Chapter 36: The Peerless Archer! Exclusive Arrow Mark! Wang Jian's Amazement!

"Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, it is indeed Zhao Feng," the military officer replied immediately.

"Challenging a target at a hundred paces?"

"Does Zhao Feng possess such archery skills and strength?" Wang Jian looked surprised.

"The Commander-in-Chief may not be aware."

"Sergeant Zhao is truly a natural-born sharpshooter. Only six days ago, Sergeant Zhao did not even know how to shoot an arrow, but in just six short days, his archery skills have improved by leaps and bounds. Now, he can hit the bullseye three times in succession from fifty paces."

"Sergeant Zhao's talent has truly astonished all the brothers," the officer said with a face full of admiration.

Hearing this, a look of astonishment surfaced on Wang Jian's face, as did it on the faces of the generals beside him.

"From not knowing how to shoot to three consecutive bullseyes in just six days?"

"That's impossible, isn't it?" Li Teng also said in surprise.

He knew that Zhao Feng had been staying in this military camp during these past few days; Wang Yan had long since reported this to him, instructing that Zhao Feng remain in this camp to familiarize himself with it.

Afterward, Wang Yan would step down, and Zhao Feng would take over this military camp.

"General Li," the officer said with a smile, "and all you generals will understand once you see it for yourselves. The target has already been set up."

"Let's go and see."

Wang Jian was naturally interested. He led the generals toward the archery range, though they did not disturb the surrounding soldiers.

Soon!

"Sergeant Zhao, the target is set up," Zhang Han said with a smile as he ran to Zhao Feng's side. "According to military rules, if you hit the bullseye with half of ten arrows, you can be called a sharpshooter."

"And what if all ten arrows hit the mark?" Zhao Feng asked with a smile.

"Then you would be the elite among sharpshooters. You can have words inscribed on your arrows and possess an exclusive arrow mark," Zhang Han laughed.

In the military, different abilities naturally meant different values. Possessing a specialized skill was beneficial; this was true in any era.

A sharpshooter—one who could take the lives of enemy commanders amidst the chaos of battle—would naturally receive preferential treatment. Of course, ordinary archers in the army could also have their names inscribed on their arrows, but a sharpshooter could have their own exclusive mark, which others could also inscribe for them. This was a special honor belonging to sharpshooters. These marks were also intended to facilitate the tallying of kills in battle.

"Then I'll take that exclusive arrow mark," Zhao Feng smiled.

He lifted his bow, his gaze fixed on the target a hundred paces away. Zhao Feng's attributes all exceeded those of ordinary people, and his vision was also superior, like that of an eagle; naturally, the coordination of all his attributes was fundamental.

Zhao Feng released an arrow.

*Whish!*

The arrow pierced the air instantly, passing in the blink of an eye.

*Thwack!*

The arrow pierced directly through the target a hundred paces away, embedding itself deeply.

"Bravo!"

"Bravo!"

The surrounding soldiers broke into cheers, looking at Zhao Feng with eyes full of admiration.

But Zhao Feng did not gloat. Instead, he swiftly reached for more arrows, placing three on the bow.

He drew the bow.

*Whish, whish, whish!*

The arrows tore through the air. Before the first arrow could even settle, Zhao Feng swiftly drew another from his back and released it in rapid succession. He did this twice more.

The next moment.

*Bang! Bang! Bang!!*

A series of sharp sounds echoed as arrows pierced through the target one after another. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the distant target. Even from a great distance, many saw that these arrows had not missed the mark.

At that moment, a soldier near the target immediately ran forward and shouted the score: "Sergeant Zhao hit the bullseye with all ten arrows! He is the elite among sharpshooters!"

As the words fell.

"Bravo!"

"Bravo!"

"The elite among sharpshooters!"

"Bravo!"

The surrounding soldiers erupted in another wave of cheers. Every person looked at Zhao Feng with excitement.

"Bring the target over!" Zhang Han shouted, also looking excited.

A moment later, two soldiers carried the target over.

"My goodness," Zhang Han said, looking shocked as he stared at the target pierced by ten arrows. "To pierce the target from a hundred paces away... Sergeant Zhao, just how much strength do you have?"

Piercing a target from fifty paces was already something an ordinary person could not do; now, it had been pierced from a hundred paces.

"Excellent archery!" Wang Jian, standing in the back, could not help but praise him, his eyes filled with astonishment as he looked at Zhao Feng.

Hearing the sudden commotion, Zhao Feng turned his head to look, and the soldiers also turned around. Upon seeing Wang Jian, Zhang Han and the other officers immediately bowed: "Greetings, Commander-in-Chief!"

"Wang Jian?"

Zhao Feng was stunned for a moment as he saw Wang Jian, who carried the majestic aura of a military commander. Zhao Feng did not dare to be negligent; he immediately lowered his bow and bowed: "Greetings, Commander-in-Chief."

"Rise," Wang Jian said with a smile, waving his hand before walking slowly toward Zhao Feng.

"Zhao Feng, you have truly given this general a great surprise. There are many in the army who can hit the bullseye from a hundred paces, but to hit three consecutive bullseyes from a hundred paces... I have never heard of such a thing in the entire army. Your archery is truly exceptional!" Wang Jian said with praise as he reached Zhao Feng.

"The Commander-in-Chief overpraises me. It was mere luck," Zhao Feng replied calmly.

"You are being too modest. I have already heard that six days ago you did not know how to shoot, and six days later you possess such skill. This talent is a gift from the heavens. I have truly never seen such talent before," Wang Jian said with a smile, his liking for Zhao Feng growing.

Zhao Feng cupped his hands in respect but said nothing more.

"An elite among sharpshooters. According to military rules, you shall decide your arrow mark, and the arrow workshop will inscribe it and manufacture your arrows. Why are you not following the rules?" Wang Jian said with a smile.

In response, a soldier brought out a wooden board and a carving knife.

"Please inscribe your word, Sergeant Zhao," the soldier said, holding up the board.

"Can I inscribe any word?" Zhao Feng asked.

"A sharpshooter can inscribe any word to serve as his exclusive mark, which also aids in the tallying of kills on the battlefield," Wang Jian explained with a smile.

"I understand," Zhao Feng nodded knowingly. He then picked up the carving knife and wrote a single character directly onto it: "Kill!" (杀)

It was not the simplified character of later generations, but the Qin script.

"Your arrow mark is quite simple and direct," Wang Jian remarked with a smile after seeing it. He then waved his hand. "The mark is inscribed. From now on, this character shall be Zhao Feng's exclusive arrow mark."

"Understood." The soldier holding the board immediately retreated.

From then on, Zhao Feng's arrows would be specially supplied by the arrow workshop, with this character inscribed upon them.

"Alright."

Wang Jian's expression turned serious. At that moment, Li Teng stepped forward and shouted to the soldiers on the training ground, "Assemble!"

With a loud shout, all the soldiers snapped to attention and gathered toward the center of the training ground. Before long, the more than ten thousand soldiers stationed in this camp had all assembled. In addition to Wang Yan's subordinates, there were also the troops Li Teng had later mobilized to guard Yangcheng. Having been bitten once by a snake, one fears a rope for ten years; after the sudden attack by the fierce hawks, Li Teng had become much more serious about the defense of Yangcheng.

"Is it time to announce my transfer?"