Martial Artists and Sorcerers

Inside the bedroom.

Chen Mu was lying on the bed.

A phantom slowly emerged from the ground and floated above Chen Mu's head. It was Chen Mu's soul, which had left his body through Soul Roaming.

"Fourth Rank Martial Artist..."

Chen Mu murmured in his heart.

While the Fifth Rank Martial Artists of the Xuanguo Estate were indeed full of vigor, they didn't give him a strong sense of oppression. Even at close range, he could completely withstand it.

As for Fourth Rank Martial Artists, Chen Mu wasn't afraid of encountering them in his Soul Roaming state, because they didn't possess the ability to fly or burrow. As long as they couldn't find his physical body, his soul could retreat calmly.

Of course.

If it were a head-on confrontation, it would likely still be impossible.

Chen Mu could feel the subtle pressure the Fourth Rank attendant's vigor exerted on him. If a direct conflict occurred, the opponent's vigor could impact his soul!

He had read many books about Sorcerers, and he had also read some about Martial Artists.

In the path of Martial Dao, the Fourth Rank is a watershed!

This level, the Fourth Rank, is called 'non-human,' meaning an existence that has transcended the human realm. Although they cannot yet fly or burrow, their bodies are like steel and bone, capable of charging through thousands of soldiers and horses with the strength of one person!

The Fourth Rank is non-human, while the Third Rank is called Grandmaster. Short-term aerial movement is the mark of a Grandmaster. Apart from Grandmasters, Martial Artists rarely have the ability to move through the air.

Further up, the Second Rank is called Great Grandmaster, capable of establishing a sect and building a large faction, and even the Imperial Court will recognize their existence and not easily come into conflict with them.

And the First Rank is the Martial Saint, the ultimate realm of Martial Dao!

Generally speaking, in the common martial world, Fourth Rank Martial Artists are already extremely rare existences, seldom showing themselves, because beings at this level have status even in ducal and princely estates.

Moreover, their status is even higher than Chen Mu had previously imagined. This Fourth Rank Martial Artist is already an attendant in the Xuanguo Estate, and even the current Xuanguo Duke himself treats him with courtesy!

But upon reflection, it made sense.

Although the first generation Xuanguo Duke of the Xuanguo Estate was recorded as a Third Rank Martial Dao Grandmaster who assisted Da Yuan's founding emperor in pacifying the chaotic world and slaying countless demons, it has been seven hundred years since then.

Over seven hundred years, although the Xuanguo Estate has consistently inherited its title and enjoyed power, the existence of a Grandmaster-level figure is not something that can be easily passed down. By this generation, there is even a bit of a gap in talent.

"If my soul could advance another level, I wouldn't fear Fourth Rank Martial Artists."

Chen Mu thought of the realms of Sorcerers.

If Fourth Rank Martial Artists are non-human, rarely making a move in the mundane world and not competing with the younger generation, then Fifth Rank Sorcerers are also existences at this level!

Sixth Rank Sorcerers are in the Night Roaming Realm, while Fifth Rank Sorcerers are in the Dao Technique Realm!

As the name suggests, Sorcerers who reach this level undergo a qualitative change and possess their own unique Dao techniques and divine abilities.

Freezing a thousand miles, holding thunder in hand, burning the sky with crimson flames – these are Dao techniques!

Although the description of freezing a thousand miles might be an exaggeration, Sorcerers at this level are no longer like ordinary people but possess the means of immortals!

"I wonder if destroying the Black Water Gang can support me in reaching the Fifth Rank level."

Chen Mu mused.

But he quickly reined in his thoughts.

It was late at night, and he no longer had the interest to continue exploring the Xuanguo Estate. His soul quietly returned to his body, and he entered a state of meditation to rest.

The next morning.

Chen Mu slowly opened his eyes and sat up from the bed.

"Second Master, good morning."

As he opened his eyes, he saw Xiao Mei standing by the bed, obedient and well-behaved. In her hand was a porcelain cup for rinsing, and beside it was a brass basin still steaming with heat, containing clean, warm water.

"Mm."

Chen Mu was not surprised by Xiao Mei's drastic change overnight.

If a mere Ninth Rank maid could do something under the nose of a Sixth Rank Sorcerer without being detected, it would be utterly ridiculous.

After Chen Mu returned from Soul Roaming last night, although he entered meditation to rest, he was still perfectly aware of all the changes around him. No movement inside or outside the entire courtyard could escape his notice.

Xiao Mei stayed up all night last night,

But still woke up early to wash clothes and boil water.

Chen Mu took the porcelain cup to rinse his mouth, and then, under Xiao Mei's service, washed up and got dressed. This was the first time he experienced the life of a proper young master since coming to this world.

While getting dressed.

Chen Mu looked at Xiao Mei and said, "What is your real name?"

Xiao Mei's hand, which was buttoning Chen Mu's cotton jacket, paused for a moment. She replied softly, "Mo... Mo Mei."

That's right then.

Chen Mu nodded slightly, but still asked another question, saying, "Do you have any sisters at home?"

When this question was asked,

Xiao Mei immediately fell silent. After a while, she said softly, "There's no one left at home. I used to have a sister."

Hearing this, Chen Mu was basically certain, and he knew that Xiao Mei was also aware of the Black Water Gang's affairs. However, at this moment, Xiao Mei was very mindful of her duty. Even though her heart was filled with hatred for the Black Water Gang, she didn't show much of it, only answering Chen Mu's questions softly.

Chen Mu smiled faintly at Xiao Mei's reaction.

"How did you get into the Xuanguo Estate?"

"Replying to Second Master, when my family met with disaster, it happened that the Xuanguo Estate was buying maids and servants, and I was chosen. So I followed them all the way to the Xuanguo Estate. After studying with the old woman for a while, I came here to Second Master. Since then, I have never left the Xuanguo Estate, nor have I had contact with anyone else, and I have never had any thoughts of harming Second Master..."

"It's just that my whole family was harmed by someone, and I've always held a grudge in my heart, which is why I secretly learned Martial Arts."

Xiao Mei thought that Chen Mu was questioning her background, so she knelt down before Chen Mu and blurted everything out.

Speaking of this, she looked up at Chen Mu, biting her lip, and said, "These are all Xiao Mei's own choices and mistakes. Whatever punishment Second Master gives, Xiao Mei will have no complaints."

This was all her own choice, and she had been prepared to accept it for a long time. It was just that last night, she thought it was the end, and her heart was so bitter that she couldn't control herself, which was why she lost her soul and cried.

She just didn't expect that Chen Mu wouldn't punish her.

She couldn't sleep that night. Thoughts of escaping, suicide, and various other ideas flashed through her mind, but in the end, she did nothing. The opportunity to choose was given by Chen Mu, and that was a kindness.

She had already disobeyed Chen Mu once; she couldn't disobey him a second time. Even if she had to face punishments more cruel than death, she was prepared to accept everything.

Chen Mu didn't say anything.

He just quietly watched Xiao Mei.

He had given Xiao Mei many choices, and among those many choices, Xiao Mei had indeed made the one she should have made the most.

There were many, many men in this world who couldn't face the things they had done, but Xiao Mei could. Just this point alone surpassed most men.

After a while.

Chen Mu said lightly, "Get up."

"Yes..."

"Tell me about your past. The disaster you faced, and the hatred."

Xiao Mei began to recount her past.

She told many stories, including how her father was tricked by someone, fell into huge debt, and because he couldn't repay it, he was asked to let her and her sister be used as collateral. After refusing, he was brutally beaten to death by the Black Water Gang.

This was much more detailed than what Chen Mu had seen in the Netherworld.

She also recounted how she was lucky enough to encounter the Xuanguo Estate recruiting maids and servants afterward.

"So the Black Water Gang didn't know you entered the Xuanguo Estate, and you haven't seen them or your sister since."

Chen Mu listened, then spoke thoughtfully.

"Mm."

Xiao Mei bit her lip as she responded.

She could face her own choices calmly, but ultimately, she couldn't let go of her sister and the past.

Chen Mu looked at Xiao Mei and asked, "Then do you know your sister's current situation?"

"I haven't heard any news of my sister, but my sister fell into their hands..."

Xiao Mei shook her head.

With cruel and inhumane people like the Black Water Gang, her sister falling into their hands and having no news for several years now, her current situation could be guessed without even thinking about it.

"Then how much do you know about the Black Water Gang?"

Chen Mu asked again.

Xiao Mei whispered, "I've tried to inquire over the past few years, but I only heard that the Black Water Gang seems to have declined a lot in recent years. I don't know anything else."

Chen Mu pondered for a while, then said, "Alright, I understand. You can go down now."

Saying this, he waved his hand.

Xiao Mei curtsied and then withdrew, carefully closing the door behind her.