In the following days, Chen Ming stayed at home, delving into the "Five Elements Saber Technique."
The more he pondered, the more he felt something was off about this saber technique.
His mastery of the "Eight Trigrams Saber Technique" had already reached its peak, giving him a certain understanding of the Sword Dao. The more he studied, the more he felt that the "Five Elements Saber Technique" had many inconsistencies.
Especially when combined with the heart method inside, the sense of discord was even stronger.
"Could it really be as they say, that this is actually a sword technique, modified by Huo Chengkun into a saber technique?"
Chen Ming couldn't help but suspect.
However, he couldn't be sure, as relying solely on the illustrations required imagination. He could only wait for Hong Mingquan to return.
But despite waiting day after day, the funeral procession from the Huo Family had yet to return.
The Xiao River was just over two hundred miles from Qingfeng City.
Even at a slow pace, they should have returned by now.
...
That night, Chen Ming had already gone to bed.
Suddenly he heard a noise, turned his head and saw a pebble on the floor in front of his bed, wrapped in a note.
Again?
He got up, removed the note, and unfolded it to see the same scrawled handwriting: "Come to the back alley for another battle."
Chen Ming felt a burst of joy; as long as she didn't go back to get reinforcements after losing, why would he refuse?
He donned his clothes, picked up his saber, and went out.
In the back alley, she was still dressed in black night attire. Upon seeing him, she attacked without a word, using that "Swallow Returning Sword Technique" once again.
Chen Ming responded cautiously, carefully observing, matching the heart method from the "Five Elements Saber Technique" manual, and indeed it felt much smoother.
"It seems she was right, this 'Five Elements Saber Technique' is actually a sword technique."
He felt more certain in his heart.
This time, the two of them exchanged nearly a hundred moves.
As Chen Ming's understanding of the "Swallow Returning Sword Technique" grew, he handled it more and more effortlessly.
When Zhong Shuyu made a move, he could predict which move she might use, making it easier for him.
In terms of saber technique cultivation and combat experience, Zhong Shuyu still had a significant gap compared to him.
And so, after around a hundred moves.
Zhong Shuyu suddenly retreated, exiting the battle, and said angrily, "I'm not fighting anymore, this is boring."
After saying that, she vaulted over a wall and disappeared with a few leaps.
Chen Ming was somewhat regretful; he wanted to spar with her a few more times to secretly learn the authentic "Swallow Returning Sword Technique" from her.
What a pity, looking at her demeanor, she might never come again.
He waited for a while but the prompt for gained experience points never appeared, frustrating him. Going through all that effort was for nothing.
...
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
Hong Mingquan had yet to return, and there wasn't any news about him.
In this era, communication was underdeveloped, and information didn't flow. With no connections, it was difficult even to ask someone to inquire.
He could only comfort Hong Mingquan's wife and children, "No news is good news. Maybe something came up and delayed him."
Madam Li and Hong Zilin remained strong, continuing with their daily lives.
Of course, what they did in private, he did not know.
On the second day, Hong Zilin took the initiative to learn martial arts with Chen Ming, and now practices every morning with the group of kids. He has become the "senior disciple" among them.
During this half-month, the woman in blue did not come seeking another duel.
One morning.
Chen Ming had just finished breakfast and was reading in the courtyard. He was studying a history book to quickly learn the historical knowledge of this world.
Suddenly, the maid Chunxiang reported that a guest with the surname Zhou was requesting to see him.
"Looking for me?"
"Yes."
Chunxiang, having stayed at the Chen Family for half a month, seemed even darker than before.
She and Xiaxiang were quite ambitious, knowing that Chen Ming taught others martial arts, and secretly learned on the side. Once discovered, he allowed them to train every morning, on the condition that it did not interfere with their duties.
The two sisters were naturally grateful.
They were very aware that elsewhere, the punishment for secretly learning martial arts could be severe, even breaking their limbs.
After that, they became wholeheartedly devoted to this young master.
Chen Ming thought for a moment but couldn't recall having any friends named Zhou, so he said, "Invite him in."
Soon, the guest was invited in — an unfamiliar middle-aged man with a humble smile. As he entered, he bowed deeply, "I am Zhou Quan, greetings to Lord Chen."
This confused Chen Ming.
However, he didn't rashly go up to help him. Greeting with such a big bow at their first meeting definitely meant something was off.
Either he wanted something.
Or he was here to apologize.
As thoughts raced through Chen Ming's mind, he stepped aside, not accepting the courtesy, and said blandly, "There's no need for the title of lord. Mr. Zhou, what brings you to pay such a grand courtesy, could it be you've done something you regret?"
Zhou Quan broke out in a cold sweat instantly, not daring to wipe it off, he spoke nervously, "Lord, please see clearly, it's all my fault for being foolish and listening to the malicious words of a scoundrel, leading to this misdeed. I'm here expressly to apologize, hoping the lord can overlook a small man's wrongs and let me off."
Seeing him trembling like a leaf, Chen Ming found it odd, am I really that intimidating?
He asked, "Please tell me the whole story."
So, Zhou Quan stammered out the events.
...
It turns out Zhou Quan was a medicinal herb merchant who had cooperated with the Chen Family Pharmacy for many years. When Chen Ming's parents were still around, they purchased supplies from him.
Just over a month ago, someone approached him, wanting him to sabotage a shipment for the Chen Family Pharmacy, offering great profits in return.
In a moment of greed, he complied with the request.
Chen Rui failed to notice the deception at first and indeed did not anticipate being harmed by a long-term supplier, thus accepting the shipment.
Later, somehow, Chen Rui discovered the shipment was faulty and confronted Zhou Quan, who naturally denied everything.
Fortunately, Chen Rui later found another supplier and bought a batch of herbs at a high price, fulfilling orders in time and preserving the pharmacy's reputation.
Afterward, Zhou Quan's guilty conscience grew heavier, prompting him to bring gifts and personally apologize.
After listening, Chen Ming finally understood why his older brother had spent several days staying at the pharmacy without returning home.
However, since Chen Rui didn't bring the matter up, he also pretended to be unaware.
He knew Zhou Quan's words were not entirely truthful; his so-called "conscience" was rubbish. He must have heard about Chen Rui's brother becoming a Ninth-Grade Martial Artist and feared retaliation, hence the apology.
Whether Chen Ming chose to report it to the authorities or take revenge privately, it was more than a small herb merchant like Zhou Quan could withstand.
A Ninth-Grade Martial Artist is an unmatched force for ordinary people.
Chen Ming looked at Zhou Quan, who was sprawled on the ground, crying, remorseful and self-blaming, feeling nothing but coldly asked, "Who was that person?"
"I know... it's... a manager under Jin Yuansheng..."
Jin Yuansheng?
Chen Ming was taken aback.
He had almost forgotten about this enemy of the original owner's, not expecting him to reappear at this time.
"Lord... I was momentarily foolish... I'm willing to compensate..." Zhou Quan continued to plead.
Chen Ming, feeling irritated, said, "Wait aside, I will see if my brother is willing to forgive you when he returns."
...
Not until evening did Chen Rui return home. Upon seeing Zhou Quan, he immediately flew into a rage. Usually gentle, he nearly rushed forward to hit him, "How dare you show your face here?"
"Manager Chen, stay calm, I'm here to apologize, and I'm willing to compensate for all your losses..." Zhou Quan did not dare to hide, he proclaimed loudly.
Hearing his words, Chen Rui paused, "You say compensation?"
He found it hard to believe, remembering vividly Zhou Quan's stubborn denial when he confronted him.
Now, he is proactively offering compensation?
Seeing Zhou Quan's fearful demeanor, and his brother leisurely sipping tea, he suddenly understood.
It wasn't remorse he felt, it was fear of a brother who had become a Ninth-Grade Martial Artist!
For a moment, Chen Rui's emotions were extremely complicated.
In the end, it still fell on his younger brother to handle things.