My Cultivation Starting from Archery

Returning to the cozy small home, Gu Xinlan was bent over a desk, meticulously sewing clothes stitch by stitch.

Upon seeing her man return, she immediately dropped her work and came out to greet him.

"I'm hungry."

As soon as Chen Sansi spoke, Sister Lan busied herself in the kitchen.

He sat down and began to read through the books he had gotten from Xu Wencai.

The book titled "The History of Dasheng" was a history book, recording major events since the founding of Dasheng.

Before Dasheng, there was a chaotic era similar to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms.

The Grand Ancestor Cao Xie, originally a house slave, forcibly carved his way out during the turbulent times, and reunified the fissured nation after more than a hundred years.

It's worth noting that

Cao Xie was also a Sword God.

Rumors had it that he once used a flying sword to take a life from ten miles away and single-handedly broke through an army of two thousand three hundred.

"Has this already exceeded the realm of Martial Arts?"

Chen Sansi quickened his reading pace.

Indeed, Grand Ancestor Sheng was a unique figure in Martial Arts, and such exaggerated individual combat power never appeared again thereafter.

For the next three hundred years, every Emperor pursued the Martial Arts prowess of the Grand Ancestor, but none succeeded.

After Emperor Longqing ascended the throne, he simply turned to Taoism.

He even dared to use one-tenth of the country's land to cultivate Spiritual Grain to offer to the Immortal.

"Did Emperor Longqing really see an Immortal?"

"Otherwise, he's not a fool, why would he willingly give up one-tenth of the tax revenue to make offerings?"

"He's making offerings to the Immortals, letting the common people foot the bill."

[Skill: Book Reading (small achievement)]

[Progress: (18/800)]

[Utility: Keen Perception, Spirit Refreshed, Photographic Memory]

Chen Sansi felt a surge of energy and simply closed the book as the meal was ready.

Half a pot of rice, stir-fried beef, salted duck eggs, along with a bowl of fish soup.

He devoured everything in a whirlwind, leaving nothing behind.

Chen Sansi didn't sit idle for a moment and soon went outside after regaining some strength.

"I need to master Pile Work entirely tonight!"

Late into the night in the countryside, a full moon, an old house, two figures.

One outside the house, agile and tall, diligently practicing Martial Arts under the frosty moonlight.

One inside the house, graceful and lovely, threading a needle by the flickering candlelight.

"Whew—"

"I've completed the thirty-six moves of Pile Work!"

Finally completing all the Pile Work moves, Chen Sansi collapsed exhausted on the ground.

Having finished Pile Work, starting tomorrow he would begin practicing spear technique and the Breathing Skill, which he must not forget.

After eating the prepared midnight snack, he rested briefly, then got ready to practice archery.

Gu Xinlan followed him out, her almond eyes filled with reproach, she said reproachfully, "Are you trying to kill yourself?"

"Don't worry, practicing archery isn't as tiring as Martial Arts training, I know my limits," Chen Sansi reassured her as he lifted his longbow, only to be abruptly stopped by her grab.

"No more practice, you may not care about hurting yourself, but I do. We're not starving, why push yourself so hard?

"Come, let's go to sleep inside."

...

The next day.

The dawn gently broke and the light dispersed the mist.

Chen Sansi started his morning with archery practice.

[Skill: Archery (mastered)]

[Progress: (350/500)]

Although drawing the two-stone bow was exhausting, it improved his skill much faster.

The sweat wasn't for nothing.

Chen Sansi was satisfied.

He checked the time and decided it was time to pack up and leave. Before heading out, he didn't forget to sift through his chest and pull out eight liang of silver.

"Damn that's expensive!"

After deducting the cost of food, drink, personal needs, and buying fabric for clothes over this period, he had only twelve liang of silver left, which nearly emptied his savings.

"After this busy period, I must continue hunting, can't lose the skill that feeds me."

Having secured the silver, Chen Sansi put on his armor and reported to the garrison.

Just as he was stepping out, someone called out to him.

Zhao Qiao and Wu Da came running, one after the other.

Uncle Zhao?"

Chen Sansi asked, "What's this about?"

"Got a matter to discuss with you!"

Uncle Zhao looked at the armor on Chen Sanshi without much questioning, as he probably already heard about it.

"Right."

Wu Da took over the conversation, "Brother Shi, do you know about the Black Bear of Tiger Head Mountain?"

Chen Sanshi slightly nodded.

He had long heard that there was a Black Bear on Tiger Head Mountain, and every year there were hunters who fell victim to it.

"That beast, it has killed again!"

Uncle Zhao said through gritted teeth, "Three Donkeys from the neighboring Stone Village went up the mountain some days ago and never returned, until last night when his father found him, and only his head was left, eaten by the Black Bear!

"Additionally, as there is hardly any game to hunt recently, a few of us discussed whether we could take down the Black Bear to exchange its body for some silver to get through the winter. However, we alone couldn't manage it; we need you as well. When the time comes, whoever contributes more, gets more money."

"Bear hunting..."

Chen Sanshi didn't rush to reply.

It seemed like the surrounding hunters were driven mad by poverty and had started considering hunting the bear.

With their hunting bows, they were no match at all.

He indeed had a heavy bow, but it still posed a significant risk.

"Let's wait a couple of days then."

Chen Sanshi agreed and after briefly discussing the timing with them, they parted ways.

As soon as he arrived at the barracks, he saw Zhu Tong cursing loudly.

"Damn it, eight taels of silver, why not just rob?!"

Having come to the barracks, he naturally wanted to give it his all.

However, the garrison was too corrupt.

To practice martial arts, one needed to pay first, who knows how many talents were missed because of this!

"That's nothing."

Xu Wencai was rather indifferent, "Do you know why we, who committed offenses, were not sent to serve far away but ended up in this military settlement? Because, in recent years, the higher-ups have been investigating payroll fraud, and they are gathering numbers. They feel a loss if they don't seize this chance to make some silver."

"Brother!

After Zhu Tong became familiar with them, he started using a more affectionate nickname and said earnestly, "Are you learning the Breathing Skill? I'll teach you! Seriously, after learning the Breathing Skill, practicing Pile Work isn't so exhausting, and the progress is much faster."

Xu Wencai immediately grabbed him, "Old Zhu, are you seeking death?"

"Old Zhu, I appreciate your kindness, but let's not."

Chen Sanshi shook his head.

Zhu Tong was really naive; if the lower ranks were allowed to teach each other privately, how could those above make money?

Looking around.

There seemed to be five or six people who had learned the Breathing Skill.

He was not planning on saving money; after understanding the situation, he took his silver and went to find the Households Commander Liu.

Commander Liu looked him over, and after asking his name, immediately refused, "I'm not available."

"Households Commander Zheng, could you…"

"I have others to teach."

"Households Commander Zhang..."

"I don't teach."

"Households Commander Xiong."

"I don't know how."

"…"

Chen Sanshi tried several commanders in succession, and unbelievably, none were willing to teach him.

The price was exactly the same!

He realized something was wrong, and with a mindset to test one last time, he walked into the tent.

Households Commander Wang, who had taught them spear technique yesterday, was lying on a chair, idly eating peanuts with a pile of shells at his feet.

Chen Sanshi saluted, "I have seen Households Commander Wang."

Wang Zhi glanced at him sideways, and after a long pause, sat up leisurely, "So, want to learn the Breathing Skill?"

"Exactly!"

Chen Sanshi respectfully said, "I would be grateful if Households Commander Wang could kindly teach me!"

"Agreed, agreed."

Wang Zhi spat out the peanut shell from his mouth and spread out his large hand, gesturing with his fingers, "Bring it here."

So straightforward?

Chen Sanshi, who was almost ready to give up, had not anticipated this at all.

Could it be that these commanders had earlier agreed to distribute the number of apprentices?

A bit odd…

But at this point, if he wanted to learn the Breathing Skill, he had to pay.

With due respect, he handed over eight taels of silver, and Chen Sanshi stood waiting quietly.

"What are you stupidly standing there for?"

Households Commander Wang, unapologetically pocketing the money, then waved him away.

"Sir, what does this mean?"

"I'm tired today, I'll teach you in a few days."

At that, Chen Sanshi's heart sank with a thud.