Chapter 159: Push‑Ups

As soon as they reached the edge of the tribe's central square, they saw that quite a few females had already come over with their male companions.

When the females saw Zhang Fan arrive, they hurriedly gathered their belongings and returned to their original spots to stand, while the male beastmen, upon seeing Ba Ke Er who had come with Zhang Fan, all turned curious glances toward him.

Zhang Fan saw everyone looking this way and felt a bit embarrassed; he turned his head and gave Ba Ke Er an awkward smile, then snatched his own belongings from Ba Ke Er's hand and walked up onto the platform.

Ba Ke Er was not idle either; as Zhang Fan left his side, he kept smiling and silently watched Zhang Fan's retreating back.

Zhang Fan carried the dry grass and wooden stick up onto the platform; after putting everything down, he turned to face the females of the guard team, cleared his throat, and then said with a stern face:

Let's start counting heads now!

Seeing Zhang Fan give the order, the females below immediately began acting. The eight hundred females counted off one by one in order. After the squad leaders below had tallied the numbers, they then reported to Zhang Fan in sequence.

After a few minutes, the headcount was finally complete, with none missing. Pleased with this, Zhang Fan changed the task from running ten laps with a load to running ten laps without any load.

Even so, when Zhang Fan announced this training item, he still wore a grim, stone‑faced expression, strict and unyielding, which to the females below seemed utterly devoid of any human warmth.

All right, I'm satisfied with your speed. Now please put down what you're holding, then, in rows of four, run ten laps around the central square and regroup afterward—no falling behind!

Saying that, Zhang Fan stepped down from the platform and moved to the front of the line to lead the run.

The male beastmen outside who were in charge of watching felt relieved seeing their females run and train so earnestly, though at the same time they also felt a twinge of pity.

Nevertheless, no one voiced the idea of letting their females quit the guard team, because to them seeing these females train here was merely a way of strengthening their bodies.

If a foreign tribe really invaded, they would surely use their own lives and bodies to build a solid fortress for the females, so that their beloved females would be free from harassment and suffer not the slightest harm.

Of course, Ba Ke Er sometimes harbors the same thought—not because he doubts Zhang Fan can train a female guard team, but because he pities him; he simply hopes Zhang Fan won't have to work so hard.

The tribe's central square is actually big if you call it big, small if you call it small. At least to the beastmen who often go out into the wilderness it seems tiny and pitiful, but to the females who rarely get a chance to leave the tribe it still feels quite large.

With great effort, Zhang Fan finally led everyone to finish ten laps and return to the starting point. Upon stopping, the females were all panting, some even collapsing onto the ground.

After Zhang Fan returned to the platform, he looked down at the females slumped in disarray, sighed in his heart, and shook his head.

Indeed, they're all just untrained people! It seems I'll have to increase the training intensity! Like a loose pile of sand, how will they ever manage to go onto the battlefield in the future!

At this moment, the females below had not yet realized that Zhang Fan already had the idea of beginning to 'oppress' them.

Zhang Fan glanced at his watch—five minutes had passed—while the females below remained in their lifeless state; watching this scene, his face grew darker and darker.

Seeing this, Zhang Fan made a snap decision, blew his short flute, and only then did the females below realize they needed to gather.

Thus, the females below immediately rose, returned to their original spots and stood ready, awaiting the instructor on the platform to assign them a new task.

Seeing that the females below had formed up properly, Zhang Fan, with a grim face, took out his dry grass and wooden stick and said to everyone:

Please now take hold of the dry grass you've prepared, watch my movements, and follow along.

Having said that, Zhang Fan didn't wait for everyone to prepare; he sat right there on the platform and began weaving an arrow target from straw. When he had finished the first bundle in one smooth motion, some of the females below still hadn't started.

Watching the slow‑moving females, Zhang Fan's expression grew even uglier. He kept a stern face, rose to his feet, and said to the females:

You're always so slow—how can that work? If we really got into a fight, what would we do? Do you all think the male beastmen will come rescue you? Don't be foolish! Just look at the females of the foreign tribes and you'll know.

Having said that, Zhang Fan picked up the bundle he had placed on the ground and some straw, lifted it over his head, and continued:

Look, everyone! I'll demonstrate once more! If you still can't learn it, then practice more when you go back! You must finish making your own arrow target by tomorrow!

As soon as Zhang Fan finished speaking, he set the finished bundle on the ground, grabbed fresh straw, and began weaving again. This time he deliberately slowed his pace, fearing they wouldn't see clearly.

After Zhang Fan's two demonstrations, most of the females below gradually grasped the key points; thus only a few still couldn't do it, but that's fine—Zhang Fan had already given them time to learn.

Nevertheless, even with ample time, the females did not fool around or slack off; each one was earnestly studying.

Seeing so many females performing the same motion before him, Zhang Fan could not help but feel even more resolved to train them into a strong force!

After about half an hour, Zhang Fan blew the short flute to signal that the arrow‑target making was over. The upcoming training arrangement, moreover, was a main event—something these people on the primitive planet had never seen before!

Now begin: put down your arrow targets or dry grass. Everyone lie prone, then support your body with both hands, stabilize it, and then gradually lower your body downward!

But remember, you must not let anything besides your hands and feet touch the ground. After reaching the lowest point, push back up, and continue doing as I say—each of you must first do ten in a row, just like me.

Saying that, Zhang Fan, worried they might not understand, went ahead and demonstrated the movement himself on the platform.

The females weren't stupid either; after seeing Zhang Fan repeat the motion several times, they gradually understood, so they obediently followed his lead, all lying down and beginning to do push‑ups.

Zhang Fan watched their movements, and whenever he spotted something incorrect, he would call out to correct it.

Fei Er, your buttocks are sinking as you lower; you're raising them too high, you know?

Saying that, Zhang Fan stepped down from the platform, went to Fei Er's side, and pressed down on his buttocks with his hand, causing Fei Er to let out uncontrollable wails.

Fan Fan, I can't take it! Ahhh! Go easy on me—my waist is about to give out! After today's training ends, I will definitely not let you off! Waaa! It hurts so much! Sob sob sob...

Seeing Fei Er's state, Zhang Fan felt an even stronger urge to bully him; he snorted coldly a few times, then shoved Fei Er's shoulder hard and said bluntly:

Hmph! You still want to wait until training ends? I think you'd be better off continuing to suffer under me! Your form is off—do five more!

Having said that, Zhang Fan walked away from Fei Er. Fei Er, noticing Zhang Fan's departure, secretly made a face at his back—little did he know, before he could finish it, Zhang Fan had already turned his head.

What a coincidence—just as Zhang Fan turned his head, he caught Fei Er's expression that hadn't yet been retracted. Zhang Fan's face instantly darkened, and he roared at Fei Er.

Fei Er! You do ten more for me!

Thus, while the other females finished their ten push‑ups, stood up as Zhang Fan ordered, and began standing at attention, Fei Er remained curled in his little circle, silently doing push‑ups.

While Zhang Fan had everyone stand at attention, he himself stepped down from the platform to inspect the arrow targets the females had woven.

After a while, Zhang Fan, having inspected the females' woven arrow targets, gave a slight nod, thinking: Indeed, the females of the beast‑man planet are all dexterous creatures! Look at these arrow targets—they're practically works of art.

When Fei Er finally finished his twenty‑five push‑ups and slowly rose to his feet, Zhang Fan, seeing this, promptly assigned a new task.

All right, since everyone has now completed the physical training, let's move on to the next step. First go pick up your own arrow targets, then gather at the east side of the square.

Having said that, Zhang Fan already picked up his own arrow target from the ground, stepped down from the platform, and headed first toward the east side of the tribe's central square.

Seeing Zhang Fan already in motion, the females likewise left their spots, grabbed their arrow targets, and followed behind him toward the east.

Although Fei Er had just been 'oppressed' by Zhang Fan, he bore no grudge against him. To Fei Er, Fan Fan is his cousin's partner—and also such a close friend—so how could he be angry over such a trifle?

Furthermore, it was he who first provoked him, and besides, he could always get payback later. So the broad‑minded Fei Er simply didn't take this matter to heart.

Thus, after Fei Er had secured his arrow target, he ran up to Zhang Fan's side begging for more punishment!

Hey! Fan Fan! Don't walk off so fast! Haha! We're still going to practice archery next—I'm really looking forward to it!

Saying that, Fei Er grinned and shook Zhang Fan's arm with his hand. Zhang Fan, already utterly helpless at Fei Er's behavior, turned his head, gave a wicked smile, and looked at Fei Er, saying:

"Fei Er, do you believe it? If you keep shaking, I'll punish you with another fifty push-ups later!"

Fei Er heard that, immediately let go of his hand, looked at Zhang Fan with an innocent face, "Fan Fan! I'm your cousin after all! You can't be so cruel! Wah wah wah..."

"Hahaha! The one I'm going to punish is none other than your cousin! What can you do to me? Heh heh! Don't forget, I'm the Instructor!"

Saying that, Zhang Fan still gave an arrogant smile. Then he quickened his pace, leading the way toward the east side of the Tribe Center Plaza.