Chapter 27: Gifting the Precious Bow

As the atmosphere of the banquet gradually grew more spirited, the exchange between the three people present became increasingly lively.

As Martial Artists, it was inevitable that their hands would itch; before they knew it, they had already picked up their weapons and begun to use actual combat to exchange their insights on the Dao of martial arts.

Of course, since this was only for exchanging insights, none of the three used heavy hands, and all stopped as soon as the point was made.

After a round of sparring, they sat back down at their seats to exchange cups.

Lu Hanwen, sitting in the seat of honor, also shed his pedantic mask and laughed, "To be in the company of a soulmate is truly delightful!"

As they spoke, their conversation naturally turned toward their plans for the future.

Lu Hanwen looked at Feng Zi and extended a frank invitation:

"Brother Feng Zi, after today's banquet, Li Shou and I will set off for the seat of Baishan Jun tomorrow morning. You may accompany us."

This was indeed a good suggestion, but Feng Zi also understood that he and the others were not on the same path; he had his own plans.

Therefore, after a moment of contemplation, he smiled, shook his head, and said, "I appreciate Brother Hanwen's kindness, but I still wish to cultivate for a while longer, so I will not be joining you."

Upon hearing this, Lu Hanwen did not insist: "Very well, then we shall meet again in Baishan City during the early spring.

"However, regarding cultivation... Brother Feng Zi is now at the perfection of a Martial Master, so you should also consider the matter of advancing to the Transformation Realm."

Feng Zi had no clue about this issue, and seeing that the other party was willing to share, he hurriedly said, "I ask for Brother Hanwen's guidance."

Lu Hanwen did not hold back and frankly informed him: "Every time one breaks through a major realm, it is a reshaping and reconstruction of the body—

"When becoming a Martial Master, we must endure the pain of Broken Bone Rebirth; and when breaking through the shackles of the Transformation Realm, one must reshape the meridians of the entire body!

"But unlike Broken Bone Rebirth, breaking through to the Transformation Realm is truly too difficult, so much so that we Martial Masters must rely on the help of external forces?"

"External forces..." Feng Zi subconsciously repeated the term.

Lu Hanwen nodded slightly and continued: "The so-called 'external force' is the entire essence of a beast that has become a spirit.

"But beasts becoming spirits is a matter of extreme coincidence; furthermore, after a beast becomes a spirit, it gains a modicum of intelligence and possesses greater strength, making it extremely difficult to capture.

"Even exhausting the resources of the Lu Family and the Li Family, we could only find this opportunity for Li Shou and myself—my apologies, Brother Feng Zi, I cannot help with this matter."

Hearing the explanation, Feng Zi understood that breaking through to the Transformation Realm might not be such a simple matter.

He also understood that Lu Hanwen being able to tell him all this information meant he already regarded him as one of his own, so naturally, he would not covet anything more excessive.

Yet at this moment, Li Shou, who had remained silent throughout, threw out a bombshell: "There is a lead."

Not only Feng Zi, but even Lu Hanwen could not help but press for details upon hearing this: "Quick, tell us in detail!"

"It is only a lead, do not be happy too soon." Li Shou merely shook his head and said calmly:

"According to reports from the mountain patrol, there are rumors in the surrounding villages that there is a secretive, evil beast in the mountains—judging by the description, it perfectly fits the characteristics of a 'beast that has become a spirit.'

"But the authenticity of this legend remains to be verified, and the County Government Office lacks the manpower, so it has not been further investigated."

Hearing this, Feng Zi and Lu Hanwen knew that this vague piece of news could not really be taken too seriously.

But before Feng Zi could say anything, Lu Hanwen spoke first:

"Hmm, the credibility of this news... is about fifty percent; it is well worth exploring."

Seeing the other's thoughtful expression, it did not look like he was deliberately trying to deceive Feng Zi.

Lu Hanwen stroked his chin, looked at Feng Zi, and said: "Brother Feng Zi, do you have a suitable weapon?"

"A weapon?" He could not help but be stunned by this question—

He practiced Fist Technique and had never considered adding a weapon for himself until now.

Seeing Feng Zi's attitude, Lu Hanwen shook his head helplessly and sighed: "That won't do. Once a beast becomes a spirit, it is an extremely difficult trouble to deal with.

"If the lead Brother Li Shou mentioned is true, and Brother Feng Zi has no weapon, you would already be at a disadvantage; how could you hunt it successfully?"

Having said that, he looked at the attendant beside him and ordered: "Go and fetch my precious bow, then go to the Fu Ku and take a few quivers of arrows to give to Brother Feng Zi."

Upon hearing this, the attendant immediately agreed and trotted out of the room.

Before long, the attendant returned to Feng Zi's side, carrying three quivers full of arrows at his waist and holding a slender wooden box in his hands.

Seeing this, Lu Hanwen immediately laughed: "I am truly powerless regarding Brother Feng Zi's advancement to the Transformation Realm, so I can only gift you this precious bow as a token of my sincerity!"

"What is Brother Hanwen saying? Cultivation is a personal matter, how could I blame you for this?"

Feng Zi had originally intended to be humble, but the moment he opened the wooden box and saw the longbow inside, he understood the preciousness of this bow:

The longbow was made from a piece of fine-quality locust wood, and the bow body was wrapped in solid-colored animal hide, which not only protected the bow from damage but also increased its strength.

Even more exaggerated was that the bowstring was made from a single, complete piece of ox tendon!

Seeing this, Feng Zi shook his head repeatedly and refused: "This gift is far too precious; I cannot accept it!"

Lu Hanwen merely waved his hand and said: "This is just a weapon; it is more useful to Brother Feng Zi, so just accept it frankly."

Feng Zi declined in every way possible, but because Lu Hanwen was truly insistent, he had no choice but to accept the gift:

"Brother Hanwen, I will accept this bow, but please do not gift me any more items; I truly feel ashamed."

Things having reached this point, Feng Zi naturally understood that regardless of what calculations Lu Hanwen might have in his heart, the other party truly regarded him as a close friend.

It was just that because this young master of the Lu Family truly had no experience in making friends, he only knew how to keep giving gifts.

If it were only once or twice, Feng Zi would have accepted it readily.

But realizing that the other party seemed to do this every time, he had no choice but to offer advice—

As a friend, if the other party's actions were inappropriate, one should advise them.

Upon hearing this, Lu Hanwen replied somewhat sheepishly: "Brother Feng Zi's words are reasonable."

After this little interlude, the three continued to enjoy the banquet.

During this time, they talked so enthusiastically that they could not help but stand up and spar once more.

Until the bright moon hung high and the host and guests were all satisfied, Feng Zi hung the quivers at his waist, picked up the wooden box containing the precious bow, and rose to take his leave:

"Tomorrow morning, Brother Hanwen and Brother Li Shou will set off for Baishan City. I see that it is already late, so I will bid you both farewell."

Lu Hanwen wanted to keep him longer, but was politely declined by Feng Zi: "Brother Hanwen, this departure is not a final farewell—

"Three months from now, we will surely meet again in Baishan City, and at that time, the three of us shall feast again!"

……

Watching Feng Zi's figure gradually recede into the distance, Li Shou remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking:

"Breaking through to the Transformation Realm depends not only on a Martial Artist's natural talent, but even more on his opportunities and the foundation of his family. Tell me... do you think Feng Zi can break through to the Transformation Realm?"

Regarding this question, Lu Hanwen merely picked up his teacup and said indifferently, "I believe he certainly can!"

"The reason?"

"There is no reason; my intuition just tells me so."

"Relying solely on intuition? That doesn't sound like the style of the calculating Young Master Lu."

"One cannot always rely on schemes; this is a principle you taught me yourself—besides, my intuition has never been wrong."

"Then let us wait and see."