Xiao Zhuyun glanced at the two dark-skinned maids behind Chen Ming and said, "This concerns a secret; I ask the young master to dismiss everyone around."

Oh?

Chen Ming first looked at Zhang Mingyu. Seeing he had no expression, his curiosity grew. He waved his hand to have Chunxiang and Xiaxiang guard outside, preventing anyone from approaching the living room.

Xiao Zhuyun spoke astonishingly, "Young Master, do you know you are in grave danger?"

This kind of trick naturally couldn’t scare Chen Ming. He sincerely said, "I ask the lady for guidance."

Xiao Zhuyun saw his composure and regarded him a bit higher, saying, "Sun Shicai believes Huo Elder has passed the Sword Manual to you. He is deranged enough to murder his mentor for the manual; do you think he will spare you?"

Murder the mentor?

Chen Ming’s expression changed, subconsciously looking toward Huo Qianqian and Zhang Mingyu and seeing their grief-stricken faces, he couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

All at once, the death of Huo Chengkun and the subsequent events connected in his mind.

That day, Huo Chengkun seemed unharmed; the old lady and her disciple hadn’t hurt anyone from beginning to end. Yet that night, he suddenly died.

On the way to the funeral, Huo Qianqian and the others were unexpectedly attacked.

Hong Mingquan seemed to have foreseen something and entrusted his wife and children to Chen Ming before departing.

And Huo Qianqian, having no home to return to, just stayed at Xiaoshui Sect.

After Zhang Mingyu returned, he no longer interacted with Sun Shicai and never mentioned him in Chen Ming’s presence...

So that’s how it is!

It’s actually like this!

Chen Ming really didn’t expect the inside story behind Huo Chengkun’s death. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

He also understood why these three came to him. They wanted to form an alliance to take down Sun Shicai.

He said solemnly, "He is a patrol envoy of Six Gates!"

Is it so easy to kill a Seventh-Grade Patrol Envoy of Six Gates?

If discovered and put on Six Gates’ wanted list, there would be no place for them in Great Jin. Only falling into outlawry, mixing with Green Forest Black Road...

To avenge Huo Chengkun and take such a risk, he felt it wasn’t worth it.

Xiao Zhuyun’s expression was grave, "Precisely because of this, it is even more dangerous. He will achieve his goal by any means necessary. Since he is convinced the Sword Manual is with you, he will use every method to seize your secret."

At this time, Zhang Mingyu spoke, "Brother, though everyone recognizes you as Master’s disciple, I know very well Master never taught you martial arts. You originally have no obligation to avenge Master. Had that scoundrel not targeted you yesterday, I wouldn’t have told you this. Now, that scoundrel is our common enemy."

Chen Ming looked at Xiao Zhuyun and asked, "And you? Why are you helping them against Sun Shicai?"

She was only Huo Qianqian’s senior sister. Being so eager to help her junior sister with revenge, and risking so much, was very unusual.

Xiao Zhuyun hesitated, saying, "I’ll be frank with you, after Sun Shicai killed Huo Elder, he took something. It was an heirloom of our sect’s elder and contained Xiaoshui Sect’s legacy. This item must not fall into the hands of outsiders."

So that’s it.

Chen Ming dispelled his last bit of doubt and asked, "Do you have a detailed plan?"

This time, Zhang Mingyu spoke up, "That scoundrel has already targeted you. Why not use this to lure him to a deserted place, and together we can kill him."

Is that it?

Chen Ming nearly rolled his eyes; this plan is too crude!

He shook his head and said, "It’s not appropriate; too many variables. What if Sun Shicai doesn’t fall for it? If I were him, I would use his authority in Six Gates to find an excuse to imprison my family, forcing me to comply."

Xiao Zhuyun asked, "So what insight does Young Master Chen have?"

Chen Ming pondered for a moment and said, "Let’s do this; you all go back and think carefully, each come up with a plan. Tonight, we’ll discuss further."

Zhang Mingyu frowned and asked, "Why wait until tonight?"

"Unfortunately, today I have an important guest coming; should arrive soon."

"Ah?"

Zhang Mingyu was momentarily stunned, then realized, "So earlier you were waiting for someone else?"

...

After Zhang Mingyu and the others left, half an hour later, Gu Yuantao and his cousin Zhou Weihao finally arrived.

Chen Ming personally welcomed them at the door, showing great attention.

Gu Yuantao introduced, "This is my cousin, Zhou Weihao. You saw him at the martial arts gathering."

Chen Ming said, "Young Master Zhou’s Merak Swordsmanship at the gathering was extremely proficient, leaving a lasting impression."

Zhou Weihao looked at him with a half-smile, "I wonder how it compares to your saber technique?"

"Only by comparing can we find out."

"You want to compete with me? Beat my cousin first." Zhou Weihao was clearly very confident in his swordsmanship.

In fact, he had insisted on coming over yesterday because he was somewhat dissatisfied with Chen Ming. Why was his saber technique the only one praised by Lord Zhao at the martial arts gathering?

He believed his swordsmanship wouldn’t lose to anyone at the gathering.

"Alright."

Securing another match, Chen Ming felt happy.

At the martial arts gathering, he saw Zhou Weihao’s swordsmanship, which was much stronger than Tian Qiming, but not as good as Qin Jinlin.

Chen Ming brought the two to the backyard, which was where he trained students; the ground was paved with stone bricks, very flat, and spacious enough.

He didn’t bother with pleasantries, saying, "Brother Gu is straightforward, so I won’t stand on ceremony either. Let’s begin."

This suited Gu Yuantao just fine; he stepped into the arena, holding a long sword, with a fierce fighting spirit in his eyes, saying, "My family’s Fufeng Swordsmanship takes the artistic concept of wind, highly variable and ever-changing; you need to be cautious."

Chen Ming knew he didn’t want to take advantage of him.

At the martial arts gathering, after competing in three matches, Gu Yuantao already had a good understanding of Chen Ming’s saber technique, so he voluntarily disclosed his swordsmanship’s characteristics.

"This person has a magnanimous character."

Chen Ming held a saber as if he and the saber were one.

For half a year, using the saber to perform the Swallow Returning Sword Technique smoothly and flawlessly, with no weaknesses visible.

His idea was simple, since Huo Chengkun modified the sword technique into saber technique, it must be for a reason. Most likely not wanting others to recognize it.

This also meant, if others identified him using the Swallow Returning Sword Technique, it could bring immense trouble.

Thus, he consistently uses the Five Elements Saber Technique.

Gu Yuantao said, "Please."

Letting Chen Ming make the first move.

He didn’t hesitate, using a move called "Welcoming Pine," fulfilling the ceremony.

Which made Zhou Weihao on the side somewhat impatient, "Such a bother."

Then, the two finally clashed.

Despite his words, Zhou Weihao watched attentively, unwilling to miss any detail.

After seeing a few moves, he was moved, "In just half a year, Brother Tao’s swordsmanship has reached such a level?"

Sharp sword moves, strict form; it was clearly nearing mastery.

Zhou Weihao was quite surprised; over a year ago, he sparred privately with Gu Yuantao, at that time they were both just eighth-grade.

Gu Yuantao’s swordsmanship was slightly inferior to his.

Now, his swordsmanship has significantly advanced. Zhou Weihao felt he might not be able to match it, creating a sense of crisis.

Chen Ming wielded the long saber impeccably; though heavier, it moved with an agile lightness, as if effortlessly handling great weight.

Sometimes Zhou Weihao thought he was using swordsmanship.

In a blink, over forty moves had been exchanged, evenly matched—

"That’s not right!"

Zhou Weihao had an intuition that Chen Ming wasn’t exerting his full effort, handling it with ease, whereas his cousin was pushing beyond his limits.

That’s the difference.

Upcoming developments were as he predicted. After more than eighty moves, his cousin began losing ground.

Ultimately, Chen Ming used a "Divine Brush" move, slicing off a piece of Gu Yuantao’s sleeve, winning the round.

"Thank you!"

[You defeated a Level 38 enemy, earning 1000 experience points.]

A full thousand points.

PS: Voting for number one this month is requested.