Chen Ming leaped up, reaching into his bosom while in mid-air. He flung his hands out in quick succession, executing the "Flying Rain" technique, sending countless cold gleams towards the constables of the Six Gates.

The first wave, five men fell.

[You defeated an LV43 enemy, gaining 1000 experience points]

[You defeated an LV42 enemy, gaining 1000 experience points]

[You defeated an LV41 enemy, gaining 1000 experience points]

...

It was clear these ones, unable to dodge even one blade, were all beginners of the Sixth Grade.

The second wave of hidden weapons came almost immediately, accompanied by muffled groans as another two fell to the ground.

[You defeated an LV47 enemy, gaining 1000 experience points]

[You defeated an LV49 enemy, gaining 1000 experience points]

The victims of the Mother and Child Linked Rings technique.

The third wave, fourth wave.

Two more fell.

[You defeated an LV53 enemy, gaining 8000 experience points]

[You defeated an LV54 enemy, gaining 9000 experience points]

In the end, only two Fifth Grade constables remained standing, and they were not unharmed.

Should there be another wave, those two surely couldn’t withstand it.

Unfortunately, Chen Ming’s throwing knives were depleted. This time, he had brought fifty knives, thinking they would be more than enough, yet he encountered so many enemies.

This sudden turn of events left everyone stunned.

Some quick-reacting pirates turned tail and ran, not towards the shore, but towards the sea, diving headfirst into the water.

The last two constables from the Six Gates were no longer concerned with the fleeing pirates, instead watching the sudden appearance of this expert with grave expressions.

Meanwhile, Li Guangjie and the Sea General continued their heated battle, unable to spare attention to this scene.

Chen Ming, ignoring the two Fifth Grade from Six Gates, landed beside Zhong Shuyu, grabbed her arm, and with a few leaps, disappeared into the distance.

The two of them couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that this unknown expert was merely there for a rescue.

They did not pursue the pirates who had jumped into the sea, instead rushing to check on their comrades’ injuries. Upon inspection, they found their comrades were just injured, losing their ability to fight, but not fatally wounded.

There was no poison on the hidden weapons either.

The two most skillful among them exchanged glances, knowing full well that mercy had been shown. Each throw avoided a lethal point.

If that person truly intended to kill, their comrades would undoubtedly be dead.

"Who is this person? There seems to be no one in Qingfeng City skilled in hidden weapons."

One of them, older in age, examined a throwing knife, which was less than a finger’s length, with a very thin blade made of ordinary steel.

This kind of throwing knife could be easily made by any blacksmith.

The other, with a serious expression, said, "There is one, but not with such cultivation."

Though there was no direct confrontation, the opponent’s cultivation was at least Fifth Grade.

In Qingfeng City, openly, there are not many Fifth Grade Martial Artists. But including those secretly cultivated by the Seven Great Sea Merchants, no one knows the exact numbers. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

The Seven Great Sea Merchants conduct their affairs discreetly; only they know how many experts are within their fleets.

"Who was that woman just now? It seemed that person came specifically to rescue her."

"Not sure, but seeing her hands tied, she might have been captured by the pirates."

The two of them stood guard over their incapacitated comrades, while speculating about the identity of the stranger, and also keeping an eye on the intense battle nearby.

Over the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the two Fourth Grade masters finally determined the victor.

Li Guangjie emerged carrying the unconscious Sea General over the water, a bleeding wound at his shoulder, clearly indicating a hard-fought victory.

"What is going on here?"

Seeing his men lying sprawled all over, his expression turned extremely grim.

Earlier, he noticed the commotion here but had confidence in his men’s strength so didn’t give it much thought.

Who knew, once he defeated the Sea General and came over, he found his men nearly wiped out and those pirates escaped.

How could he not be furious?

The two men immediately knelt, seeking forgiveness, "We failed to perform our duties, please punish us, sir."

Li Guangjie quickly calmed down, speaking coldly, "Investigate for me; I want to see who dares to go against our Six Gates!"

"Sir, that person was here specifically to rescue a woman; we can start by investigating her identity."

"Understood."

Shortly after, they withdrew.

Leaving behind a scene of chaos.

...

In Qingfeng City, within a tranquil courtyard.

In an attic, a woman in red sat by a windowsill, gently stroking a stringless zither in her lap, bathed in the moon’s clear glow, adding an aura of mystery.

Suddenly, her hands paused, and she spoke softly, "A noble guest arrives at the door, why not come inside for a cup of tea?"

A calm male voice followed, "Visiting so late is indeed presumptuous, apologies miss, I won’t have tea. A single man and woman, it would be inappropriate."

The woman in red sighed, "So it’s an ill-intentioned guest, what do you intend by blocking my door, sir?"

"I was entrusted by someone; as long as you don’t step out of this door, all is well."

She chuckled, "Zhao Shouchang truly has a narrow heart. Still holding a grudge for being deceived by me? To actually scheme against me so meticulously."

The voice outside spoke no more.

The woman in red continued, "What if I insist on going out?"

"Then I have no choice but to stop you."

"Aren’t you worried that if we fight, we’ll tear Qingfeng City apart?"

"If you aren’t afraid of attracting the Celestial Dao Alliance’s masters, then by all means, try."

The woman in red’s gaze turned cold, speaking calmly, "I’m growing more curious about your identity, was Zhao Shouchang someone who saved your life, to make you go this far against me?"

Within Great Jin, if a strong practitioner above Third Grade fights in a city causing major casualties, the elders of the Celestial Dao Alliance would come to enforce justice.

She’s not afraid, as long as she hides in the sea, even a Divine Treasure Realm practitioner could do nothing. But then, she couldn’t return to the inland openly anymore.

The man outside sighed, "In the martial world, one cannot control their fate."

After that, no sound was heard.

The woman in red also ceased to speak, sitting by the window, simply polishing her zither.

Time slowly passed.

Finally, dawn came.

As the dawn light appeared on the horizon, the woman in red finally spoke, "Come."

Soon, two maids approached, "Miss."

"Send someone to check the place where our family arranged to meet last night."

"Yes."

...

When Chen Ming brought Zhong Shuyu back home, it was around five in the morning.

After entering the courtyard, he released Zhong Shuyu.

She lowered her head, quietly stepping back two steps, softly saying, "Thank you for saving me once more."

Chen Ming responded gently, "You have suffered, if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have experienced this First Tribulation, so I should be the one thanking you."

Zhong Shuyu looked down, seeing her shoes dirty and torn. She instinctively stepped back two more steps, pulling her skirt tight, not wanting him to see her feet.

Seeing her not speaking, Chen Ming asked, "Do you have any plans now?"

Zhong Shuyu felt somewhat lost.

Since childhood, she had always followed beside Miss, doing whatever Miss instructed.

When asked to find a master, she found a master; when asked to stay in Qingfeng City, she stayed. When told to return to Paradise Island, she returned...

Now, as Miss no longer wished for her to follow, she felt like the vast world had no place for her.

Seeing her in such a state, Chen Ming said, "If you have nowhere to go, you can stay with me for the time being. But, you need to adopt a new name."

Zhong Shuyu lowered her head even more, "I’ll follow... senior brother’s instructions."

"Tomorrow, I’ll arrange a new identity for you. Then, it will be easier if you wish to see your lady."

She suddenly lifted her head, a glimmer of hope in her eyes, "Really?"

"Of course. Zhong Shuyu is the one who betrayed Paradise Island. Once you have a new identity, the past won’t concern you anymore."

Chen Ming thought to himself, his home seemed like a sanctuary now, with another new member joining.

Given that she risked her life to warn him, he was more than willing to take her in. It’s not like he couldn’t afford it.