Finally, Wei threw down the broom, covered her face, and fled, unable to bear showing her face.

Usually at this time, Erlang would have already gone out, why is he still at home today?

Oh, it’s truly embarrassing.

Chen Ming gave a faint smile and said to Old Li, "Just kick them out. Pay attention to your image."

Old Li immediately straightened his chest, "Yes, Second Young Master."

Chen Ming went out, got on the carriage, and soon disappeared.

...

At Wu Martial Arts Hall, Chen Ming walked into the gate with a jug of wine and saw a fat and a thin youth cleaning, he asked, "Where’s Master Liu?"

The two youths respectfully said, "Master is inside, waiting for you."

These two were Master Liu’s disciples. In the vast martial arts hall, there were only these two disciples. It could be said that it was on the verge of closing down.

"Young Master, we’re about to go out, just close the door when you leave."

"Alright."

Chen Ming knew they were going out to do odd jobs. The martial arts hall couldn’t accept disciples, hence had no income. These two were orphans, and the hall was like their home. They relied on going out to do odd jobs to earn some money, so the three of them wouldn’t starve.

Since he learned about the situation here, every time he came, he would bring wine and roast chicken and duck.

"That smells good, is this the braised pork knuckles from Fu Ju Lou?"

As Chen Ming walked into the backyard, he heard the sound of someone swallowing saliva from inside and said with a smile, "Master Liu’s nose is truly sharp."

Master Liu was a gray-haired old man, with a scraggly beard, somewhat unkempt, looking like a messy old man. In fact, he was only in his fifties, about the same age as Shangguan Hong.

Chen Ming took out wine and braised pork knuckles, placing them on the stone table. Master Liu directly grabbed them, eating heartily, not caring that his beard got coated in oil.

In no time, a large plate of knuckles entered his stomach. He sucked on his fingers, somewhat lingering, commenting, "Speaking of braised meat, it’s got to be Jiangzhou City’s Wang Li’s. If you ever go to Jiangzhou City, you must try it." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Chen Ming said, "If Master Liu praises it so highly, I definitely can’t miss it."

Master Liu picked up the wine cup, took a sip lazily, and said, "So, what do you want to know today?"

He never ate Chen Ming’s things for free. Every time after eating, he would answer some questions in return.

And indeed, he knew quite a lot.

Chen Ming asked, "Does Master know anything about Dragon King Zheng and Red Sea Monarch?"

Master Liu’s drinking paused, and his gaze became somewhat peculiar, "What, you’re thinking of joining them too?"

"Master, I’m just curious after hearing that these two gangs of pirates are fighting."

"Fighting again? Makes sense, for there can only be one ruler over the East Sea."

Master Liu took another sip of wine before speaking, "This Dragon King Zheng was the adopted son of the previous Pirate King. Thirty years ago, they were destroyed by the Sea Suppression King. Dragon King Zheng retreated with his remnants to the far seas. Once the Sea Suppression King left, they returned causing havoc."

"Dragon King Zheng practices the Sea Covering Divine Skill, and ten years ago, he was already at Third Grade Cultivation. He has nine adopted sons, each between Fourth and Fifth Grade Cultivation. They control over a thousand ships, blocking the southern routes. Every merchant ship heading south must pay taxes to him. Once paid, and with the special flag raised, they can pass unhindered. If not paid, they’ll be looted."

"Just from this, Dragon King Zheng rakes in millions annually."

Saying this, Master Liu took a sip of wine to moisten his throat before continuing, "As for that Red Sea Monarch, he’s quite mysterious, with no one knowing his origins. He suddenly rose ten years ago, destroying several pirate groups, quickly becoming only second to Dragon King Zheng, and occupying the eastern routes. In recent years, he has won several encounters against Dragon King Zheng."

"This Red Sea Monarch is rumored to have Second Grade Cultivation, and has five generals under him, all Fourth Grade experts, controlling over six hundred ships. However, he’s not as established and financially strong as Dragon King Zheng, so there’s still a fight between them."

At this moment, Master Liu’s cloudy eyes sparkled with a touch of brilliance, finally showing some presence of a hall master.

Chen Ming coughed lightly and said, "I just heard a piece of news: Dragon King Zheng has been killed by Red Sea Monarch. Now, the entire East Sea belongs to Red Sea Monarch."

"What?"

Master Liu exclaimed in shock, almost pulling out his beard, "This...how is this possible?"

According to his judgment, these two wouldn’t be able to determine a winner within at least ten years.

Dragon King Zheng is cunning, knowing he can’t beat Red Sea Monarch, he would definitely avoid confrontation, the vast sea offers plenty of places to hide, making it hard for Red Sea Monarch to catch him.

"Where did you hear this news?"

"Six Gates."

Now, Master Liu had to believe it, if it’s said by Six Gates, then there’s a high probability it’s true.

He suddenly chuckled, "If that’s the case, those seven sea merchants might have a headache. With Sea Suppression King gone, don’t know if the court can appoint another one."

Chen Ming nodded, now with the sea routes monopolized by one, all dictated by Red Sea Monarch, whatever harsh rules set, anyone wanting to profit from maritime trade must begrudgingly comply.

This Qingfeng City, seems like it’s truly going to change.

The two talked about this matter for a long time.

Approaching noon, Chunxiang and Xiaxiang brought food, they ate while chatting.

In the afternoon, they sparred again.

[You have defeated a Level 30 enemy, gaining 200 Experience Points.]

Chen Ming wasn’t surprised to see this prompt.

Indeed, this Master Liu is at Seventh Grade Cultivation, he was holding back, never really showing his true skills.

Master Liu sighed, "Next time if you want to learn some martial arts, just ask me directly. Spare my old bones, every time you come wanting a fight, my bones are nearly falling apart.

Chen Ming naturally didn’t agree, "Master, you’re mistaken. I always believe in the unity of knowledge and action, having learnt a saber technique, it’s necessary to apply it in combat, or else it’s just false skill. So, whenever possible, I want to spar with any martial artist I encounter."

Master Liu was stunned, the hand pouring wine spilled some without realizing.

After a while, he sighed, "What a unity of knowledge and action, if I had understood this when I was young..." he mocked himself, "No wonder you could hone your saber technique to such a degree, truly a martial arts fanatic."

Saying this, he gulped down a cup of wine.

After half an hour, Chen Ming saw the time was about right, then got up to leave.

"Young man."

Somewhat drunk, Master Liu suddenly called him, hazily said, "Better not let others know what cultivation technique you’re practicing, otherwise, you might bring trouble upon yourself."

"What does Master mean by this?"

Chen Ming wanted to ask more, but Master Liu had already leaned over the table unresponsive, soon snoring.

Though puzzled, seeing Master Liu in that state, it wasn’t appropriate to ask more questions, he left directly.

"Was he referring to the Three Yang Body Refining Skill?"

Upon reaching the fourth level, he could already sense the distinctiveness of this cultivation technique. His ability to repeatedly defeat stronger opponents is not solely due to higher saber technique cultivation.

This cultivation technique allows him to be stronger, have better endurance, and more explosive power than others at the same level.

His physical strength now rivals that of opponents five levels above him.

This certainly isn’t an ordinary cultivation technique.