"Why are these people so afraid of you?"
After closing the door, Chen Rui was a bit puzzled and couldn't help asking his brother.
During the day, they were so arrogant. They didn't seem convinced when they left, so how did their attitude become so humble by evening?
They ran to the doorstep and knelt to apologize.
Chen Ming explained, "They're not afraid of me, they're afraid of Master Huo."
In Qingfeng City, the Giant Tiger Gang is the largest gang, and besides them, there's no one else of any significance.
That old rogue Xiao from Wanli Gambling House is just a lowlife usurer, bullying ordinary people at most. If he provokes a martial artist, he would have already been eliminated.
Huo Chengkun is a well-known figure in Qingfeng City, having been renowned for decades, with seven disciples all being ranked martial artists, and dozens of registered disciples. Although he hasn't established his own sect, he is a force that no one can ignore.
Xiao likely thinks he is a registered disciple of Huo Chengkun, which is why he's so afraid, and had his subordinates come to apologize with gifts.
In fact, if he were to reveal his martial artist's strength now, it could also make Xiao submit.
Chen Rui sighed in relief and said gratefully, "It was really the right choice for father to send you to learn martial arts with Master Huo."
"But—"
He was still a bit worried, "Isn't this too much? Offending that Wanli Gambling House so hard, it will always be a hidden threat in the future."
He is a businessman and values harmony in making money. Seeing his brother so aggressive earlier, he was indeed a bit anxious.
Chen Ming smiled and said, "Brother, you are right. Allow me to think of a way to eliminate this threat."
Chen Rui breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "Yes, let's arrange a meeting with Wanli Gambling House to have a talk, and it will be resolved."
Chen Ming changed the topic and handed over the box in his hand, "Take this money. If it's not enough, let me know."
Chen Rui did not refuse; there was no need for pretenses between the two brothers.
...
When Chen Rui returned to his room, he overheard the maid Xiaohong animatedly telling his wife about how mighty the second young master was and how those vile people were slapping their own faces.
Both Madam Wei and Chen Lide were listening with shining eyes.
Even the nanny holding Chen Lirong had a proud expression on her face.
Seeing the eldest young master come in, Xiaohong finally stopped talking.
"Everyone, leave for now."
Chen Rui let everyone leave, leaving just his wife, before opening the box and taking out two heavy silver ingots to place in front of her, saying, "You've worked hard these past days. There's no need to be so frugal from now on."
Madam Wei stared at the box of bright silver, her eyes wide, "Is this... from those villains?"
"Yes, approximately a thousand taels."
"Uncle is truly impressive now," Madam Wei murmured, then questioned, "Then why was he so—"
She intended to say weak, but felt embarrassed.
Chen Rui was actually quite puzzled too, feeling that his brother had changed significantly after being imprisoned.
Of course, they hadn't interacted much these past years, meeting only twice a year. In truth, he didn't know much about his brother.
He reminded, "Remember not to mention the past in front of Erlang."
No matter what, Erlang would definitely rather not remember that painful past.
Madam Wei tightly held the two large silver ingots, a full hundred taels, nodding firmly, "I know."
No matter what Uncle was like before, now he is the backbone of the family.
...
At this moment, Chen Ming returned to his room, lit an oil lamp on the table, and pondered the future.
The first realm of Martial Dao is called the Tendon and Bone Realm, signified by resonating tendons and bones. It's known as the Ninth Grade Martial Artist.
Now, he is more than ten times stronger than before.
If not at this stage, one can never imagine how powerful an entry-level martial artist can be.
"First, I need to find a cultivation technique."
The "Iron Horse Stance" had already been practiced to perfection, with no room for improvement.
It's not easy; no family will casually teach their cultivation techniques.
With Huo Chengkun's suspicious and cautious nature, he probably wouldn't accept him either, mainly because there were too many suspicious points about him. Despite his ordinary talent, his cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds, inevitably raising questions.
After thinking it over, he couldn't come up with a good strategy and could only take it one step at a time.
However, he must still continue going to the Huo Mansion to accumulate experience points.
"It's best not to disclose the breakthrough yet."
Chen Ming thought to himself.
He wanted to quickly make a breakthrough to become a martial artist primarily to resolve his family's predicament. Unexpectedly, an unexpected gain provided the household with enough to get through the crisis.
So, it's better to remain low-key.
After making up his mind, Chen Ming extinguished the lamp and went to bed.
In the following days, Chen Ming did not go to the Huo Mansion but stayed home to stabilize his state.
Having just had a breakthrough, he couldn't control himself from showing too much, making it easy for others to notice; he needed a few days to settle.
...
Meanwhile, over at the Huo Mansion.
In Huo Qianqian's boudoir, she was wearing a lake-green tight-fitting outfit, anxiously pacing back and forth. Hearing the footsteps of her maid Chunmei outside the door, she hurried over to open it, eagerly asking, "How is it? Has he come?"
"No."
Huo Qianqian was greatly disappointed and sat down on the bed with a sense of deflation, her delicate brows tightly furrowed, "Why hasn't he come these days?"
Chunmei whispered, "I heard something happened at his home?"
Huo Qianqian immediately asked, "What happened?"
Chunmei hesitated.
"Oh, come on, tell me, you're killing me with suspense."
"Miss, Young Master Wen has been back for two days and even brought you a gift, but you don't want to see him. Instead, you're asking about another man all day..."
Chunmei said hesitantly.
Huo Qianqian was momentarily stunned and then became angry, "What nonsense are you spouting? You even dare to make things up about me, do you? Looking for a beating!"
She gestured as if to hit her.
Chunmei pleaded repeatedly, "Miss, I don't dare anymore..."
Huo Qianqian wasn't satisfied until she hit her arm a few times to vent her anger, "Never mention that Wen guy in front of me again."
"Okay."
Chunmei replied in a wronged tone.
"Now, tell me, what happened to his family?"
"Well... I just heard from someone that his family is arranging an engagement for him."
"Ah—"
While Huo Qianqian was in a daze, a voice came from outside, "Qianqian, open the door, I'm here to see you."
Chunmei noticed her mistress wasn't reacting and whispered, "Miss Zhang Xinyi from the Zhang Family has arrived."
Miss Zhang Xinyi, Zhang Family's seventh daughter, was a close friend of Huo Qianqian. She was also Chen Ming's former fiancée.
Huo Qianqian softly said, "Go open the door then."
...
Zhang Xinyi, seventeen years old this year, was charming and lovable, wearing an apricot-yellow long dress. Upon entering the room, she immediately took Huo Qianqian's hand, curious, "Qianqian, why are you dressed like this?"
"I was going to practice martial arts, why have you come?"
Zhang Xinyi said somewhat melancholically, "I'm getting married soon. I wanted to see you before the wedding."
"So soon?"
Huo Qianqian couldn't help but frown, "You just broke off the engagement with the Chen Family, and now you're getting married so soon. Is that appropriate?"
Zhang Xinyi sighed, "My father's orders are hard to defy, what can I do?"
Huo Qianqian sneered, "Your father is really opportunistic. I heard that Chen Ming's father saved your grandfather's life back then, which is why your families arranged the marriage. Once Chen Ming fell on hard times, your family added insult to injury by breaking off the engagement and hastily marrying you to someone else. It's truly disgraceful."
Zhang Xinyi felt a pang of discomfort. Although she knew it was true, being confronted about her father face to face was hard to take, and she couldn't help but argue, "My father has his reasons."
Huo Qianqian remained disdainful, "Oh, reasons? Can those justify ungrateful acts?"
"Huo Qianqian!"
Zhang Xinyi was furious, "How can you talk about my father like this?"
"Hmph, if your father can do such things, is he afraid of being talked about? Let me tell you, your Zhang Family will regret this sooner or later."
"You—"
Zhang Xinyi was both hurt and aggrieved, never expecting her friend to speak so harshly.
Feeling embarrassed, she covered her face and turned to leave.