Chen Ming originally thought that Huo Qianqian would quickly bring a group over to get back at him, beat him up, and then drive him away.
As it turned out, nothing happened even after he finished fifteen sparring matches.
Wen Zehao also didn't send anyone to trouble him.
Feeling a bit puzzled, he left the Huo Mansion. Outside the gate, he saw Deng Ziyang's carriage again.
...
"Miss, does it hurt a lot?"
In a private room, the maid Hong Mei looked at a clear red mark on Huo Qianqian's thigh, almost in tears.
"What do you think?"
Huo Qianqian, already in unbearable pain, was instantly infuriated by her words and scolded, "Want me to kick you to find out?"
Hong Mei shrank her neck, ultimately afraid of pain, not daring to continue this. She said angrily, "Miss, that Chen dared to lay hands on you. I'll report to Master and have him caught to vent your anger."
"Stop right there."
Huo Qianqian suddenly sat up, aggravating her injury, and shivered with pain, harshly saying, "Do not tell Grandpa about this."
Hong Mei was stunned, looking puzzled, "Why not?"
Huo Qianqian gritted her teeth and said, "This grudge, I want to avenge myself."
From childhood until now, no matter whom she sparred with, everyone let her win—it was really uninteresting.
Today, she finally encountered someone who didn't hold back on her and hit her with full force. This reignited her competitive spirit.
She had to win back with her own strength, otherwise, she wouldn't be able to sleep.
Still not assured, Huo Qianqian warned, "If you dare to speak out, I'll break your leg."
"Understood, Miss."
Hong Mei replied, feeling wronged.
...
"Qi Jun is a bit stubborn; since losing to you last time, he's been unwilling to accept it. So today he wants to spar with you again. Let's just go through the motions."
In the carriage, Deng Ziyang explained the purpose of coming to Chen Ming today.
Chen Ming complained, "If Brother Deng had given me a word, I would naturally have come. Why trouble yourself to come personally to pick me up?"
Deng Ziyang laughed, "It's on the way."
He sighed again, "Qi Jun values face greatly. Since losing under you last time, he hasn't had the face to see Zhang Mingyu."
Chen Ming was a bit surprised that he directly called Third Senior Brother's name, showing no respect, and blamed himself, saying, "Actually, I should have held back, but Qi brother's martial arts are so high, I had to go all out."
"It's his own arrogance that led to his defeat. I should thank you; he learned a lesson and finally made some progress."
The two chatted away and soon arrived at a mansion.
This was Deng Ziyang's home, a courtyard house with five entrances and exits.
Deng Ziyang said, "After I was born, my father bought this house. Now that my mother has passed, I feel lonely living alone, so I invite some brothers to live together. If you ever have nowhere to go, just come here."
"Certainly."
Chen Ming felt that this person had the charisma of a big brother, generous and bold, with a group of loyal followers. This kind of person, given some opportunities, might really achieve something.
The two arrived at a large courtyard where several people were chatting and bragging.
Seeing Deng Ziyang, they immediately stood up and shouted in unison, "Big Brother."
Deng Ziyang said, "Qi Jun, Brother Chen agreed to another match with you. Thank Brother Chen."
Qi Jun immediately stepped forward, cupping his hands, "Thanks, Brother Chen, for giving me a chance to redeem myself."
His eyes were filled with intense fighting spirit.
Chen Ming returned the salute, "Please instruct me."
Deng Ziyang reminded, "Both are friends, just sparring, keep it civil."
"Of course."
"Alright, let's begin."
Qi Jun took the first move; this time, he would not be careless again.
However, once the fight began, it was completely different from last time.
Chen Ming not only didn't evade but also took the initiative.
Bam!
The two clashed head-on; Chen Ming's body swayed slightly and then stabilized.
The strength was hardly inferior to his.
How could this be?
Qi Jun was taken aback, his moves fell into chaos and Chen Ming seized the opportunity, attacking relentlessly.
He could only barely defend, almost completely suppressed.
After about ten moves, Chen Ming lightly tapped Qi Jun's shoulder, then swiftly withdrew his hand, standing with hands at his sides.
Qi Jun stood there, dazed, somewhat lost.
At this moment, Deng Ziyang spoke up, "I didn't expect Brother Chen wasn't going all out last time."
Chen Ming explained, "Brother Deng misunderstood. After the last fight with Qi brother, I had some insights and unexpectedly broke through, thanks to Qi brother."
"Is that so."
Deng Ziyang turned to Qi Jun and shouted, "Qi Jun, do you yield?"
Qi Jun shook all over, not daring to look at Chen Ming. He lowered his head, murmuring, "I yield... I yield."
This time, being completely suppressed without a chance to fight back made him realize the gap between him and Chen Ming.
Deng Ziyang said, "Let's go, and drink till we drop at Drunken Immortal Pavilion. Brother Chen, it's to celebrate your advancement. Don't refuse."
Just like that, Chen Ming was dragged off to Drunken Immortal Pavilion again.
...
Full of wine and food, by the time Chen Ming returned home, it was already past four in the afternoon, around Shen hour.
He returned to his small courtyard and someone quickly brought over a bowl of hangover soup, it was his sister-in-law's maid, "Young Master, why drink so much during the day?"
"I was pulled in, couldn't refuse."
Chen Ming said, noticing a patch on her skirt. Although it was the same color fabric, it was obvious at a glance.
He frowned; had his family's financial situation deteriorated to this extent?
Even though she was just a maid, for a family that can afford a maid to make her wear patched clothes, if word got out, wouldn't it be laughable?
The family was cutting back on expenses, what about the pharmacy?
"It seems I need to improve my strength quickly."
He felt a sense of urgency.
Chen Ming opened the panel.
[Level: 5]
[Current Points: 15]
[Cultivation Technique: "Iron Horse Stance" (Third Level 1/500+)]
[Martial Skill: "Three Talents Fist" (Proficient 10/500+), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Beginner 12/100+)]
In the morning, after injuring Huo Qianqian, he upgraded the "Iron Horse Stance" to the third level to handle any potential danger.
That's why he could suppress Qi Jun earlier and win so easily.
Qi Jun's "Iron Horse Stance" was only at the third level.
"Must quickly become a true martial artist."
Chen Ming adjusted his short-term goals.
In this world, only by becoming a true martial artist and reaching a certain grade, could one achieve a class leap. Then making money would be easy.
He calculated, a daily fixed experience points income of 15 points, which amounts to 450 points a month.
This means at least another month to break "Iron Horse Stance" through to the fourth level, and to the fifth level would probably take another two months.
"Too slow."
Must find another source of experience points income.