Full-Level Fierce Person-Chapter 65 Finding Faults

65: Finding Faults

65: Finding Faults

After three rounds of wine, the dishes had varied five times.

“Instructor Fang, I hear you are only eighteen this year?”

As the wine was being enjoyed with great relish, Luo Kezhao suddenly turned towards Fang Zhixing and asked in an indifferent tone.

Fang Zhixing’s mind slightly tensed, he perked up and replied, “To respond to the second son, I am indeed eighteen.”

Luo Kezhao nodded and declared loudly, “Your archery skills are admirable, as everyone can see, and everyone is very convinced.

However, being able to perform archery doesn’t necessarily mean you can teach it to others, for that takes a great deal of experience.

And in terms of gathering experience, you have none at all, right?”

Upon these words, the noise in the hall suddenly died down, and the atmosphere turned tense.

Ding Zhigang, Lu Anfu, and others each set down their wine cups, their smiles fading, and sat upright in their seats.

Luo Peiyun fiddled with his wine cup, his head bowed as he looked at the delicacies in front of him.

Fang Zhixing was momentarily silent, then smiled and said, “The second son speaks the truth; knowing something and teaching it are entirely different matters.

However, since the lord trusts me so greatly, I shall definitely endeavor with all my might to impart everything I know and not disappoint the lord’s high hopes.”

Luo Kezhao snorted and scoffed, “Anyone can talk big.

How do you plan to teach others?

Show us your plan.”

Fang Zhixing remained composed and very calm, retorting, “May I ask about the second son’s skill in archery?”

“Me?”

Luo Kezhao was startled, then hesitated, “I focus on martial arts; I don’t practice archery much.”

Fang Zhixing smiled and said, “If the second son wouldn’t mind, I would like to demonstrate some archery skills here, how about that?”

“This…”

Luo Kezhao hesitated, glanced at Luo Peiyun beside him, then stood up sharply and said sternly, “Alright, I’ll give you a chance.

But if you fail to teach me, then you can stop being the instructor.”

Fang Zhixing simply smiled faintly.

Soon after, three servants brought in the props, including bows, arrows, and a target for practicing archery—a straw man.

Fang Zhixing had seen this gadget in the training field; archers drew their bows and shot at the straw man.

The hall was almost thirty meters long!

The straw man was placed at the doorway.

Luo Kezhao picked up an arrow, set it on the bow, and asked, “How do you want to teach me?”

Fang Zhixing replied, “Please, second son, shoot an arrow for me to see first.”

Luo Kezhao immediately raised the longbow, pulled it full, aimed, and released!

Whiz!

The arrow flew forward for a distance, passing by the side of the straw man, and landed outside.

It was far too off.

This Luo Kezhao’s archery skill was exceptionally poor.

Fang Zhixing scoffed inwardly.

Truth be told, he had seen more than one person shoot arrows, each with their own stance.

However, none of them used the standard archery posture; everyone relied on their feelings, doing whatever felt comfortable.

That is to say, the world had yet no books like the “Archery Manual” for popular science, and the people were ignorant, not knowing the best stance.

In archery, one either shot standing or while riding a horse.

When shooting standing, the most crucial element was the stance.

Unfortunately, the people of this world did not understand this.

“That’s just great!”

Fang Zhixing reassured himself and confidently commented, “The second son has good arm strength and physical condition, so you just need to improve two aspects to significantly enhance your archery skills.”

Luo Kezhao did not believe him, and asked incredulously, “Which two aspects?”

Fang Zhixing spoke earnestly, “First is your stance.

The archery stance should follow the principle of ‘neither straight nor slanted.'”

Luo Kezhao’s brows furrowed in confusion and he blurted out, “Neither straight nor slanted, what is that supposed to mean?”

Fang Zhixing stepped forward, first had Luo Kezhao stand straight with his feet apart at shoulder width, aligned sideways towards the target heart, making the extensions of both his shoulders point directly at the heart of the target.

But that was not all.

The front foot needed to be retracted by half a foot length, and the extension line from the tip of the front foot to the hip also pointed towards the target heart.

Once this stance was adjusted, it immediately felt refreshingly new.

Very imposing!

The crowd scrutinized carefully and immediately noticed there were many intricacies involved, all worth savoring.

Fang Zhixing said with a smile, “This is the ‘neither-T nor-eights’ stance, not quite a T and not an eight!”

Luo Peiyun twirled his mustache and nodded repeatedly, revealing a smile of admiration.

But Luo Kezhao felt uneasy, realizing Fang Zhixing was truly skilled.

Impatiently, he asked, “And the second point?”

Fang Zhixing chuckled, slightly lifted his hand holding the bow and arrow, adjusted the aim slightly upward, and said with a smile, “Please release the arrow, Second Young Master.”

Luo Kezhao, skeptical yet curious, let go of his hand.

Whoosh!

The arrow flew through the air and struck the straw man in the chest.

Hit!

“Wow, there really is something to this, ha!”

Iron Claw Ye Hengchang couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

The crowd also nodded continuously.

“Excellent!”

Luo Peiyun, overjoyed, laughed heartily, “Instructor Fang not only has exquisite archery skills but also knows how to teach.

My judgment was indeed not wrong!”

Fang Zhixing repeatedly said, “It’s all thanks to your Lordship’s cultivation!”

Ding Zhigang quickly added flattery, “Lord, your discerning eye is unmatched!”

Lu Anfu, not to be outdone, said with a smile, “Lord, you have a unique vision, I and others can only feel inferior, with utmost admiration.”

After a round of flattering praises, Luo Peiyun’s mood improved significantly, his face beamed with joy.

Luo Kezhao, however, was somewhat dumbfounded; watching the straw man he had hit, his facial expression was quite a spectacle.

After a long pause, he dropped the bow and arrow, and declared loudly, “There’s nothing so great about this, I’ve seen this stance before, I just didn’t know it was called ‘neither-T nor-eights’.”

He turned his gaze around, then suddenly said to Luo Peiyun, “Father, you’re establishing an archery unit to form a competent military force.

Targets are stationary; people are not.

Even if archery skills are good, it doesn’t necessarily mean one can hit a person, and it doesn’t guarantee superior combat ability.

Therefore, I have a suggestion.”

Luo Peiyun smiled slightly, asking, “What is the suggestion?”

Luo Kezhao continued, “Let Instructor Fang randomly select ten archers to train for ten days.

I’ll recommend a master who will also pick ten archers to train independently.

After ten days, we’ll hold a contest on the training ground.”

Luo Peiyun thought for a while, then asked, “Each side having ten archers, how shall we determine the winner?”

Luo Kezhao smiled and said, “It’s quite simple, just have them shoot moving rabbits.

Within the same period, whoever kills more, wins!”

After hearing this, Luo Peiyun turned to Fang Zhixing and asked with a smile, “Instructor Fang, do you dare to accept this challenge?”

Fang Zhixing immediately responded, “Certainly, I am willing to accept any test from your Lordship and the Second Young Master.”

Luo Peiyun was very pleased and nodded, “Good, let the competition begin tomorrow.

Ding Zhigang and Wen Yuwen, you two will supervise and ensure that this contest is fair and just.”

“Yes, Lord!” Ding Zhigang and Wen Yuwen said in unison.

Soon, the banquet came to an end.

Luo Peiyun and Luo Kezhao left the feast first.

“Oh my, I’m drunk.” Ding Zhigang stood up, swaying, and quickly left the hall as well.

This guy should be able to hold his liquor, and with Lord County Magistrate present, he wouldn’t dare to act drunk.

But now he started to feign drunkenness.

Damn, what an actor…

Seeing this, Fang Zhixing knew what was happening, so he caught up with Lu Anfu and said with a smile, “Hall Master Lu, let me escort you out.”

“Thank you for the consideration.” Lu Anfu replied with a faint smile, not distancing himself in the least.

Fang Zhixing walked with Lu Anfu to the front gate before inquiring, “The Second Young Master seems not to like me very much, Hall Master Lu, do you know why?”

Lu Anfu lowered his voice, speaking carefully, “The Lord has three wives and concubines, each of whom has borne him a son.

The eldest and the third sons have excellent martial talents, and the Lord sent them to learn martial arts in the county.

Only the Second Young Master, less talented, remained to learn martial arts in the house.

The second wife’s parents are from the Dong family, one of the three largest wealthy families in the town.

The Dong family has always wanted to place their relatives into the Government Office to hold official positions.

For instance, Ding Zhigang is the Chief Constable, and out of his four arrest officers, two are from the Dong family, pushed into their positions through nepotism.

Similarly, many of the subordinates led by Luo Kezhao, serving as the leaders of the infantry, are also Dong family descendants.

Therefore, your position over these three hundred archers is something the Dong family is determined to acquire.”