Recruitment

"Your fistwork is quite good."

The valiant young man offered that emotionlessly, then left with his people.

Once those Intermediate Class students had gone, the new students present immediately erupted in cheers and swarmed around Chen Ming as though they had won a battle.

Chen Ming, however, felt somewhat disappointed. They had actually just left like that. He had thought they would send someone to fight him again to save face.

What a pity.

He knew that valiant young man. His name was Deng Ziyang, the strongest in the Intermediate Class. Rumor had it that he was the Giant Tiger Gang leader's illegitimate son. He carried himself like a big brother and commanded considerable prestige.

He had studied martial arts here for four years and had already cultivated the Iron Horse Stance to the fifth level. His talent was no less than Wen Zehao's, yet he had remained in the Intermediate Class.

When Chen Ming had heard of this, he had found it strange. Hong Mingquan told him that it meant their master had never intended to accept the man as a disciple.

After giving it some thought, he understood. It was because of Deng Ziyang's background.

The Giant Tiger Gang did not have a very good reputation. They ran gambling dens and brothels, lent money at usurious rates, and had done no shortage of wicked deeds.

A cautious man like Huo Chengkun would certainly be unwilling to get too deeply entangled with the Giant Tiger Gang, so naturally, he would not accept Deng Ziyang as a disciple.

Upon entering the Advanced Class, one became a Disciple-in-Name and could learn more profound stance techniques and martial skills. Later, when traveling the martial world, they could claim to be Huo Chengkun's disciple.

"Thank you for the fine wine, Senior Brother..."

Elsewhere, Hong Mingquan and Zhang Mingyu were chatting and laughing as they came over from the rear courtyard. Suddenly hearing a burst of cheers, Hong Mingquan frowned and cursed, "Those little brats can't behave even when I leave for a moment? Are they trying to turn the heavens upside down?"

Only after going over to investigate did he learn what had happened.

The look in his eyes as he regarded Chen Ming held some surprise. He knew Qi Jun's strength. Qi Jun had already cultivated the Iron Horse Stance to the third level and had practiced the Three Powers Fist for several years.

By all rights, Qi Jun should have been far stronger than Chen Ming.

Yet Chen Ming had defeated him without losing a single hair.

It truly took Hong Mingquan by surprise.

No wonder Third Senior Brother looked so unpleasant when he left just now.

Hong Mingquan thought to himself.

As for Third Senior Brother luring him away and taking the opportunity to have one of his disciples challenge Chen Ming, he was not surprised in the least.

Seventh Junior Brother had always been close to Third Senior Brother. It was perfectly normal for him to seek Third Senior Brother's help.

"Quiet! What kind of place is this? What are you all giggling and fooling around for?"

Hong Mingquan's roar immediately silenced those excited youths.

The sparring began.

He asked, "Who's first?"

Everyone turned to look at Li Jinchuan in unison.

Li Jinchuan stepped forward expressionlessly and said hoarsely, "Please instruct me."

That battle between Chen Ming and Qi Jun had made him realize that defeating this man today would probably not be easy.

Sure enough, once they began fighting, he used the killing move Uncle Rui had taught him, yet he still could not gain the slightest advantage. Chen Ming dealt with it all with ease.

After thirty-six moves, a palm struck him in the chest, and he could only admit defeat.

"Trash!"

Elsewhere, Zhang Mingyu's expression was extremely ugly. Thinking of the boasts he had made before Seventh Junior Brother, only to be slapped in the face with a resounding smack, naturally filled him with fury.

He could not find Qi Jun, so he could only stew in his anger alone.

No matter how he thought about it, among the disciples under him, only Deng Ziyang could defeat Chen Ming with certainty.

Only...

If he went to Deng Ziyang, Deng Ziyang would surely demand a condition he could not fulfill.

After a while, Zhang Mingyu calmed down and thought, Forget it. This isn't my business. Let Old Seventh figure out a way himself.

At the end of the day, this was Old Seventh's own problem.

Having completed today's work as a Sparring Partner and gained 35 experience points, Chen Ming left Huo Manor in high spirits, preparing to go home.

The moment he stepped outside, he saw a carriage waiting by the roadside.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Deng Ziyang stepped down with a smile. "Senior Brother Chen, would you honor me by joining me for a meal?"

Chen Ming was somewhat surprised, but he smiled as well. "Since Brother Deng has invited me, I would be greatly honored."

"Please."

He climbed into the carriage.

There was only Deng Ziyang in the carriage compartment. He said, "I have heard all about Senior Brother Chen's affairs. Golden Source Commerce acted far too dishonorably."

Chen Ming said indifferently, "It has already passed. There is no need to mention it again."

Deng Ziyang praised, "Senior Brother Chen is broad-minded. Admirable indeed. But Golden Source Commerce treated you that way—do you truly bear no resentment?"

Chen Ming gave a self-mocking smile. "That is simply how this world is. A nobody like me should never have gotten caught up in such trouble. Ending up like that was entirely something I brought upon myself."

Deng Ziyang laughed heartily. "Senior Brother Chen still has resentment in his heart."

"May I ask why Brother Deng invited me here? Do you have some instruction for me?"

"No hurry. Let me first introduce you to a few brothers."

Before long, they arrived at a restaurant called the Drunken Immortal Restaurant.

It was a famous restaurant in Qingfeng City, an upscale establishment where prices were not low. The original owner of this body had never come here before.

Deng Ziyang brought him to a private room, where several young men around twenty years old were already seated.

Qi Jun was among them.

As soon as the two entered the room, everyone stood to greet them.

Qi Jun looked reluctant, but someone beside him pulled him to his feet.

Deng Ziyang introduced him. "Let me introduce you. This is Senior Brother Chen, Chen Ming."

Everyone said in unison, "Greetings, Senior Brother Chen."

Only Qi Jun said nothing. He looked away, wearing an awkward expression.

Chen Ming hurriedly said, "I dare not accept being addressed as senior brother by all of you."

Deng Ziyang pulled him over, intending to have him sit in the seat of honor.

After some polite refusals, Chen Ming ultimately had Deng Ziyang take the seat of honor while he sat beside him.

"These are all my brothers. Let me introduce them to you..."

Deng Ziyang introduced them one by one. When he reached Qi Jun, he cursed, "A real man stands tall. In a contest of martial arts, a loss is a loss. If you're not convinced, win it back next time. Don't let people think we can't afford to lose."

Qi Jun lowered his head in shame.

"Lift your head and share a drink with Senior Brother Chen. Don't act like a woman."

Thus, Qi Jun clinked cups with Chen Ming and said, "Senior Brother Chen, let's have another match next time."

Chen Ming said, "All right."

The two drained their cups, and that settled the grievance between them.

With the misunderstanding between them cleared, the atmosphere at the banquet grew even livelier. When young men drank together, they began speaking freely of life and pointing out the mountains and rivers.

By the end of the meal, Chen Ming was already throwing his arm around these men's shoulders and calling them brothers.

People from gangs did not stand on ceremony.

When they had drunk nearly enough, Deng Ziyang had other matters to attend to and left first. Before leaving, he grabbed Chen Ming's hand and arranged for them to drink together again next time.

Finally, he even sent a carriage to take Chen Ming home.

"So, he wants to win me over?"

Sitting in the carriage, clarity flashed through Chen Ming's formerly drunken eyes. He had already seen through Deng Ziyang's scheme.

If it had been the original owner, a young man treated with such hospitality would surely have sworn brotherhood with Deng Ziyang on the spot and joined him in accomplishing some grand undertaking.

"Unfortunately, you picked the wrong person."

Chen Ming only wanted to be a Sparring Partner in peace and steadily farm his experience points. He had no interest whatsoever in any grand ambitions.

Deng Ziyang's efforts had been like casting flirtatious glances at a blind man.

At the banquet just now, Chen Ming had never taken up Deng Ziyang's bait. As long as the man was smart enough, he would understand Chen Ming's attitude.

Still, there was no need to fall out with Deng Ziyang. Maintaining friendly relations would be quite good enough.