After pondering for a moment, Gu Sheng ultimately gave up on the idea.
Although his archery had now reached mastery, and he was fully capable of hunting on his own in that regard.
He had only been hunting in the mountains for a little over a month, after all, and was not especially familiar with the conditions there. If he carelessly ventured too deep, he might end up in danger.
Wait a little longer. Over the next month, I can increase how often I enter the mountains, observe carefully, and learn from experience. By then, I should be able to handle most situations in the mountains, and then I'll try going in alone!
Gu Sheng decided it was better to be cautious.
In another month, it would more or less be autumn. By then, the wild beasts in the mountains would have put on more weight, making it the peak season for hunting.
Once winter arrived, prey would become much scarcer. Together with the heavy snow sealing off the mountains, hunting would become even more difficult.
Gu Sheng had his own measure of things.
He wanted to gain greater returns while avoiding major risks as much as possible. Everything came with risks, but he wanted those risks to remain manageable.
Over the next month.
Gu Sheng began to grow at a steady yet rapid pace.
Chopping wood and practicing archery every day, along with all the rice he could eat and nourishing meat meals, made his body visibly stronger!
Fourteen was already an age when boys grew quickly.
It had only been a few months since he awakened the wisdom of his past life, yet Gu Sheng had shot up by more than a head. He was now only a head shorter than Gu Erniu, and his strength had increased tremendously. Even some adults might not be his match.
As a result.
Gu Sheng chopped wood even faster. He no longer needed an entire morning to split a thousand logs; this was the improvement brought by his stronger physique.
The same was true for his archery.
Gu Sheng could now easily draw his hunting bow to a full moon. He had considered replacing it with a stronger hunting bow, but ultimately gave up on the idea.
It was simply too expensive. Even if he emptied all his savings, he might not be able to afford one.
Besides, a one-stone bow was enough for hunting for now. Gu Sheng suppressed the thought; the more than two taels of silver he had worked so hard to save still had to be kept for martial arts training.
Over this one month.
Gu Sheng entered the mountains ten times in total!
When Gu Erniu was available, he went into the mountains with Gu Erniu. If Gu Erniu was unavailable, he went with Zhang Ze and other hunters he knew.
Gu Sheng was like a sponge, madly absorbing every kind of hunting experience.
Cutting paths through the forest, familiarizing himself with the mountain terrain, identifying signs left by wild beasts, mixing powders, making traps, recognizing medicinal herbs...
Gu Sheng did not overlook a single piece of knowledge or skill that a qualified hunter needed to master.
Fortunately, he had lived two lives. In particular, the compulsory education of his previous life had given him his own methods for acquiring knowledge, so he learned very quickly.
The other hunters were also happy to enter the mountains with Gu Sheng.
First, Gu Sheng's archery was exceptional, so hunting with him gave them a better chance of making a catch.
Second, Gu Sheng often took the initiative to give up a share of the profits.
Because of this, many people even competed to team up with Gu Sheng.
Gu Sheng did not mind giving up a small amount of profit.
He knew that he was unrelated to these people. If not for profit, why would they share hunting experience and knowledge with him? Even if he could figure those things out himself after some time.
To speed up his growth, Gu Sheng knew this was necessary.
Still, as always, Gu Sheng concealed the true extent of his archery. He only displayed a level roughly equal to, or even slightly below, Gu Erniu's.
Only occasionally would he fire an inspired arrow that drew waves of amazement.
Naturally, Gu Sheng would always modestly say it was luck.
That night.
Gu Erniu and Gu Sheng sat facing each other over drinks, with rabbit meat stewing in the pot. The liquor was strong and harsh, but for common folk at the bottom of society, it was already a rare luxury.
Gu Erniu was very happy today.
When he took Gu Wan to see Gu Changming, Gu Changming had praised Gu Wan. Gu Wan had good bone structure, better than Gu Erniu's. If he built a solid foundation in the future, he had a great chance of becoming a martial artist!
So it was.
Gu Erniu was too excited to sleep. He had bought liquor late at night and insisted on drinking with Gu Sheng until they were both drunk.
"Ah Sheng, do you know? I never dreamed that my son would actually have a chance to become a martial artist!"
A trace of drunkenness showed on Gu Erniu's face as he became increasingly talkative.
"My father sent me to train in martial arts, but I didn't have the talent. We spent all that money, and I still couldn't even get through the door. At most, my body became a little stronger. Even now, I can't forget the regretful look in my father's eyes before he died!"
"This has been the pain of my entire life! Ah Sheng, I have seen how powerful martial artists are, yet I could never become one. Do you know how that feels?"
"But now, my son—my son, Gu Wan—can finally become a martial artist!"
"From now on, I'll save money properly for him. Once he turns fifteen, I'll send him into the estate to train in martial arts. He must become a powerful martial artist, so he can protect himself, maybe even become an important figure!"
Gu Erniu spoke nonstop, gesturing wildly with both hands as he danced with excitement and envisioned the future.
Gu Sheng saw many things in him.
Regret, agitation, excitement, hope...
All sorts of emotions were laid bare.
Gu Sheng was sincerely happy for Gu Erniu as well. With his son having hope of becoming a martial artist, the light in Gu Erniu's eyes burned much brighter, and he had more to look forward to in life.
"Ah Sheng, you need to work hard too. You're so perceptive that you'll definitely have no problem training in martial arts in the future."
"Then me, Gu Erniu—my brother will be a martial artist, and my son will be a martial artist too. Let's see who dares bully me then! Hahaha!"
Gu Erniu took two gulps of liquor and could not help bursting into laughter.
Gu Sheng smiled and nodded, stuffing a rabbit leg into his mouth before saying firmly:
"I will definitely train in martial arts!"
"Brother Erniu, I need to tell you something. Tomorrow, I plan to enter the mountains alone."
Those quiet words immediately stunned Gu Erniu, sobering him up considerably. He hurriedly tried to persuade him:
"Ah Sheng, you've only been hunting for two months. Isn't it too soon to enter the mountains alone..."
Before he could finish, he suddenly realized something.
"You mean..."
Gu Sheng nodded solemnly.
"That's right. I'll turn fifteen next spring, and Instructor Gu Jingang will also begin teaching a new batch of youths martial arts. I need to start preparing in advance. You know how costly martial arts training is."
Gu Erniu nodded from the bottom of his heart. The saying went that scholars needed poverty while martial artists needed wealth. He had experienced that deeply himself back then.
Otherwise, he would not have started anxiously saving money for Gu Wan already.
"It's good that you have such ambition, Ah Sheng, but you still need to be extra careful."
Gu Sheng smiled.
"Don't worry. These past two months haven't been wasted. I already have a general understanding of the mountains, and I won't go too deep at first. I know my limits."
Gu Erniu nodded repeatedly. After thinking for a moment, he said:
"How about this? Take my bow into the mountains tomorrow. My bow is stronger, and you can fully draw it now. With your archery, it will be enough to handle most wild beasts."
He waggled his eyebrows at Gu Sheng.
"You brat, don't try to hide it from me. Other people may not understand you, but don't I? Your archery is definitely better than what you've shown. I'm afraid even I might not be able to beat you now."
Gu Erniu could not help marveling. He had personally witnessed Gu Sheng's growth.
From learning archery until now, it had been less than three months in total, yet he had reached this level already. His talent for archery was astonishing.
Gu Sheng smiled sheepishly.
"I only hid a little bit. I'm probably about as good as you are now, Brother Erniu."
Gu Erniu pointed at Gu Sheng and could not help laughing.
"You brat... You're still playing dumb with me. We have to have a drink!"
The next day.
Gu Sheng asked Gu He for leave and entered the mountains with Gu Erniu's hunting bow.
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