Chaotic World Book

"Whoosh!" A stone flew through the air, striking a sparrow with pinpoint accuracy.

Zhao Changhe strode forward to inspect it, his expression filled with immense joy.

The arrival of Yue Hongling had complemented all the weaknesses inherited from his bandit background; truly, he wouldn't trade her for ten thousand real village chiefs' wives.

In theory, once one's Inner Strength was cultivated well and sensory abilities were enhanced, skills like Sound Recognition and long-range disabling of enemies could be self-taught, but having someone to teach them was a completely different ballgame.

A Dark Weapon was not just about strength and accuracy; technique was equally important, and even had unique classes of its own—Yue Hongling was teaching her unique skill, Falling Feather. The stone left his hand with a whistling force, reaching its target as soon as it was released. Zhao Changhe felt that even a bird gun couldn't match this...

Yue Hongling, with her arms crossed, leaned against a tree and sized up the wound on the sparrow, saying in amazement, "Who would've thought your real talent would be this? You barely need any practice to be so accurate."

Zhao Changhe chuckled, "I've played with bows and arrows before; once you get one thing right, you get everything right."

In Great Xia, bows and armors were prohibited items; travelers could carry swords but not bows or crossbows, but clearly, this didn't concern the bandits. Various homemade bows and arrows piled up in the stockade, Yue Hongling shrugged it off and nodded, "If it weren't inconvenient to travel with in the Worldly Society, carrying a bow would be far more powerful than throwing Dark Weapons."

In fact, Zhao Changhe hadn't played with the bow in the stockade—his training in martial arts was still in its early stages, and there were too many things to learn before he could afford to dabble in archery. His bow experience was in modern times; he was a member of an archery society...although his level was quite poor then, he at least had a base to build on, saving him from starting from scratch. Now with Inner Strength enhancing his vision and steadying his hands, his accuracy was like instantly reaching maximum level, hitting wherever he aimed.

Hearing what Yue Hongling said, Zhao Changhe stroked his chin and imagined himself in the future: a knife on the left side of his waist, a wine gourd on the right, a long bow slung over his shoulder, and a backpack with the top part of an Arrow Bag sticking out…stepping out looking like a walking armory, how could he even get through doors?

Indeed, it wouldn't work. A shame, in this era, bows would definitely be useful...

But they should be usable at specific times... Zhao Changhe cheerfully ran to the storage, "What's the best bow we have here?"

"The best one is a three-stone bow, which Sun used to play with. He found it too troublesome and left it behind. Now, no one in the stockade who likes playing with bows can draw it; it just sits here and maintaining it is quite a hassle… Boss, should we sell it perhaps?"

"Old Sun, you're like my real dad!" Zhao Changhe exclaimed in delight, "Why sell it? I'll take the bow!"

Yue Hongling followed him as he dashed to the storage, then to the Martial Arts Arena in the blink of an eye, grabbed some arrows beside the arena, and shot one toward the target.

With a "thud", like hitting a drum, the target was pierced by the arrow, creating a huge hole and wobbling at the edge of the arena.

The bandits training in the arena stared in disbelief. Was this their leader's real power?

"Shooting feels great! I almost shot myself out! Ouch, fuck...ouch..."

Yue Hongling, with her arms folded and an expressionless face, watched the idiot squatting on the ground rubbing his shoulder, "I think I've got a cramp..."

"How could you not?" Yue Hongling said coolly, "You just overstressed yourself last night, barely regained some strength after a night's rest, and thought you were as vigorous as a dragon? Going all in with one arrow, felt great, didn't it? How about now?"

Zhao Changhe's face twitched; he just hunkered down and didn't move, "Someone, give me a massage..."

The gang of thieves looked at each other and then at Yue Hongling.

Who dares to help you massage? Taking up the Boss's wife's job, wanting to be killed by her?

Zhao Changhe grunted, "What are you staring at her for? She's not involved...ouch..."

Everyone stepped back.

What kind of jealousy is this, getting angry at just a glance...

Yue Hongling couldn't help but laugh, went over and grabbed Zhao Changhe by the collar, lifting him up, "Come back with me, making a fool of yourself."

People watched as if dreaming, as a fierce tiger was carried away like a cat by the powerful lady... Such strength she had! Only someone like her could be the leader's wife, right?

"Sister-in-law is awesome!" After a moment, a thunderous cheer, "Our boss has long deserved someone to put him in his place!"

"Hey, are you trying to get killed? If the boss hears that, he'll flay you."

"What are you afraid of? I was complimenting your sister-in-law. Would the squad leader dare to make a sound? Do you even know what suppressing the village chief means? It means the Village Chief doesn't dare to utter a sound!"

"You really understand how to suppress the Village Chief's wife."

Voices were bustling and vaguely drifted into the Village Chief's house. Yue Hongling expressionlessly threw Zhao Changhe onto the bed and, without changing her expression, reached out to massage his shoulders.

Zhao Changhe lay there, indeed not daring to make a sound, stealing glances at Yue Hongling's expression but unable to decipher anything.

"What are you looking at? Could I possibly chop them up? That would only draw more attention." Yue Hongling indifferently said, "I've become numb to it anyway. Let them say what they want; they don't know that I am the real Yue Hongling. As long as Cui Yuanyong doesn't go around blabbing nonsense."

Zhao Changhe thought it over and agreed. If he were Yue Hongling, he could only play dead and pray that the brother Cui who truly knows it's her doesn't go around gossiping.

Yue Hongling sternly said, "Tell me, what exactly are you excited about, shooting randomly out of nowhere?"

"Because this is the best weapon for surpassing one's level. If handled well, it could defeat many adversaries. I thought of some methods and got excited..."

"You must have a clear target, and it's one you currently cannot handle," Yue Hongling said. "Do you need me to step in and help resolve it?"

Zhao Changhe turned to look at her, Yue Hongling still expressionless.

Zhao Changhe suddenly smiled: "No need, Zhao Changhe doesn't rely on favors to get by."

Yue Hongling furrowed her brows, "You…"

Zhao Changhe interrupted, "Sister Yue."

"Huh?" Yue Hongling paused, forgetting what she was about to scold. Why did he suddenly start calling her that again? It felt unfamiliar…

"In reality, your so-called coming to me for healing is half genuine, but the more important reason is because you've observed me for a long time, feeling a bit guilty inside, thinking that this young man is inherently good. If I had agreed to your mentoring offer initially, I wouldn't have ended up as a bandit. So, using the excuse of healing, you came to teach me."

Listening, Yue Hongling gradually lost herself in thought and after a while said softly, "Perhaps."

"Maybe you never clearly thought through it this way, but instinctively felt it was the right thing to do, to mend your spiritual path," Zhao Changhe whispered. "The point of your departure is not when my wounds heal… whether healed or not, you will definitely leave after you've taught me everything you intend to."

Yue Hongling thought deeply for a moment, then smiled brightly, "You understand what I'm thinking even better than I do."

"So, your expectation must be for Zhao Changhe to use what you've taught to break my shackles and for the Hidden Dragon to emerge from its abyss, not to rely on your power to eliminate my enemies."

Yue Hongling nodded slightly, smiling, "Very good."

Zhao Changhe rubbed his still aching shoulder, sat upright, and said earnestly, "Their misunderstanding has caused you trouble. I'm sorry and I hope Sister doesn't take offense to us rough folks and continues to teach me. The Yue Hongling in my heart is like a mentor, like a sister, nothing more."

He thought she was stiff because she was considering leaving… What a serious load of nonsense he had spouted.

Yue Hongling suddenly found it amusing, yet her response oddly turned out to be, "What mentor and sister? I'm two months younger than you."

Zhao Changhe, who had been talking confidently until now, suddenly became slack-jawed and sat there, unsure how to respond for a long while.

"Rest well," Yue Hongling patted his shoulder and stood to leave. "Sharpening your knife does not delay the chopping of firewood; be patient in your martial training. It is said that winter stores and spring brings life. With winter past and the spring breeze arriving, your cultivation will see substantial progress; the Second Layer of the Mystical Gate is just the beginning for you."

Zhao Changhe blankly watched her leave, thinking he had understood her mind, yet suddenly finding her inscrutable again.

Women are truly troublesome!

"Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law!" The voices of the younger brothers came from outside: "Branch Leader Fang has sent a message, saying you didn't visit on New Year's Day. Let the squad leader know…"

"What's there to say? You all saw… oh, our leader got injured during training, and you still want to visit him for New Year's? What nonsense, just a Branch Leader thinking he's some kind of official, trying to bring those bureaucratic antics into our Worldly Society, it's sickening."

"Sister-in-law is mighty! We'll go and reply right away!"

Inside the house, Zhao Changhe was stunned for a long time, then burst into wry laughter.