Sparring Career Begins

The next morning.

The sky had only just begun to brighten when Chen Ming got up. As he headed out, he heard a child's clear reading voice coming from the courtyard on his elder brother's side—it was his young nephew doing his morning reading.

It sounded like an elementary text such as the Thousand Character Classic.

Over the past few days, he had heard that his elder brother and Elder Sister-in-Law were planning to have their son study literature.

Poor families chose literature; rich families chose martial arts.

His elder brother and the others had probably been frightened by the cost of his martial training. The first expense was tuition—three hundred taels a year. Then there were the holiday gifts for his master, which cost several dozen taels more.

Martial artists consumed a great deal. They needed meat every day, and the money he alone spent on food exceeded that of the entire family.

There were also the monthly medicinal baths and the indispensable qi-replenishing pills.

All told, it cost at least five hundred taels a year.

Back then, his father had gritted his teeth and held on, pouring half a lifetime of savings into him, hoping that his younger son would one day achieve success in martial arts and bring glory to the family.

Who could have imagined that this son would be such a disappointment? After four years of training, he had accomplished nothing. Money had flowed out like running water.

After his parents died, the pharmacy business had inevitably suffered. Now, it probably earned only a little over a hundred taels a year. They truly could not afford to support this nephew in learning martial arts.

In fact, his parents had left behind another sum of money. To get him out this time, it had likely all been spent as well.

The foundation the Chen Family had painstakingly built over generations had been completely squandered by the original owner.

Who knew how many people had pointed behind his back.

Even so, Chen Rui was still willing to acknowledge him as his younger brother and had never blamed him. Such brotherly affection was all the more precious.

Chen Ming kept all of this in his heart.

And Golden Source Commerce, along with all those who had plotted against him, framed him, and cheated his elder brother out of money—he remembered them as well.

This debt could be settled slowly in the future.

By the time Chen Ming arrived at Huo Manor, the sky was fully bright.

The gatekeeper had already received instructions and let him in directly.

He had trained martial arts here for four years and could not have been more familiar with the place. He headed straight for the training grounds.

"Chen Ming?"

Someone suddenly called his name from behind.

He turned around and saw a young man in a blue brocade robe. He hurriedly bowed. "Greetings, Seventh Senior Brother."

This was Wen Zehao, Huo Chengkun's youngest disciple, who had arrived to study martial arts in the same batch as him.

But different people had different fates.

Wen Zehao had displayed extraordinary talent, advancing at an astonishing pace. In less than half a year, he had broken through the Iron Horse Stance to the second level.

After only four years, he had already broken through the Iron Horse Stance to the fifth level. He had become a Ranked Martial Artist and been accepted by Huo Chengkun as his seventh disciple.

Looking at this high-spirited peer before him, Chen Ming felt an indescribable emotion rise in his heart.

There was no doubt that the original owner had envied Wen Zehao. He had also dreamed that one day, like Wen Zehao, he would suddenly awaken to his potential, make great progress in cultivation, stun everyone with a single brilliant feat, and become the focus of all eyes.

But reality was cruel. He had trained for seven years without even breaking the Iron Horse Stance to the second level—worse than Wen Zehao's progress in half a year.

Thus, before the dazzling Wen Zehao, the original owner had felt nothing but deep inferiority.

Wen Zehao was quite happy to see an old acquaintance. "You came to visit Master too?"

Chen Ming quickly suppressed the strange feelings in his heart. The jealousy belonged to the original owner; it had nothing to do with him.

He said, "I found a job. From now on, I'll be a Sparring Partner for the new students."

"A Sparring Partner? Didn't you already have a job?"

"Not anymore."

Wen Zehao wanted to ask more, but then he caught sight of a graceful figure and hurriedly said, "I'll buy you a drink another time. I'm going to see Master first."

Chen Ming saw that graceful figure too and recognized her as Huo Chengkun's granddaughter.

In his memories, she had still been a little girl of eleven or twelve. Now, she had blossomed into a graceful young woman.

Not long after, Chen Ming arrived at the training grounds.

The people in the field had been divided into several groups, each led by a man dressed in fitted black training clothes.

This place was more like a martial arts school. Students were divided into different levels according to their progress, with different instructors teaching them martial arts.

Huo Chengkun was the headmaster, so he did not ordinarily need to teach students personally.

Chen Ming walked toward the Beginner Class, the largest class and the one with the youngest average age.

"Fifth Senior Brother."

The one responsible for teaching these newcomers was the fifth disciple, Hong Mingquan, a short man with thick limbs who appeared to be twenty-seven or twenty-eight.

Though he looked somewhat comical, he was a genuine Ranked Martial Artist. Taking on ten Chen Mings would not be a problem for him.

Chen Ming was extremely respectful, because he knew that this Fifth Senior Brother had a strong sense of pride. If students showed the slightest disrespect, they would be punished.

Sure enough, seeing how respectful he was, Hong Mingquan was quite pleased, and his attitude softened. "Chen Ming, you're here. Master has already told me. From now on, you'll work with me and properly drill these little ones."

"Please look after me, Fifth Senior Brother."

Hong Mingquan patted his shoulder. "We're all our own people. As long as you work hard, I certainly won't treat you poorly. Come, let's meet those little brats."

He led Chen Ming before the group of half-grown youths, who were standing in stances until sweat poured down their bodies, and introduced him. "His name is Chen Ming. From now on, he'll be your Sparring Partner. If any of you want to practice against him, come find him after you finish your stances."

The half-grown youths all widened their eyes, looking at Chen Ming with curiosity or confusion. It was impossible to tell whether they understood.

"Alright, continue your stances."

Hong Mingquan led Chen Ming into a pavilion beside the field and said, "They still need to hold their stances for half an hour. We'll drink tea and wait."

"Yes, Fifth Senior Brother."

This Fifth Senior Brother had one good trait: as long as one showed him enough respect, he was easy to talk to. Among Huo Chengkun's disciples, he was one of the easiest to get along with.

Over the next half hour, Chen Ming put his gift for conversation to work, constantly steering the discussion toward topics that made Hong Mingquan recount his proudest moments.

He flattered him now and then, always scratching exactly where Hong Mingquan itched. By the end, Hong Mingquan was speaking more and more excitedly, his saliva flying.

"Senior Brother's experiences truly are legendary. You came out of the mountains and worked as a laborer at the docks, yet you achieved what you have today. It's truly remarkable."

Hearing that, Hong Mingquan felt as though several pounds had been lifted from his bones. His mouth nearly stretched to his ears. At first, he had tried to maintain some restraint, but later, he could not suppress the corners of his lips at all.

The more he looked at Chen Ming, the more pleasing he found him. He nearly wanted to drag him to a tavern for a great drinking bout. That would truly be splendid.

Just then, Chen Ming suddenly reminded him, "Senior Brother, it seems half an hour has passed. Shouldn't their stance training be over?"

Only then did Hong Mingquan remember the important matter. He turned to glance at the sundial in the distance, saw that the time had indeed come, and shouted at the little ones, "You can stop."

At once, the youths, who had long been nearing their limits, all collapsed to the ground, unable even to stand.

"They need to rest for a while. Junior Brother, let's continue drinking tea. Back then, I..."

The two chatted for another half hour, and the students had rested enough as well.

Chen Ming found an opportunity to steer the topic toward those students.

Though Hong Mingquan was still not quite satisfied, he knew business came first. Rising to his feet, he said, "Come, Junior Brother. Go test these brats' mettle."

"Alright, Senior Brother."

The two walked over to the youths resting in the shade of a tree. Before Hong Mingquan could say anything, they had already straightened up on their own.

He spoke. "Now it's time for sparring. Who's first?"

More than a dozen youths stood there, but not one opened his mouth.

No one wanted to be the bird that stuck its head out.

Since that was the case, Hong Mingquan called someone out directly. "Li He, you go."

The youth whose name had been called walked out with a nervous expression. His body was stiff, and he even moved his same-side arm and leg together, drawing a burst of laughter.

That laughter made Li He even more nervous. His face flushed red, and he did not know where to put his hands.

Hong Mingquan barked, "All of you, shut up."

Once he spoke, the youths did not dare make trouble and immediately fell silent.

Chen Ming looked at the boy, his tone gentle. "Li He, don't be nervous. Just use your moves the way you normally do when training. Don't worry about hurting me."

"Yes."

Li He finally relaxed a little. He assumed a stance and used the first move of the Three Powers Fist, White Rainbow Piercing the Sun, driving his fist straight at Chen Ming's chest.

It was obvious that he had no experience at all. This move was badly distorted, and Hong Mingquan was furious as he watched. He decided inwardly that he would make this fellow practice the Three Powers Fist ten extra times today.

Chen Ming only defended and did not attack, giving the other side ample room to perform.

Halfway through his moves, Li He's fear gradually faded. Feeling that this adult was nothing special, he suddenly gained confidence, and his movements became smoother.

Only when Li He reached the final move of the thirty-six forms of the Three Powers Fist did Chen Ming suddenly stretch out a hand and pat his chest, sending him staggering backward.

Li He was somewhat unconvinced and wanted to step forward again, but Hong Mingquan stopped him. "That's enough. You lost."

You defeated an LV1 enemy and gained 2 experience points.

It's here!

Seeing the notification appear before his eyes, Chen Ming was thrilled.

There were fifteen youths present. If he sparred with each of them once, that would be thirty points.

All that flattery had not gone to waste.