Charles and his squad returned to their living quarters with a bowl of millet porridge each and sat down on the table to eat together. "Captain, where did you learn to move so quickly?! I couldn't even see how you beat Zhou Huang!" Dong Jian asked curiously as he ate "It's just something I learned, though we all did get a technique from the vice commander correct?" Charles asks as he moves the topic away from "Dashing Rabbit Strikes". Luo Cheng who had given up on trying to figure out how Charles had beaten all 4 of them by himself without even breaking a sweat placed 5 books on the table. "Yes, the vice commander seemed to call it a breathing technique. Apparently, all soldiers in the army will receive this technique. From what I heard it was made by one of the great generals in the past." Luo Cheng said as he flipped through one of them.
"Captain, do you know what we are supposed to do with this book?" Chen Lei asked as he looked at Charles with respect. "Well from what I can tell this breathing technique should be able to improve our bodies. We should try our best to understand and learn it." Charles said as he picked up the book to look at it. "I cannot see how reading a book would improve one's strength." Zhong Huang grumbled, still hurt by how easily he lost to Charles. "Don't be like that Zhong Huang, give it a try! Anyways there is nothing to lose from a little reading!" Dong Jian smiled as he looked at the book. After an hour of reading, Luo Cheng closed the book "I can barely understand anything from this damn book! What in the world is "Make your breathing one with your actions"?! Does that mean I have to breathe heavily when I strike and softly when I don't? Won't that just make your breathing erratic and make you lose strength easily?!" Luo Cheng shouted angrily as he looked at the technique.
How could any of them learn this if the technique seemed so flawed?! While Charles too was thinking the same Janko finally appeared again "Oh looks like your somewhere new! You're finally out of that damned arena!" Janko rejoiced. 'Janko! I thought you had disappeared!' Charles said to Janko in his mind so that the other 4 wouldn't hear their conversation. "So where are you now? Give me an update!" Janko asked 'Right now I'm at a barracks, I've joined the army!' Charles replied. "You what?! Are you insane?! Why in the world would you do that?!" Janko shouted in shock 'Calm down! It was not like I had a choice! The arena master sent me here! Weren't you still awake at that time?' Charles replied. "I slept after you chose that weapon you have on your waist. Just when I thought you were out of danger you went right back into it." Janko sighed
'Since you are here Janko could you help me with this breathing technique?' Charles asks as he starts flipping through it. "Alright, let's give it a shot!" Janko said as he looked at the technique and immediately said "Who in the world made this technique?! It's pretty much useless! If one trained this they would have some increase in body strength but if one was to continue this their breathing would go out of control and their stamina would deplete easily!" Janko said 'Then what should I do? The army seems to want us to learn this!' Charles asks "Hmm give me an hour to think about how to fix this useless technique! I will figure something out!" Janko said 'Got it thanks, Janko!' Charles gratefully said.
"Captain? Are you ok?" Chen Lei asked as he looked at Charles who seemed a bit out of it. "Oh, I'm fine Chen Lei. Just thinking about how to fix this technique," Charles said. "Let's stop thinking about the technique, for now. let's talk about something else" Charles suggested. "I agree, this book isn't going to improve us overnight." Luo Cheng said as he puts the book down. "So, what should we talk about?" Chen Lei asked. "What have you guys heard recently? Anything about upcoming battles?" Charles asked. "I don't know of any new battles coming up, but I do know that there was a battle a few days ago. Apparently, bandits tried to raid the town, but the soldiers managed to get rid of them." Dong Jian said.
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Just as they were talking about the current situation Chen Lei realized something. "Captain! You need to grab some new clothes!" he said as he looked at how Charles was still wearing his dirty hemp clothing. Charles heard this and looked at the 4 people in front of him. All 4 of them were wearing clean hemp robes and pants which made him a bit embarrassed. 'I was so busy trying to figure them out that I didn't even notice my own clothes!' he thought and quickly asks "Chen Lei, where can I go to get new ones?" "Umm, you'll have to go outside of the barracks, there's a tailor that sells clothes." Chen Lei replied.
"Ah, how about this? Why don't we accompany the captain to pick out clothes? He's new to the region so he doesn't know the types of clothing, here right? Let's help him!" Dong Jian suggested. "Mhm, sounds like a reasonable plan! It's a better use of our time than to sit here all day!" Luo Cheng said, "Yes it would be much better than this." Zhong Huang agreed. "Alright, Captain let's go!" Chen Lei said and all 5 of them headed out of the barracks. As they walked past the soldiers guarding the gates to the barracks Charles thought ', So the soldiers can come in and leave at any time. It's good to know this now.'
As they walked the dirt streets they could see normal people carrying out their daily routines and it gave Charles a pleasant feeling, it felt like he was back in his village. Luo Cheng then asked Charles about the fight "Captain, what did you do to be able to fight so well? It looked like you were a veteran!" Luo Cheng said "I gained my experience from fighting 2 life or death fights. I don't consider myself a good fighter yet though. What about you? The strategy you came up with during the fight was quite good!" Charles said. "That strategy was nothing when faced against you though" Luo Cheng sighed "On the bright side Luo Cheng! The man that has destroyed your strategy is now our captain! So, cheer up!" Dong Jian said.
"We are here captain!" Chen Lei said as they stopped at a store that has a sign outside that says "Tailor." The 5 of them walked inside and saw an old man sitting at the counter looking at a long piece of paper. "We are looking for some clothes for our captain!" Chen Lei said as he looked at the old man. "Hmph, you don't need to be so darn loud! I heard you come in so wait!" He shouted in an odd accent as he places the long piece of paper down. "Alright then what are you looking for? If you don't get any money, you aren't getting anything!" The old man says as he sizes up Chen Lei. "I was wondering if you had any clothes for silver!" Chen Lei asked
"A silver? You're rather generous for a young boy! Well, then you can pretty much take whatever yah like from the racks. All handmade by yours truly! All made with the best materials for their price!" The old man said as he took out a hemp shirt that didn't show any stitching that was usual on cheap hemp clothes. "You see this? This is real quality here! Normally you'd see some of the sewings on the clothes, but with this one all of it is hidden! The ladies will love this I'll tell you! It's only 20 bronzes for it!" The old man said as he showed the shirt to him.
"Oh! Captain, what do you think? I think it would look good on you!" Chen Lei said as he looked behind him. "It doesn't really feel right for me to buy stuff for myself with your money, I should try to get some money before buying clothes," Charles said as he felt bad that he had to use someone else's money. "Do not worry about it! You are our captain, so it is fine! You need to look good out in battle anyways!" Dong Jian said, "It would strengthen morale if you had a more dashing look to you." Luo Cheng commented while Zhong Huang nodded in agreement. But just as they were talking the old man suddenly frowned.
"You mean to say your buying clothes for this foreigner?" The old man asks as he stares at Charles with his eyes frowned. "Well yes! HIs clothes right now aren't in best shape, so we thought of getting him some new ones!" Chen Lei said. "Hmph! I will not sell my clothes to foreigners! Get out! I do not want to see him in or anywhere near my shop! I do not care where you 5 are from just get out!" The old man shouted angrily.