Chen Ming quietly left the Huo Mansion with the Hong family mother and child, and upon returning home, he settled them in the guest room.
Then, he returned to his small courtyard, lit an oil lamp, and took out the "Five Elements Saber Technique", reading it by the firelight.
After reading a few pages, he knew it was genuine.
The Heart Method on it inherited from the "Eight Trigrams Saber Technique," only more profound. Paired with the illustrations, and with the moves Zhao An used against that man surnamed Guo a few days ago, he reached a conclusion.
However, solely relying on the illustrations, it was challenging to recreate all the details of the techniques.
At least, he didn't have the ability to do so.
"First, familiarize yourself with the Sword Manual, and wait for Hong Mingquan to return and teach me."
Chen Ming thought, focusing intently on the Sword Manual.
Immersed in reading, he didn't realize how late it had gotten.
Suddenly, his ears twitched at a noise outside, thinking it was the two maids, he was about to inquire when he heard a piercing sound.
A pebble pierced through the window paper and fell onto the table before him.
The pebble was wrapped in a piece of paper.
Chen Ming's eyes narrowed, noticing there seemed to be writing on it, he unfolded the paper which had a line of somewhat messy handwriting: Meet in the back alley in fifteen minutes, let's settle the score.
"Challenge letter?"
He was somewhat puzzled; settle the score again meant someone he had faced off against...
Could it be her?
Chen Ming pondered, only one person came to mind.
A few days ago, the blue-clothed girl he had sparred with at the Huo Mansion.
Recently, he had sparred, and of those who might seek him out for another fight, she was the only one.
"Could it be a trap?"
His first thought was this.
Then he realized he was overthinking; if she were targeting Hong Mingquan's wife and child, she wouldn't need to lure him away. She could bring her few fellow apprentices, even if much more came, he couldn't stop them.
...
Moments later, Chen Ming, carrying a long saber, arrived at the back alley, and indeed saw on the courtyard wall of his own backyard, a figure dressed in night attire, the figure's posture graceful. Judging by the silhouette, it was the blue-clothed girl.
"My senior brother said you deliberately lost to me in our spar a few days ago. Is that true?" She spoke, and sure enough, it was that familiar voice.
Chen Ming replied, "So it's the young lady; I am indeed no match for you and gladly accepted my defeat."
She had three senior brothers above her, and quite possibly a master of sixth-grade cultivation; he definitely didn't want trouble.
"Hmph, I trust my brother's judgment. Let's fight again."
"Best not..." Chen Ming truly didn't want to fight her; losing would cost Experience Points, too great a loss.
"It's not up to you. Watch my sword."
Zhong Shuyu already drew her sword, and without a word, thrust straightforwardly.
This strike aimed straight for the heart, viciously and fiercely, showing no mercy.
Chen Ming hurriedly drew his saber to block.
Her strikes came faster and faster, like a raging storm, each strike aimed for vital points.
The more he fought, the more astonished he became; this was not mere sparring.
One careless move could end in tragedy.
He finally understood what she meant by "not up to you."
Using such means to force him into a serious fight.
His strength was indeed a bit less than hers, relying on the perfected "Eight Trigrams Saber Technique," and her imperfect Swordsmanship.
The Swordsmanship she was using was almost identical to the "Five Elements Saber Technique."
Her Swordsmanship skill wasn't mature; the transitions between sword techniques lacked fluidity, showing her lack of real combat experience.
Now that she was fighting with abandon, her Swordsmanship faults were covered.
Momentarily, Chen Ming found it difficult to devise a way to feign defeat without injuring her or himself.
One slip-up, feigned defeat became real defeat, being stabbed through was no joking matter.
This girl's violent approach wasn't akin to Huo Qianqian, the daughter of a noble family from the inner chamber, she likely had blood on her hands.
Chen Ming focused on countering, not daring to be distracted in the least.
Meanwhile, he cross-referenced her sword techniques with the techniques in the Sword Manual ...
By the fortieth move.
He saw the girl make a misstep, the sword in her hand almost not attacking when a flash of insight occurred in his mind, predicting that she was about to use "Yin Yang Reversal."
Chen Ming's action was quicker than his thought; his saber had already struck, hitting the weakest point on her sword.
With a loud clang.
The long sword in the girl's hand flew out of her grasp.
She exclaimed, retreating two steps, holding her wrist and glaring angrily at him.
Chen Ming's heart sank; now he had truly offended her.
Otherwise, should he kill her to keep her silent?
This thought flashed by in his mind and was quickly dismissed. It hadn't come to that.
Zhong Shuyu's voice was indignant, "So you did hold back the last time."
Chen Ming explained, "Truly not. I've just acquired the 'Five Elements Saber Technique' Manual. I'm familiar with your techniques, so I barely won by half a move."
"You actually used the 'Eight Trigrams Saber Technique', such a crude Saber Technique, to defeat my 'Swallow Returning Sword Technique'." Zhong Shuyu got increasingly agitated as she spoke.
Suddenly, her eyes widened, staring behind Chen Ming as if she saw something terrifying.
Chen Ming instinctively turned to look, sensing a menacing attack, without hesitation, swept his saber to repel whatever was coming.
A soft ding sound.
It was a hidden weapon, a Plum Blossom Dart.
He glanced at the dart at his feet, noticing under the moonlight it bore a faint blue glow. He squinted his eyes, speaking expressionlessly, "Young lady, we have no enmity. Why strike so ruthlessly?"
"Tch, traveling the martial world, when faced with enemies, one must use whatever means necessary. Today, I teach you a lesson. Next time if you're so kind-hearted, you may not be this lucky."
Zhong Shuyu said and turned, vaulted onto the wall, disappearing with a few leaps.
[You defeated an LV12 enemy, earning 150 experience points.]
The prompt finally appeared.
Previously, it was because he hadn't seen the prompt indicating enemy defeat that he remained cautious, avoiding being ambushed.
"Which means, from the system prompt, one can deduce if the enemy forfeited or truly surrendered."
He discovered yet another hidden feature of the system.
Chen Ming tore off a strip of cloth, wrapped the Plum Blossom Dart, and picked it up.
Both were imperious young ladies, and comparatively, Huo Qianqian was far kinder than this blue-clothed girl.
So people are afraid of comparison.
...
Chen Ming climbed over the wall back home, and upon reaching the small courtyard, he saw a small figure lingering at the door.
"Uncle Chen."
The other spoke first; it was Hong Zilin's voice, he asked quietly, "Was it trouble for us?"
Chen Ming didn't expect him to notice, saying, "No, it was for me."
"Oh."
"Alright, it's late, go back to sleep."
"Okay, Uncle."
Hong Zilin bowed and turned away.
Returning to the guest room, opening the door, his mother asked quietly, "How did it go?"
"The person has been chased away by Uncle."
"Were they after us?"
"Yes." Hong Zilin said, "I finally understand why Dad wanted us to follow Uncle Chen. He didn't want us to feel burdened and claimed the person was after him."
"Hmm." Mrs. Li voiced some worry, "I wonder who your father offended; before he left, he instructed us solemnly to follow him."
"Father naturally has his reasons. Mom, it's late, let's sleep."
"Sigh..."
...
...
Chen Ming returned to his room, unable to sleep, he picked up the Sword Manual to study again.
"Earlier she said her Swordsmanship was the 'Swallow Returning Sword Technique'. Why is it nearly identical to the 'Five Elements Saber Technique'?"
"Could it be, as they say, the 'Five Elements Saber Technique' originally was a Swordsmanship, forcibly turned into a Saber Technique just to mislead everyone?"