Chapter 16 Training Begins

The palace's side hall.

In a courtyard overgrown with weeds stood dozens of upright young men. They were all orphans with clean backgrounds, carefully selected by Jing Yue.

Yang Muxi merely glanced at them before frowning in disbelief, "Jiang Chen, you're not asking me to train them, are you?"

"These are all ordinary people... You can't possibly want me to start from scratch and turn them into martial arts masters?"

"Jiang Chen, do you think I'm a god? That I can do anything?!"

Her shocked tone made Jiang Chen feel a little guilty. He touched his nose and said with a smile, "Well, this request is a bit difficult, but I believe you can definitely do it with your ability!"

As he spoke, he frowned and pretended to look pitiful, "Muxi, you saw it during the Feng Chan ceremony. Those rebel traitors have been lurking in the dark, trying to put me to death!"

"Time is tight, and I really don't have the luxury of slowly cultivating manpower."

The solemn tone softened Yang Muxi's heart, and the anger that had just risen dissipated in Jiang Chen's troubled eyes.

"Alas, I must owe you from my previous life!"

Muttering, Yang Muxi turned her gaze to the upright young men in the courtyard, examining them as she said, "These people have good foundations and are suitable for martial arts."

"But if they are to become experts in a short period of time, they can only become second-rate masters in the martial world at best, with a combat strength roughly equivalent to the head of a small sect."

"Of course, according to your plan, I will also teach them poison techniques, hidden weapons, and infiltration... In a real fight, their lethality will be at least 20% stronger than masters of the same level."

"If you're still not satisfied with this result, then I can't help it... You can ask someone else!"

Jiang Chen wasn't the kind of person who didn't know what was good for him, so naturally, he wouldn't say anything disappointing. He immediately showed a look of surprise and smiled, "This result is much better than I expected."

"Muxi, I knew you were a good helper and wouldn't let me down!"

Meeting Jiang Chen's eyes filled with trust, Yang Muxi's pretty face flushed red. She hurriedly looked away and lowered her head, saying, "We're talking about serious business, you, you be serious!"

"Also, I'm not your good helper. You're dreaming if you want me to be as obedient to you as the women in the palace!"

Looking at Yang Muxi's resistant appearance, a hint of amusement flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes.

Her mouth said one thing, but her body was very honest, always running around for him... However, there was no need to point that out.

This girl had a stubborn temper. If he teased her too much, she might run away, and it would be difficult to catch her again.

Thinking, Jiang Chen straightened his expression and said, "Okay, okay, I understand. I'll definitely pay attention in the future. Let's not talk about these things for now; let's talk about serious business."

Smoothly changing the subject, he asked with a serious expression, "Muxi, how long will it take at the shortest to train them into the kind of experts you mentioned?"

When it came to serious business, Yang Muxi also put away those girlish thoughts. After calculating for a few breaths, she said decisively, "Four months."

"Their foundations are too poor. Even if I personally take charge, it will take at least four months to see results!"

As soon as she said this, Jiang Chen and Jing Yue beside him changed color, and they were extremely shocked.

This result really exceeded their expectations greatly.

In just four months, an ordinary person could be trained into a martial arts master?!

If it weren't Yang Muxi who said this, they would definitely throw anyone who dared to make such wild claims directly into prison.

Suppressing the surprise and excitement in his heart, Jiang Chen stepped forward and held Yang Muxi's shoulders, "Good, very good!"

"You can ask me for anything you need, whether it's medicinal herbs, venues, or secret manuals... Just ask for whatever you need, and I will fully support you and never let you suffer."

The caring words warmed Yang Muxi's heart.

Although she didn't value these material possessions, Jiang Chen's attitude of not taking advantage of her made her feel comfortable. At least it showed that he wasn't using their friendship to take advantage of her.

"No need, I have these myself."

"You've been in Mount Tai for so long, you should have accumulated a lot of government affairs, right? Don't worry about setting up the Imperial City Division (Huangcheng Si). I can handle it myself."

After speaking, Yang Muxi turned her gaze to the courtyard again and said faintly, "During the training period, I will take these people away. I'll come back after four months with the results. You're not allowed to interfere during this period."

"Take them away? You're leaving the palace?!" Jiang Chen was a little reluctant.

Yang Muxi didn't have so much sentimentality and casually replied, "Yes, the palace is big, but it's not suitable for these people to practice martial arts."

"Aren't you going to train them into the sharpest blade in your hand? If they don't experience danger, how can they shoulder this great responsibility?"

Hearing this, Jiang Chen no longer insisted. This was indeed the truth.

"Alright, I'll listen to you, but... I won't be able to see you for these four months?" His tone was low, and his eyes were full of reluctance.

Yang Muxi couldn't stand such a gaze, and a touch of heartache surfaced on her pretty face, "Four months will pass quickly, you just have to wait a little while."

"If you really miss me, you can have your subordinates send a message, and I will overcome all difficulties to see you."

"Then, is that a promise?" Jiang Chen held Yang Muxi's jade hand and gazed at her clear, watery eyes.

"To be honest, I'm a little uneasy right now and really need a promise, otherwise, I really won't be willing to let you go."

The domineering words made Yang Muxi's heart beat wildly. She only felt that the hand Jiang Chen was holding was so hot that it was about to burn.

Flustered, she said, "Yes, that's a promise. I, I'll come back as soon as possible and won't keep you waiting too long."

"What else?" Jiang Chen was not satisfied and took another step closer.

The overly intimate distance completely enveloped Yang Muxi in his tall figure. From the side, the two almost looked like they were embracing.

But Yang Muxi, who was usually strong and resisted Jiang Chen's advances, was now unusually obedient.

Standing quietly in place, allowing their breaths to mingle, she whispered, "Also, as long as you want to see me, I'll come back to find you."

Getting a definite answer, Jiang Chen smiled contentedly and quickly planted a kiss on her forehead before Yang Muxi could react.

Then, he retreated before she could explode and strode toward the Imperial City Division (Huangcheng Si) recruits in the courtyard, giving them a dignified lecture and instructing them to obey Yang Muxi's command unconditionally.

His nonchalant appearance made Yang Muxi grit her teeth, but she was too embarrassed to step forward and interrupt, so she could only silently endure his frivolousness.

After dealing with the trivial matters, Yang Muxi bid farewell to Jiang Chen that evening and prepared to take her people out of the palace to train.

Jiang Chen personally escorted her to the palace gate, and the two walked hand in hand side by side along the way.

But even the longest road has an end.

Watching the receding silhouette, Jiang Chen stood on the imperial road for a long time without turning back...