"With such a promising junior in the village, naturally I, Third Master, must look after him. I had my youngest son trade for this from Fierce Mountain Hall. Er Gou, see if you're satisfied."
Chen San Ye spoke with a beaming smile.
Hearing Chen San Ye's words, Chen Xuan grew even more puzzled.
"Fierce Mountain Hall!"
Recalling the several sources mentioned by the system, he naturally knew what Fierce Mountain Hall was. It was a rather powerful gang in Green Mountain City. It was said that Chen San Ye's youngest son had joined Fierce Mountain Hall.
What puzzled Chen Xuan was what item could possibly warrant Chen San Ye having his own youngest son trade for it from Fierce Mountain Hall.
Puzzled though he was, Chen Xuan still opened the wooden box.
The moment the wooden box opened, Chen Xuan's pupils contracted involuntarily.
Inside the box lay a longbow forged from pitch-black metal, along with more than a dozen arrows.
With a single glance, Chen Xuan could tell that this bow was far superior to the Iron Draw Bow Chen San Ye had given him some days ago. The material it was forged from was very likely refined iron—even the arrowheads were the same.
"Well?"
"This is a ten-stone bow. Even in Green Mountain City, it would be worth at least twenty taels of silver, and it's very difficult to buy. So, are you satisfied?"
Chen San Ye spoke with a genial smile, but his words were enough to set the surrounding villagers watching in an uproar.
"Twenty taels? This bow and arrow costs twenty taels?"
"My heavens!"
"This is for Er Gou? Third Master, that's far too generous."
Voices rose one after another. Listening to them, Chen San Ye was immensely satisfied. This was precisely the result he wanted.
Of course, that was merely incidental. His most important target was still Chen Xuan.
"Thank you, Third Master!"
Looking at the longbow in his hands, Chen Xuan fell silent for a moment before speaking softly. He closed the wooden box and slung it over his back.
"You're too polite!"
"Er Gou, you're one of our village's finest. Perhaps one day, you'll enter Green Mountain City, join a martial academy, and become a lofty martial artist. If I give you a little support, perhaps you'll be able to afford the hundred-tael annual fee for martial academy apprentices. Then Small River Village can produce a martial artist too, bringing glory to our ancestors."
Chen San Ye spoke with a faint smile. Watching Chen Xuan's movements, a trace of amusement flashed through his eyes.
"Martial academy apprentice!"
Chen Xuan raised his brows, looking somewhat surprised.
"That's right, a martial academy apprentice. For villagers like us, the only way to rise above the crowd is to learn martial arts. But learning martial arts is simply too expensive—more than ten taels of silver every month. Very few of us can afford it. But once you've mastered it, you'll truly rise above the crowd. A martial artist—even the lord of Green Mountain City treats one with courtesy."
Chen San Ye spoke as though sighing with emotion.
"Martial artists!"
"Learning martial arts?"
"Martial academies?"
"Third Master, is that true?"
Chen Xuan put on a shocked expression, though suspicion rose in his heart. Chen San Ye's words were far too deliberate, forcing him to think more deeply.
"Of course it's true. Third Master wouldn't lie to you!"
Chen San Ye said seriously.
"I understand!"
"Thank you, Third Master, for telling me!"
Chen Xuan pretended to be even more excited as he cupped his hands toward Chen San Ye in thanks.
"No need to thank me. It's a small matter!"
Chen San Ye nodded with a smile.
The two exchanged a few pleasantries.
Then Chen Xuan took his leave and returned home.
After Chen Xuan left, Chen San Ye also returned home.
Back in his study, Chen San Ye's smile vanished, and his brows furrowed slightly.
"Er He, what did Bao Qing say over there?"
Chen San Ye looked toward the servant named Er He, who stood respectfully at the side attending him.
"Young Master Bao Qing said that Master should get him a Tiger Heart as soon as possible. He is about to complete First Blood Refining. Once he does, he can become a disciple under Fierce Mountain Hall's Vice Hall Master. Then he can bring Master to live in Green Mountain City—perhaps even enter the Inner City!"
Er He hurriedly reported, his expression filled with respect and excitement.
Green Mountain City—that was Green Mountain City! If Master was taken there, would they not be taken there as well? Just thinking about such a life made one excited.
"I understand."
Chen San Ye nodded, his thoughts sinking into contemplation.
"Master, what if that boy takes the bow but doesn't go hunting?"
Seeing his master deep in thought, Er He hesitated before finally voicing the question he could not hold back.
"Rest assured, he'll go."
"That boy isn't someone willing to fade into obscurity. He definitely wants to leave Small River Village and enter Green Mountain City. The little money from wild boar won't be enough for him to enter Green Mountain City, nor will it be enough for him to learn martial arts!"
Chen San Ye gave a soft laugh.
Those words of his had not been spoken casually. He had said them on purpose.
His goal was to lure Chen Xuan in until his blood rushed to his head.
Who did not want to rise above the crowd and go to Green Mountain City?
But desires required a price. He only had a little over thirty taels now. Forget learning martial arts—even living in Green Mountain City would be beyond his means.
And if it wasn't enough, what could he do? He could only take risks.
With Chen Xuan's hunting skills, if he joined forces with some of the village hunters, there was still a good chance they could kill a fierce tiger.
As for how many people might die, Chen San Ye did not care.
As long as he could obtain a Tiger Heart and his youngest son could break through to the Blood Refining Realm, everything would be worth it.
"Master is wise!"
Er He hurriedly flattered him.
"Hahaha, once this master of yours goes to Green Mountain City, your good days will come too!"
Chen San Ye's smile grew ever brighter.
Meanwhile, Chen Xuan, who had left, naturally knew nothing of what had happened in Chen San Ye's room. Yet with the experience of two lifetimes, he quickly pieced together the crux of the matter.
Clearly, Chen San Ye had given him bows twice and paid him prices far above the market rate every time he sold wild boar because he wanted to draw closer to him. As for why he wanted to do that, he most likely wanted Chen Xuan to hunt Tiger and Leopard.
Even the later information about martial artists and martial academies had undoubtedly been meant to lure him into taking the bait.
The only thing Chen Xuan did not quite understand was why Chen San Ye needed so many fierce beasts.
He had already sold the man seven wild boar in total, and now the man wanted Tiger and Leopard as well.
His thoughts churned.
Chen Xuan kept thinking.
Before he knew it, he had walked back home.
At home, his mother had already prepared the meal.
Chen Xuan shook his head. Unable to figure it out despite thinking about it all the way home, he decided to stop dwelling on it for now.
But just as his family finished eating—
An unexpected visitor appeared at the door.
"Uncle Zhang Shan?"
Chen Xuan opened the courtyard gate and looked at Zhang Shan, confusion on his face.
Since learning archery that one time, this was the first time he had seen Zhang Shan.
"Er Gou, do you have time?"
Seeing Chen Xuan, Zhang Shan's expression was somewhat complicated. After hesitating, he still spoke softly.
"Yes."
Chen Xuan thought about it, then nodded.
On one hand, he was curious about Zhang Shan's visit. On the other, Zhang Shan had taught him a few months ago. Even if it had only been a transaction between them, Chen Xuan would still give him some face.
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