Gastrodia-Stewed Rabbit Meat

Basic Archery Technique experience +1

Basic Archery Technique experience +1

His Basic Archery Technique experience had reached 18 points. Li Xiao had already drawn and fired the bow more than a dozen times with all his strength.

Both his arms were numb and aching, without a shred of strength left.

He reckoned the Ox-Horn Bow's draw weight was probably comparable to the bows used by ancient armies in his previous life.

Without the strength of a hundred jin in both arms, drawing the bow into a full moon was impossible for now.

What was more, archery required long-term practice. Fortunately, he had the Panel.

If he could gain 18 experience points a day, he would reach Entry Level in around ten days.

Then he could head into the mountains to hunt and gather Herbs, improving their lives.

If he had meat every day and sufficient nutrition, he felt he could grind out even more experience daily.

Li Youde watched from the side with great interest.

Aside from being somewhat unpracticed at the beginning, Li Xiao had progressed at an astonishing pace afterward.

Moreover, Li Xiao could draw and fire the bow far more times than he himself had been able to back then.

Only when Li Xiao stopped did Li Youde nod in satisfaction.

Whether in comprehension or perseverance, Li Xiao was far better than he had been in the past.

"Good lad. Practice well, and one day you'll definitely become an outstanding hunter."

Li Youde laughed heartily, then turned and went back inside to prepare food for Li Xiao.

"A hunter?"

Li Xiao murmured to himself. What he wanted to become was a Martial Master. With the Panel's help, he was unwilling to grow old alone in this village...

Li Youde skillfully butchered the plump Wild Rabbit, then began skinning it.

"Not bad. This beast's fur is truly decent. It should fetch at least several dozen copper coins in town."

Li Xiao rested nearby. He wanted to lend a hand, but both arms were swollen with pain, leaving him no choice but to rest at the side.

"Dad, tell me more about the tricks of hunting," Li Xiao said expectantly as he rubbed his aching arms.

He could use this chance to learn more hunting experience.

Li Youde's knife never stopped moving. Soon, he had peeled off an entire intact Rabbit Hide.

"Hunting is all about sharp eyes, keen ears, light steps, and knowing the mountain terrain well."

Li Youde handled the Rabbit meat without even raising his eyes, smiling as he spoke.

"First, sharp eyes. You need to understand which way leaves have bent and which direction the wind is blowing.

"If you stand upwind, those beasts will catch your scent from far away.

"You must also carefully observe your surroundings. Some beasts are the same color as withered grass. Can you spot them at a glance?"

He raised a hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, tossed the skinned Wild Rabbit into a basin of clean water, and continued:

"And light steps. Don't snap dry branches or kick pebbles, or even the most alert prey will be startled away.

"Wild Rabbits like this usually hide in Bushes or beneath shaded dirt slopes. They are most active at dawn and dusk. Draw the bow quickly and release steadily. Aim the arrowhead at the base of their front legs—that skin is thin and easy to pierce, and it won't ruin the fur."

Li Xiao listened closely, committing every word to heart.

However, the Panel did not record these hunting techniques. Li Xiao was not upset; once he hunted often enough, he would naturally come to understand such experience.

He was not going to spend his whole life scraping out a living in these woods.

"What if I run into dangerous beasts like wolves or Wild Boars?"

Li Xiao continued asking.

"Don't panic when you encounter a dangerous beast." Li Youde paused his work and turned to look at him, his gaze becoming more serious.

"Wolves are suspicious by nature. If you stand still, they may not dare pounce on you easily. Use the chance to find a tree trunk or dirt slope for cover, then shoot at their eyes or throat.

"Wild Boars have rough hides and thick flesh, and arrows can hardly pierce them. Unless you can draw a full bow and hit their soft flank, run immediately. Don't try to fight them head-on."

He picked up the cleaver and began chopping the meat, the thud-thud of it echoing through the kitchen. "Once your archery reaches Entry Level, go test the waters in the Outskirts of Back Mountain. Start by practicing on rabbits and Wild Chickens.

"Remember, hunters do not rely on archery alone. They rely even more on their brains. Only by knowing what to pursue and what to avoid can you make a living in the mountains."

Li Xiao nodded heavily, feeling as though even the soreness in his arms had eased considerably.

With the Panel's support and Dad's guidance, it would not be long before he could enter the mountains and hunt for himself.

By then, he could save money, improve their meals, and build up his body. He would be another step closer to becoming a Martial Master.

He looked at the fresh, tender Rabbit meat in the basin, unable to stop a smile from curling up at the corners of his mouth.

After handling the Rabbit meat, Li Youde continued chatting with Li Xiao while also washing the Gastrodia.

Li Youde stewed half the Rabbit meat and saved the other half.

Before long, the rich fragrance of stewed meat filled the kitchen.

The meat's aroma mingled with Gastrodia's clean, mellow fragrance, thread by thread slipping into his nostrils. Li Xiao's aching, swollen arms seemed to be soothed by the scent, and his stomach gave an uncooperative growl.

Li Youde glanced at him, amusement hidden in his eyes, and added a piece of dry firewood to the stove.

"What's the rush? Gastrodia-stewed rabbit needs to simmer over a low flame so the medicinal properties can seep into the meat and replenish the strength you spent practicing with the bow."

He gently stirred the meat in the pot with an iron ladle. The broth bubbled away, milky-white soup rolling around the chunks of meat.

"Everything from the mountains nourishes the body. Once you can hunt game yourself, I'll stew meat for you every meal."

Li Xiao gave a dry laugh and said nothing.

Li Youde steamed another pot of Millet rice.

By evening, Li Yu had returned home as well.

With everyone gathered, it was time to eat.

A large basin of Gastrodia-stewed Rabbit meat sat on the table in the main room, its milky-white broth giving off an enticing fragrance.

Li Yu brought over Old Dad's bowl, ladled some broth, Rabbit meat, and Gastrodia into it, then did the same for Li Xiao.

Though there were few seasonings, the mellow fragrance of Gastrodia and the tempting Rabbit meat, with broth poured over golden Millet, made one's Index finger twitch with appetite.

"Xiao'er, soak your arms in hot water after dinner. It'll ease the soreness.

"When I practiced archery, I had to soak in hot water too.

"I heard wealthy people use medicinal baths. We don't have those conditions, so take it slowly."

Li Youde took a bite of Gastrodia and spoke with satisfaction.

Li Xiao shoveled down Millet rice soaked in meat broth. Hearing this, he raised his head and swallowed the meat in his mouth. "Got it, Dad. I'll boil some hot water and soak them later."

He picked up a piece of Gastrodia stewed until soft and glutinous. It was faintly sweet upon entering his mouth, and as it slid down his throat, his chest felt warm all over.

After dinner, Li Xiao boiled hot water in the pot and poured it into a basin.

He soaked both arms in it while Eldest Sister Li Yu massaged them at the side, helping promote circulation and disperse bruising.

Wisps of heat seeped from his skin into his muscles, and Li Xiao felt his taut, aching arms relax considerably.

Meanwhile, Li Youde bustled about making a target for Li Xiao.

Accuracy in archery was not easy to practice. Even old hunters who had hunted for over a decade would not dare claim that their arrows never missed.

Li Youde took a saw and cut the dead locust tree trunk in the yard into a wooden post half a man tall. Then he found a flat wooden board and firmly nailed it to the top of the post.

"The target needs to be sturdy. Otherwise, it'll sway back and forth when you practice, and you won't develop accuracy."

He squatted on the ground, snapped a cross onto the board with an ink line, then used charcoal to draw three circles along the lines. The innermost circle was only the size of a fist.

"The innermost part is the Bullseye. First practice fixed-target shooting from three zhang away. Once you can land five out of ten arrows in the Bullseye, move farther back."

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