Warmth

Wang Er sized him up and down, his gaze landing on the bulging pack behind him and the brand-new Ox-Horn Bow. His eyes immediately lit up:

"Hey, kid, did you strike it rich?

You're carrying so much stuff, and you even got a new bow? Do you know how to use it?"

Li Si also crowded over, rubbing his hands as he laughed:

"Brother Xiao, look, we're brothers, aren't we? Now that your days are better, shouldn't you help us out a little?

I lost money gambling a while back. I'm worrying over having no rice for the pot."

As they spoke, the two reached out to touch Li Xiao's pack, looking as though it were only natural for Li Xiao's things to be split half-and-half with them.

Li Xiao shifted aside to avoid them, his gaze turning several degrees colder. "My things have nothing to do with you."

The smile on Wang Er's face froze, and he looked somewhat displeased:

"Li Xiao, what do you mean by that?

Have you forgotten who used to bring you along? You won't even give us this little bit of face?"

"The past is the past. The present is the present." Li Xiao looked at their sallow, emaciated faces, without a shred of sympathy in his heart.

"If you want to eat, find work yourselves. Don't set your sights on other people's things."

Li Si's expression darkened at those words:

"Did that beating turn you stupid, kid? You dare talk to us like that?

You think buying a lousy bow makes you something special?"

As he spoke, he stepped forward, intending to shove Li Xiao.

Li Xiao's eyes sharpened. He seized Li Si's wrist with a backhanded grab and applied the slightest bit of force.

He had always been bigger than the two of them, and after all this hunting and archery, his body had recovered somewhat. How could the strength in his hands be compared to that of these bottom-rung gang members who could barely afford to eat?

"Ow, it hurts! It hurts! Let go!" Li Si's face immediately went pale, and he bared his teeth in pain.

Wang Er, standing nearby, still wanted to help Li Si and charged at Li Xiao.

Li Xiao raised a foot. Wang Er felt a tremendous force strike his chest and was sent sprawling by a single kick.

"Scram." Li Xiao released his hand and looked at them. The calmness in his eyes frightened the two of them.

The old Li Xiao had been somewhat fierce as well, but he had never dared lay hands on members of a gang.

Malice flashed through their eyes. They looked at the tranquil Li Xiao, then at the bow and arrows on his back. After exchanging a glance, they ultimately did not dare act any more recklessly.

"Fine, fine, Li Xiao! Just you wait!"

Wang Er threw out that threat, dragged away the still-grimacing Li Si, and fled with their tails between their legs.

Li Xiao watched their retreating backs without the slightest ripple in his gaze.

These so-called "brothers" were nothing more than petty scoundrels who fawned on the powerful and trampled the weak.

After returning home, he set down the things one by one and took out the wine flask.

"Dad, I bought the wine you used to like. Let's have a little drink today."

Li Xiao said with a smile.

Smelling the fragrance of the wine, Li Youde nodded repeatedly. He had not touched alcohol in a long time.

Li Youde glanced again and saw the Ox-Horn Great Bow behind Li Xiao.

"You bought a new bow?"

"Yes. This bow draws one and a half shi, and it cost Two Taels of Silver.

Selling that mountain ginseng got me six taels, so I simply bought a new bow. Your bow is badly worn, and it doesn't feel right in my hands."

Li Youde put down the work in his hands and walked over to inspect the new bow carefully. His rough fingers lightly traced the grain of the bow body, his eyes full of admiration:

"A good bow, truly a fine bow...

A draw weight of one and a half shi—an ordinary hunter couldn't even pull it open.

Your strength has grown, it seems."

"Two taels? Isn't that too extravagant? The household still has expenses..."

"Don't worry, Dad." Li Xiao smiled and handed over the wine flask.

"There's still enough silver left from selling the mountain ginseng. This bow is very useful. When I go into the mountains to hunt or gather herbs later, having it will give me more protection."

He paused, then added.

"I also asked around in town today. Jishitang buys herbs, and their prices are fair. I plan to make more trips into the mountains from now on. I'll always be able to save up some money."

Li Youde accepted the flask, pulled out the stopper, and took a small sip. The rich fragrance of the wine spread over his tongue. He narrowed his eyes in comfort and nodded:

"As long as you know what you're doing."

"I know." Li Xiao answered as he turned to arrange the fine rice and braised foods he had bought.

"I bought fine rice today, along with some braised foods and seasonings. Even game tastes far too bland without seasonings."

After tidying everything away, Li Xiao took his newly purchased bow and arrows into the courtyard to practice.

The new bow truly was much easier to use than the old one, though its draw weight was also somewhat greater. Li Xiao had mostly recovered by now, but he still could not draw it to its full extent.

Looking at the target Twenty Zhang away, Li Xiao nocked an arrow and drew the bow in one smooth motion.

With a whoosh, the arrow tore through the air.

At the center of the target Twenty Zhang away, the arrow embedded itself squarely in the bullseye, its fletching still trembling.

Li Xiao looked at the bow and arrows in his hands, deeply satisfied.

Basic Archery Technique experience +1

Basic Archery Technique experience +1

Basic Archery Technique experience +1

Kitchen Smoke soon rose from the kitchen. Fine rice bubbled in the pot, giving off a sweet, clean fragrance.

Li Xiao set up the table and laid out the braised foods. He poured half a bowl of wine for Old Dad and half a bowl for himself, while Eldest Sister Li Yu remained busy in the kitchen.

After a while, the table was filled with several dishes: Wild Rabbit stewed with Gastrodia, braised foods, Wild Chicken, and Roe deer meat.

It had been a long time since the Li Family had been this lively.

Li Yu brought over the final plate of stir-fried wild vegetables, wiped the grease from her hands, and sat down with a smile:

"Eat quickly. The dishes are getting cold."

There was a trace of toil between her brows, yet as she looked at the table full of food, her Eyes sparkled brightly.

"Eldest Sister, sit down too."

Li Xiao placed a piece of Wild Chicken into her bowl.

"I bought fine rice today. Eat more."

Li Yu's face reddened slightly. "Eat your own food. I'm not hungry."

Though she said that, she still picked up her chopsticks and began taking small bites.

Li Youde held his bowl of wine and looked at his children seated around the table, his eyes growing hot.

When the family had nearly been unable to keep the pot boiling some time ago, he had always feared that his two children would suffer alongside him. Now, seeing the spread of meat dishes on the table and the new bow his son had brought home, the stone in his heart finally fell to the ground.

"Come, Dad, a toast to you."

Li Xiao raised his bowl and lightly clinked it against Old Dad's. "Our days will only get better and better."

"Good, good." Li Youde took a sip of wine and smacked his lips. "With those words from you, Dad can rest easy."

He looked at Li Yu. "You too—don't always bury yourself in work. Rest more when you have the time."

Li Yu nodded and placed a piece of soft, tender stewed Wild Rabbit into Li Youde's bowl:

"Dad, this is good for your health. Eat more."

The family ate and chatted. Li Xiao spoke of what he had seen in town, never mentioning the Wild Dog Gang or Lin Yue's miserable state. He only spoke of meeting an honest Shopkeeper when buying the bow, and of Jishitang purchasing herbs.

Li Youde and Li Yu listened attentively, occasionally chiming in. Laughter rose and fell throughout the house.

Halfway through the meal, Li Xiao remembered something.

"Dad, I plan to save up some silver and go study martial arts at the Martial Arts Hall in town. In times like these, only by becoming a Martial Master can one live a stable life."

Hearing this, Li Youde put down his bowl of wine and said with a furrowed brow.

"Xiao'er, if you want to study martial arts, Dad supports you. But the cost of learning martial arts?"

"It's fine, Dad. I have my own plans."

Li Xiao smiled. With Herbal Mastery and his hunting skills, if he saved bit by bit, he would eventually gather enough silver. Once he came into contact with martial arts, with the Panel's help, his progress would surely advance by leaps and bounds.

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