Chapter 137: Chapter 133: The Reason for Coming

"Bust the door open!"

Luo Hao saw that the situation was about right, and with a command, he prepared to break in forcefully.

Today, he intended to utterly crush Chen Ming in front of everyone in the city, ruining his name forever, leaving him with no face to stay in Qingfeng City!

He would not allow there to be anyone younger, more famous, or more prominent than him in Qingfeng City.

Especially after Miss Zhao stood up for this kid last time, he was determined to find an opportunity to get rid of him.

Rumor has it that this person has never tasted defeat since his debut. Today, let him experience what failure tastes like.

Luo Hao’s lips curled into a savage smile.

He had absolute confidence in his own strength, even in Jiangzhou City, his saber technique was among the best of his generation.

Even his master had said that in all of Jiangzhou, there were less than three of the sixth rank who could steadily beat him. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

The reason his reputation wasn’t prominent was because his master kept him restrained in Jiangzhou, preventing him from showing off, avoiding offending too many people.

Until he came to Qingfeng City, he received his master’s permission, and could finally act freely.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t even a worthy opponent in Qingfeng City, which greatly disappointed him. Hopefully, this Chen Ming could give him some surprises.

Just as his underlings were about to break in, the Chen Mansion’s gate finally opened.

Behind the door stood a young man in blue, about twenty years old, tall and handsome, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, facing Luo Hao and his people outside, calm and dignified.

As soon as he appeared, the whispers around them ceased.

Seeing this exceptionally handsome young man, Luo Hao felt even more disgusted. He asked arrogantly, "You are Chen Ming?"

"I am."

Chen Ming looked at him, his expression showing a hint of helplessness. "You must be Master Luo. We have no grievances, why insist on forcing this?"

Luo Hao didn’t rush into action, he laughed heartily, "Since I arrived in Qingfeng City, I’ve heard of your name. Everyone says you’re a martial arts fanatic, loving to challenge everywhere. If anyone disagrees, after your strength improves, you’ll barge into their homes and force them to fight. Such things you do, I naturally can do too."

After speaking, he looked at the other with a mocking gaze, "Last time, I spared you because of Miss Zhao’s favor. Today, no one will save you; this fight you cannot dodge. Of course, if you concede and beg, I will immediately turn around and leave."

Instantly, the Red Sea Gang members behind him burst into laughter.

For martial artists, not daring to fight and directly surrendering is more shameful than being defeated.

"Alas."

Chen Ming suddenly sighed, "You’re asking for it, don’t say later that Master Pan blames me for bullying the young."

His voice was small, almost drowned out by the laughter, only a few could hear it.

Luo Hao, with keen senses, happened to hear the phrase "bullying the young," and his heart inexplicably tightened a little.

At this moment, Chen Ming spoke calmly, "As long as you can take three moves from me, it’s your victory!"

Before his words were finished, the sword had already been unsheathed!

The crowd only saw a dazzlingly bright light, instinctively squinting against the intense glare, accompanied by a dragon-like sword cry.

Immediately, a wave of heat rushed in, making them feel like they were standing by a furnace.

With a loud crash.

When they opened their eyes, they found Chen Ming standing in place, his long sword already sheathed, as if he hadn’t moved.

But Luo Hao was no longer there.

"Wow... Splurt—"

Suddenly, they heard the sound of blood being spat; turning to look, they saw Luo Hao lying on the street ten meters away, vomiting blood and appearing seriously injured.

The scene was dead silent.

Even those members of the Red Sea Gang stood dumbfounded, unable to react for a moment.

Such arrogant and unparalleled Master Luo, unable to take even one move from Chen Ming, was defeated in an instant.

This turnaround was truly astonishing.

"Hall Master!"

The first to recover was Luo Hao’s attendant, who shrieked and ran toward him.

"Hall Master!""Are you alright, Hall Master?""..."

The gang members also came to their senses, rushing toward Luo Hao like bees.

Meanwhile, the onlookers began to buzz with discussions, "I thought this Master Luo was so powerful, but just this?"

"As arrogant as he was before, as embarrassed he is now..."

"I suppose this is self-humiliation?"

"I think, this so-called Master Luo is merely decorative. If it weren’t for his master..."

"Shh, don’t speak recklessly..."

"..."

...

In the midst of this discussion.

Luo Hao shouted, "All of you, get out of my way!"

He struggled to stand up, the long saber in his hand already broken into two pieces, now just a fractured blade. His hair had fallen loose, appearing extremely disheveled.

He stared intently at Chen Ming standing there, his face filled with shock, disbelief, jealousy, anger...

"You actually... achieved the fifth rank!"

Upon these words, everyone present was stunned, looking towards Chen Ming standing at the door.

Even those common folks watching the commotion knew the weight of a fifth-ranked martial artist; in Qingfeng City, they were already considered significant figures.

As for those who had practiced martial arts, and martial artists, they were even more shocked to the extreme.

They thought unanimously: How long has it been, and he’s already reached the fifth rank?

Memory serves, Chen Ming broke through to the sixth rank less than a year ago, right?

How old is he?

Not even twenty-five, right?

Everyone was looking at that blue-clad figure, unsure whether waiting for his clarification or acknowledgment.

Soon, Chen Ming spoke, "You should have asked sooner. You wouldn’t have suffered today’s humiliation."

"You—"

Luo Hao’s face turned white, spewing blood again, and he fainted on the spot.

The members of the Red Sea Gang hurriedly supported him, lifted him onto the carriage, and fled in a fluster.

Once they left, the gates of the Chen Mansion closed again.

With a bang, the crowd outside watching the commotion became excited.

Chen Family’s second son broke through to the fifth rank in less than a year, this is big news.

...

After the gates closed, Chen Ming turned around and was met with the extremely excited gaze of his elder brother Chen Rui, and the excited faces behind him.

His advancement in strength was great news for the entire Chen Family.

Chen Ming said, "Brother, I have some matters to attend to on my side, I’ll come find you later."

"Alright, you go handle your business."

Once his younger brother left, Chen Rui turned around and used his sleeve to wipe away the tears at the corners of his eyes. He instructed the housekeeper and left quickly.

Not long after, he returned to the memorial hall, where the copper basin on the ground still contained embers among the burnt paper money.

He picked up the scattered paper money and continued to burn it, choking back tears as he said, "Father, mother, our second son is becoming more accomplished... He secretly broke through to the fifth rank and didn’t tell me..."

"But, don’t blame him, he must have his reasons..."

"Father, mother, the Chen Family is getting better and better, and your spirits can rest at ease in heaven..."

As Chen Rui spoke, he wiped away his tears.

He was truly happy inside.

...

When Chen Ming returned to the courtyard, he saw the woman in red still sitting there, apologizing as he approached, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

The woman in red, chin in hand, had been gazing at the apricot tree in the courtyard, lost in thought. It was only upon hearing his words that she turned to him and said, "With this move, you’ve offended the Red Sea Gang."

Chen Ming looked somewhat helpless, "They were the ones who came looking for trouble. If I backed down any further, others would just see me as weak and easy to bully."

The woman in red smirked, dropping the topic to discuss serious matters, "I’ve come this time to deliver a message from Shuyu."

Chen Ming’s expression turned serious, "Please, go ahead."

Earlier, the woman in red had stated she came on behalf of Zhong Shuyu.

Just as he had invited her to sit, Luo Hao arrived, leaving no time to explain the matter.

The woman in red met his eyes and said, "She said she has already repaid the life she owes you."

Chen Ming was silent for a few seconds, confirming a suspicion in his heart, "Is it because that night she warned me?"

"On our Paradise Island, once a traitor emerges, they are dealt with by family law – tendons in their hands and feet severed, and thrown into Dragon Abyss to feed the Dragon God."

Chen Ming took a deep breath, "Lord Haijun didn’t just come here to tell me this, did she?"

The woman in red suddenly giggled, "You’ve got it wrong, I’m not Lord Haijun."

She’s not the Red Sea Monarch?

Chen Ming was surprised but didn’t press further about her identity. He said, "Miss Hong, just tell me, is there anything I can do?"

The woman in red’s eyes showed a hint of admiration, "You truly are a smart person. To tell you the truth, Shuyu is my maid, and has been with me since childhood. We are as close as sisters. I don’t want her to die."

"And what do you mean by that?"

"I once swore an oath not to betray Paradise Island. Shuyu violated the family law, and I can’t protect her. I can only send her to Paradise Island. The boat leaves tonight, along with her will be Divine General Sha, who is a good friend and sympathetic to Shuyu’s plight."

Hearing this, Chen Ming had some understanding of her implication. Before he could ask, the woman in red continued, "

Hope nothing goes wrong on this trip, especially with the recent stormy seas. If the boat were to capsize, there would absolutely be no more Zhong Shuyu in this world. Do you understand?"