Chapter 003: Hunting? Do not be eaten by the prey
However, strangely, at the moment of drawing the bow and nocking the arrow, Xu Xingxia suddenly felt a subtle sensation, as if he was certain he could hit that large tree. In that instant, in his eyes, there was only that large tree, nothing else. This feeling was akin to sitting in front of a computer in a previous life, controlling a character in an archery game, preparing to release the arrow. With his level 100 full strength, a distance of sixty to seventy meters was simply a piece of cake. This feeling was akin to sitting in front of a computer in a previous life, controlling a character in an archery game, preparing to release the arrow. With his level 100 full strength, a distance of sixty to seventy meters was simply a piece of cake
As Xu Xingxia walked along, he encountered several military households. They all ignored him completely. Xu Xingxia did not greet anyone either. It was not that he did not want to, but rather that there was no need. Even if he were to take the initiative to greet them, others would not pay him any attention. The Xu family had no standing in Weizhen Fort, and others simply could not be bothered with him. Rather than seeking unnecessary trouble, it would be better to focus on hunting a few prey to broaden their horizons.
The black feathered arrow whistled away
Xu Xingxia carried Niuniu and emerged from the west side of Weizhen Fortress. After walking approximately 8 or 9 miles, he arrived at a forest. This forest extends from the foothills of Helan Mountain and is the most frequented place by the people of Weizhen Fortress. The medicinal herbs and other valuable items in the forest had long been depleted. Now, there was almost nothing left here except for firewood. Along the way, Xu Xingxia encountered several locals gathering firewood. The medicinal herbs and other valuable items in the forest had long been depleted. Now, there was almost nothing left here except for firewood. Along the way, Xu Xingxia encountered several locals gathering firewood.
In the past, Xu Xingxia rarely appeared in public. Because whenever he did, he would become the object of others' mockery. It is truly unexpected that today Xu Xingxia actually came out with a bow and arrow, looking quite the part. Who knows what he intends to do? Let alone going hunting; with the abilities of the Xu family's young master, it would be a miracle if he didn't end up being outsmarted by the prey.
"Is it that my strength has increased, or has the power of the iron bow diminished?" Xu Xingxia questioned himself with some confusion. A weight of three to four hundred pounds is certainly not something an ordinary person can bear. According to common sense, whether it was the Xu Xingxia of his past life or the Xu Xingxia of this world before, it would have been impossible for him to draw a two-stone hard bow. A two-stone hard bow requires the strength of a foot-operated crossbow to draw. There must be some peculiar circumstances at play here. According to common sense, whether it was the Xu Xingxia of his past life or the Xu Xingxia of this world before, it would have been impossible for him to draw a two-stone hard bow. A two-stone hard bow requires the strength of a foot-operated crossbow to draw. There must be some peculiar circumstances at play here.
Slowly draw back the bowstring until it reaches the full moon
Xu Xingxia softly murmured to himself
The curved bow in his hand, could it possibly be made of wood
The ground is uneven, and all the originally laid bluestone slabs have completely disappeared. The current surface is full of pits and depressions, typical of being covered in dust on sunny days and mud on rainy days. Running a horse on such a road would certainly not allow for any speed. Even walking through requires caution to avoid stepping into a puddle.
The arrowhead was forcefully embedded into the trunk of the tree
Accompanied by his younger siblings, Xu Xingxia found a secluded corner, unstrapped his iron-backed bow, and took out a black-feathered arrow, aiming at a large tree about sixty to seventy meters away. His original intention was merely to test the range of the black-feathered arrow and to see if the iron-backed bow had aged over time. If all functions of the iron-backed bow were normal, he would use it as his weapon in the future
Forget it, it doesn't matter. Let's go outside the fortress to test it and we'll know. Xu Xingxia picked up the iron-backed bow and took down the quiver. This quiver, made of iron, was already covered in rust and weighed at least fifteen or sixteen pounds. Such a quiver can only be carried on the back, as it is impossible to hang it at the waist.
In fact, there are hardly any respectable people living in Weizhen Fortress. Respectable individuals reside in Pinglu City or within Ningxia City. However, it is strange that the snobbery among the people of Weizhen Fortress is even more pronounced than that in Pinglu City and Ningxia City. Their ability to curry favor and adapt to circumstances is honed to perfection.
The arrowhead of the black feather arrow is a fearsome triangle. Each side features a recessed blood channel. An arrow of this shape, once shot into the target's body, can easily cause the target to bleed to death. Furthermore, the rusty arrowhead, upon penetrating the target's body, leaves behind a significant amount of rust, leading to wound infection. Even with prompt medical attention from a physician, survival is highly unlikely
Inside the quiver, there are a total of thirty black-feathered arrows. Xu Xingxia took one black-feathered arrow out to examine it and found that all these arrows are made of fine iron, with even the arrow feathers directly pressed from fine iron. The entire arrow, apart from cast iron, contains no other materials. It is a seamless whole, making it virtually impossible to break.
A few people around the shop were pointing and whispering, and some of their words drifted into Xu Xingxia's ears. Xu Xingxia did not react at all. He knew that his past was indeed quite incompetent. To change their impression, mere words would not suffice; it required actual action. The mention of hunting reminded Xu Xingxia. Perhaps, while testing the bow and arrows, he could also look for suitable prey to bring back for a feast. To change their impression, mere words would not suffice; it required actual action. The mention of hunting reminded Xu Xingxia. Perhaps, while testing the bow and arrows, he could also look for suitable prey to bring back for a feast.
The one responsible for guarding Weizhen Fortress is a deputy commander named Zhang Qiuqing. However, Zhang Qiuqing rarely spends the night at Weizhen Fortress. It is evident how much he and the authorities are concerned about the safety of Weizhen Fortress. In fact, anyone with any capability within Weizhen Fortress has relocated to Pinglu City. In the event that hundreds of invaders come attacking, Weizhen Fortress would be unable to withstand them
By coincidence, Xu Xingxia and Niuniu had just arrived at the woods when they spotted Xu Xudong carrying a load of firewood. His body was thin and small, and while he was carrying the firewood, it seemed as if he was sandwiched between two bundles of it. Upon seeing his brother and sister arrive, Xu Xudong hurriedly set down the firewood and followed them, saying excitedly.
Brother! Niu Niu! Are you here to hunt? I just saw a stag here, really, a very large stag! Unfortunately, it only appeared for a moment before it disappeared. If you had come earlier, you definitely would have seen it
Behind the adobe house stands a fortress wall approximately five to six meters high. The exterior of the fortress wall was originally made of red bricks, but over time, due to exposure to sun and rain, the red bricks have turned into blue bricks. Some sections of the fortress wall, having suffered from years of neglect, are now in a state of disrepair. Not to mention adults, even some playful children can easily dig the red bricks out from the fortress wall.
When they went out, they could still see their mother, Wang, lying on the loom, sound asleep. She was usually very alert; any noise around her would wake her immediately. Now, however, she was still asleep, indicating that she was indeed very tired and completely unaware of what Xu Xingxia and Niuniu were doing. In the next room, Xu Fuqing was also truly asleep.
Xu Xingxia carried Niuniu on his back as he emerged from the adobe house of the Xu family. Outside was a straight street leading towards the Helan Mountains. The street was wide enough for horses to run and for rapid troop movements. On both sides of the street were uneven adobe houses, inhabited by impoverished military families. Those with slightly better conditions lived in the southeast corner, where the houses were primarily made of bricks and tiles.
At this moment, Xu Xingxia was completely unaware that he was carrying a quiver and arrows weighing forty to fifty pounds on his back, a thirty-pound little girl draped over his neck, and a similarly heavy iron bow weighing twenty to thirty pounds in his hand, yet he felt no sense of pressure.
Whoosh
He did not believe his brother's words. This forest is indeed a part of the Helan Mountain range, and occasionally, some game may appear. However, large animals like sika deer are unlikely to be found here. Moreover, there are quite a few hunters who frequent this area; if a sika deer were to appear, it would certainly cause a stir
A low, muffled sound echoed.
"Elder brother is going for a walk outside the city, are you going?" Xu Xingxia bent down and picked her up
In order not to disappoint his younger siblings, Xu Xingxia also chose not to reveal the truth. He hoped that by chance, he might encounter some pheasants or wild rabbits, and with the blessing of heaven, the arrows he shot would accurately hit their targets. This way, everyone would have a meal of meat. Heaven have mercy, the entire Xu family had not tasted meat for four to five months.
He, like Niu Niu, is barefoot. He also has a pair of cloth shoes, which he only takes out to wear during the coldest days of winter. Due to frequently being on the move, whether it be gathering firewood or fetching water, this ten-year-old boy's feet are larger than those of the average person. The area around his soles is covered with various scars. The calluses on the soles of his feet are even nearly half an inch thick
On both sides of the street, there are a few scattered shops, mainly selling daily necessities and fabrics. At the intersection, there are two meat stalls and a bookstore. One sells lamb, while the other sells beef. Weizhen Fortress has two to three hundred households, with a population of over a thousand, yet the two meat stalls are already sufficient. There are too many impoverished people here, and very few can afford to buy meat
Xu Xingxia preliminarily estimates that the weight of each arrow is at least over 1 jin. Such heavy arrows can only be shot with a bow of at least 2 shi in strength. A typical elm wood bow can shoot at most a few dozen meters. From a pricing perspective, the cost of crafting such a pure iron arrowhead is at least 1 to 2 taels of silver. There are definitely not many who are willing to spend such an amount. In other words, apart from a very few individuals, it is impossible for the army to equip a large number of these.
Gently let go
Diligent
"I want to go. Wherever my brother goes, I will go too," Niu Niu replied cheerfully
Hunting? Are you joking? What could he possibly hunt?
There are rarely a few pedestrians on the street. When they saw Xu Xingxia carrying Niuniu out, they took a glance and lost interest. Xu Xingxia is well-known to them; he is the eldest son of the Xu family, a guy who couldn't even produce a fart with three punches. If one were to select the most unambitious and least promising young man in Weizhen Fortress, it would undoubtedly be Xu Xingxia.
What is that kid going to do? Go hunting?
Alright! Let's go!" Xu Xingxia picked up Niuniu, placing her on his shoulder, her legs straddling his neck, holding her hands to prevent her from falling. Xu Xingxia turned his head to look around, seeing nothing unusual, and quietly stepped out.
Sika deer
"Brother, where are you going?" Niu Niu's voice suddenly came through. It turned out that she had been awakened when Xu Xingxia drew the bow just now. She always woke up very easily. Any noise around her would rouse her from sleep. This was probably a habit formed over a long period of time.
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