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Chapter 89: Chapter 89: An Unexpected Surprise
This time, the soldier holding the target reacted immediately.
He raised the target and ran a circle around the Martial Arts Arena, excitedly declaring, "Hit, a bullseye!"
As Zhan Lan slowly lowered her bow, the surrounding crowd erupted into cheers.
The four old soldiers excitedly slapped each other’s backs, "This girl is really something!"
Zhan Beicang’s eyes also lit up; could it be that Zhan Lan is naturally suited for the battlefield!
Zhan Hui also looked towards Zhan Lan with thrill.
His younger sister’s strength seemed overall stronger than his!
Zhan Hui made a silent vow that he must not be outdone by Zhan Lan; otherwise, how would he shoulder great responsibilities.
Seeing Zhan Lan hit the bullseye again, Mu Yan suppressed the little thrill in his heart and coldly said to Zhan Feng, "Your turn!"
Zhan Feng despairingly picked up his bow. He looked towards the target a hundred meters away, which stood there, motionless.
If he failed to hit it, he would lose all face in front of the Zhan Family Army today!
He drew his bow and nocked an arrow, steadying his spirit as he aimed at the target opposite him.
With a release of his hand, he shot the arrow with all his strength towards the target.
The arrow flew towards the target, and the soldiers craned their necks to see.
Thud!
Zhan Feng’s arrow squarely hit the target.
Everyone looked intently, and the crowd went silent.
It wasn’t that Zhan Feng’s archery shocked them, but because Zhan Feng’s arrow was off!
His arrow was stuck in the very edge of the target!
The old soldiers either closed their eyes in disappointment or shook their heads.
Zhan Feng’s face turned pale; usually, during training, he could still hit the bullseye a few times, but today he had failed!
There was only one chance left!
Zhan Feng’s hands trembled like leaves, and his heart felt as heavy as if a mountain were pressing down on it.
The disappointed looks from the old soldiers made him feel like he couldn’t breathe.
Finally, he exploded, shouting at Zhan Lan who was about to draw her bow and shoot her last arrow, "This time, I’ll go first!"
Zhan Lan nonchalantly let go of the bowstring and stood aside to watch him.
Zhan Feng took his recurve bow in hand, aimed at the target, and shot an arrow with all his might.
Bang!
This arrow headed straight for the bullseye but, just before reaching the target, the arrowhead unexpectedly traced an arc and landed in front of the target.
One of the old soldiers clucked, "Ah, young man, you still need to work on your arm strength, how can you have less than a girl’s!"
"Indeed, Zhan Feng is too hasty, it’s easy for him to get provoked on the battlefield and act impulsively!"
"In my opinion, Miss Zhan is calm and collected, a very good-natured child!"
"Yes indeed!"
All four looked towards Zhan Lan, who had once again picked up her bow and arrow.
Zhan Feng was near exploding in rage! No one noticed the gesture he made towards the distance.
Just as Zhan Lan was drawing her bow and releasing the arrow, suddenly, a dozen crows flew out from the crowd.
The crows flew towards the last soldier holding the target, who stood trembling in place.
Zhan Lan’s arrow, with a bang, hit the bullseye.
One crow’s head was pierced by the arrow, pinning it to the target.
"Well done!" someone couldn’t help but shout.
The people cheered for Zhan Lan.
"Miss Zhan, the Divine Archer!"
"Miss Zhan Lan’s archery is shockingly impressive!"
The old soldier who had been instructing Zhan Lan in archery at the Martial Arts Arena blushed with embarrassment.
He scratched his head and said, "Hey, I even told Miss Zhan to practice well, truly tormenting me too!"
"People think Miss Zhan is modestly hiding her light under a bushel; if the young general hadn’t provoked her, some might really mistake Miss Zhan’s humility for lack of skill!"
Zhan Lan slowly put down her bow and arrow, and Zhan Feng was completely dumbfounded.
He lost!
Completely lost!
If he had lost to Zhan Hui, it would have been one thing, but he lost to a little girl!
How would he stand in the Zhan Family Army after this!
Zhan Beicang laughed loudly as he walked up to Zhan Lan, addressing everyone, "Old General Zhan instructed me when he left the camp that anyone who can pull his bow and shoot through a willow at a hundred paces would be gifted with it!"
His gaze fell upon Zhan Lan, "It seems the bow and arrows have found a new owner!"
"Thank you, General Zhan!" Zhan Lan nodded in thanks, gripping the bow tightly as if it was a precious treasure!
What a pleasant surprise!
With this bow, she could hit an enemy’s throat from a hundred steps away!
The officers and soldiers cheered for Zhan Lan.
The four elder generals also revealed smiles with deep meanings.
When everyone had dispersed, Zhan Feng came up with a dark face, handing over a copy of Buddhist scriptures that he had transcribed himself to Zhan Lan.
"This scripture, seeing as your mother the widow is so pitiful, and you are even more pitiful without a father, I am awarding it to you!" he said through clenched teeth.
Zhan Lan took it, flipped through a few pages, and sneered, "They say Mr. Zhan Feng’s calligraphy is excellent; from what I see, it’s nothing special. Since you’re reluctant to give it, Miss Zhan here doesn’t want it either!"
She tossed the Buddhist scripture transcribed by Zhan Feng onto the table and walked away.
Zhan Feng was once again humiliated by Zhan Lan and roared, "Zhan Lan, you wait for me!"
Zhan Lan turned around with a smile, raising the bow in her hand, "Miss Zhan here will be waiting!"
Zhan Feng’s cheeks flared red with anger as he signaled his subordinates to make things difficult for Zhan Lan.
No sooner had those few men followed Zhan Lan when they were knocked to the ground by Long Kong and his friends!
Zhan Lan turned around with a smile, her voice ice-cold, "Mr. Zhan Feng, do you also want to taste what it’s like to be beaten?"
Zhan Feng, seeing his subordinates lying on the ground unable to get up, knew he was no match for Zhan Lan and could only swallow his anger.
Zhan Lan took a few steps back, her smile blossoming as she looked at Zhan Feng, "Oh, remember to take a detour when you see Miss Zhan from now on! Move aside, Miss Zhan wants to pass this way!"
"You!" Zhan Feng felt a pain in his liver due to Zhan Lan’s infuriation.
She had pretended to be pitiable in front of everyone just now, but now, in private with no one around, she finally showed her true colors!
Zhan Lan glanced at him and said, "What ’you’!"
Zhan Feng saw no one around; Zhan Lan somehow found a few loyal Death Guards to her.
A wise man does not fight when the odds are against him!
Zhan Feng bowed his head and stepped aside, letting Zhan Lan pass.
Moments later, his eyes ominously followed Zhan Lan’s retreating figure.
It seemed that he couldn’t touch Zhan Lan now, but one day, he would bind Zhan Lan himself and make her pay the price for today’s humiliation!
Zhan Lan returned to her tent, recalling the Buddhist scriptures she had seen earlier, and smirked to herself.
This fool, Zhan Feng, was not hard to deal with; the difficult one was Zhan Xincheng!
Zhan Lan said to Long Kong, who was hidden in the shadows protecting her, "Long, it’s troublesome, but please take Shen Shan and the others back to Ding’an City first and help me with one thing!"
Long Kong immediately stepped forward to speak, and after hearing Zhan Lan’s instructions, his eyes brightened, and he nodded, "Rest assured, miss, I will handle it properly!"
Zhan Lan picked up the teacup, dipped a silver needle into the tea, confirmed there was no poison, and then took a sip.
After her rebirth, she was always cautious every day, even with her food and drink.
Especially after falling out with Zhan Feng, she had to be more cautious of the people from second branch.
Moreover, Zhan Lan made up her mind; this would be the last time she troubled the people of the Qilin underground palace.
The road ahead was far too dangerous!
The people of the Qilin underground palace had treated her well; she couldn’t let them take risks with her anymore!
She needed to cultivate a power that belonged entirely to her!
