45 Sparring: a foreign concep (2/2)
Hartley really wasn't being cruel in pointing out the deficiencies in Qin Li battle style, when they left the Calabar province a few days ago, Qin Li had mentioned something foreign to Hartley and this was the concept of sparring. Hartley had never fought anyone or anything he didn't intend to kill before. Qin Li explained it as something which would expose their strengths and weaknesses in combat without the threat of losing their lives, Hartley was intrigued by this concept and decided to partake.
Hartley to his disappointment soon found out that there was nothing he would learn about himself from battling Qin Li, Qin Li's battle style was more of a performance than fighting.
It seemed like fighting came second and looking flashy came first. Hartley had never been formally trained but had experienced the brutal battles with fierce beats all his life and now it was looking like a blessing in disguise, if he was taught the style that Qin Li exhibited every time he picked up his weapon, Hartley would probably be a bag of bones in the mountain by now.
”Wash up and come and eat” Zhi Ruo said while scrunching her nose. ”Why do you boys have to sweat so much?”
Zhi Ruo was laying out the steaming hot food on a make-shift table as the duo went off to a little spring and washed themselves. They all ate dinner in the waning sunshine of the Autumn evening. While they ate Zhi Ruo was staring side eyed at Qin Li as he ate normally this time. ”The food was delicious Zhi Ruo” Qin Li made the surprising statement and a blooming smile blossomed on the face of Zhi Ruo, her flame red hair and pale skin radiated pride as she nodded at Qin li.
”What should I do?” Qin Li asked Hartley after dinner with a pleading look. Hartley smiled and got up and they both started a next sparring session. This time Hartley started to teach Qin Li how to simplify his techniques.
The trip continued like this for the next couple of days with Zhi Ruo cultivating to the best of her ability and then using her make-shift table to process pelts and make armors, The boys sparred regularly as Qin Li started to improve and Hartley attempted to close the gap to the 5th layer.
An open plane at night....
Hartley left Qin Li on watch and snuck into the carriage where Zhi Ruo slept. He stripped down and climbed sneakily onto the bed saying ”Ruo its me” in a soft whisper. Ruo turned to face him with a shy blush. ”Hartley we can't, Qin Li might hear us” Zhi Ruo whispered back. ”Come on Ruo its been three days, I'm gonna go mad if can't touch you tonight.”
Hartley sweet talked as he inched closer and closer.. Hartley rained kisses on her neck, Zhi Ruo lost her shame for a second as she expelled a soft moan. Then she quickly pulled herself together and said, ”you can stay and we can cuddle but nothing else.” The color drained from Hartley's face and as he was about to protest.
”Remember that night I had lady stuff?” Zhi Ruo reminded in her serious voice. It sent shivers down his back, how could he ever forget lady stuff night?. With a long face Hartley cuddled her in the dark. If he could see her face he would have seen her blooming smile of victory.