Wu Guang first opened the left chest, but after looking at the composite bone bow for some moments he did not even take it in his hands before closing the lid.

"It's a good bow, but regretfully as most scout bows it can't be used for constant combat"

The other chest's contents were the ones that did perk Wu Guang's interest. He carefully took the bow inside and holding it as if it was a piece of art carefully observed and even sensed it.

This bow was of the type called blade bows, a rare type of bow meant to actually be used as both a ranged weapon as well in close quarters. The one he had in his hands was a strengthened medium-sized wooden bow with the upper limb having a half-crescent iron blade attached, an iron protector attached to the handle and the lower limb had several iron parts to act as counterweights. Weighing about 33 pounds it was a weapon that could be not used for long by a non-cultivator.

With its weight and the fact that the wood was strengthened to support and act as the handle for the blade, it would almost not bend, shortening the range at least in half. It was disarmed, but after looking into the chest Wu Guang saw several sinew bowstrings.

He also saw an accompanying closed quiver, meant to be carried horizontally on one's backside by strapping it to the belt. After thinking for some time, Wu Guang reached the conclusion that this bow would be perfect for him. Although it would diminish his range advantage and the speed would make him shoot fewer arrows than expected, it could be used as a mix of saber and ax in close combat, eliminating the need of carrying a sidearm.

"How much for this one?"

"The price that my father had mentioned before was 45 silver for the bow, five bowstrings, and its quiver"

Right after hearing the sum Wu Guang quickly recalled the amount of money he had left and decided that he can afford it, although leaving himself with a bit less money for any resources he could encounter during the next day. "Anyway I will not need coins in the sect as they use contribution points for anything, and if something rare appears most probably it would need shards to be bought anyway" with this thought he opened his mouth to agree but was stopped by Li Xia

"I remember you saying that your funds were about 30 silver for a high-quality bow, so I will sell you it at that price"

"I can't agree to that" Wu Guang rebuked and putting the bow back into the chest took out five gold coins, leaving himself only two, and passed them to Li Xia. Stopping her from rejecting, he said

"I will pay the full price plus the commission I agreed to pay before I knew you were the seller. There is no need to reject, consider this a small contribution towards your needs" When the latter was pronounced Li Xia smiled wryly while he laughed.

"Oh and the other two silver coins please convert them into arrows. A mix of hunting, piercing and common ones"

"Understood. Thank you"

"Do not think about it. About the runemaster offer, if you can visit the manor tomorrow, I should be able to help you with it" Wu Guang said. In his past life, he always followed his own moral compass, and seeing that Li Xia indeed had no evil intentions such small help he could provide wasn't something outside his character.

About the runemaster, he was sure that with a small nudge of Xiao Feng or paying the relevant fees the former would not object to examine and confirm the runes on the bow. Plus he also wanted to use this opportunity to show a bit of understanding about the runes, so later during the tests, it would not appear strange if he asked questions outside the basic things explained in the books he was provided with.

Receiving a sack of arrows he said his farewells and left the store. The quiver that came with the bow was strapped to his belt and the bow was securely latched on the special holding place. It was actually pretty well thought, having even two chest straps that guaranteed the quiver from falling while moving or if the one's belt snapped.

When Wu Guang returned to the training area he was occupying he found that dinner was served and Xiao Feng was seen waiting for him. Dropping the sack in the storeroom he quickly approached the pavillion.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

"Brother Xiao! I am sorry to have made you wait, although I did not know about your visit tonight"

"Heh, It's practically my own home, why should I notify my visits?" Chuckling Xiao Feng answered

"How was yesterday's banquet?"

"It went pretty well. I also saw the daughter of the guard captain, even though I haven't seen her in a while she is still beautiful as ever. But enough about that, I heard you also accompanied a beauty today?"

"Yes"

"Oh, tell me"

"She was the runner from the guild that helped me with the weapons. Surprisingly she came today in her normal attire and helped me buy this" Explained Wu Guang and showed the bow that he had unfastened and placed near his chair.

"I see. So many lovely moments?"

"Hahaha, no, no. You will also have the opportunity to meet her"

"Really? Are you marrying already? Let me discourage you from that as the good brother I am"

"Hahaha. No, but I offered her some small help in meeting the runemaster of the manor tomorrow. I hope you don't mind? I actually discerned the runes on the bow she wants to check and considered that this would be a nice way to interact with a master"

"I never have problems with helping a beauty"

"Good"

While they talked and laughed the dinner was finished. Wu Guang decided that this was a perfect moment to recall his weiqi skills and after asking Xiao Feng, brought the set into the pavillion. Accompanied by tea they played for an hour or so.

"I never expected that you would be such a master. I think the only person that could give you battle would be either the head administrator or my father" Said Xiao Feng when they finished another round in which Wu Guang won. As this was the tenth game they played and it was late, after notifying him about the plans for the next day he proceeded to say his farewells and leave.

Wu Guang stored the set and during the trip to his room also left the bow and quiver inside.

Returning to the training grounds, he sat down and meditated about his gains in the Sword training and also recalled what he needed to do "I reached the intermediate training in the sword as expected. Although I did not feel the same affinity as with the throwing daggers it seems that the cultivation set related somehow to it, after all, my state felt far deeper today. Xiao Feng said that we will visit the herbs garden and medicine master after breakfast while I will be able to spar at midday. So considering that the latter part of the day is also occupied, I will have to rise with the sun to have some practice with the bow. My weiqi skills are part of my memories, so as expected I should have no problems in showing it as an art mastery. Caligraphy is also an option, but regretfully it seems I have no time left to practice. But judging from the entrance tests, I may have a few free hours while waiting for my turn and use them for it".

Judging that almost everything was falling in place and the fact that now he had a real martial weapon to use during the first time in the sect, Wu Guang fell asleep as soon he reached his bed.

***

Rising half an hour before the sun started to appear, Wu Guang bathed and meditated for a while. When the rising sun was enough to start he moved towards one of the trees near the training ground, deciding to use it as a target.

For this training, he brought five quivers worth of common arrows. After preparing the bow and infusing his arms with qi, Wu Guang slowly tensed and untensed the bow several times. The strength required was far more than for a hunting or scout bow, but it was manageable for him now that he had reached the peak of muscle tempering. Sending the first arrows flying one after another he accustomed himself to the balance, weight, and other quirks that the bow had.

With all that done, he emptied his mind and entered the understanding state that had made his rapid advancement possible.

As Xiao Feng arrived along with the servants who brought breakfast, Wu Guang finished his training. Although he felt he could advance further than the medium level he reached, there was no time left.

After eating, the pair left the training area, walking towards the eastern part of the manor grounds.