Even in his twilight years, he swept through the chaotic army of ten thousand warriors!

hum-

The bowstring twanged once more, and the arrow was already in front of their own pillar in the next moment.

First they crushed the pillar, then they tore open the head.

The dilapidated house, which had stood for decades, let out a mournful cry of despair and collapsed with a crash.

Ji Yan let out a heavy breath, letting the heavy bow slip from his hand...

The moment the effect of [Concentration] disappeared, his tense mind suddenly relaxed.

Forget about moving a step, even lifting one's eyelids is difficult.

This beginner-level archery technique is fierce enough, but it's incredibly mentally taxing...

As he was thinking, his gaze suddenly froze, and he stopped abruptly.

Then I saw a man leaning leisurely against his own wall, as if he had been waiting for a long time.

"Sir, you've been caught!"

The man yawned and walked straight toward Ji Yan.

"The massacre of ten county officials... one, two, three... is punishable by death according to the laws of the Great Jing Dynasty..."

"Hey! Don't mention the bow! Don't mention the bow!"

He pressed Ji Yan's hand, which was gripping the bow, back down, his eyes filled with resentment.

"Honestly, can't we just talk things out?"

"Those few arrows just now, who wouldn't be terrified?"

Ji Yan put down the bow, his dry throat scraping as he spoke, "Even the flag officer shouldn't mistreat the old soldiers..."

He had never seen this person before, but it was impossible for an ordinary soldier to appear behind him so silently.

The man shrugged noncommittally. "Then I'll get straight to the point: how about we grab a couple of drinks?"

"And what about them?" Ji Yan glanced at the devastation behind him.

The man rubbed his chin, then his face showed deep regret.

"You say these five officials committed suicide because they felt guilty towards the people just because they damaged your mud wall?"

"What a pity for these good yamen runners who were so dedicated to serving the people..."

Ji Yan paused for a moment, then quietly moved into the courtyard. "Does anyone believe me?"

"If I tell them, they'll believe me," the man said earnestly. "Liu Zhe, a banner officer."

Ji Yan remained silent for a long time, as raindrops fell between them, making a soft pattering sound.

Finally, he spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Ji Yan, a new recruit."

Thanks...

This isn't about lying; it's about standing up for him.

After saying this, he wrapped the bow again in layers of tattered clothes and slowly walked into the courtyard.

"Let's skip the drinking. Officer Liu, just say what you need to say."

After crossing the earthen wall, Ji Yan pulled the first arrow from the corpse and put it into his quiver.

These heavy arrows aren't cheap; each one costs at least fifty coins. He'll have to use these ten that Fu Xianxing gave him sparingly.

Liu Zhe also picked up two more for Ji Yan and handed them over.

"No rush, no rush, the road back to the garrison is long, we can talk slowly..."

In the evening, Liu Zhe saw Ji Yan for the first time...

Liu Zhe wasn't lying. What kind of genius hadn't he seen in the county town?

But he asked a question, not a rhetorical question.

He had never seen such a genius before!

What's most important in archery? Technique? Accuracy?

No, those are all methods that can be followed.

He has been immersed in this field for decades and can say with absolute certainty—

Focus!

The ultimate focus, the ability to concentrate one's mind and will entirely on the tip of an arrow!

So the moment he saw Ji Yan, he had already made up his mind.

He actually got a chance to go back...

If you're lucky, it won't just be a simple matter of going back!

It's no exaggeration to say that those few arrows Ji Yan just shot...

It made him tremble all over!

"But... Old Ji..."

Liu Zhe finally couldn't resist and tentatively asked, trying to keep his tone casual, "From which master did you learn your archery skills?"

After all, such extraordinary archery skills must have been passed down through generations...

"Xiao Gou's grandfather has been buried for fifty years."

Ji Yan raised his chin toward Xiao Gou's family and spoke truthfully.

A person whose grave is covered in tall grass is probably not considered a great person.

Liu Zhe said with some regret, "He must have been a master archer..."

"No, he missed all eighteen arrows and was eventually broken in the ribs by a muntjac."

Ji Yan recalled those days and cited one of that person's achievements back then.

Liu Zhe was stunned for a long time, and his lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

Liu Zhe changed his approach and asked, "Has anyone ever commented on the level of your archery skills...?"

"Just getting started," Ji Yan replied sincerely.

It was clearly written on the panel; he didn't hide anything.

But these words didn't sit well with Liu Zhe no matter how he heard them...

He had reason to suspect that Ji Yan was holding a grudge against his earlier joke and was trying to get back at him.

After putting the last arrow into his quiver, Ji Yan leaned against the earthen wall to rest for a while.

"Liu Qiguan followed me to Jijia Village and cleaned up this mess for me, just to ask if I had any master archers behind me?"

"That's overthinking it, Officer Liu. If it were true, I wouldn't need to go to the garrison to find a way to make a living..."

Liu Zhe slowed his pace, but he didn't seem to mind at all.

"That's even better."

"Being self-taught proves even more that this is a remarkable talent..."

"An 86-year-old seedling," Ji Yan emphasized.

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhe was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter, the sound carrying far into the empty, rainy night.

"Old Ji, you don't need to be so cautious. I don't need you to go through fire and water for me."

"I came to see you because..."

He paused, as if organizing his thoughts into the most straightforward language.

"You haven't even cultivated your Qi and blood yet, which is against the rules... but I'll tell you the truth in advance!"

"Once you've cultivated your Qi and blood, come join my Six Banners!"

"I'll teach you breathing techniques when we get back..."

He emphasized his words, "This isn't a deal. Whether you come to Six Flags or not, I'll teach you this breathing technique!"

"These things that were rightfully given away have been exploited by these banner officials to exchange for money!"

He grinned, a genuine smile.

"I'll just say what I think; hiding things will only make you more wary."

"My goal is simple: I want you to one day..."

"Take your arrows and shoot a path for me back to my post in the county seat!"

"As for why we absolutely have to go back..."

A night breeze blew by, carrying a chill.

Liu Zhe's face also showed a rare hint of mischief.

"fear death!"

"Staying in this kind of rural garrison, when the barbarian army comes, this place will be the first to be flattened..."

Ji Yan looked at his honest face and finally shook her head.

"One should not accept rewards without merit..."

"I'll remember your decision to go to the Six Banners after you settled things with the county government."

"Now that this immediate problem is gone, I'll find the money to learn the breathing technique myself..."

He twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing a self-deprecating, withered smile.

"I'm eighty-six years old. Who knows, one day I might close my eyes and never open them again."

"I can't guarantee you the future you want, and I can't repay this favor..."

"Liu, please go back. I'm getting old and get tired easily. I'll rest for a while before returning to the garrison."

After saying this, he cupped his hands in thanks and slowly closed his eyes.

It's not that they think they're something special, but rather...

Position: Traveler

[Entry: Still vigorous in old age, pending selection]