Chapter 135: Using Straw Boats to Borrow Arrows

Chen Fan and Zhuge Liang walked to the riverside. The Eastern Wu soldiers had prepared the straw-covered boats early in the morning, just as depicted in the classic novel: the bows and sterns were bristling with scarecrows, leaving only a narrow passage in the center, and a few seasoned swimmers accompanied them.

"This must be a bonus tourist attraction within the instance," Chen Fan remarked with admiration. "It’s a pity about this moonlight; it’s a shame I can’t take photos to commemorate it." He scanned the river, where ethereal, fairy-tale mist drifted and blended into the pristine, star-studded sky. The hazy, elusive beauty was enough to stir one’s soul.

"The rules are simple," said Mo Zhixing, adjusting his wind-blown headscarf and tapping his feather fan, his interest entirely detached from the scenery. "The Cao camp is on the opposite bank. We’ll sail these boats over, and whoever collects more arrows is the winner."

"What about the stakes?" Chen Fan accepted the challenge, but felt a bet required something at stake.

Zhuge Liang shrugged, as if he hadn't fully decided. "How about this: the loser must strip off their clothes and wear coarse servant's rags for the remainder of the competition."

Chen Fan looked down at his attire. While not exactly silk or satin, it was still exclusive to the upper class in this era—a symbol of status. However, Chen Fan was thick-skinned and cared little for such posturing.

"Deal. And let’s add two full laps of swimming along the shore," Chen Fan agreed instantly, raising the stakes even higher.

"Fine. I look forward to seeing you looking bedraggled," Zhuge Liang chuckled, turned, and boarded his boat, skillfully pushing aside the straw curtains to find a seat in the dim light.

*Damn, I’ve been set up,* Chen Fan thought to himself. *This guy has played this scenario before.*

Generally, a novice wouldn't be so proficient on their first attempt. By that logic, his opponent must have special techniques for "borrowing" arrows, which explained his confidence. Chen Fan had been duped yet again.

"What a blunder," Chen Fan sighed, looking up at the moon before stepping onto his boat. The rolling river currents nearly knocked him overboard.

"Good heavens, the special effects are so realistic," Chen Fan grabbed the straw curtains in a panic, stumbling into the cabin in rhythm with the waves crashing against the shore.

"Row, set sail!"

Zhuge Liang signaled the sailors to get to work, while he sat in the cabin, peering outward.

"Follow him." Chen Fan couldn't see anything through the white mist, so he ordered his sailors to stick close to Zhuge Liang’s boat.

Clutching his sword, Chen Fan muttered, "Damn that village bumpkin Zhuge. I’ll make sure to use my blind-poison on you the first chance I get."

The script was proceeding according to Mo Zhixing's plan. He couldn't even remember how many times he had played through "Borrowing Arrows with Straw Boats." As a veteran enthusiast of the Three Kingdoms, he often projected that persona into his Werewolf games.

"Head in the direction my fan is pointing."

Zhuge Liang waved his feather fan, pointing precisely toward the eleven-o'clock position. Having played this many times, he knew that was where the most archers were stationed—and crucially, there were no crossbowmen, so there was no risk of the boats being pierced through.

"Sir, Zhuge Liang's boat is veering toward the flank of the Cao camp. Should we follow?" the oarsman noticed the change in the other boat's course and hurriedly reported.

"Follow him. He’s an old pro; we’re safe following his lead," Chen Fan said, having no better plan than to avoid getting lost.

As the boats drew closer, Chen Fan faintly made out a row of camps on the opposite bank, surrounded by towering torches. The banners of Cao Wei were clearly visible.

"Report! It's the Cao army, we've been spotted!" the sailor said, looking panicked. Chen Fan rolled his eyes—weren't they here specifically to provoke the enemy? It would be a disappointment if they hadn't been noticed.

"Get closer, until we're within range of the archers," Chen Fan commanded calmly.

Yu Jin, who was on guard duty, saw a dozen Eastern Wu boats creeping in under the cover of darkness. The river fog was thick, making it impossible to tell how many there were. Instinctively, he grew alert. "Look there! It's the enemy! Archers, ready! Don't let them land!"

Zhuge Liang’s boat had already slowed to a halt at the target spot. He directed the sailors to turn the boat sideways, feigning a retreat to encourage more arrows to land in the straw.

Because Chen Fan had started later, his boat was still some distance away. Watching from afar as Zhuge Liang’s boat was already bathed in a rain of arrows, Chen Fan felt an inevitable surge of anxiety.

"Sir, the wind has picked up on the river, we can't get any closer! We're being pushed off course!" the sailor at the bow shouted, struggling against the gale.

"What?" Chen Fan stood up straight, nearly tearing the cabin roof off. "Need help? I'll row too! If I'm going to lose, I'm not going to lose looking pathetic!"

The moment Chen Fan pushed aside the straw curtain, he was hit full-force by a splash of river water. He was soaked through, and a freshwater fish landed in his mouth.

"Ptooey! Such bad luck." Chen Fan grabbed the fish by its tail, pulled it out of his mouth, and slammed it onto the deck.

"Sir, the wind has died down. We can continue," the sailor said, reaching up to adjust his hat, only to realize it had already blown away.

Another sharp-eyed sailor shouted, "Sir! There's something in the fish's mouth!"

"Oh? What is it?" Chen Fan leaned down and pulled out a silk pouch.

[Player 7 is dying tonight. Do you wish to use the antidote?]

"Who was Player 7 again?" Chen Fan paused, then cast his gaze toward the nearby boat.

"The village bumpkin is dying! Hahaha, what a joy, what a delight!" Chen Fan stared at the fishy-smelling note and burst into laughter.

After the joy subsided, he calmed down to analyze the situation. "There's no need for a self-save in a game without a guard, but the Idiot's error tolerance is quite low. Besides, with this guy's ego, would he really put himself in danger?"

Rationality won out over emotion. Chen Fan decided to use the antidote. Following the system prompt, he threw the fish back into the river.

"Prime Minister Cao has appeared!" a sailor suddenly shouted.

"What Prime Minister? He's a traitor to the Han, the adopted son of a eunuch!" another sailor retorted.

Chen Fan didn't see the point of Cao Cao appearing, but he assumed Mo Zhixing would probably walk to the bow before leaving, bow deeply, and say, "I thank Prime Minister Cao for the arrows."

"How many arrows are stuck in our boat?" Chen Fan poked his head out to ask.

"Only one, and that was thrown over from the other boat."

"That is truly insufferable! Damn that village bumpkin, I shouldn't have saved him!" Chen Fan was furious. Zhuge Liang’s boat was already a pincushion; with time running out, Chen Fan’s defeat was certain.

"Hahaha! Today, I shall capture you all in one net!" Cao Cao, draped in a red cloak, stood at the highest point on the bank, looking down.

"Thank you, Prime Minister Cao, for the arrows," Mo Zhixing called out, as expected.

"Men, beat the drums!" Cao Cao appeared calm, not in a rush to send out his navy.

As the war drums sounded, Chen Fan heard a familiar melody and couldn't help but sway to the beat.

"Wait... this melody... it's not..."