The arrow missed the target board by a long shot.

Senior Brother Chen pinched his brows and asked Su Yuchen, “Su Yuchen, why are your hands so shaking? Where did you keep your mind? What are you even thinking before releasing the arrow?”

He exhaled his breath and said, “Just stare at the target. Breathe in and breathe out. This is all I am asking you to do.”

He stared at Su Yuchen, “It doesn’t matter if you don’t even hit the target board. Just stop your distracting thoughts and try to improve your form.”

Su Yuchen answered in a dull tone, “Senior Brother, I am trying to follow what you are saying, but I couldn’t relax my mind before releasing the arrow.”

Senior Brother Chen patted Su Yuchen’s shoulder, “If you can’t control your mind, just let the arrow go on an impulse. Don’t think about the perfect time, do it when you had the thought. Your nervous mind will slowly become calm and get used to the action.”

The arrow missed the target board by a long shot.

“Tch! Why is your hand trembling, Su Yuchen?” Senior Brother Li sat on a chair and relaxed, he was only staring at Su Yuchen when he was practising. He asked him, “You are distracted while practising! You are thinking about something else! What are you thinking about?”

Su Yuchen shook his head, “I am bad at archery. I think that is the reason.”

Senior Brother Chen raised his hand and waved it in the air, “No! Your aim and form is good. You can become a good archer with practice and hard work. I can vouch on this. Can you make an oath that you are practising wholeheartedly?”

“Senior Brother, I can’t make an oath.” Su Yuchen said in a resigned tone, “But, I am doing exactly what you said. I am not even hitting the target board at 10 meters distance. I should be hitting the target board after this much training.”

Senior Brother Chen stood up and said, “Follow me, Junior Brother. Let us practice some fist techniques. Try not to be distracted, or you will hurt your muscles.”

Su Yuchen put the bow aside and followed him, silently.

..

.

“Why are you not joining in the practice sessions these days, Junior Brother?”

Senior Brother Chen asked Su Yuchen when he came to pick the storage bags for feeding the beasts.

Su Yuchen felt awkward and didn’t know how to answer Senior Brother Chen, “Senior Brother Chen, I am reading the books on alchemy and medicine. I am very much interested in them and wasn’t able to make time for practice. I am sorry, Senior Brother Chen. I didn’t know you were looking forward to practice with me.”

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“There is no need for a sorry, Junior Brother Su.” Senior Brother Chen smiled and said, “I was looking forward to teaching you more about archery, that’s all. Moreover, Senior Brother Li also requested me to guide you in your practice. I want to fulfil my heart to help and also complete the request of Senior Brother Li.”

“Thank you very much, Senior Brother Chen!” Su Yuchen bowed and thanked Senior Brother Chen. He said, “I will try to spare more time to practice martial arts from now on.”

“Just try to practice more, this is the best time for you to hone your skills. In the future, you won’t have much time to care about other things.” Senior Brother Chen said to Su Yuchen.

“I will, Senior Brother Chen.” Su Yuchen nodded.

“Junior Brother Su, your work hours will be adjusted for a few days. There is a great demand for mounts during these days, and we are expecting an increased flow in the coming days. We might have to work hard for a few days.” Senior Brother Chen took a paper and gave it to Su Yuchen, “This list has your working hours. Don’t tire yourself out. Relax a little.”

“Okay, Senior Brother Chen.” Su Yuchen nodded quickly while keeping the paper inside his storage bag.

“I hope you can also make some time to practice your archery skills. I want to teach you a lot before Senior Brother Li returns.” Senior Brother Chen said in a gentle tone.

“I will try, Senior Brother Chen.” Su Yuchen replied with a fake smile.

..

.

Su Yuchen gathered his courage and asked Senior Brother Chen, “Senior Brother Chen, are you going to take any missions in these days?”

Senior Brother Chen wiped his forehead and then answered Su Yuchen, “I am not going to take any missions for now. Why are you asking me this question, Junior Brother Su?”

Su Yuchen immediately replied in a nervous tone, “Recently, I heard that a lot of Senior Brothers in the sect are taking missions that requires a disciple to leave the sect. I want to know if you are aware of any information regarding this matter?”

Senior Brother snickered and said, “You seem to know the reason, Junior Brother Su! Why are you still asking me?”

Su Yuchen became still, he answered slowly in a dull tone, “I only have some guesses. They might be impolite to the Senior Brothers. So I wanted to know an answer for the recent trend.”

Senior Brother Chen stared at Su Yuchen with a half smile, “What are you going to do after knowing about the reason?”

Su Yuchen instantly replied, “Nothing. I am just trying to relieve my anxiety, Senior Brother Chen. That is all.”

Senior Brother Chen laughed mockingly, “A group of cowards are slipping to hide in the mortal world, fearing that they might be caught in a turmoil. That is what happening. This is all to the recent trend. Do you also want to follow them, Junior Brother Su?”

Su Yuchen shook his head, “I am not planning to leave the sect, Senior Brother Chen. There is also no place for me to go if I leave the sect. And my home is thousands of kilometres away from here.”

Senior Brother Chen showed a big grin on his face, “You need to be brave in these times, Junior Brother Su. You also won’t be affected by any turmoil. Don’t overthink too much and practice your skills more. You performed a lot better today and hit 21 arrows at the target board. The elder will also begin to support you, if you show your excellence in combat skills.”

Su Yuchen nodded.

..

.

Su Yuchen failed to hit 10 arrows at the target board in a row.

Senior Brother Chen didn’t care much about the results. He patted Su Yuchen’s shoulder to comfort him, “Senior Brother Li will not get any better just because you are standing here and worrying about him in your heart. Try to relax, Senior Brother Li already regained his consciousness. His life is out of danger.”