A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 385: Chapter 385 Hunting 2

Of course, these were only the thoughts of Seventh Master. As for what Fifth Master and Sixth Master thought, that remained unknown.

「...」

Zhao Junyan truly had impressive horsemanship. He continually forced Sixth Master’s horse into a depression, and Seventh Master (Zhao Junyan) overtook him while climbing the slope. Zhao Junyan then stepped on the horse’s back, his whole body soaring into the air. In the blink of an eye, he landed firmly on Sixth Master’s horse and rescued him.

Fifth Master soon caught up. Seeing Sixth Master was unharmed, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. Then, frowning, he reprimanded, ”Sixth Brother, you’re being way too reckless! If something had happened, you would have worried Mother Consort again...”

Sixth Master retorted angrily, ”Spare me your false concern!” Having said this, he dismounted and ran off into the distance. His leg wasn’t working well, so he couldn’t run fast. He was quickly caught up by Fifth Master.

Fifth Master looked at him, pondering for a good while before he said pointedly, ”You should seek revenge on those who harmed you. What good is wallowing in self-pity here? If you get injured falling, you’re the only one who will suffer in the end!”

After hearing this, Sixth Master stopped dead in his tracks.

On reflection, it seemed to make sense! I still have one good leg; if that gets injured too, then I really will be ruined!

His eyes grew colder, his gaze turned sinister, and the fists hidden in his sleeves clenched tightly, knuckles white.

”What Fifth Brother says is true!” he exclaimed. ”If I get injured, it will only pain my loved ones and delight my enemies!”

Fifth Master immediately showed a face full of relief. ”My good brother, you’ve finally come to understand...” As he spoke, he even pretended to wipe a nonexistent tear from the corner of his eye with his sleeve!

Zhao Junyan, still on horseback, had intended to go over. Seeing that the two brothers were already heading his way, he decided against it.

Sixth Master seemed to have had an awakening. He approached Seventh Master and bowed respectfully. ”Sixth Brother’s leg is an inconvenience, and my heart was troubled. In my haste, I worried you, Seventh Brother! Thank you for saving my life!”

Seventh Master was somewhat dumbfounded. After all, it was the first time he had ever seen Sixth Brother being so polite to him.

It’s truly a bit unsettling...

”Ahem... Sixth Brother, there’s no need for such formality. It’s what a younger brother should do!”

Sixth Master feigned a sigh of relief and straightened up. ”It was I who worried my two good brothers!” Then he looked around and said, ”We don’t know where we are. Let’s head back first!”

Zhao Junyan didn’t think much of it and just smiled. ”I know where we are. There’s still plenty of time, and there’s nothing urgent to do back there. Let’s go join the others in the hunt!”

A glint flashed through Sixth Master’s eyes, gone in an instant. When he looked up again, his expression was tinged with bitterness. ”Seventh Brother, perhaps you should call Fifth Brother to join you! As for me...” His eyes were full of desolation.

Fifth Master, standing by his side, comforted and encouraged him. ”Hey... you rode off, and it took us so long to catch up. Your riding skills are excellent! It won’t hinder your hunting. Let’s go together...” Having said that, he swung himself onto his horse!

Sixth Master hesitated for a moment, then also mounted his horse.

Fifth Master was very pleased. ”Let’s go! Move out!”

Zhao Junyan was a bit worried, but seeing the brothers were willing, he didn’t say much more. The three brothers headed towards the main hunting party, their speed neither fast nor slow. After about half an hour, they finally caught up. The main party had already scattered, with some already in pursuit of game.

Sixth Master’s gaze searched constantly until it locked onto Young Master Yang Chenyi of the Yang Family. His eyes instantly turned malevolent.

Hmph! If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have ended up in this state! It’s all because of that Yang Chenyi!

Thinking this, a cold sneer curled his lips, and he spurred his horse forward.

Yang Chenyi’s gaze was also searching, but unlike Sixth Master, he was searching for prey. The Imperial Hunting Grounds were managed by specialized caretakers. The animals inside, ranging from lions and tigers to wild pheasants and hares, were all semi-wild, released into the grounds. They lived carefree lives, having never encountered humans, and thus did not fear them. So, as long as one stood still, they wouldn’t hide.

Yang Chenyi’s gaze was as keen as a knife, scanning slowly through the trees. Suddenly, his gaze fixed—he had spotted his prey!

”A sika deer!”

The corner of his lip curled slightly. He grabbed the reins, chose a suitable position, then spurred his horse and gave chase with a crack of his whip!

Not far away, Sixth Master’s lips also curled into a smirk. ”A sika deer, is it?” He pulled a few arrows from the quiver on his back, nocked one on his powerful crossbow, and also gave chase.

It’s hunting, after all. Everyone makes this motion. Who would be on guard?!

Yang Chenyi chased the sika deer for three li. The number of people around him dwindled, and the forest grew denser. Sounds from dozens of yards away were absorbed by the thick woods. Of course, he didn’t notice that half a li away, someone was watching him with malevolent eyes.

Finally, the time, place, and circumstances were all aligned. The sika deer was exhausted to the point of collapse. Yang Chenyi raised his bow and nocked an arrow, intending to deliver a heart-piercing shot.

Just then, Sixth Master, who was nearby, also raised his crossbow. There was no suspense; his target was Yang Chenyi.

The bow and crossbow were drawn, and two sharp projectiles were launched almost simultaneously. Yang Chenyi’s arrow, as expected, flew straight toward the sika deer. But Sixth Master’s bolt encountered an unexpected problem. The force of the crossbow was tremendous. Just as the cold bolt sliced through the air, about to hit Yang Chenyi’s leg, it suddenly changed direction. It was pierced by another, even more powerful, bolt from a crossbow and was driven firmly into the trunk of a tree in a different direction.

Huh?!

Sixth Master’s heart skipped a beat. He looked closely and saw that another bolt had collided squarely with his own. The two projectiles had struck each other, veered off course, and embedded themselves in the tree trunk. Due to his lack of arm strength, the bolt he shot had been easily deflected. The other bolt, however, had hardly changed its trajectory at all!

Sixth Master’s eyes widened in shock. ”Who?”

Who on earth possesses such incredible arm strength! More importantly, who just ruined my plan!

At that moment, someone emerged from the direction where the intercepting bolt had originated. Sixth Master’s eyes widened further, his expression turning to terror. ”You are...”

”Indeed, it is I!”

Sixth Master watched as the large figure dismounted and approached him, his heart pounding like a drum.

Isn’t this person... isn’t he...

”This year’s New Martial Champion?”

Zheng the Tiger looked at Sixth Master and offered a cupped-fist salute, a smile on his face that didn’t reach his eyes. ”Zheng the Tiger pays his respects to the Sixth Prince!”

His words were respectful, but his tone carried a clear touch of disdain. His gaze upon Sixth Master was like looking at a pile of dung. Zheng the Tiger wasn’t one for lofty principles. He simply knew that anyone who launched a sneak attack when another was unprepared was definitely not a good person.

Sixth Master truly lost his nerve.

Zheng the Tiger? He truly lives up to his name, as robust as a tiger! No, more like an ox! Standing before me, his towering presence blocks out the sunlight. The sheer force of his aura makes it difficult to breathe. I’m terrified!

”You... how are you here?!” Struggling to maintain his composure, Sixth Master forced himself to ask, his scalp tingling with fear.

Zheng the Tiger gave him a cold glance and said nonchalantly, ”I had just slain a lion and was on my way back when, unexpectedly... I encountered the Sixth Prince!”

Upon hearing this, Sixth Master felt even more intimidated.