Free Web NovelChapter 627: Chapter 345: Stealing Heaven and Changing Day, the Star-picking Bureau Emerges. The Lady’s Deception Brings Severe Punishment
Li Xian suddenly saw Lin Aoshan and Han Qingshao in league with He Wentian, really hard to fathom the mystery within. He had only met Han Qingshao in passing, and during their conversation, he realized his demeanor was extraordinary, but dared not rashly judge his character.
But Lin Aoshan was also present. Li Xian had known her for a long time and knew her temperament somewhat. He couldn’t help but ponder deeply for a moment: "It seems that there is more to He Wentian’s matter, but if I show myself so easily and have judged incorrectly, I might end up in a trap. I must find a way to explore the depths."
He was standing on a pavilion terrace, where numerous guests hurried by inside, and many watched the scenery from the terrace, thus hiding his movements. Observing his surroundings, he caught a glimpse of the city patrol soldiers passing by the street below, armed with Long Spears, Longbows, and copper arrows. His eyes lit up, and he silently merged into the crowd, secretly following behind the archers.
As they passed a dark alley, he suddenly sprang forward, covering one’s mouth and nose with one hand while striking the back of his neck with a knife-hand, causing immediate unconsciousness. Li Xian dragged him into the dark alley, snatching both the bow and arrows, then climbed to a nearby barren mountain.
The Flying Dragon City was vast, with many mountainous areas within. Li Xian concealed himself deep in the mountains, gazing afar at the government office, approximately three miles away. Various buildings stood along the way, with numerous obstructions.
This spot held a tactical advantage, able to attack or retreat with ease. Li Xian drew his bow and shot his arrow. His archery skills were so extraordinary that when the arrow left the bowstring, it made no wind-cutting noise. The arrow flew like a phantom, swiftly through the air, piercing through the windows of several buildings, from a most bizarre angle, entering the government office.
Along the way, it brushed past many people at lightning speed, yet no one noticed. Han Qingshao, holding a Long Blade, suddenly struck down the flying arrow, speaking in a deep voice to He Wentian and Lin Aoshan: "Truly, the visitor is not friendly, be extremely careful."
The two nodded in unison. Han Qingshao said, "The three of us back to back, mainly watch the tall buildings around us. See who it is, shooting arrows covertly!"
Another "whoosh" sound was heard, as arrows came from the southwest. Han Qingshao felt the tricky and bizarre nature of the arrow. General arrows, once leaving the bowstring, fly swiftly with a whoosh, and one could predict by sound and strike accurately. To shoot silently required an extremely high level of skill.
Han Qingshao swiftly slashed, and as the fine blade met the copper arrowhead, a burst of sparks erupted. The arrow came with such strong force that it caused him to stagger a few steps back. The three originally stood back to back, but Han Qingshao’s stagger left Lin Aoshan and He Wentian’s backs exposed.
Immediately, two more arrows flew at them. Lin Aoshan and He Wentian simultaneously parried with their blades. Though they blocked the attack, their wrists were numbed, and their blade surfaces rippled. The three were startled; the Celestial Patrol Bureau’s blades were made of fine iron, sharp and strong, very hard to bend. Han Qingshao frowned tightly, gravely concerned, and returned to his position. He said in a deep voice, "Can you see the archer’s position?"
He Wentian replied solemnly, "I fear it’s not just one person, those three arrows just now came from different directions. At least three extremely skilled archers are surrounding and attacking us." Han Qingshao nodded and said: "I think so too, it’s not easy to handle, these cunning foes hide extremely well, when I scanned around just now, I didn’t spot their hiding place. We can only meet each move with a counter-move. Ao Shan, don’t be careless, watch for the next move."
Lin Aoshan tensed up and said, "Big Brother Han, are we just going to keep stalling with them?" Han Qingshao frowned and said to He Wentian: "Tell us in detail about your experience, how did you get tracked. This person’s intent is malicious, unclear whether it’s an old grudge or a family feud within the city."
He Wentian recounted the event in full, with no clue or headway. As they talked, Han Qingshao said in a deep voice: "Coming again!" Several tricky arrows shot over. Han Qingshao, extremely vexed, slashed multiple times to knock down the arrows, but each arrow contained strong Power, leaving him focused on intercepting arrows and throwing their formation into disarray. freewebnovel.cσ๓
Suddenly, three arrows shot from the west towards Lin Aoshan. Han Qingshao’s heart tightened, standing firm, he immediately helped Lin Aoshan fend off the arrows. Yet, suddenly seeing the arrow tremble, the middle of the arrow body "banged" and broke, redirecting unexpectedly towards He Wentian.
He Wentian, completely taken aback, stumbled as the three arrowheads forced him into chaotic steps, suffering three scratches but thankfully avoided lethal harm. Han Qingshao helped him up, deeply concerned: "Not good, that archer is more proficient than I thought!"
Lin Aoshan picked up a broken arrow, exclaiming in shock: "Boss, it’s the Folding Feather Arrow!" Han Qingshao said: "I already saw it." It was a technique of archery where the arrow turned direction in mid-air, requiring extraordinary archery skills.
Once an arrow leaves the bowstring, it won’t return. Simply direct it to its target, if wanting an abrupt change in direction, requires exerting a peculiar force on the arrowbody prior to shooting, when slicing through the sky, the peculiar force will cause the arrow to break, abruptly altering its direction. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
This is the Folding Feather Arrow. Han Qingshao also knew this technique but didn’t master it skillfully. Moreover, after breaking the arrow body, the arrow’s lethality decreased significantly, making it quite impractical. He had never witnessed this technique having much use.
Today, seeing it, he found it extremely tricky. Han Qingshao said: "The opponent is mysterious and cunning, utilizing their advantages by hiding in the dark. We are at a loss, must quickly devise a plan."
The three stood alert and vigilant, sweat beading on their foreheads. Yet the arrows ceased, tension mounted, just then the government office door was knocked upon. The three exchanged cautious glances, slowly moving towards the hall door.
Li Xian called out: "Brother Han, Ao Shan, it’s me." Lin Aoshan was delighted, quickly moved to push open the door, seeing it was indeed Li Xian. Sensing the perilous situation, she immediately pulled Li Xian into the government office, hiding behind a beam, whispering: "This place is dangerous, archers are surrounding. You’ve arrived just in time, your archery is excellent, help us figure a way. Find the archers’ hideouts, and we quietly approach."
