Chapter 333: You Lost
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
The first time he had seen the Cloud Pattern, it was on the wall of The Vast World. That time, Fang Zhengzhi only expressed some curiosity towards it instead of regarding it highly.
The second time he saw it was on Wu Feng’s jade flute. Even though he was curious as well, Fang Zhengzhi believed that the pattern might be some sort of carving.
However, when he saw the Cloud Pattern this time.
It had completely overturned Fang Zhengzhi’s previous opinions.
Because, the Cloud Pattern appeared on Princess Shan Yu’s leg. Of course, Fang Zhengzhi didn’t fix his gaze upon Princess Shan Yu’s long slender leg on purpose.
Instead, it was because this appeared a little too strange.
A blood-red Cloud Pattern appeared on her initially wheat colored leg. Furthermore, it seemed to be spreading and extending itself.
From her thigh to her calves, then to Princess Shan Yu’s flat belly, all the way up to her shoulders. It was just like the flow of blood.
Paired with Princess Shan Yu’s snow-white animal leather, there was a wild, natural beauty as stunning as a bright-red colour drifting in the white snow.
Fang Zhengzhi had heard Yan Xiu mention before.
The demon race relied on the demon eye for cultivation of their Dao. They were born with this talent to communicate with Heaven and Earth upon birth. On the other hand, the Great Xia Dynasty depended on understanding. Understanding Heaven and Earth through the Law of Dao, then understanding All Creation and controlling All Creation.
However, this didn’t seem to be the case for the Southern Mountain Range.
The Southern Mountain Range cultivated their Dao through "blood". Blood that depended on external forces to grow, some of which came from nature such as plants and mountains, while some of which came from various beasts.
It was essentially similar to the Great Xia Dynasty’s method of gaining control from understanding.
However, the ways and means to do so weren’t quite the same.
A very simple comparison would be that if the Great Xia Dynasty cultivated the heart and soul of a person, using one’s heart to understand All Creation and create a pocket dimension within one’s body.
Then, the Southern Mountain Range borrowed the power of All Creation and channeled it into their body, allowing them to integrate and reach an equilibrium with All Creation to change one’s physique and achieve great strength.
Fang Zhengzhi knew this.
However, he didn’t know that this change would actually form a Cloud Pattern.
Why would it exist in the form of a Cloud Pattern?
"Roar!"
While Fang Zhengzhi was still unsuccessfully attempting to understand the theory behind this, the beast Princess Shan Yu rode let out an earth-shaking roar.
After which, Princess Shan Yu and the beast turned into a red ray of light and charged forward.
It was as fast as a meteor.
"What the… so… so fast!" Fang Zhengzhi jumped in shock. Compared to Ping Yang riding Snow Jade, this speed was many times faster.
What exactly is this beast?
He had heard that the grand stallions of the Great Xia Dynasty came from the Southern Mountain Range.
However, can there at least be some sort of fairness? What the hell, isn’t this extreme speed considered bullying?
Fang Zhengzhi wanted to express his opinions.
However, Princess Shan Yu simply didn’t give him the opportunity. Lightly clamping the beast with her legs, they immediately charged out. She didn’t even make clear the rules of the competition.
As the saying goes, a man below a roof has no choice but to lower his head. But, no matter how low my head is, shouldn’t you at least clarify the rules of the competition?
Without the rules, isn’t it still up to you to decide the outcome of the competition when the time comes?
Fang Zhengzhi didn’t know whether he should give chase or not…
Right at this moment, Princess Shan Yu turned her head around. Her jet-black eyes gazed at Fang Zhengzhi’s stunned and confused expression as her lips curved into a faint but cold smile.
There was a charming feeling of somebody glancing back and smiling beautifully. Because, she was indeed smiling, and smiling very coldly.
Just as Fang Zhengzhi guessed.
This wasn’t a fair competition. The rules were set by her. The stallion was chosen by her. Even the final location was determined by her. But, so what?
She was Princess Shan Yu.
On her territory, it was natural that she had the final say.
That was how domineering she could be. Most importantly, one had no choice but to accept it.
Fang Zhengzhi accepted it.
If Ping Yang was said to be unruly and capricious, then this Princess Shan Yu was evidently domineering and arrogant, without a single care for the high moral principle of a princess.
"Hell!" Fang Zhengzhi shot a middle finger towards Princess Shan Yu as she turned back and looked towards him. Then, he whipped the butt of the Grey Scale Stallion he rode on forcefully.
The Grey Scale Stallion instantly let out of high neigh, then swiftly charged out.
However, regardless of whether it was speed or aura, there was not a single trait that could compare with the beast Princess Shan Yu rode.
As Fang Zhengzhi set out, General Tai and General Mu followed closely. Even though the stallions both of them rode on couldn’t compare to that of Princess Shan Yu, they were still evidently not just any average stallion.
They followed behind Fang Zhengzhi effortlessly.
"Can I use any external objects to interfere with my opponent?" Fang Zhengzhi negotiated with the two generals beside him as he chased after the figure disappearing into the distance.
"Hmph, what do you think?" The bearded General Tai laughed coldly.
"Alright, looks like that is not possible." Fang Zhengzhi gave up.
How do I play this game?
He couldn’t run faster than her, nor could he attack her. Wasn’t this just forcing him down?
Fang Zhengzhi initially planned to use his power to defeat Princess Shan Yu, then find an opportunity to kidnap her, using her to block off the thousands of soldiers to kill his way out.
But now…
He couldn’t even keep her shadow in sight much longer.
How was he supposed to kidnap her?
I must think of a plan. Two miles should be a very quick distance to cover. When that time came, if Princess Shan Yu claimed that she had reached the finish line, then the outcome would definitely be that she had reached the finish line!
"I want to pause!"
"No, the competition had already started."
"Nature is calling me!"
"Hold it in!"
"Damn you!"
"Little kid, what did you say?"
"I said, the mountains here are really high, the trees here are really green, and the sky… is so damn blue!" Fang Zhengzhi lightly raised his head and looked at the blue sky and white clouds. However, a sense of never-ending desolation surged within his heart.
"Rubbish." General Tai huffed once again.
"Can I ask where should the arrow be shot for this horseback archery?" Fang Zhengzhi glanced at the two generals closely following behind him with a dejected look.
Just as General Tai prepared to speak, the bald General Mu gently reached his hand out and stopped him. Then, General Mu pointed at the wooden target planted on the ground not too far away.
Three white-feathered arrows were currently wedged inside the wooden target. All three arrows were impaled in the center bullseye area of the wooden target.
"In the two miles circumference of this area, there are a total of ten targets. First, one must find the position of the target. There are three chances to shoot for each target. The person with the most arrows on the targets would be the winner! If both have the same number of arrows, the person who finished first would be declared the winner. Of course, the person who finishes first would definitely have a privilege. As for what this privilege is, I am not very clear!" General Mu explained by the side.
Fang Zhengzhi understood.
Only Princess Shan Yu had the power to explain this privilege.
"Don’t you at least have to give me the arrow?" Fang Zhengzhi didn’t continue chattering and quickly reached out his hand towards the two generals beside him.
General Tai’s expression changed slightly and tilted his head to one side.
On the other hand, General Mu helplessly grabbed a quiver from his back and threw it into Fang Zhengzhi’s hand.
"Where’s the bow?" Fang Zhengzhi continued to reach out his hand.
"What the hell, what kind of spy are you. Using our military terms, you are already counted a scout. Why do you have nothing on you?" General Tai was somewhat enraged. As a spy, couldn’t you at least have some awareness and bring a bow and arrow when you leave?
"Actually, this is my first time as a spy, I have no experience… Sigh, if I was experienced, I wouldn’t be caught by you people so quickly. Am I right?" Fang Zhengzhi said regretfully.
"At least you finally said something true!" General Tai lightly nodded his head when he heard this, and unexpectedly fished out a rattan bow and threw it to Fang Zhengzhi.
Fang Zhengzhi reached out his hand to catch it.
And realised that this bow was rather heavy. Even though it was made with rattan, its toughness and hardness all seemed not too bad. As he pulled the bow…
"I can’t pull it, change one for me!" Fang Zhengzhi flicked his arm and threw the bow back to General Tai.
"Ha ha ha… you can’t even pull the bow, yet you dare to challenge Princess Shan Yu? How interesting!" When General Tai heard this, he laughed so hard that he almost fell off his horse.
When General Mu saw this, he shook his head somewhat helplessly. Gazing at Fang Zhengzhi, he whistled.
Not too long later, a soldier in rattan armor ran over from a distance away.
Holding a light bow in his hand.
Fang Zhengzhi received the bow and tried pulling it, revealing a strenuous expression on his face. He seemed somewhat out of breath.
When General Tai and General Mu saw this, they glanced at one another with looks of despise and disdain in their eyes. They sighed to themselves. If they had known that this kid was so weak, what was the point of wasting both of their time doing this?
However, despite this, General Tai and General Mu continued to remain completely vigilant.
After all, this was a big event that concerned Princess Shan Yu’s safety. Even if the possibility was one in a million, there mustn’t be the slightest form of carelessness.
Fang Zhengzhi didn’t pay further attention to the two generals behind him.
He drew the bow and loaded the arrow.
Shoot!
"Woosh!" The arrow hit the center of the target.
"Huh?" General Tai softly let out a sound of surprise. He hadn’t expected Fang Zhengzhi to have such advanced archery skills despite his weak strength.
Luck?
Just as he thought, Fang Zhengzhi shot another arrow.
Thud!
It hit the center of the target again.
Hitting twice in a row?
This caused General Tai and General Mu’s expression to change slightly. Archery on horseback sounded easy, but it was actually very difficult to hit the target while travelling at high speeds.
Even more so for hitting the bullseye.
"Don’t tell me this kid…" General Tai’s expression sunk slightly.
Just as he prepared to speak, Fang Zhengzhi’s third arrow had left. The arrow traced a beautiful parabola in the air before landing with a thud.
He hit the target.
However, it wasn’t the center of the target board. Instead, it was a few inches away from the bullseye.
"Damn… my shot was off!" Fang Zhengzhi sighed regretfully.
General Tai and General Mu heaved a sigh of relief. They had to admit that Fang Zhengzhi’s archery skills were rather good. However, compared to Princess Shan Yu.
There was still some disparity.
Of course, compared to the two of them, there was also a rather great disparity.
Hence, the both of them relaxed once again.
Fang Zhengzhi continued to charge forwards, drawing his bow and shooting arrows on the way. It had almost established a pattern that there would be either two arrows on the bullseye or all three arrows on the bullseye.
But, there would sometimes be deviations.
In total, Fang Zhengzhi had shot seven targets. There had already been around three arrows outside the bullseye.
The eighth target – all three arrows hit their mark.
The ninth target – once again, all three arrows hit their mark.
Fang Zhengzhi seemed extremely happy. However, General Tai and General Mu’s expression were unconcerned. Little kid, you missed three arrows. You are already a dead man.
Not too long later, the tenth target appeared in front of him.
In front of the position of the tenth target, Princess Shan Yu, her body covered with a blood-like cloud pattern, sat on her bright-red beast with a cold smile on her face.
"How is it?" Princess Shan Yu looked at Fang Zhengzhi, then looked at the two generals behind him and asked casually.
"Princess, this kid had hit the target for all nine of the previous targets. In total, he hit twenty-four bullseye. Three are outside the bull-eye." When General Tai heard Princess Shan Yu’s words, he instantly replied respectfully.
"Oh? He is actually not completely useless!" When Princess Shan Yu heard that he hit twenty-four bullseye, she seemed slightly surprised.
Fang Zhengzhi didn’t speak. Because, not too far away from Princess Shan Yu were countless Silver Horned Wolves which were at least two meters tall.
On the body of each Silver Horned Wolf sat a soldier in rattan armour.
He finally understood why Princess Shan Yu would place the tenth target here. Because, this location was closest to the Silver Horned Wolf cavalry.
There were almost five hundred Silver Horned Wolf cavalry soldiers.
Adding on Princess Shan Yu herself and the two generals behind him.
There wasn’t the slightest chance of capturing Princess Shan Yu.
"Silent? Do you think that you can live if you remain silent? If you lose, you die!" Princess Shan Yu looked at the silent Fang Zhengzhi and smiled coldly.
Immediately after, she propped her arm beside the bowstring.
At this moment, there was a fiery red bow on Princess Shan Yu’s hand. It seemed to have been crafted with a red coloured wood. However, even though he was very far away, Fang Zhengzhi could still feel that steaming heat emitted by the wood.
"Fire Rattan Wood?" Fang Zhengzhi had seen a small piece of such a wood in the Ping Yang Residence. It was regarded by Ping Yang like a great treasure, and seemed to have been placed on her Blazing Qilin Spear as a decorative ornament.
Who would have thought that over here, Princess Shan Yu made it into a bow.
"Woosh!" The cry of an arrow pierced the air.
Immediately after, a powerful arrow streaked across the sky, its tail glowing with a fiery red colour. Finally, it landed securely at the bullseye of the tenth target.
"Great archery skills Princess!"
"Congratulations Princess for winning this competition!"
When General Tai and General Mu saw the arrow land on the tenth target, they instantly congratulated Princess Shan Yu respectfully.
On the other hand, Fang Zhengzhi was slightly dazed. Because, when Princess Shan Yu drew her bow, the cloud pattern on her body began to move gradually. The cloud pattern even flashed with an extremely abnormal light.
It seemed to be fire, and seemed to be blood. It might also be a combination of fire and blood, flowing slowly on Princess Shan Yu’s body.
