Golden Age Legitimate Fei - Chapter 193

Ye Li clapped her hands softly and eight men showed up – some young, some old, some tall and some short, who walked towards her and said in unison, “My Lord.”

Qin Feng’s eyes rose. Though he couldn’t tell where these guys come from, he knew they were martial arts master hands. Without a doubt, they were the best among the best.

Ye Li nodded happily with a smile as she said: “Besides exercises I arranged each day, your instructors will give you specific guidance. Of course, if anyone of you can knock down any of the instructors, you don’t have to go through all this. Well, want a try?”

It wasn’t spoke without provocation and soldiers no matter in what era were always the most easily provoked group. Almost immediately, a man pounced on one of the strongest instructors and others had chosen their target as well. With loud bangs, they all started to fight.

Doubtless, all the soldiers ended up lying on the ground, defeated.

The shortest young man patted his hands and spoke to Ye Li with disdain, “My Lord, aren’t these men a bit weak?”

“They aren’t martial arts master hands to begin with. Besides, I don’t need a ground of martial arts masters either.”

The young man’s brow rose in confusion. “Then why are we here?”

Smilingly, Ye Li replied with a question, “Can you make a martial arts master-hand out of an ordinary man in three months, sir?”

The young man could think of nothing to say. No matter how conceited he was, he knew one couldn’t become a martial arts expert in a day. Though he had the reputation of being a martial arts genius since he was a kid, it still took him dozens of years to achieve what he had today.

“Though I don’t know why His Highness wants us here, since he has told us to listen to your instructions, My Lord, we’ll do whatever you ask of us,” said an elder guy.

Ye Li nodded with a smile, “I didn’t expect His Highness to have so many martial arts masters work for him. But don’t worry. This won’t take you long. You simply need to teach the guys some skills in the future two months. Well? Any more challengers?”

With the previous total defeats, the rest of the men were effectively deterred.

Very happy about the result, Ye Li spoke with a grin, “Well… first, some exercise. Have you seen the area outside the yard? I’ve had snake repellent grass planted for your safety. There won’t be any beasts during the day. Run around the yard.”

Do you mean there are beasts at night? Thought the men. They looked at each other blankly.

Qin Feng saw that, he asked on their behalf, “Prin… My Lord, how many laps do you want them to run?”

With the most beautiful smile, she answered, “As many laps before they can’t continue.”

Therefore, a group of elite soldiers who were still in a haze went out of the yard. Though they didn’t understand what good did the running do, they always obeyed orders as required of them as soldiers. With four instructors in the front and four in the rear, they started running.

Qin Feng, however, was left behind, who looked at the obviously cheerful Ye Li in confusion.

Ye Li waved at him smilingly as she said, “Read this. For the first seven days give them time to get used to the training. I’ll make changes later.”

Looking down at the paper in his hands, Qin Feng knew all the beautifully-written characters yet he didn’t understand what they meant when put together. Shooting arrows, fighting, running in the morning and evening… Even if he didn’t know how to do that, he understand what that meant. However, what was parallel bars and push-ups and what were they for? To him, nothing on the paper made any sense except for shotting arrows and fighting.

Ye Li spoke smilingly, “It doesn’t matter that you don’t understand it or don’t know how to do it. After Secret Guard No.2 and No.3 finish their tasks, I’ll ask them to teach you. At first, I wanted Secret Guard No.2 to lead these men, but considering that you are the leader of Hidden Cloud Soldiers, you must have more experience in being a leader, So… remember to make up for your share of training when you have the time.”

Looking at her innocent and sincere smile, Qin Feng couldn’t help but shudder. He had a hunch that the following months would be harsh.

They jumped up a roof so that they could see what was going on outside the yard.

Ye Li clapped and sat down, shaking her head as she watched the men running.

“You call them elites of Hidden Cloud Soldiers? Could it be that they ride horses so much that they aren’t even matches for secret guards in respect to running?”

Come on, 15 of the 20 secret guards knew martial arts. Qin Feng thought with clenched teeth.

“I’m going to ask whoever uses flying skills again to go up and down the cliff for another 20 times!” She said smilingly as she stared at several secret guards who cheated.

Hearing that, the secret guards who were stealthily watching their fellows in a bad state felt strength left their legs and almost fell to the ground.

Though he still couldn’t understand this training, when Qin Feng followed Ye Li and left in the evening, he looked back at the elites of Prince Ding’s Manor lying at the foot of the wall with pity. Listening to the unfamiliar howling from the forest, he wondered whether it was a punishment from god that the princess should find such a place near the capital.

“My Lady, do I need to… stay and look after them?” He knew the instructors were martial arts masters yet he didn’t think any of them could make the proud elites listen. It would be bad if conflicts aroused.

With a smile, Ye Li said, “Don’t worry, they can’t get away. Those who do will be considered as deserters!”

I’m not worried about them escaping! Thought Qin Feng.

“I don’t have time to keep an eye on them all the time. It won’t hurt if they start with conflicts as long as nobody is killed. A week later, Secret Guard No.2 and No.3 will take turns to give them lessons.”

After a moment of silence, Qin Feng asked, “I don’t understand what you want them to do, My Lady.”

“A lot of things. Assassination, intelligence collection, security, search, infiltration, staying undercover, rescue, interrogation. Be it combat on land, in water, field operation, or street fighting, they can master everything you can think of.”

A bit daunted, Qin Feng thought not even men of Hidden Cloud Soldiers could learn so much. “Aren’t assassination… and intelligence collection the work of secret guards? Why do you need them for that? Aren’t you happy with the secret guards, My Lady?”

Ye Li turned around to his divided expression and answered smilingly, “It’s good to have a team that does its duty, but I’d like an omnipotent one.”

After some thought, Qin Feng said, “If that can be achieved, our combat effectiveness will increase greatly.”

Ye Li shook her head as she replied, “Elites are in the minority, like Hidden Cloud Soldiers. What they are going to learn is not going to be an easy task for many. Besides, I don’t need a large group of people like this. More of them will simply be a waste of human resources. Remember I’ve asked you to select literate men? Many soldiers are already excluded considering that.”

Qin Feng nodded. In armies, such as an elite one like Hidden Cloud Soldiers, only half of the man could read and write. Now he began to understand what Ye Li wanted. She wanted to train a group of men who were versed in letters and martial arts. Yet he still hadn’t figured out where she could put them to use.

“Right, Qin Feng.” As they were drawing near the capital gate, Ye Li stopped the horse as she measured Qin Feng and asked, “As the leader of Hidden Cloud Soldiers, you must know there’s a rule, don’t you?”

“Please enlighten me, My Lady.”

“Confidentiality. Don’t tell anyone what you saw today and what you’re going to experience in the future three months without my permission.”

Qin Feng swallowed. “Not even His Highness?”

“Not even His Highness.”

“… I see.”