Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

A moment later.

The first volley of arrows had just subsided when a chorus of screams erupted one after another.

However, before anyone could catch their breath, the second volley of arrows had already followed close behind.

Some clutched their pierced legs, collapsing and writhing on the ground.

Others clutched at wounds that ran through their abdomens, trying to stuff their spilling entrails back in.

One man was still in a running pose, pinned dead to a tree trunk. It was a metal Arrow, different from the rest; the first had pierced his shoulder blade, and the second was driven straight through his head, hoisting his entire body against the wood.

In just a few short moments.

The squad, which had been conducting an orderly retreat just moments before, was torn to shreds. More than half were dead or wounded.

”Don’t panic! Everyone, stay calm!”

Zhu Kang pressed himself against a thick, old pine. He peeked out, quickly scanned his surroundings, then ducked back behind cover before shouting:

”Those of you who can still move, find cover now! Hide yourselves!”

This operation was staffed by the elite Manor Soldiers and Hunters of Jiuan Hunting Manor. Although more than half were now casualties, their formation hadn’t completely collapsed.

Besides, they were men who spent their years in the mountains and forests; they knew what to do without Zhu Kang needing to tell them.

”Meng Tang! Get everyone near you to watch the east!”

Zhu Kang’s voice rang out again:

”The rest of you, move toward my position under cover! If you can’t, focus on guarding the west and north!”

”Understood!”

Blood was still seeping from the cut on Meng Tang’s face, but he paid it no mind. He crouched behind a protruding rock and gestured to the few Manor Soldiers nearby who could still move.

The men had already found their own cover. They drew their bows to full strength, their arrowheads aimed at the dense woods to the east.

For a moment, the rain of arrows, now without targets, finally ceased.

All that remained was the sound of heavy, ragged breathing and the dull thumping of heartbeats, like a drumroll.

Another moment passed.

From the dense forest in the distance came the rustling sound of footsteps.

The enemy was repositioning, slowly tightening their encirclement.

Zhu Kang’s ears twitched. He immediately used hand signals to relay the enemy movements he detected to his men.

At the same time, he didn’t forget to glance down at the unconscious Wang Chuang beside him.

He had reacted quickly, dragging Wang Chuang into a blind spot behind the cover at the first opportunity, ensuring he wasn’t hit by an arrow or otherwise injured.

”SWISH!”

Suddenly, an Arrow shot out from behind a large tree to the east, aimed straight for the left side of Meng Tang’s neck.

Meng Tang was no amateur. Already on guard, he twisted his body and dodged the Arrow.

He narrowed his eyes, staring in the direction the Arrow had come from, a cold glint flashing in his pupils.

Instantly, he raised his Hunting Bow, drew the string to its limit, and nocked two Feathered Arrows.

”SWOOSH—”

The next instant, the bowstring snapped, and two Arrows shot out like venomous snakes. The sounds were so close together they merged into one.

”Urk, argh—!”

Two short screams of agony came from that direction.

Followed by the dull thud of heavy objects hitting the ground.

”Beautiful!”

Zhu Kang barked in a low voice, but his gaze didn’t waver as he continued to scan the surroundings, his own Hunting Bow clutched tightly in his hand.

As men of the Hunting Manor, none of them were poor at Archery.

And Zhu Kang’s Archery was second only to the Manor Master, Wang Peng. His hands were itching for a fight, eager to lock onto the enemy’s position and give them a taste of his own medicine.

However, after losing two men, the enemy had clearly grown more cautious.

They wouldn’t loose an Arrow so easily and expose their positions.

The two sides seemed to have entered a stalemate. For a time, no one fired another shot.

...

In the distance, three figures emerged from behind several thick, ancient trees, approaching at a leisurely pace.

Those old trees were so thick it would take two people to encircle one. Their bark was cracked like scales, and behind each one hid an elite Archer clad in a dark gray Cloak.

Their bows were already drawn, Arrowheads glinting coldly in the gloom, ready to strike again at a moment’s notice.

”Young Manor Master Bai, this successful endeavor is all thanks to your brilliant plan!”

Of the three figures walking slowly forward, the one on the right who had spoken was built like a bear, with a broad back and thick waist. His arms were thicker than an ordinary man’s thighs, corded with bulging muscle.

He wore a dusty, gray wolf-pelt greatcoat. Its fur was mottled, and the edges were worn shiny, testament to countless years of use.

His face was a mass of bulging flesh. A twisted ridge of scar tissue ran from the corner of his left eye to his cheekbone, likely the result of being smashed by a blunt weapon years ago, the flesh having healed outward after scabbing over.

When he spoke, the ridge of flesh twisted with his expression, making him look unspeakably ferocious.

His voice was as coarse as grinding stones, yet he deliberately lowered his tone, infusing it with a sycophantic air:

”Under your guidance, Young Manor Master Bai, not only did we capture the Mutant Tiger several days ahead of schedule, but we also got to round up all the big fish from Jiuan Hunting Manor. Brilliant! Truly brilliant!”

As he spoke, he gave a thumbs-up. The thumb was as thick as a radish, with several calluses from a knife on it.

”I’ve been running wild on Grass Head Mountain for over twenty years, and I’m no stranger to killing and setting fires. But when it comes to planning and scheming, compared to you... well, it’s like a common turtle meeting a divine dragon. We’re not even in the same league!”

”Patriarch Chu, you flatter me.”

The young man in the middle was dressed in a white fur greatcoat. In his hand, he carried a long, thick Hard Bow inlaid with beast patterns of pure gold.

It was none other than the Young Manor Master of Cangying Hunting Manor, Bai Fangshuo.

His steps were unhurried, and his tone was calm as he said:

”For this operation, it was inconvenient for the men of the Bai Family to show their faces publicly. I have Patriarch Chu to thank for lending me your brothers to help.”

”Of course, of course!”

Zhu Biao grinned, then turned his head and spat a thick wad of phlegm on the ground.

”That damn Jiuan Hunting Manor! Every time the Captain’s Mansion comes to wipe out bandits, they just have to stick their noses in. This old man... oh, no, I mean, I’ve wanted to get rid of them for ages! With Young Manor Master Bai giving me this opportunity, I’ll of course give you my full support!”

Zhu Biao paused, his gaze shifting to the person on Bai Fangshuo’s left. His tone softened even more.

”Besides, with the Lord Altar Master putting in a word, how could I dare not give it my all...”