Chapter 106: The Long Run
Princess Bang-gwi and most of the others that were there took that day off. Seeing the stage again the next morning, Princess Bang-gwi couldn't help but imagine the scene of the execution from yesterday morning. Many of the others had trouble looking at the stage as well.
"Good morning soldiers!" Marquis Mehhnk barked from the stage, "Yesterday most of you had your first experience with killing. I don't expect any of you to be used to it after one experience, but if you think you are, please form up on this side and follow me after announcements and you will be exempt from training today after you pass a little test. The rest of you will go with… Lady Chuhan, might I trouble you to lead the other group for cardio training in my stead? We're short on senior staff."
Chuhan Jwi looked surprised at Marquis Mehhnk's question, but said calmly, "As long as the Princess is in that group I will not have a problem with it." She glanced over at the Princess and saw the Princess nod at her. "In that case I have no problem with it, I'll see if they can keep up."
Chuhan Jwi then took off her coat and track pants revealing her short biker shorts and tank top that exposed her stomach. Her well-toned abs and thigh muscles were visible from a good distance with the light sheen of sweat from her earlier workout.
Naturally, a lot of the guys whistled and even some of the girls said she looked amazing.
Princess Bang-gwi couldn't keep her mouth shut though and said, "She looks that amazing and is single guys and girls!"
Chuhan Jwi smiled with a hidden killing intent and asked Marquis Mehhnk, "Will they be needed for anything else today?"
"No ma'am, do your worst." Marquis Mehhnk said with a knowing smile.
"I wouldn't have it any other way…"
Princess Bang-gwi felt a chill run down her spine and then noticed everyone looking at her, some with hate, and some with pity.
"Alright, those that are coming with me, follow me, those that are going with Lady Chuhan, loosen up and get ready for a workout!"
Xiǎng Pigu leaned over towards Princess Bang-gwi and said, "Haven't you learned yet not to pick on her age or marital status?"
"I'm not picking on her! I'm trying to promote her! I'm sure she would want to pick up a hot younger guy or girl, she has the looks for it!"
"Why would she pick up a girl?"
"Um, I don't know, we've never talked about her preferences so I just assume it could be either. Are you interested in her?" Princess Bang-gwi said teasingly to Xiǎng Pigu.
"O-Of course not! I think of her as a big sister! Not quite a mother, but I feel she is reliable and easy to talk to."
"I know what you mean, she's always been there for me. I feel that if the world ended, she would still be there."
Xiǎng Pigu nodded in agreement, then Vincent walked over to them. "What are you two chattering about so early?"
"How reliable Lady Chuhan is." Xiǎng Pigu said plainly.
"I have to agree, I find her very reliable, attractive, and an ideal woman." Vincent said plainly
Princess Bang-gwi and Xiǎng Pigu giggled when they heard Vincent say this.
"What? What's so funny? I respect Lady Chuhan!" Vincent said defensively
"It's ok Vinnie! I'd have a crush on her too if she wasn't like an older sister to me!" Princess Bang-gwi said teasingly
Vincent's face got red and he became aggravated. "I don't know what you are talking about Princess! I don't have time for such things!"
"What are you three talking about?" Vincent jumped when he heard Chuhan Jwi speak suddenly from behind him, seeing a tall muscular man jump in fright made Princess Bang-gwi and Xiǎng Pigu laugh even louder.
"Nothing really Jwi! We were just saying how Vinnie here has a crush on you!" Princess Bang-gwi continued to tease Vincent.
"Oh?" Chuhan Jwi said with small smile on her face, she walked up to Vincent and gave him a look from head to toe as if she was appraising him. "Hmmm… a little immature, but good physique, honest, and a straight forward personality. I'd say he's perfect for you since he could protect you as well."
Having it deflected back at her, Princess Bang-gwi became flustered and blushed and hid her face.
"What… what is this? I've never seen the Princess act shy!" Vincent said alarmed.
Chuhan Jwi leaned and whispered into Vincent's ear "She is brutally honest with everyone but herself, if it doesn't work out with you two though, I doubt you can handle me anyways." Chuhan Jwi winked at Vincent then slapped him hard on his butt then yelled "Ok you brats! Line up in 2 rows and follow me! If you can't keep up I will personally kick your ass back in line!"
"Don't you mean columns since we're not lining up side by side, but instead front to back?" Xiǎng Pigu said softly to Chuhan Jwi.
Chuhan Jwi walked up to Xiǎng Pigu, put her hand on her cheek and said sweetly "Xiǎng Pigu, you are a sweet girl, this is your one warning to not question me, you've seen what happens to the Princess when she questions me, right? Do you want to join in our morning routine as well?"
Xiǎng Pigu shook her head quickly. "No ma'am, sorry ma'am, won't happen again ma'am!"
"Good girl, now get in line!"
Everyone lined up hurriedly in front of Chuhan Jwi and started off with a trot towards the edge of the base.
"Alright! Our goal is 3 miles in 30 minutes! I'll set the pace!" Chuhan Jwi yelled out.
Most of the soldiers let out a small sigh of relief, 3 miles in 30 minutes was nothing extreme to them, most of them could do 3 miles in 23 to 24 minutes if pushed.
Princess Bang-gwi knew Chuhan Jwi was lying because she did that to her every morning… just one more set would become 3 more… just 2 more laps would become 5 more… She didn't dare warn anybody though as she knew it would only make it worse.
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Princess Bang-gwi let her mind wander as she ran, she found it easier with a group as she would just run on autopilot with the person in front of her. She was curious as to what those that went with the Marquis were up to. Brian, Alexander, and Sabrina were not with them so the Princess assumed they must've went with the Marquis so she could ask them about it later.
"Pri… Princess… this… isn't… 3 miles… is… it…" Xiǎng Pigu barely managed to ask the Princess.
The Princess shook her head. She didn't know the exact perimeter of Dresden base, but they had never ran more than 2 laps around it. They had been running for 25 minutes and just finished the second lap around the perimeter.
"Alright you slow meat bags! Last stretch, push it!" Chuhan Jwi barked, then she slowly increased her speed and maintained it to let the the rest match her.
The Princess's lungs were burning, but this was nothing new to her anymore after training with Chuhan Jwi so much. Xiǎng Pigu looked like she was about to collapse as she was gasping for breath.
"Head up, relax your arms, breath!" Princess Bang-gwi managed to say to Xiǎng Pigu.
Xiǎng Pigu didn't even nod in reply but she did seem to relax slightly and raise her head which would allow her to breathe better.
After 4 more minutes, they had gone about a third of the way around the perimeter. Chuhan Jwi then yelled, "Take it down to a slow jog, do NOT stop! I will bury you in the ground alive if you stop!"
Once they slowed down, Xiǎng Pigu was able to talk a little bit and said, "Is… is she… always… like this?"
Princess Bang-gwi nodded "She takes training very seriously, she's still being nice… you should see what'll happen if someone stops!"
"Princess Bang-gwi! If you have time to banter, you have time to run more!" Chuhan Jwi yelled. "You have two choices! Everyone runs an extra half lap or Princess Bang-gwi can run 3 more laps alone!"
Knowing she messed up, Princess Bang-gwi picked up the pace and passed everyone. Suddenly Vincent came up from behind her and yelled "We all do it together! Not because she is the Princess, but because she is one of us!"
At first nobody replied, but then Xiǎng Pigu must've had a spark light her up as she suddenly roared out "ONE OF U–" then tripped and stumbled. Everyone started to laugh at Xiǎng Pigu, but two of them picked her up and everyone sped up to match the Princess.
The Princess never felt so happy as she did right now despite the pain, she always wanted to be accepted by her peers for herself and not her status.
"Awww, are you crying Princess?" Vincent said teasingly.
"Of course not! Just dust in my eyes!" Princess Bang-gwi said with a smile while wiping 'dust' out of her eyes.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone