Nan and Mu did not know what this junior brother was thinking, nor did they notice Yu Qing’s strange expression. They all stared at the background wall, and soon found another inverted “thirteen” number reflected on the wall.
Nan Zhu raised his hand and pointed. “Old Nine, that’s right, look, the other ‘thirteen’ is there. What was the name on the dart?”
Yu Qing heard this and focused his gaze. It was a bit far, and the writing on the dart hanging there was too small to see clearly.
The three senior brothers strained their eyes to look, but still could not see clearly.
Baili Xin, who was staring at the stage from the side, said, “The name is Wu Ji. Seems to be a neighbour from next door.”
The three senior brothers immediately looked at her, realising that this great archer’s eyesight was truly extraordinary. Even Yu Qing, who had cultivated the Character Observation Technique, felt inferior.
But was there anyone called “Wu Ji” among the neighbours?
They knew everyone in Chan Shaoting’s small building. The only ones left were from Ke Ran’s building, and they rarely interacted.
The three senior brothers immediately looked around, and happened to see Ke Ran in the crowd looking at them.
Ke Ran nodded towards them with a smile, pointed to a man beside him, then pointed at Mu Aotie, seemingly confirming Baili Xin’s words.
The senior brothers’ gazes immediately focused on the man called “Wu Ji”, examining him carefully.
It was hard not to take it seriously. The Chaoyang Assembly’s matches had no limit on life or death. If there was any accidental killing, the organisers would not pursue responsibility. The purpose was to allow participants to use all their abilities.
Before long, Nan Zhu was also called onto the stage. He returned with the number “forty-one” plate. Having learned from Mu Aotie’s experience, when he went on stage and saw his number plate, he directly found his opponent’s name on the dart corresponding to the already revealed number on the stage.
Returning to his companions, Nan Zhu muttered, “Another neighbour. Turns out it’s that Xiao Changdao from next door.”
Another neighbour? Yu Qing and the others were somewhat surprised, but after a moment’s thought, they felt it was not too unexpected. There were only eighty-nine participants in the Dingyin District, and the three neighbouring households on the mountaintop accounted for twelve of them. It was really normal to be matched against each other.
The problem was that the three senior brothers all knew what kind of person that Xiao Changdao was. To win, he was already using underhanded tricks.
Their eyes swept around, and they saw Xiao Changdao mixed in with Chan Shaoting and the others. They were also looking this way, clearly knowing who Xiao Changdao’s first-round opponent was.
Before long, Baili Xin also went on stage and drew the relatively early number “three”. Her opponent was someone with the surname Chang whom they did not know.
This time, apart from Nan Zhu being relatively enthusiastic, Yu Qing and Mu Aotie did not care at all. They even wished that Baili Xin’s opponent would be as strong as possible, preferably killing Baili Xin directly during the match. That would be a clean end and save trouble.
After the draw was complete, Wu Tian announced on stage that the first-round draw had ended. He again informed everyone that the matches would officially begin at the third quarter of the chen hour tomorrow. The match order would follow the numbers everyone drew, from one to forty-four.
The first round of matches had to conclude within three days, meaning roughly fifteen matches per day. The participants returning after dispersing had already entered the competitive mindset.
Returning to their lodgings, as before, Yu Qing did not care about Baili Xin’s life or death. He only summoned Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie to his room.
Once the door was closed, Yu Qing did not waste words. He directly said, “Later, do as we agreed at the start. Find a reason to withdraw before the match. Just watch the matches. No need to participate.”
Fundamentally, he was worried that the two would get hurt during the matches.
Nan Zhu smiled bitterly. “Withdrawing from the match at the start would naturally be fine. The key point is that we have already withdrawn once. What would withdrawing again count as?”
Yu Qing’s face darkened. “Old Seven, I am not deaf. On the way back just now, I heard all the boasting and posturing you did in front of Baili Xin. There is no harm in boasting about some things. If you cannot fool others but can fool yourself into being happy or satisfied, that is fine too. But swords and blades have no eyes. It is best not to play for real. It is not worth risking your life for such a woman. What Xiao Changdao and Wu Ronggui have done to get ahead, you were the one who found out the inside story yourself. You should be clear that they will not go easy on you.”
Nan Zhu had a disgusted expression. “Go easy on me? Old Fifteen, am I so worthless in your eyes? Do I need him to go easy on me? Old Fifteen, when we were cultivating in that peach garden, we sparred for almost a year. You also said things like my strength had improved greatly.”
Yu Qing said earnestly, “It is true that your strength has improved greatly, but this is the Chaoyang Assembly. Those who dare come here to challenge the outstanding talents of the world, would they dare come without some special skills? Even I am not confident. Do not forget, the main purpose of our visit this time is not for the matches. It is not worth taking other risks. Do not delay the proper business.”
Nan Zhu muttered, “If we cannot win, we just admit defeat. What risk could there be?”
Mu Aotie gave an “mm”. “Nothing will happen. Old Fifteen, since we have already come this far, let us give it a try.”
Yu Qing was immediately speechless. Admitting defeat when unable to win was indeed a good method. But in this regard, what he worried about most was actually not Nan Zhu, but rather Mu Aotie. Nan Zhu was still quite sensible. Only this big fellow always liked to put on an appearance of “I am cold and proud”. Once Old Nine put on his airs, he was not easy to take down. Yu Qing feared that once Mu Aotie encountered danger during a match, he would stubbornly resist for the sake of face.
Yet once this silent gourd opened his mouth, it meant he had made up his mind and was hard to dissuade. Yu Qing somewhat did not understand what the two were thinking. He said in a deep voice, “Give me a reason!”
A few simple words came out of Mu Aotie’s mouth. “Because you think we are not good enough.”
Yu Qing was instantly choked up, staring at him blankly.
Nan Zhu also lowered his head in silence, but soon looked up again with a grin. “Actually, we also want to raise our own worth. Look, with our meagre possessions, we are still living from hand to mouth. If one day we really cannot manage, going out to work for others, we could earn a bit more wages, right?”
“We came to the assembly under false names. What relationship does raised worth have with you?”
Yu Qing threw down these words and left, directly opening the door and going out, looking very irritable. In short, he would waste no more words.
The two left in the room looked at each other in dismay.
Yu Qing, having gone downstairs, directly left the small building and went straight to the neighbour’s house next door. Baili Xin, who was watching him, did not know what he was going to do and immediately followed.
“Rare guests. After getting along for so long, this is the first time you two have come to my place on your own initiative, right?”
Ke Ran, sensing the movement, appeared first to greet the guests, politely inviting the two inside.
Yu Qing looked back at Baili Xin who had followed. He did not say anything. Since she insisted on following, he could hardly drive her away. He could only cup his hands towards Ke Ran and say, “Just visiting casually. Brother Ke will not mind, right?”
Ke Ran laughed heartily. “Brother Zhang, with those words, what about all those times I ran over to your place before? Oh right, I forgot to congratulate Brother Zhang on your good fortune. The only one among more than eighty people to advance without a match. I do not know how many people envy you.”
Yu Qing waved his hand. “Hey, if I had drawn this lot in the district finals, that would be pretty good. Drawing it in the first round is actually not very interesting.”
Ke Ran understood the meaning in his words and smiled. “Having it is better than not having it. At least it proves that Brother Zhang is blessed by heavenly fortune.”
Yu Qing did not believe this nonsense at all, nor did he want to keep exchanging pleasantries with him. Looking around, he directly changed the topic. “Eh, where is that Brother Wu who is going to compete with our side?”
Only now did Ke Ran somewhat understand the other party’s purpose. Truly, one does not visit without business. He immediately walked to a room door nearby and knocked. “Brother Wu, Brother Zhang from next door has come to see you.”
Soon, the door opened. Wu Ji walked out from the room. He first glanced at Ke Ran’s reaction, then cautiously stared at Yu Qing and asked, “Does Brother Zhang have business with me?”
Yu Qing chuckled. “Is Brother Wu convenient? Shall we go out and chat?”
Wu Ji glanced at Ke Ran’s reaction again, showing an expression of “I am not familiar with you”, and frowned. “Going out is unnecessary. Brother Zhang might as well speak directly if you have something to say.”
Yu Qing had no choice but to continue with a playful smile. “Actually, it is nothing much. Dou Guan, that big fellow on my side, you should have seen him too. He drew number ‘thirteen’. Brother Wu, you seem to have drawn it as well, right?”
Wu Ji nodded. “Yes.”
Yu Qing spread his hands. “Then that settles it. You are first-round opponents. As neighbours, we see each other constantly. Although the match will require each to rely on their own abilities, there is no need to harm the friendly atmosphere. It is better to ‘stop at the point’. What do you think, Brother Wu?”
Wu Ji had not yet spoken when Ke Ran was already laughing heartily. “That goes without saying. Brother Zhang, having lived with Brother Wu these days, I know his character. He is not a ruthless person. I hope Brother Zhang can also tell Brother Dou’s side, everyone should stop at the point.”
Wu Ji also nodded and said, “Stop at the point.”
Yu Qing immediately patted his chest and guaranteed, “Rest assured, I will take care of his side.”
After some more polite exchanges, he did not stay long. After saying goodbye, he went straight to another neighbour’s house and found Xiao Changdao, who had also drawn number “forty-one” like Nan Zhu.
Chan Shaoting and the others happened to be in the hall as well, watching and listening.
Yu Qing’s purpose was the same as before, also hoping that this side could stop at the point.
Upon hearing that this was the reason, Xiao Changdao breathed a sigh of relief. The logic was simple. It showed that these great archers’ close combat abilities were indeed not very good. He therefore said politely, “Acquaintances are friends. Between friends, naturally one should stop at the point.”
Although the other party had agreed, Yu Qing was still somewhat uneasy, because he knew what tricks this fellow had done behind the scenes. He therefore applied pressure covertly. “Brother Xiao should also know our identities. We are just here to broaden our horizons. We do not want anyone to have any accidents. The Chaoyang Assembly is only temporary. There are still long days ahead. It is better that everyone does not harm the friendly atmosphere. What do you say, Brother Xiao?”
Once these words came out, Chan Shaoting seemed displeased. He snorted coldly from the side. “Surnamed Zhang, are you threatening him with your identity as a great archer?”
Although that was exactly the meaning, Yu Qing did not admit it. “Brother Chan, you are overthinking.”
But Chan Shaoting looked at Xiao Changdao. “Brother Xiao, in matters of competition, there are inevitably times when swords and blades have no eyes. If accidental injury really occurs, that cannot be helped. In short, do not let anyone’s threats affect your performance. An opportunity that comes once every twenty years, also an opportunity that comes only once in a lifetime. One should do one’s utmost, to be worthy of these years of bitter cultivation. Brother Xiao, you just follow the assembly’s rules. If there are any problems afterwards, I will bear the responsibility for you. I will not go back on my word!”
Yu Qing swept a cold glance at him, but did not say anything to turn hostile. At this time, there was no need to make enemies. He only reminded Xiao Changdao once more. “Brother Xiao, I will say it again. For us great archers, winning or losing in this kind of match is actually not important. We are just here to broaden our horizons. Everyone should stop at the point. Do not harm the friendly atmosphere!”
Having said this, he cupped his hands, said no more, turned around and took his leave.
Baili Xin’s eyes flickered. She turned her head to look at his departing figure, then quickly followed.