Qin Yi hit the nearest point on the big tree perfectly with just ten arrows.
"Uncle An, what do we learn next?"
Qin An looked down at him with a mix of emotions and shook his head. "You've already learned it. There's nothing more I can teach you about archery. From here, it's about gradually increasing distance, raising the difficulty, and practicing as much as possible."
Technically, there were more advanced hunting techniques he could teach, but Qin Yi, as the young swordsman of the master, would never become a hunter. So those lessons weren't needed—and he understood that clearly.
"Is that it?" Qin Yi asked, disappointed. Then he frowned, realizing something.
This archery is too easy. He learned it before even applying his sword techniques. He hadn't followed the third rule of their agreement! What should he do?
Looking at the bow in his hands, he thought about the third form of sword technique he'd practiced. Perhaps he could apply the same movements from thrusting a sword to drawing a bow. Without overthinking, he started adjusting his archery stance as if he were performing the sword technique. He imagined the arrow as a sword—he was no longer shooting arrows, he was thrusting with a sword.
The first shot using this new approach flew off at an angle, missing the tree completely. Qin Yi sighed, disappointed, but quickly thought through the mechanics and tried again.
With each shot, he adjusted subtly, refining his posture, making it closer to what Qin An had taught while adding his own improvements. The arrows gradually flew faster, more forceful, and the hits became more accurate. Qin An watched in astonishment.
He realized that Qin Yi was taking what he had learned from sword training and applying it to archery, innovating on his own without guidance. Normally, this kind of insight took hunters years of trial and error to achieve—but Qin Yi was only beginning, and yet he had grasped it immediately.
After around thirty shots, Qin Yi felt tired and remembered the three rules with the master, so he stopped. Carefully, he returned the bow to Qin An and bowed. "Thank you, Uncle An."
"You don't need to thank me," Qin An said warmly, "I only taught the basics. Your own understanding is what matters."
Seeing that Qin Yi was exhausted, Qin An smiled genuinely and suggested, "It's late. Let's go home."
"Oh, is it that late?" Qin Yi looked at the sunset, then nodded. They began the trek down the mountain, with Qin An carrying him carefully to keep him safe. He also arranged for Wang Gensheng and Dàshān to be carried appropriately.
Meanwhile, Master Qin and Elder Huang watched from afar, perched on a thin branch like birds. Seeing Qin Yi disappear into the forest, Master Qin laughed and asked Huang Lao, "Well, what do you think?"
Huang Lao sighed. "Master, I admit defeat."
Back at Qin An's home, the children didn't linger, heading home before their families worried. Qin Yi bowed in farewell. "Uncle An, tomorrow I'll come again."
"Of course. Be careful on the way," Qin An replied kindly.
On the walk home, Qin Yi apologized to Wang Gensheng. "Sorry, Gensheng, I got too caught up in shooting today. You haven't tried the bow yet—tomorrow you go first, then I'll practice."
Wang Gensheng smiled. "I think today was really helpful. I got close to the bow, watched you and Uncle An, and now I have a clearer understanding of archery."
Qin Yi nodded, reminding himself to be more considerate of his friends in future training.
"Tomorrow, we'll practice together. You'll learn even more," Qin Yi promised.
"Will Uncle An allow it?" Gensheng asked.
"I'm sure he will. He's generous," Qin Yi said.
"Thanks, Yi."
"No need! We're brothers, after all."
"Yeah, brothers!"
(End of Chapter)