Chapter 3: Master Huo
“Uncle.”
After entering the house, Chen Ming saw his nephew, Chen Lide, just five years old, standing so solemnly he looked like a little adult as he greeted him.
“Ah, it’s Xiao De.”
A smile spread across his face.
He’d wanted to pick him up, then recalled he’d just left prison and hadn’t showered yet—so instead he patted the boy’s head. “Haven’t seen you for months, and you’ve grown taller already.”
Beside them, the wet nurse held his infant niece, Chen Lirong, just ten months old.
She seed unafraid of strangers and stared at him through her large dark eyes.
His sister-in-law, Mrs. Wei, said, “Ah Ming, go wash and change first. The water’s already ready. Don’t bother with your old clothes—let Nurse Fu burn them.”
“All right.”
Chen Ming returned to his small courtyard: inside was a large wooden tub for bathing.
To be fair, the Chen household was in decent shape—two courtyards and a wooden bath tub were far above what most families had at this ti.
…
Having finished washing and dressed in fresh clothes, he felt much better.
Soon, a maid brought him lunch.
After eating, he went into the courtyard to practice martial arts.
He worked on the “Three‑Talent Fist”—referring to the three talents of Heaven, Earth, and Man.
It was actually an entry-level form, the one the original owner had practiced most.
He trained all afternoon. As evening approached and the sky darkened, soone called him to co eat, and he stopped.
He checked his stats on his panel—it hadn’t improved at all.
He shook his head. “At this pace, I’ll beco a master at the turn of the millennium?”
The original owner’s talent was absolutely dreadful.
“It’s got to be the system to the rescue,” he muttered to himself, already deep in thought.
…
Dinner was quite lavish.
The centerpiece was a plate of braised pork knuckle set before him.
Mrs. Wei hadn’t taken a single piece.
Nephew Chen Lide eyed the at hungrily—but dared not reach for it.
“You’ve suffered these past two days in that place.”
Big brother Chen Rui picked out the fattiest piece and placed it in his bowl. “Eat up.”
“Thanks, brother.”
He didn’t hesitate and began eating, his mouth practically dripping with grease.
He was indeed starving—prison food had been barely fit for pigs.
He hadn’t eaten much at all.
After a few bites, he offered a piece to his sister-in-law, then one to his nephew. “You all should eat too.”
Mrs. Wei froze—it was the first ti her younger brother-in-law had offered her food.
Previously, Chen Ming had never shown her any kindness—she understood that he probably thought she’d urged her husband to cut off his martial‑arts funding.
Though she’d privately complained that his martial arts expenses were too high and never-ending, this matter really had nothing to do with her.
Little Master Chen Lide looked at the piece of at, glanced at his father, torn between wanting to take it but afraid to take—and drooling at the sa ti.
Chen Rui spoke again. “Eat it.”
Mrs. Wei finally picked up the at and ate it—mory of past grievances stung her nose, and tears nearly fell.
Chen Lide chewed, his face brimming with satisfaction.
…
After dinner, the two brothers spoke in the study.
Chen Ming explained, “Brother, I was frad.”
He recounted the full story start to finish.
After listening, Chen Rui said, “Ultimately, your reckless actions brought this disaster upon you…”
The words had barely left his mouth when regret flickered across his face—he knew his brother didn’t like this kind of reprimand.
Chen Ming wore a respectful expression. “Brother, your words are a lesson to .”
This reaction completely caught Chen Rui off guard, and he felt comforted.
After suffering such a setback, Ah Ming was finally willing to listen to advice—perhaps that wasn’t a bad thing.
Chen Ming got to the point. “Brother, how much did you spend to get out this ti?”
“Don’t worry about that. As long as we brothers work together, we’ll earn it back.” Chen Rui didn’t tell him the amount. Instead, he asked, “So what do you plan to do now? Why not co help out at the pharmacy?”
Chen Ming shook his head. “No, you can’t put all your eggs in one basket. I’ll go find sothing else. I plan to reach out to my old martial arts connections.”
Chen Rui understood the reasoning, but after what had happened, who would still dare to employ him?
Back when he trained under Master Huo, it had been agreed upfront—they paid to learn martial arts, but there was no official master-disciple relationship.
They could stop at any ti and weren’t allowed to use Master Huo’s na.
Master Huo was very protective of his reputation.
Would he really take Chen Ming back?
“Alright,” said Chen Rui, not wanting to dampen his brother’s spirits.
He had to let him try.
…
Chen Ming rested at ho for two days.
On the third day, he brought gifts and went to visit his forr master, Huo Chengkun.
But he was refused at the door.
Undeterred, he returned the next day—and again wasn’t even let through the gate.
This continued for several days.
Each day, he went to the Huo residence.
Finally, on the fifth day, he was allowed through the gates and t with Huo Chengkun in the main hall.
Huo Chengkun was already in his sixties, with graying hair. His body was still sturdy.
He held a long-stemd pipe, puffing away with a bitter expression, like an old farr—nothing at all like a martial artist.
“I’m not your master anymore. Why are you still coming here?”
He imdiately tried to distance himself.
Chen Ming respectfully bowed. “Once a teacher, always a father. Even if you disown , I still respect you in my heart.”
Huo Chengkun raised an eyebrow and gave him a murky-eyed once-over. His tone softened. “Well, those years at Jinyuan Prosperity Trading weren’t totally wasted. Fine, leave the gifts and go.”
He made to rise.
Chen Ming quickly said, “I heard you took on a dozen new disciples last year. Why don’t I be a sparring partner for them?”
“Not necessary.”
“I won’t take any money.” Chen Ming knew where his old master’s weak spot was.
“Oh?”
Sure enough, Huo Chengkun was interested. “Then what do you want?”
Chen Ming replied, “Just that senior brother might give a pointer now and then.”
Huo Chengkun shook his head. “Your talent was average to begin with. You’ve also wasted years. You’ll never amount to anything. Why bother?”
“My ‘Iron Horse Post’ has reached the second level.”
“Oh?”
Huo Chengkun stepped forward, grabbed his wrist, and a faint light sparked in his eyes. “So you really did break through. Seems you didn’t slack off these past years.”
“Please, Master, allow this.”
Chen Ming bowed once again.
Huo Chengkun hesitated, until a cough rang out from behind the screen. Only then did he speak. “Fine. We were once master and disciple after all.”
That was a yes.
Joy flooded Chen Ming’s heart, and he quickly bowed again. “Thank you, Master!”
But Huo Chengkun’s face turned stern. “Don’t get ahead of yourself—I’m not finished. If your ssy affairs drag my disciples into trouble, don’t bla for being ruthless.”
“I promise, Master. The trouble I caused won’t affect you or my junior brothers.”
“And stop calling ‘Master.’”
“Yes, Elder Huo.”
Seeing him so obedient, Huo Chengkun’s expression eased slightly. “Alright, go back for now. Co again tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
Chen Ming finally took his leave.
Once he was gone, a girl of seventeen or eighteen stepped out from behind the screen.
She was sweet-looking and clung to Huo Chengkun’s arm with a smile. “Grandpa, I knew you’d help.”
She was Huo Chengkun’s granddaughter, Huo Qianqian.
Huo Chengkun snorted. “If not for the sake of his dead grandfather, I wouldn’t bother with his life or death. Qianqian, rember—being too soft-hearted only brings trouble.”
Huo Qianqian pouted playfully. “I was just doing soone a favor. This way, Xinyi can finally make peace with her guilt and marry soone else.”
Zhang Xinyi was her close friend. She had once been betrothed to Chen Ming.
After Chen Ming’s incident, the Zhang family quickly annulled the engagent with the Chens.
Zhang Xinyi had felt guilty.
When she heard Chen Ming had been rejected by the Huo family several tis, she asked Huo Qianqian to intervene.
Which led to what happened today.
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