Taking a Master

Elder Wu narrowed his eyes as he looked at the dart on the target. With his keen eyesight, it was naturally not difficult to see that the dart had embedded itself deep into the wood, indicating that the force behind it was by no means weak.

He subconsciously looked at Qin Fang again. The boy was like a bamboo pole; although he had grown a bit fairer during this time, he was still thin and gaunt. This was because he hadn't prepared any meat for the lad last time.

The boy was a refugee who had been in a state of starvation for a long time. When he was treating the boy's injuries, he had long since discovered that the boy's stomach was already having some issues. Coupled with a body that was too weak, it couldn't handle heavy, greasy food, or it might lead to serious complications.

That was why he had first used millet and other light foods to nourish him for a period of time. Only after the body naturally adjusted itself could he consume rich, oily foods to thoroughly restore his health.

Therefore, he was very clear that the boy's body should still be quite weak right now.

Yet, he was able to throw such a powerful dart?

He squinted his eyes.

With his discernment, he could naturally tell that the boy had absolutely no martial arts training. His footing was rootless and unsteady, and there were no calluses on his hands from years of practicing with darts.

In less than twenty days, he had actually mastered the dart? Not only was there force behind it, but there was even a certain degree of accuracy?

Elder Wu was a bit surprised.

However, he remained calm, merely watching Qin Fang.

At this moment, Qin Fang was staring fixedly at the half-side of pork on the cart, his eyes glowing with a greenish light.

"Bring the things inside."

Elder Wu didn't say much, instead beckoning to the simple-minded youth.

"Alrighty."

The simple-minded youth responded and began moving the items. As he entered the gate, he gave Qin Fang a guileless smile.

Qin Fang snapped out of his trance and nodded in response.

He then began to help, and soon, everything on the cart was moved into the courtyard.

Once everything was finished, Elder Wu took out a few copper coins and handed them to the simple-minded youth, who accepted them happily before saying goodbye.

After the courtyard gate was closed, Qin Fang kept staring at the pork, swallowing his saliva.

Since transmigrating, he hadn't eaten a single meal of meat.

And in his past life, he was someone who couldn't live without meat.

Just thinking about that plump, wobbly, oily braised pork... he felt his stomach roaring.

"Were you practicing darts just now?"

Right at that moment, Elder Wu's voice suddenly rang out.

Qin Fang came to his senses, used great willpower to tear his gaze away from the meat, and looked at Elder Wu, who was currently observing his target.

"Yes." Qin Fang nodded.

"Have you practiced before?" Elder Wu asked.

"No." Qin Fang shook his head.

Elder Wu raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, and said, "Shoot a round for me to see."

Qin Fang was a bit puzzled, not understanding why Elder Wu would suddenly make such a request.

However, after thinking about it, he nodded anyway. He walked to the target and retrieved the darts.

On the panel, his "Hidden Weapon (Dart)" had reached "Entry Level 487 points," just over ten points away from reaching the "Minor Accomplishment" realm.

The darts he threw now were not only forceful, but their accuracy was also guaranteed to a certain extent.

He couldn't hit the bullseye every single time, but he could basically hit the center within five meters.

According to the progress, at most one more day, he would reach the "Minor Accomplishment" realm.

To be honest, he was quite looking forward to the epiphany that would come with the "Minor Accomplishment" realm.

He wondered what kind of harvest this dart epiphany would bring?

Would it make the darts more powerful?

Or would it improve his accuracy?

After retrieving the darts, he naturally retreated to five meters away, while Elder Wu watched with narrowed eyes.

Then, he saw Qin Fang exhale lightly, his expression becoming focused.

The next moment...

Whoosh!

With a flick of his wrist, a dart shot out from his hand.

After the sound of air being torn, a "thud" was heard as it instantly struck the bullseye.

This level of performance was already commonplace for Qin Fang. Without pausing, he took another dart and flicked it out...

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Three sounds rang out in succession.

Four darts were embedded in the target, all of them dead center.

This was a full five-meter distance; how could Qin Fang, who possessed zero cultivation, actually manage to hit the bullseye with every single throw?

An ordinary person wouldn't even be able to hit the target at one meter, let alone five.

The look of astonishment on Elder Wu deepened.

"Kid, come here."

Elder Wu suddenly beckoned to Qin Fang.

Qin Fang was puzzled, but he walked over nonetheless.

Then, Elder Wu suddenly grabbed his arm, and under Qin Fang's stunned gaze, he began to feel the bones of his hands inch by inch.

...His two arms were thin as a rail, with almost no muscle or fat, just a layer of skin stretched over bone; even he felt bony to the touch.

Elder Wu felt them very carefully, not only checking Qin Fang's arms but also his back.

Qin Fang looked confused, not understanding what Elder Wu was doing.

However, he did not resist.

After feeling around for a while, Elder Wu let go, his expression thoughtful.

A moment later, he suddenly asked to confirm, "You really only practiced for ten days or so?"

Qin Fang nodded.

Elder Wu fell into deep thought.

"Elder Wu?"

Seeing Elder Wu remain silent for a long time, Qin Fang spoke up with a puzzled look.

Elder Wu snapped back to reality and looked at Qin Fang. After a moment of silence, he narrowed his eyes and suddenly asked, "Kid, do you want to practice martial arts?"

Qin Fang was stunned at first, but immediately after, before Elder Wu could react, Qin Fang dropped to his knees with a thud and, while Elder Wu was still dazed, knocked his head against the floor three times.

"Eh?"

Elder Wu was startled, but before he could even finish his "eh" or say anything else, the other had already finished kowtowing.

Then, a respectful voice rang out.

"Disciple Qin Fang pays respects to Master!"

Wait, I didn't say I wanted to take an apprentice!

Elder Wu's eyes widened.

I just asked that casually; this kid really knows how to climb the pole the moment it's offered!

Elder Wu stared at Qin Fang.

Qin Fang remained respectful.

"..."

Elder Wu was speechless.

He had forgotten.

This kid was incredibly slippery.

As a refugee, suffering from severe injuries and trapped in a desperate situation, he had managed to find a way to break the deadlock and survive in a short amount of time.

Although the aftereffects were significant... if he were in the kid's shoes, he might not have done any better.

He was also well aware of the kid's current predicament... he had likely been racking his brain for days trying to figure out what to do.

His own words had undoubtedly provided him with a pole.

...How could he not climb it immediately?

Thinking of this, he felt speechless.

Qin Fang, however, remained as respectful as ever.

Elder Wu was choked with frustration, but it was indeed he who had said something so easily misunderstood.

This...

Should he take him as an apprentice?

Elder Wu furrowed his brows.

To be honest, he hadn't had that intention before.

But now...

He really began to consider it seriously.

This kid had remarkable willpower and mental fortitude. Although they hadn't interacted much, his speech and conduct were far superior to the young shop assistants at Spring Return Hall.

Furthermore, he had managed to grasp the basics of throwing darts in just ten days, something he had never touched before...

Although it only looked like he had barely entered the door, he had figured it out all on his own, which showed his extraordinary aptitude.

Although his innate aptitude is somewhat lacking.

But with this level of comprehension, if nurtured properly, achieving the Ming Jin stage in a few years shouldn't be a problem.

It's just this matter of character and integrity...

Elder Wu felt a bit conflicted.

But after a moment, he let out a soft sigh.

"You brat are certainly slippery... get up first."

Qin Fang said respectfully, "Yes."

Only then did he scramble to his feet.

Elder Wu looked at Qin Fang, who was a head taller than him, with a helpless expression.

After a pause, he said, "Taking on a disciple is no small matter, but since you have already kowtowed, and it is indeed true that I was the one who first..."

"Forget it, I will temporarily accept you as a nominal disciple. But as for formal apprenticeship... I still need to think it over."

In this ancient world, the relationship between master and disciple is an incredibly close one.

A formal apprenticeship involves an entire set of complex and solemn rituals.

As the saying goes, "A master observes a disciple for three years, and a disciple observes a master for three years"... The master teaches you the skills and principles to make a living and conduct yourself in society. The disciple is responsible for inheriting the master's mantle and even providing for them in their old age and burying them.

It is almost equivalent to a father-son relationship.

Heaven, Earth, Sovereign, Kin, Master.

This is an existence worthy of a place on the altar!

Such an important relationship naturally requires a comprehensive examination and confirmation of the other party's character, temperament, and every other aspect.

How could it be such a simple matter?

And how long have Qin Fang and Elder Wu known each other?

A month at most.

Where could there be any mutual understanding or trust between the two?

What can be seen is only the most superficial of things.

But since Elder Wu had already spoken, and Qin Fang had climbed up the pole as soon as it was offered, given his status, he couldn't simply refuse.

However, the necessary warnings still had to be given.

"However, don't think that just because you've taken me as your master, I will handle everything for you... Some things, you still have to handle yourself... I am not taking on a disciple to invite trouble for myself."

Elder Wu warned him earnestly.