Chapter 9: Skill: Archery

Human relations require social graces and showing respect to the worthy.

Cheng Feng would not be so foolish as to point out someone's obvious pain.

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

It was better to act as if he hadn't heard it and let it pass.

Liu Hao looked at the young Cheng Feng and went straight to the point: "Why do you want to learn Archery?"

Cheng Feng spoke frankly: "I want to learn to hunt; if I can catch game and sell it, I can earn money."

Liu Hao remained unmoved: "I am a cripple; I cannot catch much game."

Cheng Feng's gaze swept over the large bag full of the day's harvest, "If I had a harvest like yours, I would be satisfied."

Liu Hao was stumped; this was truly lifting a rock only to drop it on his own feet.

His tone was no longer polite: "Little Cheng, I am just a cripple. I am not as capable as you think, and I have no intention of taking on an apprentice."

Seeing the situation was not good, Cheng Feng offered his own terms: "Uncle Liu, I certainly won't let you teach for free. I have my own things to attend to, so I won't be here bothering you all the time. The tuition is 20 large coins; you only need to teach me how to use a bow. What do you think?"

Liu Hao still did not agree, "I understand your intentions. If I decide to take an apprentice in the future, I will let you know. I just got back and I'm tired, so I'm going to rest."

Cheng Feng was not prepared to pester him right now; after all, the timing was wrong. Being able to see the person was a small success, so he stood up and said: "Then I won't disturb you further, Uncle Liu. Please get some rest."

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

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

Cheng Feng knew where his disadvantage lay.

It was simply that he was too young and had nothing impressive to offer.

But Liu Hao did not know his current situation, and he wouldn't agree immediately just based on empty words.

The next morning, Cheng Feng brought Cheng Fu along with one large fish and three dried small fish to Liu Hao's residence.

"Lao Er, have you really thought this through? Must you choose this person to learn hunting?" Cheng Fu was still hesitant.

"Dad, having an extra skill provides an extra path. I'm just learning Archery. If I had to rely on hunting in the mountains for a living my whole life, I fear I wouldn't be cut out for it, but as long as my archery is accurate, I shouldn't have to worry about having no harvest."

Cheng Feng comforted his honest, diligent father who sought stability in all things.

Although Cheng Fu was honest, he was not stupid. If Archery were that easy to learn, every household would be able to become hunters.

Who didn't know that the deep mountains and old forests behind the village were rich in game?

But the game ran fast, and if one couldn't shoot accurately, it would all be in vain.

Yet, seeing the way his Lao Er had seemingly become enlightened recently, Cheng Fu couldn't say much more.

Lao Cheng had indeed been unwilling at first. Being disabled, he had relied on himself without help from others, living strongly and mastering the skills of hunting.

To tell the truth, Cheng Fu admired him.

If he put himself in his shoes, no one could say for sure they would be able to do the same.

But one shouldn't mislead the youth either.

If it were someone else, Cheng Fu would at most mumble a word and let it be.

But this was his own son.

Cheng Fu still had to come and see for himself.

The money was earned by Lao Er, and Cheng Fu didn't care how it was spent.

Coming this time was just to back up Lao Er.

Cheng Fu did feel some guilt; his family's situation was not good. The thin fields at home would definitely be handed over to Lao Da to manage in the future, and Lao San was still young, so there was no rush, but Lao Er would be an adult in another year.

It was time to consider a future path for Lao Er.

Carpenter, blacksmith, bamboo weaver—one needed a specialized skill to rely on in order to take a wife in the future.

When they arrived at Liu Hao's house, Liu Hao did not receive them warmly. He sat on a rocking chair at the door, looking at the distant mountains as if recalling past glories. Cheng Feng and his father stood at the door and respectfully bowed to Liu Hao.

"Master Liu, my son really wants to learn Archery; he has always been full of enthusiasm for it. I know you are the best archer in this village, and I hope you can teach him some skills and knowledge," said Cheng Fu.

Although Cheng Fu was honest, he knew that when asking for a favor, a few words of flattery were indispensable.

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

They had been neighbors in the village for so long, there was no need to make things awkward; Cheng Feng had already come three times.

This time Cheng Fu had also come, so the etiquette was fine.

But he knew his own situation; he was not like those hunters in their prime who had plenty of time and a wealthy family background.

He also had to eat, and he would occasionally go to the city to spend money.

Regarding money and time, he wasn't sure he could provide proper guidance.

He didn't want to ruin his own reputation in the end.

Cheng Feng also saw Liu Hao's hesitation and hurriedly took out the catch he had brought.

"Master Liu, this is the fish I caught over these 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, stacked into two piles.

He bowed and placed them in front of Liu Hao.

"And I really won't take up too much of your time, since I also have to go Fishing to support my family. What do you think?"

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

Wealth moves the heart; who doesn't like money?

Moreover, Cheng Feng's requirements were not high, even lenient; it was just learning, not deep study.

It wasn't passing on his mantle, just teaching a craft.

Practicing more with a bow and arrow would be fine, and if he couldn't keep it up, there would be no need to return the money.

"Young man, you must know that Archery is a difficult craft. 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, learning Archery is not easy. But I am willing to put in the effort, and I believe that as long as I persist, I will definitely be able to learn it. Please give me a chance to prove myself," Cheng Feng said firmly.

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

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

Liu Hao decided not to let the cooked duck fly away when money was delivered to his doorstep.

After all, in Bi City, those little hussies at Yixiang Lou only cost three big coins a time.

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

Liu Hao decided not to let this opportunity slip by.

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

Taking money to get things done, because Cheng Feng was an inexperienced fellow with zero foundation.

Liu Hao could only demand strictness from him, making him start learning from basic postures and methods of holding the bow.

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

There were no good conditions; Liu Hao only had these, and by setting up a target kept from before, it was enough.

Although Cheng Feng felt it was somewhat strenuous, he would not give up; this opportunity was also something he had managed to secure with great difficulty given his current resources.

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

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

If his previous deduction was correct, under the guidance of an experienced person, plus his own practice, he should be able to learn it quickly and form a skill on the Panmian.

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

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

Liu Hao indeed had some real substance; he took small sandbags of varying weights and tied them to Cheng Feng's shoulders and wrists to maintain strength.

This reminded Cheng Feng of scenes in television dramas from his past life where soldiers tied sandbags and held guns to train their arm strength.

He did not complain, and apart from resting his body and Fishing, he came here to practice whenever he had time.

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

His endurance and concentration were also exercised and improved. Liu Hao watched his progress, his heart filled with pride and satisfaction.

Teaching as a mentor also allowed Liu Hao to satisfy his craving for being a master.

Finally, through unremitting efforts, Cheng Feng habitually checked the Panmian.

A new skill had appeared after the skills on the Panmian.

Name: Cheng Feng

Lifespan: 16 (62)

Talent: More Children More Blessings

Skills: Fishing (Entry 16%)

Archery (Entry 1%)

And for all of this, Cheng Feng had gone through three whole months.