Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 322 - 308: All These Archery Techniques Are Garbage!

Chapter 322: Chapter 308: All These Archery Techniques Are Garbage!

After finishing their drinks, Zhang San wrapped his left arm around Shen Bao and his right around Shen Zhongdian, the three of them in high spirits.

The only one not having a good time was Shang Bufa, who was left to pay the bill, his face full of displeasure.

"Shen Bao, where should we go next? Today you’re treating, so you decide!"

Upon hearing this, Shang Bufa felt even more irritated.

It was clearly me who paid the bill, how did it turn into Shen Bao’s treat!

Could you, Zhang San, speak with a bit of conscience?

As Shen Bao was pondering which venue to pick in Pingkang Fang, Shen Zhongdian said, "I know of an archery range to the north, the Baili Archery Range. Although it’s run by the Baili Family, many who enjoy archery go there to practice and exchange tips. The place also offers food and drinks."

Zhang San couldn’t help being curious and asked, "What’s so interesting about archery?"

Leaning close to Zhang San’s ear, Shen Zhongdian whispered, "Zheng Poyue is particularly adept at archery. The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be if he ever comes back and intends harm against you, right?"

Zhang San realized that among these three newly-met friends, Shen Bao knew how to enjoy life, Shang Bufa was very knowledgeable, and the one with delicate thoughts was Shen Zhongdian.

The group quickly arrived at the Baili Archery Range.

The range had different lengths for practicing archery, and even boasted a tall platform nearby where one could sit, drink, and chat.

Moreover, behind the shooting positions, there was a resting area where many exchanged archery insights, and some were even there to enjoy drinks and gourmet food.

Upon arriving, Zhang San immediately headed to the resting area behind the shooting positions, looking to learn the defensive aspects of archery from those resting there.

After all, his main interest was in how to protect himself from being shot at.

However, many people turned their backs or ignored Zhang San outright when they smelled the alcohol on him and heard his naive questions, showing little interest in enlightening him about archery.

Zhang San realized these people seriously lacked any spirit of helpfulness.

Though my question is basic, couldn’t you share a bit more info with me?

Thinking this, Zhang San helplessly found the highest spot in the resting area to sit down, cleared his throat, and shouted in the voice able to reach the ’Forty-Eight Layers Tower’.

"Is practicing archery really useful? I can block those things with ’Techniques’, then close in with ’Martial Style’, charge up and kill with two strikes! Such rubbish, why do so many people like to practice it? I don’t get it!"

Upon hearing this, everyone around was upset.

After all, everyone here who practiced archery adored it.

When mocked by an ignorant newbie, people quickly gathered around the high-seated Zhang San and berated him furiously.

Even Shang Bufa was shocked. He turned his head and saw that Shen Bao was sitting far away from Zhang San, and Shen Zhongdian had long since ducked out of sight.

As Zhang San listened to these people ranting at him, he occasionally retorted.

"You say I don’t understand the bow and arrow, but if you understand it, tell me how many types of Archery Techniques are there? Can you describe them? No, you can’t! Because you don’t know either!"

Hearing this, the enraged archers stripped off their shirts, revealing their well-built chests, backs, and muscular arms. In front of Zhang San, they mocked him while drawing their bows.

Zhang San looked on disdainfully as these people chaotically spoke, occasionally throwing back a retort.

In just a quarter of an hour, the people around got somewhat tired of talking.

However, during this time, Zhang San managed to extract some very valuable information from their excited words.

There are indeed many different Archery Techniques, but they mainly target three directions.

Speed!

Some archers prioritize speed above all. The difference between a bow and a crossbow is that a crossbow shoots further, but from cocking to shooting, if one inhalation and exhalation is one breath, it almost takes thirty breaths.

In those thirty breaths, many archers can shoot ten arrows, and even the faster ones could shoot up to twelve.

The fastest is the Zheng Family’s Meteor Arrow Technique, it said that the Zheng Family’s archers can normally shoot fifteen arrows within thirty breaths.

Moreover, it wouldn’t affect the accuracy.

After all, exchanging accuracy for shooting speed is meaningless.

The second direction is accuracy!

Although everyone pursues precision in archery, not all accuracy is the same.

Among them, the most accurate is said to be the Arrow Nurturing Technique, which has been handed down since the Warring States Period.

This Arrow Nurturing Technique was reportedly created by Yang Youji, the world’s top archer, and is a powerful archery technique, not only precise but also highly lethal.

Unfortunately, it was largely lost over time. Over the years, although many have restored parts of the Arrow Nurturing Technique from snippets found in ancient texts, it’s only partially complete, not in its entirety.

The third direction is distance!

Bows can usually hit enemies precisely within a range of one hundred and twenty steps; crossbows, on the other hand, can hit up to three hundred steps.

While crossbows seem more formidable than bows, in battle formations or in combats among cultivators, no one will give you enough time to reload your crossbow bolts.

Whereas bow skills can ensure shooting speed and also increase the effective lethal range based on one’s strength and the bow’s capabilities.

Therefore, many archers try all means to extend their effective lethal capacity further.

After all, the farther you are from your enemy, the safer you are, while the danger for them remains the same.

In terms of distance, the Baili Family’s Baili Archery is the most famous.

Zhang San heard about the essence of archery and felt it no longer mattered that these archers did not know how to counter archery techniques, as he could go back and figure out how to respond based on the three major directions of archery.

Just then, Zhang San noticed four familiar individuals entering through the door.

It was none other than Wen Ruyu and Baili Chengfeng from the Town Demon Office.

At this moment, many archers around who were responding to Zhang San also claimed tiredness, and seeing Zhang San finally at a loss for words, felt they had won.

"Kid, what do you have to say now?"

"To come to the Baili Archery Range and insult us archers like this, you must apologize!"

"Right! You must apologize!"

Zhang San responded with a cold smile, "Apologize for what? Why should I apologize? Did I say anything wrong just now?"

"Look at your understanding of archery, how superficial! Especially this Arrow Nurturing Technique, I’ve never even heard of it. If we are talking about archery, I suppose the Baili Family’s technique is passable, but the rest of you are just trash!"

As he spoke, Zhang San waved his hands and shouted toward the distant Wen Ruyu and Baili Chengfeng, "Wen Ruyu! Baili Chengfeng! Over here!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd realized that the young man was playing a game of vilifying some to praise others!

He had just belittled everyone and then praised the Baili Family’s archery, conveniently just as representatives from the Baili Family arrived.

It seems he was just trying to boost this guy named Baili Chengfeng!

Suddenly, hundreds of archers turned around and gathered towards Baili Chengfeng and the others.

Wen Ruyu, who had just walked in and saw Zhang San greeting him, was secretly thrilled and softly advised the three people beside him.

"Good opportunity, how about we get close to Zhang San and see if we can get some valuable information out of him?"

However, just as he walked a few steps towards Zhang San, Baili Chengfeng was pushed away by an archer who approached him.

"So you are Baili Chengfeng?"

"Ah? Ah... yes, I am, may I ask..."

"What do you mean, ’may I ask’? I find your friend’s remarks quite rude! What, in Daxing City, when it comes to archery, are there no others apart from your Baili Family?"

At that moment, Baili Chengfeng looked utterly baffled.