My Cultivation Starting from Archery

"Horse control also counts?"

"Whinny—"

Before Chen Sansi had time to think carefully.

The White Swan Horse suddenly neighed to the sky and bolted out of the stables uncontrollably, bucking wildly, trying to throw off the person on its back.

"Damn!"

Chen Sansi almost flew off completely, hastily grabbing the reins with both hands, and clamping his legs tightly around the horse's belly while stepping on the stirrups.

It seemed easy for others to ride a horse, but one only knew how difficult it actually was after trying it themselves.

Especially with a violent and untamed horse, one could easily lose their life if they weren't careful!

"Whinny—"

The White Swan Horse neighed as it charged haphazardly.

Sitting atop, Chen Sansi only felt the gale piercing his ears, the scenery moving rapidly backward, and with the horse's resistance, it was like riding a roller coaster without any safety harness.

"Good beast!"

He simply hugged the horse's neck, trying to subdue it with pure brute force.

Man and horse were locked in a standoff for an hour, with neither gaining the upper hand.

It wasn't until both were exhausted that a temporary truce was called.

[Skill: Horse Control (Not Entry-Level)]

[Progress: (35/100)]

[Utility: None]

"Are you a mare?"

Chen Sansi leaned over to check closely.

His understanding of horses was limited, but he knew that mares were generally smaller; this one, however, was clearly an anomaly, incredibly strong.

"Ha ha ha ha ha!"

Hearty laughter came from behind.

Chen Sansi turned around to see it was Xiang Tingchun.

Dressed in plain clothes and without his armor, Xiang Tingchun had a more amiable look on his face, yet he still exuded an air of authority.

A Lord Thousand Households holds a fifth-rank official position.

A fifth rank in Po Yang County is unparalleled.

Not just in terms of official ranking but also in cultivation and power.

"Lord Thousand Households."

Chen Sansi greeted with a fist and palm salute.

"How goes it, that horse isn't easy to tame, is it?"

Xiang Tingchun teased, "It's supposed to be difficult. If this horse wasn't so fiery and occasionally harmful to people, they wouldn't have been willing to give it to me, and I certainly wouldn't have thought of giving it to you. Whether you can tame it or not depends on your own ability."

The Lord Thousand Households hadn't come specifically to see him.

Chen Sansi noticed that not far away, a coachman was leading out another White Horse, likely the one prepared for the Lord Thousand Households' trip, and they had just coincidentally met here.

"Do well, and if you need anything, just come to me."

After speaking, Xiang Tingchun mounted his horse.

His horse was very well-behaved.

"Where is he going?"

Chen Sansi mused to himself, "Did they find the key to unlock the Immortal Treasure last night, and were all those masked people caught? Was Luo Dongquan also there?"

Before leaving the horse grounds, he saw another Black Horse appear, matching pace with the White Horse.

The man on the horse was Luo Dongquan.

"Is he involved with the Immortal Treasure as well?"

These people were clearly keeping secrets from the court.

His curiosity grew about what exactly was inside the box.

...

"Luo, stop bringing up Selected Point,"

Xiang Tingchun said firmly, "At a time when the Great Sheng Court lacks manpower, continuing these internal conflicts would be disgraceful."

"Lord."

Luo Dongquan looked reluctant, "Next year's first half is the last Supervisor Selected Point."

"So what?"

Xiang Tingchun pulled the reins, "You need to understand something, the Supervisor's power is too great and, coupled with his advanced age, His Majesty has long wanted him to step down.

"Joining the Eight Camps at this time may not be a good thing.

"His Majesty has been looking for newcomers these years, wanting to reshuffle the Northern Territory. It's very likely that the Eight Camps will be disbanded and reassigned to every corner of the land—east, west, south, and north.

"At this critical juncture, if someone can distinguish themselves, they might very well rise to a high position under the future new Supervisor."

Luo Dongquan listened, utterly engrossed: "That's why Your Lordship plans to cooperate with the Martial Arts Hall to search for the so-called 'Immortal Treasure,' but does such a divine item, that can rapidly enhance one's cultivation, truly exist in this world?"

"Seeing how excited those old fools at the hall are, it doesn't seem fake. I'm not sure where those barbarians acquired such treasure.

"No wonder their raids have become more frequent since last year."

Xiang Tingchun paused and then continued, "You must remember, our main goal isn't the Immortal Treasure. Those fools, do they really think they can hide such a thing, if it does exist? The most important thing is to take this opportunity to make those Martial Arts Halls and the rich people in the county bleed some money, to prepare for next spring."

"My Lord, do you really plan to go beyond the Great Wall and make a move against the Yuwen Tribe's branch?"

Luo Dongquan's expression grew solemn: "The barbarians living near the Xi River have at least two thousand five hundred fighters. We only have a total of nine hundred men, and we also need to report to the Ministry of War, only after their approval can we dispatch troops."

"That's why I need war horses, crossbows, provisions, medical herbs, in other words, I need silver!"

During their conversation.

The two arrived in the fields.

Xiang Tingchun raised his riding crop, pointing at the vast farmland: "Do you see? This land should all belong to our Great Sheng, but what happened? Seven or eight parts out of ten now belong to the Martial Arts Halls and the local gentry as private property!

"Now that wars are non-stop, when we need money, they aren't willing to contribute a single copper!

"The matter of the Immortal Treasure happens to be a good scare tactic to subdue them.

"With money and strength, once we achieve an unrivaled feat, there will be better opportunities for us in the future, why be confined to the Eight Camps?

"Old Luo, how long have you been with me?"

Luo Dongquan nodded: "Come winter, it will be exactly twenty-one years."

Xiang Tingchun spoke gravely: "In all of Po Yang, I trust you the most. That's why I've confided in you alone about this matter and hope you can lend your full support. If we succeed, whatever position I attain in the future, you will hold the same."

"Lord Thousand Households, rest assured."

Luo Dongquan bowed with clasped hands: "Your humble servant is willing to walk through fire and water for the Lord, and will not shy away from death!"

"Let's go, talk to those old fellows at the Martial Arts Hall."

The two, riding their horses, entered the city and made their way straight to Tianyuan Martial Arts Academy.

Liang Zhan greeted them at the entrance: "My father and several uncles have long prepared a feast, waiting for both lords. Please come in!"

After welcoming the guests.

Liang Zhan did not hurry inside but waited for a Martial Arts Academy Disciple to arrive. He asked, "Have you found him?"

"To answer Young Master, no."

The disciple replied, "Nobody was seen at the residences of the brothers in the city, nor at the old home in Yanbian Village. When asked around, everyone said they haven't seen Qin Feng."

"Disappeared?"

Liang Zhan tapped the palm of his hand with his folding fan: "Eight out of ten, that soldier surnamed Chen killed him."

"Then Young Master, what should we do?" The disciple, who was close to Qin Feng, felt heavy-hearted.

Liang Zhan said coldly, "What else can we do? We don't have any evidence. If he's dead, he's dead. Do you expect me to give you a sword so you can go to the army camp to seek revenge?"

The disciple fell silent.

Liang Zhan sneered.

Qin Feng was good, having joined their Martial Arts Hall for several years, hardworking and loyal.

Recently, by chance, he overheard his secret conversation with his father. Seeing how tight-lipped the lad usually was, he had not killed him but instead took him on as a Direct Disciple.

But the guy was too stubborn and insisted on courting death.

He'd advised and helped him.

To Liang Zhan, Qin Feng's life was worth only those few dozen taels of silver.

Tianyuan Martial Arts Academy wasn't lacking other Direct Disciples, and Liang Zhan wasn't foolish enough to take a risk to avenge him.

"This Brother Chen is quite interesting, indeed!"

"After all, Qin Feng mastered Blood Refining, yet they say he was killed just like that."

"Such talent, I must make sure to befriend him after getting through this busy period."

"Last night… also happened to be the time when the barbarians escaped from the city, how coincidental."

Liang Zhan narrowed his eyes, thoughtful.