Chapter 68

The Water Reservoir is merely the first step of the whole project, and the easiest step at that; there are many more procedures to come, and just thinking about them gives Chen Mu a headache.

For example, to bring in the pipe connecting the rainwater downpipe, one must cut a hole in the door, and the position is quite high.

The storeroom door is just an ordinary wooden door, 4.5 centimeters thick.

Cutting a hole in it is obviously not an easy task.

It was already late.

After a day of busying about, everyone was already exhausted, especially Chen Mu; the physical labor and drain of mental energy made him go to sleep early after dinner.

The next day.

Chen Mu, who still got up early, saw that He Ying, who had risen even earlier, had already returned from training outside the door.

The sky was already bright.

Yet the air still retained a slight chill from the night; near the door crack the airflow was faster, and the wind blowing on the face made one suddenly alert.

Chen Mu went out to check the rainwater pipe's position again, while He Ying didn't know where she had gone to train; she was damp all over, and her face still seemed to bear traces of having been washed.

"Where did you go?"

"Just across the concrete road; I found a dewdrop on a patch of grass, washed my face with it, unfortunately I couldn't bring it back—next time you make me a bucket, I'll fetch a bucket of water in the morning so at least everyone can wash their faces."

"Be careful; one of our classmates was killed by a centipede right at this doorstep." Chen Mu couldn't help reminding her.

"I'm already used to wandering outside, and besides, I'm fast— the centipede might not be able to catch up." He Ying laughed.

"Still, better be careful." Seeing her confident, slightly boastful demeanor, Chen Mu couldn't help but smile, then suddenly recalled something and asked, "By the way, have you ever evaluated your own ability?"

"Evaluation? What do you mean?"

"Um… for example, how much weight can you currently lose?"

"I don't really know that either."

"You yourself don't know?"

"Isn't that normal? There's no scale now, so I can't tell how much weight I've lost; I just have this feeling."

"That makes sense; I was taking it for granted." Chen Mu chuckled.

"Besides, the limit of weight loss isn't important to me, because it also depends on how long it can be sustained."

"The more weight you lose, the shorter the duration, right?"

"Yes." He Ying nodded: "My most impressive feat was jumping straight up onto a step."

"Impressive."

Chen Mu couldn't help giving her a thumbs-up.

The outdoor steps are about twenty to thirty centimeters high; that level is roughly equivalent to a person in the past jumping straight up to the height of seven or eight stories.

"What's so impressive about it."

He Ying rather helplessly said: "I did jump up, but my mental energy was completely drained, I fainted outright, and the few companions below panicked, running in circles; it took over an hour for me to wake up, and luckily there were no ants or the like, otherwise that time they would have carried me away."

"So how did you get down afterward?" Chen Mu asked curiously.

"I just jumped straight down; after becoming lighter, falling from a height isn't so scary."

Chen Mu nodded.

After all, once you become smaller, the injury from a fall is greatly reduced; moreover, adding He Ying's ability, the legendary lightness skill probably feels just like this.

"But how do you know it's your body becoming lighter, rather than some other change, like your leg strength getting stronger?"

"What are you talking about."

He Ying glanced at her own thigh, rather displeased.

Chen Mu was still puzzled about what was wrong with his question when he heard her say resolutely, "It's just becoming lighter; I've tried it."

"How did you try it?"

"Find something to step on, give it a try and you'll know."

"That makes sense." Chen Mu nodded, then asked: "When we last sparred, how much of your ability did you use?"

"About fifty or sixty percent."

"Fifty or sixty percent is already that impressive." Chen Mu sighed a little.

"That's right." He Ying brought this up, seeming still a bit unconvinced: "If it weren't for not understanding your ability and being caught off guard, I might not have lost."

"Yes, yes, your ability is very suited for combat." Chen Mu smiled in agreement.

"Why don't you rebuttal?" He Ying instead felt a bit annoyed.

"What you said is quite right; why would I rebut?"

"How about we fight again?"

"Is that necessary?" Chen Mu blinked.

"Just treat it as practice; later when we meet strong opponents, we won't be flustered."

Chen Mu thought for a moment, seeming to think the proposal wasn't bad either.

"Right here?"

"Go a little farther in, just in case there are centipedes or such."

"Okay."

The two talked as they walked back indoors, stopping beside the Water Reservoir built yesterday.

"Here will do."

"Sure."

"Then I'll begin."

After He Ying finished speaking, her slender sword spun in a circle and then thrust straight at Chen Mu.

Since it was just a practice bout, her sword remained sheathed; even if she missed and struck, it wouldn't cause injury.

Chen Mu had already prepared, but he was still startled by her speed; he immediately raised his shield, his body not retreating but advancing, charging toward He Ying.

The distance between them was only a few body lengths; this sword‑shield clash immediately rang out with a clear "dang".

He Ying anticipated that Chen Mu would use his shield.

She thought the opponent would surely retreat a step to defend, then counter after her move grew stale, but she hadn't expected Chen Mu to meet her head‑on from the start, giving no ground.

If this shield strike hit her, the now‑light‑as‑a‑feather He Ying would inevitably be knocked flying.

The iron shield somewhat obstructed Chen Mu's view, but he could clearly feel the shield making contact with her short sword.

But the next moment.

He immediately sensed something was off.

This shield bash did not produce the expected effect.

Chen Mu had originally thought that even if he couldn't knock her down, at least he would tire her out dodging, after which his counterattack would be twice as effective.

But in fact, He Ying tapped the shield with the tip of her sword still in its sheath, then, riding Chen Mu's charge, she leapt back into the air like a dancing butterfly, light and agile.

By the time Chen Mu realized this, his charge had already run its course.

He Ying gave a faint smile.

Seeing his speed slow, she was about to draw her sword and thrust again.

But she discovered that Chen Mu's shield had vanished, replaced by a long staff; although his momentum was spent, he lowered his body and swept the staff toward her shin.

Recalling their first encounter, He Ying dared not dodge with a jump as before; instead, she warily retreated again.

Chen Mu's lowered body sprang forward like a spring; although his speed was far inferior to hers, his staff suddenly elongated, shooting straight toward her torso.

He Ying, mid‑air, turned pale.