The arena fell silent, the only sound the ragged breathing of Yan Yi and the faint echo of the arrow's departure.
"What just happened?" a spectator whispered; awe evident in their voices. "Why was Yan Yi attacking thin air?"
"Did Yan Jin mess with his senses somehow?" another murmured. "His precision... his power... it's beyond anything I've ever seen."
Even the skeptics in the crowd couldn't help but be impressed. Yan Jin had not only avoided Yan Yi's full-force attack but had also turned the tables in the most spectacular fashion.
"He's more than just an archer," one of the more experienced warriors commented. "He's a true master of his craft."
The Yan family members were seething. "How could this happen?" Yan Li fumed. "This was supposed to be a simple victory."
"This Yan Jin is too crafty," Yan Xin muttered. "How could Yan Yi fall for such a trick?"
Purple Spear Meng chuckled softly. "It seems the Yan family underestimated their opponent."
Fu Shang, watching intently, shook her head. "I've never seen anything like it. Did Yan Jin somehow mess with his perception?"
Captain Nie Li's eyes glinted with interest. "Interesting... very interesting. Yan Jin, you've certainly caught my attention. There's more to you than meets the eye."
Yan Jin straightened, his demeanor as calm and composed as ever. He had proven his worth, demonstrating not only his archery skills but also his strategic brilliance and ability to handle high-pressure situations. The debate about the effectiveness of archery in combat was conclusively settled. Yan Jin stood victorious; his reputation elevated to new heights.
Yan Yi, on the other hand, was left to grapple with his failure. His pride had been shattered along with his saber, and his left ear throbbed painfully where the arrow had grazed him. He had been bested in the most humiliating manner, and the crowd's reaction only intensified his shame.
"Ah Guard Yan Yi, I moved from my initial position. It seems like I have lost. What a shame had you not unleashing a peak Level blood purification energy I would not have been so startled" he said adding insult to injury.
"I apologize for letting you see a sore sight; I will head back and reflect on my behavior" he said bowing toward the nobles as he left with the assistance of Lan Zhan.
Yan Bai watched in silent horror, hand over his mouth, as they spoke:
"We shouldn't be meeting like this, especially when the clan is on edge," Yan Li said, aggressively smooching the neck of his partner.
"Ugh... I know, but somebody knows about us. I told you we should have killed Yan Yi, and the others like we did Yan Bei Shang and that child," the third consort said.
"I sent Yan Yi to kill Yan Yang. I will get rid of him when he returns. We can blame the evidence on the Money God," Yan Li replied.
"My mother wants you to marry my little sister. I... Ugh... I told her no," she said.
"Why would you say that?" he asked, interrupting the whole ordeal.
"What do you mean, why? I got this scar defending you, I killed your wife at your request, and birthed a son for you, and now you want to remarry? You are very heartless," she said, tearing up.
"People are going to get suspicious. Let's talk about it later," Yan Li said, fixing his clothes as he left the meeting place.
Emerging from the shadows, Yan Bai was engulfed by a torrent of emotions. He had always respected and admired his father, believing him to be a man of honor. Now, he was faced with the devastating truth: his father was responsible for his mother's death, all for a sordid affair.
Yan Bai's mind raced back to the day his mother died. He had been so young, his heart shattered by her loss. The grief had consumed him, but his father's comforting words had always been there to soothe the pain. The memories of his mother's gentle touch, her loving smile, and her unwavering support flooded back. She had been his world, and her sudden death had left a void that nothing could fill.
He had vowed to make her proud, to honor her memory through his achievements.
But now, knowing that his father, the man who had promised to protect and cherish their family, was the one who had orchestrated her death, filled him with an indescribable rage. The betrayal cut deep. Shock and disbelief gave way to profound anger and sorrow. His father, whom he had held in such high esteem, was nothing more than a murderer and a cheat.
The respect and love he had felt were replaced by a burning need for justice.
Determined to gather evidence, Yan Bai knew he needed to speak with Yan Yi and Yan Yang before confronting his father.
His world, once so stable and filled with admiration, had been turned upside down.