In the early morning, the sun had just risen, casting warm rays into the courtyard.
Chen Ming sat beneath the eaves, leafing through a book. The material of the book seemed like paper, yet was extremely tough, as if made from some kind of animal hide.
The book seemed to have some history, with slightly yellowed pages. The characters on it were also different from the current mainstream script.
The cover bore no title, but judging by the contents, it was indeed a Cultivation Technique.
This kind of technique, without a clear origin or even a name, would never be easily practiced by any ordinary person.
But Chen Ming was not afraid; whether this thing was genuine or not, he would know once he practiced it.
Soon, the maid Xiaohong came to call him for a meal.
He put away the nameless Cultivation Technique and went to have breakfast.
...
After breakfast, Chen Ming headed out to the Huo Mansion.
These days, he had adjusted his condition quite well, and even when he was in close contact with Deng Ziyang yesterday, he hadn't noticed anything.
Moreover, staying at home these days gave him zero Experience Points, which made him a bit anxious.
Without Experience Points, how could he become stronger?
Around nine in the morning, Chen Ming arrived at the Huo Mansion on time, greeted the gatekeeper, and entered, but he did not see Huo Qianqian's maid, Chunmei, which left him somewhat disappointed.
Then he thought, her fiancé had returned; why would she come to spar with him?
Moreover, she was about to get married, so it would be even less likely for her to look for him to spar.
In the future, there would be one less source of Experience Points.
Chen Ming felt somewhat regretful.
Soon, he arrived at the martial arts practice yard.
"Junior Brother Chen."
Hong Mingquan saw him and was quite pleased, "You finally came, those little guys have been talking about you every day."
"Fifth Senior Brother."
Chen Ming entered the pavilion and explained, "These past few days, I was tied up with family matters. Thank you, Senior Brother, for thinking of me."
At this time, Zhang Mingyu also came over, "Hey, I've heard the news. Are you getting married soon?"
In this period, Chen Ming and Zhang Mingyu got along quite well, and the previous misunderstanding between them had long been resolved. After all, they saw each other every day, there was no need to be on bad terms.
Hong Mingquan said, "I think it would be best not to rush things. Marriage is a lifelong commitment. It's better to wait a few more years; if you can break through that major hurdle, it won't be too late to get married then."
This was his advice as someone who had been through it.
Back then, he was too eager to get married, and the wife he married was of rather average family background and looks. Later, he became a Martial Artist, and it was too late for regrets.
There is a rule in the sect that you cannot abandon your first wife.
But Zhang Mingyu disagreed with his view, "Fifth Junior Brother, don't mislead people. Breaking through to become a Martial Artist is extremely difficult. Those who lack talent should be down-to-earth and not harbor unrealistic dreams, or they will only add to their worries."
Hong Mingquan didn't dare to refute and just said, "Senior Brother is right."
Chen Ming lowered his head to sip tea, making no comments.
Actually, Zhang Mingyu's words weren't wrong. However, he wasn't an ordinary person.
Seeing that the conversation was getting cold, he changed the topic and asked about the renowned experts that had appeared in Qingfeng City.
For this kind of topic, the two naturally recounted with ease.
"The most formidable expert to have ever appeared locally should be the ancestor of the Gu Family two hundred years ago, a First Grade pinnacle. Since then, the Gu Family established its position as the top family in the county…"
As the three chatted, they suddenly saw Wen Zehao appearing in the practice yard, walking towards them.
Hong Mingquan and Zhang Mingyu suddenly stopped talking, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
Chen Ming got up to say goodbye, not wanting to be an eyesore here.
"Chen Ming."
Unexpectedly, Wen Zehao called out to him, "You don't need to leave; sit down and have a cup of tea with us."
Chen Ming found it rather perplexing; why was this person so hot and cold, as if playing a child's game?
"No thanks."
He politely declined and left the pavilion.
...
Zhang Mingyu was a bit curious, "You didn't like him, so why suddenly so courteous?"
Wen Zehao sighed, downed the tea that Fifth Senior Brother poured for him, and said regretfully, "I finally understand why Junior Sister is upset with me. It turns out she thinks I'm too petty."
Aren't you?
Zhang Mingyu and Hong Mingquan thought to themselves, but said nothing.
Wen Zehao didn't notice their expressions, and with a bitter tone in his voice, said, "She was helping Chen Ming because her close friend Zhang Xinyi came to ask for her help. Ah, she couldn't have said so earlier? Just for this trivial matter, Junior Sister still refuses to talk to me."
Zhang Mingyu held back his laughter and teasingly said, "So, you plan to make peace with Chen Ming and have him help you explain to Junior Sister?"
"Yes."
"Unfortunately, it seems he doesn't consider it a favor."
Wen Zehao snorted, "Does he dare? I'm doing him a favor!"
At this point, Hong Mingquan chimed in, "I think that's not a wise move. Junior Sister is extremely intelligent and dislikes those who play mind games. Junior Brother, you just need to get along with Chen Ming normally, not sparking conflicts with him. Once the news reaches her ear, she'll naturally understand."
Wen Zehao shook his head, "How long will that take? Junior Sister's birthday is coming up soon; I have to get her to forgive me quickly. I'll go find him now."
Left there, Zhang Mingyu and Hong Mingquan, the pair of senior brothers, exchanged glances but said nothing.
...
"You want me to explain to Miss Huo that you have not been ostracizing me or trying to drive me away?"
Upon hearing Wen Zehao's intention, Chen Ming was a bit shocked as he looked at him.
What kind of thought process allows someone to say such a thing?
His emotional intelligence is clearly below even that of a middle school student.
Wen Zehao nodded, "Yes. As long as you explain to Junior Sister, I will give you a Qi Blood Pill."
His tone was like that of someone giving charity.
Chen Ming thought for a moment and said, "I can explain to Miss Huo. It'd be best if we go together."
"That's exactly my intention."
Wen Zehao was actually a bit worried that Chen Ming might speak ill of him to Junior Sister behind his back, so he had long made up his mind to go along.
He took a bottle from his bosom and gave it as payment.
Fifty taels paid.
Chen Ming had never been one to turn down money; confirming that it contained a Qi Blood Pill, he pocketed it directly.
...
...
At the Xiao Mansion, a group of Six Gates constables had gathered early in the morning.
Last night, there had been a death here.
Early in the morning, the Xiao Mansion had sent someone to report it to the authorities.
Three constables searched the scene. The eldest among them said, "When the body was found, the door was locked from the inside, and the windows were intact. There were no traces of a second person at the scene, and the deceased had no other injuries. This is a suicide."
Another constable nodded in agreement with this conclusion.
Only the youngest constable, with sharp eyes, said solemnly, "I believe this is a homicide. Look at the strangulation marks on the deceased's neck; it's clearly not from hanging, but from being strangled."
The older constable sneered, "Since you think it's murder, then go investigate it yourself. When you find evidence and catch someone, come back and overturn my judgement."
With that, he left in a huff.
After they left the Xiao Mansion, the younger constable sneered, "A newborn calf is not afraid of tigers."
The older constable said, "I could already tell he's quite ambitious. The newly arrived officer is young; he's bound to want to make a distinguished achievement. This young man is banking on that – if he can make a merit, the new officer might take notice of him."