Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Strike First
[You defeated an LV8 enemy and gained 3 experience points.]
[You defeated an LV12 enemy and gained 10 experience points.]
[You defeated an LV18 enemy and gained 25 experience points.]
...
A series of prompts flashed before Chen Ming’s eyes. Defeating the fourteen people present only amounted to 78 experience points in total.
After reaching level 20, fighting against those who are ten levels lower yields pitifully few experience points. After repeating such victories several tis, you only get 5 points.
How many experience points would defeating a level 20 opponent grant?
He was looking forward to it.
...
In the backyard, Chen Rui sat on a chair with his eyes closed, resting, but his hands tightly gripping the armrests, revealing how tense he was.
Madam Wei was holding her wailing daughter in her arms, softly comforting her, with a hint of unease in her eyes.
The six-year-old Chen Lide had a tense face, staying close to his mother and sister.
The air was filled with an aura of anxiety.
At this mont, they all keenly realized one thing: the honor or disgrace of the entire Chen Family now depended on Chen Ming alone.
If he succeeds, the whole family prospers.
If he fails to overco this First Tribulation, the entire family will fall into an abyss.
And they could do nothing to help.
Chen Rui felt a deep sense of powerlessness. As the eldest son of the family, he found himself utterly helpless in this crisis.
Amid this tornting wait,
a excited voice ca from outside, "We won... Second Young Master has won!"
It was the maid Xiaohong.
Sent by Madam Wei to gather news.
When hearing this news, Chen Rui felt a weight lift off his heart, silently praying, "Bless our ancestors!" Just as he was about to get up to help clean up the aftermath, he realized he had no strength left.
For a mont, he couldn’t even stand.
"That’s wonderful... just wonderful..."
Beside him, Madam Wei wept tears of joy, hugging and kissing her daughter fervently.
Chen Lirong, not understanding what was happening, cried even louder seeing her mother like this.
Chen Lide looked towards the door, his face full of yearning and envy, wishing he could grow up to be just like his uncle, standing up when bad people appeared, defeating them to protect his family.
At this mont, Xiaohong ran into the room, panting.
Chen Rui anxiously asked, "Tell
what happened outside."
"Second Young Master... he defeated those bad guys in one stroke... I heard people say Second Young Master is already of the Eighth Grade."
"Eighth Grade?"
Chen Rui was shocked, utterly disbelieving.
Unlike Xiaohong, he wasn’t ignorant. Though he hadn’t practiced martial arts, he understood the rankings well, very clear about what an Eighth Grade Martial Artist represented.
Besides, Erlang just entered the Ninth Grade last year, after eight years of dedicated cultivation.
Now, only a year later, he breaks through to Eighth Grade?
This seed too unreal.
He had never heard of any Martial Artist in Qingfeng City breaking through a grade so quickly.
Usually, it takes several years for a Martial Artist to break through. Three to five years is considered quick. Seven to eight years without a breakthrough is normal. Many people remain stuck in the Ninth Grade for over a decade.
Could it be, Erlang is truly a martial genius?
...
When Chen Rui went outside and saw the group of people standing punished at the door, it was strangely reminiscent of when the Wanli Gambling House ca to collect debts last year.
"Stand proper."
Old Li at the gate held a bamboo whip, loudly reprimanding them.
The over ten tough n, all taller than Old Li, didn’t dare lift their heads in front of him.
On the ground lay two others, seemingly unconscious.
Erlang was sitting in a cane chair, brewing tea. Chunxiang and Xiaxiang behind him were fanning him.
"Brother, co sit."
When he sat down, picking up the tea his brother brewed, he had so much to say but didn’t know where to start.
Chen Ming took the initiative, "I understand, doing business is about harmony bringing wealth. Do you think my humiliation of them was excessive, brother?"
This hit ho for Chen Rui, and he didn’t hold back, saying, "I heard the president of the Martial Arts Hall Association is Elder Hall Master Lei from the Wind and Thunder Martial Arts Hall. This man is of Seventh Grade Cultivation, and with his Wind and Thunder Saber Technique, was once invincible in the entire county. He might not be soone easy to deal with."
Chen Ming smiled slightly, simply saying, "He’s old, over seventy, yet still needs to support the Martial Arts Hall. This shows there’s hardly anyone competent among his descendants. This man isn’t worth worrying about."
"Brother, in the world of Martial Artists, being kind is not an option. That only makes you seem easy to bully. Before you know it, everyone will want to step on you to make a na. That’s the true trouble. Only by hitting back hard when provoked will people respect you. This is called, ’A good offense is the best defense,’ to avoid endless harassnt later."
These words deeply convinced Chen Rui, "Erlang, since you have plans, I’m relieved. Do what you must, and no matter the consequences, we brothers will face it together."
...
In the back residence of the Wind and Thunder Martial Arts Hall.
Lei Zhenguang sat in the study, his hair still black, yet deep wrinkles marked his face, revealing signs of age.
The recently thirty-year-old Lei Yucheng stood before him, earnestly seeking guidance, "Grandfather, didn’t Inspector Sun say that we shouldn’t harm Chen Ming’s life? So why send Li Xiangrong there?"
Li Xiangrong’s temper was fiery, and he acted arrogantly, often injuring people. If he goes, it would be surprising if Chen Ming survives.
Lei Zhenguang patiently guided the grandson he had high hopes for, "Do you think soone like Sun Shicai, who at a young age beca of Seventh Grade Cultivation and a Patrol Envoy of the Six Gates, would show
respect?"
"This..."
Lei Yucheng felt awkward, not daring to lie but also reluctant to speak the truth.
Lei Zhenguang took it lightly, chuckling, "Even I wouldn’t respect an old man nearing the end of his life. He is willing to give
this face, what do you think is the reason?"
Lei Yucheng suddenly realized, "He has a grudge against that Chen Ming!"
Lei Zhenguang first nodded, then shook his head, saying, "That Sun Shicai has no magnanimity, is harsh and ungrateful. He doesn’t even protect his fellow disciples, which is disheartening. Yucheng, rember, as long as it’s within your ability to protect your fellow disciples, always do your utmost to protect them, to truly gain people’s hearts."
"Yes, Grandfather, I will adhere to your teaching." Lei Yucheng responded, then asked, "What about Chen Ming? He’s only twenty and already a Martial Artist, his talent must be not bad. Didn’t Grandfather advise not to offend such people unless necessary?"
Lei Zhenguang advised sincerely, "Yucheng, as a Martial Artist, you absolutely cannot be amiable with everyone. The other eleven martial halls in Qingfeng City elected us as the president of the Martial Arts Hall Association. When others break the rules, you must act decisively."
"That Chen Ming is just a Ninth Grade Martial Artist. As long as Sun Shicai doesn’t protect him, removing him should be easy. To prevent future troubles, it’s best to cripple him. That’s what soone like Li Xiangrong is for."
Lei Yucheng expressed his admiration, "Grandfather, your considerations are thorough, I am in awe."
As they spoke, a hurried voice ca from outside, "Hall Master, sothing bad has happened."
Lei Yucheng, displeased, asked, "What’s the matter causing such panic?"
"That Chen Ming does not accept the association’s decisions and has detained Senior Brother Li and the others, saying... saying that he wants the association to apologize."
"What?"
Lei Yucheng was shocked, "Does Chen Ming have helpers? Who dares to go against our Martial Arts Hall Association?"
"No, he’s by himself."
"What did you say? How is this possible?" Lei Yucheng was both shocked and furious.
"It’s rumored... that Chen Ming has already achieved Eighth Grade Cultivation!"
Eighth Grade?
Lei Yucheng was extrely shocked, instinctively looking at his grandfather, seeing his expression also turning utterly amazed.
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