"Miss Su, we’re here."

Chen Ming greeted with a call.

The woman in white remained still and said, "I’ll wait in the carriage."

"Alright."

Chen Ming would not insist, so he got off the carriage alone. At this time, the guards maintaining order and four accountants had already arrived first.

Fortunately, he had the foresight yesterday, letting these guards and accountants leave early; otherwise, few of them would have survived.

"Second Young Master."

"Second Young Master, we heard you were attacked by villains yesterday. Are you alright?"

Everyone greeted him with concern.

"I’m fine, thanks to the Six Gates arriving in time to arrest the villains. Alright, let’s continue; don’t let them wait too long."

Chen Ming explained briefly and got into work mode.

Yesterday’s attack made him realize even more the importance of strength.

Others are simply unreliable.

He could guess that Du Caiyue initially didn’t take action because she worried about scaring away the Blood Demon Sect disciple lurking nearby.

Therefore, she watched as he was surrounded by eight Blood Slaves.

Chen Ming knew that even if those Blood Slaves had tried to kill him from the start, Du Caiyue would likely have let him die, standing idly by.

To Du Caiyue, capturing the Blood Demon Sect disciple was paramount, while his life was insignificant to her.

A promise paled in comparison to such an immense achievement.

As for this mysterious Miss Su, she too had come because of the Blood Demon Sect.

Chen Ming no longer wanted to pin his life on others.

Improving his own strength was the true path.

...

At noon, Feng Siyuan himself came over, bringing plenty of good dishes. Meal times naturally paused the recruitment work, to resume after eating.

Upon entering, Feng Siyuan noticed the woman in white was absent and appeared slightly disappointed.

Acting unaware, Chen Ming asked him, "Why did you come in person? You could’ve just had someone bring it over."

Feng Siyuan asked quietly, "What happened during yesterday’s attack?"

"I’m not sure, perhaps some enemy of mine."

"Did you know, last night, Captains Du and Li arrested several families, the entire family, including some notable households in the city, like Jin Jianxiong’s and Cao Jiahui’s."

"Really?"

Chen Ming was surprised, confirming his suspicion that the attack was indeed related to Jin Jianxiong and Cao Jiahui. These families were colluding with the Blood Demon Sect.

Feng Siyuan watched his eyes carefully, then continued, "It’s said misfortune shouldn’t touch family, but for Six Gates to arrest entire families, this must be a massive case. Yet, Six Gates hasn’t explained anything, leaving the city’s residents on edge, not knowing who might be next."

Chen Ming said, "I believe that if Lord Admiral dared arrest people, he must be totally confident. As long as you have no guilty conscience, you naturally needn’t fear."

Feng Siyuan, hearing this, realized he might know more about the situation.

Thinking of that ethereal woman in white, he hesitated, suddenly unwilling to pry further.

At this point, Chen Ming shifted topics, "Have the two seniors chosen anyone?"

Every day he sent them one copy of the registration list for them to personally review.

Feng Siyuan smiled wryly, "In fact, they’re unwilling to accept disciples; if not for my father’s involvement, they wouldn’t have agreed at all."

Chen Ming asked curiously, "Why are they unwilling to accept disciples? Don’t they want to pass down their profound knowledge?"

Regarding the feats of these two Third Grades, most of it was true, but none of their offspring turned out well.

Feng Siyuan said, "The perils of the sea aren’t something those on land can understand. The two seniors spent most of their lives at sea, witnessing too many tragedies of disciples turning on masters. Hence, they’re reluctant to take disciples."

"I see."

Chen Ming advised, "If you want to continue holding such tournaments, you must nurture those selected well. Let everyone see their incredible progress, to attract more young individuals."

Feng Siyuan understood this logic well, "Rest assured, even if the two seniors are unwilling to teach, I’ll ask my father to impart superior Cultivation Technique and Martial Skill to them."

After a while, Feng Siyuan left, casting a reluctant glance at the luxurious carriage parked beside him as he departed.

Clearly, he suspected the woman in white was inside the carriage.

...

By evening, registration for the day ended.

Like yesterday, Chen Ming ensured those guards protected the four accountants as they left first.

Boarding his own carriage, he saw the woman in white sitting mysteriously still, her posture unchanged, as if she hadn’t moved at all.

On the way back, nothing happened.

In truth, even the densest members of the Blood Demon Sect wouldn’t likely attack again the day after losing a member.

It’s just that Chen Ming was being cautious.

Once the carriage entered the city gate, the woman in white suddenly spoke, "This disciple recruitment tournament you’re holding—is it to provoke the Blood Demon Sect’s members into attacking these people?"

Chen Ming replied, "Miss, you’re extremely smart, getting it right in one guess."

The woman in white’s clear and profound eyes flashed with anger, "Have you ever thought this could cause many deaths?"

"..."

Chen Ming opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say.

Unexpectedly, he encountered a ’saintly mother’ in this world!

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration revealed her identity to him—she was a disciple of the Celestial Dao Alliance!

No wonder!

He explained, "Miss Su is blaming the wrong person; such matters, how could someone as insignificant as me decide them? I’m only following orders."

The woman in white was initially startled, then the anger in her eyes faded, replaced by apologies, speaking softly, "Indeed, I’ve mistakenly blamed you."

Her readiness to admit fault, in turn, made Chen Ming feel a bit embarrassed and curious, finding this Celestial Dao Alliance disciple somewhat naive.

So easily trusting and deceived, how could the Celestial Dao Alliance let her venture out for experience?

If she encountered those with ulterior motives and cunning natures, she wouldn’t know how she ended up dead.

Needless to say, Du Caiyue definitely manipulated her into protecting him.

In the martial world, while strength is paramount, being too trusting spells trouble.

PS: Went out again this morning, so merged two Chapters. Requesting monthly votes.