Lin Qingdai covered the pork knuckle and carried it to the eaves herself.
Learn to take a beating first.
Gu Moran looked at her.
Is there an advanced version?
"Yes," Lin Qingdai smiled. "If you can still stand after this, I'll teach you."
Zitang handed the wooden stick to Lin Qingdai and added in a low voice.
"Your Highness, it's not too late to regret it now."
Gu Moran caught the wooden stick that Lin Qingdai threw to him, dipped his wrist, and quickly regained his balance.
He slung the wooden stick over his shoulder, trying to appear relaxed.
"Since we're already here..."
Lin Qingdai stared at his hand for three breaths before slowly speaking.
" Gu Moran, you really haven't practiced before?"
Gu Moran blinked.
"I've practiced it."
Lin Qingdai narrowed her eyes.
What training have you done?
"Have you practiced how to chase cranes?"
Zitang smiled again.
Lin Qingdai couldn't hold back either, and half of her breath escaped through her nose.
"Nonsense."
She walked into the courtyard and tapped the blue bricks with a wooden stick.
"Stand here."
Gu Moran walked over.
"Don't put your feet so close together. You're here to practice martial arts, not to stand as punishment."
Gu Moran lowered his head and adjusted it by half an inch.
"So?"
"Open it a little wider."
"So?"
"Lower your back, don't act like a prince."
Gu Moran did as instructed. As soon as he pressed down with the force in his legs, his Sixth Rank qi and blood surged up to his knees.
Too much stability will reveal its flaws.
Taixu, and he couldn't hold on any longer.
He pulled that force back, loosening his knees slightly.
Lin Qingdai moved around to his side and tapped the outside of his calf with the wooden stick.
"It's pine here."
Gu Moran relaxed as instructed.
The stick landed on his shoulder again.
"Don't tense up here either."
Lin Qingdai lifted the wooden stick and stopped it in front of his shoulder.
"The first lesson I'll teach you will only cover one thing."
Gu Moran's gaze fell on the end of the stick.
"What?"
"Hold your ground."
The wooden stick fell.
Gu Moran did not back down.
A muffled thud traveled along my shoulder bone; the pain was suppressed by the system, but the vibrations within my body persisted.
He lowered his shoulders and pulled the person back with his waist and abdomen.
Lin Qingdai's gaze lingered at his feet.
It didn't fall apart.
They didn't call out.
She withdrew her fingers slightly.
Gu Moran stretched his shoulders.
"Good."
Lin Qingdai asked, "Where is it alright?"
"The lady's stick is lighter than the Censorate's impeachment."
Lin Qingdai switched the wooden stick to her left hand.
"Second strike."
Gu Moran watched her switch hands, the pros and cons immediately came to mind.
The angle of her left hand changed, making it easier to dodge, but it obscured the true path of her power.
Only by not avoiding it can you remember it.
He stopped.
"Bring it on."
Lin Qingdai did not hit immediately.
What were you thinking about just now?
Gu Moran pressed his chest gently.
This woman is too observant.
"Thinking about whether I should bring the pork knuckle tomorrow morning."
The stick fell again.
Gu Moran shifted his weight back half an inch this time, his heels brushing against the blue bricks, the dew being wiped away.
He didn't fall.
Lin Qingdai stopped.
Zitang noticed this too and said softly, "Miss, His Highness just relaxed his strength."
Gu Moran coughed.
"I value my life, so it's reasonable for me to learn quickly, isn't it?"
Lin Qingdai lowered the wooden stick.
Gu Moran.
"Yes, I'm here."
You have quite a few secrets.
Gu Moran gripped the wooden stick, his palms sweaty. The aroma of soy sauce and metal mingled in the wind, making him feel sober.
"Which one would you like to hear, my lady? I'll tell you slowly tonight."
Lin Qingdai looked at him, and after a moment, she raised the wooden stick again.
"Shut up."
"Finish first."
Zitang silently turned around and took out the medicinal oil from under the eaves.
Lin Qingdai spoke again.
"Third strike, to the waist."
Gu Moran immediately looked at her.
"My lady, the waist is a very important place for me."
Lin Qingdai raised the stick.
"Stop talking nonsense."
Gu Moran the wooden stick horizontally in front of him.
The wooden stick pressed down against the wind.
He stopped joking, gripped the blue bricks with both feet, and watched the rise and fall of her shoulders and elbows.
This time, he saw not only sticks, but also people.
After Lin Qingdai finished speaking, the third blow to the waist was delivered, and the wooden stick was already pressing down in front of Gu Moran.
Gu Moran blocked with his stick.
He pulled his wrist in half an inch, using the stick to block the incoming force. He didn't retreat, but instead used the force to his advantage to move aside.
The two wooden sticks collided with a dull thud, the sound spreading along the courtyard wall. The smell of metal mingled with the aroma of soy sauce leaking from the food box, filling our nostrils.
Lin Qingdai stopped, pressing the wooden stick down on his stick.
"You just released your energy."
Gu Moran his arm against the wood, his palms burning from the wood grain.
Taking a step back can save you effort.
Even if she verbally admits it, she'll get to the bottom of it.
He forced his blood and energy into his skin and flesh, deliberately making his breathing heavier.
"It's thanks to your excellent teaching, Madam."
Lin Qingdai did not have pine branches.
"Come on, I haven't taught you yet."
"That's because I have good comprehension."
Lin Qingdai's gaze fell on his wrist, then moved to his toes.
" Gu Moran, are you really not telling the truth?"
Gu Moran's mind flashed to the system panel, where the words "Sixth Rank Qi and Blood" shone brightly.
To speak too frankly would invite suspicion, while to speak vaguely would make it seem like she's being treated like a fool.
He pressed the wooden stick down half an inch to make his shoulder feel heavier.
"I've trained in escape techniques."
Lin Qingdai lowered her eyebrows.
What approach?
"When my father was testing my horsemanship and archery, he fell off his horse and couldn't catch up. I almost lost half my life."
Zitang, standing nearby, couldn't resist and struck the whetstone against the back of the knife, making a crisp sound.
Lin Qingdai turned around.
Zitang immediately lowered her head.
"Miss, my hand slipped."
Lin Qingdai withdrew her gaze and pointed the stick at Gu Moran's side again.
That's not the right approach.
That's why I've come to ask for your guidance, Madam.
Lin Qingdai didn't reply, but changed the direction of the stick, sweeping it from his waist towards the back of his knee.
Gu Moran saw her shoulders sink first, her heels shift back half a step, her knees loosen, and the stick brushed past her trousers.
The fabric rustled, leaving a hot, tingling sensation on my leg.
Lin Qingdai's hand froze in mid-air, the wooden stick touching the ground.
" Zitang."
"Exist."
"Go out and guard the gate."
Zitang sheathed her sword, stood up, and glanced back at Gu Moran as she walked to the courtyard gate.
"Your Highness, the medicated oil is under the eaves. If you can still walk, please take it yourself."
Gu Moran his hand.
Thank you for your kindness.
Zitang closed the door quickly.
The courtyard quieted down; the wind rustled through the weapon racks, the gun barrels lightly tapping against the wooden frames with a soft sound.
Lin Qingdai hoisted the wooden stick onto her shoulder.
" Gu Moran, nobody's watching."
Gu Moran pressed his palm against the stick, the blood and qi beneath his skin trying to surge outwards, but he suppressed it.
"Madam wants to silence him?"
"I'm not that free."
"Then why did you send Zitang away?"
"I'm afraid you'll embarrass yourself."
Gu Moran's smile faded slightly.
There was no sarcasm in that statement.
She gave him a way out, and also prevented others from seeing his weakness.
Lin Qingdai took the wooden stick off her shoulder.
"When you withstood three moves from my father at the Grand Commandant's Residence, I knew you weren't entirely useless."
She took two more steps closer.
"But your body couldn't handle that kind of strength before."
Gu Moran didn't reply.
Lin Qingdai stared at his hand holding the stick.