High Martial Arts: Invincible Starts from Basic Archery Chapter 5: Bitter? Not Bitter.

"How much longer do you think he'll last?"

A group of youths huddled together during their break, whispering among themselves.

"Two days, tops."

"Two days? I'd bet he won't even survive one. His right arm was already failing him after less than an hour of practice. Honestly, he’ll probably quit by this afternoon."

"That reminds me of my first full day of archery. By that night, my fingers were shredded and I couldn't even lift a rice bowl."

"Heh, everyone goes through that. Shooting is actually easier by comparison. If we only had handguns, life would be perfect," another youth added with a foolish grin.

"Keep dreaming! Those greedy traders have driven the price of firearms through the roof. A single bullet costs several pounds of grain. It’s daylight robbery!"

As the conversation flowed, the focus of their gossip shifted away from Chen Fan.

In reality, Chen Fan was reaching his limit.

His constitution was naturally frailer than his peers, and fully drawing the bow required every ounce of his strength. After more than ten consecutive shots, his right arm was shaking so violently it felt detached from his body.

The silver lining was the noticeable growth in his proficiency.

[Basic Archery: Lv0 (28%)]

One shot had landed nearly in the center, immediately granting him a 5% boost in progress.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Fan forced his numb right arm up once more to pull the string. However, his strength failed him, and he was unable to achieve a full draw.

A moment later, the arrow slipped, flying a mere three or four meters before thudding uselessly into the dirt.

"Are you a fool? Learn to rest when your strength is spent!"

A man with a noticeable limp shouted from nearby.

Chen Fan turned toward him, offering a sheepish grin. "You're right, Uncle Zhang. I'll take a breather now."

He sighed, realizing that haste does not bring success. While he was desperate to grind his skill level, his physical condition was a bottleneck.

"Get over here and let me knead that arm."

The limping man directed him.

This command stunned not only Chen Fan but also the surrounding youths. They thought bitterly, "We never received such treatment when we were learning!"

"Tsk."

The limping man sneered at the onlookers. "You call what you do archery? You're so weak and pathetic, one would think you were fluffing cotton instead of training."

The group turned red with shame.

Although they had slacked off occasionally... it was only because their muscles were too sore to continue.

"Well," Chen Fan said tentatively, "Uncle Zhang, you don't have to do that."

"Fine by me, if you want to struggle with your own pants in the latrine later." The limping man shrugged indifferently.

Chen Fan winced at the thought and relented. "Then, I’ll have to trouble you, Uncle Zhang."

"You should have just said that from the start. Stop your whining." The man hobbled over, grumbling as he moved.

Despite his abrasive tone, it was obvious to anyone with eyes that he genuinely cared.

As Chen Fan extended his arm, a wave of soothing relief washed over him. The deep-seated fatigue seemed to evaporate, and he felt the sensation returning to his limb.

The massage lasted twenty minutes. Every time Chen Fan tried to pull away, Uncle Zhang’s sharp glare pinned him in place.

Once the treatment was finished, Chen Fan said gratefully, "Thank you for the help, Uncle Zhang."

The man dismissed the thanks with a wave. "This is nothing compared to the sacrifices your father made for the villagers."

Chen Fan went quiet, understanding the weight of those words.

Uncle Zhang was referring to how his father worked himself to the bone to ensure everyone in the village had enough to survive, regardless of their status.

"Listen to me, kid. Archery is a difficult path. Even if you can hit stationary targets now, things are different in the wild where targets move. It’s a different world."

He looked at the longbow, his expression solemn.

"I understand, Uncle Zhang. But if I quit now, wouldn't all this effort be wasted?" Chen Fan answered steadily, meeting the man's gaze.

He had worked incredibly hard to push his Basic Archery progress toward 30%. Quitting now would be a betrayal of his own labor.

"Fair enough."

The limping man nodded, told him to keep at it, and walked off.

The other youths, meanwhile, were still struggling.

Watching the man leave, Chen Fan reflected that while Uncle Zhang seemed crude and foul-mouthed, he was actually quite observant. Had it not been for his leg injury, he likely would have been his father’s most trusted lieutenant.

With a soft sigh, Chen Fan gathered his equipment and returned to the firing line.

To an outsider, the repetitive cycle of nocking and releasing arrows appeared tedious and unrewarding.

But for Chen Fan, every perfect release yielded tangible results. The closer his arrow flew to the mark, the more his proficiency climbed!

This feedback loop energized him, allowing him to refine his form with every shot. The physical pain became secondary to the thrill of progress.

"I might have misjudged this boy."

Watching from a distance, the limping man nodded to himself.

That drive to improve with every single arrow set him apart from the others in the village. Maybe he actually had the resolve to stick with it.

Time passed quickly, and Chen Fan headed home for a midday meal. Lunch was no different from the previous night—just a bowl of watery porridge.

When his mother heard he was training in archery, she gave him an extra portion.

"Xiaofan, don't push yourself too hard. You can rest if you need to."

She looked at his raw, red hands with heartache.

While she appreciated his maturity and desire to help his father, she was consumed by worry. If both her husband and son were lost to the hunt, how would she and the youngest child survive?

Chen Fan simply smiled and shook his head. Hard? He was actually having the time of his life.

After finishing his meal, he hurried back to the training grounds, leaving his concerned mother and confused younger brother behind.

"I have no choice. Time is a luxury I don't have, and every second is vital,"

Chen Fan mused. The camp's situation was precarious. One more disaster could finish them. Life had taught him that troubles often come in clusters; he needed power, and he needed it fast.

As he walked, he checked his status panel.

A morning of dedication had brought his Basic Archery to 52%. If his luck held, he would reach Level 1 by sunset.

When that happened, he was certain everything would change!