Chapter 19: The Demon Lord Junzhu's Slacking Daily Life Chapter 19: Throwing Sandbags

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Sunlight filtered through the mottled leaves and fell on the ground. A group of children sat in the classroom, chattering away. Suddenly, the classroom door was gently pushed open, and everyone immediately stopped talking, their gazes swiveling in unison toward the doorway. A tall man of extraordinary bearing walked in slowly.

The man had broad shoulders and a slender waist, sword-shaped brows like stars, eyes deep and sharp; even without expression he exuded an air of authority. He wore a dark blue long robe, looking exceptionally dignified. His hair was neatly tied up, not a strand out of place, adding a few degrees of rigor and composure.

When he entered the classroom, the entire room instantly fell utterly silent. The children all watched him quietly, as if awed by his presence. The man walked steadily to the lectern, his voice low and powerful: "I am your martial arts instructor, surnamed Fan; you may call me Fan Fuzi. This afternoon's lesson will take place outdoors; please proceed outside and assemble now." As soon as he finished speaking, the children all rose and filed out of the classroom in an orderly fashion. Before long, they had formed two neat rows outside.

Fan Fuzi came before the ranks, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze sweeping over every child. Then he pointed to a circle not far away and said: "That circle is drawn with lime powder; your objective is to throw the sandbags in your hands into the circle. In a moment each of you will receive a sandbag and may begin practicing. When you feel ready, come find me for the test. Each person has five attempts; if you can successfully land three, you may move about freely, but you must not leave my sight. Is everyone clear?"

The children answered in unison: "Clear!" Fan Fuzi then began distributing sandbags. The children excitedly accepted them and eagerly began practicing. They hurled the sandbags with force, eyes fixed on that small circle, hoping to hit the target. For a time, the training ground was filled with cheers, laughter, and the children's shouts.

"Understood," everyone shouted in unison. "Good, the sandbags are in the little cart up front; go get them yourselves. After you get them, go practice. Dismissed." The crowd scattered with a clatter, chattering as they went to fetch sandbags. After grabbing them, they each began practicing. Qi Xi took two sandbags and handed one to Qianqian. Qianqian tossed it casually — straight into the circle — making Qi Xi's eyes go round (⊙_⊙). "Wow, you're amazing!"

At that moment, a five-year-old boy nearby also noticed. He looked at Qianqian, blinking his big eyes, and asked: "Wow, you're so awesome, can we be friends? I'm Ai Jiao, the legitimate second son of the Ministry of War's Book of Household." Qianqian looked up; a somewhat sturdy, wheat-complexioned little boy was staring at her.

Qianqian replied very politely: "My father is An Wang; I'm Yan Qianqian. Hello." Ai Jiao said with an admiring face: "No wonder — An Wang is so formidable; you must be formidable too!" "Ahhh, let's be friends! I really want to see your father!" Qianqian muttered inwardly: I treat you as a friend, and you've got designs on my father? But she didn't say anything more.

Ai Jiao called for Qianqian to go test together. Qianqian glanced at Qi Xi and asked: "Going together?"

Qi Xi replied: "I'll practice a bit more; my aim isn't too good." Qianqian said: "No matter, I'll wait for you."

Just then Ai Jiao also came over and said: "I'll wait for you too. Look — like this… like this." After speaking, he even enthusiastically demonstrated to Qi Xi how to throw more accurately.

Qianqian watched from the side. When Qi Xi said she was about ready, the three went together to find Fan Fuzi for the test. Qianqian went first; she threw casually, and all five went in (after all, what Qianqian's whip training emphasizes most is precision; throwing a sandbag is child's play).

Next was Ai Jiao. Ai Jiao also hit one per throw; all five went in. (Ai Jiao had loved martial arts since childhood, especially revered An Wang, and dreamed of becoming a great general like An Wang, so his father found him a kung fu master and let him start training from a young age.)

After Ai Jiao finished, it was Qi Xi's turn. Qi Xi's first throw missed. Ai Jiao quietly cheered her on from the side. Seeing that, Qi Xi recalled Ai Jiao's demonstration just now, took aim, exerted force — hey, it went in! And she got four out of five. All three passed the test and sat together under the big tree to rest. Ai Jiao asked happily: "Qianqian, we're good friends now, right?" Qianqian glanced at him and smiled: "Mm, we're good friends." Ai Jiao was so happy he danced hand and foot.

Time flew; in a blink the day's studies ended. As the sun gradually sank westward, the school dismissal bell rang. Yan Shuang'er, Yan Wang, and Qi Yu stood side by side at the Qi Meng Ban entrance, quietly waiting for their two younger sisters to finish class. Before long, the classroom door slowly opened, and two adorable little girls walked out hand in hand. Walking out with them was also a handsome little boy.

The moment the little boy saw Yan Shuang'er and the others, he revealed an innocent smile and called out politely: "Elder Brothers, hello! Elder Sister, hello!" His voice was clear and pleasant, making one involuntarily feel affection. Qi Yu looked at the cute little boy and asked curiously: "Whose child are you?" The boy blinked his bright big eyes and answered obediently: "Qi Gege, I'm Ai Jiao from the Ministry of War's Book of Household." Hearing this, Qi Yu grew even fonder of this sensible, polite child and couldn't help ruffling his head.

Yan Shuang'er smiled and said: "Then let's go out together. Ai Jiao, has your family's carriage arrived?" Ai Jiao nodded and answered happily: "It has, Sister Shuang'er; my family's carriage is already waiting outside for me." Yan Shuang'er asked: "How did you know I'm called Shuang'er?" Ai Jiao smiled and replied: "Sister Shuang'er's reputation as a study tyrant is known throughout the entire Shangshufang. Qianqian's father is An Wang; Sister Shuang'er's father is also An Wang; so you must be Sister Shuang'er."

"What a clever child," Yan Shuang'er said as she walked out. Then Ai Jiao looked at Yan Wang and asked: "Elder Brother, what's your name? I'm Ai Jiao; hello." The taciturn Yan Wang coldly spat out two words: "Yan Wang." Ai Jiao immediately got excited: "So you're Elder Brother Yan Wang! Qianqian told me — Elder Brother Yan Wang's martial arts are superb, and he's even received An Wangye's personal instruction; you must be amazing! Elder Brother Yan Wang, let's be friends, okay?" Yan Wang — doesn't like to speak — Wang: "Mm." Ai — An Wang brain-dead fan — Jiao (even this taciturn manner is just like An Wang; so handsome, so handsome, I love it so much; Qianqian was right — Elder Brother Yan Wang is the person most like An Wang; ahhhh).

Exiting the red Gate, quite a few carriages were already waiting there. Qi Yu spotted his family's carriage at a glance and said to Yan Wang and Yan Shuang'er: "My carriage is over there; I'll take my younger sister and go first."

At this moment Qi Xi also waved and said: "Goodbye, Sister Shuang'er; goodbye, Elder Brother Yan Wang; Qianqian, Ai Jiao, see you tomorrow~" Everyone waved in unison: "See you tomorrow~" Qi Yu led Qi Xi toward their family carriage.

The group walked a bit farther; Ai Jiao also spotted his family's carriage and said: "Elder Brother Yan Wang, I see my carriage over there; I'll go first too. Goodbye, Elder Brother Yan Wang; goodbye, Sister Shuang'er; goodbye, Qianqian~" Yan Wang gave an "Mm." Shuang'er said: "Take care on the road, stay safe." Qianqian replied: "See you tomorrow~" Ai Jiao nodded and walked toward his own carriage.

Shuang'er led Qianqian forward; they hadn't gone far before they saw their family carriage, along with the coachman and the maid Chunxi who had come to fetch them. The Wangfei was truly uneasy and had specially sent Chunxi to meet them. Seeing Chunxi, Qianqian ran over happily: "Chunxi, home, home!" Chunxi smiled and took Qianqian's little bookbag: "Was Fifth Miss happy today?" "Happy~" Qianqian said, hopping and skipping. The party boarded the carriage…