Tang Ruan shook her head as she walked, trying to shake off what had just happened.
Rustle! Rustle!
As the awkwardness lingered, faint footsteps came from beside them.
Zhao Chi turned to look.
He saw nothing.
Was it the wind?
"Tang Ruan, did you hear something?"
Tang Ruan nodded, her face flushed. "Yes, it sounds like footsteps over there... oh no, could it be a wild beast?"
Zhao Chi narrowed his eyes.
"It's fine. Don't be nervous. I've spotted them already. Just three little thieves."
"Three little thieves?" Tang Ruan followed Zhao Chi's gaze.
Suddenly, she shuddered.
"My lord, those are three Goblins!"
Zhao Chi smiled. "I know. To me, they're just little thieves."
"My lord, can we beat them?"
"Don't worry. I guarantee you won't suffer so much as a scratch."
Hearing this eased some of Tang Ruan's anxiety.
"Yes, I trust you, my lord."
The three Goblins were still prowling in the distance.
They did not charge straight at them.
Zhao Chi opened the system to check his stats.
At a time like this, there had better not be anything wrong with my stats either.
[Name] Zhao Chi [Rank] Trainee Lord [Gender] Male [Level] 0 [Race] Human [Age] 20 [Appearance] 5 - handsome features [Constitution] 5 - just right [Strength] 5 - just right [Agility] 5 - just right [Intelligence] 5 - just right [Skill] Inspire [Talents] female scholar, Transplant Flowers, Connect Jade [Proficiencies] Saber proficiency 10, shield proficiency 10 (Inspire: consumes 10 spiritual energy to increase morale by 10%)
His information had not changed.
His stats were all at 5.
Zhao Chi had deliberately trained them to that level.
It was not because he had a preference for the number 5.
Rather, reaching 6 required a great deal of practice and took too much time.
Besides, stats of 5 were not weak.
They were all at an adequate level.
It was the Peach Haven Humans he had created who were too strong.
By comparison, Zhao Chi seemed a little weak.
But stats of 5 were more than enough for the current situation.
Chapter 13: First battle
"Tang Ruan, get ready to fight!"
"Yes!"
Zhao Chi could tell from her nervous expression that she lacked confidence.
After all, she was a Human woman.
And their opponents were three Goblin warriors.
Despite being only 1.4 meters tall, these Goblins carried weapons and were more dangerous than three wolves.
They were also cruel, bloodthirsty, and lustful.
They were especially interested in Human and Elf women.
Ordinary women certainly feared them.
But Tang Ruan was no ordinary woman.
She was a Peach Haven Human woman whom Zhao Chi had enhanced, with very high stats.
She also had the fearless talent.
She shouldn't be this nervous, should she?
Why?
It had to do with her newly born state.
She was currently weakened from having just been born.
Even her talents were affected.
He needed to get them fed as soon as possible so they could recover to their proper state.
"M-my lord, they seem to keep staring at me..."
Tang Ruan was somewhat terrified.
She instinctively clutched Zhao Chi's arm.
"Yes. Goblins love beautiful Human women most. They've probably marked you as their prey."
"Huh? Then what do we do?"
Zhao Chi said quietly, "Don't panic. We have to kill them right now. If they escape, they'll bring more Goblins, and that'll be a bit troublesome."
Tang Ruan nodded.
"I understand, my lord. I'll do my best to fight."
Zhao Chi continued, "Goblins have a racial agility stat of 6. They can run faster than us, so we can't scare them off. You draw their attention from the front, and I'll circle around to attack from the side."
"Huh? I have to draw their attention?"
Tang Ruan was on the verge of tears.
Zhao Chi nodded. "Don't be afraid. Your stats are higher than theirs. Use the wooden basin as a shield and the fishing spear as a weapon. You'll be fine."
"O-okay."
Tang Ruan trembled.
She nervously took a step forward.
"Wait, I haven't finished."
"Huh?"
Tang Ruan quickly stepped back again.
"In a moment, I want you to cry. The more frightened you sound, the better. That way, they'll think you're weak, and you'll keep their attention firmly fixed on you."
Tang Ruan said pitifully, "My lord, if I die, please remember me."
Zhao Chi laughed. "Die? Didn't I already tell you? I guarantee you won't suffer a scratch."
Tang Ruan nodded.
She bit her lip hard, seemingly steeling herself.
It was clear that she was still extremely nervous.
Zhao Chi said, "All right, I'll use a skill to help you. But you must act very frightened."
"Huh?"
Tang Ruan did not understand.
Zhao Chi did not explain.
He gently turned his palm over.
A pale yellow light appeared.
With a push of his hand, the yellow light shot into Tang Ruan's body.
Instantly, her trembling stopped.
In its place came an eagerness to fight.
Tang Ruan looked down at herself in surprise.
Before you continue