The Eighth Lord Academy was located in a nearby town.
It was not too far from Zhao Chi's home, roughly six kilometers in a straight line.
He usually ran there, training his agility along the way.
This time, he ran to town as usual.
Instead of buying supplies at the exchange, he went to a general store.
The exchange charged a handling fee.
For the single large bag of rice he had bought earlier, going back and forth had not been worth the trouble.
But he was buying more this time, so he needed to save where he could.
Soon, Zhao Chi finished shopping.
[Shopping list]: [Family-size body wash] ×2 [Family-size shampoo] ×2 [Bar soap] ×10 [Bath towels] ×20 [50-meter hemp rope] ×1 [Cooking oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar set] ×1 [10 kilograms of rice] ×7 [Family pack of toilet paper] ×2 [Total: 1,467 copper coins]
Zhao Chi had only seventeen silver coins in savings to begin with.
He had spent one silver coin on rice earlier.
Now he had to spend another 14.67 silver coins.
He was a little reluctant to part with the money.
But when he thought of how eagerly those female villagers had fought, he no longer minded.
After all, it was only a little money. What was there to begrudge?
Besides, these were all necessities, already the bare minimum for living.
He could earn more once he spent it.
He was no longer just studying theory as he had before.
Back then, he really had been a poor student.
But now that he had become a lord, more and more opportunities to earn money were opening up.
Pay!
He had one silver coin and thirty-three copper coins left.
Next, he took his shopping list and ran to the exchange.
These were all separately purchased everyday supplies, subject to a three-percent tax.
He paid another forty-four copper coins in taxes.
Only eighty-nine copper coins remained.
Home, then off to the territory!
He ran all the way and entered his territory, panting.
The moment he arrived, he saw Gu Qing coming straight toward him with a thick log on her shoulder.
"Whoa!"
Zhao Chi hurriedly dodged.
Gu Qing was startled too.
She quickly turned halfway around to avoid hitting him.
"Oh! Oh! My lord, how did you end up here? I didn't hit you, did I?"
"No, but you're carrying such a big log by yourself? Let me help."
Zhao Chi stepped in front of Gu Qing and reached out.
Gu Qing twisted away.
"No need~ I'm fine. Just give me a moment."
With the log on her shoulder, Gu Qing tilted her head.
She walked beside the Lord's House and crouched down, sticking her bottom out slightly.
She lowered the log from her shoulder.
Quite a few supplies had already been piled beside the Lord's House.
It seemed Gu Qing and the others were using this spot as a temporary storage area.
Three female villagers followed behind Gu Qing in single file, also carrying logs, though the three of them were sharing two logs, one resting on each shoulder.
They were a little weaker, so sharing the load like this saved them some effort.
The twenty-one goblins were also hauling logs, with every seven carrying two.
They grimaced from exhaustion, but not a single goblin complained.
Zhao Chi found it remarkable.
What was going on with these goblins?
Were they actually hardworking goblins?
But when he noticed that both their cheeks were swollen, Zhao Chi immediately understood.
Gu Qing had probably beaten them into submission.
Chapter 24: Body Driving Technique
Gu Qing walked over, her slender waist swaying.
She was not deliberately walking that way.
Rather, her waist was slim and supple, while her hips were full.
As she walked, they naturally swayed gently.
She was, one might say, naturally graceful.
Gu Qing smiled. "My lord, you were gone for so long this time."
"Was it long? It should only have been about two hours."
"Even one hour feels long to me."
"Then I'll be quicker next time."
Gu Qing chuckled. "I'm only joking. My lord, there's no need to rush. Stay safe on the road. Look at all that sweat on your forehead. Let me wipe it off."
As she spoke, she brushed the back of her hand across Zhao Chi's forehead.
Zhao Chi felt a delicate, smooth touch glide over his skin, vanishing in an instant.
Gu Qing was sweating too.
Fine beads of sweat dotted her forehead.
The long strands of hair at her temples clung to her cheeks.
The sweat on her neck caught the setting sun, reflecting an orange-yellow glow.
Her cheeks were rosy, and she kept panting softly.
He could tell that she was a little tired too.
She must have been working hard the whole time.
Zhao Chi said, "Your forehead is sweaty too. Let me wipe it for you."
He raised his hand, but before he could reach her, Gu Qing leaned closer of her own accord.
He had meant to wipe the sweat from her forehead, but instead, her soft, smooth cheek pressed against his hand.
Gu Qing rubbed her cheek against his palm.
"Hehe, thank you, my lord."
"...You're welcome. With how hard you're working, I should be thanking you."
Gu Qing said, "Of course I have to work hard. How could I slack off when I'm working for my lord?"
Zhao Chi said gently, "Thank you for your hard work. How much is left?"
Gu Qing pointed behind her. "Just a little more. Tang Ruan and the others are still carrying things over. We'll go meet them and share their load. My lord, rest here for now. We'll be back soon."
"I'll come help carry things too."
Gu Qing stopped him. "No need. Rest here. Everyone, come with me. We only have half a trip left."
The female villagers and goblins all left with Gu Qing.
Only the two local dogs remained, lying listlessly beside the house.
Zhao Chi sat on a flat piece of stone to rest.
He took out the two treasure chests he had captured.
They were both palm-sized wooden chests, small enough to be called wooden boxes.
They were tiny and light.
Zhao Chi opened the Initial Wooden Treasure Chest first.
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