Volume 1, Chapter 6: Master Chen (NPC): The Academy Challenge

Returning to the academy with a sense of shock, Xie Zheng never imagined that the thirty-six maidens he had raised were all orphans from the previous dynasty. Not only that, but they were all hidden masters, each possessing skills at a grandmaster level!

In this world, there exists a class of cultivators known as warriors. Accordingly, the academy had established a ranking system: ranks one to three were considered lower third rank, four to six were grandmasters, and seven to nine were masters of the sect.

To find them all so formidable was astonishing. No wonder the Marquis of Anyang had chosen him—had he become this strong himself? Yet, for now, he needed to keep a low profile. At most, he could protect himself but was insufficient to challenge the Northern Marquis’s household. It was best not to draw attention, avoid trouble, and certainly never talk back.

Hence, he returned to the academy, preferring to keep to himself. The students here were sons of noble families and wealthy magnates, including several of his impressive elder brothers and sisters from the imperial family.

The academy was established as a model of the previous dynasty’s system. Back then, there were ten great clans, but their power had contributed to the downfall of the nation. Therefore, in Da Ning, the essence of the clan system was preserved only within the Zhuolu Academy, where power existed but was limited.

The academy was led by three masters, each an expert in martial arts, literature, or other disciplines, earning deep respect from students.

According to academy rules, today Xie Zheng was to attend a course called “Archery,” part of the six classical arts every gentleman should master. He had planned to quietly complete the lesson and then retreat home for seclusion. But fate had other plans.

He ran into someone he wished to avoid—Xu Cheng.

Xu Cheng approached confidently, his face filled with resentment laced with arrogance, as if he came bearing a challenge. Seeing no escape, Xie Zheng faced him with a smile, unwilling to offend.

“Prince Xu, you look even more handsome than before. Joy truly brings vitality, doesn’t it? Well done indeed!” he said with praise, deftly flattering him.

“Your archery scores have always been the best among us, even earning the masters’ praise. You truly embody the spirit of the Northern Marquis, destined to become a pillar of Da Ning in the future!” Such flattering words rarely offend.

Xu Cheng was momentarily stunned by the unexpected compliment. But after a brief moment of pride, his expression darkened sharply.

“Xie Zheng, don’t think a few kind words will turn me from foe to friend. You are destined to be my lifelong enemy!” His hatred was unmistakable. It was clear that Qin Yuan’s marriage to Xie Zheng had left an indelible grudge in his heart, leaving no room for reconciliation.

What a troublesome situation. Why couldn’t they coexist peacefully?

Sighing, Xie Zheng thought Xu Cheng would merely threaten him and perhaps humiliate him during the archery class. But then, Master Chen appeared.

With an expressionless face, Master Chen declared, “According to academy rules, the top scorer in any of the six arts has the right to issue a challenge.”

“Thus, first-year student Xu Cheng hereby posts a challenge against first-year student Xie Zheng!”

Xie Zheng’s eyes widened. Master Chen’s relentless presence was starting to wear on him. Couldn’t he find something more constructive to do? Every time they met, trouble followed.

Master Chen, perhaps sensing Xie Zheng’s displeasure, swept his sleeve and vanished as if by magic, leaving his voice echoing: “One hour later, at the archery grounds!”

Xu Cheng laughed wildly, full of arrogance.

“Hahaha… Xie Zheng, you didn’t expect this rule, did you? Neither did I until I spent the whole night poring over the academy’s regulations. Finally, I found a way to deal with you!”

“On the archery grounds, I will invite all the students, even the princess herself. Then she will see the vast difference between you and me.”

“When she realizes that gap, she will surely see me as her true destined one!”

Xu Cheng’s passionate speech was clear in Xie Zheng’s mind. The academy regulations were thicker than a brick, and he hadn’t even bothered to read them. Yet Xu Cheng had studied them thoroughly—he either had incredible perseverance or was simply bored out of his mind.

At the archery grounds, one of the six arts’ testing arenas, a vast space with more than twenty targets stood ready, surrounded by many spectators. Usually, senior students came to watch the six arts examinations, but today’s crowd was several times larger than usual.

Seeing so many eyes upon him, Xie Zheng’s face paled. It one thing to lose face in front of his class but quite another to disgrace the entire academy. Even someone as shameless as Xie Zheng felt a sting of shame.

Xu Cheng, however, reveled in the spectacle. He loved being the center of attention, basking in the admiration of the crowd. Most importantly, he planned to strike in front of the woman he adored, ensuring that Xie Zheng’s failure would leave a poor impression on the princess.

With persistent effort, perhaps one day the princess would turn her heart to him. Just the thought filled him with joy.

The students already knew the stakes of this challenge—Xu Cheng, the archery champion, was challenging Xie Zheng, the weakest in archery.

“Are you kidding? The top archer challenging the worst? That’s just bullying!”

“No, it’s more like stripping someone on the street—utterly shameless.”

“The real issue is Xu Cheng’s unrequited love for Princess Anyang, only to lose her to Xie Zheng. Who wouldn’t hate that?”

“Anyway, today’s going to be entertaining!”

By now, all the key players had arrived, including the annoying Master Chen and the other two masters. Most importantly, Qin Yuan herself was present.

From the moment she appeared, Xu Cheng wished he could kneel and bark like a loyal dog, just to bring her joy. Xie Zheng noticed Qin Yuan’s gaze upon him. Her eyes, shadowed by the events of the previous day, now held an additional emotion: pity.

Pity for him about to be humiliated by Xu Cheng?

Xie Zheng didn’t care how she saw him. Today’s humiliation was inevitable, but a loss of face was not fatal.

Master Chen took on the role of host again.

“First-year student Xu Cheng’s challenge against Xie Zheng begins now. Ten shots each, cumulative score wins!”

Once equipped, both stood before the crowd. Xu Cheng was brimming with confidence.

“Xie Zheng, shall we make a wager?”

“On what?”

Xu Cheng smirked, “Your Divine Martial Military Authority. How about that?”

A gleam flashed in Xie Zheng’s eyes—it seemed Xu Cheng knew about the Divine Martial Military Authority. But Xie Zheng found the wager absurdly unbalanced and remained silent.

Xu Cheng pressed on, “If you win, I will accept you as my sworn father, effective immediately!”

Xie Zheng stared in surprise. Was an archery contest really worth such high stakes?

“Do you accept?”

Both the Divine Martial Military Authority and the sworn fatherhood would be witnessed by the three masters and the whole academy—there would be no turning back.

No one expected Xu Cheng to gamble so boldly. But with his cocky confidence, he was certain of victory.

So Xie Zheng, if he were wise, would refuse.

Meanwhile, Qin Yuan was watching. Unknown to Xie Zheng, a strategist had come to her side, whispering something that made her eyes sparkle.

“Father, can this really be done?”

“Yes,” came the succinct reply.

Understanding her father’s intent, Qin Yuan considered carefully before deciding to inform Xie Zheng.

She left the stands, first signaling the three masters and gaining their approval, then turning to the curious crowd.

Walking towards the archery ground, both Xie Zheng and Xu Cheng looked at her. Xu Cheng’s eyes lit up, taking it as a sign that the princess favored him, even though his victory was assured.

“Princess...?”

Just as he opened his mouth, Qin Yuan brushed past him and approached Xie Zheng, whispering in his ear amid all eyes.

Then, she turned back to Xu Cheng and said, “Your result will be excellent.”

Xu Cheng’s confidence swelled further, convinced that the princess’s favor was his alone.

A brief interruption—and then the real challenge began.

Xie Zheng faced a target about ten meters away. If Qin Yuan’s assurance was true, he could afford to shoot aimlessly without focusing.

Xu Cheng shot swiftly and precisely. After firing ten arrows, he crossed his arms confidently.

His result was staggering.

“Ten consecutive bullseyes, scoring ninety-five points!”

Among first-years, such a score was remarkable, especially since they had only recently begun archery.

“The son of the Northern Marquis is truly formidable! No need to continue—Xie Zheng should just admit defeat now!” many whispered.

Xie Zheng took a deep breath. His archery skills were notoriously poor; even at close range, hitting a perfect target was unlikely.

But with Qin Yuan’s guarantee, he simply shot randomly.

The next ten arrows missed every time. Xie Zheng couldn’t bear to watch and turned his head away, feeling stung by the humiliation.

Xu Cheng didn’t even bother to look, sneering in disdain.

Just as he was about to mock Xie Zheng and reclaim the Divine Martial Military Authority with ease, a senior responsible for scoring the targets announced with shock:

“Xie Zheng—ten bullseyes! One hundred points!”