Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Now that the archery competition had been arranged, Yan Jiajian's servant stepped forward to prepare.

Before long, two archery targets were erected in front of the hall.

"Zhao Jun is young and weak; could he manage fifty paces?"

The guest from the Yan family stood up, bowed to everyone present, and then looked at Zhao Xian with a provocative expression, saying with a smirk.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian smiled slightly and respectfully addressed Yan Heng, the head of the Yan family, saying, "Your Excellency, since you are in the hall, I humbly request that you appoint someone as the archer!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Heng stroked his beard and smiled, quite pleased with Zhao Xian's respect. He then turned his gaze to Cao Miao below.

Seeing this, Cao Miao could only sigh inwardly, cupped his hands, and said, "Lord Yan and Lord Chen, archery has always been practiced in our village, and I have served as the archery instructor. Now, I request to be the archery instructor!"

"Lord Cao is of honest and kind nature, and we deeply respect him. He is suitable to be the Archer!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuancheng immediately smiled gently, and Yan Heng above nodded repeatedly.

"Bozhang, is fifty paces acceptable?"

Then, Cao Miao turned to look at Zhao Xian and asked with a smile.

"Now that we have invited Lord Cao to serve as the archer, how can we make a fool of ourselves here at fifty paces? Let us follow the rules of the village archery and proceed at eighty paces."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately spoke respectfully.

"Eighty steps!"

Upon hearing this, the guests in the hall all looked surprised and whispered among themselves.

"We will follow Bozhang's advice!"

Chen Yuancheng then spoke up calmly.

On New Year's Day, the Zhao clan of Yangpingli gathered together. Zhao Xian, from eighty paces away, hit the bullseye seven out of ten times, and his name had already spread to Shanghuting.

Chen Yuancheng naturally had complete confidence in Zhao Xian.

"In that case, place the target eighty paces away!"

"Bring two iron-framed bows and twenty feathered arrows!"

Cao Miao immediately stood up and gave instructions to the servants below the hall.

Before long, a strong servant brought out a bow and arrows and set up a target.

Cao Miao immediately examined the bow and arrows carefully. After the examination was completed, he bowed to Yan Heng and solemnly said, "The bow and arrows are ready. Officers, please begin shooting!"

"allow!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Heng immediately stood up and returned the greeting.

Having received permission, Cao Miao immediately left his seat and walked to the steps, where Zhao Xian and the Yan family guests were already waiting.

"This archery practice is solely in accordance with etiquette, not for the purpose of winning!"

Cao Miao glanced at the two of them, then said indifferently.

"I will obey Lord Cao's command!"

The two responded in unison and then each went to their shooting positions.

"Zhao Jun is our guest, please!"

Yan's guest gestured and said solemnly.

Standing in this grand hall, Zhao Xian dared to shoot eighty paces away. Even though he was young, his courage alone was enough to earn the respect of the guests.

"I certainly dare not refuse!"

Zhao Xian responded, took a deep breath, gripped the iron bow in front of him, and pulled it to its full extent several times.

After getting used to the strength of the bow, Zhao Xian immediately drew an arrow, nocked it, and aimed at the target in the distance.

Night had fallen, and a cold wind was howling. The distant target swayed slightly in the strong wind.

The red heart, the size of a fist, was no longer visible from eighty paces away.

Upon thinking of this, Zhao Xian secretly circulated his meridian power, and his eyes were also tinged with a faint red light.

"Go!"

With a soft shout, the bowstring twanged through the air, and the arrow flew away as swiftly as lightning.

"Snapped!"

With a muffled thud, the arrow struck the target steadily, its fletching trembling.

"Hit the body!"

Cao Miao glanced into the distance, then shouted loudly.

"Please, sir!"

Zhao Xian looked at the guest and bowed respectfully from afar.

Upon hearing this, the guest also drew his bow and nocked an arrow. With just a slight aim and a flick of his finger, the arrow flew out swiftly.

"Perfect!"

Cao Miao continued to gaze into the distance and called out loudly.

Upon hearing this, all the Yan family guests watching the archery display a smile on their faces.

The term "hitting the target" means hitting the target body, and "hitting the bullseye" means hitting the bullseye. As for missing the target, the archer will not say anything.

"Zhao Jun, please!"

Having gained the upper hand with a single arrow, a smile flickered across the eyes of the Yan family guest, who immediately spoke with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately nodded slightly, but he already had a plan in mind.

"Lord Cao, the iron-rimmed bow is powerful, but I am still young and lack the strength. Therefore, I humbly request permission from you to fire nine arrows in succession!"

Zhao Xian bowed respectfully to Cao Miao and said.

"Although this does not conform to the proper archery etiquette, today is not a village archery competition, but merely a banquet for enjoyment. Besides, Bozhang is young, so it is acceptable!"

Cao Miao pondered for a moment, then smiled and said.

Those in the hall nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

Zhao Xian immediately bowed again, arranged the quiver, then turned sideways, lowered his stance, drew his bow, nocked an arrow, and stared at the target!

"Slap! Slap! Slap!"

In an instant, the sound of a bowstring piercing the air broke the silence in the hall, like a series of thunderclaps.

Yan Heng, who was sitting in the main seat, was stroking his beard when he suddenly stopped, his eyes filled with surprise. His previous indifference turned into disbelief. Yan Su, who was sitting to the lower right, suddenly narrowed his eyes and stared intently at the target.

The first arrow pierced the bullseye with precision, and as the fletching trembled violently, the second arrow followed closely behind, its fletching half an inch off from the first arrow's fletching, also hitting the bullseye.

Zhao Xian's right hand moved up and down like a blur, drawing the bow, releasing the arrow, and retracting the arrow in seamless motion, his wide sleeves fluttering rapidly.

Nine feathered arrows flew like a string of shooting stars, moving so fast that everyone in the hall could not keep up.

As the last arrow pierced the target and its fletching trembled violently, Cao Miao suddenly awoke from his daze and shouted, "Nine shots, nine hits! Eight arrows through the target, and one arrow to the body!"

His voice trembled slightly without his noticing.

"call!"

He let out a long sigh, a barely perceptible hint of joy flashing in Zhao Xian's eyes.

As he drew back the bow, the bowstring was still vibrating slightly. Zhao Xian raised his hand to wipe the thin layer of sweat from his forehead. Although his breathing was slightly rapid, his posture remained as upright as a pine tree.

"color!"

A moment of deathly silence fell over the hall, then someone uttered a cheer, which was immediately followed by a deafening roar of applause from the entire hall.

Yan Heng, seated at the head of the table, glanced at Yan Su, whose face was solemn, then rose and walked to the front of the hall. His face showed undisguised admiration. He took Zhao Xian's hand and pretended to be close to him, saying, "The younger generation is truly formidable. Archery is a testament to virtue, and you possess both virtue and talent!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately bowed and humbly said, "I am not worthy of respecting archery etiquette, and I was fortunate enough to hit the target. I dare not claim credit!"

"We urge the outstanding talents under your command, Lord Yan, to once again display their brilliance!"

After saying this, Zhao Xian bowed to the Yan family guests and extended an invitation.

As soon as he finished speaking, the guest from the Yan family blushed deeply. He immediately returned the bow to Zhao Xian and said respectfully, "Lord Zhao's archery skills are almost divine. How dare I show off in front of Lord Zhao!"

Having said that, the man knelt down again and kowtowed to Yan Heng, saying, "Master, I, relying on my meager archery skills, made a ruckus in the main hall, disregarding your dignity. I am willing to accept punishment!"

"Haha, Mr. Qi, please rise!" Yan Heng immediately bent down and helped the guest of the Yan family up with both hands, and said in a gentle voice, "Today we are having a welcoming banquet for Mr. Chen. You have performed for us in this grand hall. How could we possibly blame you?"

"Master Yan is kind and benevolent!"

"Brother Yan is kind!"

Zhao Xian and Cao Miao praised him from the sidelines.

Music from string and wind instruments began to play, and after a few twists and turns, the banquet continued.

No one spoke of the prize money.