Chapter 22: A Man with a Past
“You want to learn Tai Chi?” Chen Guodong had just sat down, his eyes widening in surprise.
“Yes.” Chen Fan nodded, explaining, “I’ve heard practicing Tai Chi strengthens the body. I want to use it to build my strength so I can draw heavier bows.”
Though he phrased it casually, he deeply believed Tai Chi could enhance his attributes. After all, even basic archery improved physical stats. Tai Chi, a renowned internal martial art from his past life, had to offer benefits.
“I see.” Understanding flashed in Chen Guodong’s eyes as he frowned in recollection. “But I don’t think anyone in the village knows it.”
“No one?” Chen Fan couldn’t hide his disappointment.
Chen Guodong softened. “Maybe we just haven’t found the right person. After lunch, I’ll ask around. Someone might—” He paused mid-sentence, snapping his fingers. “Wait—your Uncle Zhang might know!”
Chen Fan blinked. Of course. If Uncle Zhang taught spear techniques, he must have martial arts experience. How could he not know traditional styles like Tai Chi?
“Now that I think of it,” Chen Guodong continued, “shortly after he arrived, Uncle Zhang tried teaching us conditioning exercises. But back then, we were all starving, focused on hunting. Who had time for stances or forms? It never caught on.”
“Really? That’s perfect!” Chen Fan’s excitement surged.
“Yes.” Chen Guodong’s gaze turned distant. “The Wei brothers often sought his guidance. Like you, they started with sixty-pound bows. Within a few years, they progressed to eighty, then a hundred pounds. Their gains had to come from martial training.”
“I also heard,” he added, “the Wei brothers tried recruiting Uncle Zhang before they left. He refused.”
Chen Fan inhaled sharply. So that’s why Uncle Zhang predicted their departure. Everything clicked. Uncle Zhang was clearly exceptional—had he not been injured, he’d have been a hunting team cornerstone.
“Dad,” Chen Fan pressed, “who is Uncle Zhang? How did you meet him?”
Chen Guodong rubbed his neck awkwardly. “He’s… not from our village.”
“What?”
“Three years ago, during a hunt with Uncle Liu and the Wei brothers, we found a blood-soaked man in the grasslands. Wild wolves circled him. I thought he was dead, but Uncle Liu checked—he was still breathing. We carried him back. Surviving so many gunshot wounds? His constitution was inhuman.”
“Gunshot wounds?” Chen Fan gasped.
“Yes.” Chen Guodong shuddered. “Over a dozen bullets. Some wanted to abandon him, fearing trouble.”
“But you kept him.”
“We’d already saved him,” Chen Guodong said wryly. “No one saw us take him, so I decided he’d stay. He woke up, recovered, and never left. Took time, but he earned everyone’s trust.”
Chen Fan nodded. This explained why the Wei brothers failed to recruit him. His father’s lenient leadership couldn’t retain ambitious talents but bred fierce loyalty in those who stayed.
“What’s so interesting?” A woman’s voice interrupted as Chen Fan’s mother set a steaming plate of rabbit meat on the table. Simply boiled with salt, its aroma made mouths water.
“Let’s eat.” Chen Guodong grinned. “Xiao Fan, this feast is thanks to you. Dig in!”
Chen Fan served his drooling brother first. “Here, Chen Chen.”
“Wow! Thanks, bro!” The boy beamed.
Only after his parents smiled approvingly did Chen Fan eat. Though eager to gain潜能点 (potential points) from the beast meat, he savored each bite.
潜能点+0.1 flashed in his mind after his first swallow.
He ate nearly a pound before stopping at 70% full—his parents hadn’t touched their portions yet.
“Full already?” His mother teased. “There’s half left!”
“Save your strength for archery,” Chen Guodong added.
“Really full.” Chen Fan stood. “I’ll find Uncle Zhang.” He dashed out before they could protest.
“He’s grown so much,” his mother murmured.
“Yes.” Chen Guodong smiled.
On the muddy path to the warehouse, Chen Fan checked his stats:
潜能点: 5.6 (1点/日)
Enough for another enhancement, but he waited. Using it post-training would maximize recovery.
Approaching the warehouse, he was mobbed by awed youths.
“Brother Fan! You took down all those beasts? Legendary!”
“Knew you’d dominate out there!”
“Teach me, please!”
“If I were a girl, I’d marry you!”
“Enough!” Chen Fan gagged theatrically. Do they think flattery works? “Where’s Uncle Zhang?”
