Chapter 389 - 289: Pinnacle of Archery, Dinner and Fine Wine

Chapter 389: Chapter 289: Pinnacle of Archery, Dinner and Fine Wine

Wu Liangchen had given them a frosty reception, leaving without the slightest hesitation.

So, Graham didn’t think this Annabelle could be all that special.

And just as he’d expected, nothing happened inside the cabin.

Annabelle respectfully placed the items on the table, then smiled. "Sir, your archery is peerless. You shot so much prey, I was hoping to join you for a meal. Would that be possible?"

"Suit yourself." Wu Liangchen was busy pondering how he could further improve his archery; he couldn’t be bothered with such trivial matters.

Annabelle noticed Wu Liangchen’s preoccupation. While part of her was relieved, she couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.

To be honest, it took great courage for an unmarried young woman like her to walk into a man’s cabin on a ship.

She didn’t even have to listen to know that the sailors outside must be gossiping about her.

Yet, she had done it anyway.

Because before they set sail, her father had instructed her to be deferential in order to win his favor.

His words were veiled, but Annabelle understood at once. Her father’s true meaning was for her to "secure" Wu Liangchen.

For Orlando saw it clearly: the Bell Clan’s current crisis wasn’t a matter of money or influence, but the lack of a powerful heir to keep rivals in check.

The only one who could shoulder the burden, Annabelle, was a woman.

Even with the prestige of her background at the Royal Police Academy, it was far from enough.

This background might allow her to protect herself if disaster struck the family, but it couldn’t save the clan as a whole.

Marrying into another clan, meanwhile, would be an awkward predicament—like driving away a wolf only to welcome a tiger.

This made Wu Liangchen—an outsider who also possessed immense martial strength—the ideal candidate.

This idea was cemented after Orlando heard from Graham’s sailors about the many things Wu Liangchen had done in the East Sea nation.

Any other clan head would have likely forced his daughter into it long ago.

But Orlando was different.

He was a rare breed among the Folangji nobility, a man of genuine feeling.

Therefore, he didn’t want to force his daughter, choosing instead to guide her with this veiled suggestion.

As for the rest, it was entirely up to Annabelle.

And so, after agonizing over it for a few days, Annabelle finally worked up the courage to approach Wu Liangchen herself, only to find that nothing she had imagined came to pass.

The man hadn’t even given her a proper look.

This, after a secret sigh of relief, left Annabelle feeling somewhat disappointed and insecure.

’Could my charms be that lacking?’

’Otherwise, why was he completely unmoved?’

With these questions plaguing her mind, Annabelle left the cabin. She then ordered the guards she had brought along to help prepare the seabird meat for the evening’s feast.

Wu Liangchen was oblivious to the hustle and bustle outside.

He was currently gazing at the system panel before him.

[Name: Wu Liangchen] [Age: 19]

[Life Fire: 2,356 wisps]

[Star-Swallowing Meridian Opening Skill (Proficient 12/500)]

[Hundred Beasts Facing Heaven Stance (Mastery 412/1,000)]

[Eight-Step Wind-Chasing Fist (Mastery 876/1,000)]

[Sun-Chasing Archery Skill (Mastery 933/1,000)]

[Jingzhe Saber Technique (Mastery 698/1,000)]

[Golden Body Cross Training Skill (Mastery 779/1,000)]

[Opening Veins (37%)]

Except for the Star-Swallowing Meridian Opening Skill, every other technique had, without exception, reached the Mastery realm. His Sun-Chasing Archery Skill, in particular, was just a few points of proficiency shy of being maxed out.

In truth, whether it was his archery or his saberplay, all that remained was some meticulous refinement of the details. Wu Liangchen had already perfected the larger framework as much as possible.

This was even more true for his archery.

Wu Liangchen thought back carefully and realized that his movements and power application had already reached a state of perfection. There was virtually no room for improvement.

’So, is this the pinnacle of archery?’

Wu Liangchen looked down at the longbow in his hands, lost in thought....

The bountiful sea nourished countless creatures, and even the seabirds were plump and full of fat.

The tender breast meat was sliced thin. A quick sear over an open flame was all it took to release an enticing aroma.

The bony carcasses were tossed into a large pot to stew. Once the broth turned a milky white, it only needed a dash of fine salt and pepper for seasoning.

Even the offal wasn’t wasted. It was cleaned, marinated in salt and chili powder for an hour, and then flash-fried over a high heat to create another delicious dish.

Soon, a sumptuous seabird feast was ready.

Wu Liangchen naturally took the seat of honor. The place next to him should have been for Graham, but Graham excused himself, saying he still had to roast more seabird meat, and deliberately made way.

And so, Annabelle was now the one sitting next to Wu Liangchen.

She took the initiative to pour Wu Liangchen a glass of wine and offered it to him.

"Sir, this is a wine from our own family vineyard. It has been aged for at least thirty years."

Wu Liangchen glanced at the wine, crimson as blood in the glass, and did not refuse. He raised the glass and downed it in one go.

Annabelle opened her mouth to speak, but then hesitated.

A thirty-year vintage like this was incredibly precious, and drinking it involved a complex ritual. First, one had to gently swirl the glass to let the aroma fully bloom, then take small sips to delicately savor its aroma.

But Wu Liangchen had downed it in a single gulp. It pained Annabelle to see him drink it like that.

But she didn’t dare say anything and could only force herself to hide her feelings.

In truth, Wu Liangchen knew that such wine should be savored. In his past life, he had even specifically studied wine etiquette—though his purpose had been to get close to a wealthy socialite, he had learned the rules nonetheless.

But now, Wu Liangchen disdained to put on such airs.

In reality, all aristocratic etiquette served a single purpose: to flaunt one’s wealth and status.

But Wu Liangchen no longer needed to do so.

When one’s personal power surpasses worldly conventions, all rules become meaningless.

All that mattered was what Wu Liangchen wanted.

Forget chugging wine—if Wu Liangchen were to order Annabelle back to her room to wash up and wait for him, she would have to obey without question.

So he couldn’t even be bothered to put on an act.

"Not bad wine. Too bad the glass is so small. I can’t get a proper drink."

As he spoke, Wu Liangchen grabbed a nearby beer mug, poured the entire bottle of wine into it, and downed it all in one go.

"Great wine!" Wu Liangchen praised, then turned to a completely baffled Annabelle.

"Got any more?"

"Er... yes... there’s a little more. I’ll have someone bring it over for you," Annabelle stammered.

"Excellent!"

Wu Liangchen nodded, then abruptly changed the subject. "There’s one more thing I need your help with."

Annabelle’s spirits lifted. She immediately replied, "Please, Sir, just tell me what you need."

"I’m looking for some people skilled in making gunpowder weapons. I need them to build something for me."