The Birth of the War Goddess

-Push!- says the General blocking the feet of a guy -You need to use more strength!-

-But Sir... I do not have any more left- -That's because you are unfocused! Close your eyes and feel the strength from inside-

-H how?-

-Tz! Youngsters these days... You there! Rise your arm!... Nevermind... We'll have now a full morning of Qigong training! Get ready everyone sit down!-

-Is it like meditation...?- whisper Hua

-Not exactly... It does involve meditation but it's not just to find yourself or a specific answer.

It is more of a moment where you stop thinking about anything and take your time with determinated exercises along breathing methods to find the equilibrium with the elements, the Yin and the Yang...

It should help you feeling more connected with the earth and the skies along with amplificating your senses, which of course includes strength too...

I suppose our instructor want us to overflow with Qi-

-I heard very few peoples in history managed to achieve such power, being one with the Qi... I read about a soldier who foght a whole army alone with closed eyes and smiling to the gods...- add Wei whispering

-Well said you there- giggles the General seating down

-Who is he talking about?- -No idea...- -Have you said something?-

-Not a word, you?-

A few guys star murmuring

-Miss Ying... Yeah exactly what you are thinking... The woman, as you all like to point out...

Come here Ying ChangLai... I want to see if you not only know in words what you say but can act it too-

I approach where the General is staying and as I'm doing so he throws a spear toward m.

I dodge it while moving my hand to turn the spear back, using the inertia to rotate it, sending the point to stick in the ground

-Impressive...-

I come to stand on his little stage, take it from the ground and bend down as I give him back the spear...

He then begins making us all exercise on different positions, having me as an example in the front.

First of all breathing exercises to calm the mind and find one's mental equilibrium...

Then the Yi Jin Jing to improve flexibility and strength

Followed by the Ba Duan Jin to cultivate vital energy

Ending with the Wu Quin Xi to improve one's balance through the imitation of wild animals... It consists in 5 animals representing each an element: Wood for tiger, Water for deer, Earth for bear, Fire for monkey and Metal for bird

For each animal there are two exercises, one according to the Yin essence and one according to Yang essence...

...

-You are all discharged... Go have some food- the guys all begin chatting and slowly drift away

-Not you Miss Ying-

-Mhm sure- I nod coming back to his side on the stage

Out of curiosity Xiao hides behind a tree listening to the conversation

-You have a lot of potential soldier... The Qi flow is strong in you... It just need a push to overflow...-

-In my humility, if I can say it, it's just the years of training who got me to this point-

-Training, studying and practice are all indeed necessary to be a good soldier as your comrades are... But something in you is different-

-I hope my gender didn't cloud the General eyes-

-I understand what you mean... And no, I'm not thinking that if you reached so far is only thanks to Qi, I do recognize your own value and strength...

I'm saying that you could be an extremely rare subject, Miss Ying, as a soldier, not as a woman.

Your comrades in this section all received some kind of training in their noble studies but nobody of then would be able to predict where an arrow is landing,, only relying on their ears while running on a tree...-

"She really did that...?!" Think the young man with his eyes wide open

-Not even Dong Hu?-

-Oh that soldier... He's indeed capable but Qi is not with him... He has a strong will in him to compensate for it, but there is no peace in his heart...-

-So there is another way to achieve strength beside training?-

-Yes... But it is too much of a risk so we are not going to offer such a path to just anyone in our army.

Control and Peace of mind are our priority while fighting.

Martial arts and its ways are not only meant for killing on the battlefield or to win over a land, I'm sure you feel the same way-

-I do-

-Well then... I would like you to always practice Qigong exercises when going back to your room.

Maybe one day I will have you learn how to cultivate too, but one step at a time...

Now go and fill your stomach soldier... Both of you!- he rise his voice, making himself be heard from Xiao hiding

-I'm sure you knew too he was here-

I sigh looking at his figure running away scared -Yes... I did-

...

-Oh here you are... What did the general want?-

-Ah nothing just talking about my achievements- I say seating down... A bit far away Xiao walks lost in thought with his bowl in hand, once his eyes meet mine he turn away with a troubled expression.

Hua notice that too

-Something's wrong Lai'Er?- -We'll talk later...- -Oh sure...-

-So what do we have next? I forgot how the schedule was for weapons...-

-We should be having sword today I believe...-

-Ah sad... I wanted the horse training-

-Yeah me too-

...

At night we throw ourselves in the Bathtub -Ah! I'm so tired... Fortunately tomorrow we have free night!-

-Do you guys have plans? I was thinking of going to see the fireworks together if you all agree- ask Wei

-Why are there fireworks?- I look at him

-It's the the Qixi festival have you forgot?!-

-To think we will be feasting between us hahah so lame!- goes Shun

-Ah don't tell me... I so miss those white Lotus in my city's brothel...- cries Kasuo

-Oh that feast... Yeah right... I just hate that day so much that I forgot, not having my mother stressing me the whole month- I sink more in the water, feeling the dizzying warmth

-I actually have something to do... I can't come with you guys-

-Again Hua? even last week you said that when we all went to eat street food together...-

-Sorry... But I told you... I'm using my free time to practice what I feel like lacking during the week-

-It's fine it's fine... We don't want to force you, well next time maybe!-

Hua looks away twisting his hands... "He's nervous...?".

-By the way guys! Have you seen this?!- Kasuo stand up hitting his abs -To think in just one month here I sculpted myself so much! Hahaha it's not that bad then-

-Look at my arms then! Hehe I am a real man now!-

-A real man with such a tiny unused di...- -Don't you dare!- splash him Wei making everyone laugh.

Once we get into our rooms I begin training my breathing in front of my bed

-What is she doing...?-

-I don't know... Meditation?-

I open one eye -Qigong... And if you wants to improve, you should all do too-

-But it's boring as hell!- complaints Kasuo

-Had anyone told you it can improve a man lasting time in bed...?- mocks him Shun

-Shut up guys I'm focusing!- he replies already seated with crossed legs

-Was that even true?- I ask to Shun who's coming to exercise by my side

-Of course no... So then Miss, what's the reason of this unplanned training?-

-The General says he see some kind of potential in me so... Here I am-

-Mmh I understand... Well as roommates we should stand with you... It's not like we won't gain any benefit in some silence- he chuckles looking at Kasuo all focused in his meditation