"Let's go, while you don't have a demon core, continue practicing," Chu Qi chuckled.
"But there's no swimming pool here," I replied.
"Idiot, isn't there the sea!"
Right!
We arrived at the dark harbor with her. The water was relatively still and calm. The tide was also going out. We took off our outer clothes and entered the sea. We could just stand on the deck of a warship, our chests level with the water surface.
After reviewing the splashing and striking movements practiced last time, Chu Qi proposed a new requirement, asking me to practice kicking movements in the water. Punching in the water was easier, as my arms would emerge from the water by the time I reached the upper half of the swing. However, for kicking, my legs were underwater for the entire duration. Legs are much thicker than arms, so the resistance was immense. I could barely generate any speed even with the simplest front foot kick.
"Then block properly," Chu Qi stepped forward, hands behind her back, and gestured for me to do the same. Then, she kicked me underwater. I could only lift my calves and use the muscles on the outside of my lower legs to block. These muscles were not afraid of being kicked.
At first, Chu Qi's speed was slow, and I could still adapt. But as her underwater attacks became more ferocious, I started to struggle to keep up. I took several solid kicks. The last one was the most fatal, aimed directly at my vital parts. My mind went blank for a moment, and I actually tried to clamp her attacking foot with both my legs. Unfortunately, I was a step too late and was kicked.
I doubled over in pain and curled up into a ball like a turtle retracting into its shell, sinking into the water. I sat on the warship's deck and was helped up.
Chu Qi stood in place without any pity. She was Instructor Shabiya, having taught so many students. There must have been many male students, so she would definitely know this kind of pain for boys. Seeing her indifferent attitude, I was relieved. It meant it was likely just a momentary pain and wouldn't cause any substantial harm.
Indeed, after a while, the pain subsided. I stood up from the water and continued to spar with her.
After about half an hour of practice, Chu Qi finally let me come ashore. I thought it would be more push-ups, but it wasn't. Chu Qi told me to put on my clothes, shoes, and socks. On the flat ground by the shore, I repeated the offensive and defensive movements from the water. Without the resistance of the water, Chu Qi's kicks were faster and sharper. It felt like if I were actually hit, without defending, my leg bones could break.
She kicked me, forcing me to retreat while raising my knees to block. On land, Chu Qi's kicks were much heavier. Before long, she had forced me into a corner. Looking at the outside of my thighs and calves, they were bruised and battered, a gruesome sight.
Chu Qi stopped to drink water. I quickly rubbed my muscles hard with my hands to relieve the pain.
"You don't have to. I'll apply the medicine for you later," Chu Qi said dismissively.
"What medicine?"
"No medicine, no practice," Chu Qi revealed a little, then continued!
Only when the afterglow of the sunset reflected on the sea of the dark harbor did we finish. I limped towards the castle, feeling that every step of the stairs was difficult to climb. I finally returned to my room and collapsed on the bed, not wanting to get up anymore.
Before long, Chu Qi came in, holding a small, unlabeled glass bottle. She poured out some medicinal liquid and rubbed it warm in her palms before applying it to the bruised areas on the outside of my legs. There was a strong scent of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, but it wasn't too unpleasant thanks to the addition of mint.
After application, my skin felt intensely hot, almost like being splashed with chili water. After a moment, it felt cool. Then, the hot and cold sensations disappeared, replaced by an unprecedented feeling of comfort.
"There, can you use it now? If you can, I'll leave it for you," Chu Qi placed the small bottle on my bedside table.
"No, I can't," I said quickly. "My flexibility isn't good, and after practicing, my hands can't reach. It's much more comfortable when little master applies it."
Chu Qi pouted but didn't object, putting the small medicine bottle back.