Chapter 29: Sparring (2).
Edited by: Mochiusagi
"When attacking, don’t just think about the offense, make sure to also always pay attention to the opponent’s possible counterattack. See? Your left ribcage is exposed again. Even if your opponent is only a little bit experienced, as long as his strength is equal to yours, he is likely to catch on this opening and hit your ribs..."
While speaking, Yin Xiu's right palm lightly patted Gu Shuyao's left ribcage.
Although it was only a short span of less than a minute, Yin Xiu already found so many openings in Gu Shuyao.
Moreover, Yin Xiu did not even use strength beyond Gu Shuyao’s; rather he controlled it to be at the same strength as hers. Meaning that, what he did can be done by anyone that's on the same level of strength as Gu Shuyao.
Within one minute, Yin Xiu counterattacked her no less than forty times. Gu Shuyao was already mentally prepared and knew that Yin Xiu's strength was far stronger than hers, but she did not expect that their gap was so large.
Gu Shuyao couldn't help but feel a little ashamed and annoyed.
‘Why is this man like this? I did ask him to spar with me, but could he not save me some face? Even if your strength is strong, don't 'bully' me like this!’
Gu Shuyao complained, as she was embarrassed in her heart. But in fact, she also knew that Yin Xiu didn't intentionally "bully" her, but simply pointed out her shortcomings.
But knowing was one thing, and what she's feeling was another.
In short, Gu Shuyao felt a huge blow to her pride. After continuing for about a minute, Gu Shuyao stopped.
She was panting slightly as she stared at Yin Xiu, she yelled angrily: "Let's stop, let's stop already. Hmph, this is just making me mad. It's only been a while, yet I've touched you at least sixty times already. Am I really that bad?!"
After letting her words out, Gu Shuyao stared at Yin Xiu dissatisfied. But then after a while she suddenly realized that what she said just now seemed a bit ambiguous.
What does she mean by 'touched' sixty times?
Gu Shuyao blushed suddenly, and was embarrassed.
However, seeing that Yin Xiu didn't seem to have any special reaction, and considering her frustration during this short period of training, she immediately regained her bearing and fierceness.
"You're not actually 'very' bad, however your actual combat experience is indeed lacking. I have not used power beyond your own strength for many of the counterattacks just now. Meaning that if you were facing an experienced opponent of the same level, he could also do the same things I did. Imagine what it would be like..." Yin Xiu said lightly.
Gu Shuyao bit her lower lip and said bitterly: "Let's spar again! I don't believe that you can still counterattack me! Humph!" Gu Shuyao exclaimed. She has a very strong personality to begin with, so how could she easily admit defeat?
But Yin Xiu shook his head at this time, "Wait a minute, you should analyse the words I said to you just now. Also think about the situation and look back at the fight. That way, you can improve. Otherwise, if you just keep sparring, your own understanding of actual combat will not increase by much." Although Gu Shuyao was not convinced, she wasn't unreasonable. So upon hearing Yin Xiu's advice, she followed: "Okay! Then let's take a break and let me think about it. And then we continue."
Yin Xiu smiled slightly, and said: "Good, that's the way."
The two then walked under the side of the basketball hoop and sat down. Gu Shuyao then began to recall what Yin Xiu said just now, and analysed her fight with Yin Xiu just now...
About five to six minutes later, Gu Shuyao finally stood up and said to Yin Xiu: "Okay, I have almost taken all of the information, we can continue now!"
Yin Xiu replied after seeing that Gu Shuyao was ready, "Okay, then let's continue."
After walking back to their fighting area from before, they stood opposite from each other and then Gu Shuyao immediately began to attack right after positioning herself.
This time Gu Shuyao was equipped with the knowledge from the previous fight, and also understood part of Yin Xiu's instructions to her earlier, her performance now was obviously much better than the first fight. She was no longer blindly attacking at full force, and instead surveyed for openings. She observed a total of six directions and was on guard for possible counterattacks.
Although Gu Shuyao still couldn't stop Yin Xiu from tapping different parts of her body, she was much better now than when she had no resistance at all. At least when Yin Xiu counterattacked, she could now make some reactions, such as dodge or raise her hand to resist.
If she could react and move faster, she might be able to dodge or block part of Yin Xiu's counterattack.
Progress was made in this short time.
Unknowingly, most of the morning passed.
While sparring with Gu Shuyao, Yin Xiu constantly reminded and corrected various problems that she had; such as negligence in experience, errors in response, etc.
Every time after sparring with Yin Xiu, Gu Shuyao would stop and spend a few minutes to comprehend the shortcomings Yin Xiu pointed out, and digest them.
For some places that cannot be easily understood, Gu Shuyao asked Yin Xiu for help.
Yin Xiu did not refuse and taught her hand in hand.
All in all, Gu Shuyao's actual combat ability had improved by leaps and bounds in the short period of time. Of course, if she wanted to fully digest Yin Xiu's instructions today, I am afraid it will take a while before she can actually do it.
During this two-person practice, several students and pedestrians passed by outside the gymnasium from time to time. And when they saw Yin Xiu and Gu Shuyao who were practicing inside, they couldn't help but stop and watch.
However, Yin Xiu and Gu Shuyao didn't care about them and just continued practicing on their own.
At past eleven o'clock in the morning, Gu Shuyao, who was already tired, dripping with sweat and had soaked temples, finally stopped training.
"Let’s leave it to this for now. Hooo, hooo, I’m exhausted..." Even though Gu Shuyao was already very close to the Bone Refinement Stage, she still felt exhausted after sparring against Yin Xiu for so long.
In contrast, Yin Xiu still looked relaxed. He had no trace exhaustion, not even a drop of sweat on his forehead, as if he had been sitting and resting for several hours and did nothing instead of sparring with Gu Shuyao for several hours.
"Well, that's fine. It's enough for you to practice to this level today. If you forcefully continue, you won't be able to fully understand and digest things anymore." Yin Xiu said.
"I feel so too."
Gu Shuyao exhaled, "Let's sit here and rest for a while, then I will take you out for a big meal. Thank you for sparring with me today and giving me so much guidance."
"Haha, that's fine."
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