The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the village. Yu Mei and Kai Xiaolong were sitting in the courtyard of their house, talking while preparing the boars that Old Lei had hunted earlier.
Kai Xiaolong excitedly recounted the events of the day to his mother, reliving each moment of Old Lei's extraordinary display of skill. Yu Mei listened attentively, her eyes filled with motherly love and affection.
"Mother, when will grandpa come back? It has been two months already," Kai Xiaolong asked his mother. He was feeling disturbed by the prolonged disappearance of his grandfather.
"Long'er, I have already told you. Your grandpa has too many responsibilities on his shoulders. What you need to do is train hard and become a powerful fighter. That way, you can help out your grandpa and make everyone proud," Yu Mei spoke.
'I will definitely make grandpa and mother proud', Kai Xiaolong vowed to himself.
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The following day, Kai Xiaolong woke up early. He walked into the courtyard and waited for the arrival of old Lei. His mother, Yu Mei could only smile as she saw the eagerness in his child's eyes.
"My Xiaolong far surpasses me in talent. I can only pray to heaven that no calamity falls on him before he fully grows", Yu Mei thought and clasped her hands towards the heaven. There were both happiness and worry in her eyes as she saw her son eagerly waiting for old Lei to arrive.
Old Lei arrived at the Yu household's courtyard shortly after sunrise. He was carrying a wooden recurve bow and a quiver filled with arrows with him. He bowed his head towards Yu Mei and turned to look towards Kai Xiaolong.
"Alright, young master, today I will begin teaching you some advanced archery techniques. But first, I must see how well you handle the basics." Old Lei handed the bow and arrows to Kai Xiaolong and instructed him to take aim at a target placed at the far end of the courtyard.
Kai Xiaolong gripped the bow tightly and drew the string back, focusing intently on the target. As he released the arrow, it flew straight and true, landing just a few inches from the bullseye.
"Good job, young master! You have done well in your first attempt" Old Lei praised, his eyes shining with approval. "Now, let's move on to some advanced techniques."
Over the next few weeks, Old Lei taught Kai Xiaolong various archery skills, such as shooting while moving, rapid-firing, and even shooting multiple arrows at once. To everyone's amazement, Kai Xiaolong absorbed everything Old Lei taught him at an incredible pace, mastering each new technique with ease.
One day, as they practiced in the courtyard, Old Lei decided to test Kai Xiaolong's progress. He set up several targets at varying distances and challenged the boy to hit them all in quick succession. "Young master, it has been a month already. Let's see how far you have progressed", he spoke to Kai Xiaolong.
Grandpa Lei, I have practiced hard in the past few days. I beleive, I will not fail", Kai Xiaolong spoke. With a determined expression, he notched an arrow, took a deep breath, and began shooting. In a matter of seconds, he hit each target with deadly accuracy, leaving Old Lei and the onlooking villagers in awe.
"Young master, your progress is truly astounding," Old Lei said, his voice filled with pride. "In all my years as an archer, I have never seen anyone learn so quickly and with such precision."
"It is all thanks you, grandpa Lei. But I have yet to learn the technique that you have used to kill that boar", Kai Xiaolong replied. He was really eager to learn the impresive technique that old Lei had used that day.
"Young master, that technique requires internal energy. In short, you first have to be a cultivator, before you can use that technique", old Lei spoke.
"Internal energy? Seems like an impressive power. When will I be able to practice these?", Kai Xiaolong asked.
Young master, you are still young. Please continue to train your fleshy body. We will teach you all the martial techniques we have. Wait untill you reach the right age. Master will bring you to the nearby city and after attaining the initiation ceremony, you will become a official cultivator", old Lei spoke.
"Okay, enough practice with the archery technique. You should focus now on close quarter combat", he further added.
"Rong Tian, you may take over", Old Lei turned to look towards another subordinates like him who was present in the courtyard since a long time.
Rong Tian was a burly, muscular man with an intimidating presence. He was not so amiable like old Lei was to Kai Xiaolong.
As Rong Tian arrived at the courtyard, Kai Xiaolong couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by the man's presence. However, his determination to become a powerful warrior overcame his fear, and he greeted Rong Tian with a respectful bow.
"Young master, my methods are harsh. I need to check whether you can bear difficulties. You need to convince me that you are worthy enough. Otherwise, I will not teach you even if master gives me the order," Rong Tian announced. His deep voice echoed through the courtyard.
"Rong Tian, you blockhead, how dare you talk to young master like this? It is your duty to teach young master whatever techniques you have", old man Lei spoke furiously. He couldn't understand why Rong Tian was being so rude to Kai Xiaolong.
Among all the subordinates of the Yu household, Rong Tian was a peculiar one. He didn't like to talk much and always maintained a cold attitude to everyone else. His only Bane was Yu Haoran, the master of the Yu household. Other than him, Tong Tian didn't listen to anyone else and was unreasonable with everyone else. The only reason other subordinates tolerate him because he was strong. Even old Lei was no match for him if a fight broke out between them.
"Uncle Rong, please don't mind grandpa Lei 's words. I really want to train with you. So, you can test me however you like", Kai Xiaolong spoke. There was a look of determination on his face as he looked towards Rong Tian.