Zhang Liang felt the danger had passed, but Jin Feng believed it had only escalated. Bandits often talked about loyalty, but when it came down to it, who would truly risk their life for a "brother" they barely knew? The so-called "blood debt, blood repayment" was more about maintaining the gang's reputation and authority than genuine camaraderie. No bandit would risk their life for someone they didn't truly care about. Those who did wouldn't last long.
But a life-and-death bond was different. If the second-in-command and the bald man were as close as Zhang Liang said, and he found out Jin Feng had killed him, he would undoubtedly come seeking revenge. Jin Feng would have preferred the bald man to be just an ordinary bandit from Maomao Mountain rather than having a deadly feud with the second-in-command.
This news only strengthened Jin Feng's resolve to grow stronger.
"Brother Liang, try this crossbow and see if it suits you," Jin Feng said, taking the crossbow off the wall and handing it to Zhang Liang.
A good man needs allies, and Jin Feng knew he couldn't face the bandits alone. Last night, he had seen Zhang Liang enter with a fierce, determined look. Today, while building the shed, he had casually asked the hunter about Zhang Liang. The hunter told him about Zhang Liang's intent to kill Xie Guang. From this, Jin Feng concluded that Zhang Liang truly saw him as family—or at least had no ill intentions toward him. So, he decided to cultivate the Zhang brothers.
Zhang Mancang was naturally reserved and timid, but he was meticulous, hardworking, and patient—perfect for blacksmithing. Zhang Liang, on the other hand, had been a soldier. Though missing an arm, he was bold and fearless. Despite both Zhang brothers being disabled, no one in the village dared to openly bully them because of Zhang Liang's presence. With some training, Zhang Liang could become a valuable ally. If anything happened in the future, Jin Feng would have someone to rely on.
"Xiao Feng, I can't use this bow with one hand," Zhang Liang said, a hint of melancholy crossing his face. "I can't draw the string with just one arm."
"It can be modified. If it suits you, I can change the way it's drawn," Jin Feng said casually.
"Change it how?"
"Depending on your preference, it can be modified to use your chest or your foot to draw the string."
Jin Feng spoke as if it were nothing. In his previous life, crossbows came in all shapes and sizes, with various methods of drawing the string. Few men weren't interested in weapons, especially someone like Zhang Liang, who had a military background. When Jin Feng first brought out the crossbow, Zhang Liang had wanted to try it but gave up the idea due to his missing arm. Hearing Jin Feng's words, he eagerly reached out. "Let me try it!"
Since Jin Feng's hand was also injured, he handed the crossbow to Zhang Mancang. "Mancang, draw the string for him."
Though Zhang Liang had never used a crossbow before, he had often used longbows during his military days. Taking the loaded crossbow from Mancang, he aimed at a pillar in the blacksmith's workshop and slowly pulled the trigger.
*Whoosh!*
The arrow flew past the pillar and embedded itself deep into the earthen wall, more than half its length disappearing into the dirt.
"Such power! No wonder it could kill a tiger!" Zhang Liang exclaimed, though he added regretfully, "But the accuracy is hard to control."
"Brother Liang, you're mistaken. The biggest advantage of a crossbow over a longbow is its ease of aiming," Jin Feng said, pointing to a small protrusion on the top of the crossbow. "Next time, use this to aim before firing."
"Let me try again."
Zhang Liang eagerly had Mancang reload the crossbow.
It had to be said, Zhang Liang had a solid foundation. After just one instruction from Jin Feng, Zhang Liang hit the wooden pillar with every subsequent shot.
"This is incredible," Zhang Liang said after eight or nine attempts, reluctantly handing the crossbow back to Jin Feng. "Can the drawing mechanism really be modified?"
"If I say it can, it can," Jin Feng replied. "Once it's modified, you can start hunting."
"Hunting?" Zhang Liang's eyes lit up.
Life had been hard for the Zhang family, and he had long dreamed of improving their situation. But with only one arm, what could he do? He toiled in the fields from dawn to dusk, but after paying taxes and the bandits' tribute, there was barely enough left to feed the family. Jin Feng's suggestion gave him hope.
"Xiao Feng, when can it be ready?" Zhang Liang was already eager to head into the mountains.
He and Lin Yunfang had been married for years but had no children. The county doctor said Lin Yunfang's body was too weak and needed nourishment. If he could hunt rabbits in the mountains, maybe they could finally have a child. His mother and sister hadn't had a full meal in years—they needed nourishment too…
Zhang Liang's mind was already racing into the mountains.
"If Mancang learns quickly, it should be ready in a few days," Jin Feng said, waving his injured hand.
"Mancang?" Zhang Liang's thoughts snapped back to the present. "What do you mean?"
"Brother, Xiao Feng said he wants to focus on his studies and is passing the blacksmithing skills to me," Mancang said earnestly.
"Really?" Zhang Liang was stunned, his eyes slightly red.
Jin Feng's offer to teach Mancang blacksmithing was a huge gesture. It wasn't just about helping Zhang Liang become a hunter—it was about giving his brother a livelihood. This kindness was no less significant than saving his family.
"Xiao Feng, don't worry. Once you make me a usable bow, half of everything I hunt will be yours," Zhang Liang said confidently, thumping his chest. "You focus on your studies and the imperial exams. I'll make sure you and Xiaorou never go hungry."
"Thank you, Brother Liang," Jin Feng said, knowing Zhang Liang meant every word.
For Jin Feng, gratitude was always the right response to kindness, whether he needed it or not.
"We should be the ones thanking you," Zhang Liang said. "Mancang, you better learn well and get that bow made quickly."
"Brother, you know I'm slow and clumsy," Mancang said. "Why don't you skip working in the fields for a few days and help me? We'll finish faster."
Jin Feng glanced at Mancang in surprise. He had underestimated the young man. Far from being slow-witted, Mancang was quite clever. Not only was he learning the craft himself, but he was also trying to involve Zhang Liang. Jin Feng didn't point it out, though. He planned to make several crossbows, ideally one for Guan Xiaorou, Tang Dongdong, and Runiang each. With Zhang Liang's help, they could finish sooner.