Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Since they had just started, their training schedule had ten basic routines. There was stamina training in the morning, and they also had to run 10,000 meters three times a day. In the afternoon, they trained with spears and practiced basic maneuvers such as blocking, holding, spearing, and so on.
Jiang Pengji’s knowledge of primitive weapons was all due to her visits to the museums in her previous life. Her academy had also given a brief overview of the advancement of weapons throughout the different ages.
Xu Ke considered the weight of the spear in his hands before suddenly thrusting it forward. He had a pretty good stance.
“You have some attitude in you. I couldn’t tell before since you normally look as weak as a baby chicken.”
Xu Ke: “...”
Heh, so that was how his Langjun saw him?
He quickly pulled the spear back and wore a sheepish expression. “Excuse my poor stance.”
Jiang Pengji smiled and said nothing. She tapped the other spear at an angle, and it leaped into her hands. She asked, “Want to loosen up a little?”
Xu Ke froze. By the time he understood what she was saying, her spear was already coming right at him. He instinctively brought his own spear up to block hers and found that she had not exerted much strength. It looked like she was just trying to pass the time. If that was the case, Xu Ke felt more confident.
“Please come at me!”
Jiang Pengji’s viewers were floored by Xu Ke’s fighting ability. Every agile move he made was simple and efficient. The viewers had to change their initial assessment of him. They had thought Xu Ke was one of those weak and bookish scholars.
The Confucian Six Arts covered not only etiquette, music, calligraphy, and mathematics, but it also covered archery and charioteering. Therefore, scholars knew some martial arts, though most only knew showy stances that were of no practical use.
Xu Ke’s stance may or may not have been showy but to Jiang Pengji he was still weak.
They sparred for roughly half an hour before Xu Ke began to grow fatigued. His arms felt heavy, and his palms were blistered from handling the rough spear. He was drenched in sweat and was beginning to feel dizzy. Jiang Pengji, on the other hand, looked totally fine. There was not even a hitch in her breath, and she had yet to break out a drop of sweat.
“Young man, you still need more training. Your arms are like limp noodles.” Jiang Pengji laughed as she stabbed her spear into the ground. She made it look like she was cutting into tofu.
Xu Ke did not take her words to heart. “I’m weak. Langjun is truly valiant.”
Xu Ke cupped his hands in respect as he gave her a bitter smile. He was better at using his brain than doing anything physical. He had nearly sprained his back from their fight.
“You’re still young, so you should train more. A weak body is more susceptible to illness. I’m not someone who can stay still for long. If you’re going to follow me, you better train up a bit more or else you might get tired.” Jiang Pengji smiled. “The brush can unite the people, but martial arts can unite the heavens. Just thinking about that gets me all fired up. Xiaoyu, if you’re willing, you can train with these people.”
Jiang Pengji could tell that Xu Ke had some skill in combat. It would be such a waste to neglect it.
“I was young and ignorant when I spent my days fighting. But then I met my mentor, and he taught me how to read and write. That’s why I’m very passionate about literature now.”
Every man dreamed about becoming a hero, someone who would stop the rich to aid the poor. Xu Ke was no exception. He had roamed about for a while before finally giving up the sword and picking up the brush. He had become a son his mother was proud of.
It was a pity that the heavens had other plans. Xu Ke’s mother only enjoyed a few years of her son’s filial piety before she died tragically.
“You were young and ignorant? You say that as though you’re so much more mature now...” Jiang Pengji rebutted.
Xu Ke: “...”
A viewer commented what he thought Xu Ke was thinking.
Shitang Dafan Ayi: “Young Xu Ke’s inner thoughts: Langjun, lemme tell you, if you continue doing that, you’re gonna lose me.”
Jiang Pengji glanced at that comment before smiling at Xu Ke.
“Were you just thinking that you would throw a tantrum if I continued teasing you?”
“...Langjun, don’t jest...” Xu Ke blushed and replied weakly.
“Actually, if you threw a little tantrum, I could pardon that. Having a little temper is pretty cute,” Jiang Pengji replied solemnly.
In her eyes, Xu Ke was still a teenager. It was something she could tolerate, and she felt that being a little stubborn was okay.
Xu Ke remained silent.
The Langjun was five or six years younger than him, but as his page boy, Xu Ke had no idea how to respond to his playful jests.
Urgent! Help!
Studies showed that a cornered rabbit would bite. A cornered Xu Ke could choke someone.
“Langjun, I think you should save your flattery for those girls in Langlang Alley.”
Xu Ke brought his hands up in a respectful gesture, turned around, and left with a fling of his sleeves. He could not lose his temper at Jiang Pengji, but he could take it out on the guards by giving them a more vigorous training. The more he understood the Lius, the more his image of nobility was shattered.
Of course, he knew that not all nobility was like that. Only his weird young master.
“Tsk, if we were talking about looks, Langlang Alley’s girls could not compare to Xiaoyu.” Jiang Pengji grumbled loud enough for Xu Ke to hear.
Xu Ke missed a step and rolled into the fields.
Her viewers started feeling sorry for the boy.
Shitang Dafan Ayi: “You’re too evil. You won’t even give this kind little Xu Ke a break. He’s so adorable. How could you bear to bully him? I have this urge to rush through the screen and hug him.”
Badao Zhongcai: “I have not seen a more evil person than our host. Look at the poor kid! You’ve scared him!”
Zhecao Youdu: “People from the olden days are more naive. Careful though, before you fill him with grudges and turn him into something darker.”
Xiyan: “Hahaha! I look forward to seeing the kid turn dark, and then battle it out with the host!”
Jiang Pengji ignored her viewers’ mocking and walked down the footpath between the paddy fields. She leaned down and lifted Xu Ke from the ground. He was surprised by her action, and he remained stiff.
“So careless. You’re lucky the footpath is low and well-trodden, so there are no large rocks. You might have broken a leg and scarred your face,” Jiang Pengji said as she carried him on his back.
Xu Ke regained himself. He had no idea where to place his hands. He felt drained.
“If you didn’t tease me, I wouldn’t have ended up like this,” Xu Ke said bitingly.