Break Your Legs

Chen Ming had originally thought Huo Qianqian would soon bring a crowd over to settle the score, beat him up, and drive him away.

Yet even after he had finished fifteen sparring matches, nothing happened.

Wen Zehao had not sent anyone to trouble him either.

Somewhat puzzled, he left Huo Manor. Outside the gates, he saw Deng Ziyang's carriage again.

"Miss, does it hurt badly?"

Inside a lady's chamber, the maid Hongmei looked at the distinct red mark on Huo Qianqian's thigh, tears nearly spilling from her eyes.

"What do you think?"

Huo Qianqian was already in unbearable pain. Hearing that, anger immediately flared within her, and she snapped, "Want me to kick you and see?"

Hongmei shrank her neck. In the end, she was afraid of pain and did not dare pursue the matter. Indignantly, she said, "Miss, that Chen actually dared lay hands on you. I'll report this to the master and have someone seize him and bring him here for you to vent your anger."

"Stop right there."

Huo Qianqian abruptly sat up, tugging at her injury and making her shudder in pain. She said sharply, "You are not to tell Grandfather about this."

Hongmei froze, her face full of confusion. "Why?"

Grinding her teeth, Huo Qianqian said, "I will avenge this myself."

Ever since she was young, no matter whom she sparred with, everyone had always gone easy on her. It had truly been dull.

Today, she had finally encountered someone who did not yield to her, someone who had truly struck her without mercy. It rekindled her competitive spirit.

She had to win it back through her own strength. Otherwise, she would not even be able to sleep.

Still uneasy, Huo Qianqian warned, "If you dare tell anyone, I'll break your legs."

"Understood, Miss."

Hongmei agreed meekly.

"Qi Jun is rather stubborn. Ever since he lost to you last time, he has remained unconvinced. That's why he wanted to spar with you again today. We'll stop at the proper point."

Inside the carriage, Deng Ziyang explained why he had come to find Chen Ming today.

Chen Ming complained, "Brother Deng, you only needed to send word, and I would have come. Why come pick me up in person?"

Deng Ziyang smiled. "It was on the way."

Then he sighed. "Qi Jun cares most about his pride. After losing to you, he had been too ashamed to go back and face Zhang Mingyu."

Chen Ming was somewhat surprised to hear him call Third Senior Brother by name without the slightest respect, but he said apologetically, "Sigh, I really should have held back. It's just that Brother Qi's martial arts were too formidable, so I could only go all out."

"He was the one who looked down on others and brought this defeat upon himself. I should be thanking you. After learning this lesson, he has finally improved somewhat."

As the two chatted, they soon arrived at a manor.

This was Deng Ziyang's home, a large residence with five courtyards from front to back.

Deng Ziyang said, "After my mother gave birth to me, the old man bought this residence. Now that my mother is gone, I found living alone too dull, so I called some brothers over to live with me. If you ever have nowhere to go, come here."

"Certainly."

Chen Ming felt that this man really had the bearing of an elder brother—generous with money and grand in his dealings. With a group of loyal underlings around him, someone like this might truly accomplish something if given a few opportunities.

The two arrived at a spacious courtyard, where several people were chatting and bragging.

When they saw Deng Ziyang arrive, they immediately rose to their feet and shouted in unison, "Big Brother!"

Deng Ziyang said, "Qi Jun, Brother Chen agreed to fight you again. Why haven't you thanked Brother Chen?"

Qi Jun immediately stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Many thanks to Brother Chen for giving me the chance to wash away my former humiliation."

Intense fighting spirit shone in his eyes.

Chen Ming returned the salute. "Please instruct me."

Deng Ziyang reminded them, "You are both friends. This is only a sparring match, so stop at the proper point and do not hurt the harmony between you."

"Of course."

"Good. Then begin."

Qi Jun struck first. This time, he absolutely would not be careless again.

Yet once they exchanged blows, things were completely different from last time.

Not only did Chen Ming not retreat, he instead took the initiative and charged forward.

Bang!

The two collided head-on. Chen Ming's body swayed slightly, then steadied.

His strength was actually not much inferior to Qi Jun's.

How was that possible?

Qi Jun was greatly shocked. His moves immediately fell into disorder, and Chen Ming seized the opportunity, pressing the attack with every move.

He could only barely defend himself, nearly suppressed throughout the entire fight.

After around ten exchanges, Chen Ming lightly tapped his shoulder, then withdrew his hand like lightning and stood with his hands behind his back.

Qi Jun stood frozen in place, his face blank and his spirit shattered.

At that moment, Deng Ziyang said, "I never expected Brother Chen had not used his full strength last time."

Chen Ming explained, "Brother Deng misunderstands me. After fighting Brother Qi last time, I gained some insight and unexpectedly broke through. I have Brother Qi to thank for that."

"So that was it."

Deng Ziyang turned to Qi Jun and shouted, "Qi Jun, are you convinced now?"

Qi Jun's whole body trembled. Not daring to look at Chen Ming, he lowered his head and said dejectedly, "Convinced... I'm convinced."

This time, he had been suppressed from beginning to end without any chance to strike back. It made him realize the gap between himself and Chen Ming.

Deng Ziyang said, "Come, to the Drunken Immortal Restaurant—we won't leave until we're drunk. Brother Chen, this is to celebrate your strength rising another level. Don't you dare refuse."

And so, Chen Ming was once again dragged off to the Drunken Immortal Restaurant.

After eating and drinking his fill, Chen Ming returned home in the late afternoon, around four o'clock—the hour of the Monkey.

He returned to his small courtyard, and someone soon brought him a bowl of hangover soup. It was Elder Sister-in-Law's maid. "Young Master, why did you drink so much in broad daylight?"

"Someone dragged me there, and it would have been difficult to refuse."

As Chen Ming spoke, he noticed a patch on her skirt. Though it was made from cloth of the same color, it was still obvious at a glance.

He frowned. Had his family's financial situation truly deteriorated to such a state?

She might only be a maid, but for a family that could afford servants to make them wear patched clothes—wouldn't people laugh if word got out?

The family was tightening its belt. What, then, was the situation at the pharmacy?

It seems I need to raise my strength as quickly as possible.

A sense of urgency rose within him.

Chen Ming opened the panel.

Level: 5

Current Points: 15

Cultivation Method: "Iron Horse Stance" (Third Layer 1/500+)

Martial Skill: "Three Powers Fist" (Mastery 10/500+), Bagua Saber Technique (Beginner 12/100+)

That morning, after injuring Huo Qianqian, he had raised the Iron Horse Stance to the Third Layer in preparation for any danger that might arise.

That was why he had been able to suppress Qi Jun just now and win so easily.

Qi Jun's Iron Horse Stance was only at the Third Layer as well.

"I need to become a true martial artist as soon as possible."

Chen Ming revised his short-term goal.

In this world, only by becoming a true martial artist and entering the ranks could one leap across the class divide. At that point, making money would become very easy.

He calculated that his fixed daily experience income was fifteen points, which came to four hundred and fifty points a month.

In other words, it would take at least another month to break the Iron Horse Stance through to the Fourth Layer. Reaching the Fifth Layer would probably take another two months.

"Too slow."

He had to find another source of experience points.