The training days continued as usual, only with greater intensity. Qin Hao stood on the training ground with a gloating smile. For the past few days, wherever he went, everyone avoided him like the plague. At first, he had been surprised, but soon he began to feel strangely comfortable.
He finally understood the motive behind his other self's action that dat. The perfect way to control a situation was either through overwhelming strength or extreme violence. Since he wasn't strong enough yet, his other self had chosen violence to strike fear into others and deter them completely.
After the initial round ended, Trainer Mohim spoke.
"Today, you'll be learning martial stances necessary for practicing martial arts."
The trainees' tired and burned out expressions instantly transformed into looks of anticipation. Learning martial arts had been a lifelong dream for most of them.
Qin Hao's eyes sparkled as well. Finally, he could learn openly. He was tired of practicing in secret.
"Watch closely…" Trainer Mohim demonstrated a fist stance.
Everyone followed suit.
"Now repeat it one hundred times."
"Wait… is that it?" Qin Hao was baffled. "Isn't he supposed to demonstrate a stance? Why did he just punch the air and stop?"
"It seems the stances practiced in the military are different," the second consciousness spoke. "These are likely lower versions of the five basic stances. That worm's origin is mysterious, he was a powerful Qi practitioner as well so it's not surprising his versions would be superior."
In truth, what Mohim demonstrated was the lowest form of the stances used in military training. What Qin Hao practiced, however, was the original version. The original stances were not fixed poses; they were continuous movements involving the arms, legs, torso, joints, every part of the body flowing in harmony.
As the trainer corrected the other trainees' mistakes, Qin Hao immersed himself in repeating the fist stance a hundred times. "If I have to do it anyway, why not do it wholeheartedly?"
That was his motto.
Trainer Mohim's eyes shone as he glanced at Qin Hao.
"This kid… has he learned it before?"
Qin Hao's movements showed no awkwardness or flaws whatsoever. After observing for some time, Mohim gave up pondering.
"Trainee Qin Hao!" he called.
"Yes, Instructor." Qin Hao stepped forward.
"Have you learned the fist stance before?"
"No."
Mohim nodded. "It seems he's talented…"
With that thought, he continued, "I've observed your stance, it's nearly perfect. I'll show you the kick stance."
He demonstrated the kick stance. Just like the fist stance, it was the lowest version. Even so, every punch and kick carried fearsome power.
Having practiced the original version, Qin Hao grasped its essence instantly and executed the move with ease.
"Again."
After thirty more repetitions, Mohim couldn't find a single flaw. Attributing it to talent, he demonstrated the puncture stance next. Qin Hao copied it perfectly.
Trainer Mohim's lips curled upward slightly.
Seeing this scene, the other trainees stopped practicing and stared at Qin Hao.
This guy… isn't he way too talented?
Having physical strength and stamina was one thing, but mastering stances perfectly after seeing them once was absurd.
Some grew despondent. Others felt competitive.
Jiang Fei's eyes shone as she practiced with greater focus.
"I don't want to be outdone by him."
Chen Mo's cold gaze briefly swept over Qin Hao before turning away.
"Alright. I've shown you all the basic stances. Practice diligently," Trainer Mohim said. His voice was no longer as strict, and a satisfied smile flashed across his face.
He moved on to inspect the other trainees. Almost immediately, someone was scolded harshly. The earlier gentleness vanished as if it had never existed.
The trainee's eyelids twitched.
"Isn't this mood change faster than flipping book pages?" he grumbled inwardly.
The day ended with everyone repeatedly practicing fist and kick stances. Exhausted and battered, they returned to their barracks.
"Qin Hao's…" A soft voice echoed from behind.
Turning around, Qin Hao saw Jiang Fei jogging toward him in small strides. Sweat dotted her face, strands of hair sticking to her cheeks. Her deer like eyes looked straight at him. Combined with her delicate features and melodious voice, she appeared quite enchanting.
"Hmm…? What's wrong?" Qin Hao asked, a question mark practically floating above his head.
"Uh nothing. I just wanted to say you were really amazing. How did you do it?" She asked.
"Do what?"
"You executed every stance perfectly. How did you manage that? You practiced before, right?" she asked curiously.
"Oh… if you practice harder, you can do it too," Qin Hao replied with a straight face. In truth, he was a little nervous, afraid the truth might slip out. He had never been good at lying.
"Practice harder…" Jiang Fei was momentarily stunned. Then she smiled.
"Alright, Brother Qin. I'll keep your advice in mind."
Their conversation was interrupted by another person. It was Mei Lan. Another trainee, her progress was mediocre compared to the others. She whispered something into Jiang Fei's ear. Jiang Fei frowned. "What does he want…"
Qin Hao heard it as well since he wasn't standing too far from her. "A love confession perhaps?" He thought inward. There was no lack of her suitors among trainees. In fact some senior trainees would also come to watch her train. She was very popular in the barracks.
"Brother Qin, something came up, so I'll excuse myself." She said apologetically.
"It's fine."
He was having a conversation with the second consciousness. "That Jiang girl…. If i am not wrong, she's in trouble."
"Trouble?" Qin Hao asked, confused. "Isn't it just a love confession as usual…"
"When she heard Mei Lan's words, she frowned. That means it's something she dislikes or something serious," the second consciousness analyzed. "What would she dislike? Most likely a man's approach. Someone confessed and is now pestering her."
"If he's pestering her, can't she just complain to the trainer?" Qin Hao asked.
"That's the point. She didn't. Which means the person is threatening her," the second consciousness replied. "More importantly, I can sense negative emotions. When she said 'he,' I felt loathing and hatred."
Qin Hao frowned. "If it's something like this then…what should i do?"
"What does this have to do with you? She isn't important," the second consciousness replied coldly.
"I can't just let it happen. She's nice to me, so i should at least help her out." Qin Hao said.
"Why? Do you like her?"
"You know it better." Qin Hao rolled his eyes.
"…Now I regret speaking," the second consciousness muttered. "Your compassion will get you killed one day."
After a brief pause, it spoke again.
"Follow her secretly."
After trailing her for some time, Qin Hao arrived at the rear of the barracks, an abandoned garden rarely visited by anyone.
Before Jiang Fei's arrival, someone was already waiting for her.
"It's him…" Qin Hao recognized the figure. It was the senior trainee who came every day to watch her train.
Qin Hao was standing far away so he couldn't hear the content of what they were saying but from the looks of it, Jiang Fei was arguing about something. Her expression didn't look very good. She was pointing her finger at him as if angry.
"Spread your divine sense." Second consciousness said.
Qin Hao after spreading his divine sense could clearly hear the conversation between them.
"Jiang Fei, if you don't agree to it, do you believe that i won't do anything to your brother?" The guy took a step forward aggressively which made Jiang Fei flinch back.
"If I don't see you here at midnight, don't blame me for what I'll do," he laughed sinisterly, his eyes roaming over her figure lecherously.
"You… bastard…" Jiang Fei gritted her teeth in anger as she turned around and left.
The Mei Lan girl bowed at the man, then followed her.
"Your conjecture is correct. Indeed, this guy is threatening her.
I should go and ask her about this." Qin Hao wanted to ask her directly about this.
"Stop," the second consciousness snapped.
"Why?"
"You've only known her for a few days. It's inappropriate to interfere openly in her personal affairs."
"She's clearly in trouble. Why shouldn't I help?"
The second consciousness felt a headache coming on.
"My bright self… is far too bright for his own good."