Backing

Chen Ming's breakthrough to the Eighth Rank was a minor matter for Qingfeng City, stirring only a small ripple among certain factions.

But for the Chen Family, it was a major event.

In the following days, a steady stream of visitors came to offer congratulations. Some were acquaintances of Chen Rui from his business dealings, others were friends of Chen Ming—mostly Huo Chengkun's Disciples-in-Name.

Even Zhang Mingyu came personally to call.

Quite a few people from Sun Shicai's side also showed up. They were all fellow disciples, so Chen Ming's breakthrough to the Eighth Rank was good news for them too.

After all, within the Huo Sect's lineage, aside from Sun Shicai at the Seventh Rank, there were only two Eighth Ranks—Zhang Mingyu and one other Disciple-in-Name. Adding another Eighth Rank was enough to bolster the Huo Sect's reputation.

These past few days had been even livelier than when the Chen Estate first moved in.

Chen Ming only met with fellow disciples like Zhang Mingyu and close friends like Deng Ziyang; he left his Eldest Brother Chen Rui to handle the rest of the guests. Everyone understood that he was about to participate in the Martial Hall Guild's three matches and couldn't afford distractions, so they were considerate. As long as their gifts were delivered, that was enough.

On the afternoon of the third day, still in that same courtyard.

The sun was nearly setting, and the deep autumn evening carried a hint of chill.

Chen Ming was sharing his experience of breaking through to the Eighth Rank with Deng Ziyang and Zhuang Xiaotian. "...The Ninth Rank is the Sinew and Bone Realm. There's no shortcut—you just have to keep tempering your body. Once your sinews and bones are fully developed, the breakthrough comes naturally...

"The Eighth Rank is called the Internal Strengthening Realm. It trains the five viscera and six bowels, and you need the corresponding stance training..."

Speaking of stance training, he had to thank Old Ghost Xiao for contributing the "Three Yang Body Forging Art."

As this technique advanced to the Fourth Layer, he increasingly felt it was no ordinary method.

"Three Yang" referred to the meaning of "three yangs ushering in prosperity," symbolizing the harmony of yin and yang and the revival of all things. It was a highly sophisticated art.

He had specifically looked into the origins of that technique but had never found any leads. Quite a few people had been tricked by Old Ghost Xiao, but Chen Ming had no suitable person to investigate the matter, so he had to set it aside for now.

Deng Ziyang and Zhuang Xiaotian listened intently, each taking away their own insights.

Before they knew it, night had fallen.

Chen Ming had someone light the lanterns, and the three of them sat in the pavilion to eat.

"I wonder when Second Brother will return from this trip."

Deng Ziyang was thinking of his sworn brother Guan Peng, a hint of melancholy in his expression.

Guan Peng had set off yesterday, boarding a merchant ship bound for a foreign land. Before leaving, he hadn't come to see Chen Ming; Deng Ziyang and Zhuang Xiaotian had seen him off instead.

Zhuang Xiaotian said, "Setting sail at this time, he's likely headed for the Southern Ocean Nations. Judging by the cargo, mostly porcelain and raw silk, he should be back in two or three months at most."

Chen Ming was curious. "Brother Zhuang, you know that much about seafaring ships?"

"My father went to sea when he was young. He taught us brothers these things from childhood."

"I see."

Qingfeng City was a port city, making it exceptionally prosperous—second only to the prefectural capital in Jiangzhou.

Many people, like Zhuang Xiaotian's father, had gone to sea in their youth, saved up a fortune, retired ashore, and returned to their hometowns to buy land and houses.

Myriad Prosperity Commerce was one of the top trading companies in Qingfeng City, a maritime giant with a massive fleet and an enormous demand for manpower.

To attract martial artists to join their crews, they even dangled some cultivation techniques as bait.

Every year, many martial artists like Guan Peng joined the Myriad Prosperity fleet for the sake of those techniques. It was dangerous, but it was still a way forward.

For impoverished youths like Guan Peng and Zhuang Xiaotian, who had no martial arts heritage, this path of martial training was incredibly harsh—every step forward had to be fought for with their lives.

In truth, Chen Ming was the same as them, even far worse in talent. The difference was that he had a cheat.

As the three chatted, Deng Ziyang suddenly said, "Senior Brother, do you know who Golden Source Commerce's backer is?"

Chen Ming was intrigued. "The Qi Family has a backer?"

"Of course. Otherwise, how could the Qi Family alone manage such a huge business?"

"Pray, enlighten me."

"In Qinghe City, the massive profits from maritime shipping are monopolized by the Seven Great Merchants. The Qi Family rose to prominence too late to get a piece of that pie, so they took a different path—becoming suppliers and nearly monopolizing the porcelain from both Yunzhou and Lanzhou. Even the Seven Great Merchants have to buy their porcelain from the Qi Family.

"How much power and connections would it take to control so many porcelain kilns across two prefectures?"

Chen Ming was taken aback. He had never really thought about it before.

Zhuang Xiaotian also grew curious and asked, "So, who exactly is the Qi Family's backer?"

Deng Ziyang didn't keep them in suspense. "It's the Wang Family of Yunzhou."

"The Wang Family?"

Chen Ming glanced at Zhuang Xiaotian and saw the same confusion on his face—clearly, he hadn't heard of them either.

Deng Ziyang explained, "This Wang Family isn't a martial arts clan. They're imperial merchants, tasked by the royal family with overseeing the various porcelain kilns."

"Oh."

With that explanation, Chen Ming and Zhuang Xiaotian understood.

It was through the Wang Family's authority that they could force the porcelain kilns to supply Golden Source Commerce exclusively. With such connections, Golden Source Commerce raked in mountains of profit.

Deng Ziyang added, "Don't underestimate the Wang Family. Though they keep a low profile, their true strength is far beyond what families like the Gu Family can match."

The Gu Family, the foremost clan in Qingfeng City, was led by a Fourth Rank master.

To be stronger than the Gu Family, one would need a Third Rank or higher expert to hold sway.

"Thank you."

Chen Ming expressed his gratitude sincerely, knowing that Deng Ziyang had come specifically to warn him.

He guessed it was out of concern that Chen Ming, driven by vengeance, would rashly retaliate against Golden Source Commerce and end up suffering a heavy loss.

Then he'd let Golden Source Commerce prance around for a couple more years.

He wasn't in a hurry to take revenge.

Deng Ziyang changed the subject. "The martial halls in the city each have their own unique skills. They'll definitely propose harsh competition conditions to make you back down. Do you have confidence?"

Chen Ming said, "That, I'll only know after the contest."

"Tomorrow, I'll go with Third Brother to cheer you on."

"Then, my thanks to you both."

The next morning.

Not long after Chen Ming got up, Zhang Mingyu arrived with several people to support him. Then, more people came one after another, all disciples of the Huo Sect, making quite a lively scene.

When they left the house, a group of over a dozen people marched in a grand procession toward the Fenglei Martial Hall. Anyone watching would have thought they were there to pick a fight.

Inside the Fenglei Martial Hall, the Martial Hall Guild had already prepared in full force.

All twelve martial halls had sent their representatives, each seated on a chair—men and women, young and old alike.

Behind them stood many disciples, several dozen in total, casting an imposing pressure on the newcomers.

Seated at the very center was the guild leader, the Seventh Rank expert Lei Zhenguang.

When Chen Ming entered the hall, facing over a dozen pairs of eyes fixed on him, he unhurriedly bowed. "This junior, Chen Ming, greets you all. I have come today to seek instruction. Please lay down the rules."

Lei Zhenguang gave a light shout. "Good nerve! Since that's the case, I won't waste words. If you can pass three trials, you may open a martial hall in Qingfeng City. If not, disband your disciples and never teach again."

"Agreed."

"For the first trial, let Brother Fang handle it."

Lei Zhenguang looked toward an old man beside him with white hair and beard.

"Fine." The old man responded, then said to someone behind him, "Yu'er, you go. Don't disgrace the Tenglong Martial Hall's reputation."

"Yes."

A man in his thirties stepped forward and said, "Chen Ming, is it? Let's compete in hidden weapons."

Chen Ming said nothing more, only, "Please."