Walking around the martial hall is a lot easier after getting in. Jiang Liu did a good homework and knew the guards routine and rotation.
The whole martial practice hall could be compared to a normal size manor. Inside, there's a large open area in the middle that can serve as an open stage for exchanging pointers. Hallways are surrounding it from the corners and there's a viewing platform.
Wei Yi Yi followed Jiang Liu as he leads the way towards the archery arena. According to him, different areas are set up to accommodate a certain practice. At the east side, there are horses and a stable to practice riding. Wei Yi Yi wanted to go there after, but Jiang Liu told her not to as the stable have a permanent caretaker and they'll end up creating too much ruckus.
After a short walk towards the back, the trio finally reached the archery field. It looked exactly like what Wei Yi Yi saw in dramas. She felt like she walked inside their studio!
"It's so spacious." Wei Yi Yi exclaimed, looking at the wooden targets from afar. Jiang Chen let go of her hand and walked a few steps forward. He too; is curious about the new environment.
"You could use this." Jiang Liu gave her a bow. It was different from the one that he brought with them. Wei Yi Yi did not know when this guy disappeared. She just looked away for a moment and he picked up things.
"I like your long bow better. Give me that instead."
Wei Yi Yi is quite confident with her archery skills. Way back then, her brothers took her to play all shooting games they could find. From soft guns, actual guns up to bows, she at least hold them once. Although she could never beat those four, her depth perception is the highest on their group. Her hit rate remained above average.
Jiang Liu could do nothing when she wrestled the longbow out of his hand.
"Let me try too, auntie." Jiang Chen runs back to Wei Yi Yi and continuously tug at her wide sleeves.
"Don't do improper things! You're a prince Jiang Chen." Jiang Liu tried to separate the kid.
"That's rich coming from you." Wei Yi Yi slaps his hand away. "You can't yet Ah Chen. Your bones aren't strong enough. If we force it, you might stop growing."
Hearing this, Jiang Chen showed a scared expression. It'll be bad if he stops growing up!
"Grow up a bit more. For now, sit at the side and watch how awesome this bro--- ehem, your aunt is."
Jiang Chen nods and started to behave a little bit more. Jiang Liu commented on this. "Why does he listen to you more?"
"Why do you have an opinion on everything?"
Wei Yi Yi took Jiang Liu's longbow and stood in front of the target she wanted. She positioned herself on the distance that's not too far and not too near.
Gripping on the bow, she momentarily realizes that this bow does not have an arrow rest nor a shelf. She repositioned her grip and then put the arrow.
Not breaking any eye contact towards the target, Wei Yi Yi breathes deeply, raise her arms and then took a step. Her feet apart, she stood upright.
Jiang Liu witness as the soft fabric of her wide sleeves slips down slowly. Teasing, it brushed off her white and smooth skin, fully revealing it for others to see. He almost fell down from where he stood. "Ah! Ah! This brother was not looking! Big sister put on an arm guard first!"
His sister-in-law ignores him as usual.
With her index finger positioned above the arrow and her other two fingers supporting below, Wei Yi Yi made her first attempt to draw. Once again, she momentarily paused.
This is not just heavy! It's also hard to draw!
Wei Yi Yi surely misses society's progression. Everything here requires effort and not user-friendly!
Gritting her teeth, Wei Yi Yi stubbornly draw once again. Flexing her arm muscles, she was able to pull the string up until her chin. She endured the strain on her muscle to stabilize the bow.
"Big sister, you position your fingers wrong. Why are you drawing the bow like that?"
Hearing Jiang Liu's voice irritates her. What's wrong with her stance and draw?! It's you people that were left by 'progression'!
Taking another breath, Wei Yi Yi calms her heart. It'll be bad if Jiang Liu ends up tempting her to shoot him instead.
Once she was satisfied with the angle, Wei Yi Yi released the arrow. With a 'thwack', it cut thru the wind; producing a piercing cry and heavily landed on the target. It struck a few inches close to the center, it's body sunk deep.
The two boys were left gaping at the side. A new sense of admiration for Wei Yi Yi bloom inside them. Their eyes full of awe.
"It fvkng hurts!" Wei Yi Yi cry out.
Not only the longbow was hard to draw, but the arrow shaft is also hard to grip too! Didn't they polish it? It's not as 'smooth' as the aluminum that she's used too! They should give her shooting gloves!
Wei Yi Yi wanted to cry out. The bow has to much strain on the body and there's nothing to support her at all.
"That's why this brother kept saying that you're drawing it wrong."
"Let me tell you: I'm not!"