In the instant the arrow shot toward her, countless thoughts flashed through Shang Yuanjian’s mind.
Ancient cold weapons were no match for modern firearms, and she was still some distance away from Xin. Dodging was possible—the key was how to do it naturally, without arousing Xin’s suspicion about her current identity.
The arrow, carrying overwhelming killing intent, was now right before her eyes. Shang Yuanjian steeled herself, pretending to be tripped and falling flat on the ground.
The arrow grazed the top of her head and embedded itself firmly into the ground, its tail trembling slightly and emitting a low hum.
The arrow had pierced three inches into the earth, and the ground cracked under its impact.
Shang Yuanjian felt a chill in her heart. If this arrow had struck her, with her frail body, she would have died on the spot.
She secretly glanced up at Xin and saw him frowning slightly, as if unable to believe she had fallen at such a moment.
It seemed he didn’t suspect her. Shang Yuanjian breathed a sigh of relief and pretended to be unaware as she climbed to her feet.
The fallen arrow was like a stone thrown into a lake, stirring up waves. Only then did the prisoners realize they were under the threat of death. Unable to remain seated, they panicked and scattered in chaos.
Having missed his shot in front of so many people, Xin’s expression darkened.
“Your Highness is truly…” Meng Tongji had been about to praise Xin’s archery skills, but seeing him miss his target, he immediately swallowed his unspoken flattery.
Everyone, noticing Xin’s displeasure, dared not say another word.
Seeing the surprised look Shang Wantang cast his way, Xin felt his pride wounded.
Today, he had intended to showcase his abilities to Shang Wantang, hoping the Chancellor’s daughter would realize sooner that he was her best choice, rather than foolishly setting her heart on the Crown Prince like Shang Yuanjian. Yet, his own mistake had ruined it all—truly infuriating.
Xin snorted coldly, drew another arrow, and shot it toward the panicking prisoners.
“Thud—”
The sound of a hard object piercing flesh.
Xin’s second arrow finally found its mark.
The prisoner struck in the chest let out a scream and collapsed right in front of Shang Yuanjian. After convulsing a few times, he fell silent forever.
His expression shifted from confusion to anger, then from anger to panic, finally settling into despair.
He didn’t know why he had died, nor did he realize his death was merely the result of someone’s misplaced anger.
Shang Yuanjian stared at the dead prisoner, her expression tense. A living person had just died before her eyes, and it struck her with immense shock.
This was no longer her peaceful era. If she hadn’t dodged earlier, she would be the one lying there.
And the one responsible for all this would only treat it as entertainment.
At this moment, the cruelty of this world revealed a glimpse of itself to Shang Yuanjian.
Seeing his prey fall, Xin lowered his bow with satisfaction.
If this arrow had also missed, where would his pride be?
“Your Highness is mighty!”
“Such archery truly opens our eyes.”
Flattery echoed from all sides, easing Xin’s mood considerably.
He glanced at Shang Yuanjian, who had escaped his arrow by falling, and dismissed it as nothing.
Just luck, that’s all.
The day's main task is yet to be completed, and the death of one or two people is merely an appetizer. Xin doesn’t take it to heart at all. He lifts the hem of his robe and strides over to the prisoners.
The prisoners, still unsettled by the death, are making a great commotion. Xin feels displeased. "What is all this noise? Anyone who dares to make another sound will meet the same fate."
Xin’s reputation for cruelty is well-known, and with his ruthless execution of a man right from the start, the prisoners are already as frightened as startled birds, fearing they might share the same fate.
As soon as Xin speaks, the entire area falls into complete silence.
The prisoners huddle together, trembling, not daring to breathe too loudly. They stare at Xin in terror, unsure of what he intends to do.
Seeing that they have finally quieted down, Xin continues, "By His Majesty’s command, I have been searching for talented individuals from all over. If any of you can pass my test, I will immediately pardon your death sentence."
These prisoners are all vicious criminals, imprisoned in the imperial prison where death is inevitable sooner or later. Now, hearing a chance to survive, hope ignites within them.
"What kind of test does Your Highness speak of?" a young prisoner can’t help but ask the question on everyone’s mind.
Xin’s cruel reputation is widely known, and the prisoners have long heard of it. Therefore, this "test" he speaks of is surely no simple matter. But as condemned prisoners, what could be more terrifying than death?
"It’s simple," Xin replies briskly, curling his lips into a smile and clapping his hands twice.
Soon, a team of men appears, their faces flushed with effort as they struggle to carry an iron cage. The cage is tightly covered with a black cloth, making it impossible to see what is inside.
The prisoners are bewildered, looking at Xin with confusion.
Until a few low growls of a beast come from inside the cage.
"Roar!—" Everyone hears the sound from the cage.
What is inside?
The prisoners’ expressions change drastically. The young prisoner, who had been eager just moments ago, widens his eyes in fear. He stumbles back a few steps, stammering, "Wh-what is in there?"
Xin smiles without answering. He waves his hand, and a guard, understanding his meaning, pulls down the black cloth covering the iron cage.
As the cloth slips away, a pair of cold, gleaming eyes stare directly at him.
Inside the cage is a massive brown bear!
The bear gazes greedily at everyone outside the cage, its throat emitting occasional roars. It rises onto its hind legs, its claws resting on the edge of the iron cage. If not for the barrier of the cage, one might truly wonder if it would charge out and tear everyone present to pieces.
"To survive is simple," Xin points at the bear. "Whoever can kill this bear will have their death sentence pardoned."
"How can a person… fight a bear? It’s simply impossible," the young prisoner says, no longer as composed as before. His voice trembles, clearly shocked by Xin’s actions.
"Why is it impossible?" Xin retorts. "Moreover, I am seeking capable individuals. If someone cannot even handle a beast, what use would they be to me?"
"If you cannot kill it, there’s no need for me to intervene. It will take care of it for me. After all, you were all meant to die anyway, weren’t you?" His tone is light, yet filled with cruelty. Xin discusses the lives of dozens of people as casually as eating or drinking.
Not only the prisoners but even the nobles attending the banquet are left speechless by Xin’s actions.
Listening to Prince Xin's words, it was clear he didn't care whether these people lived or died. It seemed all the prisoners today would have to meet their end here.
A nation has its laws; no matter how heinous a prisoner's crimes, they must be reviewed and judged by the Dali Temple before any punishment is carried out.
If Prince Xin killed one or two, it might still be covered up, but if he executed them all, how could they possibly explain it to the Dali Temple?
Xu An’s face turned pale.
This truly was his ancestor. As a prince, as long as he didn’t infringe upon the emperor’s interests, even the gravest crimes would go unpunished—at most, he might face a salary deduction or, in more severe cases, be confined to reflect on his mistakes. None of it mattered much.
But those of them serving under him would suffer. These were dozens of lives; they would be the first to be held accountable afterward.
Xu An opened his mouth as if to advise Prince Xin, but upon seeing the prince’s excited expression, he swallowed his words.
Forget it, forget it. Prince Xin was in high spirits. If he were to stand out as the dissenting voice today, he’d likely face immediate trouble—what future would there be to speak of?
The young prisoner could no longer suppress his fear and collapsed to the ground. Though he had killed before, it was a different feeling when the tables were turned.
How could anyone survive against a brown bear? Even if they all fought together, their chances of winning were slim. Prince Xin clearly wanted them dead!
"You seem quite eager, so you’ll go first," Prince Xin said to him.