Episode 40: Huā Yīng's Challenge, Hundred Flowers Bow of the Great Demon Soldier

  Alchemy Task: The Bili Sea is plagued by a sudden outbreak of epidemic, and the entire Star Island is in chaos. The scarcity of sea salt not only triggers market fluctuations but also leads to severe riots and unrest. Refine a special elixir that targets the epidemic.

  Task Conditions: Have learned Alchemy Course.

  Task reward: 50 credits. The refined elixir will be sold by the Tiange Academy, and the profits will be shared equally with the alchemist.

  The people in the Miscellaneous Hall are bustling, and the Tian Ge Academy often releases some current event tasks. However, usually, they are mostly discussion tasks, targeting current events, encouraging students to analyze and debate the situation.

  The outbreak of the epidemic in Biliuochi was beyond everyone's expectations. The Tian Ge Academy issued this task, but it was quite normal. It can hone the students and expand their influence at the same time.

  "I'll take on this alchemy task." Chu Yun said to the relevant personnel.

  "Alright." The person in charge immediately processed the registration. This alchemy task has been widely popular since its release and is very sought after. Whether or not they are skilled in alchemy, many scholars have taken on this task. It's not surprising that Chu Yun accepted the task at this time either.

  They absolutely wouldn't think that this task was actually set by Bai Mei Dan Sheng for Chu Yun.

  No mistake, this is Yan Que's plan.

  Chu Yun has a special elixir that is effective against the plague, and completing this task can be said to be easy. Moreover, as the manufacturer of the elixir, he naturally has the power to sell it at his discretion. The Shu family island will inevitably be the largest beneficiary.

  This way, it not only guarantees the neutrality of Tiān Gē Shū Yuàn but also helps Shū Jiā Dǎo. Everyone's attention will be drawn to Tiān Gē Shū Yuàn, while Shū Jiā Dǎo will become secondary.

  The plan was simple yet mysterious. It changed the angle of view, looked at and solved problems. With the help of the Tian Ge Academy's momentum and the momentum of the epidemic, it took advantage of the situation and easily achieved its goal.

  "It's indeed worthy of Yan Que. Skilled at borrowing the momentum, he effortlessly unfolds his strategy." Chu Yun felt a surge of emotions in his heart. Being able to resolve the economic blockade on Ningjia Island was indeed a delightful thing for him. However, being able to recruit Yan Que as his subordinate made him even more thrilled.

  This is still the immature Yan Que, the unknown Yan Que, and yet he already has such talent. I really look forward to him truly becoming "Yan Que the Unrivaled".

  Shujia Island is short of such talents.

  "Chu Xue Di slow walk." When walking out of the door of Za Wu Tang, Chu Yun unexpectedly ran into a familiar person.

  "Is it Flowering English? What teachings do you have." Chu Yun's eyebrows rose, and the one who blocked her was none other than Hua Ying, whose name was as famous as He Yan's.

  "This trip has no other purpose, it's just to challenge you, my junior brother." The pink-robed scholar, Hua Ying, smiled softly, but her words were like a sharp blade, with a fierce battle intent.

  Chu Yun smiled: "Hua Yingxue, didn't you already hand me a challenge letter? I've always treated everyone equally, let's talk when it's your turn."

  Having said that, he stepped forward and walked past Huaying's side.

  Although rejected, the smile at the corner of Hua Ying's mouth grew wider. Standing still, without turning back, he said: "Chu Xue, was it intentional that you humiliated Ma Youcai in the arena?"

  Chu Yun's footsteps came to an abrupt halt, her eyes narrowing as she turned sideways to look at Hua Ying: "What do you mean by that, senior?"

  Hua Ying also leaned to the side, with a beautiful fan in her hand, gently fanning herself a few times, and said leisurely: "Junior brother, you know it well. In the arena, if you challenge 10 people continuously, as long as you draw one of us three - me, Ma Youcai or Wei Ruo - due to continuous fighting, your strength will be exhausted, and you won't be able to hold on."

  He paused for a moment, then continued: "You manipulated the drawing process and never drew any of us three. Ma Youcai suspected you at the time, but you turned the tables on him and humiliated him in public. From then on, even if someone else had suspicions, they wouldn't dare to speak out publicly, remembering what happened before."

  Chu Yun remained silent, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes for an instant before disappearing.

  Hua Ying's eyes sparkled with a hint of sharpness: "Your methods are very covert, I've been observing for so many days and haven't detected any flaws. Hehehe, among smart people, we don't speak in riddles. Hua Ying yearns to engage in a battle of wits with the most outstanding scholar in the history of the Academy. Will you accept the challenge, young brother?"

  Chu Yun's mouth corners slightly curled up, and he looked at Hua Ying with a profound gaze: "If you want to fight, then fight!"

  "Alright, sounds good! What time?"

  "See you this afternoon!"

  "Good!" Hua Ying didn't say another word and left immediately.

  "Hua Ying wants to invite Master Gong for a duel?" In the bedroom, Yan Que learned of this news and couldn't help but furrow his brow.

  "Not bad." Chu Yun nodded, and the image of Hua Ying appeared in his mind. He couldn't help but sigh, "Indeed worthy of Hua Ying... I deceived the vast majority of people, but I couldn't deceive his eyes."

  "So that's to say, Brother Chu, you actually cheated on the draw? How did I not notice?" Jin Bi Han was very interested in this point, her big eyes sparkling as she stared at Chu Yun.

  It was a trick of the wandering warriors. Among the wandering warriors, they often formed teams to complete certain tasks. When dividing labor, disagreements would arise. To resolve this contradiction, someone invented drawing lots, whoever drew which task would do it. There were old and cunning wandering warriors who invented a trick that could cheat under people's eyelids, assigning difficult tasks to others and keeping easy ones for themselves.

  As for this point, Chu Yun was also frank and directly admitted it.

  Jin Bi Han's eyes lit up, and she exclaimed: "The world of wandering knights, I've always yearned for it. I didn't expect that you, Chu brother, would have such a method. No wonder you're always so confident when facing challenges."

  Originally, Princess Dunhuang thought that Chu Yun was a fierce general who charged forward bravely. Only recently did she discover that behind Chu Yun's bravery, there was also cunning and cleverness.

  Using tactics is just a strategy and nothing shameful. What's shameful is that you've made your move but got caught by others.

  "Is this the real Chu Yun, with both courage and strategy?" Yan Que's gaze at Chu Yun also trembled slightly. The mystery of the matter had a profound impact on him. Now that he knew Chu Yun could manipulate things in plain sight without being detected, Yan Que thought for a moment and accepted it, not finding it too strange after all.

  "The key is today's challenge, it's a bit difficult." Yan Que continued, looking at Chu Yun with concern.

  Jin Bi Han, however, was not convinced: "Ever since Chu brother completed the inheritance task, his prestige has been rising higher and higher. Recently, many challengers have conceded defeat voluntarily. The number of challengers today will definitely be less than ten. It's highly likely that Chu brother will win."

  "This is exactly where Hua Ying's strength lies. If there was just a bit more time, Master would have formed a powerful momentum with the help of the inheritance task. Under this momentum, challengers would have voluntarily conceded one after another. But at this moment, Master's momentum has not yet fully accumulated, and it falls short by just a step. Hua Ying must have seen through this point, which is why she came to challenge now."

  Yan Que's eyes were serious as he continued, "Hua Ying is someone I don't particularly like, but he indeed has great talent. He possesses the Great Demon Soldier Hundred Flower Bow and his archery skills are close to perfection. The Hua family's archery techniques are renowned throughout the Star Group Islands, and his overall strength surpasses mine. Your Excellency must be cautious. This battle is of great significance, if we lose, I fear that the momentum that has not yet been fully accumulated will dissipate completely. It would be a severe blow to your unfinished grand plan for hegemony."

  "Approaching the realm of archery?" Jin Bi Han couldn't help but take a cold breath, his face also becoming serious, "Chu brother's Shu family knife technique is a battlefield martial art, it doesn't have any long-range methods. Dealing with Hua Ying, it's too disadvantageous. Why not first learn some long-range attack techniques..."

  As she spoke, Jin Bi Han's voice also grew softer. She herself realized that this proposal was a bit unfeasible, as grasping a brand new sword technique and mastering it required a lot of time and practice.

  Unexpectedly, Chu Yun nodded and said: "This proposal is good, it's also time to go to the Scripture Pavilion for a visit."

  "What? What?" Jin Bi Han couldn't help but widen her eyes in surprise.

  Yan Que's face also looked somewhat dull.

  Didn't I hear it wrong? Chu Yun actually wants to learn a brand new knife technique now and use it in battle this afternoon?

  ……

  The Hundred Flowers Bow has a slender and elegant body, with smooth lines. On the milky white bow, there are pink cherry blossoms, making one unaware of its lethal power, but only sensing the noble and aristocratic aura.

  But if you underestimate him, that would be a big mistake. This is a great demon soldier, with 500 years of cultivation, combined with the Hundred Flower Arrow, it's a deadly killing tool without any discount.

  Hua Ying used her slender white hands to gently stroke the bowstring. With her eyes closed, she plucked it lightly and listened to the beautiful sound of the vibrating bowstring.

  He has always disliked close combat and thought that muscular thugs were very unrefined.

  He likes archery, far from danger, but can defeat his enemies in a fatal blow.

  He admired the elegance of the bow and loved the wonderful sound of the arrow shafts piercing into the enemy's body.

  The sword is the gallbladder of all soldiers, and those who wield it are brave and fearless, cutting through thorns and brambles without hesitation. By observing how one wields a sword, Hua Ying has determined that this time's challenge will be accepted by Chu Yun.

  It's just as I expected.

  The bow is the intelligence of a hundred soldiers. Those who use the bow are wise, with keen ears and bright eyes as the foundation, often stationed in the rear, having a broad perspective. Once they take action, they must be sure to shoot at the enemy's leaders, attacking their weak points.

  With a bow against a knife, he already had the upper hand. Even if Chu Yun's knife skills reached perfection, Hua Ying was still full of confidence.

  "Chu Yun's swordsmanship is a battlefield martial art, without any long-range attack methods. This is his greatest weakness. But I have recently successfully mastered that archery technique. So this battle I must win! However, apart from victory, it seems like something is still missing?"

  Hua Ying opened her eyes and thought of Ning Yiyuan, suddenly smiling.

  A hero is always accompanied by a beauty.