In the distant hunting ground, as it neared the end, there were fewer and fewer prey.
Everyone was anxiously searching for prey, especially that unique deer.
Before the hunt started, Chu Nian'an had clearly stated that rabbits and pheasants were each worth one point, while the young deer was worth three points, with a total of 230 points.
That meant as long as one managed to hunt the deer first.
With some other prey added, the first place would probably be secured.
But despite everyone's searching back and forth, they still couldn't find the trace of the young deer.
Lin Lang sat astride his horse, wiping the sweat off his forehead. "Brother He, we've circled the hunting ground three times already, but still can't find the deer."
He moved closer to He Mengchang and whispered doubtfully, "Could it be that there's no deer in the hunting ground at all?"
It was winter now. How could there be live deer running around?
Maybe the young deer the princess mentioned was just a gimmick and there was no real one.
He Mengchang glanced casually at the prey on Lin Lang's horse. There were only dozens of rabbits and pheasants.
Then he compared them with the twenty rabbits and ten pheasants on his own horse.
He scoffed inwardly. Such a small amount of prey and yet he still had the audacity to think about hunting the deer.
Despite scoffing, he was also thinking about where the deer was hiding. "The princess's words carry great weight. If she says there is one, there must be."
"But we haven't seen it at all!"
Lin Lang was tired. "If this goes on, won't we fail to get the first place?"
If he hadn't said that, it would have been fine. But once he did, a hint of gloom flashed across He Mengchang's eyes. "You still have the nerve to say! When Gu Xiao fell off the cliff just now, why didn't you immediately take the prey on his horse? You just let that brute get away!"
Recalling that moment, Lin Lang swallowed hard. "Brother He, I wanted to, but you saw it too. The moment Gu Xiao fell off the cliff, Yan Zhao came. He even glanced at our hiding place."
Lin Lang swore that if it hadn't been for saving Gu Xiao, Yan Zhao would definitely have caught them first!
He really felt it at that time!
"You're such a coward!"
He Mengchang sneered. But if one looked closely, the calf of his leg pressed against the horse's back was also trembling slightly.
Suddenly, he frowned as if he had remembered something. "Did you see Yan Zhao's mount just now?"
When Yan Zhao came, he was indeed riding a white horse.
But at that time, they were all so frightened that they didn't have time to notice whether there was any prey on the white horse's back.
Naturally, Lin Lang didn't want to be scolded by He Mengchang again. He pretended to recall. "I remember Yan Zhao's white horse's back was empty!"
Hearing Lin Lang's firm words, He Mengchang finally relaxed.
He knew that without the help of his subordinates, Yan Zhao was just a useless person.
How could he hunt the deer alone!
And the so - called useless Yan Zhao at this moment chose a new horse and slowly rode back into the hunting ground.
"I hope Yan Zhao and Gu Xiao will never be able to get up again!"
He Mengchang cursed viciously. Lin Lang behind him also nodded firmly.
As long as those two died today, even if they didn't get the first place, they would still be extremely happy.
They couldn't find the deer, and even the other prey became scarce.
The people who had followed He Mengchang before had quietly scattered.
After all, who didn't hope to be the first?
Lin Lang had too little prey. In order to curry favor with He Mengchang, he gave all his prey to him.
"Brother He, then I'll go back first!"
Seeing that there was no more prey in sight, He Mengchang didn't want to give up, but Lin Lang did.
It was really of no use for Lin Lang to stay any longer!
If the deer appeared, He Mengchang didn't want to share the spoils with Lin Lang!
For the sake of ten points, He Mengchang coldly agreed and then went alone to the remote areas to look for prey.
Lin Lang turned his horse around. Suddenly, a cold arrow flew towards him at high speed.
He only had time to turn his head, but still got scratched on his cheek!
"Who is it! How dare you shoot someone in the back! If you have the guts, show yourself to me!"
Lin Lang's heart skipped a beat. The sharp pain on his face combined with anger soon erupted.
But the only response he got was another arrow.
Just as sharp, just as cold, just as fast.
It hit his left leg hard. Lin Lang only had time to let out a wail before falling off his horse. "Ah!"
But the people around had all dispersed to look for prey. No one heard his wail and helplessness.
"Clip - clop, clip - clop, clip - clop!"
It seemed that a horse was approaching. Lin Lang half - closed his eyes and pleaded for help. "Help me... I've been shot by an arrow!"
He was in so much pain!
He couldn't even see who the person was.
The horse got closer and closer, but the man on the horse said nothing. He even looked down at Lin Lang condescendingly.
"Please... help..."
Lin Lang rubbed his eyes to wipe away the tears caused by the pain and looked up at the man on the horse.
The moment he saw him, he was shocked and stopped moving!
The man on the horse was none other than the "useless person" he had just discussed with He Mengchang -
Yan Zhao.
Yan Zhao sneered contemptuously at the corner of his mouth and looked down at Lin Lang indifferently.
On the horseback, he held the bow with his left hand and was about to release an arrow with his right. The arrowhead glinted coldly.
It seemed to be wordlessly telling Lin Lang that it was he who had shot the arrows just now!
"Your... Highness?"
Lin Lang swallowed hard and tried to move back. Unfortunately, every time he moved his injured leg, it hurt. He frowned one moment and made a crying face the next. He looked extremely ugly.
"Why?"
"Hehe!"
Yan Zhao laughed softly, pulling the bow even wider. The cold arrow was aimed directly at Lin Lang. The next moment, along with the arrow came his cold voice. "Didn't you see me?"
See?
See!
Lin Lang's pupils dilated. Yan Zhao was referring to that glance he had taken when Gu Xiao fell into the water.
At that time, Yan Zhao was in a hurry to save someone and didn't even look at their hiding place.
Lin Lang thought that Yan Zhao knew there were people there, but didn't know who they were.
Unexpectedly, he knew everything!
"Ah!"
Another wail. Even the remaining snow on the treetops trembled and fell.
Coincidentally, it fell right on Lin Lang's head.
But Lin Lang didn't even have time to react to the bone - chilling cold. All his attention was on his right leg, which had just been injured.
Another cold arrow was deeply stuck in it!
It was deeper and more painful than the one in his left leg!
"Your Highness, spare my life!"
Lin Lang wisely begged for mercy. Yan Zhao was cruel and ruthless, like a crazy and cold - blooded person. If he didn't admit it, he was afraid that he would really be "played" to death by Yan Zhao.
"Everything was ordered by He Mengchang. He's the mastermind!"
Blood was flowing freely from his legs. His forehead and body were covered with snow water. Half in pain and half in cold, Lin Lang's consciousness was slowly fading.
But before it completely faded, he still remembered to frame He Mengchang.
In a remote corner of the hunting ground, He Mengchang sneezed five or six times in a row. He wrapped his cloak tightly around him strangely. "Could it be that I've caught a cold?"
Then he focused his eyes on the depths, looking for the trace of the prey!
But he didn't know that danger was approaching!
Yan Zhao looked down at the unconscious Lin Lang on the ground. He wasn't going to let him die so easily!
He quickly dismounted, threw Lin Lang onto his own horse.
Then he tied the horse rope to his own horse's bit. He was going to lead Lin Lang to find the next target.