A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 76: Ginseng Picker and the Red Thread

Song Qiying's brows flickered with astonishment, but then he laughed and said:

"Miss Zhu is determined to support Brother Bai, so I can only play the villain disrupting their romance. The treasure steel ring with the crackle pattern is quite a rarity too."

Zhu Ling'Er, with her hands behind her back, had eyes curved like crescent moons:

"On the battlefield, it's often said that arrogance leads to defeat. Second Young Master Song, you underestimate your opponent. Bai Qilang has long, powerful arms and carries a hard bow; he might not lose."

Song Qiying's eyes held amusement, seemingly unconvinced that Bai Qi could win against his soft bow with a hard bow.

Zhu Ling'Er's words were rather naive; archery isn't just about drawing the bow like a full moon; true skill is hitting every target without failure.

Even though torches were lit all around the racetrack, the cold wind whistled and swayed them, making it appear quite dim.

In such poor conditions, even the archery-skilled Young Master of the Fishery, He Tai, dared not guarantee every shot would hit.

Let alone Bai Qilang, who was using a bow for the first time!

Song Qiying clapped his hands and had two leather targets painted red set up.

Then he picked up the soft bow, sunk his hips into a stance, positioned his fingers in a phoenix-eye hold, his strength flowing through his arms, a tight pull and release, the bowstring twanged with a near-breaking "crack".

Whoosh!

The arrow hit the center of the target, its tail quivering violently!

From drawing the bow, gripping the arrow, to releasing it, all in one swift motion, revealing the depth of his skill.

Song Qiying casually tossed aside the discarded soft bow, looking at Bai Qi, who was still learning techniques from He Tai:

"Bai Qilang, if you can hit the target, I'll count it as your win, how about it?"

Bai Qi shook his head:

"That wouldn't be fun. Since it's a bet, we should all enjoy it to the fullest. Second Young Master Song, if you give me too much leeway, it won't be enjoyable."

He Tai crossed his arms, having taught Bai Qi how to draw the bow with force, he remained silent, struggling to resist the urge to speak.

At this moment, the wind was strong, whipping the dozen torches into a frenzy, the vast night quivering like waves, making eyes blink uncertainly.

Judging by the weather alone, Bai Qilang had already lost.

Letting Song Qiying steal the spotlight again!

He Tai sighed.

"Song Qiying's martial prowess may not surpass mine, but his archery is indeed impressive, especially those hawk-eyes able to see in the dark, adding strength to his talents.

My advantage lies in well-trained muscles and bones, long arms adept at archery, and the dragon form horse stance, not entirely without chance..."

Bai Qi's mind was calm, opting not to gamble on quick shots, avoiding Song Qiying's strengths.

He regulated his breathing, practiced the Golden Core Great Strength Skill's slow inner breathing, his entire body's qi blood seeming to slow down, eyes focused intensely on the red target a hundred steps away.

After some unknown time had passed, his fingers gripped the cow horn hard bow; when the wind momentarily ceased, he suddenly raised it, the other hand drawing an arrow like capturing the moon, setting it onto the bowstring.

The solid, full muscles stretched and suddenly exerted force!

The bowstring, made of cow sinew, emitted a "hiss hiss" explosion, as if cutting through the air!

Bai Qi shouted loudly, his chest, back, waist, and abdomen twisting, forming into a large block, rooted in dragon form, bonded into one.

It was as if his body also transformed into a massive bow, tightly twisting and vibrating.

Bang!

The arrow sped like lightning and directly hit the center of the red target!

It simultaneously pierced through the tough and resilient leather target, disappearing into the deeper night!

"I defer to you, Second Young Master Song."

Bai Qi exhaled a long breath, the nearly-stilled qi blood rushing vigorously, releasing waves of heat from his pores.

He felt muscles everywhere tightening and intertwining with the release of the cow horn hard bow, then bouncing apart forcefully, as if impurities were knocked from iron billets, relaxing the forged, tenacious muscle fascia with a peculiar pleasure.

"No wonder the martial arts world often speaks of practicing strength by drawing bows; it truly works."

Returning the cow horn hard bow, Bai Qi's eyelids twitched, seeming to see light points floating and sinking within the ink talisman again.

"The most elite government soldiers of Dragon Court, among them skilled archers, allegedly can pierce seven layers of armor with a single arrow.

Bai Qilang's strength is far beyond an entry level, nearly resembling mastery.

Piercing seven layers might be an exaggeration, but three layers should be no issue."

He Tai sucked in a cold breath, his eyes flashing with intense surprise.

He noticed Bai Qi's archery was mediocre, merely relying on powerful arms for more stability, which is why he hit the target.

Yet standing a hundred steps away, the wooden arrow pierced through the target, showing the strength of his muscles and the surging strength.

Indeed, being taken under an instructor's wing is no ordinary matter.

Previously, Bai Qilang was underestimated.

"Brother Bai, truly a born long-armed shooter, grasping a bow and hitting the mark!"

Song Qiying stared at the hollowed-out red target, stunned for a moment, before his stiff face returned to normal.

"This round, I've lost."

The Second Young Master from Chai Market was quite generous and didn't resort to cheating or quarreling.

He immediately called someone to bring out the Wind Chasing Horse to settle with Bai Qi.

"Thanks to Bai Qilang for helping me keep this ring."

Zhu Ling'Er said with a playful smile:

"Ape arms, tough bow, good horse, just lacking such a small trinket. I have the beauty of adulthood, would Bai Qilang fulfill this wish?"

Glancing at Song Qiying, who was feeling miserable, He Tai's mood improved instantly, chiming in enthusiastically:

"Reciprocating in kind, Bai Qilang should also offer something in exchange with Miss Zhu."

Bai Qi pretended not to hear, thanked Zhu Ling'Er for her kindness, and then led out the Wind Chasing Horse:

"Young Master, my family is poor, probably can't afford a good horse. Could you lend a hand?"

He Tai was taken aback; given the thriving business at Bai's Fish Stall, building a horse stable and hiring grooms shouldn't be too hard.

Yet now, Bai Qilang wanted to hand over the obtained Wind Chasing Horse to him.

Could it be... his own coaxing has worked?

Compared to the likes of Song Qiying, who had no future.

Bai Qilang saw more promise in him?

The Young Master of the Fishery showed a delighted expression, considering whether to truly give Bai Qi the Iron Pear Wood Bow from his home, to take another step forward.

"What's so difficult about it? Only, Bai Qilang, you finally won the gamble, the stakes are taken by me, and people would say I'm taking advantage."

He Tai, who loved riding and archery, was passionate about treasure bows and good horses.

Presently, Bai Qi offered him such a generous gift, yet he didn't know how to repay it.

"To not hide it from Young Master, the Mountain-Rushing Secret Technique you hold, I am quite interested. May I have a look."

Bai Qi wanted just this effect and promptly made his request.

As a Fisherman, the Wind Chasing Horse was temporarily of little use, but trading for the mysterious technique to communicate with the Mountain Spirit was quite worthwhile.

"Bai Qilang is too courteous. This Wind Chasing Horse, lend it to me for a ride. You may take the original of the Mountain-Rushing Secret Technique as you wish."

He Tai waved his hand, agreeing wholeheartedly.

With the torches burning charred, the episode at the racetrack came to an end.

With wins and losses in the gambling round, Song Qiying's mood did not drop. Instead, he excitedly took Bai Qi along, arranging to compete next time in Continuous Arrow and riding techniques, wanting to see who prevails between ape arms and eagle vision.

Everyone returned to the bonfire, beginning to enjoy the roasted lamb plated and served by attendants.

"A Cow Horn Hard Bow, a Fine Steel Ring with ice crack pattern, and a Mountain-Rushing Secret Technique... Through this gambling round, I've shown a little skill and upheld the reputation of a Tongwen Hall disciple."

Bai Qi shared a portion of the lamb meat with Ah Di Bai Ming, and Xiaotou nearby also got a portion, diving in hungrily.

He thought, around these wealthy brothers, the gains were indeed bountiful, often bursting with gold coins.

There were two accompanying at the seating by the bonfire piled high.

One was Manor Master Song Zhongping, and the other was an elderly man called "ginseng picker."

Everyone chatted about stories and adventures from around the world, the young ones' insights ultimately couldn't compare to the elders, and each listened with great interest.

For instance, there were many subtleties in hunting and mountain chasing, one of which was the practice of marking tree bark.

In deep mountains and old forests, when hunting in groups, accidental encounters might occur, leading to misunderstandings and grudges. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Thus, there was the practice of marking tree bark.

Hunters cut down two feet-long bark and mark it to inform others, "This is my territory, do not enter again."

"In the five hundred li mountain path, there are many treasured medicines and plants, passed down since Grandpa's times, reportedly containing a thousand-year-old ginseng doll that has turned into a spirit. Sadly, no one has managed to dig it up yet."

The so-called ginseng picker is the leader of the medicine gatherers, also a respected elder able to communicate with the Mountain Spirit.

"It's said to be a Seventh-Grade Leaf large wild ginseng, acquiring it requires tying a red rope when it's not paying attention, otherwise it escapes into the soil and runs away.

Such Heavenly and Earthly Treasures require fate..."

Bai Ming's eyes sparkled, secretly poking Xiaotou, who was devouring lamb with greasy mouth:

"Brother Xia, do you have a red rope with you?"

Xiaotou, with oil all over his mouth, glanced around furtively, whispering:

"I'm not a girl, how could I wear that.

But my trousers are red, if you want, I'll tear off a piece for you later."

Bai Ming showed a look of disdain but nodded reluctantly.

Ah Brother once said, opportunities are often reserved for those prepared!

Keeping a red rope with you never hurts!