On the open ground by the river, next to the arena, many tents were set up. These tents were prepared for the high-status individuals in the city.

These prominent figures naturally didn’t want to squeeze in with others, so such arrangements were highly praised.

For a time, being invited into the tents to watch the competition became a symbol of status.

Inside one of the tents, there were only a few people. At the very front, a woman in red watched the chicken-pecking-like contest on the arena and seemed to say to herself, "I really didn’t expect him to stir up such a storm. Yu’er, your judgment isn’t bad."

The woman behind her trembled at her words, "Miss..."

The others dared not make a sound.

They all knew the temperament of the woman in red. Whenever she started talking to herself, it usually meant she was angry. When she praised someone, it meant she was already harboring the intent to kill.

The woman in red coldly sneered, "What are you afraid of? Afraid that I’ll kill him?"

The blue-dressed woman behind her suddenly knelt down with a thud, begging, "Miss, please spare his life—"

An angry look flickered in the red-dressed woman’s eyes, "Spineless! You’re actually begging me for a man?"

The blue-dressed woman cried even more, "Miss, you promised not to kill him..."

"Stand up!"

The woman in red was somewhat exasperated, scolding, "When did I ever say I would kill him? Look at you now, what did he do to brainwash you?"

The blue-dressed woman finally stood up, staying silent and wiping her tears quietly.

She knew her mistress was a woman of her word and would never deceive her. Since she said she wouldn’t kill Chen Ming, she definitely wouldn’t take action.

At this moment, a middle-aged scholar-like man behind her smoothed things over, "Owner, this young man is weak and poses no threat to the greater scheme. The current consideration should be that we couldn’t drive Zhao Shouchang away this time, as it may be even harder in the future."

The woman in red scoffed, her face shadowed, "The Blood Demon Sect is full of idiots. No wonder for thousands of years, the Longevity Sect has made such grand gestures but has never succeeded. They can’t even control their subordinates."

"Now, I’m afraid that little demon has also been targeted by Zhao Shouchang. Shall we..."

"Such fools, let’s not waste energy to save them."

"But if Zhao Shouchang gains more merit, it might be even harder to drive him away."

"Merit is good; I’m just afraid he won’t gain enough."

"The owner’s idea is... brilliant!" The middle-aged scholar slapped the table in admiration, "Since we can’t have him demoted and dismissed, let’s have him promoted and transferred. The owner’s strategy is excellent. Could it be that the demon’s whereabouts were also your doing...?"

The woman in red straightened her face, "I would never betray an ally. It’s his stupidity that got his men caught without even knowing it."

By this time, the contest on the arena had already reached a result.

The woman in red suddenly sighed.

The others did not know why she sighed.

Only the middle-aged scholar guessed some of it and asked, "Is the owner worried that the Seven Great Sea Merchants will grow much stronger after recruiting so much talent?"

The woman in red shook her head, somewhat mournfully saying, "I’m just wondering why no one thought of such a simple method before?"

The middle-aged scholar pondered, "It seems the owner holds Chen Er-lang in high regard. Do you wish to recruit him?"

"Do you have a way, sir?"

"There are three strategies: upper, middle, and lower. Which does the owner want to hear?"

The woman in red furrowed her brows, seemingly recalling some unpleasant memories, and said, "Tell me the lower strategy first."

The middle-aged scholar said, "The owner could directly take action, kidnap him, bring him onto the ship, and then threaten with his family’s lives, assuring compliance."

The woman in red didn’t even consider it and said, "Tell me the middle strategy."

"Find an intermediary to do business with the Chen Family’s pharmacy a few times. Then report to the Six Gates, claiming that the Chen Family is colluding with pirates. When they’re captured, we’ll find a way to rescue them. By then, Chen Ming would have no foothold in Qingfeng City..."

The woman in red was clearly tempted but still shook her head, "Given his extraordinary relationship with Zhao Shouchang’s daughter, this plan may not succeed. What about the upper strategy?"

The middle-aged scholar said, "The upper strategy is for the owner to seduce him with beauty—"

"How dare you!"

Before he could finish, someone nearby shouted angrily, looking as though they’d tear him apart.

The middle-aged scholar wasn’t afraid, as he was merely offering suggestions. Whether to accept the strategies was up to the owner.

The woman in red gave him a sideways glance and calmly said, "He’s not worthy."

The middle-aged scholar said, "These are the only three strategies I could devise."

Ultimately, the woman in red shook her head and said, "Forget it."

And she left the matter unmentioned.

To her, someone like Chen Ming isn’t enough to make her rack her brains and recruit him at any cost.

...

Afternoon, Gu Mansion.

Chen Ming came to this first family of Qingfeng City for the first time. Upon entering, he found it empty, looking more dilapidated than Prince Zhenhai’s Mansion.

"Why are you here?"

Zhou Weihao saw him come in, and with a stern face, clearly still upset about the incident a few days ago.

Chen Ming, holding a jar of wine, smiled and said, "I’ve been busy with the dueling tournament these days and couldn’t visit Brother Weihao. I hope you can forgive me."

"Zhou is not worthy of it."

"It seems Brother Weihao is truly angry. Let me punish myself with three glasses first."

Three glasses weren’t enough, so he had three more.

Zhou Weihao couldn’t bear it any longer, snatched the wine from his hand, and said, "Don’t drink all the wine you brought for me."

"There’s plenty of wine. I’ll bring some jars next time."

After a few drinks, the two reconciled and forgot their past grievances.

Zhou Weihao said, "So it was you who organized that apprentice recruitment tournament. The event has caused quite a stir across Jiangzhou, and quite a few of my family’s guards want to try their luck."

Chen Ming laughed, "I’m not that capable; I just borrowed the influence of Guanglong Trading Company. This Guanglong Trading Company is truly remarkable, casually finding two Third Grade experts."

"The Seven Great Sea Merchants have kept a low profile for the last twenty years, but their hidden strength is unfathomable. The number of Third Grade experts they can deploy surpasses even the four major sects. If not for Elder Shang’s vow back then, Qingfeng City’s martial artists wouldn’t have dwindled so much."

Chen Ming asked, "Did you visit Elder Shang on this trip?"

Zhou Weihao’s face turned serious upon hearing this, "I did, but Elder Shang wouldn’t let me in. During my absence, did something happen with Elder Shang?"

Chen Ming furrowed his brow, "Indeed, something happened two months ago..."

He told about Zhao Shouchang and the red-clad woman going to find Shang Jianfei, only omitting the part where Shang Jianfei taught him ’Vermilion Bird Swordsmanship’.

"Earlier, Elder Shang had told me not to go there anymore."

Zhou Weihao listened, and with some concern, said, "Oh no, I fear Six Gates might be free now to act against Elder Shang."

Chen Ming hurriedly asked, "Why do you say that?"

Zhou Weihao said, "From what our elders said, Prince Zhenhai’s death certainly hides a great secret. He was the brother of the former emperor, of royal blood. His sudden death was ruled as an illness by Six Gates in a rushed conclusion. Who believes a First Grade expert can die from illness? Yet, the former emperor accepted this explanation. Afterward, Prince Zhenhai’s men were either captured or killed by Six Gates, until they suffered a great loss at Elder Shang’s."

He became worried as he spoke, "Elder Shang has been residing in Prince Zhenhai’s Mansion for years; Six Gates surely know this. They haven’t acted because they weren’t confident. Three years ago, Six Gates had another First Grade breakthrough to Divine Treasure Realm, and now, they might be ready to act against Elder Shang."

Chen Ming curiously asked, "What kind of secret could lead such a significant figure as Prince Zhenhai to die because of it?"

What kind of secret that even such an illustrious First Grade person couldn’t protect?

Zhou Weihao looked around and lowered his voice to where only he could hear, "It’s said that when Prince Zhenhai killed the Pirate King, he acquired something that was a relic of Emperor of Eternal Life—a key to open the Emperor of Eternal Life’s tomb."

Chen Ming was startled.

Emperor of Eternal Life was recorded in history, a being who lived for over a thousand years. Moreover, he didn’t die a natural death.

After his death, everyone sought his tomb, rumored to contain the secret of longevity.

For thousands of years, people have searched for his tomb. Until now, it is said that six have been unearthed, but they were all false.

Legend has it that Emperor of Eternal Life built nine false tombs during his lifetime, with only one being genuine.

Whenever Emperor of Eternal Life’s tomb appeared, it caused a bloodbath.

If what Prince Zhenhai obtained was indeed the secret to Emperor of Eternal Life’s tomb, his sudden death could be explained.

How could a First Grade expert keep such a secret?

Therefore, not only did Prince Zhenhai die, his trusted followers did too, and even Shang Jianfei, surpassing First Grade, had to hide in Prince Zhenhai’s Mansion. Eventually, even his sect was destroyed.

No wonder Shang Jianfei wouldn’t teach him Qinghe Sword Sect martial arts, and advised him never to return.

Such a secret brings death to those who touch it.

Zhou Weihao warned, "Don’t go looking for Elder Shang anymore. If I’m right, Six Gates will have people watching there."

Chen Ming was worried about him, "Then aren’t you..."

"No need to worry, my family’s elders have connections with Elder Shang that Six Gates are well aware of."

PS: Seeking monthly votes.