Chen Ming opened the letter in front of the two people and read it with a serious expression.

Old Liu wrote that he had something he must do, so he entrusted his two apprentices to Brother Chen.

If he doesn’t return in two months, build a tomb next to his master’s grave as his cenotaph. At that time, the Wu Martial Arts Hall will be handed over to Brother Chen.

"He ended up going after all."

Chen Ming sighed inwardly, feeling indescribable emotions.

Actually, after that young noble came to challenge the Wu Martial Arts Hall last time, old Liu’s reaction afterwards gave him a premonition.

Today at the Martial Arts Gathering, he also saw that noble. He introduced himself as coming from Gu Commandery, surname He. He’s also from an aristocratic family, with a Third Grade expert guarding the family.

Old Liu going to the He Family to seek revenge on the man who eloped with his fiancée years ago is akin to suicide.

He knew this himself, which is why he entrusted his two apprentices to him when he left, and even left this letter, arranging all the aftermath.

Holding the "letter," Chen Ming asked the two youths dressed in simple coarse clothing before him, "Do you know what Old Liu went to do?"

"No idea."

The two shook their heads blankly, completely unaware.

In their impression, their master was very lazy; ever since they entered the martial arts hall, they hadn’t seen their master leave it.

A few days ago, he suddenly mentioned going out to handle something, which surprised them greatly, but they dared not ask more.

This was the mode of interaction between them and their master.

Chen Ming said, "He entrusted you both to me. Starting today, you will stay here for now."

He felt his place was becoming a shelter; everyone was entrusting people to him.

Hong Mingquan did this.

Li Jinchuan’s Uncle Rui did this too.

And now Old Liu was leaving his apprentices here.

The two youths were somewhat distressed, "But, it’s really far from the restaurant here. It’s going to take a lot of time coming and going."

Chen Ming was puzzled, "The restaurant? What do you do there?"

"Work as helpers. When Master left, he took all the money we’d saved over two years."

"..."

Chen Ming finally understood why Old Liu entrusted the apprentices to him. He guessed Old Liu had a last-minute conscience, realizing he had treated his apprentices too poorly over the years.

"From now on, you won’t need to work as helpers in that restaurant. I will provide meals."

The two youths looked at each other, feeling somewhat adrift and not knowing how to react.

Seeing their confusion, Chen Ming added, "Your master wanted you to work as helpers here with me. Meals and board are covered, plus a monthly wage of five taels."

Their eyes instantly lit up, "Is that true?"

"Of course."

Chen Ming thought, now Li Jinchuan and Hong Zilin finally have company.

...

"This is Wu Bofu, and this is Liu Zhongda. They’ll be living with us from now on."

At the dining table, Chen Ming introduced the new members to those present.

Both were orphans, adopted by Old Liu. One took his father-in-law’s surname, the other took his surname. It was like inheriting the family lineage.

"Let’s give you proper names."

Chen Ming said to the two, "From now on, you’ll be called Wu Bofu, and you’ll be Liu Zhongda."

He was too lazy to invent names, simply using names from Earth. Since the family names were different, it wasn’t offensive.

Currently, his household consisted of himself and his elder brother’s family of four. Plus, Li Jinchuan who lived in the house.

And then Hong Zilin, who came here for meals daily but returned home at night.

Enough to fill a table.

Sister-in-law Wei was informed of their background and felt sympathy, seeing them eating quietly and only picking the dish in front of them. She added several large pieces of beef to their bowls, saying, "Don’t be reserved. Make yourselves at home here, okay?"

The two youths had never received such care before; seeing this beautiful and elegant hostess with such a loving gaze, their eyes instantly turned red and their throats tightened with emotion.

Wei said to Chen Ming, "I heard Erlang displayed great prowess at the Admiral’s Mansion today, winning three matches. Now everyone’s saying you’re the top saber technique master among the youth in Qingfeng City, even Lord Admiral praised you."

The news spread quickly; even Sister-in-law, despite being a woman deeply sheltered indoors, knew about it.

It seemed, Sister-in-law’s societal level had indeed elevated these days.

The first-hand news from the Admiral’s Mansion must have been passed around by the ladies present.

Chen Ming shook his head, "It’s exaggerated. I just broke into the seventh grade, still inferior in cultivation compared to others."

Having lived with him for so long, Wei understood his character and knew he was being modest, saying, "I heard three Jiangzhou nobles arrived. Not only are they handsome and graceful, their swordsmanship is also excellent. Someone dubbed them the three white sword masters."

"..."

Wow, these people sure know how to package themselves, giving themselves a resounding title and branding together. Instantly, they became famous.

At least, in Qingfeng City, they were famous now.

Now that he thought about it, those three did indeed wear white robes. Whether it was planned beforehand, he didn’t know.

Chen Ming found it difficult to assess them.

Yet Wei was somewhat indignant on his behalf, "In terms of ability, Erlang, you certainly aren’t inferior to those three. You even won three matches yourself. Why were you the only one left out?"

Chen Ming laughed, "I’m just a saber practitioner, I can’t team up with them. Besides, they are young family nobles, which I dare not aspire to."

He didn’t want to be tied to those three; if they were labeled the four heroes or something similar now, it might become a point of ridicule against him later.

...

The next morning, Chen Ming was ready early, prepared for Gu Yuantao’s arrival.

"The carriage is here!"

When Chunxiang came to report, he personally went to the door to greet them, only to see the front carriage looked all too familiar, resembling Zhang Mingyu’s carriage.

"Why are they together?"

Just as Chen Ming was thinking this, Zhang Mingyu alighted from the front carriage. Then, the unexpected guests from the rear carriage disembarked.

Two women he recognized.

Xiao Zhuyun and Huo Qianqian.

"Why are they here?"

Chen Ming was momentarily stunned.

Zhang Mingyu said surprised, "Junior Brother, did you know we were coming ahead of time?"

I genuinely didn’t know.

Calm and collected, Chen Ming said, "The visit of the three of you truly graces my humble abode. Please come in."

Xiao Zhuyun, dressed in a light green gown which enhanced her elegance and beauty, gave a respectful bow, "Sorry for the unexpected intrusion, I hope you don’t mind."

Chen Ming smiled, "Your presence is an honor for Chen, far from an inconvenience. Please."

He led the three inside.

Once seated, he straightforwardly asked, "What business brings Miss Xiao to see me today?"

As they say, one doesn’t visit the temple without reason.

This woman surely wouldn’t come without a reason.

From his observations yesterday, this is the most beautiful woman he’s seen in this world, and certainly not simple.

At the Martial Arts Gathering, she seemed to know everyone. Not only did Qin Jinlin express fondness for her, but one of the "three swordsmen" also hovered near her.

Aside from these two, several others seemed to admire her too.

At that time, he marked this woman as a social butterfly!

What reason could such a woman have to seek him out?

PS: Official serialized release on Wednesday. Asking for monthly votes in advance.