Chapter 97

"Understood!"

"Very good, thrust!"

The female soldiers all struck out together.

Their strength was considerable; though their form was not quite standard, the branches in their hands were very steady, not trembling at all.

"Recover!"

"Thrust!"

"Recover!"

"Very good, just like that. Everyone hold your stance, you must stand firm. When thrusting, remember to drive from the waist at the same time. Good, continue!"

"Thrust!" ×100

"Recover!" ×100

One hundred thrusts delivered.

These female soldiers were still completely at ease.

Zhao Chi's right hand was beginning to tremble.

After all, his constitution and strength were a level lower, and this wooden staff still had quite some weight to it.

"Gu Qing, you take over leading the practice. The thrust is the most basic movement of spear arts — you must drill this movement well."

"Yes!"

Gu Qing set aside her usual coquettish expression and instead wore a look of utter seriousness.

She took Zhao Chi's position and led the female soldiers in continuing their practice.

Zhao Chi, meanwhile, stood behind them and trained along with them.

Gu Qing began to give commands:

"Thrust!"

"Recover!"

"Thrust!" ×200

"Recover!" ×200

Finally, the female soldiers could hold out no longer.

After thrusting out their branches, their arms trembled involuntarily.

Zhao Chi was even worse off — his arms had long been aching, and he had only endured this far by gritting his teeth.

"Good, take a break."

Seeing the timing was about right, Zhao Chi called a halt to this training session.

"Everyone relax your arms and drink some water. Assemble back here in 30 minutes, and we'll continue training."

"Yes!"

The female soldiers dispersed.

Gu Qing walked over: "My lord, how is it?"

Zhao Chi shook his trembling right hand: "I'm fine."

"Don't lie to me, I saw everything. Come, let me massage it for you."

"Aren't you tired?"

"Not tired."

Gu Qing wasn't being polite — she truly wasn't tired.

"Ow, gentler!"

Don't be fooled by her soft hands — her strength was tremendous.

Zhao Chi felt a pair of pincers clamping his arm.

Gu Qing smiled: "Bear with it a little. This way the fatigue will ease faster."

Zhao Chi was a little skeptical: "I seem to have heard that right after exercise, when you relax and recover, you shouldn't press too hard?"

"Who said that?"

"Of course it was…"

Zhao Chi's words broke off.

That was what experts in his previous world had said.

In this world, no one had truly said such a thing.

Why am I applying situations from my old world again?

Zhao Chi extended his arm: "Fine, I'm in your hands."

Gu Qing smiled: "Bear with it a bit."

She pressed down hard.

"I… damn…"

Zhao Chi gritted his teeth once more.

Fortunately, Gu Qing's massage didn't stay forceful the whole time.

After applying force, she would ease off.

Returning to soft palms, she gently kneaded and soothed, easing his pain.

At moments like this, she finally matched her gentle, alluring image.

But the next instant, she pressed down viciously again.

Truly a double heaven of agony and bliss.

But I have to admit.

After the massage, Zhao Chi's right arm was indeed much better.

Though he still felt weary, it no longer trembled.

"It really works. How do you even know how to do this?"

Gu Qing beamed: "Does it work? That's good. This is actually my first time massaging someone."

"Huh? Then why does it feel so effective?"

"Maybe I have a talent for it? Next time you could bring me some books on massage too."

"So many books — can you finish reading them all?"

"Read a little each day, and you'll get through them eventually."

Zhao Chi looked at her with admiration.

"Your personality shouldn't just be wanton and devoted — I think there should also be a line for diligence, or eagerness to learn."

Gu Qing laughed: "Which one should I swap out? Wanton, or devoted?"

"Well…" Zhao Chi was at a loss for words.

Logically speaking, wanton isn't a good trait.

But paired with devoted, it really does cause a qualitative change.

If he really swapped out wanton for something like diligence, that would be pretty good too.

It would just lose a certain flavor.

Besides, Chi cannot either swap out her personality.

Zhao Chi shook his head: "You don't need to change anything. You're already perfect as you are."

Gu Qing chuckled softly: "Not at all. I was only just born — there's still so much I need to learn. For instance, all those things you just told us, it was my first time hearing any of them. I truly benefited a great deal."

Zhao Chi nodded: "Let's work hard together."

"Mm!" Gu Qing's heavy burden nodded firmly.

At that moment, Tang Ruan walked over.

Two bamboo cups in hand.

"My lord, Sister Gu, why don't you rest a while? Have some water."

In the bamboo cups was warm boiled water.

"Thank you, little Tang Ruan." Gu Qing smiled at her.

"You're welcome. My lord, this one's yours."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."