Zhang Liang felt the danger had passed, but Jin Feng believed it had escalated.
Bandits always talk about loyalty, but when trouble arises, who would truly risk their life for an unfamiliar “brother”?
The so-called blood debt repaid in blood is merely about maintaining the gang’s reputation and authority, forcing them to avenge a fallen member.
No bandit would genuinely risk their life for brotherly loyalty to someone they barely know.
If such a person existed, they wouldn’t survive long.
But a life-and-death bond is different.
If the second leader and Baldy were as close as Zhang Liang described, and he learned Baldy died at Jin Feng’s hands, he would surely seek revenge.
So Jin Feng would rather Baldy were an ordinary Maomao Mountain bandit than have a deadly feud with the second leader.
This news strengthened Jin Feng’s resolve to become stronger.
“Brother Liang, try this crossbow. Does it feel right?”
Jin Feng took the crossbow from the wall and handed it to Zhang Liang.
A hero needs helpers. Facing bandits alone wouldn’t do.
Last night, Jin Feng saw Zhang Liang enter with a murderous air. While building the shelter today, he casually asked the hunter about it.
The hunter told him Zhang Liang intended to kill Xie Guang.
From this, Jin Feng judged that Zhang Liang truly saw him as family.
At least, he had no intent to harm him.
So he thought of training the Zhang brothers.
Zhang Mancang was simple and timid but meticulous and hardworking, perfect for blacksmithing.
Zhang Liang, a former soldier, was bold and fierce despite missing an arm.
Both Zhang men were disabled, yet in the village, they were at most ignored, never openly bullied, thanks to Zhang Liang.
Such a person, if nurtured, would be an excellent ally.
If something unexpected happened, he’d be an extra hand.
“Little Feng, with my hand, I can’t use this bow.”
A trace of melancholy crossed Zhang Liang’s face as he shook his head. “One hand can’t draw the string.”
“It can be modified. If it feels good, I can change the draw method.”
“Change it how?”
“Depends on your habit. It can be braced against your chest or drawn with your foot.”
Jin Feng said casually.
Crossbows in later times came in many forms, with various draw methods.
Few men lack interest in weapons, especially someone like Zhang Liang, a former soldier.
When Jin Feng first showed the crossbow, Zhang Liang wanted to try it but gave up due to his missing arm.
Hearing Jin Feng’s words, he eagerly reached out. “Let me try!”
With his own injury, Jin Feng handed the crossbow to Zhang Mancang. “Mancang, draw it.”
Though Zhang Liang had never used a crossbow, he often used longbows as a soldier. Taking the drawn crossbow from Mancang, he aimed at the blacksmith shop’s pillar and slowly pulled the trigger.
Whoosh!
The arrow vanished in a flash.
Perhaps because it was his first time, Zhang Liang missed.
The arrow grazed the pillar and thudded into the mud wall.
Over half of the two-foot-long arrow buried itself in the wall!
“Such power, no wonder it can kill a tiger!”
Zhang Liang exclaimed, then said with regret, “The aim’s a bit hard to control.”
“Brother Liang, you’re wrong. Compared to a longbow, a crossbow’s biggest advantage is easier aiming.”
Jin Feng pointed to a small protrusion on the crossbow’s top. “Next time, aim with this protrusion before shooting.”
“Let me try again.”
Zhang Liang eagerly had Mancang reload.
Zhang Liang’s foundation was solid.
With just one tip from Jin Feng, his next few shots all hit the wooden pillar.
“That was exhilarating.”
Zhang Liang tried eight or nine times before reluctantly returning the crossbow. “Can the draw method really be changed?”
“If I say it can, it can.”
Jin Feng said, “Once I modify it, you can go hunting.”
“Hunting?”
Zhang Liang’s eyes lit up.
The Zhang family had struggled for years, and he dreamed of improving their lives.
But missing an arm, what could he do?
Working tirelessly in the fields year-round, after taxes and bandit tributes, they barely had enough to eat.
Jin Feng’s suggestion gave him hope.
“Fengzi, when can it be modified?”
Zhang Liang was eager to head to the mountains.
He and Lin Yunfang had been married for years without a child. The county doctor said Lin Yunfang was too weak and needed nourishment.
If he could hunt rabbits, maybe they could have a child.
His mother and sister hadn’t eaten their fill in years either; they needed nourishment too…
Zhang Liang’s heart was already racing to the mountains.
“If Mancang learns quickly, it should take a few days.”
Jin Feng raised his injured hand and waved it.
“Mancang?”
Zhang Liang’s thoughts snapped back from the mountains. “What do you mean?”
“Brother, Fengzi said he wants to study hard and pass the blacksmith trade to me.”
Mancang said simply.
“Really?”
Zhang Liang was stunned, his eyes reddening slightly.
Jin Feng’s offer to make him a hunter filled Zhang Liang with gratitude and anticipation. He didn’t refuse or feel he was taking Jin Feng’s livelihood.
After all, Bashu was full of mountains. No one could hunt all the game; it depended on skill.
Even village women, when idle, would roam the mountains to catch snakes for their children’s soup.
Xihewan could have many hunters, but only one blacksmith.
Now Jin Feng was not only modifying a crossbow for him but passing the family trade to his brother?
This kindness was immense, no less than saving their family.
“Fengzi, rest assured. If you make me a usable bow, I’ll split all my game with you!”
Zhang Liang patted his chest confidently. “Focus on your studies and exams. I guarantee you and Xiaorou won’t go hungry.”
“Thank you, Brother Liang.”
Jin Feng knew Zhang Liang meant what he said.
He always appreciated others’ kindness, whether he needed it or not.
“We should be thanking you.”
Zhang Liang said, “Mancang, learn well and make my bow quickly.”
“Brother, you know I’m slow and clumsy,” Zhang Mancang said. “Why don’t you skip fieldwork for a few days and join us? It’ll be faster.”
Jin Feng glanced at Mancang in surprise.
He’d misjudged him. Who said this kid was slow? He was quite clever.
Not only did he want to learn, but he also pulled Zhang Liang in.
Jin Feng didn’t call it out.
He planned to make several crossbows anyway, ideally one for Guan Xiaorou, Tang Dongdong, and Runniang each.
With Zhang Liang helping, it would be faster.
