Great, it's just a lackey, we're saved!

Chapter 169 My younger brother is slightly better!

Feng Polu and other veterans of the army naturally knew who Qian Tao was talking about!

The Blue-Faced War God's skills were so impressive that everyone who worked with him was in awe.

Many people envied Qian Tao for receiving guidance on archery from the Blue-Faced War God.

"Sigh, on such a fine day, why bring up old friends again? You're just making your brothers feel bad for nothing!"

"Yes, that man taught you your archery skills. He's your master and you're his apprentice, but your master isn't here!"

Qian Tao was also amused by Feng Polu.

"Alright, let's do as you say, Old Feng. With Master gone, I, your disciple, dare to call myself King."

The crown prince watched the generals chatting and laughing, feeling slightly awkward and unable to fit in.

Although he tried his best to act bold and unrestrained to please these rough and uncouth military men, he always felt that there was a distance between them.

Is this why we never went to war together?

The Crown Prince didn't quite agree. So what if they hadn't gone through life and death together?

As long as I treat people with respect and visit the army more often, I will surely be able to win them over.

The third prince, however, was not so interested in such things. He felt somewhat annoyed as he watched the military officers chatting and laughing.

"Alright, stop praising each other. You're all military officers, yet you can't even shoot an arrow. What are you going to do on the battlefield?"

"Since you dare to claim you can shoot an arrow through a willow leaf from a hundred paces, then let me see for myself!"

Feng Polu's smile froze on his face; the more he looked at the Third Prince, the more he disliked him.

The Crown Prince then looked at Jiang Nianxing and asked, "Nianxing, since you're the one who suggested watching the archery competition, do you have any thoughts on it?"

Jiang Nianxing pointed to the icicles hanging on the treetops in the distance.

"Now that the blizzard has left everything barren, it's impossible to see an arrow shot from a hundred paces away."

"However, the icicles hanging from the top of the tree make a good target. With General Qian's archery skills, hitting the icicles on top should be no problem, right?"

Qian Tao squinted and looked into the distance. Jiang Nianxing pointed to the icicles on the top of the pine tree, which was at least 150 paces away from them.

This goes far beyond the realm of hitting a willow leaf from a hundred paces!

Many military officers looked troubled; at this distance, it was too difficult to hit the icicles on the tree.

The third prince's archery skills were so-so, but he had at least studied them and knew how difficult they were.

However, he is the kind of person who enjoys watching others make a fool of themselves.

Clapping their hands, they cheered, "Excellent! If General Qian could hit that icicle, it would be more than just hitting a willow leaf from a hundred paces!"

"It's a pity that that bastard Bai Xiaosheng has disappeared, otherwise I would definitely spread General Qian's archery skills so that the whole world would know about them."

Qian Tao was helpless and increasingly felt that the Third Prince was insane.

The competition hasn't even started yet, and he's already trying to ruin himself by praising himself too much!

The Crown Prince also said, "In that case, generals, please demonstrate your archery skills so that I may also have a look."

The generals all took out their bows and arrows and aimed at the icicles on the distant pine tree.

When Qian Tao's bow was brought out, everyone was stunned!

Feng Polu walked over and carefully stroked Qian Tao's bow, his expression one of utter shock.

"Old Qian! Your bow must be almost three dan (a unit of weight) long, right?"

Qian Tao laughed and said, "Three stones? You really think highly of me. I can't even draw a bow that heavy. Don't even mention me, do you see anyone in the army who can draw such a heavy bow? My bow is at most two and a half stones!"

Upon hearing this number, the military officers were all speechless with astonishment.

The Third Prince looked incredulous and walked directly toward Qian Tao.

"A bow with a yield of two and a half stone? I simply don't believe it! Bring it here so I can test it!"

Before Qian Tao could agree, the Third Prince snatched the heavy bow and pulled it back.

But as soon as he started to exert force, he sensed something was wrong; the bow in his hand had only opened a little bit.

The third prince roared fiercely, "I refuse to believe it!"

Then he shouted loudly, using all his strength, but found that his arm was shaking like a leaf, his face was flushed, and the bow could only be drawn halfway.

Suddenly, one of the military officers let out a chuckle, and the Third Prince completely lost his strength.

Snapped--

He threw the heavy bow on the ground and cursed, "Who the hell was laughing? Do you know you're disturbing me?"

Others might fear the Third Prince, but Feng Polu did not.

"Third Prince, it's a good thing you're not in the military camp, otherwise you would have heard the whole army laughing."

The third prince pointed at him: "You..."

Feng Polu picked up the bow he had dropped on the ground and brushed the snow off it.

"Third Prince, it is important for a person to know their own limitations. Such a heavy bow, let alone you, even none of us would dare to say that we could easily draw it."

"This kind of heavy bow is for the heroes of the army. Among the generals of our Great Zhou, only Qian Tao is good enough. The others are not quite up to par."

The Third Prince crossed his arms and sneered, "Is that so? Then I'll see how General Qian draws this two-and-a-half-stone bow!"

Without saying a word, Qian Tao took the bow and arrow handed to him by Feng Polu and nocked an arrow.

Then, he firmly planted his feet, focused his energy in his dantian, and instantly drew the heavy bow to its full extent!

The soldiers couldn't help but cheer at the swift and fluid movement.

The third prince gaped in shock, but refused to back down.

"What's so great about being able to pull back? Being able to hit the target is the real skill..."

swoosh————

No sooner had the Third Prince finished speaking than the arrow flew from the bow and struck an icicle hanging from a pine tree.

The sound of the icicle shattering was crisp and pleasant from a distance of 150 steps!

"it is good!"

The soldiers erupted in enthusiastic cheers, and even the Crown Prince looked at Qian Tao with a hint of admiration.

This is a true warrior!

The heavy bow, weighing two and a half stones, could not only be drawn easily, but could also hit the target at a distance of one hundred and fifty paces.

With such skill, it's no wonder he was able to shoot down the enemy general amidst the chaos of battle!

After putting down his bow, Qian Tao looked at the distant pine tree with some regret.

He bowed to the Crown Prince and said, "Your Highness, my archery skills are poor, and I failed to hit the icicle that the Imperial Grandson pointed to."

Upon hearing this, the Third Prince said somewhat displeased, "General Qian, with such ability, why are you being modest?"

"Besides you, who else here could hit the icicles on that tree from such a distance?"

"It's not a big deal that I just didn't hit the highest one?"

Qian Tao smiled and nodded; he was being modest when he said that.

In archery, apart from the Blue-Faced War God, he had never been convinced by anyone.

Everyone at today's deer hunt feast—and he meant everyone—is insignificant in his presence!

Just as he was about to say a few more humble words, Jiang Nianxing said, "Father, I can also draw this bow."

“Not only can I pull it apart, but I’m afraid I’m even more skilled than General Qian. I’m sure I can hit the tallest icicle.”

Upon hearing this, Qian Tao froze on the spot and turned to look at Yuan Xing.

Although Yuan Xing was much taller than ordinary children, Qian Tao did not believe that he had such superhuman strength.

It can pull a 300-pound bow!

Yuanxing understood Jiang Nianxing's meaning. Although Jiang Nianxing had ulterior motives, they shared the same goal in the long run.

So Yuanxing stood up and said, "Father, I want to try."

The Crown Prince was also stunned. He had only heard Mei Xingyue say that her youngest son was a military talent.

But he didn't know that Jiang Nianyue was born with superhuman strength.

Seeing Jiang Nianyue stand up to draw his bow, the Crown Prince's face turned pale.