Chapter Fourteen: Crafting a Crossbow

“I often recall those days when I studied at your home as a child. Master Qi taught me so much…” Yunfei squinted her eyes, lost in memories. “It must have been ten years since we last saw each other. Master Qi and Aunt Liu treated me so well…”

Remembering Qi Jun’s parents, Yunfei’s expression suddenly fell, tears glimmering at the corners of her eyes.

The Qi family had no daughters, and Yunfei’s mother had passed away from illness when Yunfei was very young. Qi Jun’s parents adored the clever and spirited little Yunfei, always treating her as their own daughter. For Yunfei, who had grown up without a mother’s love, this kindness was engraved deeply in her heart, filling her with gratitude.

All these years, Yunfei had cherished the Qi family, who had been both teachers and kin to her. News of Qi Jun’s parents’ misfortune had grieved her deeply. While Qi Jun was injured and unconscious, she visited him every day, but always told Qifeng not to let him know.

“This revenge must be taken!” The loving faces of that middle-aged couple flashed in Qi Jun’s mind, filling him with sorrow and igniting a fierce anger.

“So you wanted those materials and tools to…” Yunfei blinked, looking up at Qi Jun.

Qi Jun paused, reading the determination in Yunfei’s gaze—a hunger for vengeance that matched his own.

“Yes!” Qi Jun affirmed Yunfei’s guess, turning to look toward Panlong Ridge. “Trust me, those mongrels are not far from death!”

“Grandfather was right. You truly have changed.” Yunfei regarded the young man before her, murmuring to herself as her eyes flashed with a strange light. She too looked toward the direction Qi Jun was gazing. “I believe you!”

She realized this youth had transformed from the boy who once enjoyed teasing her, but she had not yet understood that this young man would one day shake the world and become a legend of his time.

“I’m going to make a crossbow.” Qi Jun thought for a moment before telling Yunfei. He was certain this girl was trustworthy, that she would never betray him.

“May I see it?” Yunfei’s eyes lit up as she asked. She knew that making crossbows without permission was strictly forbidden by the authorities, so Qi Jun’s honesty proved his trust in her.

This surprised Yunfei—Qi Jun was actually making a crossbow. But she was also glad for his trust.

Qi Jun nodded, turning toward the small house. Yunfei quickly followed him inside.

Qi Jun picked up a sturdy piece of wood, contemplated for a moment, then began to cut and smooth it. The room was soon filled with the sound of sawing, and the dust in the air mingled with wood shavings.

Yunfei sat by the bed, resting her chin in her hands, watching Qi Jun work intently on the floor, a gentle smile always at her lips.

He worked until the sun had begun to set in the west. Finally, Qi Jun stopped, wiped the sweat from his brow, and looked at the crossbow in his hands with satisfaction.

Yunfei stood and walked behind Qi Jun, her eyes full of curiosity as she examined the weapon.

“So… this is a crossbow?” Yunfei reached out, fascinated, to touch the bowstring.

She had only heard of crossbows, never seen one. Receiving it from Qi Jun, she examined it delightedly from every angle, pulling him aside with endless questions: “How does this work? How far can it shoot? Is it accurate…”

---

Qi Jun smiled helplessly, picked up a prepared crossbow bolt, drew the string, and placed his finger on the trigger, aiming at a large tree just outside the door.

With a quiet “click,” the bolt flew straight ahead.

Qi Jun watched the tree intently. Just as the bolt was about to hit its target, a figure suddenly darted out beside the tree.

The unexpected appearance made both Qi Jun and Yunfei tense, a cold sweat breaking out.

Luckily, the bolt struck the trunk and didn’t harm the person.

The man by the tree was stunned by the sudden arrow, standing dumbfounded and at a loss.

“Qifeng!” Qi Jun reacted immediately and ran over. “Are you alright?”

Qifeng came to his senses, glanced at the still-quivering bolt, and patted his chest, letting out a long breath.

“Are you okay, Qifeng? You nearly scared me to death!” Yunfei ran over and looked at him with concern.

“I’m fine. Hey, what’s this…” Qifeng steadied himself, his eyes drawn to the crossbow in Qi Jun’s hand.

Qi Jun handed the crossbow to Qifeng, then went to inspect the bolt in the tree. He found the arrowhead embedded half an inch deep, and had to exert some effort to pull it out.

“Not bad!” Qi Jun was satisfied with the power of the crossbow, took it back from Qifeng, and considered ways to improve it.

“Brother Jun, you’ve amazed me again today!” Yunfei said with a bright smile. “My whole afternoon waiting wasn’t in vain!”

That sweet address made Qi Jun’s heart race. He remembered the afternoon when Yunfei made him a meal, and the shy, bashful “Brother Jun” that had touched his heart then.

“I…” Qi Jun rubbed his head, unsure what to say.

“It’s getting late, I’ll head back now!” Yunfei blushed, waved at him, “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone about the crossbow!”

Only after watching Yunfei’s graceful figure disappear around the bend of the mountain path did Qi Jun turn back, feeling a faint sense of loss at her departure.

“Bro, I think Yunfei likes you…” Qifeng, face full of gossip, sidled up to Qi Jun. Even he, usually dull and simple, sensed something different in the air.

“Tsk, what nonsense are you thinking?” Qi Jun glanced at him, feigned anger and twisted Qifeng’s ear, walking as he asked, “Where have you been today? You nearly gave us all a fright…”

“Let go, bro… ow… that hurts…” Qifeng clutched his ear, begging for mercy.

Qi Jun let go, smiling as he ruffled Qifeng’s hair and walked into the house.

“I was just helping dig for water by the river…” Qifeng followed, hands over his ear.

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Qi Jun remembered the search for water, realizing he had forgotten all about it while busy in the cottage.

“Stay home, don’t let anyone in,” Qi Jun instructed gravely.

Qifeng nodded, knowing how important the crossbow was.

Qi Jun hurried down the mountain, and from afar saw a few weary figures scattered along the riverbank. In the villagers’ tired eyes, he saw deep suspicion and discontent.

“Qi, are you playing us for fools?” Liu Qi saw Qi Jun approaching, staggered up, and grabbed him by the collar. The other villagers got up and gathered around.

“Liu Qi, what are you doing? Let him go!” Liu Kui rushed over, hoarse, and yanked Liu Qi’s hand away, glancing at the surrounding villagers.

Liu Kui understood why the villagers acted this way. After toiling all day under the blazing sun, achieving nothing and facing hunger at night, anyone would have bottled up resentment.

Qi Jun said nothing, feeling dejected himself. Under their gaze, he walked over to a pit, crouched to inspect it, then moved to another.

Where had things gone wrong? Was my judgment mistaken…

Qi Jun shook his head, intuition telling him there must be water beneath this land.

The air fell silent again. Under their watchful eyes, he gazed at the dozen uneven pits scattered across the riverbank, lost in thought as the sun’s rays faded behind the hills.

“Did anyone reach the stone layer?” Qi Jun suddenly asked, looking up.

“Old Liu dug in the riverbed a bit, said he couldn’t go any further and moved on,” a villager thought for a moment and replied.

“Where? Take me to see!” Qi Jun’s heart stirred.

“He said he had a stomach ache this afternoon and took his tools home.” Liu Qi scratched his head in explanation.

Liu Kui glared at Liu Qi, stood up, and kicked him hard. Truthfully, after a whole day’s labor, Liu Kui had little hope himself, but he knew he needed to support Qi Jun at this moment.

Old Liu was Liu Qi’s cousin, so Liu Qi had selfishly let him go home to rest. Now, hearing Qi Jun ask, he felt a bit guilty.

“It’s over there!” Liu Qi, rubbing his backside, grimaced and quickly pointed.