Volume 1, Chapter 33: Shooting the Sun

When you wish for a pillow, the heavens seem to drop one right into your lap. Xiahou was now humming a tune, following a servant in a short robe as they made their way to a residential area for commoners in the south of the city. Cang Feng, full of joy, was trailing behind, bombarding the servant with questions. Only Bai had his attention elsewhere, his eyes fixated on the round, firm buttocks of the servant ahead, drooling as he wondered how much prime meat he could grab with one swipe.

It was indeed a stroke of luck. Just as Xiahou and Cang Feng set out to find a house, they heard a group of servants shouting at a nearby intersection near the Xingtian residence: "House for sale! A residential compound in the commoner's district, selling cheap! A five-courtyard mansion with three main halls, four gardens, and several ponds with flowing water! The owner is returning to his ancestral land, so it's being sold at half the market price!"

Xiahou, brimming with excitement, immediately charged forward, grabbed two potential buyers by the shoulders, and tossed them aside. Enthusiastically, he shouted at the servant, "Where is it? Half the market price? I'll take it. Haha! Lead the way quickly, no dilly-dallying!" Bai, not missing a beat, picked up a stick from somewhere and promptly knocked out a middle-aged man who had been questioning the price and now wanted to argue with Xiahou.

The blue-clad servants blinked in surprise at the middle-aged man lying on the ground, but seeing Xiahou's towering figure, strange yellowish skin, and the bulging muscles beneath his clothes, they dared not protest. They could only lead Xiahou to the house. After all, their master had instructed them to sell the house to only one person.

After a few turns on the main road and walking for about half an hour, they arrived at a particularly tranquil street.

The street was narrow, wide enough for four carriages to pass side by side. There were clear, cool streams flowing in open channels on either side. The center of the street was lined with huge cypress trees, their branches creating a canopy that made the street a bit dim but incredibly peaceful. The green stone pavement was as clean as a mirror, with faint water marks indicating a recent wash, and a refreshing coolness permeated the air.

Cang Feng, who valued the harmony of nature, couldn't help but praise, "This is wonderful," upon seeing such a serene street in bustling Anyi.

Xiahou, however, felt a twinge of annoyance. He thought to himself how Cang Feng lacked any sense of business acumen. How could one praise the product before bargaining? If the owner heard how much Cang Feng liked the area, wouldn't they raise the price sky-high?

But there was nothing he could do; Cang Feng was an unsophisticated cultivator. Shaking his head, Xiahou muttered, "Let's see the house first before we talk about other things."

The front of the house had no steps, and the main door wasn't overly decorated—just an ordinary wooden door about five feet wide and three feet thick. After all, this was a commoner's residence. If it had steps or a grand entrance like those of officials, the city's guards would soon come to investigate.

A plump, cheerful old man in a thin silk robe came rushing out from behind the main door. From a distance, he greeted them with a hearty laugh, "Are you here to see the house, sirs? Please, come in, come in. Feel free to look around. The family has already vacated, leaving only the furniture and fixtures. Take your time and see if you like it."

This old man was indeed very welcoming. Xiahou and Cang Feng spent nearly half an hour touring the compound under his enthusiastic guidance.

They were very satisfied, extremely satisfied, in fact.

The five-courtyard mansion, with its dozen large halls and side rooms, could accommodate hundreds. All the furniture was made of high-quality nanmu wood. The owner's quarters even had furniture carved entirely from expensive golden-threaded rosewood. Xiahou couldn't help but marvel at how well-off the commoners of the Xia Dynasty were. The golden-threaded rosewood furniture was something even Xingtian Dafeng didn't have in his own home.

Curious to know more, Xiahou casually inquired and discovered that the old man was indeed the owner of one of the twenty largest commercial houses in Anyi. Due to his advanced age, he planned to retire and return to his ancestral home to live out his days. His business was handed over to his eldest son, who owned another residence elsewhere. True to a merchant's nature of never leaving any capital idle, the old man decided to sell this house, converting it into cash for his son to expand the business further.

Such a shrewd calculation. Xiahou felt a bit uneasy; he was never good at haggling and doubted his ability to squeeze any profit from a cunning old merchant. Given the size and location of the property—in Anyi, the capital of the Xia Dynasty and the heart of the Nine Provinces—it certainly wouldn't come cheap.

Hesitating for a moment, Xiahou glanced at Cang Feng, whose face was glowing with satisfaction, and then gritted his teeth as he asked the old man, "So, how much are you asking for, sir?"

The old man smiled warmly at Xiahou, nodding repeatedly. "When I first acquired this estate, the total cost was thirty blocks of high-grade yuan jade."

Xiahou shivered inwardly. Building an estate in Anyi at the cost equivalent to constructing three small towns made a few words pop into his mind: real estate bubble.

After clearing his throat, the old man continued, "But now, after more than three hundred years and several renovations, the market value of this estate is over two hundred blocks of high-grade yuan jade."

Cang Feng's face immediately turned grim. Two hundred blocks of high-grade yuan jade? Even if you stripped Cang Feng of everything, you wouldn't find a speck of jade. In the eyes of the grand shamans, high-grade yuan jade was an excellent auxiliary material for cultivating shamanic power by absorbing its energy. For cultivators like Cang Feng, it was the best material for refining elixirs and magical artifacts. Who in their right mind would spend two hundred blocks of this precious jade on a house?

Xiahou was in a bind. He didn't know when he would receive the cart of wealth Xingtian Dafeng had promised. Besides, he had no concept of how much a cart of wealth was worth. The servant had shouted a price of fifty percent of the market value, which would be one hundred blocks of yuan jade. But even that was equivalent to the cost of ten small towns.

Clearing his throat, Xiahou's face turned red. "So, the price you're asking is one hundred blocks of yuan jade? Uh, that price is really..."

The old man chuckled and shook his head repeatedly. "One hundred blocks of yuan jade is just what we tell outsiders. If you, sir, truly want this estate, the price can certainly be negotiated. How about one hundred jade coins?"

With a thud, Cang Feng shuddered and collapsed into the chair behind him. From one hundred blocks of yuan jade to one hundred jade coins—this wasn't even a fire sale. It was certain that one hundred jade coins couldn't even buy a corner of a high-grade yuan jade block.

Xiahou's face turned stern as he stared at the old man for a long time. The smile on the old man's face gradually disappeared, eventually showing a look of fear. Only then did Xiahou coldly speak, "Don't take us for fools. Who are you, and what's your motive? Offering an estate worth two hundred blocks of yuan jade for one hundred jade coins—are you that generous? Especially since the tea in several rooms is still warm, suggesting the occupants just left recently."

Seeing Xiahou's change in expression, Bai also became alert, his eyes flashing with red light, saliva dripping as he stared at the old man's protruding belly, ready to pounce and devour at any moment.

The old man chuckled nervously, seeing Xiahou's stern face. Glancing around, he lowered his voice and said, "You are indeed shrewd, sir. I can't hide it from you. Just now, someone from the Xingtian Mansion came and said that if I sell this estate at a low price to a towering man with yellowish skin, they would arrange a good position in the army for my eldest grandson." He peeked at Xiahou cautiously and quickly looked away, smiling. "You know the rules of our Xia Dynasty, it's nearly impossible for commoners to hold official positions. I've tried for decades with no success, so, well..."

Xiahou and Cang Feng nodded in understanding. The Xingtian family was indeed one of the four great shaman families of Anyi, with a military background that ran through the entire clan. They had barely stepped out of the mansion and had a brief encounter with that peculiar old man, yet everything was already arranged.

Clearly, Xingtian Dafeng and his kin set this up not only to do Cang Feng a favor but also to avoid letting other shaman families know they were behind this. Although all the shaman family heads would surely understand the estate's backing, it couldn't be displayed openly. This was the way of officialdom.

Xiahou smiled at the old man, "You're quite straightforward."

The old man laughed, "I've been in business all my life, and I know how to talk to different people. You, sir, seem straightforward, so why should I beat around the bush?"

Xiahou nodded approvingly, "Very well. I dislike unnecessary complications. Since everything is clear, I won't shortchange you. When my money arrives, I'll ensure you're properly compensated. I, Xingtian Bao, don't take advantage of others."

Patting the old man on the shoulder, Xiahou asked, "What's your grandson's name? I'll look out for him in the army. Things I can't manage, I won't force. Now, hand over the property and land deeds."

Being a seasoned businessman, the old man quickly completed the paperwork. Once Cang Feng had signed the enchanted parchment, he officially became the owner of the entire estate. The old man, named Shang Wu, didn't stop there. To curry favor with Xiahou, he threw in fifty servants, a hundred slaves, and five elite guards as part of the deal. Fearing Xiahou might be short on funds, he even covered a year's wages for the servants and guards.

Xiahou knew he owed a huge favor. He let Shang Wu do as he pleased, figuring a few kind words for Shang Wu's grandson, Shang Ying, in the military would suffice. Having a relative in a military position was invaluable for a merchant family, providing advantages beyond measure. Although not on par with merchant houses backed by powerful aristocrats, they would stand tall among those run by commoners. Shang Wu's investment wasn't wasted; he cleverly aligned himself with the Xingtian family.

Excited, Xiahou, Cang Feng, and Bai—who was gnawing on a large animal leg—took the property deeds back to the Xingtian Mansion. Cang Feng planned to return to Poison Dragon Island to invite his senior sect members to Anyi but needed to inform Xingtian Dafeng and seek his continued support. Xiahou, on the other hand, wanted to express his gratitude to Xingtian Dafeng, recognizing that it was thanks to the Xingtian family's influence that he almost got the estate for free.

Even Shang Wu understood that Xiahou's promise of proper compensation was just a courtesy. If Xiahou actually paid him, he wouldn't accept it.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, during which Xingtian Dafeng warmly received them, Cang Feng left for the east on his flying sword. Xiahou then candidly recounted the day's events to Xingtian Dafeng. In addition to expressing his gratitude and assuring that the cultivators would favor the Xingtian family, Xiahou also openly disclosed his acquisition of the so-called "Shooting the Sun Manual."

Xingtian Dafeng seemed indifferent; he hadn't heard of the so-called Shooting the Sun Manual. Even Xingtian Xuanzhi, the shrewdest among their brothers, showed no interest in this archery technique. It was clear they didn't consider the Shooting the Sun Manual important—nobody pays attention to something they don't understand.

However, a heavy, metallic sound, like steel ingots clashing, suddenly echoed in the room where Xiahou and Xingtian Dafeng were talking: "Dafeng, Xuanzhi, and Chihu Baolong, come to me."

Xingtian Dafeng and Xingtian Xuanzhi shivered simultaneously, looking at Xiahou in surprise.

Xiahou, equally perplexed, asked, "Who was that?"

Xingtian Dafeng pouted, "Who else? Our great-grandfather, Xingtian E, the current head of the Xingtian family! Damn it, how can he do this? He's been eavesdropping on us! What day is it today? Shouldn't he be at the palace attending to the King's orders?"

In the central hall of the Xingtian mansion, a solid stone structure about ten meters long and wide, with a height of no more than three meters, Xingtian E sat on the only stone chair. His short, stocky hands, like chiseled tools, rested gently on his belly. His square face, with square eyes, glinted with a sharp light as he scrutinized Xingtian Dafeng and Xiahou, who stood before him with vastly different attitudes—Xingtian Dafeng was nervous and cautious, while Xiahou held his head high, completely at ease.

Xingtian Dafeng immediately knelt on the ground, bowing deeply to Xingtian E. "Great-grandfather, such trivial matters shouldn't trouble you."

With a lift of his hand, Xingtian E made Xingtian Dafeng rise as if he were a balloon, standing upright again. He glanced at Xingtian Dafeng briefly before focusing his attention entirely on Xiahou. After a thorough examination, Xingtian E nodded approvingly, "Chihu Baolong? You're an interesting kid."

Unfazed by Xingtian E's status, Xiahou didn't quite grasp the significance of being the assistant duke in the Xia Dynasty. Stepping forward, he greeted Xingtian E with the traditional courtesy of his Xingtian tribe, his voice deep and resonant. "Mr. Xingtian, it's a pleasure to meet you."

A sharp smile spread across Xingtian E's face, "Pleasure to meet me? Interesting. In my 370 years, no one has ever said they were pleased to meet me. Chihu Baolong, you're indeed intriguing. Dafeng, you managed to make Xiangliu Rou taste her own medicine and turn the tables, all thanks to Chihu Baolong. Do you understand?"

Xingtian Dafeng immediately knelt again, respectfully saying, "I understand, Great-grandfather. That's why I didn't send Chihu Baolong back to the new military camp and planned to have him join the Heiyan Army directly."

Xingtian E nodded, gazing fondly at Xiahou for a long while before chastising Xingtian Dafeng, "Do you know why I, among the four assistant dukes, hold the most power? It's not because I command Anyi's army—many shamans and tribal chiefs have armies no weaker than ours. They also have their own shamans and warriors. My dominance comes from the fact that when I was young, I made them submit to me in Anyi."

With a faint smile, Xingtian E continued, "In this city, my friends' guests often clashed with theirs. Outside Anyi, I personally dealt with them several times, severely injuring the current heads of the Xiangliu, Shen Gong, and Fangfeng families. That's why my words carry more weight with the King. This generation's King once vied for a girl in the Western Quarter with me. I broke half the bones in his body, so now he values my opinion above others."

He clashed his hands together, producing a loud, metallic clang, and said proudly, "In Anyi, all other rules are false; only strength is real. Do you know why your third uncle walks so arrogantly in Anyi? Because when he was young, he could lead a group to burn down nineteen shaman estates in one night, leaving their young heirs fleeing in terror."

Sparks flew from his hands as he continued, "So, Chihu Baolong helping you win repeatedly has restored some of our honor, but it's not enough. You haven't taught Xiangliu Rou a sufficient lesson. In our shaman family, strength is paramount. The more you can dominate and oppress them now, the more respect you'll command later. But remember, our family's top warriors can't step in to help you; it all depends on your own efforts. Whether you'll have a chance to take over the Xingtian family's leadership in the future depends on your performance."

Xingtian Dafeng kowtowed repeatedly, responding with utmost respect.

Xingtian E struck Xingtian Dafeng with a palm, making him jump up. He then turned to Chihu Baolong and said, "I wasted a little time to teach Dafeng a lesson. But this is also for you. Chihu Baolong, now that you're in Anyi, you seek wealth and power. You must fully support Dafeng to have a chance at gaining power, wealth, and beauties."

Xiahou nodded slightly, "Chihu Baolong understands."

Xingtian E continued to talk for a while before suddenly asking, "The Greenwood Slips have already merged into your body. Do you know the method for the Breaking Wind Arrow?"

Xiahou was taken aback, but a series of words appeared in his mind. He recited the so-called Breaking Wind Arrow word for word.

Xingtian E's face lit up with joy, and he quickly asked, "What about the Mountain Splitting Arrow?"

Mountain Splitting Arrow? Yes, the incantation also came up.

"Good, then how about the Kun Transforming into Peng Shaking Heaven Arrow?"

This incantation was quite long, and Xiahou squinted, reciting the lengthy incantation without hesitation.

"Good!" Xingtian E clapped his hands with joy, the sound of clashing metal resonating throughout the hall, causing it to tremble slightly. "Excellent, it is indeed the Shooting the Sun Manual, the highest shamanic canon of the Dongyi tribe. Chihu Baolong, you mustn't reveal to anyone else that you've acquired the Shooting the Sun Manual until you've mastered the final chapter, the Falling Sun Arrow. Once you do, you can dominate this world."

He turned to Xingtian Dafeng, "Dafeng, you've found yourself a great ally."

Xingtian Dafeng could hardly contain his excitement. Seeing Xingtian E's reaction confirmed that the Shooting the Sun Manual was genuine and a top-tier shamanic martial art. Xiahou's potential to master such a profound technique was evident. A shamanic skill that even Xingtian E would inquire about must possess unimaginable power.

Xiahou, however, fixed his gaze on Xingtian E and asked, "Who was the old man who gave me the Greenwood Slips? Where did he get the highest shamanic canon of the Dongyi tribe? Did he really kill dozens of Dongyi shaman archers of the Seven Feathers rank and above to obtain the Shooting the Sun Manual?"

Xingtian E's facial muscles twitched, and he let out a dry laugh. "The one who gave you the Greenwood Slips... if I'm not mistaken, it's that person who loves to make a mess and trick people in Anyi. If I mention his name, he won't like it. His temper is peculiar. It's indeed your good fortune that he took an interest in you."

Xingtian E spread his hands helplessly, "Since he has chosen you, he won't leave you alone. You'll encounter him eventually. I can't speak much about him. Consider this your luck, and also Dafeng's. When you see him in the future, show respect in your words and never offend him."

Xiahou was puzzled, while Xingtian Dafeng muttered to himself, "Such a peculiar person? Who could he be?"

Xingtian E squinted his eyes and gently swayed, "An extraordinary person, someone even I don't want to provoke."

As he spoke, Xingtian E closed his eyes, seemingly falling asleep.

Xingtian Dafeng and Chihu Baolong stood there dumbfounded for a full half-hour, but Xingtian E remained silent. Xingtian Dafeng pouted, shrugged, and with a peculiar smile, started to tiptoe away with Xiahou. Just then, Xingtian E suddenly opened his eyes again, chuckling softly, "Years ago, to win a bet and compete for a woman, he went to trouble the Dongyi people. He slaughtered thirty percent of their top shamans, frightening them into submission, and the Shooting the Sun Manual was merely a spoils of that endeavor."

Xiahou gave a dry laugh. That filthy old man, pitifully lying on the ground being kicked by low-rank guards, was actually such an earth-shaking figure? A new term suddenly popped into Xiahou's head: masochist!

Xingtian Dafeng cooperatively exclaimed, "Oh!" and then lavished Xingtian E with compliments.

Xingtian E, grinning at Xiahou, kept nodding, "None of the noble scions in Anyi would be interested in the Dongyi archery skills. Yet, he has a peculiar temper. He wouldn't randomly give away such a top-tier shamanic technique. This time, it's fortunate that he encountered Chihu Baolong. His physique and those long arms are naturally suited for archery. Moreover..." Xingtian E's tone grew curious, "Moreover, Chihu Baolong 'rescued' him from a group of hapless youngsters."

With a few cold snorts, Xingtian E laughed, "So, it's Chihu Baolong's luck. Dafeng, take Baolong to see your Seventh Grandfather. Tell him I said to use the best materials to custom-make a longbow for Baolong. It's a pity we don't know where the Dongyi hid the godly bow of Da Shen Yi; otherwise, we could have sent someone to steal it, as it would be the perfect match for the Shooting the Sun Manual."

With a wave of his hand, Xingtian Dafeng understood that Xingtian E's audience was over. He immediately knelt again, kowtowed, and then pulled Xiahou out of the dimly lit hall.

Xingtian Dafeng was so excited he nearly floated away, repeatedly shouting, "Being praised by Great-Grandfather, this is unprecedented. Chihu Baolong, you must help me. According to my Great-Grandfather, we must beat Xiangliu's sixth son until he's scared of me. In Anyi, you can crush them for me. Outside Anyi, watch my brothers and me in action!"

Xiahou nodded repeatedly, feeling a mix of amusement and bitterness as he watched Xingtian Dafeng's excitement.

A month later, the best shamansmiths of the Xingtian family delivered the custom-made longbow to Xiahou's lodge.

The pitch-black longbow had smooth curves and clean lines, standing as tall as an average person, perfectly suited for Xiahou's tall stature and long arms. The bow had no decorative patterns, just a simple black that seemed to absorb the surrounding light.

The black bowstring, as thick as a thumb and of unknown material, was immensely strong. Xingtian Dafeng had enthusiastically slashed at it with a heavy sword, only to have the sword shatter while the bowstring remained unscathed.

Lightly hooking the bowstring with his fingers, Xiahou took a deep breath and pulled gently, but was shocked to find that his considerable strength barely moved it. Only after channeling all his internal true essence did he slowly, very slowly, pull the bowstring into a half-circle.

The shaman smith who delivered the bow looked astonished, "Good lad, great strength! Excellent. The bow is named Shooting the Sun. Use it well. I wonder when you'll be able to master it." The shaman said smugly, "This is the bow's minimal draw weight. When you can pull it fully with ease, you can increase the draw weight. It's up to you."

Xiahou, frustrated, drew the bowstring and released an empty shot at a wall of the lodge. With a loud crash, the invisible force arrow shattered the wall into pieces.

Xingtian Dafeng clapped and cheered, "Perfect! With this powerful bow, you must stay by my side on the battlefield. If we face the Haishen's troops, you could even shoot down their airships with a single arrow!"

Xiahou was stunned, "Uh, what did you say about airships?"

Xingtian Dafeng scratched his head, looking a bit troubled, "Hmm, avoiding the new training camp is one thing, but you really need to learn more about the world. I should find some tutors to teach you a few things. What do you think?"

Xiahou gripped the Shooting the Sun bow tightly and nodded, "Fine, but don't let it interfere with my shamanic training. I refuse to believe I can't draw this bow."

Xingtian Dafeng nodded lightly, "Of course, it won't interfere. But remember, before you help me defeat Xiangliu's sixth son or I find other top-tier shaman warriors to assist, you must not break through to the pinnacle shaman level. This Shooting the Sun Manual is a top-tier technique. You might reach the pinnacle shaman level in just a few months, which would be a problem for me."

Xiahou, recalling Anyi's strange rules, could only helplessly spread his hands, "Helpless, we can only take it one step at a time. But now we have a lot of money, recruiting skilled warriors should be easy, right?"

Xingtian Dafeng suddenly realized and dragged Xiahou out, "Exactly! Xiangliu's sixth son was supposed to deliver the money a month ago and hasn't yet. Do I really need to ask my Third Grandfather to collect the debt? We can't let him off today. We must squeeze out the owed funds! Someone, gather some soldiers, and bring out two thousand Heiyan troops!"

The sound of Heiyan's hooves swiftly filled the air as the group quickly departed.