Nameless Technique

In the early morning, as the rising sun crested the horizon, warm sunlight spilled into the courtyard.

Chen Ming sat beneath the eaves, flipping through a book. Its material resembled paper, yet it was exceptionally tough, seemingly made from the hide of some animal.

The book appeared to have some age to it, its pages slightly yellowed. The script upon them also differed somewhat from the current mainstream writing.

There was no title on the cover, but judging from its contents, it was indeed a cultivation technique.

An unnamed technique of unknown origin like this was something ordinary people would never dare practice lightly.

But Chen Ming was not afraid. Whether this thing was genuine or fake, he would know after practicing it.

Before long, the maid Xiao Hong came to call him to eat.

He put away the Nameless Technique and went to have breakfast.

After breakfast, Chen Ming left home and headed for Huo Manor.

Over the past few days, he had more or less adjusted his state. Even when he had come into close contact with Deng Ziyang yesterday, the man had noticed nothing.

Besides, he had stayed at home these past few days without gaining a single experience point, which left him somewhat anxious.

Without experience points, how was he supposed to grow stronger?

At around nine in the morning, Chen Ming arrived at Huo Manor on time. After greeting the gatekeeper, he entered, but did not see Huo Qianqian's Maid Chunmei for a long while, and could not help feeling disappointed.

On second thought, her fiancé had returned. Why would she still come to spar with him?

Besides, she was about to marry. Once that happened, she would be even less likely to come seek him out for a match.

He would be losing a source of experience points in the future.

Chen Ming felt somewhat regretful.

Before long, he arrived at the martial arts grounds.

"Junior Brother Chen."

Hong Mingquan was delighted to see him. "You finally came. Those little brats talk about you every day."

"Fifth Senior Brother."

Chen Ming entered the pavilion and explained, "There were matters at home these past few days, so I could not get away. Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother."

At that moment, Zhang Mingyu also walked over. "Hey, I heard all about it. Are you about to have some happy news?"

During this period, Chen Ming and Zhang Mingyu had gotten along fairly well. Their previous misunderstanding had long since been swept away. After all, they saw each other every day; there was no need to make things too stiff.

Hong Mingquan said, "I think you should not settle it so quickly. Marriage is a lifelong matter. Why not wait a few more years? If you can break through that great barrier, it will not be too late to marry then."

This was advice from someone who had been through it.

Back then, he had been too eager to marry. The wife he took was only average, whether in family background or appearance. By the time he became a martial artist, it was too late for regret.

One of the sect rules stated that a wife who had shared hardship could not be cast aside.

Zhang Mingyu disagreed. "Fifth Junior Brother, do not mislead the younger generation here. How difficult is it to break through and become a martial artist? Those lacking talent should keep their feet on solid ground. Do not cling to impractical fantasies and merely add to your troubles."

Hong Mingquan did not dare retort, only saying, "Senior Brother is right to lecture me."

Chen Ming lowered his head and drank tea without passing judgment.

In truth, there was nothing wrong with what Zhang Mingyu had said. It was just that Chen Ming was not an ordinary person.

Seeing that things had grown a little awkward, he changed the subject and asked which renowned experts had appeared in Qingfeng City.

When it came to such a topic, the two of them naturally knew it like the back of their hands.

"If we are talking about the most formidable expert to have appeared locally, it should be that ancestor of the Gu Family two hundred years ago, at the pinnacle of the first rank. From then on, the Gu Family's position as the foremost family in this prefecture was established..."

As the three chatted, they suddenly saw Wen Zehao appear on the martial arts grounds and walk toward them.

Hong Mingquan and Zhang Mingyu abruptly fell silent, and the atmosphere became awkward for a moment.

Chen Ming rose to take his leave, so as not to be an eyesore here.

"Chen Ming."

Unexpectedly, Wen Zehao called out to him first. "You do not need to leave. Sit down and have a cup of tea with us."

Chen Ming found it baffling. Why was this man hot and cold by turns? Did he think they were playing house?

"No, thank you."

He declined politely and left the pavilion.

Zhang Mingyu found it a little strange. "Didn't you dislike him? Why are you suddenly being so polite to him?"

Wen Zehao sighed, picked up the tea Fifth Senior Brother had poured for him, and drained it in one gulp. With a face full of regret, he said, "I finally understand why Little Junior Sister was angry with me. It turns out she thinks I am too petty."

Are you not?

Zhang Mingyu and Hong Mingquan both thought so, but neither said it aloud.

Wen Zehao did not notice their expressions. His mouth was filled with bitterness. "She helped Chen Ming because her close friend Zhang Xinyi came to beg her. Sigh, why did she not tell me sooner? Over such a trivial matter, Little Junior Sister still refuses to speak to me."

Zhang Mingyu held back his laughter and said teasingly, "So you intend to make up with Chen Ming and have him explain things to Little Junior Sister for you?"

"Yes."

"Unfortunately, he does not seem very appreciative."

Wen Zehao snorted. "Would he dare? I gave him face!"

At that point, Hong Mingquan interjected, "I do not think that is a good idea. Little Junior Sister is clever as ice and snow, and what she hates most is people playing tricks. You only need to interact with Chen Ming normally and stop clashing with him. Once word reaches her ears, she will naturally understand."

Wen Zehao shook his head. "How long would that take? Junior Sister's birthday is coming soon. I need her to forgive me as quickly as possible. I am going to find him now."

He left behind Zhang Mingyu and Hong Mingquan, the two senior and junior brothers staring at each other speechlessly.

"You want me to explain to Miss Huo that you were not excluding me or trying to drive me away?"

After hearing Wen Zehao's purpose, Chen Ming looked at him with some shock.

What kind of thought process could lead someone to say such a thing to him?

His emotional intelligence was simply worse than that of a middle school student.

Wen Zehao nodded. "Yes. As long as you explain it to Little Junior Sister, I can give you one Qi and Blood Pill."

His tone made it sound as though he were handing out charity.

Chen Ming thought for a moment and said, "I can explain it to Miss Huo. It would be best if we went together."

"That was exactly my intention."

Wen Zehao was actually somewhat worried that Chen Ming would speak ill of him to Little Junior Sister behind his back. He had long decided to go along with him.

He took a bottle from his chest and handed over the payment first.

Fifty taels were in hand.

Chen Ming had never made enemies with money. After confirming that there was a Qi and Blood Pill inside, he tucked it straight into his clothes.

Xiao Manor had been surrounded by a group of Six Doors constables early in the morning.

A life had been lost here last night.

At daybreak, Xiao Manor had sent someone to report the case to the authorities.

Three constables searched the scene. The oldest among them said, "When the body was discovered, the door had been bolted from the inside, and the windows were intact. There were no traces left by a second person at the scene, and no other injuries on the deceased's body. This was suicide."

Another constable nodded, agreeing with the deduction.

Only the youngest constable had sharp eyes. In a grave voice, he said, "I believe this was murder. Looking at the ligature marks on the deceased's neck, it was clearly not death by hanging, but strangulation."

The older constable revealed a sneer. "Since Lord Wang believes it was homicide, then investigate it yourself. When you find evidence and catch the culprit, come back and overturn my conclusion."

With that, he flicked his sleeves and left.

After the two constables departed Xiao Manor, the younger one sneered. "A newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger."

The older constable said, "I saw long ago that he is an ambitious sort. The newly arrived superior is young, so he must be eager to produce some dazzling achievements. That lad saw this clearly. If he can earn merit, perhaps he will catch the new superior's eye."