What a Precise Shot!

"Boom boom boom!"

The war drum sounded for the first time on Changqi's city walls, making all the women and children nervous. The civilian workers, young men, and three hundred soldiers rushed to defend the walls.

The so-called city wall was actually the wooden fort wall built at the beginning, made of black pine logs. Two rows of wooden stakes were filled with sand, rocks, and earth, making it quite sturdy. It was twice as high as before, reaching two zhang (about 6.66 meters). While it couldn't compare to the walls of Yunyang Pass, it was more than enough to defend against ordinary bandits.

When Luo Yu and his men arrived at the wall, they saw a group of bandits gathered outside, a dark mass of at least two to three hundred people. Some were on horseback, others on foot, wielding various weapons - mostly simple broadswords, with the occasional spear that looked like it had been discarded from the military.

"Bandits."

Luo Yu smiled coldly. "Just as Jun Muzhu predicted, Yao's family's revenge came quickly."

A rider galloped out of the bandit ranks, the man on horseback shouting:

"Liu Ban'er of Stoneheap Ridge has heard much about City Lord Luo of Changqi. I come today to pay my respects!"

"Pay respects" was local bandit slang - it could mean coming to meet and make acquaintance, or more ominously, to give a warning.

"Ah, Stoneheap Ridge bandits."

After being in Changqi for so long, Xiao Shaoyou had familiarized himself with the surrounding terrain.

"From Changqi to Fengchuan, you'll pass through a graveyard scattered with large and small stones. The locals call it Stoneheap Ridge. It's said a bandit gang has been hiding there, living off plundering and robbing the people.

Their leader, who lost half his ear to soldiers years ago, calls himself Liu Ban'er."

"A ragtag bunch."

Luo Yu's eyes narrowed as he called out coldly:

"May I ask what brings Leader Liu to Changqi today?"

The horseback Liu Ban'er grinned:

"Firstly, City Lord Luo's great victory against the Qiang at Yunyang Pass saved our border. As fellow Longxi residents, we should at least say thank you.

Secondly, a friend asked me to deliver a message to City Lord Luo: Sanchi Mountain is a blessed land. Enjoy your life here, but stay out of Fengchuan's affairs. Don't offend people you shouldn't."

Everyone's faces turned cold. No need to ask - this was clearly Yao Lin and Du Gang sending these bandits to intimidate them.

Liu Ban'er spurred his horse back to the ranks, raising an eyebrow at a man in a tight-fitting coat:

"Brother Two, show them something."

"Ride!"

The young man, barely in his twenties, had a face like an iceberg, devoid of any expression. He rode out several dozen steps before reining in his horse, bowing and saying coldly:

"Stoneheap Ridge's Yu Han Gong greets all the heroes!"

"Let me show you!"

The man held a bow in one hand and an arrow in the other, aiming at the wall.

Everyone watched curiously - what was he trying to do? This distance was beyond the range of ordinary archers.

"Whoosh!"

An arrow shot out, tracing an arc through the air.

Changqi didn't have its own banner yet, still flying the "Qian" military flag brought back from the border. The arrow hit the flagpole dead center, creating a small crack in the wooden post.

Everyone's expressions changed - that was a good shot with impressive strength.

"Whoosh!"

Another arrow flew, hitting the same spot and widening the crack. Even Luo Yu's expression changed slightly.

"Whoosh!"

The third arrow landed between the first two, the force spreading through the existing crack and instantly snapping the pole. The "Qian" flag fell limply to the ground.

"Whoa!"

Everyone drew a sharp breath. Three arrows from such a distance, all hitting the exact same spot.

"What incredible archery."

Luo Yu called out coldly:

"Meng Hu!"

Meng Hu understood immediately, grinning fiercely as he grabbed his spear and galloped out of the city, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Yu Han Gong remained calm, switching from bow to spear. His mountain-like build surprised him, and he bowed:

"May I ask your name?"

"Meng Hu!"

Meng Hu brandished his spear: "I suggest you leave now while you can. I've killed countless Qiang bandits. Don't lose your life here."

"Quite the boast."

Yu Han Gong held his spear at an angle: "Let's see?"

"Hmph, I'm not afraid of you!"

Meng Hu didn't bother with words, charging straight at him. Yu Han Gong, who seemed skilled not just in archery but also horseback combat, didn't dodge, blocking with his spear.

"Clang!"

The heavy impact made Yu Han Gong's face change. Meng Hu's strength was greater than he expected.

"Ho ho, you can actually block Grandpa's spear?"

Meng Hu was surprised, charging again. Yu Han Gong was furious:

"Arrogant to the extreme, take this!"

"Clang clang clang!"

The two men on horseback exchanged over a dozen blows. While Meng Hu's brute strength gave him the upper hand, Yu Han Gong managed to avoid danger each time, never losing the fight.

"To be able to fight Meng Hu for so long without losing, his spear skills are already top-notch."

Xiao Shaoyou was impressed. "I didn't expect such a capable person to be in a mere bandit gang."

Luo Yu's eyes flickered, his attention entirely on Yu Han Gong.

Under another heavy blow from Meng Hu, Yu Han Gong finally couldn't hold on. His arms went numb, and he pulled his reins to turn and run, quickly covering several dozen steps.

"Damn, he runs fast!"

Meng Hu gripped his spear, spurring his horse: "You think you can run from me? Changqi isn't a place anyone can trample on!"

The two horses raced, one chasing, one fleeing.

"Damn, we've been tricked!"

Luo Yu's eyes widened as he shouted: "Don't chase him!"

From such a distance, Meng Hu couldn't hear Luo Yu's warning. All he could see was Yu Han Gong fleeing, determined to teach these bandits a lesson.

But suddenly, he saw the figure ahead turn and shoot an arrow. Meng Hu's entire body went rigid - there was no time to react. He could only watch helplessly as an arrow grazed his cheek, leaving a thin trail of blood.

The wound was light and shallow, but blood still seeped through.

Meng Hu froze, too shocked to move.

Partly from fear, partly from confusion.

That arrow should have been lethal. Why did he hold back?

"Clang clang clang!"

The urgent sound of the gong rang out. Meng Hu didn't think twice, glancing at Yu Han Gong before turning his horse back, his scalp drenched in cold sweat.

Liu Ban'er frowned:

"Why didn't you kill him? At this distance, with your archery skills, you could hit anything you aimed at?"

Yu Han Gong's face remained expressionless:

"He's a hero who's killed Qiang bandits at the border. No need to make a mortal enemy. Besides, Yao's family only asked us to make sure no jar of liquor leaves Changqi. They didn't ask us to kill anyone."

"Fine, you're still so stubborn."

Liu Ban'er pursed his lips, shouting at the city walls:

"City Lord Luo, starting today, don't sell any three-proof liquor. Otherwise, don't blame us!"

"Let's go!"

The several hundred bandits rode off, leaving Meng Hu with a red face:

"Brother Yu, I've disgraced you."

"Next time, be more careful! If he hadn't held back, you'd be dead now!"

Luo Yu watched the retreating figures, a slight smile on his lips:

"Yu Han Gong."