After nearly two hours of training, the results left Li Chen extremely satisfied.
He did not know whether it was because they lived close to the mountains and constantly went up and down them year-round, unknowingly building their bodies, or because these boys were naturally gifted.
In any case, their stamina and endurance were exceptional.
The long mountain paths came in every kind of terrain. Even walking was exhausting, let alone running.
In the following training sessions, such as ten sets of fifty pull-ups and ten sets of two hundred push-ups, they actually managed to follow through to the end.
Even Liu Chenxu, whom Li Chen had not thought highly of at first, clenched his teeth, puffed out his cheeks, and forced himself to endure it all.
That kind of willpower made Li Chen nod inwardly in approval.
However, in the next round of training, such as thirty sit-ups while holding a 5-kilogram stone and fifty overhead presses with a 10-kilogram stone, Liu Chenxu and Hou Xiaobai could no longer hold on. They barely completed a little more than half before collapsing onto the ground, unable to move.
As for Li Chen, now that he had recovered some of his strength, he could not say it was effortless, but it was far from particularly difficult.
But Zhao Dashi truly caught his attention.
The man’s strength was impressive. While doing the overhead presses, he actually complained that the 10-kilogram stone was too light and asked to switch to a stone weighing over 25 kilograms. He lifted it repeatedly, roaring with excitement.
Judging by how relaxed he looked, even 40 kilograms or more would probably not be a problem for him.
Li Chen had known that Zhao Dashi possessed brute strength. Among boys his age in the entire village, even two combined could not match him. He could even wrestle with grown men without falling behind.
But he had not expected his strength to reach this level.
On a whim, Li Chen had them try shooting arrows.
Since they were already exhausted, he did not let them use his hunting bow. Instead, they used the heavy crossbow.
The distance was 10 meters. Three arrows each.
After that round, Li Chen received another pleasant surprise.
Hou Xiaobai hit the bullseye with all three arrows. It was his first time shooting.
Even when the distance was extended to 20 meters, all three arrows hit the target, and two struck the bullseye.
At 25 meters, his aim began to waver. Only two arrows hit the target.
Even so, Li Chen nodded repeatedly in approval.
If this had been in his former mercenary unit, Hou Xiaobai would have been selected directly for sniper training.
Such talent was rare.
Next was Liu Chenxu.
At 15 meters, all three arrows still hit the target, though none landed in the bullseye.
That was above average and already quite good.
As for Zhao Dashi, this time he fared poorly. At 10 meters, not a single arrow hit the target, which brought merciless laughter from Liu Chenxu and Hou Xiaobai.
Zhao Dashi scratched his head, his face flushed red as he said, “Brother Chen, this thing is just too hard. I can’t hit it. Forget this. Teach me something else instead.”
Li Chen smiled, “No rush. Keep up the basic training first, then we’ll talk about other things. Come on, eat at my house.”
The three of them were stunned. “Eat?”
Was there really such a good deal in the world?
Not only was he teaching them skills, he was even feeding them?
The saying that half-grown boys could eat their father poor was absolutely true in this era.
Li Chen laughed, “What are you standing there for? Come eat.”
The little maidservant wife smiled softly and lifted the lid of the pot. Steaming coarse rice burst out with a rich fragrance, making all three of them swallow hard.
Liu Chenxu’s face flushed red as he said, “Brother Chen, this… we really don’t deserve this.”
Li Chen smiled faintly, “There’s no need to feel embarrassed. We’re brothers. Besides, we’ll be going into the mountains together to hunt in the future, relying on each other with our lives.”
They exchanged glances and nodded heavily without further fuss. “Alright!”
Each of them received a large bowl of rice and a bowl of thick pork bone soup that was almost like porridge.
With a large basin of pickled radish on the side, the three boys ate so happily it felt as if they might bite their tongues off.
Li Chen let them drink as much pork bone soup as they wanted.
With training of this intensity, if nutrition did not keep up, it would not strengthen their bodies but instead cause internal injuries.
Since he had decided to take these younger brothers under his wing, he had to take responsibility for their health.
In the future, they would help him carve out a vast domain.
Pork bone soup was perfect for them at this stage.
There was no need for more. After ten days or half a month of this, the effects would be tremendous.
As they ate, Liu Chenxu suddenly paused, looking at the pot of thick broth with shock. “Brother Chen, what kind of salt is this? There’s not even a trace of bitterness.”
Li Chen smiled slightly. “I refined it myself.” Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
“What? You can refine fine salt too?” They were all dumbfounded.
He was becoming nearly omnipotent in their eyes. What could he not do?
Li Chen continued, “In a few days, I plan to speak with the salt shop in Pingyang County City and sell them refined salt. When the time comes, work with me. I’ll hire you and pay you wages. Work when it’s busy, hunt when it’s free. That should be enough for household expenses. No need to farm anymore.”
They immediately protested.
“Brother Chen, no, no. Feeding us is already more than enough. Paying us too? Absolutely not.”
Li Chen only smiled. “Eat first. We’ll talk about it when the time comes.”
While they were eating, the little maidservant wife came over holding a golden-striped kitten.
At first, they thought it was just a cat. Then they realized it was a tiger cub, and they were instantly shocked.
Li Chen did not hide anything and briefly explained what had happened that day.
The half-grown boys stared at the large black leopard laid out on the chopping board in the yard. Then they circled around the tiger cub, so envious that they nearly forgot to eat.
Their admiration for Brother Chen reached an almost insane level.
“Killing wild boars, hunting leopards, and even raising a tiger. When this tiger grows up and you take it out on a leash, how imposing will that be? If it roars, it’ll scare half the people to death. This is just too incredible.”
Zhao Dashi stared at the tiger cub, eyes practically spinning, his mouth full of excited exclamations.
Liu Chenxu tapped him several times with his chopsticks in annoyance.
After the meal, Li Chen instructed the little maidservant wife to stay home, take care of the tiger cub, and prepare food. Then he gathered his equipment and turned to the three of them. “Still have strength left?”
Zhao Dashi and Hou Xiaobai answered together, “Of course. Absolutely.”
Liu Chenxu asked excitedly, “Brother Chen, are we going up the mountain to hunt?”
Li Chen nodded and gave Liu Chenxu a subtle glance. The boy was observant and thoughtful. He showed potential as a commander.
A commander must pay attention to details and constantly find opportunities within them.
“Really?” the three of them shouted excitedly.
Li Chen said seriously, “Once we’re on the mountain, you follow my command at all times. Don’t act recklessly. If you startle the prey, it won’t be easy to catch.”
“No problem!”
All three agreed eagerly, their excitement barely contained.