Chapter 11: Break Your Leg
Chen Ming had originally thought that Huo Qianqian would soon co back with a group of people to reclaim her pride, give him a beating, and drive him away.
But in the end, even after he had completed fifteen rounds of sparring, nothing happened.
Wen Zehao also didn’t send anyone to cause him trouble.
He found it a bit puzzling and left the Huo Residence.
Outside the gate, he saw Deng Ziyang’s carriage again.
……
“Miss, it must hurt a lot, doesn’t it?”
In a boudoir, the maid Hongi looked at a clear red mark on Huo Qianqian’s thigh, her eyes nearly tearing up.
“What do you think?”
Huo Qianqian was already in unbearable pain, and hearing those words made her furious.
She snapped, “Do you want to kick you so you can try it yourself?”
Hongi shrank her neck back.
In the end, she feared the pain and didn’t dare to argue. She said indignantly, “Miss, that guy nad Chen actually dared to lay a hand on you. I’ll go report it to the master and have soone bring him in so you can vent your anger.”
“You stop right there.”
Huo Qianqian sat up abruptly, which tugged at her injury, causing her to shiver in pain. She said sharply, “You are not allowed to tell Grandpa about this.”
Hongi froze, confused. “Why not?”
Huo Qianqian gritted her teeth and said, “This grudge, I’ll take revenge myself.”
Ever since she was a child, no matter who she sparred with, everyone would always go easy on her.
It was completely dull.
Today, she had finally encountered soone who didn’t hold back against her and had genuinely gone all out.
This reignited her competitive spirit.
She had to win back her pride through her own strength.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to sleep.
Still uneasy, Huo Qianqian warned, “If you dare to speak of this, I’ll break your leg.”
“Understood, Miss.”
Hongi responded pitifully.
……
“Qi Jun is a bit stubborn. Ever since he lost to you last ti, he’s been unwilling to accept it. So today, he wants to have another match with you. Let’s keep it friendly.”
On the carriage, Deng Ziyang explained the reason for coming to see Chen Ming.
Chen Ming complained, “Brother Deng, just a word from you and I would have co. Why co in person to pick up?”
Deng Ziyang smiled and said, “It was on the way.”
Then he sighed, “Qi Jun really values his pride. After losing to you last ti, he couldn’t bring himself to face Zhang Mingyu.”
Chen Ming was surprised to hear him call Third Senior Brother by na without the slightest respect. He said with feigned guilt, “Sigh, I really should have gone easier on him. But Brother Qi’s skills were so strong, I had no choice but to go all out.”
“It was his own arrogance that led to his defeat. Honestly, I should thank you. This loss was a good lesson for him. At least he’s made so progress since then.”
As they chatted, they soon arrived at a residence.
This was Deng Ziyang’s ho—a large compound with five courtyards in a row.
Deng Ziyang said, “After my mother gave birth to , the old man bought this place. Now that she’s gone, I find it lonely living alone, so I invited so brothers over to live together. If you ever find yourself with nowhere to go, just co here.”
“Definitely.”
Chen Ming felt that this man had quite the presence of a big brother—loyal, generous, and bold in action.
Surrounded by loyal followers, this kind of person, given the right opportunity, might just achieve sothing great.
The two arrived at a large courtyard where a few people were chatting and joking.
Seeing Deng Ziyang arrive, they imdiately stood up and greeted him in unison, “Big Brother.”
Deng Ziyang said, “Qi Jun, Brother Chen has agreed to spar with you again. Aren’t you going to thank him?”
Qi Jun imdiately stepped forward and cupped his fists, “Thank you, Brother Chen, for giving a chance to redeem myself.”
His eyes were filled with strong fighting spirit.
Chen Ming returned the salute. “Please give your guidance.”
Deng Ziyang reminded, “You’re both friends. This is just a spar. Let’s keep it friendly and not hurt the harmony.”
“Of course.”
“All right then, let’s begin.”
Qi Jun took the initiative to strike.
This ti, he absolutely would not let his guard down again.
However, the mont they clashed, it was completely different from last ti.
Not only did Chen Ming not dodge, he actually stepped forward to et him.
Bang!
The two clashed head-on.
Chen Ming’s body swayed slightly, but he quickly stabilized.
His strength was actually not much weaker than Qi Jun’s.
How was that possible?
Qi Jun was shocked, and his technique fell into disarray.
Chen Ming imdiately seized the opportunity and launched a series of rapid attacks.
Qi Jun could only barely defend himself and was suppressed almost the entire ti.
After around ten moves, Chen Ming tapped him lightly on the shoulder and then swiftly withdrew his hand, standing with arms by his side.
Qi Jun stood frozen, his face blank, looking sowhat dejected and lost.
At this mont, Deng Ziyang spoke up, “Didn’t expect that Brother Chen hadn’t gone all out last ti.”
Chen Ming explained, “Brother Deng, you’ve misunderstood . After sparring with Brother Qi last ti, I had an epiphany and broke through. I really must thank Brother Qi for that.”
“So that’s how it is.”
Deng Ziyang turned to Qi Jun and barked, “Qi Jun, do you accept it now?”
Qi Jun trembled all over. He didn’t dare look at Chen Ming. Lowering his head, he said gloomily, “I… I accept.”
This ti, he had been completely overwheld without any chance to retaliate, making him realize the gap between him and Chen Ming.
Deng Ziyang said, “Let’s go. To the Drunken Immortal Tower, and we won’t leave until we’re drunk. Brother Chen, this is to celebrate your advancent. You absolutely must not decline.”
And just like that, Chen Ming was dragged off to the Drunken Immortal Tower again.
……
After a full al and plenty of wine, Chen Ming returned ho. It was already after 4 p.m., which was the hour of Shen.
He walked back to his small courtyard, where soone soon delivered a bowl of hangover soup. It was his sister-in-law’s maid. “Young Master, why drink so much in broad daylight?”
“I was dragged there and couldn’t refuse.”
As Chen Ming spoke, he noticed a patch sewn onto her skirt.
Although the fabric was the sa color, it was still quite noticeable at a glance.
He frowned.
Had his family’s financial situation deteriorated this much?
Although she was just a maid, for a household that could afford to keep one, having their maids wear patched clothing—wouldn’t that beco a laughingstock if word got out?
The family was already cutting expenses. What about the situation at the pharmacy?
“Looks like I need to improve my strength as soon as possible.”
A sense of urgency rose in his heart.
Chen Ming opened his status panel.
【Level: 5】
【Current Points: 15】
【Technique: “Iron Horse Stance” (Level 3 1/500 )】
【Martial Skills: “Three Talents Fist” (Mastered 10/500 ), “Eight Trigrams Saber Technique” (Beginner 12/100 )】
That morning, after injuring Huo Qianqian, in preparation for any potential danger, he had upgraded “Iron Horse Stance” to the level 3.
That was why he had been able to suppress Qi Jun just now and win so easily.
Qi Jun’s “Iron Horse Stance” was also only at the level 3.
“I must beco a true martial artist as soon as possible.”
Chen Ming revised his short-term goal.
In this world, only by becoming a true martial artist and entering the ranking system could one truly transcend their class.
By then, making money would be a simple matter.
He did so calculations.
With a fixed inco of 15 experience points per day, that totaled 450 points in a month.
In other words, it would take at least a month to break through to the fourth layer of “Iron Horse Stance”, and probably two months to reach the fifth.
“Too slow.”
He had to find an alternative source of experience points.
Reviews
All reviews (0)