The archery range was isolated from the rest of the manor and distant from the elevated platform and other facilities in the courtyard, near the walls of the estate. This was partially due to the space required, but also because archery was rather unpopular among the citizens of Lin’an. Because of this, no experts were overseeing the field like with the platform; instead, a door guard was responsible for the archery range.


    After receiving a bow from the doorguard, Jing Wen looked at Xiahou Jie  asked, “Do you know that person from before?”


    Xiahou Jie thought about it for some time before answering, “I see him about once a year, but we’ve never spoken before.”


    Jing Wen thought back to the prominent spot he sat with the group of elders and said, “He seems to be rather important.”


    Xiahou Jie took less time to respond this time. “My father told me he is called Yang Heng.”


    Jing Wen was not really familiar with the Xinqingnian despite appearing in its top ranking. Still, he at least knew the names of the most prominent individuals written on it along with their affiliations in jianghu. Looking at Xiahou Jie, he said, “I didn’t expect you to be acquainted with a disciple of Mount Qingcheng.”


    Xiahou Jie replied proudly, “Not just him, but also the master of Mount Qingcheng as well.”


    Jing Wen chuckled and said, “I just thought it would be rather far from Nanhai.”


    Xiahou Jie gave a contented smiled and boasted, “All the experts in Lingnan have been defeated by my father. Only someone from one of the sacred mountains could rival him.”


    Jing Wen felt rather amused at her words. No wonder Xiahou Jie is so competitive; her father is no different. Sitting down, Jing Wen began to tie his bowstring, before he looked at Xiahou Jie and said, “Can you see a little Daoist?”


    Xiahou Jie was an intellegent girl and immediately realised who Jing Wen was talking about. She said curiously, “I have earlier… Jing Wen, are you familiar with him?”


    Jing Wen replied, “He is a part of the reason why I returned to Lin’an.”


    Xiahou Jie was slightly shocked by the statement. Although she had been defeated by Zhou Aimin earlier, she didn’t really hold any grudge towards him, only a degree of frustration that’s already been vented. Instead, she was curious about a certain matter.


    “Jing Wen, why did you return to Lin’an?”


    Jing Wen was dazed for a little, before saying, “I can’t answer that.”


    Xiahou Jie grabbed onto his sleeves and shooked it as if she was a spoiled child, “But I’m really curious.”


    Jing Wen said helplessly, “I wouldn’t even tell it to His Majesty if he asked.”


    They naturally would not think of the impression they gave by whispering to each other, nor would the pair have expected the Yang Heng was observing everything they did.


    Yang Heng’s emotions remained calm, as would be expected of him.


    After another round on the platform, the competition between the young martial artists would end, and the experts the Thirteenth Prince invited would step onto the stage. This was to prove to spectators the force behind the Thirteenth Prince, but for these experts usually residing in the jianghu to make a name for themselves in Lin’an.


    Most closed-door disciples from the sacred mountains and sects of Jianghu were not like Yang Heng, who had some reputation due to his position on the Xinqingnian. To earn a reputation for themselves and their sect at large, they had to partake in numerous competition.


    While the Thirteenth Prince’s gatherings were not as splendours as any tournaments, it held a special status in the hearts of the people of Lin’an. A previously unknown expert could make themselves renowned in Lin’an instantly through such an event.


    Of course, since Yang Heng already had sufficient renown, there was no need for him to partake in such a competition. However, since Consort Li is the primary supporter of the Thirteenth Prince, the cultivators of Mount Longhu naturally would also be present in the manor. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    There were only two guests from Mount Longhu in Lin’an, but both of the cultivators are personal disciples of Consort Li, and the older one is said to be capable of matching Ming Haoran and Hong Ling despite being only seventeen. The younger disciple, while  yet to have participated in every events, also had a reputation in the capital, though none of them were confirmed.


    The presence of Consort Li had already disturbed the balance between the sacred mountains. If her successors were to be similarly prodigious, it is possible the four sacred mountains would become a singular entity in the future.


    It was fine if the younger disciple were to compete in the Thirteenth Prince’s gathering, but if the older disciple were to… Yang Heng would surely intervene.


    ---


    As Jing Wen finished tying up his bowstring, someone spoke from the walls of the building, “One blind and the other one too weak to even strangle a chicken. What do you think archery is?”


    The origin of this sentence was a young girl, yet her voice contained pride and ruthlessness. It was akin to someone speaking atop of a mountain, looking down on everyone else, indifferent to whether they live or die.


    Jing Wen did not like this sort of person. Moreover, he could vaguely guess her origins, which made him dislike her even more.


    Several of the martial artists were also startled by her presence. They swiftly turned their head towards the obscure back entrance to look at the origin of this voice.


    A young girl was standing there. Her appearance was exquisite, especially her lips, which were red like crimson. She was a little short and appeared eleven or twelve in age, but she had the viciousness found in someone who has murdered for countless years. Her complexion was ashen, and when paired with her crimson dress, appeared especially uncanny.


    It was also at this moment that Yang Heng removed his concentration from Jing Wen and Xiahou Jie to the girl. Unlike most of the other people present in the courtyard, he felt a sense of relief.


    Jing Wen was also consoled for the same reason. ‘Looking’ at the girl, he said, “Your senior sister, she isn’t here?”


    There were countless women who claimed or are suspected to be the disciple of Consort Li, such as Lei Li. Yet there were only two official disciples that is known to the world. One is Tang Ruolan, (唐若兰) and the other Tang Hong (唐红). The two are not actual sisters, but orphans adopted by Mount Longhu due to their martial prowess. The older sister, Tang Roulan, is a figure shrouded in mystery, and her true appearance said to have never been seen. The young sister Tang Hong, however, is known as a little monster.


    This little monster was strong, and capable of entering the top twenties in the Xinqingnian were if not because of her tender age. It was rumoured that she was actually the granddaughter of the previous khan of the North Sea tribe, though she herself has never confirmed this rumour.


    Even the more powerful cultivators would back away from seeing this little monster, yet a rumour is merely a rumour, it is insufficient for most experts to disregard their pride and withdraw. The true fear that people had towards her was because she had killed countless people, including cultivators in the Body Supplementation state, and a genius listed in the xinqingnian when she was only ten years old.


    Tang Hong did not look at Jing Wen for a moment, completely ignoring his previous statement as she glanced over the martial artists in the courtyard. “A bunch of idiots with no understanding of martial arts. I’d say the Thirteenth Prince would be better off with a bunch of dogs than hiring you.”


    The martial artists had no background and only achieved their current position through their own efforts. Without any masters or connection to jianghu, they could only hope to move up in status by becoming the Thirteenth Prince’s guards. So when they heard such mockery from someone who is the disciple of the world strongest woman, they immediately became furious.


    Tang Hong moved her hand to cover her mouth as she laughed. “I take back my previous statement. At least dogs have a sense of self-preservation compared to you fools seeking their own death.”


    The cruelty of Tang Hong had long been instilled in the minds of these martial artists through the rumours present throughout Lin’an. No matter how furious these martial artists were, none dared to stand up. Even if they could defeat the girl, none of them dared offend Consort Li.


    “Don’t be too overbearing,” the Thirteenth Prince, who was informed of Tang Hong’s presence by the servants, arrived at the scene and spoke. His voice was a little hoarse and pitched - it was clear he had run here.


    Tang Hong scoffed coldly, but was remarkably accepting of the Thirteenth Prince’s words, despite the unhappiness present in her expression.


    Strangely, the elders from Mount Qingcheng, who had a close relationship with Mount Longhu, did not speak up to reprimand Tang Hong. Perhaps they were waiting for Jing Wen and Tang Hong to enter a conflict so she would perform worse later on when she steps onto the platform?


    Of course, simply mocking Jing Wen and the rest of the people in the courtyard was not sufficient to attract the eyes of this little monster, and while Tang Hong still needs to establish a proper reputation in the capital outside of her cruelty, it is unlikely that she would be so orthodox.


    She glanced in the direction of Xiahou Jie and said, “I heard you’re the strongest girl in Lingnan. Care to fight a bout with me?”


    Xiahou Jie was already determined to compete with Jing Wen, and had no interest in accepted Tang Hong’s challenge. “Go challenge someone else. I’m not interested in bullying little kids.”


    Tang Hong did not expect that she would be disregarded so outrightly and immediately became outraged. But before she could hurl insults at Xiahou Jie, Yang Heng looked at Tang Hong and said, “Miss Xiahou is not partaking in His Highness’s gathering. If you want to fight someone, I wouldn’t mind being the first to challenge you.”


    Though Yang Heng had only intended to fight the older sister, he could not watch Xiahou Jie becomes injured because of Tang Hong. Still, regardless of his intentions, his quiet words were far more powerful than the anger of the martial artists.


    Tang Hong stuck her tongue out and said in an innocent tone, “It’s immoral to bully a child.”


    Regardless of how strange and inappropriate this sentence was, it proved that Tang Hong was far from insane, and understood her limits.


    Yet as it seemed the situation was calming down, a bout of laughter came from the courtyard.


    Naturally, the person was laughing at the cowardness of Tang Hong, how she could only bully the weak and fear the strong (欺弱怕强).


    Tang Hong instantly regained her previous expression and looked at where the laughter was coming from. Her gaze were not cruel, simply cold. This was because one can only be cruel towards a living thing, and Tang Hong was looking at the man as though he was already dead.


    Many people followed the path of Tang Hong’s gaze.


    The Thirteenth Prince went silent. The masters from Mount Qingcheng were already indulging the girl’s wishes, and aside from him, only the renowned Yang Heng dared to stand up to Tang Hong. Yet someone could so openly laugh at the little monster.


    Was he not afraid of death?


    The laughter came from the corners of the courtyard. It was a slightly dull youth.


    Jing Wen, without the need to look, immediately recognised the dull youth.


    It was because he was familiar with that laugh.


    This was because the laughter came from someone from his old Imperial Guard division.