Chapter 136: Class Begins

Jia Zhengjin truly admired Christina’s master. To have raised her all this way without ever teaching her the difference between men and women—or even the most basic common knowledge of life—was simply unbelievable! Were ascetic priests really that extreme? Did they truly spend every waking moment of their lives focused solely on cultivation? What was the point of that?

Because of last night’s awkward incident, Jia Zhengjin and Tina were both certain that Christina was a simple-minded girl who knew less than a village child; aside from her cultivation, her grasp of basic common sense was practically zero. She wasn't unintelligent—otherwise, she wouldn't have mastered so many light-based spells—but she was severely lopsided, with a mind seemingly occupied by nothing but asceticism.

If Jia Zhengjin were her teacher, he certainly wouldn't feel comfortable letting such a student out into the world. As she was, she would likely be sold by someone on the side of the road and end up counting the money for them.

He had intended to talk to her this morning to explain the differences and boundaries between men and women, hoping to prevent her from doing anything else foolish. However, she had been deep in meditation since daybreak and wouldn't respond to his calls, so he had to give up.

"Tina, why don't you and Pelin teach her some basic common sense later?" Jia Zhengjin called for his wife. "Otherwise, she might just barge in again tonight asking more bizarre questions!"

"Giggle! I know!" Tina burst into laughter, recalling the embarrassed look on her husband’s face in front of Christina the previous night.

"Don't you dare teach her anything strange!" Jia Zhengjin reached out and playfully flicked Tina on the forehead.

"Understood!" Tina mischievously wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his lips.

"Alright! Stay home and look after this clueless girl; I have work to do," Jia Zhengjin said, setting his wife down.

"What are you doing today?" Tina asked curiously.

Jia Zhengjin thought for a moment. "I need to replenish the total number of Kobolds in the mines and the city, then hire some Bee Warriors. As usual, I’ll craft some weapons, armor, and necklaces. Oh, right—I can craft iron bracelets now, too. In short, I'll use a small amount of materials to level up my various manufacturing skills, then upgrade the arrow towers. In the afternoon, I’ll lead the men to begin building the second wall to expand the city’s total area and defensive works."

"Sounds like a busy day," Tina said, holding his hand. "Remember to be home on time for dinner! I’ll have something delicious ready for you."

"I will," Jia Zhengjin nodded.

"Oh, right!" Tina added just as he was heading downstairs. "Keen, how do you plan to deal with Alex?"

Jia Zhengjin paused. "Alex? I had almost forgotten about him. That guy is a menace; letting him go last time only ended up bringing the city guards to our doorstep."

"The guards would have come regardless of whether you let him go or not—it was only a matter of time," Pelin said, emerging from the room with a stoic expression.

"True," Jia Zhengjin agreed. He looked at Tina and Pelin and asked, "What do you think I should do with him?"

"You've already let him go once; you've done your duty," Tina said, looking at her husband. "If you don't mind, you could offer him a chance to challenge you and then try to subdue him."

"Forget it," Jia Zhengjin shook his head. "Him?"

"Then handle him according to the standards for prisoners of war," Tina suggested.

"And what are those standards?"

"Execution," Tina replied.

"Whoa! I wouldn't be surprised to hear that from Pelin, but hearing it from you, Tina, is hard to believe!" Jia Zhengjin looked at his wife in astonishment. In his mind, Tina didn't have such a cold side.

"I can't help it," Tina said, pouting. "After all, you’re my husband now, and your safety is the only thing I should be concerned about."

"Indeed," Pelin added, nodding from the sidelines.

Jia Zhengjin felt a bit touched. "Don't worry, Tina! I'll handle the situation with Alex myself. You and Pelin stay home and give Christina a proper education."

"Understood! Come home early, Keen!" Tina and Pelin stood side by side, seeing him out the door.

Once he was gone, Tina and Pelin returned to Christina’s door.

"Pelin, let’s play the role of teachers and give the little girl inside a proper lesson!" A mischievous smile appeared on Tina's face.

"Master Keen said we shouldn't teach her anything strange," Pelin replied, looking at Tina expressionlessly.

"We aren't teaching her anything strange!" Tina laughed. "We are going to teach her the things every girl ought to know."

"I have a feeling your smile is full of mischief," Pelin said. After spending time with her, she had begun to realize that while Tina appeared sweet, she was anything but. Her sweetness was reserved for Keen, and when he was away, her hidden, playful nature would sneak out.

"Don't worry about it!" Tina grabbed Pelin’s hand. "We’re good sisters, aren't we?"

"Yes," Pelin conceded.

"So, we must work together to educate Christina properly!" Tina winked playfully. "Deal?"

Pelin looked into Tina's eyes for a long moment before nodding. "Fine!"

With their plan set, the two entered Christina’s room. Christina was still in deep meditation, completely unaware of her surroundings.

"Wakey-wakey," Tina said, taking a feather and gently stroking Christina’s fair, delicate neck.

However, in her meditative state, Christina completely ignored the incredibly ticklish attack.

Tina folded her arms with the feather still in hand and exchanged a glance with Pelin. "She won't wake up! What do we do?"

"Douse her with cold water?" Pelin suggested with a blank face.

"Pelin, you’re too mean! That would be so rude!" Tina giggled behind her hand, then had a sudden flash of inspiration. "Wait here!"

Pelin watched as Tina skipped to the kitchen, wondering what she was up to. A moment later, Tina returned with a steaming plate of honey-glazed grilled fish and a nectar drink. Pelin asked, "Will this work?"

"It will definitely work!" Tina’s face beamed with confidence. "Because for Christina, this is her inner demon!"

As she spoke, she set the tray down, picked up the honey-glazed fish, and waved it in front of Christina while gently blowing the aroma toward her. Christina’s small, firm nose twitched.

"Heh heh!" Tina then picked up the nectar drink, opened the lid, and waved it back and forth under her nose.

"The scent of... my inner demon..." A trail of drool hung from the corner of Christina’s mouth as she slowly opened her eyes.

"Christina, class is in session!" Tina beamed at her. "Teacher Tina and Teacher Pelin are here to teach you everything a girl needs to know!"