Chapter 44: Unwilling to Provoke
【You have defeated a level 28 enemy and gained 300 experience points】
Chen Ming was delighted when he saw the notification.
He hadn’t expected that the bearded man was actually level 28, and had instantly contributed 300 experience points—equivalent to five days’ worth of his usual gains.
He looked at the martial arts guild mbers sitting in front of him, his eyes gleaming. These people were all walking experience points.
Seeing that the earlier battle had intimidated everyone, he changed the topic and said, “Actually, I don’t have any intention of opening a martial arts school for now. The students I’ve taken in are all children from the neighborhood, the oldest no more than eleven, and the youngest only eight or nine. I just didn’t want them to take a wrong turn in their martial arts initiation like I did, so I helped them get started.”
These words greatly surprised the guild mbers.
Lei Zhenguang said with emotion, “Is that so? Could there have been so misunderstanding?”
“If Master Lei doesn’t believe , you can ask my senior brothers. I just moved a few days ago, and they’ve seen my students.”
Zhang Mingyu, now the head of the Huo Sect, stepped forward and said, “That’s right. There are a total of thirty-two children, none older than thirteen.”
Upon hearing this, Lei Zhenguang reproached himself. “It’s all my fault for not sending soone to investigate properly beforehand, causing such a misunderstanding. Sigh. Young Master Chen, if things are as you say, I will definitely give you a proper explanation.”
The headmaster of Tenglong Martial School, Master Fang, also said, “Young Master Chen, you should have explained this earlier. Then this whole misunderstanding wouldn’t have happened. It almost ended badly.”
Would you have listened if I had explained?
It was the sa in every world—only those with strength had a voice that mattered.
Chen Ming smiled and said, “That was a bit of my personal selfishness. I usually shut myself in and work behind closed doors. I’ve always wanted to exchange pointers with fellow martial artists, but I never had the chance. So I took this opportunity to spar with everyone. I finally got my wish.”
The guild mbers couldn’t help but complain inwardly.
Just for this reason, he stirred up such a big commotion?
Was he treating them like monkeys?
Still, none of them dared say such things to his face.
After all, the man did have the capital to be willful.
Everyone knew how strong Li Ankun was.
Even those who thought they could beat him couldn’t have done it so cleanly and swiftly.
The key was that he was still so young. In a few more years, his strength would only grow more terrifying.
Who would want to provoke soone like that?
Didn’t they all see even Lei Zhenguang making concessions? They should take the offered way out.
Chen Ming said, “I respect the rules of the Martial Arts Guild. How about this—I promise that within the next two years, I’ll only take in young children under the age of twelve and teach them basic martial arts. What do you all think?”
Lei Zhenguang exchanged glances with the other three quickly and then said, “In that case, the twelve martial schools will vote. As long as more than half agree, it will be approved.”
After speaking, he was the first to raise his hand.
Almost without hesitation, the other eleven raised their hands as well.
Unanimously approved.
Just like that, a conflict dissipated without a trace.
Both sides shook hands and reconciled.
The previously tense atmosphere imdiately eased.
……
Deng Ziyang watched Chen Ming chatting and laughing with Lei Zhenguang and the other veteran school masters, and couldn’t help but say to Zhuang Xiaotian, “Did you see Brother Chen’s tactics? He showed the sword first, then spoke of camaraderie—stern first, humble later—a mix of soft and hard. That’s how he turned enemies into friends. Truly admirable. You should learn from this.”
Zhuang Xiaotian nodded in agreent at first, then shook his head. “I couldn’t learn that even if I tried.”
After that, under Lei Zhenguang’s enthusiastic invitation, Chen Ming and his group stayed on as guests.
By noon, Wind and Thunder Martial School had already prepared over a dozen banquet tables.
After a few drinks, everyone started calling each other brothers, the atmosphere lively and cheerful.
No one could tell that just that morning, they had been at each other’s throats.
This was the martial world—people fought to the death for their interests. But once the conflict was resolved, it was all smiles and cooperation, everyone lifting the sedan chair together.
The only one left injured was Li Ankun, who had been slapped across the face with the flat of Chen Ming’s blade.
Only, by this point, no one even rembered him.
……
The banquet went on for two full hours before finally dispersing, satisfied.
On the way back, Zhang Mingyu remarked emotionally, “Junior Brother, in just one year, you’ve trained the Five Elents Saber Technique to the point of mastery. If Master knew this from the afterlife, he would surely be very pleased.”
He didn’t ask where Chen Ming had learned the saber technique from. He simply assud it was taught by their master, which was essentially an endorsent for him.
Chen Ming was quite surprised.
From his impression, this Third Senior Brother didn’t have a particularly generous nature. He hadn’t expected him to behave so graciously this ti.
It seed that having to carry the burden alone after the deaths of Huo Chengkun and several fellow brothers had indeed made him mature a bit.
You really couldn’t judge soone by old impressions.
He humbly said, “I was just practicing blindly on my own. I don’t even know if I’ve done it right or not—still need your guidance, Senior Brother.”
Zhang Mingyu gave a bitter smile. “I’m no match for you now. How could I be qualified to guide you?”
“You can’t say that. You studied under Master for so many years and inherited his teachings in full. I should be learning much more from you.”
Seeing his sincere tone, Zhang Mingyu felt a warm surge in his heart. “Alright. Whatever you want to learn, just co to . I won’t hold anything back.”
“How about now, then?”
“Ah?”
……
At the Huo Residence—since the death of Huo Chengkun, the vitality of this house had seed to gradually fade as well, visibly deteriorating.
This was the third ti Chen Ming had co in the past ten months.
The previous two tis were both to visit Zhang Mingyu.
After entering the main gate, everything felt empty and desolate, completely devoid of life.
Chen Ming asked, “Senior Brother, living here alone must be very lonely. Why not move elsewhere?”
Zhang Mingyu said softly, “If I don’t live here, then the Huo Residence would truly cease to exist.”
Chen Ming was surprised that he would say sothing like that.
Previously, he had wanted nothing more than to escape this place and venture out into the martial world. But now, he was willingly staying, preserving the last shred of dignity for the Huo Sect.
The two walked in silence for a while.
Suddenly, Zhang Mingyu said, “A few days ago, Junior Sister sent a letter.”
“Oh?”
“She has successfully reached the Ninth Grade. She once had an agreent with Master—if she could reach the Ninth Grade within a year, Master wouldn’t force her to marry. Now, she’s done it. If Master could see from the afterlife, he would surely be very pleased.”
“Mm.”
Chen Ming only responded with a sound.
He wasn’t particularly familiar with Huo Qianqian—he had only sparred with her a dozen or so tis.
As they spoke, they arrived at the training grounds.
Chen Ming said, “Senior Brother, I’d like to ask you for guidance on the Five Elents Saber Technique. Please grant this favor.”
Zhang Mingyu brought over two wooden sabers and said, “Saber and sword have no eyes—let’s use these. Just a spar.”
“Of course. You and I are senior and junior brothers sparring in private—not competing to see who’s better—just refining our saber techniques.”
“Good.”
“Please, Senior Brother.”
Seeing that he had successfully tricked him into sparring, Chen Ming was inwardly delighted.
The two each held a wooden saber, took their stances, and prepared to begin.
Reviews
All reviews (0)