Gu Yuantao looked down at the cut on his sleeve, his already stern expression becoming even colder. He kept his head lowered, saying nothing, seemingly recalling the battle just now.

Chen Ming turned to Zhou Weihao, "Brother Zhou, does Chen have the qualifications to duel with you?"

Zhou Weihao replied indifferently, "You just fought my cousin, I don’t want to take advantage of you. Let’s have a duel next time."

"Very well."

Chen Ming knew such things couldn’t be forced.

In this world, most people place too much importance on victory and defeat, worrying excessively. Forcing such a person to spar will only breed hatred, which is unnecessary.

He sought individuals like Gu Yuantao, martial artists who hoped to hone themselves through actual combat and improve their skills. Such individuals often became regular sparring partners.

"Farewell."

After a while, Gu Yuantao finally snapped out of his contemplation and left with his men.

After seeing them off, Chen Ming’s demeanor turned serious.

The problem with Gu Yuantao was the same as with others. Although his cultivation was far superior, and his swordsmanship quite formidable, he lacked practical combat experience.

However, Sun Shicai was different!

He rose to a seventh-grade patrol envoy through merit, earned by battles, unlike those from distinguished families.

Moreover, he had been a seventh-grade patrol envoy for at least two or three years, possibly not far from being sixth-grade.

He was undoubtedly a formidable opponent.

Facing him head-on, Chen Ming had no absolute confidence.

What’s more, this person was a patrol envoy of the Six Gates. Killing him would lead to severe consequences.

His mind stirred as he opened the panel.

[Level: 30]

[Current Points: 4450]

[Cultivation Technique: "Iron Horse Stance" (Fifth Level Perfection), "Three Yang Body Refining Skill" (Seventh Layer 101/50000)]

[Martial Skill: "Three Talents Fist" (Mastery), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Mastery), Zhuang’s Flying Knife (Mastery), Swallow Returning Sword Technique (Proficiency 434/10000)]

In these twenty days, he had accumulated over four thousand experience points. At this rate, it would take at least two years to elevate "Three Yang Body Refining Skill" to Ninth Layer Perfection.

If he could meet a few more seventh-grade martial artists to spar with, it should shorten the time considerably.

Of course, this wasn’t something to consider now.

With a great battle imminent, enhancing his strength as much as possible was beneficial.

Chen Ming pondered and decided to allocate all experience points to Swallow Returning Sword Technique. This significantly boosted his combat capability.

Instantly, his Swallow Returning Sword Technique became (Proficiency 4884/10000).

In his mind, countless insights regarding this sword technique spontaneously emerged.

After half an hour.

Chen Ming exhaled a breath of turbid air, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes. The improvement in swordsmanship gave him more confidence for the upcoming battle.

...

That night, around the hour of Xu. Zhang Mingyu, Xiao Zhuyun, and Huo Qianqian arrived at Chen Ming’s residence sequentially, having entered through the back door.

Chunxiang and Xiaxiang led them to his small courtyard.

The three were dressed in black, presumably to avoid attracting attention.

Inside the room, three chairs were arranged. Chen Ming invited them to sit and asked, "Have any of you thought of other good ideas after returning?"

Zhang Mingyu was the first to respond, "I thought about it after returning. That cur is deceitful and wary, meticulous in scheming. I can’t outwit him, so I won’t embarrass myself."

Huo Qianqian also shook her head, "I can’t think of any good strategy."

Lastly, Xiao Zhuyun didn’t express her opinion right away but asked sincerely, "Young Master Chen, have you come up with a plan? If you have, let’s discuss it together."

Chen Ming took a sip of tea and slowly said, "Actually, it’s not difficult to eliminate him; the challenge lies in preventing future repercussions. Miss Xiao, I believe you’re not impulsive. Since we are targeting a seventh-grade patrol envoy, you surely have a method to handle the aftermath?"

Zhang Mingyu and Huo Qianqian involuntarily looked at Xiao Zhuyun.

Previously, urgently seeking revenge, they thought simply exposing Sun Shicai’s murder of their master would be righteous vindication.

Now, Chen Ming’s words caused them to worry about the aftermath.

Xiao Zhuyun hesitated briefly but revealed, "In the past six months, I’ve had people secretly investigating him, discovering his collusion with pirates. This alone is enough for the Six Gates to expel him."

So this was the case.

Chen Ming knew she wasn’t an unthinking woman, not risking everything without preparations against a Six Gates patrol envoy.

Xiao Zhuyun continued, "However, once this matter is reported, he’ll either be imprisoned in the Six Gates’ Great Prison or escape on his own. Regardless of the outcome, avenging him and recovering my sect’s relics will be difficult."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ming roughly understood her approach, "You intend to capture or eliminate him first, then have someone report his collusion to the Six Gates. At that time, the Six Gates would think he fled out of guilt, naturally absolving us from blame."

Xiao Zhuyun smiled, "Young Master, you are indeed astute, guessing correctly."

After speaking, she saw him lightly tapping the chair’s armrest, deep in thought.

She remained patient without urging him, quietly sitting there waiting.

Despite growing anxious, the two beside her saw her unchanged demeanor.

Finally, Chen Ming stopped tapping, looked up, and said, "Miss, have you considered a matter—who is backing him?"

Xiao Zhuyun was slightly startled; she hadn’t considered this. She countered, "Why does Young Master assume he has backing?"

Hearing this, Chen Ming knew she was unfamiliar with officialdom, "In the Six Gates, there are numerous seventh-grade martial artists, but few patrol envoy positions. Sun Shicai, despite his youth, ordinary family background, and an unremarkable sect, ascended to seventh-grade patrol envoy soon after breaking through; how could he achieve this?"

The Six Gates are highly competitive compared to clans and sects, undergoing rigorous examinations annually, flooding with new entrants. However, positions are limited, prompting a wait in line for promotions.

According to Zhuang Xiaotian, in the Six Gates, promotion to seventh-grade patrol envoy, without connections, is near impossible. Many have endured decades, never advancing despite reaching sixth-grade.

At that time, he wondered about Sun Shicai’s remarkable ascent to seventh-grade patrol envoy.

Xiao Zhuyun’s expression grew stern, "Are you suggesting someone is protecting him?"

Chen Ming replied, "It’s a possibility. The best outcome is for his backer to abandon him, which would be ideal. Nevertheless, we must contemplate the worst scenario."

Xiao Zhuyun’s expression shifted, apprehensive about her earlier assumptions, "It’s a good thing Young Master reminded me. Otherwise, if someone indeed shielded him, I would have implicated everyone terribly."

Unnoticed, her manner of addressing him changed to "Brother Chen."

"What does Brother Chen suggest we do?"

Finding someone receptive to feedback, humble in demeanor, was indeed rare.

Chen Ming’s impression of her transformed; collaborating with such a person was far less worrisome.

He suggested, "I believe it’s best to test the waters, discovering his backing. Initially, select someone unrelated to the matter to report him to the Six Gates, preferably an adversary of Sun Shicai. Then, we can identify who protects him, revealing his ally."

Xiao Zhuyun immediately agreed, "This is easily done; I’ll handle it tomorrow."

"There’s one more thing."

"Please, Brother Chen." Xiao Zhuyun attached greater importance to his opinion.

Chen Ming said, "I’d like to test the lady’s martial arts."

"Ah?"

He explained, "Forgive my bluntness. Sun Shicai fought his way up from the bottom, unlike inexperienced noble scions. He’s a formidable foe; I must first ascertain your level of skill, ensuring smoother cooperation when joining forces."

"All right."

Xiao Zhuyun deemed his reasoning sensible and agreed without hesitation.

PS: Seeking monthly votes.