Chapter 12: Encountering Goblins

Chapter 12: Chapter 12: Encountering Goblins

Zhao Chi looked at the woman.

He opened her detailed information.

[Name] Tang Ruan, Age: 18

[Appearance: 7] Flower-like Face and Moon-like Beauty

[Figure] 86E, 54, 88

[Loyalty: 4] Content

[Constitution: 6] Commendable

[Power: 5] Just Right

[Agility: 4] Unremarkable

[Intelligence: 3] Insignificant

[Personality] Docile, Hardworking

[State] Newborn: Just born and body is still very weak. Talent has not yet fully activated. Requires a large amount of food to replenish Energy. The Newborn state will disappear after eating to fullness.

’Just as I thought.’

Her Appearance was one point higher than the other female villagers.

It was the "Flower-like Face and Moon-like Beauty" rating.

’Her name is Tang Ruan?’

’That doesn’t seem like a conventional name.’

’But it doesn’t matter.’

Her figure was indeed quite good.

Zhao Chi didn’t need the data; he had already seen for himself.

’Are all the members of the Peach Blossom Human Race like this?’

Zhao Chi checked the stats of the others.

The others’ Attributes and figures were all normal.

’It seems this Tang Ruan is an exception.’

Aside from her prominent Appearance and figure, her Attributes were also higher than the others.

Her Total Attributes were already at 18.

Once she ate a meal, she would be past the newborn period.

Her Attributes would increase significantly, possibly even exceeding 24 points.

And her personality wasn’t bad either.

Docile and hardworking.

Both were good qualities.

She was an 18-year-old sweet and gentle woman, who was also docile and hardworking.

Practically perfect.

’Very good.’

’In that case, I can focus on developing Tang Ruan.’

However, she was just an ordinary villager for now.

She had no Skills.

He would just have to wait for her to grow over time.

Zhao Chi then checked Gu Qing’s Attributes.

Gu Qing’s Attributes were as expected; all her stats were still high.

Perhaps because she was a Hero, her Attributes hadn’t been lowered upon her ’birth’.

Zhao Chi suddenly had an idea.

’Can I still use Transplantation to transfer their Attributes?’

He tried it at once.

But there was no reaction, no matter how many times he tried.

That was to be expected.

’It seems this Talent has its limits after all.’

Before long, all the women had finished bathing.

With no towels, they walked to the bank dripping wet, letting the water run off them naturally.

They forcefully wrung out their long hair, squeezing out most of the water before giving it a final shake.

Just then, Gu Qing walked over unsteadily.

"Lord, everyone has finished bathing. Shall we head back?"

Zhao Chi nodded. "Alright. You lead the group back. I’ll cover the rear."

"Alright, thank you, my Lord."

The women all picked up their tools.

They made their way back cautiously.

Zhao Chi truly did cover the rear.

After all, the rear of the column was the most dangerous position.

A short while later, they returned without incident.

After returning, the women began making clothes.

They carefully took apart Zhao Chi’s bedsheet and duvet cover.

Then, they divided the tasks and worked together,

sewing them into simple garments.

The cotton from inside the comforter was also useful. It could be sewn and compressed to make soles, providing everyone with a pair of cloth shoes.

Zhao Chi also had Sewing Skills.

But this sort of Simple Sewing didn’t require his attention.

He had a more important job to do.

Cooking.

He needed to get these villagers out of their Newborn State as quickly as possible.

"Gu Qing, I’m going to the river to get water for some porridge. You’re in charge here."

Gu Qing was squatting on the ground, sewing.

Hearing Zhao Chi’s words, she handed her work to the woman beside her.

"My Lord, are you going alone? Won’t that be dangerous? I’ll go with you."

Zhao Chi shook his head. "No need. You’re needed more here. The river isn’t far, and I’ll be back quickly."

Gu Qing thought for a moment. "Tang Ruan, you go with the Lord. The two of you can watch out for each other."

Tang Ruan set aside the cloth in her hands.

She stood up and said, "Alright, Sister Gu. Lord, I’ll go with you."

Zhao Chi considered it. That would be fine.

So, Zhao Chi carried the pot and his Firewood Knife.

Tang Ruan held a basin and was equipped with a Fish Spear.

The two of them set off, walking side by side.

Being alone with Zhao Chi this time, Tang Ruan actually seemed a bit more relaxed.

She wasn’t so shy and reserved.

It was as if she was trying to learn from Gu Qing’s carefree manner.

But she was clearly still shy, a rosy blush constantly on her cheeks.

Zhao Chi thought for a moment. This wasn’t right.

"Tang Ruan, wait a second."

Zhao Chi stopped and placed the pot on the grass.

"Oh, alright."

Tang Ruan obediently stopped.

She watched Zhao Chi curiously.

Then she saw Zhao Chi... taking off his clothes.

Tang Ruan’s eyes widened in astonishment.

’Lord Zhao Chi... What is he doing?’

’It’s just the two of us... He’s not going to...’

At this thought, Tang Ruan stared blankly at Zhao Chi, frozen to the spot.

Zhao Chi took off his outer shirt, leaving him in just a tank top.

"Alright, here."

Tang Ruan stared at him nervously. "Here? For what? My Lord... do you... want... me?"

"Huh?" Zhao Chi held out his shirt. "No, I’m giving *this* to you."

’Isn’t that the same thing?’

Tang Ruan woodenly took the shirt.

Her brows furrowed as she bit her lip.

She looked at Zhao Chi with a pitiful expression.

Zhao Chi asked, perplexed, "What’s wrong? Why the long face? Do you not like my shirt? Once we’ve done some Hunting, we can make you a new one from Beast Hide."

"It’s not that I dislike the shirt..."

Tang Ruan was still hesitant.

’Maybe... I should just go along with it?’

It seemed her docile personality was kicking in.

She finally let out a soft sigh.

Her body relaxed, as if she had resigned herself to her fate.

She put down the basin, then spread Zhao Chi’s shirt out flat on the grass.

Then she slowly lay down on it.

Her eyes were shut tight, her whole body trembling with tension.

Zhao Chi stared at her, stunned.

"What are you doing?"

’Huh?’

Tang Ruan opened her eyes.

She saw the look on Zhao Chi’s face—he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

"My Lord, you..."

"I told you to put on the shirt. Why are you lying down? Are you tired?"

"Huh? HUH?!!"

Tang Ruan shrieked and buried her face in her hands.

Zhao Chi saw that her cheeks and neck had turned a deep shade of pink.

’Is she embarrassed?’

’It’s actually pretty cute.’

"Oh dear... oh dear..."

Tang Ruan scrambled to her feet, her face beet red.

She picked up Zhao Chi’s shirt and quickly put it on.

"Thank you for the shirt, my Lord."

Zhao Chi chuckled. "Don’t mention it. Let’s get going."

"Mhm... Oh, honestly..."

Tang Ruan shook her head as she walked, trying to banish the embarrassing memory.

RUSTLE! RUSTLE!

In the midst of her embarrassment, a faint sound of footsteps came from nearby.

Zhao Chi turned his head to look.

He didn’t see anything.

’Was it just the wind?’

"Tang Ruan, did you hear something?"

Tang Ruan nodded, her face still red. "Yeah, it sounds like footsteps over there... Oh no, could it be a wild animal?"

Zhao Chi narrowed his eyes.

"It’s fine, don’t be nervous. I can see them. It’s just three little thieves."

"Three little thieves?" Tang Ruan followed Zhao Chi’s gaze.

Suddenly, her body shuddered.

"My Lord, those are three Goblins!"

Zhao Chi smiled. "I know. To me, that’s all they are—little thieves."

"My Lord, can we win?"

"Don’t worry. I guarantee you won’t get a single scratch."

Hearing this, Tang Ruan’s anxiety eased a bit.

"Okay. I believe in you, my Lord."

The three Goblins were still lingering in the distance.

They hadn’t charged forward yet.

Zhao Chi opened the system to check his own Attributes.

’My Attributes had better not be acting up at a time like this.’

[Name] Zhao Chi

[Title] Intern Lord

[Gender] Male

[Level] Level 0

[Race] Human

[Age] 20

[Appearance: 5] Refined Features

[Constitution: 5] Just Right

[Power: 5] Just Right

[Agility: 5] Just Right

[Intelligence: 5] Just Right

[Skills] Encourage

[Talents] Female Scholar, Transplantation

[Abilities] Swordsmanship 10, Shield Skill 10

(Encourage: Consumes 10 Spiritual Power to increase Morale by 10%.)

His information hadn’t changed.

His Attributes were all 5.

Zhao Chi had deliberately trained them to be this way.

It wasn’t that he had a preference for the number 5.

Rather, training them up to 6 would have required a massive amount of practice and been too time-consuming.

Besides, an Attribute score of 5 wasn’t weak.

It was a perfectly competent level.

If anything, it was the Peach Blossom Human Race he created that was too strong.

By comparison, Zhao Chi seemed a little weak.

But with 5 points in his Attributes, he was more than equipped for the current situation.