"What plans do you have for the future?"

This was already the second time someone asked Chen Ming this question, implying whether he would leave Qingfeng City.

Because there wasn’t a decent martial sect in Qingfeng City, and the only prestigious family, the Gu Family, had also declined. To obtain martial arts legacy, apart from the Six Gates, there were only the Seven Great Sea Merchants.

Therefore, any talented young person from Qingfeng City would leave, mostly heading to Jiangzhou City.

Within Jiangzhou, there were four major sects, with three of them near Jiangzhou City, making it the first choice for youths.

There were also three major gangs, with two located in Jiangzhou City, the second choice.

Apart from these, Jiangzhou City had various forces and famed experts, offering far more opportunities than Qingfeng City.

In fact, Qingfeng City used to have prestigious families, sects, and several third-grade experts. Until a Sea Suppression King came and took them away.

Then Shang Jianfei, suspected to be a pinnacle expert, hid in the Prince Zhenhai’s Mansion, decreeing that no third-grade experts were allowed into Qingfeng City.

After twenty years of this, Qingfeng City naturally declined. It couldn’t even compare to Jiangzhou City; in a dozen counties, it ranked at the bottom.

This could only be attributed to historical reasons.

Chen Ming said, "I haven’t decided yet; I’ll first settle things at home."

Zhang Mingyu couldn’t help but advise, "Junior Brother, your family matters can be left to us; we will take care of your brother’s family. If you want to advance further in Martial Dao, you should plan early. Do not hesitate and waste your exceptional talent."

Chen Ming knew he meant well, patted his shoulder, and said, "I have it in mind."

Seeing Chen Ming’s response, Zhang Mingyu hesitated to persuade further and said somewhat wistfully, "I used to feel unsatisfied and wanted to explore the vibrant world outside... Now, I lost that drive. I just hope you can go out soon, so the world knows Qingfeng City also has a Martial Dao genius."

Apparently, he had drunk too much, revealing his true feelings.

Chen Ming looked at him and said, "I’ve seen that fortune smiles upon you recently; good things are surely coming your way."

"Then I’ll take your word for it, Junior Brother." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Zhang Mingyu thought Chen Ming did not want to hear more and was changing the subject, so he didn’t dwell on it.

...

That night, Zhang Mingyu and the rest stayed at the Chen Family.

The next morning, they left after having breakfast.

As usual, Chen Ming taught fifty or so students, then had breakfast and saw Zhang Mingyu off, before going out himself.

He first went to the Admiral’s Mansion. Just as the carriage stopped, a small maid ran out from the mansion to him and said, "Mr. Chen, Miss is feeling unwell today and cannot go out. She specifically sent me to wait at the door so you wouldn’t have to wait long."

Chen Ming said, "Please tell your lady to rest well; health is paramount."

The maid curtsied, "I will report back to Miss now."

After watching her enter the door, Chen Ming returned to the carriage and asked the driver to leave.

He remained calm, expecting Zhao Xiyan to react this way. After all, this wasn’t a glorious affair, and it’s normal for a lady of noble birth not to want to be embarrassed alongside him.

His next destination was the east of the city.

Qingfeng City was large, with a permanent population of over 200,000, a significant number for this era.

Usually, Chen Ming operated in the west of the city, which was the old district including the Huo Mansion, Gu Family, and practically all his friends resided there.

The Admiral’s Mansion, however, was in Central City, not too far from Chen Ming’s home.

But getting to the eastern part required a longer journey, needing to cross a large bridge. For the common folks in the west, a trip to the east was almost like going out of town.

The east was more a commercial area; Qingfeng City had two docks, one of which was there, making it bustling and busy.

Thus, the east housed many small gangs or minor forces, with no shortage of seventh-grade martial artists.

When Chen Ming first broke through to the seventh-grade, he had visited there a few times to meet local seventh-grade martial artists but gained nothing from the encounters. They either accepted his gifts and dismissed him quickly or refused to see him altogether.

After being rejected three times, he stopped visiting.

Now, on his fourth visit to the east, he challenged each martial artist he had visited before, fighting through them one by one.

This strategy was known as offering courtesy before force.

By the end of the day, Chen Ming had challenged over forty people, achieving even greater results than the previous day. He returned home only after it got dark.

In the following two days, he repeated this in the south and north of the city, confronting every seventh-grade martial artist he knew by name.

For a time, all seventh-grade martial artists in Qingfeng City were on edge, with many fleeing preemptively, leaving Chen Ming often finding empty halls and no one to challenge.

His actions naturally sparked public outrage, perceived as bullying the weak by the strong.

It’s known that martial artists don’t appear out of nowhere; they have their mentors and connections with more formidable experts.

Many unable to stomach such humiliation sought out the city’s renowned experts, hoping they would uphold justice.

However, these distinguished experts weren’t foolish; knowing of Chen Ming’s close relationship with Admiral Zhao’s daughter, they weren’t willing to get involved.

...

That night, after challenging many seventh-grade martial artists in the north, Chen Ming returned home to see Zhang Mingyu’s helpless face.

Chen Ming preemptively asked before he could speak, "Have you come to persuade me?"

"Junior Brother, I truly don’t know what to say to you." Zhang Mingyu felt like crying and laughing at the same time.

Previously, he thought Junior Brother Chen was overly gentle, too cultivated, lacking the fierceness of youth. Who knew, once Junior Brother Chen lost his temper, he could turn the entire Qingfeng City upside down.

"Early this morning, people rushed to me complaining, accusing you of bullying with impunity, questioning whether the Huo Sect wants to become their enemy?"

Zhang Mingyu forced a smile, "Junior Brother, although I don’t know who made you so angry, now that you’ve beaten so many, maybe your anger has subsided?"

To outsiders, Chen Ming’s rampage and targeting of seventh-grade martial artists seemed like an act of revenge. The exact cause naturally led to much speculation.

Seeing Zhang Mingyu’s expression, Chen Ming knew he was under significant pressure and apologized, "I acted on impulse, putting you in a difficult spot."

Zhang Mingyu shook his head, "I’m not worried for myself, just concerned that our Junior Brothers won’t be able to handle it."

This time, Chen Ming had indeed made many enemies; if something went wrong, those registered disciples of the Huo Sect would undoubtedly face retaliation.

Chen Ming said, "Okay, I won’t trouble them anymore."

Zhang Mingyu visibly relaxed, genuinely concerned Chen Ming would stubbornly continue offending more people, which would leave no place for the Huo Sect.

He exhaled deeply and said, "That’s good then."

Truthfully, Chen Ming also understood this was not something to repeat. Leaving aside the issue of offending people, many seventh-grade martial artists were now avoiding him, making it difficult to even find anyone.

Even if Zhang Mingyu hadn’t come to speak with him, he wouldn’t have continued.

Now, it was a chance to give Zhang Mingyu some face.

...

Just as Chen Ming saw Zhang Mingyu off, he noticed his elder brother Chen Rui coming over, his expression indicating he had something to say, prompting Chen Ming to laugh, "Brother, who else are you here to speak for?"

But Chen Rui didn’t smile, instead seriously saying, "Er Lang, do whatever you want; it doesn’t matter how many people you offend. If it comes to it, our whole family can just leave Qingfeng City."

Chen Ming felt warmth in his heart; indeed, there is one person in this world who, no matter what he wants to do, will steadfastly stand by his side in support.

"I have no intention of leaving Qingfeng City. I’m handling this matter with care."

Hearing this, Chen Rui felt reassured. "Actually, a few days ago when you hired two eighth-grade martial artists as protectors for the pharmacy and home, I knew you were up to something significant."

Chen Ming smiled, "You know me best, Brother."

Chen Rui continued, "There’s one more thing. Today, the Young Master of Guangtai Trading Company sent an invitation, asking you to attend a banquet tomorrow."

He said this while handing over a gold-embossed invitation.

Guangtai Trading Company, one of the Seven Great Sea Merchants as well.

Chen Ming took it, knowing it was time to make contact with people from the Seven Great Sea Merchants.