#9 - Chapter 9 Skills: Archery

In interpersonal relationships, one should always be courteous to those more capable.

Cheng Feng wouldn't be foolish enough to mention someone's obvious pain.

Wouldn't that be a surefire way to offend someone?

He had no choice but to pretend he didn't hear and skip over it.

Liu Hao looked at Cheng Feng, who didn't seem very old, and went straight to the point: "Why do you want to learn archery?"

Cheng Feng was direct: "I want to learn how to hunt. Selling the game I catch will earn me money."

Liu Hao remained unmoved: "I'm just a cripple; I can't hunt much."

Cheng Feng's eyes glanced at the large bag full of spoils, "I'd be content if I had a harvest like yours."

Liu Hao was speechless; he had shot himself in the foot.

His tone became less polite: "Cheng family kid, I'm just a cripple, not as amazing as you think. I don't plan on taking any disciples."

Seeing that things weren't going well, Cheng Feng offered his terms: "Uncle Liu, I certainly won't let you teach me for free. I usually have my own things to do and won't be here disturbing you all the time. The tuition is 20 large coins. You just need to teach me how to use the bow and arrow. What do you say?"

Liu Hao still didn't agree, "I know why you're here. If I ever intend to take a disciple, I'll definitely let you know. I'm tired from just getting back and want to rest."

Cheng Feng wasn't planning on pestering him right now; the timing wasn't right. Getting to see him was already a small success. He stood up and said, "Then I'll be disturbing you, Uncle Liu. Get some rest."

Walking out of the door, he turned his head to look at the faint candlelight inside.

He had a plan in mind, thinking to himself: "No rush, I'll try again."

Cheng Feng knew where his disadvantage lay.

He was too young and didn't have anything impressive to offer.

But Liu Hao didn't know his current situation. Empty promises wouldn't make him agree immediately.

The next morning, Cheng Feng brought a large fish and three small dried fish to Liu Hao's residence, accompanied by his father.

"Second son, have you really thought this through? You must choose this family to learn hunting?" Cheng's father still hesitated.

"Dad, having more skills gives us more options. I'm just learning archery. If I had to rely on hunting in the mountains for a living, I'm afraid I wouldn't be cut out for it. But as long as I can shoot accurately, I shouldn't have trouble getting a harvest."

Cheng Feng reassured his honest and diligent father, who always sought stability.

Although Cheng's father was honest, he wasn't stupid. If archery were that easy to learn, every household would be able to become hunters.

Everyone in the village knew that the deep mountains behind the village were rich in game.

But the game ran fast, and if you couldn't shoot accurately, it was all for nothing.

But seeing his second son's recent, seemingly enlightened behavior, Cheng's father didn't say much.

Old Cheng initially disagreed. Someone with a disability, who didn't rely on others for help, stubbornly relied on himself to make a living, and had even developed hunting skills.

Honestly, Old Cheng admired him.

Putting himself in his shoes, no one could confidently say they could do it.

But he couldn't mislead someone else's child.

If it were someone else, Old Cheng would at most say a few evasive words and be done with it.

But this was his own son.

Old Cheng still had to come and see for himself.

The money was earned by his second son, and Old Cheng didn't care how he used it.

He was here this time to support his second son.

Cheng's father did feel a bit guilty. His family's conditions weren't good. The family's meager fields would definitely be managed by the eldest son in the future. The third son was still young, so there was no rush. The second son would be an adult in another year.

It was time to consider a future path for the second son as well.

Carpenter, blacksmith, basket weaver—he had to have a skill to rely on to find a wife in the future.

When they arrived at Liu Hao's house, Liu Hao didn't greet them enthusiastically. He sat on a rocking chair at the door, looking at the distant mountains, as if reminiscing about past glories. Cheng Feng and his father stood at the door, respectfully bowing to Liu Hao.

"Master Liu, my son really wants to learn archery. He has always been passionate about it. I know you are the best archer in this village, and I hope you can teach him some skills and knowledge," Cheng Feng's father said.

Although Cheng's father was honest, he also knew that when asking for favors, it was essential to say a few flattering words.

Liu Hao was silent for a moment, then turned his head to look at Cheng Feng. A hint of hesitation was revealed in his eyes.

They had been neighbors in the village for so long, there was no need to fall out. Cheng Feng had already come three times.

This time, Cheng's father had also come, so there was no problem with etiquette.

But he knew his own situation. He wasn't like those hunters in their prime, with plenty of time and a wealthy family.

He also had to eat. He occasionally went to the city to spend money.

He wasn't sure if he could provide adequate guidance in terms of money and time.

He didn't want to ruin his reputation.

Cheng Feng also saw Liu Hao's hesitation and quickly took out the fish he had brought with him.

"Master Liu, this is the fish I caught these past two days. I know you must be busy, so I only need you to teach me when you have time. You don't need to be by my side all the time."

As he spoke, he took out the 20 large coins he had prepared from his body, stacking them into two piles.

He bowed and placed them in front of Liu Hao.

"Moreover, I really won't bother you for too long, because I also need to catch fish to support my family. What do you think?"

Looking at the large coins in front of him, Liu Hao was indeed a little tempted.

Wealth moves people's hearts; who doesn't like money?

Moreover, Cheng Feng's requirements weren't high, even lenient. Learning wasn't about studying deeply,

It wasn't about passing on a legacy, just receiving a skill.

Practicing more with the bow and arrow would also be fine. If he couldn't persevere, the money wouldn't need to be returned.

"Young man, you need to know that archery is a difficult skill. It requires patience, perseverance, and focus. Are you sure you can endure all of this?" Liu Hao asked.

Cheng Feng nodded firmly, a determined light flashing in his eyes.

"I understand that learning archery isn't easy. But I am willing to put in the effort. I believe that as long as I persevere, I will definitely be able to learn. Please give me a chance to prove myself," Cheng Feng said firmly.

Liu Hao looked at Cheng Feng, and a hint of appreciation gradually appeared in his eyes.

"Alright, since you are so determined, I will give you a chance. But you must start from the very basics, step by step," Liu Hao said.

Liu Hao decided not to let the money that had come to his door fly away like a cooked duck.

Just one visit to the little vixen at Jingyi Brothel in the city cost three large coins.

If he added one more large coin, that would be seven times.

Liu Hao decided not to miss this opportunity.

From that day on, Cheng Feng went to Liu Hao's house to learn archery every day.

Since he was getting paid, and because Cheng Feng was inexperienced and had no foundation,

Liu Hao could only strictly demand that he start learning from the basic posture and how to hold the bow.

The bow was Liu Hao's spare bow, and the arrows were Liu Hao's spare arrowheads.

There weren't any good conditions. Liu Hao only had these things, plus a target he had kept from before, and that was it.

Although Cheng Feng felt a little strained, he wouldn't give up. This opportunity was something he had worked hard to obtain with his current resources.

He firmly believed that as long as he put in the effort, he would definitely succeed.

The existence of the panel was Cheng Feng's motivation.

If his previous deduction was correct, under the guidance of an experienced person, coupled with his own practice, he should quickly learn and form a skill on the panel.

As for whether it was right or not, he could only verify it with time.

As time passed, Cheng Feng's archery skills gradually improved.

Liu Hao did have some real knowledge. He tied small sandbags of varying weights to Cheng Feng's shoulders and wrists to maintain strength.

This reminded Cheng Feng of the scene in TV dramas where soldiers tied sandbags to their arms and practiced holding guns.

He didn't complain. Besides resting his body and catching fish, he came here to practice whenever he had time.

His archery became more and more accurate, from dragging the target to hitting the target, and then slowly concentrating on the red dot in the center.

His endurance and concentration were also trained and improved. Liu Hao looked at his progress, and his heart was filled with pride and satisfaction.

Teaching as a mentor also allowed Liu Hao to indulge in the pleasure of being a master.

Finally, after persistent efforts, Cheng Feng habitually checked the panel.

A skill had appeared after the skills on the panel.

Name: Cheng Feng

Lifespan: 16 (62)

Talent: Blessed with Many Children

Skills: Fishing (Beginner 16%)

Archery (Beginner 1%)

And all of this, Cheng Feng experienced for a full three months.