And her heart seemed to be shot forcefully by that arrow that flew out rapidly, suddenly pounding heavily before she could breathe again. But at the same time, an even faster, swift lightning followed her arrow, whooshing out, striking the burning wooden post!

It was Lei Yu’s arrow!

The two arrows were on the target one after the other, but Shang Ruyi could see clearly that her arrow hit the top of that wooden post, almost missing the target by inches, while Lei Yu’s arrow precisely struck the center of that wooden post, without missing by the slightest margin!

The heart that was finally restored to a calm rhythm stumbled again at this moment, and she turned to glance at Lei Yu.

"Lei—"

Shang Ruyi instinctively wanted to say something, but as soon as she opened her mouth, she saw Lei Yu’s eyes.

Her words couldn’t come out.

Lei Yu’s eyes appeared calm and steady, as if frozen with frost, staring intently at the burning wooden post. Despite the fiery blaze, it could not melt the coldness of her gaze, as if it couldn’t dissolve the ice already condensed in her heart at this moment!

She wants to win over me!

No, she doesn’t want to win over me, she just wants me to lose!

Even though she went against what she just told her, Shang Ruyi felt a surge of fiery warmth rushing in her heart at this moment, almost brimming from her eyes.

Lei Yu hasn’t changed.

No matter how long they have been apart, no matter their different camps, no matter how much unspeakable suffering she has gone through, Lei Yu is still Lei Yu.

She appears so strong, even sharp, yet her heart is as soft as the spring in Jiangnan, the breeze brushing by.

She is still so gentle.

She wants me to live!

Shang Ruyi gritted her teeth, forcibly suppressing the warm stream of acidity rising in her heart, once again looked forward. The chilly wind swiftly dried the tears from her eyes, and she saw clearly once more that the burning wooden pillar was getting closer and closer to them.

Just then, another sharp, sudden sound brushed past her ears!

"Ah!"

Shang Ruyi let out a hurried low cry, almost before she could react. Lei Yu, who had just shot an arrow, without any pause, reached back into her arrow tube, pulled out the second arrow, drew the bow and strung it all in one go. As the crowd on both sides of the long path had just begun to cheer for her first arrow’s precision, another arrow flew out from her fingertips!

The second arrow hit the target again!

"Great!"

A cheer erupted from the crowd.

Not only the surrounding Turkic soldiers and civilians, but even Ashina Shali couldn’t help but nod as he sat by the low table.

He can’t say he’s too satisfied with this daughter-in-law, after all, she came as a result of a trade of interests, and she’s a Han person; yet his youngest son likes her, coupled with the occasional pillow talk from his favored concubine, he has also acquiesced to accept this daughter-in-law. But, as Shang Ruyi said, people on the grassland admire strength, those who have strength can earn their respect and favor—even Shang Ruohong back then, despite his deep hatred, Ashina Shali had a grudging admiration for him in his heart.

After all, not every Han person has Shang Ruohong’s guts, to venture solo deep into Turkic lands, walking on the blade’s edge.

Moreover, accomplishing the division of the Turkic right under his nose.

The two women before him, one is the daughter of Shang Ruohong, determined and fearless in crises; the other—is adept at riding and shooting, not inferior to men.

In his heart, he indeed has a few unspeakable fondness for them.

If truly, Shang Ruyi could also become the wife of his elder son, at least he wouldn’t have to worry about the chambers of his two sons.

Thinking this way, Ashina Shali’s sharp eyes once again watched Shang Ruyi.

Lei Yu’s second arrow also precisely hit the target, its tip almost completely overlapping with the first arrow, the shaft and feathers soon swallowed by flames, but the snow-bright arrowhead shone with a fiercer glow amid the blaze!

Shang Ruyi clenched her jaw, using fingers made pale and even numb and swollen by the bowstring from shooting the first arrow, once again drew the longbow, affixing the arrowhead as cold as ice on her fingertip. Gritting her teeth, as beneath her the swift horse galloped forward with a jolt, she struggled to steady her arms, lifting the arrowhead, aimed at the wooden post that had already turned into a tiny volcano.

At that moment, the glimmer in the flames flickered like a sharp thorn, briefly stabbing her eyes.

Shang Ruyi’s fingertips trembled, and the arrow flew out from her grasp!

The arrowhead wrapped in chill wind swept across Shang Ruyi’s cheek, while an ominous feeling emerged in Shang Ruyi’s heart.

Oh no!

Her eyes widened, watching helplessly as the arrow shot out, barely brushing the burning wooden post.

This arrow missed the target!

Instantly, a low cry erupted from the surrounding crowd, some shouted excitedly, others showed disdain. Meanwhile, Lei Yu, continuing to gallop alongside, showed a hint of bewilderment on seeing this missed arrow.

Yet, she didn’t hesitate in the slightest, drawing her right hand back, pulled out the last arrow from the arrow tube!

And Shang Ruyi, seeing this missed arrow, a hint of panic emerged across her face, yet this emotion only lingered for a moment, soon dispersed by the fierce chill. She let out a deep breath, glanced sideways, and saw Lei Yu releasing the reins, both arms raised high, drawing the longbow into a full moon.

The arrow once again gleamed with cold light, aimed ahead!

At the same time, Ashina Zhuxie slowly stood from behind Ashina Shali.

His tall figure stood out strikingly amid the crowd, but the face, always expressionless, with cold severity, was now illuminated by flames, his gaze becoming scorching.

He widened his eyes, fixedly watching Lei Yu, then turned to Shang Ruyi.

How will this last arrow fare!?