Chapter 497: Chapter 311: Nianjun’s Admiration, Secret Rivalry Between Two Women, Rising Fame, the Lady Hears the News (Part 3)

Wang Dezhong said: "Oh?" Gu Nianjun replied: "Archery... In a family of martial arts, even the idle children will have some skill. Archery can be practiced at the initial stage, but the further one progresses, one encounters a bottleneck, finding it difficult to advance, relying solely on talent and flair. If someone has exceptional archery skills, they can perfect their archery."

"The arrow carries one’s unique spirit. Their arrow is faster, their momentum stronger, perhaps achieving such mastery. Yet, those who can achieve this are rare! If one truly exists, their demeanor..."

Leaves one speechless. Suddenly recalling Li Xian’s figure at the banquet, but imagining even Li Xian, pales compared to this person.

Gu Nianjun thought: "Even though I have yet to meet this hero, their magnificence and grace seem as if before my eyes. Heaven willing, I hope for a chance to meet him, otherwise, this journey to Flying Dragon City may end in great regret."

Zhou Shijie muttered: "The matter with Brother Wang reminded me of a strange event." Everyone gathered around.

Zhou Shijie continued: "Today, Brother Yue and I wanted to hunt snow apes, tracking their trails until we finally discovered them. To our amusement, both Brother Yue and I shot tirelessly but could not capture the snow ape, allowing it to escape."

"Just then, from nowhere, an arrow flew by, shooting the snow ape dead. A peculiar person carried it away. Brother Yue and I, witnessing this, tried to invite him for a conversation, giving chase, but his footsteps were mysterious, weaving left and right, and he vanished, leaving us unable to speak!"

"Ah!" Mu Hongchou exclaimed: "Sister Gu, from what you said, that person might be him!"

Gu Nianjun’s heart raced, saying: "Indeed."

Wang Dezhong said: "Little Sister Mu, I heard you had a remarkable encounter. Could it be..." Mu Hongchou said: "Correct, Sister Gu and I initially planned to return, but midway, we found snow bear tracks and followed them."

"We found someone chasing a snow bear along the way, eventually shooting and killing it with an arrow. The snow bear was very formidable, but in his hands, it seemed like mere plaything. Unfortunately..."

Gu Nianjun sighed: "Unfortunately, when we realized, he had already left, and we could not see him, nor witness his appearance."

Wang Dezhong said: "It seems likely it was him. I initially thought of our fellow traveler. But now, it appears this person is not among us."

Gu Nianjun suddenly asked: "Shijie, you were closest to that person, what was his appearance, was he handsome, and how was his demeanor?" As she asked, she felt unusual gazes around her, and her cheeks flushed, quickly restraining herself.

Zhou Shijie felt a bit jealous, truthfully saying: "Nianjun, you might be disappointed. He wore a white mask, held a red bow, and his features were unclear."

Yue Kai said: "Though we did not see his true face, his stature was tall and his long hair flowed, his presence and demeanor... indeed exceptional."

Wang Dezhong finished venting his thoughts, greatly admiring Li Xian, saying: "Observing him from afar, his aura was remarkable, impossible to describe. Little Sister Mu, Miss Gu... if you choose a suitor, do not let this one pass."

Gu Nianjun and Mu Hongchou both blushed. Mu Hongchou reproached: "What nonsense are you saying." Gu Nianjun noticed Mu Hongchou’s expression and thought: "Although this hero does not show his face, he earned such admiration from Wang Dezhong and others, he must be extremely capable. If fate allows, Little Sister Mu... I won’t let you take him from me."

Wang Dezhong held Li Xian in high regard, continuing: "One thing might be worth mentioning. If I guessed correctly, this hero should be similar to me, possessing some sort of unique eyes."

Zhou Shijie felt bitter inside, during his time in Prefecture City, he was dubbed "Scholar-Martial Prince," unrivaled among peers. Martial prowess sought first place, scholarly skills sought first place. During this experience outside, encountering countless peers of talents, despite his own prowess winning respect and admiration amongst peers with remarkable strength, he was aware that his martial skills were slightly weaker, entirely relying on "luck" to maintain his dominance. Now learning of such an extraordinary talent in archery, of similar age to himself, his own body felt entirely inferior in comparison, further hearing this person possesses unique eyes increased his sense of inadequacy.

He saw Gu Nianjun was calm and collected, her eyes filled with respect and admiration, now saying: "Brother Wang, how did you discern this?"

Wang Dezhong said: "Snow beasts are hard to trace, this person shot and killed from several miles away. His eyesight surpasses mine, thus, I speculate he possesses unique eyes."

Suddenly, Gu Nianjun recalled riding in the morning, briefly making eye contact with someone. His eyes were clear and deep, very captivating. At that moment, she felt dazed, rode away to barely regain clarity, not noticing he wore a mask, nor the red bow behind him.

Upon recalling this, delightedly said: "Ah... I actually saw this person."

Mu Hongchou said: "Sister Gu, you saw him?"

Gu Nianjun said: "While riding today, I happened to glance at him once. I saw him seemingly heading towards the western ridge of Snow Dragon Mountain." Mu Hongchou quietly noted this down.

Gu Nianjun thought: "Little Sister Mu, we met by chance, do not blame me for deceiving you in this matter." Knowing the western ridge was scarcely inhabited, with fewer beasts, she guessed this hero, if searching for Snow Mountain spirit fox, would not go there. She deliberately mentioned the western ridge, knowing Mu Hongchou would seek there, while she headed towards the eastern and northern ridges with more beasts... the chance of encounter naturally higher.

Mu Hongchou unaware of the deception, subtly observed Gu Nianjun’s expression. Seeing Gu Nianjun’s composed appearance, thought: "Sister Gu, hailing from the Gu Family, seems to show no interest. This person’s archery is so impressive, I must try to meet him."

After this event, enthusiastic peers lost interest in gathering, each rode back to their own sect. The Li Mountain Sword Sect’s Hua Wu, Jiushan Sword Sect’s Wang Dezhong, Lus Mountain Sword Sect’s Mu Hongchou, Yangshan Sword Sect’s Zhou Ting, Yueshan Sword Sect’s Yue Kai... and others returned to the sect courtyard, telling elders of the matter.