Chapter 92 – The Young Master is Unwell, Remember to Take Medicine (Part 2)
Since it was just the beginning, the training sessions were all very basic. Morning physical training included three sessions of a ten-kilometer run, while the afternoons were dedicated to practicing with long staves made from wood, repeating fundamental moves like blocking, grabbing, stabbing, thrusting, coiling, encircling, leaping, and poking.
She was familiar with long staves as cold weapons, crediting her previous life for a visit to an ancient museum. The military school’s weapon evolution history class simply covered the evolution of weapons across five major eras: ancient, near-ancient, modern, and contemporary.
After receiving the long staff hurriedly crafted in the woodworking workshop, Xu Ke weighed it in his hands. With a sudden thrust forward, he managed to exude a bit of momentum.
“Didn’t see that coming; you looked as weak as a chick on a regular day, but when you wield that staff, there’s actually some form to it.”
Xu Ke: “…”
Chick…?
Haha, so this is how the Young Master views him?
Looking weary as he put away the wooden staff, Xu Ke sighed, “I’ve embarrassed myself in front of the Young Master.”
Jiang Pengji smiled silently, flicking her hand to another wooden staff. The object sprang up as if infused with immense energy, leaping into Jiang Pengji’s palm. She smiled, “Need to stretch those limbs?”
Xu Ke was taken aback, and before he could comprehend, a wooden staff came flying at him. Instinctively, he attempted to block it, but Jiang Pengji hadn’t exerted much force. It seemed like play rather than a serious attack. With this thought, Xu Ke felt more assured.
“In that case, Young Master, let’s go!”
The audience watching the live stream noticed that Xu Ke, the young man, was surprisingly able to wield the wooden staff gracefully, each move simple yet agile, shattering their preconceived notions of him as a frail scholar. His skills and poise were far from that of a weakling!
In reality, the six arts of a gentleman—including etiquette, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics—meant many scholars were adept in both writing poetry and wielding a spear or bow. Most could throw a punch or two, even if those skills were often just for show.
But to Jiang Pengji, it didn’t matter whether it was just for show; they were all just scrap!
After battling for a stick of incense, Xu Ke became unsteady, his eyes dizzy, arms swollen, palms rubbed raw by the coarse wooden staff, and drenched in sweat, while Jiang Pengji remained as relaxed as ever, not even slightly out of breath, her forehead cool and dry.
“Young men still need to train; your arms are as soft as noodles, and that just won’t do.”
With a smile, she plunged the wooden staff into the ground like a knife cutting through tofu, burying half of it.
“Xu Ke is lacking; the Young Master is valiant.”
Xu Ke clasped his hands and forced a smile; he excelled in mental tasks. This kind of swordplay had nearly caused him to twist his waist.
As for Jiang Pengji’s teasing, he brushed it off as mere noise—nothing to ponder deeply.
“Young and tender, you really should train more. You’re frail and full of ailments; I can’t sit idle. If you follow me, you really need to train properly; otherwise, you might tire yourself.” Jiang Pengji encouraged him with a smile. “With literary skills, one can bring peace to the world; with martial prowess, one can stabilize the realm—just think about it, the blood surges in my veins! If Xiaoyu is willing, he can practice alongside these folks.”
She could tell Xu Ke had some prowess; what a waste if he let it slip!
“When I was young and unwise, I spent some time as a wanderer. Later, I met a benefactor, learned properly, and then became engrossed in the teachings of sages.”
Every young man harbors dreams of being a great hero: righting wrongs, aiding the weak, and taking from the rich to give to the poor. Xu Ke was no different, though after a period of youthful indulgence, he obediently set aside his sword and picked up a pen to study quietly, hoping to be the good son that would ease his mother’s concerns.
Sadly, destiny had its way, and his mother passed away before she could ever enjoy her son’s filial piety.
Jiang Pengji tilted her head, jesting, “Young and unwise? It sounds like you’re claiming you’re so mature and steady now…”
Xu Ke: “…”
On the other side, one of the viewers in the live stream gave Xu Ke a sympathetic expression.
[Cafeteria Lady]: Xu Ke’s inner monologue—Young Master, if you keep this up, you might lose the baby!
Jiang Pengji caught this and smiled, saying to Xu Ke, “Were you just thinking that if I kept teasing you, you’d get mad?”
Xu Ke’s face flushed red, a bit flustered, “… Young Master, don’t joke like that…”
Jiang Pengji seriously replied, “Actually, you can get mad; I can handle it. A bit of a temper is more adorable.”
To her, Xu Ke was just a capricious young man. As long as he stayed within her tolerable limits, being a bit willful wasn’t a problem.
Xu Ke remained silent.
Facing a Young Master five or six years younger than him being rude and playful, how was he, as a servant, supposed to respond?
Urgent! Waitlisted!
It turned out that when a rabbit gets anxious, it can bite; Xu Ke, when provoked, could also snap back.
“Young Master, save your sweet words for the girls in Langlang Lane.”
After finishing, Xu Ke clasped his hands in a bow and stormed off, shaking off his frustration. He couldn’t vent his pent-up annoyance on Jiang Pengji, but he could certainly bother those house servants. The more he got to know her style, the more he felt his image of a genteel noble boy crumbling.
Of course, it wouldn’t take long for him to realize it wasn’t the noble boy’s image breaking down, but merely the peculiarities of his eccentric Young Master.
“Tsk tsk, when it comes to looks, the girls in Langlang Lane can’t compare to Xiaoyu’s elegance.”
Jiang Pengji murmured quietly, ensuring Xu Ke ahead could hear.
Then, she saw him trip over his own feet and tumble down the embankment.
The audience in the live stream couldn’t help but feel sorry for Xu Ke.
[Cafeteria Lady]: Host, you’re too cruel! Even Xu Ke, such a cute baby, you’re bullying him—my heart can’t take this! So adorable, so lovely; how could you bear it? I wanted to jump through the screen and hug him QWQ
[Bully CEO]: Never seen such a malicious host—look! You’ve scared him!
[This Grass is Toxic]: People in ancient times take things seriously; the host’s actions might cause resentment. Be careful he doesn’t turn dark!
[Evening Blossom]: Hahaha, I can’t wait to see Xu Ke turn dark—then it’s a love-hate drama with the wicked host!
Ignoring the teasing barrage in the chat, Jiang Pengji walked down the embankment, squatted down, and lifted the dazed Xu Ke onto her back. He was once again shocked by her actions, his whole body visibly stiffening, muscles taut.
“Careful walking; thankfully, the embankment isn’t too high, and the tenant farmers cleared it well, so there aren’t any large rocks. Otherwise, if you’d stepped wrong just now, you might’ve broken a leg or ruined your handsome looks.” Jiang Pengji carried him with remarkable vigor.
After recovering from the shock, Xu Ke didn’t know where to place his hands, his face flushed with embarrassment.
Hearing Jiang Pengji’s precursor complaint, a sense of helplessness arose within Xu Ke.
Almost grinding his teeth, Xu Ke said, “If it weren’t for the Young Master’s teasing, I wouldn’t have acted this way!”
