Keep Grinding

At noon the next day, Li Xiao was practicing archery in the courtyard.

He smoothly drew his bow, nocked an arrow, and aimed at the bullseye.

The bullseye gradually seemed as large as a millstone in his eyes.

His breathing was even as force rose from his waist and abdomen, flowed through his arms, and entered the bowstring.

When he drew it to eighty percent, he held steady for half a second—this was the "Steady Force" he had comprehended through more than ten days of real combat, and it made an arrow's flight path straighter.

"Loose!"

His fingers suddenly released. The crisp snap of the bowstring tore through the air as the arrow shot off the string, streaking across seventeen zhang with a fierce sound of wind.

With a thunk, it lodged firmly in the very center of the bullseye. The feathers on the arrow tail buzzed and trembled for a long while before finally going still.

Basic Archery Technique experience +1

Basic Archery Technique experience +1

Li Xiao nodded in satisfaction.

Now that he had taken down a Roe Deer, there was enough meat to last them for some time, so he did not go up the mountain to hunt today.

The Roe Deer he had hunted had yet to be processed and was lying atop a haystack in the courtyard.

A figure approached from afar, following the small path toward the Li Family home.

Looking closely, he saw that it was Chen De from yesterday.

"Li Family boy, still practicing your archery? No wonder you have such fine skill. I came to see your dad today."

Before Chen De had even entered the courtyard, he spoke with a genial smile.

Li Xiao nodded, greeted him, and continued shooting.

Li Youde also heard the voices and opened the door to welcome Chen De inside.

"Old Li, it seems that after this upheaval, that boy has finally turned over a new leaf."

"You'll have someone to carry on your line from now on."

Chen De teased.

"It was all because I, as his father, failed to teach him well. But now that he knows his mistakes, it isn't too late."

"I can finally face Xiu'er with a clear conscience."

Li Youde sighed with emotion.

Li Youde had once enjoyed a good reputation in the village. Sometimes, when he caught prey, he would even share some with the villagers.

But Li Xiao had been far too much of a bastard. Not only had he dragged the Li Family's reputation through the mud, he had also made many of Li Youde's old friends keep their distance.

Chen De was one of his few remaining friends.

"Old Li, I came this time to ask whether you could sell some of that Roe deer meat to the villagers at a lower price."

"That boy inherited your skills. He surely won't lack meat in the future. What do you think?"

Chen De continued.

Li Youde did not answer immediately.

Li Youde's brows drew together slightly. His fingers rubbed the rough cuff of his sleeve, and only after pondering for a moment did he speak.

"Old Chen, it isn't that I'm stingy. Xiao'er risked his life to hunt that Roe Deer."

"There isn't much meat. I had wanted him to use it to build up his body—you know he suffered quite a bit some time ago."

The smile on Chen De's face faded somewhat, though his expression remained earnest.

"Old Li, I understand what you mean."

"But the village has been suffering from a grain shortage lately. Many families cannot even keep the pot boiling, and the children are starving until their faces are yellow and their bodies thin."

"Your Xiao'er is skilled with the bow. Hunting won't be difficult for him from now on. If you spare some meat, it will not only help them through this urgent need, but also make the villagers remember your kindness. The gossip from past years will slowly fade as well."

Outside the courtyard, Li Xiao paused as he heard this, his hand that was nocking an arrow stopping briefly. His gaze swept over the plump Roe Deer on the haystack.

He did not care about his own reputation, but his Old Dad had been dragged down by him enough. It would not hurt to let his Old Dad sell a little.

Before long, his archery would reach Minor Accomplishment. By then, hunting would become even easier, and it would not delay his practice progress either.

"Dad, since Uncle Chen has put it that way, sell them some."

Li Xiao walked into the house and spoke calmly.

"Alright, we'll do as you say." Li Youde agreed at once.

Roe Deer were scarce to begin with, rare Wild Game. If sold in the County Town, a jin would fetch around forty copper coins.

Li Youde knew the prices of this Wild Game well. Since he was selling to fellow villagers, he would make it cheaper—thirty-five copper coins per jin.

Even at that price, however, it was still expensive for many villagers. They would probably only buy a few liang to have a taste of meat.

After receiving Li Youde's answer, Chen De chatted for a little longer before taking his leave.

Li Youde began skillfully skinning and deboning the Roe Deer in the courtyard.

The Roe Deer's fur had not been damaged. If the hide was removed intact, it could sell for one tael of silver in town.

This was truly good stuff!

Li Xiao, meanwhile, continued grinding away at his archery in the courtyard.

Basic Archery Technique experience points +1

Basic Archery Technique experience points +1

Li Xiao opened the Panel.

Host: Li Xiao

Recorded: Herbal Compendium (Mastered) Basic Archery Technique Minor Accomplishment (300/500)

Special skill: Herbal Mastery

At this rate, his Basic Archery Technique would reach Minor Accomplishment in just eight days. By then, his archery would likely be not far behind his Old Dad's.

In such a short time, he could grind out some experience and become nearly comparable to his Old Dad, who had practiced archery for decades. The Panel might be simple, but its function was immensely powerful.

The next day, quite a few people came to the Li Family's previously quiet courtyard.

Led by Chen De, they had all come to buy Roe deer meat and satisfy their cravings.

Li Xiao, meanwhile, carried his bow, arrows, and basket up the mountain to gather herbs.

With the support of Herbal Mastery, he could identify useful medicinal herbs at a glance amid the tangled grasses and trees.

Plantain Herb and Dandelion went without saying. Even Bupleurum hidden beneath decaying leaves and Polygala root tucked into cracks between rocks could not escape his eyes.

A rustling sound came from the bushes to his left. Li Xiao instinctively pressed a hand against the bow body and stared intently.

A gray-brown Wild Rabbit was lowering its head to gnaw on tender grass, its plump body especially conspicuous beneath the morning sunlight.

He slowly drew an arrow. The bow curved like a full moon, but this time, before he had drawn it to eighty percent, he abruptly released—the archery technique was improving by the day, and he could already control the force by feel alone.

The arrow tore through the air and pierced cleanly through the Wild Rabbit's neck. It fell to the ground before it even had time to struggle.

Li Xiao bent down, picked up the Wild Rabbit, and casually tossed it into his basket.

With archery and Herbal Mastery, this mountain was practically a natural treasure vault.

He did not linger. He continued searching for herbs, and before long, his bamboo basket was more than half full. There was especially an abundance of nourishing medicinal herbs such as Codonopsis and Huang Qi—he intended to help his Old Dad build up his body, while saving some for medicine later.

When the sun rose high overhead, Li Xiao headed down the mountain with his heavy basket on his back.

"The Li Family boy has really done a good deed this time. Where else could you buy Roe deer meat for thirty-five copper coins a jin, especially in the County Town?"

"Exactly! My child hadn't had any meat for ages. He ate half a bowl this morning and was so happy he nearly bounced into the sky."

"They used to say he was a bastard, but now he's changed his ways. Old Li has finally endured until the clouds parted and the moon shone through."

Quite a few people at the village entrance had bought some Roe deer meat that morning. Most had only purchased a few liang; there were barely any who could afford a full jin.

They knew that Li Youde had given them a discount, and they remembered his kindness. At this moment, they stood around in twos and threes, discussing it among themselves.

Li Xiao passed by on his way down the mountain. He did not go over to speak with them, merely letting the corner of his mouth curl into a faint smile.

He did not care about other people's opinions, but hearing those words still made him feel at ease—not for himself, but because his Old Dad would no longer be criticized by others because of him.

When he returned home, the villagers who had come to buy meat were gone. Li Youde was sitting on the doorstep, wiping down arrows. Seeing him return, a gratified smile appeared on his face.

"You're back? You brought back quite a haul today."

"I gathered some herbs and caught a Wild Rabbit too."

Li Xiao set down the basket and handed over the Wild Rabbit.

"Dad, stew it for lunch."

Li Youde took the Wild Rabbit. His gaze fell upon the herbs in the basket, and surprise flashed through his eyes. "Your eye is sharper than even the old herbalists in the village. You can find something every day when you gather herbs."

As he spoke, he suddenly remembered something. He took a cloth bundle from his robes and handed it to Li Xiao. "This is the money from selling the Roe deer meat—three hundred and twenty copper coins in total. Keep it."

Li Xiao did not take it, shaking his head. "Dad, keep it. The household expenses need it too."

"Take it." Li Youde stuffed the cloth bundle into his hand.

"You need to practice archery and gather herbs now. You may need to buy arrows and medicine hoes in the future, and all of that costs money."

"Besides, you hunted this Roe Deer. The money should have been yours in the first place. I skinned the Deer Hide intact, and I'll take it into town to sell another day."

Li Xiao no longer refused and put away the cloth bundle.

He opened the Panel. The experience for Basic Archery Technique had already risen to 325.