novel-bin 68, Bow and Horse
68, Bow and Horse
call out!
A violent whooshing sound suddenly rang out, and a sharp arrow shot out with the speed of a meteor, hitting the bullseye of the meteorite iron a thousand paces away.
Three points into the iron.
On horseback, Ren Qingshan galloped forward, shooting an arrow, then a second, a third, a fourth... the arrows coming in quick succession.
Fifty sharp arrows from the quiver were all fired in just a few breaths.
Except for two that missed the target, all the others hit their mark, riddling the meteorite target with holes.
"The man on horseback is majestic and powerful... I'm almost at the level of a sharpshooter. Horse archery is truly exhilarating!"
Ren Qingshan's eyes were filled with satisfaction, and a sense of pride welled up within him.
Fang Yanping devised a plan to suppress bandits incognito. Although he had the upper hand in terms of strength on the surface, Ren Qingshan still took the opportunity to hone his bow and sword skills and refine his martial arts.
The courtyard in the county town wasn't big enough, so to practice archery and horsemanship, they simply borrowed the training ground of the Lu Family Manor. They would come over every morning and return at noon.
It has been more than a month now.
Of course, it wasn't just for practicing archery and horsemanship, but also to create opportunities for the Lu family's daughter to spend time together.
Right now.
The Lu family's guards had already cleared the area, leaving only Lu Haichuan, Jin Xiulan, Lu Qingyi, and Lu Jiu under the eaves of the flat-roofed house, who were qualified to observe Ren Qingshan's martial arts practice.
Although he had seen this scene several times before, Lu Haichuan still felt shocked and envious.
The power of a high-level martial artist is truly formidable.
Even before he was injured, such a level of skill was unattainable.
"He's probably not far from reaching the level of chalcedony."
Lu Qingyi smiled gently: "It should be soon. Some time ago, Lord Fang gave him a Jade Marrow Pill."
Upon hearing "Jade Marrow Pill," Lu Haichuan sniffed, his expression shifting. This was no easy thing to buy; even in the prefectural city, it was a priceless treasure. The fact that Magistrate Fang was willing to give it to Ren Qingshan showed how much he valued it.
"Qing'er, when will you break through to the Silver Blood level? It'll be soon, right?"
Jin Xiulan, standing beside her, asked with a very kind smile.
"I... I can't be that fast! It'll probably take another year or two, Mother. I'm already a genius!"
Lu Qingyi pouted and acted coquettishly.
In a county, anyone who can advance to the Silver Blood rank throughout their life is considered a person of some standing. I can only be considered a minor genius, and of course I can't compare to a great genius like Ren Qingshan.
"Once you break through to the Silver Blood level, your father will naturally pass on the business in our city to you, and train a few reliable managers for you. Your eldest brother probably won't be coming back. The capital is prosperous, and we've bought him a house and opened a branch."
Over the years, Lu Haichuan has used most of his business earnings to buy property for his son in Beijing.
He had thought it through clearly: his son would live in the capital, his daughter in the prefectural city, and he would retire to his hometown to enjoy his old age.
"Yes, I... I will strive to improve."
"Father, what about the Liu family..."
When Lu Qingyi thought of the prefectural city, she thought of the Liu family and the lingering shadow they cast.
"Father has found out that the eldest daughter of the Liu family asked her second brother to arrange this matter. Now that Yixiandao is dead, the Liu family knows the gravity of the situation. If they don't stop now, they will definitely be branded as colluding with bandits... Lord Li of the Salt Transport Office in the prefectural city has already made peace with this person after receiving my money."
Lu Haichuan comforted his daughter, saying that the Liu family was powerful and they couldn't afford to offend them. He was just glad that things could be settled. As for revenge, he didn't even dare to think about it.
Why provoke a family that has produced two scholars who passed the imperial examinations?
Lu Qingyi nodded again, sighed softly, and pursed her lips slightly.
Without strength, one becomes so humble; even when bullied, one still has to pay out of pocket to beg for reconciliation.
"Ren Qingshan will also be taking the martial arts exam next year..."
Lu Qingyi couldn't help but say something, bringing the topic back to Ren Qingshan.
"Even if we pass the exam, we won't fight with the Liu family. Maintaining peace and tranquility at home is the duty of a wife and mother; we shouldn't fight over trivial matters."
Jin Xiulan smiled gracefully and interjected.
"Yes, I know."
Lu Qingyi responded softly, feeling a sense of joy despite being lectured.
Ren Qingshan came every day during this period, and his parents seemed to tacitly approve, never mentioning finding him a suitable match.
……
"call……"
After letting out a sigh of relief, Ren Qingshan rode his horse to the target, retrieved all the arrows, switched to a new target, increased the distance, and continued shooting arrows while galloping.
After shooting a full thousand arrows, his whole body was soaked in sweat, and his clothes were wet and stuck to his body.
Even with the power of jade marrow, such consumption is still intense, almost draining it dry.
After completing his archery and horsemanship training for the day, Ren Qingshan took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and sat down to eat with the Lu family.
Lunch was plentiful, consisting mostly of meat.
They had been eating like a family for over ten days now, and Lu Qingyi felt truly sweet inside.
—He did this because of me, of course, and my parents had no objection.
"Qingshan, try the flesh of this demon fish. Lord Li of the Demon Suppression Division killed a fish demon the other day. It was nearly two zhang long and weighed over a thousand jin."
Jin Xiulan ladled out a bowl of fish, selecting the fattest part of the belly, and had the maid behind her hand it to Ren Qingshan.
Ren Qingshan accepted it with a smile; he knew about it.
This fish demon was the culprit behind the recent childhood ascariasis. It polluted the well water through an underground river. Fang Yanping hired many doctors to purify the well water, and Li Xuanqing personally carried out the task of killing the demon.
Demons are born from the essence of heaven and earth, and their flesh and blood are the most nourishing.
I took a bite, and it was indeed extremely delicious. It warmed me as I swallowed it, like eating a divine pill.
"There's still a centipede demon at Saltworks No. 3, but it's not yet a threat. Haha, I was sent there to guard it during the New Year, and I caught quite a few centipedes..."
Ren Qingshan recounted the past events as a joke.
All three of them couldn't help but laugh.
"You've had a tough journey."
Lu Haichuan sighed and then said, "That centipede demon was killed by the Demon Suppression Division ten years ago. It won't pose a significant threat for the next few decades, so there's no need to worry too much. If you're interested, wait until the fifteenth of August and see if you can kill it when it comes out. It would be a good medicine."
Ren Qingshan nodded with a smile.
Lu Haichuan and Jin Xiulan's attitude towards me was originally just friendly, but after I passed the martial arts exam, they became quite affectionate, even respectful... This is only human nature.
Of course, he also handles all kinds of gift-giving and emotional intelligence perfectly.
A 35-year-old man possesses a stable temperament and mature charm.
They enjoyed a pleasant meal together.
"Dad, Mom, let's go back to the county town then."
Lu Qingyi said with a hint of shyness, her face as beautiful as a peach blossom and her eyes as clear as spring water.
At first she was a little hesitant, but in recent days she has been going back to the county town with Ren Qingshan.
Lu Haichuan smiled and waved his hand: "Okay, go ahead. When you go home tomorrow, remember to bring your mother two boxes of osmanthus pastries; she mentioned them last night."
Jin Xiulan's eyes were sparkling as she glanced at the man, and she blushed slightly.
Why would an elderly couple say such things in front of their child?
"Hehe, I know."
"Mom, let's go!"
Lu Qingyi smiled radiantly as she and Ren Qingshan went out the door, mounted their horses, and rode away.
……
"This girl, isn't she afraid of being laughed at? She's not even married yet, but she's already seen with her husband every day."
"Hahaha, what a joke, I'm more than envious... There's an old saying about 'catching a son-in-law after the imperial examination results are announced,' and the best part is the word 'catch,' you have to grab him, first come, first served. I think Qingshan is really good in every way. If it weren't for this connection, I would want to become sworn brothers with him. He's not even that old, thirty-five, in his prime."
Jin Xiulan glared at her husband. The reason for her change in attitude toward her daughter's marriage was that her husband often nagged about it and whispered in her ear.
……
……