60: Wave Archery

However, a trace of doubt remained in Chen Linsheng's heart.

After all, Spirit Monkey Hundred Changes was only a fragment, unlike the complete Legacy of the Hunyuan Pile Posture Technique or Python Dragon Strength he had previously Cultivated.

He usually Cultivated complete Martial Skills, reaching Perfection directly through the spirit book's Divine Effect.

Now, although he had Initiated this fragment, it remained unknown whether the spirit book truly had the ability to deduce and complete it to Perfection.

"Since I have already Initiated, I will practice it for now; it will at least improve my flexibility and adaptability."

He quickly set aside his indecision, preparing to work on both simultaneously.

Overlapping Waves Archery was also a newly obtained Secret Manual, perfect for Cultivating at the same time.

However, he weighed his Two-Stone Strong Bow and shook his head slightly.

With his current Flesh Refining Realm, especially the massive strength brought by his Minor Achievement in Python Dragon Strength, this two-stone bow was already too light to fully unleash his power; it felt flimsy when drawn, making it hard to feel satisfied.

"To do a good job, one must first sharpen one's tools," Chen Linsheng muttered to himself, deciding to resolve the bow and arrow issue first.

He quietly returned home from the riverbed Immortal Cave, changed into a dry set of ordinary clothes, tucked the Overlapping Waves Archery Secret Manual into his robes, and headed straight toward the famous Zhang Clan Blacksmith Shop in the west of the city.

Zhang Clan Blacksmith Shop had a wide storefront; even before approaching, he could hear the rhythmic clanging of hammers from within and feel a wave of scorching heat.

A sign hung at the entrance, painted with patterns of sabers, spears, bows, and arrows.

Chen Linsheng stepped inside, and a worker immediately came forward to greet him: "Sir, what do you need? We have everything here—sabers, spears, swords, halberds, axes, hooks, and forks—all of superior quality!"

"I need a strong bow," Chen Linsheng stated his purpose directly. "A Four-Stone Bow."

Upon hearing this, the worker's expression instantly turned solemn, and his gaze became respectful.

Someone who could draw a Four-Stone Bow was by no means an ordinary laborer; they were undoubtedly a Martial Artist who had entered a realm.

He did not dare to be negligent and hurriedly said, "Distinguished guest, please follow me. A strong bow requires our Shopkeeper to discuss the details with you."

The worker led Chen Linsheng through the front hall to a Quiet Room in the back where many fine weapons were displayed.

Soon, a middle-aged man in his forties with thick arms and a sharp gaze walked in, cupping his hands with a smile: "I am the Shopkeeper of Zhang Clan Blacksmith Shop, Shopkeeper. I heard that our distinguished guest needs a Four-Stone Bow?"

His gaze swept over Chen Linsheng's face, initially finding him somewhat unfamiliar.

But looking closely, he suddenly remembered the title being spread around the county recently; combining that with Chen Linsheng's age and bearing, he was struck with realization, and his attitude became even more enthusiastic, even carrying a hint of respect: "Oh! Forgive my poor eyesight. Could you be the newly appointed Youjiao of the Water Patrol Division, the elite disciple of Hall Master Zhao of the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall, the 'ghost water dragon' Young Hero Chen Linsheng?"

Chen Linsheng nodded slightly: "Shopkeeper Zhang has a good eye, it is indeed I."

"A great honor, a great honor!" Shopkeeper's smile grew even wider. "Young Hero Chen's reputation has been rising rapidly lately. I never expected you to grace my humble shop today; it truly brings light to the place! If you want a Four-Stone Bow, that is absolutely no problem! Please follow me; we have several fine pieces ready in the warehouse, or we can customize one to your needs."

Shopkeeper personally led Chen Linsheng to the warehouse in the back, where the weapons displayed were clearly more refined than those outside, gleaming with a cold light that showed they were no ordinary items.

He pointed to several longbows of various designs hanging on the wall and introduced them:

"Young Hero Chen, to craft a strong bow, besides the bowyer's skill, the core lies in the Materials of the bow body and the string. We generally categorize them into three grades."

"The low grade uses Zhe wood or mulberry wood over ten years old as the core, pressed with ox-tendon glue. The string is made of high-quality ox tendon or hemp rope soaked in oil and repeatedly hammered. It has fierce power and costs around eighty taels."

"The middle grade uses more resilient Yi wood or oak wood as a base, mixed with a small amount of Iron-wire Vine fibers to increase toughness. The string can be woven from the mane of the Hissing Wind Horse mixed with gold thread. Not only is the power stronger, but the durability and stability are also better. As for the price, it ranges between one hundred and fifty to two hundred taels. Furthermore, if you find better Materials later, such as certain Vicious Beast tendons or a Spirit Wood Heart, we can upgrade and strengthen it for you."

"As for the high grade," Shopkeeper lowered his voice, "it requires the use of true spiritual Materials, such as Blue Ironwood containing Spiritual Qi or the bones of certain Vicious Beasts as the primary material. The string must be tanned from the large tendons of Vicious Beasts or even Essence Spirits. Such strong bows not only reach a power of over five or six stones but also come with mystical effects like armor-piercing or speed enhancement. However, the price... is extremely expensive, and the Materials are hard to find. They usually require a custom order, and without a thousand taels of silver, I'm afraid it cannot be done."

Chen Linsheng listened carefully, his gaze sweeping over the middle-grade bows.

Although he had some savings now, the price of a high-grade bow was truly terrifying, and he currently had no use for such a divine weapon.

While the low-grade bows were cheap, they lacked potential.

After a brief deliberation, he made his decision and pointed to a longbow with a dark brown body, smooth lines, and a string that faintly reflected a pale golden luster: "Shopkeeper Zhang, I will choose this middle-grade one. Just as you said, the one that can have Materials added for upgrades later."

"Young Hero Chen has a good eye!" Shopkeeper praised. "The core of this bow is mixed with five-year-old Iron-wire Vine fibers, and the string is made of high-quality Hissing Wind Horse mane mixed with a bit of black gold silk. It opens and closes smoothly with powerful energy storage; it is perfect for your use!"

Although he had expected it, Chen Linsheng's eyes still couldn't help but twitch slightly when he heard the final price of two hundred taels of silver.

This was nearly most of his currently available liquid funds. He sighed inwardly at how expensive it was for a Martial Artist to Cultivate, yet he still painfully counted out two hundred-tael banknotes and handed them over.

"The bow needs some tuning; Young Hero Chen, you may come to collect it at this time tomorrow."

Shopkeeper took the banknotes and guaranteed with a face full of smiles.

"Thank you for your trouble, Shopkeeper Zhang."

Chen Linsheng nodded, suppressed that slight sting of financial loss, and left Zhang Clan Blacksmith Shop.

With one weapon issue resolved, his mood lightened slightly, and he planned to go to the martial arts hall to see if his Master had any new arrangements regarding hunting Essence Spirits.

He walked leisurely toward the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall in the east of the city.

Just as he crossed a relatively busy street, he suddenly heard a rapid sound of hooves and the clamor of a crowd ahead.

A group of about a dozen people, riding tall horses and escorting a carriage, was galloping from the direction of the city gate, and the commoners along the way scrambled to move aside.

People on the roadside were whispering in discussion:

"Have you heard? It is Young Master Zhang Yuchen!"

"That Young Gang Leader of the Black Mountain Gang? Didn't he go missing in the mountains?"

"He was found! They say he was lucky and managed to hide from the pursuit of the White Lotus Cult Heretics in a cave, narrowly saving his life. He wasn't found by the county search party until today. Look, they are rushing to bring him back!"

"He truly has great fortune!"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Linsheng's heart stirred. He stopped in his tracks, his gaze falling on the carriage surrounded by guards.

The carriage was plainly decorated, clearly a temporary requisition, with its windows tightly shut.

The convoy passed quickly in front of him without stopping, heading straight toward the Black Mountain Gang Headquarters in the east of the city.

However, at the very moment the carriage swept past him, Chen Linsheng's sensitive nostrils flared slightly. The extraordinary perception brought by [Tracking Perfection] allowed him to catch an extremely faint yet unignorable scent—a thick smell of blood hidden beneath the cover of mud and herbs!

That scent of blood was not fresh; instead, it carried a stagnant coldness, as if it had seeped into the marrow of the bones.

Chen Linsheng's brow instantly furrowed, and a trace of doubt rose in his heart as he stared at the receding back of the carriage, murmuring in a low voice:

"Hidden for many days and only just rescued... how could there be such a thick scent of blood?"