Huo Qianqian

"Sorry, Junior Brother. I wasn't able to help you this time."

In a secluded courtyard within Huo Manor, Zhang Mingyu was drinking and chatting with Wen Zehao.

Wen Zehao hurriedly said, "What are you saying? Senior Brother, I'm already immensely grateful that you were willing to help. I just didn't expect that guy to have some skill."

"He has practiced martial arts for many years, after all." Zhang Mingyu raised a cup to him and said, "I'm afraid I can't help with this matter. You know, I already offended Junior Sister once before, and she ignored me for half a year. I don't dare offend her again."

The smile on Wen Zehao's face froze, and he could only force a smile. "I've caused Senior Brother trouble. I truly feel terrible about it."

After drinking a few more cups, Wen Zehao found an excuse to leave.

Once out of the small courtyard, his face darkened. He had thought Chen Ming was some insignificant nobody who could be removed with a wave of his hand. Who would have thought...

Not only had he failed to drive the man away, he had wasted a favor for nothing.

"Hmph, I'll let you hop around a while longer."

Wen Zehao clenched his fists.

Tomorrow, his family had an extremely important shipment that could not afford any mishaps. He had to escort it personally and would be leaving Qingfeng City early in the morning.

Before leaving, he intended to see Junior Sister.

Instead, he was met with a closed door.

Wen Zehao was rather baffled. They had clearly made up that morning—he had even held her hand. What sort of childish tantrum was she throwing now?

On second thought, perhaps she was just shy.

So, he wrote a letter and had a maid deliver it to Junior Sister before leaving Huo Manor.

This trip would take a month there and back, and he would return just in time for Junior Sister's sixteenth birthday.

Then, they could begin discussing his marriage to Junior Sister.

When Wen Zehao left, his heart was burning hot.

"He's gone?"

In the courtyard, Huo Qianqian sat on a swing with both feet dangling in midair. The swing swayed back and forth as she did not even glance at the letter the maid handed her.

"Seventh Young Master said this trip will take a month. He will return before Miss's birthday."

"What does it have to do with me whether he comes back or not?"

Huo Qianqian was unhappy.

The maid said softly, "Didn't Master say that once Miss comes of age, he will arrange your marriage?"

Huo Qianqian said angrily, "If anyone wants to marry him, let him marry himself. I'm not marrying him."

"Ah?"

The maid had no idea why she had suddenly become so angry again.

Huo Qianqian herself did not know what was wrong with her. She knew Wen Zehao wanted to marry her, and Grandfather was inclined to approve of the match as well.

Speaking of Wen Zehao, he was rather handsome, came from a good family, and possessed outstanding talent. Among Qingfeng City's younger generation, he was quite remarkable.

She was neither particularly satisfied nor dissatisfied with him.

In any case, women had to marry eventually.

But recently, Wen Zehao's behavior had disappointed her greatly.

He had shown his narrow-minded side.

They were not even married yet, and merely because she had pleaded with Grandfather for an unrelated man, he had come storming over to question her.

If they got married, wouldn't that be even worse?

For the past half month, he had humbled himself to seek her forgiveness.

Yet the moment she forgave him that morning, he immediately went looking for trouble with Chen Ming.

When Huo Qianqian heard the news, half her heart turned cold. Was this the man she was about to marry?

Would she be forbidden from even speaking a word to another man after they married?

The more she thought about it, the more agitated she became. A nameless blaze suddenly rose in her heart: it was all Chen Ming's fault!

If not for him, where would all these troubles have come from?

The next morning, at nine o'clock.

Chen Ming arrived at Huo Manor on time. The moment he entered, a maid stopped him. "Young Master Chen, my lady wishes to see you."

My lady?

Huo Qianqian?

Chen Ming thought for a moment, then said, "I was just worried I would have no chance to thank Miss Huo in person. Please lead the way."

He was rather curious what Huo Qianqian wanted with him.

Did she want him to explain things to her sweetheart?

Huo Qianqian was Huo Chengkun's only relative. Her parents had long since passed away, and she and her grandfather depended on each other. One could imagine how much Huo Chengkun doted on her.

As long as she spoke, Chen Ming would have to get lost. There was no avoiding it, so he could only go and meet her.

The maid led him all the way to the rear courtyard.

This was Chen Ming's first time entering the rear courtyard of Huo Manor. It was where Huo Chengkun and his granddaughter lived. Only his personal disciples could enter; everyone else was forbidden from setting foot here.

The farther they walked, the more secluded it became.

Could Huo Qianqian really live in a place like this?

Chen Ming could not help beginning to suspect that this maid had been sent by Wen Zehao to set him up...

"Are you Chen Ming?"

A crisp, delicate voice came from beside him. He turned and saw a young girl standing before a moon gate. She wore red martial attire, with fair skin, sweet features, and a tall figure. She truly was a beautiful young girl.

Unfortunately, a spoiled arrogance showed on her face, ruining that beauty.

Chen Ming had no fondness for spoiled women. Back on Earth, he had seen far too many "little fairies" putting on every kind of act. When he encountered a woman with similar airs, no matter how pretty she was, he felt nothing.

Huo Qianqian snorted. "You don't look like much."

Chen Ming bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Miss Huo."

Huo Qianqian stared at him. "I heard you serve as a Sparring Partner for the disciples who come here to study martial arts. Let this young lady see how capable you are."

Without giving him any time to react, she drove a fist straight at his face.

The punch was swift and fierce. If it landed, it would surely break his nose.

"You're serious?"

Chen Ming did not dare be careless. He dodged aside. "Miss Huo..."

"Take this!"

Having seized the initiative, Huo Qianqian showed no mercy. She swept out with another kick, not giving him any chance to speak.

The strength she displayed was actually greater than Qi Jun's!

Chen Ming felt unprecedented pressure. He no longer dared let his mind wander and focused with all his might on dealing with her.

For a time, their figures leaped and darted like rabbits and falcons, and they had already exchanged seven or eight moves.

Huo Qianqian shouted sharply, "Do you only know how to dodge? Fight back!"

Chen Ming said nothing, merely dodging again and again as he searched for an opening.

This should be the Four Elephants Fist. As expected, it is more profound than the Three Powers Fist. Fortunately, she has little combat experience, and the transitions between her moves are too stiff. There is still a chance.

Her Iron Horse Stance has reached at least the Fourth Layer. Her strength far surpasses mine—I can't meet her head-on.

His mind raced. He could only rely on his rich combat experience to circle around her.

More than ten moves passed.

Huo Qianqian's movements became smoother and smoother. Through this battle, she rapidly grasped the proper way to use her techniques.

This could not continue.

Chen Ming felt the pressure mounting. Suddenly, he steeled his heart, kicked a pebble beneath his foot, and lost his balance.

Seeing the opening, joy flashed in Huo Qianqian's eyes as both hands lunged fiercely toward him.

But as Chen Ming fell backward, he used a strange move, snapping out a lightning-fast kick. It struck her squarely on the thigh. She cried out in pain and fell to the ground.

"You—"

Huo Qianqian's eyes widened, rapidly filling with tears—grievance, anger, disbelief...

Uh...

Only then did Chen Ming realize that this was the little princess of the Huo Family, yet he had actually hit her.

Just as he was about to apologize, Huo Qianqian got up and ran off. She limped slightly, clearly having been kicked rather hard.

You defeated an LV8 enemy and gained 30 experience points.