The Sky Was About to Change

In the end, Wei Shi threw down the broom, covered her face, and fled. She truly had no face left to show anyone.

At this hour, Erlang was usually already out the door. Why was he still home today?

Ah, how utterly mortifying.

Chen Ming smiled faintly and said to Old Li, "Just throw them out. Mind your image."

Old Li immediately straightened his chest. "Yes, Second Young Master."

Chen Ming left the house, got into a carriage, and soon vanished from sight.

At Wu Martial Hall, Chen Ming entered through the gates carrying a jar of wine. Seeing a plump youth and a thin youth cleaning up, he asked, "Where is Hall Master Liu?"

The two youths answered respectfully, "Master is inside. He is waiting for you."

These two were Hall Master Liu's disciples. In such a large martial hall, they were his only two students. It could be said that the hall stood on the brink of closing down.

"Young Master, we are about to head out. When you leave, just help us shut the front gate."

"Alright."

Chen Ming knew they were going out to do odd jobs. The martial hall could not recruit students, so it had no income. The two youths were both orphans, and the martial hall was practically their home. Usually, the three master and disciples relied on the two of them doing odd jobs to earn enough money to keep from starving.

Ever since learning of their circumstances, he had brought wine, roast chicken, roast duck, and the like whenever he came.

"It smells wonderful. That is a braised pork knuckle from Fu Ju Restaurant, isn't it?"

The moment Chen Ming entered the rear courtyard, he heard someone swallowing saliva from within. Smiling, he said, "Hall Master Liu, your nose is sharp indeed."

Hall Master Liu was an old man with graying hair and an unkempt beard. He was somewhat slovenly and looked like a worn-out old man. In truth, he was only in his fifties, about the same age as Shangguan Hong.

Chen Ming took out the wine and braised pork knuckle and placed them on the stone table. Hall Master Liu immediately grabbed the food with his hands and began eating. Grease covered his beard, yet he did not care in the slightest.

Before long, an entire platter of pork knuckle had gone into his belly. He sucked his fingers, still wanting more, and remarked, "When it comes to braised meat, Jiangzhou City's Wang-Li's is still the best. If you ever go to Jiangzhou City, you must try it."

Chen Ming said, "For it to earn such praise from Hall Master Liu, I certainly cannot miss it."

Hall Master Liu picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and said lazily, "Go on. What do you want to know today?"

He never ate Chen Ming's food for free. After every meal, he would answer some questions in return.

And indeed, he knew quite a lot.

Chen Ming asked, "Does Hall Master know anything about Dragon King Zheng and the Red Sea Lord?"

Hall Master Liu paused mid-drink and looked at him strangely. "What? You want to seek refuge with them too?"

"You jest, Hall Master. I merely heard that those two bands of pirates were fighting each other, so I was curious."

"They are fighting again? Makes sense. On the East Sea, there can only be one king."

Hall Master Liu took another sip before saying, "Dragon King Zheng was originally the adopted son of the previous Pirate King. Thirty years ago, they were wiped out by King Zhenhai. Dragon King Zheng led the remnants into the distant seas. Once King Zhenhai left, they came back out to stir up storms and waves."

"Dragon King Zheng cultivated the Overturning Seas Divine Art and had already reached Third Rank ten years ago. He has nine adopted sons under him, every one of them at Fourth to Fifth Rank. He commands over a thousand ships and holds the southern sea route by the throat. Every merchant ship heading south must pay him tax. Pay up, hang a special flag, and you may travel unimpeded. Refuse, and you will be plundered."

"By this alone, Dragon King Zheng raked in annual profits of a million."

Having said this, Hall Master Liu drank another cup of wine, moistening his throat before continuing. "As for the Red Sea Lord, he is extremely mysterious. No one knows where he came from. He suddenly rose to prominence ten years ago, wiped out several pirate bands, and quickly became the second-largest pirate force after Dragon King Zheng, occupying the eastern sea route. Over the past few years, he has fought Dragon King Zheng several times and actually gained the upper hand every time."

"It is said that the Red Sea Lord possesses Second Rank cultivation. His five Great Generals are all Fourth Rank experts, and he commands over six hundred ships. But his foundation is lacking, and his financial resources cannot compare to Dragon King Zheng's. There is still plenty of fighting left between them."

At that moment, a sharp gleam bloomed in Hall Master Liu's cloudy eyes, and he finally showed a bit of the bearing expected of a hall master.

Chen Ming coughed lightly and said, "I just heard some news. Dragon King Zheng was killed by the Red Sea Lord. Now, the entire East Sea belongs to the Red Sea Lord."

"What?"

Hall Master Liu cried out, so shocked that he nearly tore off his beard. "Th-this... how is that possible?"

By his judgment, the two would be unable to determine a victor for at least another ten years.

Dragon King Zheng was cunning by nature. Knowing he could not defeat the Red Sea Lord, he would certainly avoid his edge. The sea was vast and boundless; if he devoted himself to avoiding battle, the Red Sea Lord would have found it difficult to catch him.

"Where did you hear this news?"

"Six Doors."

At that, Hall Master Liu had no choice but to believe it. If Six Doors had said it, then it was most likely true.

He suddenly gave a chuckle. "In that case, I fear the Seven Sea Merchants will have quite the headache. King Zhenhai is dead. I wonder whether the imperial court can produce another King Zhenhai."

Chen Ming nodded. Now that the sea routes were monopolized by a single force and the Red Sea Lord had the final say in everything, no matter how harsh the rules he set, anyone who wanted to make money from sea transport could only hold their noses and accept it.

Qingfeng City truly seemed to be on the verge of a change in the heavens.

The two discussed the matter for a long time.

Near noon, Chunxiang and Xiaxiang brought them food, and the two continued chatting as they ate.

In the afternoon, they sparred again.

You defeated an LV30 enemy and gained 200 experience points.

Chen Ming was not surprised to see that notification.

That was right. Hall Master Liu possessed Seventh Rank cultivation. He was going easy on him and had not used his real abilities at all.

Hall Master Liu sighed. "Ah, next time you want to learn some martial art, just ask me directly. Stop tormenting these old bones of mine. Every time you come, you insist on fighting a match. My bones are about to fall apart."

Naturally, Chen Ming would not agree. "Hall Master, that is not quite right. I have always believed in Unity of Knowledge and Action. Once one has learned a blade technique, one must use it in actual combat; otherwise, it is merely a false form. Therefore, whenever I have the chance, I want to spar with every martial artist I encounter."

Hall Master Liu froze. He did not even notice the wine spilling from the cup he was pouring.

After a while, he finally sighed. "What fine Unity of Knowledge and Action. If only I had understood this principle when I was young..." As he spoke, he gave a self-mocking smile. "No wonder you brat have trained your blade technique to such a level. You truly are a Martial Maniac."

With that, he tipped back his head and drained a cup of wine.

Half an hour later, seeing that the time was about right, Chen Ming rose to take his leave.

"Brat."

The somewhat drunken Hall Master Liu suddenly called out to him. With bleary eyes, he said, "You had best not let others know what cultivation art you practice. Otherwise, it may easily bring disaster upon you."

"What do you mean, Hall Master?"

Chen Ming wanted to ask more, but Hall Master Liu had already collapsed onto the table without another reaction. Soon, he began to snore.

Though Chen Ming was puzzled, seeing Hall Master Liu in this state, he could not press him further and simply left.

Was he referring to the Three Yang Body Forging Art?

After cultivating this art to the fourth layer, he could already sense its unusual qualities. His repeated victories over stronger opponents were not merely because his blade cultivation was superior.

This art made him stronger than those at the same realm, gave him greater endurance, and granted him more astonishing explosive power.

His current physical strength was no weaker than that of an opponent five levels above him.

This was certainly no ordinary cultivation art.