Abandoning literature for martial arts, starting by unleashing the beauty's bow.

Yang Kai looked pained. "If you can't pass the imperial examination, just burn those pretentious essays. Why burn the arrow manual?"

Lu Fengnian gave an awkward smile, "Wasn't I just confused in my anger and accidentally hurt it?"

At this point, he changed the subject, "Was your master a martial artist?"

Yang Kai nodded. "My master is indeed a martial artist, but only at the first level of the Acquired Realm, just the threshold of becoming a martial artist."

Lu Fengnian's eyes lit up. "Did your master teach you any martial arts techniques?"

Yang Kai shook his head. "My master was able to become a martial artist by relying entirely on his own luck and innate talent. He did not inherit any sect's legacy."

If he had a master's lineage, he would probably have become a high-level martial artist, instead of ending up as a crippled, disarmed soldier.

Lu Fengnian said "Oh," and then asked, "Where is your master now?"

A look of sadness appeared in Yang Kai's eyes. "He died of illness half a year ago. Otherwise, I wouldn't have returned to Shangjie Village."

Lu Fengnian sighed inwardly at the pity, then asked, "You've left Qinghe County and seen the world, haven't you met any other martial artists besides your master?"

Yang Kai quickly replied, "Of course I've seen him. During the years I followed my master, his comrades would occasionally visit him."

Most of these people were skilled fighters in the military, all of whom were martial artists trained after birth.

Like my master, they all became martial artists through their own hard work and constant physical training; they did not have a lineage or sect.

These people are all exceptionally talented, but because they lack background and resources, they can only rely on their own hard work and exploration.

Although they can touch the threshold of martial arts, they ultimately only reach the first or second rank of the Acquired Realm, unable to achieve anything higher.

At this point, he looked Lu Fengnian up and down and said, "I see that you have extraordinary talent in martial arts. If you can get a master, you may become a martial arts master in the future."

Lu Fengnian pressed further, "How can one obtain a martial arts lineage?"

Yang Kai turned his gaze into the distance and said, "If you have the opportunity to leave Qinghe County and go to more distant places in the future, you may have such an opportunity."

If I stay in Qinghe County, I'm afraid I'll only be able to become a martial artist through my own talent and exploration, just like my master.

However, even martial artists at the first or second rank of the Acquired Realm are considered top-tier figures in Qinghe County.

Lu Fengnian fell silent, casting his gaze into the distance...

…………

The men from the two villages continued their journey toward Old Turtle Cave, clearing land and hunting prey along the way.

When they hunt again, they no longer separate themselves; they hunt together and share the spoils.

When eating, they no longer separate but gather together to share the food.

Such a huge change was all because of Lu Fengnian's act of sharing the wild boar.

Meanwhile, this group gradually came to regard Lu Fengnian as their core leader, and would consult him on matters large and small.

The next morning, Zhao Tie, Yang Yinfeng, and two others rushed back.

Clearly, they traveled at night last night.

"Brother Fengnian, you have no idea how happy the villagers were when we carried the wild boar back. They were all praising you." Zhao Tie caught up with the group and immediately came to Lu Fengnian's side with a big smile.

Lu Fengnian nodded. "You guys definitely didn't get any rest last night. Take a quick nap. We need to keep moving forward and try to reach the Old Turtle Cave tonight."

I'm not sleepy yet.

Zhao Tie was clearly excited and continued, "Also, this is the first time in all these years that people from Shangjie Village have come to our Mao'er Village."

Their village is bringing dozens of people to our village to take away wild boars, and they are very grateful to you.

The people from the two villages stayed under the old willow tree for more than half an hour, chatting and laughing.

Moreover, their village head also said that their Shangjie Village has an old well with more water than our village, and they want to share more of the river water with us.

Lu Fengnian was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected that his simple action would trigger such a chain reaction.

Yang Kai walked to Lu Fengnian's side and whispered, "You've resolved the nearly century-old feud between our two villages so easily."

Lu Fengnian shook his head. "Don't speak too soon. This is only temporary."

"If we cannot replenish the river's water supply, the conflict between our two villages will persist."

Yang Kai nodded. "At least, this is a good sign. This trip should have a good outcome."

Lu Feng let out a breath and laughed, "Then I'll take your good wishes!"

…………

The Old Turtle Cave is located at the foot of a towering cliff, about seven or eight zhang wide and two zhang high, resembling the mouth of a giant beast.

The river water flowing towards Mao'er Village and Shangjie Village flows slowly out from this big mouth.

Meanwhile, clear marks of the lowered water level can be seen on the stone walls on both sides.

At dusk, Lu Fengnian and his group arrived at the Old Turtle Cave as scheduled.

Seeing the dark entrance to the cave, and recalling the legend of the old turtle spirit, everyone felt uneasy.

Lu Fengnian briefly observed the cave entrance and then instructed everyone to set up camp, preparing to rest for the night before entering the cave the next day.

Soon, the camp was set up, and after eating, the men from both villages immediately went to sleep.

They had been busy for two whole days in the barren mountains and weeds, and now they were exhausted.

In addition, we're going into the cave tomorrow, so I need to get my body into top condition.

As darkness fell and almost everyone in the camp fell asleep, Lu Fengnian got up from the campfire, carried his hunting bow, and slowly walked toward the Old Turtle Cave.

The man on guard duty quickly stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Brother Fengnian, where are you headed?"

The man was from Shangjie Village, but now he, like Zhao Tie and others, called Lu Fengnian "Brother Fengnian".

The group consisted of sixteen people, and everyone except Yang Kai was addressed in this way.

Lu Fengnian's archery skills, as well as his conduct, won everyone's approval.

Lu Fengnian lowered his voice, "We're going into the cave tomorrow. I'll go in first to take a look and familiarize myself with the route."

The man quickly waved his hand, "Brother Fengnian, it's too dangerous for you to go in alone. Let's go into the cave together tomorrow."

Lu Fengnian shook his head. "I know what I'm doing, don't worry."

At the same time, you must not be careless. This place is deep in the mountains, and wild animals may roam there. You must be extremely vigilant.

The man was about to speak when Lu Fengnian pointed to the sleeping man and gestured for him to be quiet.

The man hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Brother Fengnian, you must be careful."

Lu Fengnian nodded, walked slowly forward, and soon disappeared into the darkness.

…………

The path from the camp to the Old Turtle Cave was downhill, rugged and slippery. It took Lu Fengnian a full two incense sticks' worth of time to reach the entrance of the Old Turtle Cave.

On one side of the cave entrance, there is a naturally formed stone path in the rock wall.

Lu Fengnian's sensory abilities far surpass those of ordinary people, and he can see in the dark.

Without a torch, he carefully stepped onto the stone path and slowly walked deeper into the cave.