Chapter 017 – Two Arrows
Creak... Creak... Cr-crack...
The wooden bow groaned as though it might snap at any moment. Li Yuan’s arm muscles flexed and swelled as he drew back the bowstring, revealing just how much bigger and stronger he was than the average man—solid as iron, with no hint of weakness.
Bear and Qian Er, who were both watching closely, couldn’t help but feel a chill of apprehension.
That very morning, they had pried some information out of Xiao Hu. They’d guessed that Li Yuan was a hidden powerhouse, and now, seeing him in action, they realized he was even more formidable than they’d imagined.
Li Yuan released the first arrow with a sharp thrum. It streaked toward the left poplar tree. He didn’t bother to watch its flight; only the distant shout from a bystander confirmed his aim.
“He hit it!”
“He actually hit it!”
At this, Bear’s face darkened, while Qian Er allowed himself a thin smile. If Li Yuan hit the stone on the left, that meant Bear was out of luck.
Now only two outcomes remained. Either Li Yuan missed the stone on the right and went with Qian Er, or he hit both stones and helped neither side.
Smirking, Qian Er called out, “Li Yuan, you could always accidentally miss the second one. Come with me, and this very afternoon I’ll bring you a beautiful concubine. You’ll live like a king, two women by your side!”
He was upping the ante and trying to distract Li Yuan at the same time. But Li Yuan ignored him. His right hand deftly plucked a second arrow from the quiver, nocked it, drew back, and loosed with a whistle.
Thwack!