Chapter 190: Sparring session?
"Oh, is that a farewell?"
Zhang Yuan's gaze flickered as he heard the soft yet playful voice from behind him and he turned to look at the breathtaking woman sitting on the wooden bench.
'Big sister...'
With one leg over another, Zhang Fumin glanced at the woman standing there "A world consciousness, a demon, a half-demon, and a human."
"Quite a bunch you got there, Yuan'er."
Huh?
The women were startled as the new woman called their master directly by his name.
Mei Yu's gaze narrowed 'She is more powerful than the Goddess of Origin and Goddess of Chaos I saw the first day...'
'Is she also one of his wives?'
Ming Yuelin was confused and looked at Zhang Yuan and Zhang Fumin back to back, searching for any answers.
Who?
Xue Hua was standing with a frown on her face while Long Yue looked entirely at a loss, her wide eyes darting between her master and this newcomer.
With a soft chuckle, Zhang Yuan walked to her "Why are you acting cool for..."
Zhang Fumin got up from the wooden bench and hugged him "First impressions are very important, Yuan'er.. see how they are all frightened."
Zhang Yuan turned to look at them and shook his head helplessly "This is my B-"
She hugged him from behind, caressing her face with his cheek "I am this guy's Best friend."
O-Oh....
The four women were dumbfounded and looked at Zhang Fumin curiously.
Friend?
Zhang Yuan turned to look at her and smiled dryly.
"Play along with me, Yuan'er." she muttered, kissing his cheek as her hands around his shoulder tightened.
Resting her chin on his shoulder, she glanced at the women "I will be staying here from now on.. with my bestest friend."
-_-
The four of them looked at her blankly. is she really his friend? Then why is she kissing him like that...
Ming Yuelin's eyes darted from Fumin's face to where she had kissed Zhang Yuan and back again, a slight frown settling on her brow. 'Is she… really his friend?'
Zhang Yuan let out a faint chuckle and spoke "Well, seems like Fumin will be with me from now... so get along with her."
Everyone looked at each other and gave a faint nod "Yes Master.." x3
"Yes My Lord."
Zhang Fumin's gaze flickered to Xue Hua and she spoke with a slight grin "And I will be training you... demon."
Huh?
Xue Hua was taken aback and blinked her eyes "Um.. me?"
Zhang Fumin nodded her head, with her hands still around Zhang Yuan's shoulder "Yeah you want to beat Guang Xi's saint, right? I can help you."
Hearing the name Xue Hua tilted her head in confusion "Um, who is Guang Xi's saint?
Zhang Yuan spoke, clearing her doubts "It is the Goddess of Life's real name.. and by saint, she meant Hong Shi."
Xue Hua raised an eyebrow in surprise and nodded her head looking at Zhang Fumin "Yeah, I want to beat her."
Zhang Fumin giggled and replied "En... I can train you."
But...
Xue Hua's gaze flickered to Zhang Yuan "I already have a Master."
Caressing her cheek against his, Zhang Fumin nodded her head "I know.. I just want you to train in gauntlets. He will still be your Master."
Gauntlets...
Zhang Yuan gave a nod "Hm.. now that I remember it, Fumin, you used gauntlets in the past."
"Hehe.. yeah, I am the best teacher that demon could get to train in gauntlets."
With a contemplative nod, Zhang Yuan spoke "True. Hua.. you can accept gauntlet lessons from Fumin."
Xue Hua gave a bow "Yes, Master..."
Zhang Fumin nodded in satisfaction and grasped Zhang Yuan's arm "Com eon, Yuan'er.. come and cook me breakfast."
"Yesh, yeah..."
...
The tantalizing smell of breakfast filled the air, a mix of spices, garlic, and fresh ingredients, making the whole kitchen feel alive.
As he was cooking, Zhang Fumin was hugging him from behind... with her chin resting on his shoulder.
"Ah, Yuan'er, you've certainly improved since last time," she teased, reaching out to flick a stray bit of flour off his cheek.
"Remember when you used to burn the rice just trying to steam it?"
Zhang Yuan paused, a slight smile creeping onto his face as he shot her a sidelong glance. "That was one time, and the rice cooker was broken," he retorted, though his tone was light.
He continued stirring the contents in the pan, and without missing a beat, added, "But feel free to help if you're going to critique my cooking."
"Help? Why would I, when I have my personal chef right here?" she replied, a mischievous grin forming on her face.
She nudged his arm lightly. "Besides, watching you stumble around in the kitchen is much more entertaining."
"Hahaha..."
..
"They seem very close..."
Ming Yuelin and Mei Yu are peeking through the kitchen door and looked at the banter happening inside the kitchen.
Ming Yuelin's gaze narrowed "And whatnot, Master seems to enjoy it.. like he looks happier with her. With her… he seems at ease."
Mei Yu nodded her head "Well, we have only known him for months.. and they are best friends, which means known each other for years, so it seems like.. My Lord opens up to her more."
...
Long Yue was quite amused looking at the beautiful lake in front of her bathed in golden lights of the morning "So, this is where you bath daily?"
Xue Hua gave a nod "Yeah.. come in..."
With a faint nod, Long Yue glanced at the horns on Xue Hua's head "But still.. I am surprised that you are actually a demon, Senior Sister."
...
After completing the morning breakfast-
Zhang Yuan, Mei Yu, and Long Yue are sitting on the wooden bench while Ming Yuelin is sitting on the grassland, cultivating with a profound shard in her hand.
"Huff..." Xue Hua, her gauntlets strapped tightly around her fists, took her stance opposite Zhang Fumin.
Xue Hua's eyes blazed as she focused on her new master, who stood there with a serene smile that somehow both calmed and unnerved her.
Zhang Fumin's stance seemed almost casual, her hands relaxed at her sides, yet there was a controlled power radiating from her that was as undeniable as it was effortless.
Xue Hua tightened her fists, feeling the familiar weight of her enchanted gauntlets, which glowed faintly with an ominous purple energy.
She inhaled deeply, channeling her demonic energy through her body, feeling it spread like a controlled fire as it empowered her limbs and heightened her senses.
*swoosh* With her muscles tensed and energy coiled within, she launched herself forward, fists aimed directly at Zhang Fumin.
Zhang Fumin's smile remained untouched as she sidestepped the strike with graceful ease, her hands still seemingly relaxed.
"Good energy control, Hua. But don't let the power cloud your focus," she said in a calm tone, her eyes following Xue Hua's every movement with a piercing awareness.
Xue Hua, unfazed by her first miss, whipped around and aimed another punch at Fumin's midsection, her gauntlets now blazing as she poured more energy into the blow.
Zhang Fumin's arm shot out, blocking Xue Hua's fist with her bare hand, effortlessly absorbing the force of the impact as though it were nothing.
*treek* The ground cracked beneath Xue Hua's feet from the energy backlash, but Fumin stood unmoved.
"Better. But your form breaks when you rely too much on raw power," Fumin commented, her voice soft but laced with authority.
"Precision is just as important as force."
Xue Hua gritted her teeth, as she pushed herself back and began circling her master, studying every inch of her calm demeanor, trying to find a flaw in her defense.
"Uff.." Taking a deep breath, Xue Hua lunged forward again, feinting a punch before dropping into a low sweep with her leg, aiming to catch Fumin off guard.
But Fumin anticipated her move, stepping lightly over Xue Hua's sweeping leg and countering with a swift, gentle tap to her shoulder, sending Xue Hua stumbling back.
Fumin said, nodding approvingly. "Remember, you're not just sparring with a friend. When you fight, you must make every move count. Show me the focus you use in real battle."
Xue Hua shot forward again, her movements sharper and more controlled than last time.
Her gauntlet-clad fists moved in rapid succession, each punch aimed with deliberate force, her footwork light as she shifted angles to press Fumin further.
The ground beneath them trembled from the force of Xue Hua's strikes, her energy blazing around her in a fierce aura, but Zhang Fumin was unfazed, her expression almost bemused as she deflected each blow with seemingly minimal effort.
Her movements were fluid, effortlessly meeting every one of Xue Hua's punches and kicks with the precision and grace of someone who had honed their craft to perfection.
As Xue Hua's assault intensified, Fumin's movements became even more impressive, her body twisting and turning like a leaf in the wind, avoiding Xue Hua's attacks without appearing to exert any energy herself.
Her blocks were minimalistic, often using a single finger or a slight wrist movement to divert Xue Hua's attacks, each counter punctuated by a calm, instructive comment.
"See how you lose your stance after that combo? Stay grounded. You'll have more stability."
Another counter.
"Your breathing... remember to keep it even. It'll keep your energy in check."
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I hope you guys liked this chapter!