Chapter 232 Lamia Step (1/2)

Chapter 232 – Lamia Step

December 15th, 182 A.D.

Julu City became lively today as a new public school was built.

Lu Zhi, who came back from the tough journey along with his family and Zhou Cang, returned to Julu last month. Upon returning, he visited Zhang Jiao and requested a permission to open a public school inside the city.

Zhang Jiao and Tong agreed. Thus, a new construction project, which had begun last month, finished today.

Lu Zhi had used his connection with Sima Fang and other scholars in this city to recruit workers in this school. He aimed to teach Tong's soldiers first, so at least they could read and write reports without relying on others.

Zhou Cang ended up being accepted by Lu Zhi the first student of this new school, which he bragged about it for days with his colleagues. As a result, more soldiers sent petitions to join this newly found academy as well.

”Baldy! Look at what you have done! I haven't announced the opening date yet, why are you recruiting so many students and made them waiting in front of the gate!?”

”Uncle Lu! I didn't recruit them! I'm just guiding them her to admire the new building!”

”Admire? Then, why are they carrying brushes and ink stones!?”

Lu Zhi was scolding Zhou Cang while the other laughed as if he was a naughty child.

Tong was surprised by the closeness between Zhou Cang and Lu Zhi. It was as if they were brothers or friends for years. After a rough investigation, Tong understood what had happened to them.

”They went through a life-and-death battle together, huh.”

The bonds of comrades, who survived a tough battle together, was as strong as brothers with the same mother. It seemed that Tong did not have to worry about these two.

Seeing the chaotic scene between his mentor and the new students, Tong left them alone as he had another task to inspect.

The steelmaking project!

Because of the recent war, the steel manufacturing competition was delayed. In addition, the city had run out of iron and coal as they temporarily lost the supply from Jinyang during the war.

Although they lacked the resources, one blacksmith shop managed to produce steel ingots from the limited iron and coal.

Tong was in front of the blacksmith shop to bestow the rewards to the makers of these metals.

The blacksmith rushed out to welcome the young master of the city with his family in a frantic.

”Great Immortal! Thank you for coming!”

Tong's face twitched, hearing the name.

'I thought everybody stopped calling me that. It seems the soldiers in my army spread the rumor again.'

Tong gave up trying to suppress the rumor that he started during his immature days. He continued his inspection job.

”As promised, I'll bestow you gold and a noble status as your reward for the achievement.”

Tong gestured his soldiers, who carried boxes of gold nuggets to the blacksmith.

”B-But we've only made these [Steel] ingots. We haven't completed a single armor yet!” The honest blacksmith protested.

Tong laughed, ”It doesn't matter. You've completed it first, so it's yours. If you want to repay me for this, share your knowledge about the steel to the other blacksmiths and make me armors. The government will buy your wares.”

”Thank you, great immortal!”

…

Tong spent three hours discussing the steel property, armor design, and weapon order. He wanted a new personal weapon that could be used in the next battle.

In the end, Tong placed an order for a blade as it consumed less steel than other types of weapons. Besides, the blacksmiths had no experience dealing with steel, so it would take them some times before they could work with them efficiently.

”Alright, let's return. All of you head back first. I'll go to the training field.”

Tong excused his bodyguards and began warming up his feet. He took off his boots and wiggled his feet fingers. The underfoot of Tong had many cut scars and blistered, yet Tong moved around as if he did not feel the pain. Within the hardened sole skins, traces of soft green scales hid from the sight of other people, only Tong and his wives knew about it.

'Lamia Step, casual pace.'

The sole under Tong's feet hardened and excreted murky substances, making his feet slippery. The two legs and knees moved as if he was ice-skating on the stone road. With one step, Tong managed to travel two and a half step.

This was the result of the training with Friday for two weeks. He managed to learn the footwork technique that could be used in the crowded area, which would be useful in battlefields.

However, in the term of mastery, he was considered a newbie as he could use one kind of all movements.

'Slither forward and slide … eh? Brake! Brake! Brake!'

A minute after the casual skating, he ran to the wall.

'Aw, dammit. How did she do it again? Use the fingers to brake and the heel to steer?'

Ten minutes after bare-feet-skating and hitting the wall, he returned to the training ground where Friday and Hua Shi were sitting and talking at the side. The two bare-under-feet leaked bloody trail as they were cut by sharp rocks and other sharp objects.

Despite the leaking blood, Tong still did not show a sign of being in pain.

Friday turned around as she noticed Tong's arrival. She gestured Tong to walk toward her.

”Sit on the chair and show me your feet.”

Hua Shi stood up and gave Tong her chair, which Tong sat down and showed his wives the wounds.

Hua Shi licked her lips as she smelled the iron of the blood. She reeled in her desire as she recalled that she was supposed to quit this habit.

Friday, on the other hand, squeezed the feet to open the wound.

”Concentrate on organizing your blood flow. Condense the blood and regenerate your lost fresh with the scales.”