"Three Yang Body Forging"

"...That's how it is."

Chen Ming, following Wen Zehao's instructions, explained the situation to Huo Qianqian, who stood across from him.

Wearing a light blue training uniform, Huo Qianqian listened expressionlessly, her eyes fixed on the newly formed buds of the tea tree beside her.

Standing off to the side, Wen Zehao was pleased with his performance and pressed on, "Little Junior Sister, Chen Ming and I started learning martial arts here the same year. We're close. Don't listen to anyone's slander..."

Huo Qianqian still showed no reaction.

Only Chunmei, the maid who knew her temperament well, sensed trouble brewing. She frantically signaled Wen Zehao with her eyes to stop talking.

Unfortunately, Wen Zehao only had eyes for Huo Qianqian and couldn't see anyone else.

Seeing that his part was done, Chen Ming took his leave.

As soon as he left, Huo Qianqian shot Wen Zehao an icy glare. "Wen Zehao, do you take me for a three-year-old?"

Wen Zehao was stunned. "What do you mean by that?"

"Hmph."

Huo Qianqian turned and walked away.

The maid Chunmei stamped her foot, shot him a look of utter disappointment, and chased after her mistress.

"Little Junior Sister..."

Wen Zehao called out urgently but didn't dare follow her into the courtyard. He could only wait helplessly by the gate.

What an idiot.

Chen Ming had barely walked a short distance when he heard Wen Zehao's aggrieved shout. That was his assessment.

If the Huo Manor ever fell into hands like that, its future would be grim.

He shook his head and returned to the training ground.

Then, he began sparring with the students.

You have defeated an LV7 enemy again. Gained 2 EXP.

You have defeated an LV8 enemy again. Gained 2 EXP.

Zhang Mingyu sat in the pavilion, leisurely drinking tea with his fifth junior brother, occasionally glancing over in that direction.

This was why he didn't object to Chen Ming serving as a sparring partner for his students—it made things much easier for him.

"Chen Ming does have some talent in fist techniques."

He commented, "It's only been a few days, but his fistwork seems to have improved again."

After saying this, he glanced at Hong Mingquan. "What do you think? Is he qualified to be an instructor at his level?"

Hong Mingquan smiled. "Chen Ming can keep these youngsters in line. He's more than qualified to be an instructor."

Zhang Mingyu took a sip of tea and probed, "Little Junior Brother, if I suggested to Master that Chen Ming take over teaching these kids in my place, do you think he'd agree?"

"Hard to say. Master probably wouldn't let an outsider become an instructor."

"Sigh."

Zhang Mingyu let out a soft sigh.

Compared to staying here as an instructor teaching these students, he longed to go out and explore the world. But Master had never allowed him to leave.

He naturally didn't dare defy his Master's orders.

Chen Ming's appearance had given him a glimmer of hope.

Whether it worked out or not, he had to try.

That morning, a total of seventeen people came to Chen Ming for sparring, contributing 34 EXP. Compared to before, it was a significant drop.

The only good news was that the minimum EXP gain had now become two points.

He consoled himself with that.

In the afternoon, Chen Ming went to the Deng Manor again to spar with Qi Jun and the others.

"Senior Brother Chen, you're finally here."

Qi Jun and the others were very enthusiastic. Ever since they learned that Eldest Brother was going to take the military exam, they'd grown restless and highly motivated, all waiting for him to enter Six Doors so they could make a big name together.

For once, all eight of Deng Ziyang's underlings showed up.

When he left, Chen Ming had gained 16 EXP.

In total, that made 50 EXP.

And so it went. During the day, Chen Ming went out as a sparring partner to earn EXP, and at night, he stayed home to study that technique manual. His days were quite fulfilling.

A flash, and half a month had passed.

This morning, just as dawn broke.

In the courtyard, a group of little boys around ten years old stood in a crooked line, from tallest to shortest, wobbling as they held their stances.

Chen Ming held a ruler in his hand, patiently correcting each of their postures one by one.

He said, "Same rules as always. The last three to hold out get maltose candy."

At the mention of maltose candy, several of the little ones were already swallowing their saliva, determined to be among the winners.

After a while, someone started to falter. It was like a chain reaction—several gave up in quick succession.

In the end, only four remained, their legs trembling, but they gritted their teeth and held on.

A little more time passed, and finally, one of them collapsed.

Three left.

Chen Ming didn't call a stop. From here on, it was a competition among these three.

In the end, a little boy named Li Jian held out the longest. His clothes were the shabbiest, but his will was the strongest.

He lived in the next alley over; his father and older brother were both carpenters.

Li Jian got his maltose candy but didn't unwrap it right away. Instead, he carefully tucked it into his chest.

"Now, let's see if you've been slacking off."

Chen Ming let them rest a while until they'd recovered some strength. He had them stand properly, then walked up and gave each a shove.

One push, and they tumbled over.

You have defeated another LV0 enemy. Gained 2 experience points.

This was why Chen Ming took these kids in.

Easy experience points.

The system was rigid—as long as he knocked someone down, it counted as a "defeat." Each time, he got a baseline of two points.

Even if the opponent was just a ten-year-old boy.

These ten little boys gave him 20 experience points every day.

Much easier than being a sparring partner at Huo Manor.

If he ever took in a hundred students, that'd be two hundred points a day.

Chen Ming figured he was basically exploiting a bug.

Around eight o'clock, the little boys left.

It had been agreed from the start: one hour of training in the morning.

Next came breakfast.

As Chen Ming ate, he opened his panel.

Level: 10

Current Points: 960

Cultivation Methods: "Iron Horse Stance" (Fifth Layer, Perfected), "Three Yang Body Forging Art" (Beginner 2/100)

Martial Techniques: "Three Powers Fist" (Proficient 27/500+), "Bagua Saber Technique" (Beginner 55/100+)

"So that nameless technique is called 'Three Yang Body Forging.'"

Joy welled up in his heart.

After half a month of contemplation, he'd finally comprehended the technique last night.

Now he could just add points directly to raise the proficiency.

Chen Ming finished his meal, returned to his small courtyard, and immediately put a hundred points into it.

Level: 10

Current Points: 860

Cultivation Methods: "Iron Horse Stance" (Fifth Layer, Perfected), "Three Yang Body Forging Art" (First Layer 2/1000)

Martial Techniques: "Three Powers Fist" (Proficient 27/500+), "Bagua Saber Technique" (Beginner 55/100+)

Instantly, he felt a scorching current of energy flow through his entire body, triggering some subtle transformation. But the change was so slight that he couldn't yet tell what effect it would have.

"Strange. The first layer only needs a thousand experience points?"

Seeing this, Chen Ming found it a bit unreasonable.

"Iron Horse Stance" had required a full two thousand points just to reach the fifth layer. Why would the needed experience decrease after upgrading?

"Looks like there's still a lot to figure out about this system."

Suddenly, someone outside shouted nervously, "Second Young Master, there's an officer from Six Doors at the door."

Someone from Six Doors?

Chen Ming's gaze sharpened. He acknowledged the call and walked out.

In the main hall, a constable in a black uniform with sharp eyes sat sprawled in a chair. He was young, but the official attire and the blade at his waist lent him an imposing air.

Chen Rui sat beside him, clearly forcing himself to stay calm while inwardly panicking. Only when he saw his younger brother arrive did he let out a sigh of relief and quickly said, "This is Lord Wang from Six Doors. He says he has some questions for you."

"You two talk."

With that, he left.

Chen Ming studied the constable. The black uniform indicated his rank within Six Doors was the lowest—Ninth Rank.

Even so, he was still an official.

Since ancient times, commoners did not contend with officials.

Chen Ming respectfully bowed. "I don't know what Lord Wang wishes to ask me. I'll speak without reservation."

Wang Mingyang was sizing him up in return, missing no detail. As soon as he spoke, his tone was aggressive. "Did you kill Xiao Lin?"