Chapter 175
"Su girl!"
Chen Ming flew into the nearby woods, and before long, he saw Su Zhi Ning collapsed in the mud. Her spotless white clothes were now covered in filth.
He dashed forward, picked her up from the ground, and saw that her face was pale as gold paper, lips devoid of a trace of blood—she was already breathing faintly like gossar.
Su Zhi Ning struggled to open her eyes. Upon seeing him, a strange glint flashed through her gaze, as if she were finally at ease, before she slowly closed her eyes again.
"Su girl!"
Chen Ming felt like his heart had been struck heavily. He shouted, "Don’t sleep! I know a divine physician—he will definitely be able to save you!"
He leapt up and rushed toward Jiangzhou City at full speed.
……
Just after the two had left, a graceful figure appeared beside the corpse of the black-clad man. Dressed in a pink long skirt, she silently looked at the lifeless "Three Saints Staff".
"Junior Sister, you’re truly lucky to have t a man who holds such deep affection for you..."
The woman sighed softly—it was a mix of resentnt, envy, and perhaps contentnt.
……
"This is the first ti I’ve seen your clothes dirty. How do you usually keep them so clean?"
"Don’t close your eyes, or I’ll strip your clothes off later..."
"How do you usually conceal your presence? You never taught that..."
"That guy earlier was right. If you die, I’ll forget you soon enough and find soone even prettier than you..."
"……"
All the way, Chen Ming kept talking to Su Zhi Ning, deliberately provoking her whenever she seed about to pass out.
At last, he returned to Changqing Hall.
"Senior, save her quickly!"
He barged in and saw that Doctor Sun was already sitting inside, seemingly waiting for him.
He carried Su Zhi Ning over.
Doctor Sun asked no questions, simply reached out and checked her pulse for a mont, then said, "Backlash from Gang Origin. She forcefully used her strength despite damaged ridians, resulting in complete rupture. I cannot save her."
Chen Ming’s heart sank, but he still asked, "Senior, you must have a way, right?"
Doctor Sun stroked his greying beard and asked, "Do you truly wish to save her?"
Chen Ming said solemnly, "Please just speak, Senior. As long as it can save her, I’ll do anything."
Doctor Sun said calmly, "Though I cannot save her, you can. The 《Primordial Wood True Art》 is a technique for healing the world. You can use Primordial Wood True Qi to protect her heart ridian. As long as the True Qi continues, her life can be sustained."
Primordial Wood True Qi had such a function?
Overjoyed, Chen Ming wasted no ti in converting his True Qi into Primordial Wood True Qi. He placed his palm against her back, sending the Qi into her to protect her heart ridian.
Monts later, her weakening heartbeat beca slightly stronger. That breath which was on the verge of vanishing, was finally prolonged.
Though it remained extrely faint.
Seeing that it truly worked, Chen Ming was ecstatic and quickly asked, "Then what?"
Doctor Sun said, "Then, it’s up to her. Heaven’s Path Alliance’s 《Heart of Heaven Manual》 is a supre cultivation art with miraculous effects. At most a few months, at shortest a month, and her damaged ridians will be restored. The key is you—can you sustain her until then?"
"Thank you, Senior."Chen Ming bowed deeply.
Doctor Sun said, "No need to thank . You’re the one saving her. What does it have to do with ?"
"I won’t disturb you any longer."
Chen Ming carried Su Zhi Ning and left.
……
Throughout the entire process, Su Zhi Ning never took her eyes off Chen Ming. Only when they exited Changqing Hall did she softly say, "Why are you doing this? Even if you broke through to Fourth Grade, your True Qi will eventually run out. You won’t be able to last that long."
"What if I can?"
Having learned how to save her, Chen Ming was in a great mood and smiled. "If I really save your life, how will you repay ?"
Su Zhi Ning said nothing. She simply closed her eyes, shifted slightly, and leaned her head into his arms in a more comfortable position.
Before long, they arrived at the small courtyard next door.
"Young Master!"
"Young Master!"
"Senior Brother!"
The three won were anxiously waiting. Seeing him return safely, they were overjoyed and rushed forward—until they noticed the white-clad woman in his arms.
They were montarily stunned by her peerless beauty.
For Qiu Xiang and Dong Xiang, it was their first ti seeing soone who could rival their forr mistress in appearance.
For Huo Qianqian, it was her first ti seeing such stunning beauty. She stood frozen.
"Junior Sister, thank you for coming to warn . I can’t send you back, so tomorrow morning, let Qiu Xiang escort you."
"No need, I can return myself."
"She’s severely injured. I need to tend to her wounds. Junior Sister, feel free to rest."
Huo Qianqian watched as he carried the white-clad woman into the room, showing no sign of avoidance, and her feelings were complicated.
At that mont, the girl nad Dong Xiang said, "She must be the woman who appeared earlier and saved Young Master, right?"
Only then did she rember the appearance of a woman like a heavenly fairy who saved Chen Ming’s life. So it was her.
"She was injured to save Senior Brother Chen, wasn’t she?"
……
The next morning, Huo Qianqian quietly left without a word. Not far out, a carriage caught up—it was Qiu Xiang.
"Miss Huo, I heard the Xiaoshui Sect has strict rules. If you return like this, you may be punished. Let escort you."
Hearing this, Huo Qianqian couldn’t refuse. "Thank you, Sister."
"I wouldn’t dare."
"How did you and Dong Xiang co to follow Senior Brother Chen?"
"It’s a long story..."
On the way, Qiu Xiang roughly recounted how they beca Chen Ming’s maids. In the end, she said, "Young Master is kind-hearted. If not for his help, we’d still be living worse than dogs and pigs in that manor."
Huo Qianqian was shocked, unable to believe such cruelty existed in the world—that maids, for rely failing in their duties, had their legs broken and were reduced to slaves.
She once had a maid nad Xiaohong, who died years ago at the hands of mountain bandits sent by Sun Shicai. She mourned her for a long ti.
Even pets grow on you after a while—let alone people.
She and Xiaohong grew up together. Though officially master and servant, they were like sisters. She truly couldn’t understand Qiu Xiang’s forr master.
Still, she didn’t say much in front of Qiu Xiang.
Huo Qianqian couldn’t help but wonder—would Senior Brother offend their previous master over this?
At last, they arrived at the Xiaoshui Sect.
As soon as Huo Qianqian entered, she saw several stern-looking Martial Aunts, along with a group of worried or gloating Senior Sisters.
The sight gave her a jolt of unease.
Fortunately, Qiu Xiang stepped forward, gave a polite bow, introduced herself, and explained everything clearly.
Upon hearing that she was Chen Ming’s maid, the Xiaoshui Sect elders couldn’t maintain their stern faces.
"Miss Huo only stayed out all night to fulfill her promise to our Young Master. He specially sent to explain. In a few days, he will personally apologize."
"Young Master Chen is too polite."
Martial Aunt Ye’s expression softened.
After Qiu Xiang left, she didn’t scold Huo Qianqian in front of everyone. Instead, she took her into a room and gave her a harsh reprimand.
"I know you and Chen Ming are fellow disciples, but you’re now a disciple of the Xiaoshui Sect. Rember your identity. Do you understand the grudge between Chen Ming and the Qin Family? At a ti like this, how dare you go see him?"
After speaking, she noticed Huo Qianqian lowering her head and softened her tone, saying, "Yesterday was your parents’ death anniversary. Why didn’t you tell ? Do you think your Martial Aunt is heartless?"
Huo Qianqian could only apologize stiffly. "I’m sorry."
"Enough. For the next month, you’re not allowed to leave the courtyard. Reflect well."
"Yes."
And so, the matter was gently brushed aside.
Huo Qianqian’s parents gained a new "death anniversary".
She also knew that Qiu Xiang was helping her. If not, what awaited her today would have been a terrifying storm, not sothing a re month of grounding could resolve.
After so interaction, Huo Qianqian felt that Qiu Xiang and Dong Xiang, these two maids, were not only beautiful but also clever and full of spirit. They didn’t seem like maids at all.
What kind of person could raise such outstanding maids?
……
"What? Dong Kun is dead?"
In a luxurious courtyard of Tianxiang Tower, Qin Changyuan, who was practicing swordsmanship, changed expression upon hearing the news. The sword in his hand flickered uncertainly with light, revealing the intense turmoil in his heart.
He asked in a deep voice, "Could it be that the boy had a Second Grade protecting him?"
Dong Kun, nicknad Three Saints Staff, was once a bounty saberman in his early years—a real veteran of the martial world. His strength, among Third Grades, wasn’t considered weak.
If he encountered another Third Grade, even if he couldn't win, he would at least escape.
Only a Second Grade could prevent his escape and kill him on the spot.
Second Grade!
Qin Changyuan's face turned extrely grim. Having a Second Grade as a personal guard implied that this Chen Ming had a terrifying background.
Even he himself didn’t enjoy such treatnt.
"It wasn't a Second Grade."
The report was delivered by the coachman, who said solemnly, "All traces at the scene have been checked. At most, the attacker was a Third Grade. Dong Kun was ultimately killed by a sword through the back. The one who struck the blow hadn't even reached Third Grade."
Qin Changyuan stared in shock. "You an…"
The coachman said, "According to speculation, Dong Kun and that Third Grade wounded each other. In the end, he was ambushed and killed. That person was most likely Chen Ming."
"Idiot!"
Qin Changyuan cursed, but his expression relaxed.
As long as it wasn’t a Second Grade.
He had suspected there was soone behind Chen Ming. Sending Dong Kun was a test—and it had worked.
He sneered, "Since the Third Grade by his side is injured, find soone else and kill him. Move quickly."
"Yes."
In Jiangzhou City, there were still quite a few martial artists above Third Grade. Surely one or two would be available for hire.
In his eyes, getting a Third Grade to work for a Fifth Grade Constable’s position was a steal.
……
In the small courtyard behind Changqing Hall, inside the room, Chen Ming sat at the bedside. One hand was tightly pressed against Su Zhi Ning’s back, the other holding a book and flipping through it.
Su Zhi Ning lay on the bed as if asleep. Her breathing was light, her complexion still pale, like a fragile porcelain doll that could shatter at any mont.
Chen Ming glanced at her from ti to ti. Only after confirming she was still breathing did he continue reading.
He kept recalling last night—Su Zhi Ning’s peerless grace, even while severely injured, risked everything to save him.
He really wanted to ask—why be so foolish?
Was it simply because her master instructed her to protect him?
He couldn’t guess the answer, nor dared to ask. He could only pick up the dical book to calm his restless thoughts.
Tap tap.
Outside, Dong Xiang knocked on the door.
He put the book down and said, "Co in."
Dong Xiang entered with a tray. "Young Master, this is wild ginseng from Old Man Sun of Changqing Hall next door. He said it was boiled into soup for this young lady."
"Bring it here."
Chen Ming took the bowl of ginseng soup.
Dong Xiang then asked, "Shall I bring a clean set of clothes for her?"
"No need. You may leave now. I’ll call if anything cos up."
"Yes."Dong Xiang exited and closed the door behind her.
Chen Ming gently woke Su Zhi Ning and fed her the ginseng soup spoon by spoon.
Su Zhi Ning didn’t resist. After finishing the soup, she finally spoke. "It’s been ten hours. You’re almost at your limit. Stop wasting your True Qi."
"Don’t underestimate ."
Chen Ming carefully wiped her mouth and said, "You don’t know the extent of my strength. Sleep now."
Su Zhi Ning gave him a deep look before closing her eyes again.
……
In a flash, another day passed.
Su Zhi Ning awoke for the third ti and saw that it was already daylight. She made a quick ntal calculation and was shocked. "Thirty-six hours..."
He had just broken through to Fourth Grade, yet his True Qi was this abundant?
Ordinary Fourth Grades would have exhausted all their Qi in a few hours using this thod.
His True Qi was at least ten tis that of others.
Even that senior brother in the alliance known for imnse True Qi was no better than this.
What kind of cultivation thod was he practicing?
These thoughts flashed through Su Zhi Ning’s mind. She looked up and saw Chen Ming’s exhausted face. It was clear he was near his limit, holding on by sheer will.
She softly said, "Enough. You’ve done your best."
Chen Ming’s temples pulsed. Still relaxed in tone, he said, "I don’t like hearing that. A real man never says he’s done. You’ll never know how long I can last."
As he spoke, he silently muttered, Add Points, and dumped 240,000 points into his cultivation thod.
【Level: 61】
【Current Points: 1,480,000】
【Cultivation thods: 《Iron Horse Stance》 (Fifth Level Perfection), 《Five Elents True Art (Incomplete)》 (Sixth Level 243000/2400000)】
【Martial Techniques: 《Three Talents Fist》 (Mastery), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Mastery), Zhuang’s Flying Knife (Mastery), Swallow Returns Sword Technique (Mastery), 《Vermilion Bird Sword Technique》 (Mastery), 《Phoenix Dances Across the Nine Heavens》 (Third Level 1322/300000)】
【Secret Arts: 《Disguise Technique》 (Mastery)】
He leveled up. Instantly, the nearly dried Qi Sea was refilled with boundless True Qi, overflowing throughout his body—restoring him to peak condition.
This was a hidden function of the System: level up and instantly recover to full strength.
This was the very source of his confidence to persevere.
Su Zhi Ning saw Chen Ming’s complexion visibly regain its redness, and the surging True Qi seed ready to burst from within. She was utterly stunned.
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