be ashamed of. Immediately, Ye Tang packed away her bow and arrow and followed the soldier.
Upon reaching Commander Liang, Ye Tang paid her respects.
Commander Liang sized her up, then burst into a smile. "I wasn’t in Capital City and have only met General Xiao Ye once before. I had no idea General Xiao Ye possessed such superior archery skills—a direct hit!"
Ye Tang quickly lowered her head in modesty. "Commander, you flatter me. It was just a lucky shot, nothing remarkable!"
Commander Liang smiled knowingly. "General Xiao Ye, there’s no need to be humble. Can’t I tell a lucky shot from true skill? I didn’t expect someone as young as General Xiao Ye to have such achievements. Who was your master?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Tang was momentarily startled. Who was my master? I’ve known archery since I was a child! After some thought, she could only reply, "I never formally studied. My father was a hunter living in the mountains, sustaining our family with his archery. I merely picked up a bit, having been immersed in it from a young age!"
Commander Liang nodded thoughtfully. "I see, so your father must have been very skilled. Which region does General Xiao Ye hail from?"
It seemed that these older generals, around forty and with considerable experience, all deeply appreciated talent. Not only did Commander Liang feel no envy, but he also deeply admired the young prodigy. There was even a moment when he contemplated recruiting this person under his own command. No wonder! Who doesn’t cherish talented individuals?
"I am from Capital City, but I always lived with my father in the mountain forests over thirty miles outside the city. My mother passed away early, and after my father’s death, I was left alone, with no attachments. That’s when I joined the army!"
"Oh!" Commander Liang meant no malice; he was simply too impressed. He had been a Commander for so many years, practicing archery for just as long, yet he had been bested by a mere youth. Although he admired the youth, he could not help but sigh to himself, The younger generation is truly formidable!
"Excellent!" Commander Liang declared. "General Xiao Ye, you will surely have a limitless future! HAHA!" He laughed heartily.
Ye Tang also smiled as she clasped her fists. "Commander, you praise me too highly!"
In the midst of their conversation, their ship moved faster and faster, gradually leaving the Southern Ocean Warships behind by several dozen yards. At that moment, looking across, the once arrogant figure was nowhere to be seen. And the speed of several Southern Ocean Warships had decreased significantly, as if... they had encountered some trouble?
Commander Liang, unaware of the situation, promptly sent someone to investigate.
Ye Tang suddenly laughed. "Commander, there’s no need to rush! They are in disarray because... their Prince Min Zhuo is dead!"
"What?!" Commander Liang was very surprised. Even those around him were all shocked. "Dead? How could this be?!"