31. Master Archer!

The requirement was to hold the stone lock for three breaths to pass the test.

Xie An, however, held it for six. Only when he began to feel the strain in his waist and arms did he lower the lock. He did so slowly, yet because of its immense weight, the moment it struck the ground, it produced a loud thud that made the earth tremble.

"Good! Good!"

Elder Tang exclaimed twice, his shock and delight evident. In the county seat, lifting seven hundred pounds was nothing extraordinary, but this was Wuqiao Town. Because of its remote location, the talented individuals of the Tiger-Wolf Gate were reluctant to join the White Feather Hall. This branch had always been short on talent.

Seeing Elder Tang’s reaction, Zhang Lin finally let out a sigh of relief. He had been worried that the Elder might reject Xie An, which would have implicated him. Now that the Elder had spoken so highly of him, even if Xie An showed some shortcomings in combat, it was unlikely that the Elder would accuse Zhang Lin of favoritism.

Elder Tang, having settled back into his grand armchair, was in a much better mood. "Have you trained with any weapons?"

Xie An did not hide the truth. "Only archery."

Elder Tang’s expression dimmed. Ordinarily, the second part of the assessment was live combat, where Tong Shan would spar with the candidate to test their practical skills. Perhaps out of a newfound appreciation for Xie An’s talent and pity for his age—fearing that Tong Shan might accidentally injure him—the Elder decided that testing the old man’s archery would suffice. If his archery was proficient enough, it would be equivalent to a demonstration of combat capability.

"Since you have not trained with weapons, it would be unfair to have you spar with Tong Shan, who excels in blade techniques. Archery is equally important. What weight of bow are you accustomed to using?"

Xie An replied, "A two-stone bow is the most reliable."

Xie An could lift seven hundred pounds with one arm. According to the measurements of the Great Qian Dynasty, a one-stone bow required two hundred pounds of pull. He could easily draw a three-stone bow, or even a four-stone bow if he used both arms. However, in archery, a heavier bow is not always better; if drawing the bow is a struggle, it causes excessive muscle contraction throughout the body, leading to instability in the hands and feet—and the mind. Aiming then becomes a major issue. Xie An estimated that a two-stone bow was perfect for him; it would not compromise his accuracy.

Elder Tang nodded. "Tong Shan, go fetch a two-stone bow."

"Yes, Elder."

Tong Shan entered the room and quickly returned with a heavy bow and a quiver containing five arrows, handing them to Xie An. Xie An expressed his thanks and took them. He gripped the handle and pulled the string; it was effortless—just right.

Elder Tang pointed to a poplar tree outside the courtyard. "There are two small sparrows on the branch, about a hundred meters away. Give it a try."

"Understood."

Xie An agreed immediately, took a firm stance, and aimed at the sparrows on the treetop. He drew an arrow, nocked it, and slowly pulled the bow to full moon.

Because the draw was effortless, his arm muscles remained relaxed, ensuring his aim stayed true. Now, it was a matter of calculation. A two-stone bow of the Great Qian Dynasty had a draw weight of four hundred pounds. It could shoot two hundred meters, but the power dropped significantly in the latter half of the flight. Combined with the effects of gravity, the projectile’s trajectory would dip sharply, making it difficult to aim. However, within the first hundred meters, the velocity was at its peak, the drop was minimal, and the target was manageable.

Elder Tang clearly knew this, which was why he had chosen a distance of one hundred meters for the test. Hitting a target as small as a sparrow at one hundred meters would qualify one as a master archer even in the army. The archery test for the provincial martial examinations only required a range of one hundred and twenty to thirty meters.

Xie An knew that if he hit these sparrows, he would pass the combat assessment. He would then become a deacon of the Tiger-Wolf Gate, and his life would step onto an entirely new level. His future prospects—success or failure—all rested on this single arrow.

The pressure was immense.

Xie An knew he had to take it seriously. He took several deep breaths, forcing himself to remain calm despite the pressure. He understood that many people were capable in daily life but faltered under pressure because their mindset failed them. It was like the students in his past life who topped the mock exams only to fail the national entrance exam; the stakes were so high that they became hesitant and indecisive. In a word, they overthought things.

Xie An warned himself not to overthink. Just perform to his ability. If he failed, he could settle for being a deputy deacon or lie low for a few more years—it wasn't the end of the world. As the Art of War stated, a general must consider defeat before victory to remain invincible. It was no wonder the Tiger-Wolf Gate required on-site assessments; beyond verifying strength, it was also a test of character.

Having accepted the potential consequences of failure, all hesitation vanished. His mind was cleared of distractions. In his eyes and heart, there was only the arrow and the birds on the branch. He entered a state of near-perfect focus.

He waited. He waited for the two sparrows to align.

If he was going to shoot, why not shoot both? That would surely double Elder Tang’s appreciation.

The three men in the courtyard watched as Xie An held his position, assuming the pressure was too much and he lacked confidence. Zhang Lin even broke into a cold sweat for him. But Xie An ignored them, patiently waiting for his moment.

Finally, the two sparrows shifted, aligning perfectly.

Now!

Xie An abruptly released the string.

*Hum!*

With a piercing sound, the arrow tore through the air toward the poplar tree. The chirping of the two sparrows was silenced instantly as they were both pierced by the single shaft. The arrow did not stop there; carrying the remainder of its kinetic energy, it slammed into the branch with a sharp *thwack*. The branch, as thick as a wrist, was split through, shaking the poplar violently and sending snow cascading down.

Only then did Xie An lower his bow, a satisfied smile on his face. He had withstood the pressure and performed as expected.

The other three in the yard were all initiated martial artists with heightened senses and sharp vision; they naturally saw what had happened on the treetop. Zhang Lin was startled, his view of Xie An changed entirely. He had assumed the old man only possessed strength comparable to the Copper Skin realm, and that he could easily control him or act as his superior. Now, he felt a twinge of unease.

Tong Shan nodded repeatedly at Xie An, his eyes full of approval.

"Bravo!"

Elder Tang rose to his feet. "You have passed the combat assessment with this archery. Zhang Lin, you have recommended a master archer to our Tiger-Wolf Gate. Tong Shan, bring the register."

Tong Shan brought the book and a brush. Elder Tang took them, about to write Xie An’s name, when he suddenly paused. "Wait, I don't yet know your name?"

Xie An glanced at Zhang Lin, then leaned toward the Elder, whispering so only he could hear: "I am Xie An."

Elder Tang did not ask about his age or background, upholding the Tiger-Wolf Gate’s fine tradition of recruiting talent regardless of origin. He immediately wrote "Xie An" in the register, adding the title: *Deacon of the White Feather Hall*.

Then, Elder Tang had Tong Shan bring an inkpad. "Press your thumbprint here. From this moment on, you are a deacon under the banner of the Tiger-Wolf Gate."

"Yes, Elder Tang."

Xie An bowed, pressed his right thumb into the inkpad, and then pressed it onto the register next to his name. The entry was strikingly clear: *Xie An (Deacon of the White Feather Hall)*.

Suppressing his excitement, he pressed his finger down heavily. He knew that from this day forward, his life had stepped onto a new path.