Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 29: Great Success in Archery

Sometimes, a stroke of inspiration can bring about an unexpected surprise.

Just like when Lu Chang’sheng, in a good mood, tipped the servant boy a copper coin, and with only two extra copper coins, landed room number 1 among the mid-tier rooms.

Of course, Lu Chang’sheng wasn’t someone who didn’t know proper manners—he handed over five more copper coins to the servant boy.

When the boy left, he was grinning so wide it looked like his smile might drown Lu Chang’sheng.

It’s easy to deal with King Yama, but tough to handle the little devils!

Isn’t that just how it goes!

He moved his things from room 19 over to room 1.

The space inside was impressively spacious; push aside a simple folding screen, and there was a terrace nearly thirty feet wide.

"You could even use this place to practice archery!"

Lu Chang’sheng was completely satisfied inside.

Those copper coins were well-spent.

After arranging his things, Lu Chang’sheng started his days of closed-off diligent studying. Every morning, he’d get up on schedule, practice archery for a bit, and only when his Essence, Qi, and Spirit hit their peak would he head to the cheap rooms to study with Ma Xuncai.

When Ma Xuncai heard Lu Chang’sheng had moved into the inn, he was surprised—but that was nothing compared to finding out Lu Chang’sheng wanted to take the imperial exams.

"Taking the exams for an official title is no small feat!"

Think about it—he himself had studied the classics for over twenty years, yet still hadn’t crossed the threshold into the scholar’s ranks. That said enough.

But his attempts to dissuade Lu Chang’sheng didn’t make a dent; Lu Chang’sheng seemed dead set.

"Well, if that’s how it is, then learn from me!" Ma Xuncai didn’t mind anymore.

Every autumn exam season, countless people dream of leaping over the dragon gate like carps, climbing up from the bottom, but how easy could it be?

And so, Lu Chang’sheng picked up some new subjects in his curriculum.

Under the lure of copper coins, Ma Xuncai practically poured out everything he knew.

Lu Chang’sheng also began to get a more in-depth grasp of the imperial exam system.

In cultivation, the years pass like nothing.

And to Lu Chang’sheng, studying was a kind of cultivation too.

It was as if he’d traveled back to that turning point in his past life, the one that decided a person’s fate, scribbling away furiously, pondering the words and wisdom left by the sages before him.

A year went by in no time.

Now and then, he’d go back to check on the courtyard, but not so often.

The archery practice ground was reaching capacity; the number of clients had stabilized, the monthly income fluctuated a bit, but generally held above one tael and five hundred copper coins a month.

As the end of the year approached, the group figured it was time to return to their village. But just as they were getting ready to set out, some news swept across the entire Black Mountain Prefecture.

Over in Red Water County to the west, the Great Yuan officials screwed up so badly that the refugees broke into the grain depot. The reasons for it were obviously more complicated, but what really happened didn’t matter anymore—the thing was, the county officials led soldiers to suppress the refugees, wanting to make an example. But, instead, some of the refugees stepped forward flying the banner of reform and justice "for the people," led the refugees, and wiped out the whole squad of county soldiers from Red Water County.

With that, in an instant, the refugees transformed into rebels!

From then on, the main road from Red Water County to Black Mountain Prefecture was under heavy guard. It wasn’t unusual to see units of Black Mountain Army men hurrying along the road.

The trip back to their village was, for now, out of the question.

So the group did what they had the year before—shared New Year’s Eve dinner in the courtyard. Only, this time, there were a few more people.

Old Zhang from Zhang Village, with a bit of a proud streak.

And those errand boys Zhao Hu had picked up.

All of them were homeless folks, so, at Lu Chang’sheng’s suggestion, everyone sat together and had a good hearty New Year’s meal.

This time, Zhao Hu didn’t get drunk. Instead, he took Lu Chang’sheng aside to chat—and casually brought up the Three Red Gang.

The Three Red Gang must’ve been provoked by something. They’d turned their sights back on them, and the rent on Li Deyin’s side had already gone up twice.

Still, it was more or less bearable.

Everyone was waiting for the results of this year’s autumn exams.

If Lu Chang’sheng really managed to pass, everyone would witness a transformation on an epic scale!

Compared to that, the greed of the Three Red Gang was just a trivial annoyance.

After the New Year, Lu Chang’sheng went back to the Traveler’s Inn to keep up his studies.

By now, he’d switched teachers several times.

Guys like Ma Xuncai, under his all-out studying, were wrung dry in less than two months.

From then on, Lu Chang’sheng kept using his money to "attack"—recruit—every scholar at the Traveler’s Inn.

These scholars usually had to moonlight with all sorts of side jobs to pay the rent, so they didn’t mind Lu Chang’sheng coming to learn from them.

Granted, not everyone felt that way. There were a few who couldn’t stand Lu Chang’sheng’s approach.

Too bad Lu Chang’sheng didn’t care, and they didn’t have any say in it anyway.

The third day of the seventh lunar month, 734th year of Great Yuan.

Drought!

A young girl carefully prepared some food, then checked herself in the mirror.

She was just blooming into womanhood, noticeably more feminine; her once-skinny frame was putting on a little flesh. Not exactly a classic beauty, but definitely charming in her own way.

"Good morning, big sister!"

She carried a basket of food outside, and was greeted by over a dozen respectful voices the moment she stepped out of her room.

She nodded in response, went out, looped around to the Traveler’s Inn, and walked to room number 1 in the mid-tier area. Her previously calm mood suddenly turned soft—like ice melting into ripples.

"Chang’sheng! Breakfast is ready!"

She gently pushed the door—it swung right open, just as she expected.

She thought: Chang’sheng still gets up early as ever!

He was probably practicing archery right now!

Sure enough, as Li Nangua stepped inside, she immediately spotted the teenage boy on the terrace, wearing just the thinnest clothes, drawing his bow to shoot.

A round bullseye hung on one wall. From the other end of the terrace, he loosed an arrow.

He shot several arrows in a row; suddenly, a ripple crossed the calm eyes of the youth.

Then, he closed his eyes ever so slightly—blocking his sight—drew the bow and nocked an arrow, and the shaft seemed to shoot out with dazzling speed, vanishing instantly.

Li Nangua happened to witness the moment, and her heart skipped a beat; she almost cried out loud. The next moment, she saw a brand new arrow stuck dead center in the bullseye.

Shooting blind with the bow, right into the sky!

Li Nangua’s mouth fell open and stayed that way. Not until the youth lowered his bow and greeted her did she snap out of it with a little "oh!"

"Chang’sheng, what was that—?"

Lu Chang’sheng nodded. "Yep! I’ve achieved Great Success in archery!"

These past two years, besides their day jobs, nobody had really just slacked off—they’d all been working on their archery skills. Only, everyone’s progress was a little different.

The slowest by far were Niu Dazhuang and Wang Heihou, with Zhao Hu a bit ahead.

The real surprise, though, was that out of all those guys, Li Nangua—being the only girl—was actually the fastest learner.

Over two years of practicing archery, and she’d reached Minor Achievement level.

So, she knew a thing or two about the stages of archery herself.

"What’s it like, to have Great Success with archery?" Li Nangua asked.

Lu Chang’sheng didn’t hold anything back—he explained his understanding of Great Success in archery in detail.

"At Great Success, the most amazing thing is the senses! Especially sight and hearing. All five senses blend together. Even on a rainy night, when you can’t see at all, you can still kill your enemy with precision!"

Which was just why Lu Chang’sheng had been able to shoot the bullseye with his eyes closed just now.

He glanced at the Light Curtain Panel, feeling satisfied inside.

"Name: Lu Chang’sheng"

"Age: 11/55"

"Root Bone: 2/10 [Genius (replaceable·reading literacy)]"

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"Archery: (Style)"

"Entry required: 0.1 year (achieved)"

"Minor Achievement required: 0.4 year (achieved)"

"Great Success required: 2.3 years (achieved)"

A year of steady routine, plus that wild ginseng, had boosted his health quite a bit; his lifespan, which had dipped to 54, was now back up by a year.

The change in his condition had affected his archery stats too, so he was able to push his skill to Great Success at this very moment.

After some quick chatting with Li Nangua, Lu Chang’sheng got ready to start his morning reading, when suddenly, Wang Heihou hurried over.

"Something’s wrong, Chang’sheng!"

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