Chapter 73: The Divine Archer Tang Mubai

The others were left speechless as well. Who calls themselves a genius? Yet, recalling the heart-stopping scene just moments ago and looking at Tang Mubai’s youthful face, brimming with the spirit of eighteen, so full of promise—it didn’t seem an exaggeration to call him a genius.

After all, archery isn’t a skill mastered in a day or two. Only those truly gifted can become expert marksmen in such a short time. The same holds true for sharpshooters: some people, though they've never handled a gun before, become perfectly adept the instant they pick one up, each shot hitting dead center. Such talents are truly a gift from the heavens, something others can only envy without hope of attaining.

Lin Huafeng, coming back to his senses, clapped Tang Mubai on the shoulder and said with enthusiasm, “You’re right, you really are a genius—a born master of the bow!”

“Yes, Captain Tang’s archery might even surpass Three-Eyes,” someone chimed in.

“That’s not certain. We won’t know who’s better until they compete!”

“If you’re up for it, Captain Tang, I’m behind you!”

“I support Captain Tang, too!”

The rest, upon recovering from their astonishment, joined in with cheers and encouragement, their attitudes now completely different from the earlier indifference.

Tang Mubai played along, turning to the robust young man nicknamed “Three-Eyes,” who held a large bow, and said with a smile, “I don’t mind at all. If you’re willing, brother Three-Eyes, let’s have a match tomorrow when we return to the domain.”

“Did you hear that, Three-Eyes? Captain Tang is challenging you! If you don’t dare, you might as well stay home and babysit instead of venturing out anymore,” Gao Ren teased.

“Hahaha!” Three-Eyes roared with laughter. “Alright, tomorrow after we return, let’s head to the Archery Hall!”

“Agreed,” Tang Mubai replied, extending his hand.

With a smack, Three-Eyes reached out and they slapped palms, sealing their agreement.

“Haha, Xiaobai agreed so readily—Three-Eyes, you’d better be careful tomorrow,” Lin Huafeng called out with a hearty laugh, urging everyone to get back in the vehicles and continue on their way.

The corpse of the long-armed monkey, after being drained of its blood, was gifted to Tang Mubai. Gao Ren himself handled the bloodletting, as he was most grateful to Tang Mubai. The long-armed monkey, though small in stature, was a formidable beast—skilled at lurking, tracking, and ambushing. Once it fixed its sights on someone, escape was nearly impossible.

Its elongated arms were a unique ability, but its preferences were even more terrifying. Whenever it caught prey, whether human or beast, its sharp claws would pierce the victim’s skull in an instant, and it would drink the brain matter like coconut water—consuming brain matter was its favorite delicacy.

Gao Ren had been snatched by the monkey, and Tang Mubai’s rescue took less than two seconds. Had it been a second longer, Gao Ren’s skull would have been punctured, and even if Lin Huafeng and the others killed the monkey, they wouldn’t have been able to save him.

Tang Mubai’s timing, angle, and force with the arrow were impeccable. A second more or less would have changed everything. That’s why everyone believed Tang Mubai was a genius—a born master of archery! Without extraordinary powers of observation, reaction, and action, such a feat would have been impossible.

Tang Mubai didn’t bother to argue. Being a master of the bow was fine, as long as it made him useful. What interested him more was the corpse of the long-armed monkey. If memory served, one could sell it for fifty to one hundred thousand Federation coins!

Its value lay not only in its rarity, but also in the toughness of its tendons—its arm and leg sinews were ideal materials for crafting certain tools, such as bowstrings. If only he knew how, Tang Mubai would have liked to try making one himself.

That Lin Huafeng gave away such a valuable corpse without objection from the others showed that the members of the “Madman” Mercenary Group had already accepted Tang Mubai. Even with the spoils split fifty-fifty, no one complained. Everyone knew that a master archer was worth more than even a martial arts grandmaster.

The group’s own archer, Three-Eyes, was the most popular for precisely this reason—his contributions during hunts outside the domain were unparalleled. Outside the domain wall, master archers are even more valued than sharpshooters. Though the latter are formidable, gunfire is loud and attracts non-human creatures.

In the eyes of the “Madman” Mercenary Group, Tang Mubai’s identity as a master archer far outshone his status as captain of the “Miracle” Mercenary Group.

…

The convoy rumbled across the uneven, grass-choked wilderness. Following a route long established as “safe,” they encountered no more beasts or giant insects blocking their path.

As dusk approached, the five vehicles finally arrived at the “Safe Bastion.” This so-called bastion was a temporary stronghold, occupying an area about the size of two basketball courts, built within a cave. Many such outposts existed beyond the domain, established jointly by the military, martial associations, and mercenary groups as night shelters for those venturing outside.

Having a hiding place was always better than sleeping under the stars. Though many bastions had been breached and weren’t truly safe, mercenary groups still preferred to shelter inside, making repairs when possible if the place had been damaged.

The bastion Tang Mubai entered for the first time had been breached and rebuilt countless times. There were no electric lights or power; after entering, Lin Huafeng and the others used their flashlights to inspect every corner of the cave, ensuring there were no holes left by giant insects. Only then did they close the doors and light smokeless candles, placing them in the corners to brighten the cave.

As it was still early, everyone emerged from the vehicles, gathered around the stone benches in the center, and took out their food and water—talking quietly as they ate dinner.

Tang Mubai sat with Lin Huafeng, listening as he explained various aspects of the world outside the domain. In the midst of their conversation, Tang Mubai suddenly froze and whispered, “Uncle Lin, something’s up. I think I hear a baby crying outside!”

“Really?” Lin Huafeng replied instinctively.

“It’s true… it’s really true!” Yang Kai, sitting nearby, nervously echoed, “I heard it… just now.”

“Waa—”

A plaintive cry, unmistakably that of an infant, echoed into the cave.

“That’s it, that’s it!” Yang Kai nearly jumped up, moving closer to Tang Mubai, fearfully saying, “How could there be a baby out here? It can’t be…”

“No need to be nervous,” Lin Huafeng suppressed a smile and explained in a low voice, “That sound is made by a particular bird. It’s unique—gone without a trace by day, only appearing at night. It feeds on eyeballs, whether human or beast. Because its call so closely resembles a baby’s cry, it’s known as…”

“The Wailing Bird!”