Chapter 19: It's Over... I Failed...

Biubiubiu...

The entire crowd fell silent.

Yuan Xinzhou’s lips twitched minutely as he leaned over to explain to Ye Ming beside him, “That was a slip. At home when he practiced, he hit the bullseye every time.”

“Of course, of course, he’s just a child. It’s perfectly normal.” Ye Ming consoled him kindly, already thinking that today’s ultimate winner would be his own child from the Ye family.

Yuan Xinzhou made up his mind: tonight, when he got home, he’d string the boy up and give him a good beating. Worthless brat! He’d given up hope of having his son bring him any pride, yet the boy still boasted before him!

All three arrows missed the target completely. Yuan Zhen and Feng Dian ducked their heads and scurried back into the ranks. So embarrassing... The laughter from the surrounding adults was all too clear.

Though it wasn’t mocking laughter, the two children certainly didn’t feel happy about it.

The competition went on. As the daughter of the county magistrate, Ba Wanqing landed two arrows in the bullseye and one just beside it.

For such a young girl, this was already an outstanding result.

She even received a round of applause from the entire audience. Ba Tai was gratified—his daughter had not let him down.

Very soon, it was Ye Qin’s turn to compete.

“Go, little brother!” Ye Kun clenched his tiny fists and cheered. As long as you perform as usual, the first place will be yours. The two of us, one scholarly, one martial—how wonderful.

“Don’t worry, big brother. I’ll give it everything I’ve got.” Ye Qin was determined to win; maybe he wasn’t as good as his brother in literary pursuits, but in martial skills, he was sure to surpass him!

Ye Qin felt no nerves at all at this moment, slipping into a state of total self-forgetfulness. It was as though the whole world consisted of nothing but himself and the target!

“Our son seems a little... off,” Ye Ming said in a low voice.

Dongmen Meng nodded. “That can’t be. Qin is so young, and he’s already reached a state of selfless concentration?”

“Uh... That’s probably impossible.”

The state of self-forgetfulness was a mental shift said to appear only in those of Sword Emperor rank or higher, yet Ye Qin was so young—how could he comprehend such a thing?

It was pure accident. Ye Qin simply wanted to win so badly that he entered this state by chance.

He drew the bow and loosed the arrow seamlessly.

Snap!

A perfect hit in the bullseye—effortless. Yet Ye Kun was so nervous, afraid his little brother might slip up.

But his worries were unfounded. In that selfless state, Ye Qin was unfailing.

Biubiu!

All three arrows struck the bullseye, his movements fluid and assured, without a trace of hesitation—like a seasoned archer. That such skill emerged from a child left the adults staring in astonishment.

“Ye Qin! Three direct hits!” With Old Wei’s booming declaration, Ye Qin snapped out of his trance.

Looking at the feathered arrows in the target, Ye Qin broke into a smile, only to be hit by a wave of dizziness.

Seeing his little brother about to collapse, Ye Kun rushed over to support him. Was the boy going to faint from happiness?

“Big brother, am I amazing or what?” Ye Qin beamed at his brother, eyes sparkling with intelligence.

Ye Kun nodded. “Amazing!”

Over the past days, his little brother had worked relentlessly, and Ye Kun had seen it all. This achievement was earned through true effort.

But as for himself, he never needed to work hard to succeed...

That feeling was... strange.

Brother Kun wanted, just once, to earn praise through his own efforts. For that, he should also work hard. But first, he would have to lose this contest.

“Heh heh.” Ye Qin grinned foolishly, then looked towards their parents.

Ye Ming gave his son a thumbs-up, Dongmen Meng smiled approvingly. Ye Qin felt that everything had been worth it.

The applause from all around washed over him—at last, he got to experience this feeling.

“Big brother, you have to do your best too. Don’t hold back for me.”

Ye Kun gave a wry smile. “Little brother, I really can’t...”

“Anyway, you’re not allowed to let me win. Otherwise, I’ll be so mad I won’t speak to you for a whole day!” Ye Qin threatened with all the severity he could muster, then rejoined the group.

Ye Kun smiled helplessly. This little brother really could be adorable sometimes. Would he still be so cute when he grew up?

To prevent his little brother from growing jealous in the future, he knew he had to lose this one.

When Ye Kun took the field, the best score so far was Ye Qin’s, with Ba Wanqing in second place.

He figured that if he could just hit the target once, it wouldn’t look too bad.

If he was going to lose, he might as well do it with dignity.

As Ye Kun stepped up, the crowd gave him exceptional encouragement, the applause especially enthusiastic.

Ye Kun could hardly wait to see their shocked faces.

Little brother, here goes!

With a twang!

The crowd fell silent—he’d missed!

Ye Kun felt oddly calm; just as he’d expected, the audience must be disappointed.

In the ranks, Ye Qin watched his brother and felt a pang of sadness. Big brother was letting him win again—willing to bear everyone’s disappointment for his sake. Big brother...

“Kun Kun acts like a little adult sometimes,” Ye Ming chuckled, his eyes full of approval. “That’s what brotherhood is all about—nothing like my brothers and me.”

Dongmen Meng laughed softly, “Yes, Kun Kun is an exceptional child, always considering things from others’ perspectives.”

If Ye Kun knew what his parents were thinking, he’d be exasperated: I really can’t hit the target, I’m not faking it...

He truly wanted to die.

After Ye Kun’s first miss, the onlookers thought, It’s just a slip—what child doesn’t make mistakes?

So Old Wei led the applause, encouraging Ye Kun not to be nervous and to just do his best.

Feng Dian and Yuan Zhen were baffled! Why was it that when others missed, they got applause, but when they missed, it was laughter? This was so unfair! Rigged!

The teachers must have ties to the Ye family!

Ye Kun wondered too—why were they still clapping?

Never mind, he thought. Let’s just try to hit the target with this next shot, or I’ll really make a fool of myself.

With a twang!

He missed again. The crowd fell quiet once more.

Even Old Wei’s expression shifted slightly before quickly recovering. “Ye Kun, don’t be nervous, you’ll hit it. Keep trying!”

With Old Wei’s encouragement, Ye Qin also shouted, “Come on!”

The cheer seemed to catch on like wildfire, and the entire audience erupted in support.

Yuan Zhen and Feng Dian were about to cough up blood—this was blatant favoritism! The Ye family must have bribed everyone!

Ye Kun was helpless. It seemed he had no talent for archery. Time for the last arrow—better give it all he had!

Ye Kun drew the bow with all his might, the string tight as a full moon, and released!

Twang!!!

Everyone watched as the arrow soared upward—right toward the spectators’ seats!

Ye Kun was stunned. How could this happen?

A hush fell as everyone held their breath, eyes wide with horror.

That arrow—

It actually pierced straight through someone’s neck!

Ye Kun was frozen in shock. He had just killed someone!

It was over!