Unwilling to Provoke

You defeated an lv28 enemy and gained 300 experience points.

Chen Ming's heart leaped with joy when he saw the notification.

He had never expected that bearded man to be level twenty-eight. In one go, the man had contributed three hundred experience points—equivalent to his total earnings over five ordinary days.

He looked at the Martial Hall Guild members seated before him, his eyes gleaming. Every one of them was walking experience points.

Seeing that the previous battle had cowed them all, he shifted the subject and said, "Actually, I have no plans to open a martial hall for the time being. The students I took in are all children from my former neighbors' families. The oldest is only eleven, while the youngest are eight or nine. I simply didn't want them to take the wrong path in their martial arts foundation, as I did, so I helped lay their foundations."

His words far exceeded the expectations of everyone from the Martial Hall Guild.

Lei Zhenguang was visibly moved. "Is that really so? Could there have been some misunderstanding?"

"If Hall Master Lei does not believe me, you may ask my senior brothers. When I moved a few days ago, they saw those students of mine."

Zhang Mingyu was now the head of the Huo Sect. He stepped forward and said, "That is correct. There are thirty-two children in total, and the oldest is no more than thirteen."

Hearing this, Lei Zhenguang reproached himself. "It is all this old man's fault for failing to send someone to investigate beforehand, allowing such a misunderstanding to arise. Alas. Young Master Chen, if this is truly as you say, this old man will certainly give you an explanation."

Hall Master Fang of Longteng Martial Hall also said, "Young Master Chen should have explained earlier. Then there would not have been such a misunderstanding, and things nearly ended in a manner difficult to clean up."

Would you have listened if I had explained?

It was the same in every world. Only those with strength had words that carried weight.

Chen Ming smiled. "That was a little selfishness on my part. I usually shut myself away and forge a cart behind closed doors, and I have long wished to exchange pointers with fellow practitioners such as yourselves. I simply lacked the opportunity. So I took this chance to spar with you all. At last, my wish has been fulfilled."

Upon hearing this, the Martial Hall Guild members could not help grumbling inwardly. He had made such a huge fuss over just that reason?

Was he treating them like monkeys to be played with?

Still, they ultimately did not dare say such things to his face.

He truly had the capital to be willful.

Everyone knew Li Ankun's strength. Even those who believed they could defeat him would find it difficult to win so cleanly and decisively.

More importantly, he was still so young. Give him a few more years, and his strength would only become more terrifying.

Who would be willing to provoke someone like that?

Could they not see that even Lei Zhenguang was yielding at every turn? Since someone had offered them a step down, they should hurry and take it.

Chen Ming said, "I respect the Martial Hall Guild's rules. How about this? I can guarantee that for the next two years, I will only accept children under twelve and teach them the foundations of martial arts. What do you all think?"

After Lei Zhenguang swiftly exchanged looks with the other three, he said, "Then let the twelve martial halls vote together. So long as more than half agree, it shall pass."

With that, he was the first to raise his hand.

Hardly anyone hesitated. The remaining eleven martial halls all raised their hands.

It passed unanimously.

Just like that, a conflict dissolved into nothingness. Both sides shook hands and made peace.

The atmosphere that had once been taut as drawn bows instantly eased.

Deng Ziyang watched Chen Ming chatting and laughing with Lei Zhenguang and the other old hall masters, then could not help sighing to Zhuang Xiaotian, "Did you understand Senior Brother Chen's methods? First, he bared his blades, then he spoke of friendship. Arrogant before, respectful after; soft and hard used together. Just like that, he turned enemies into friends. It truly makes one sigh in admiration. Learn from him."

Zhuang Xiaotian first nodded in agreement, then shook his head. "I can't learn that."

Afterward, at the fervent invitation of their host, Lei Zhenguang, Chen Ming and the others stayed as guests.

By noon, Fenglei Martial Hall had set up more than ten banquet tables. After a few cups of wine, everyone began calling one another brother, and the atmosphere became exceedingly lively.

No one would have guessed that, only that morning, they had been standing needle to needle, point to point.

This was the martial world. For profit, everyone fought to the death. Once conflicts were smoothed away, it was good for you, good for me, good for everyone; a flower sedan needed many hands to lift it.

The only one injured was Li Ankun, whom Chen Ming had slapped across the face with the flat of his saber.

But at that moment, no one would think of him anyway.

The drinking continued for two shichen before they finally dispersed to their satisfaction.

On the way back, Zhang Mingyu sighed with feeling. "In just one short year, Junior Brother has trained the Five Elements Saber Technique to the point of entering the hall and reaching the inner chamber. If Master knew in the world below, he would surely be greatly gratified."

He did not ask where Chen Ming had learned his saber technique. He simply assumed that their master had taught it, effectively vouching for him.

Chen Ming was rather surprised. In his impression, this Third Senior Brother had not been particularly broad-minded. He had not expected him to act with such magnanimity this time.

It seemed that after Huo Chengkun and several of their fellow disciples had died, bearing the burden alone had made him grow somewhat.

He truly could not judge people through old eyes.

He modestly said, "I practiced it blindly on my own. I do not even know whether I practiced it correctly. I will still need Senior Brother's guidance."

Zhang Mingyu smiled bitterly. "I am no longer your match. How could I be qualified to guide you?"

"You cannot put it that way. Senior Brother studied martial arts under Master for so many years and inherited all of Master's true teachings. I should be the one seeking more instruction from Senior Brother."

Seeing the sincerity in his tone, a warm current surged through Zhang Mingyu's heart. "Fine. Whatever you want to learn, come find me. I will certainly tell you everything I know."

"Then how about right now?"

"Ah?"

Huo Manor had seemed to lose its vitality ever since Huo Chengkun's death. The residence had visibly decayed quite a bit, as though its life force were slowly fading away as well.

This was Chen Ming's third visit in ten months. The previous two had both been to visit Zhang Mingyu.

Once they entered through the main gates, the place was empty everywhere, without the slightest trace of human warmth.

Chen Ming asked, "Senior Brother, living here alone is far too empty. Why not move somewhere else?"

Zhang Mingyu said softly, "If I do not live here, then Huo Manor will truly be gone."

Chen Ming was very surprised that he would say such a thing.

Before, he had desperately wanted to escape this place and venture into the martial world. Yet now, he willingly remained here, holding up the last bit of the Huo Sect's facade.

The two walked in silence for a while.

Zhang Mingyu suddenly said, "A few days ago, Little Junior Sister sent a letter."

"Oh."

"She has successfully entered the Ninth Rank. Come to think of it, she once made an agreement with Master: so long as she could enter the Ninth Rank within a year, Master would no longer force her to marry. Now, she has finally done it. If Master knew in the world below, he would surely be very gratified."

"Mm."

Chen Ming merely responded. He was not very familiar with Huo Qianqian; they had only sparred a dozen or so times.

As they spoke, they arrived at the training ground.

Chen Ming said, "Senior Brother, I wish to seek your instruction in the Five Elements Saber Technique. I hope Senior Brother will grant my request."

Zhang Mingyu fetched two wooden sabers and said, "Blades have no eyes. Let us use these instead. It is only a spar."

"Of course. You and I are fellow disciples sparring in private. We do not distinguish victory from defeat; we do it only to improve our saber techniques."

"Good."

"Senior Brother, please."

Having successfully talked him into fighting, Chen Ming's heart filled with delight.

The two held wooden sabers, assumed their stances, and prepared to begin.

PS: One hundred thousand words now. Please vote with your monthly passes.