I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 124 Distinguished Guest
From a luxurious mansion in the east of the city, a furious and shocked shout suddenly rang out, "How dare you, you petty thief!"

The sound was so loud that everyone in half the house heard it. For a moment, the servants who were busy with their work became even more cautious, not daring to breathe.

That was the Third Young Master's voice; no one knew what had made him so angry. The servants of the Qi household could only pray that they wouldn't run into the Third Young Master's hands...

In the study.

Qi Xingdong's face was ashen as he glared at Zheng Shi, who was standing in front of him. His eyes seemed to want to devour him. "A penniless nobody who managed to break through to the sixth rank by luck is so arrogant? This little beast wants my head, Qi Xingdong's head? Go tell him that I am in Jinyuansheng. Let's see what he's capable of to take my life."

Zheng Shi stood there hunched over, head bowed, silently enduring Qi Xingdong's anger.

"All right!"

At this moment, an old man sitting in a grand chair slapped the armrest, telling his son to shut up.

This old man is Qi Yanxiong, the helmsman of Jinyuansheng. He is just over sixty years old this year, well-maintained, and still in good health. He took a concubine half a year ago.

"father!"

Qi Xingdong's anger hadn't subsided. "I told you long ago, we should have killed that kid before he grew too powerful. Now look what happened! You raised a tiger that now wants to kill your son, me. You've always been kind to everyone, and this is what you get in return?"

He got angrier and angrier as he talked.

In his mind, Chen Ming was nothing more than a shop assistant in his family's business. Now that he had made a name for himself in martial arts, he actually wanted to betray his master.

As for sending Chen Ming to prison back then, he didn't think it was a big deal. Didn't he spare the kid's life?

His mistress's younger brother was also punished.

He even took the initiative to lower himself, wanting to reconcile and offering compensation, but who knew that the young man would be so ungrateful. He sent Manager Zheng twice to plead on his behalf, but both times he was turned away.

Now, it's even more serious than taking his life.

Qi Xingdong had already seen through this kid last time; he was rebellious and should have been killed as soon as possible.

Qi Yanxiong's face darkened, and he angrily rebuked, "Isn't this trouble all your doing? And now I have to clean up your mess. Kill, kill, kill... What are you going to use to kill the person that Admiral Zhao's daughter has taken a fancy to? Are you trying to drag our entire Qi family down with you?"

Qi Xingdong lowered his head, too ashamed to refute the insults.

The old man was even cursing, which clearly showed he was genuinely angry.

After a while, once his father's anger had subsided somewhat, he asked in a low voice, "Father, how should we handle this matter? We really can't delay any longer, otherwise, once that kid breaks through to the fifth rank, or even the fourth rank, he will become a major threat to us."

Qi Yanxiong said, "I have my own plans for this matter. Let's wait for news. Mr. Zheng, thank you for your hard work this time. You should go back now."

Zheng Shi immediately took his leave, and after leaving the Qi family, his expression became unusually solemn.

It seems the conflict between the Qi and Chen families is not going to end well, and I should make plans as soon as possible...

……

…………

After Zheng Shi got off the carriage, Su Zhining got on a while later and sat opposite Chen Ming.

Before she could speak, Chen Ming interjected, "You're not going to interfere in my feud with the Qi family, are you?"

Su Zhining looked at him calmly, "The Heavenly Alliance never interferes in the grudges between people in the martial arts world."

Chen Ming said, "Let me guess, did you already inquire about my relationship with the Qi family?"

Su Zhining's voice remained cold, "The Qi family was wrong in this matter, and they truly deserve to die."

"That's the most pleasant thing you've ever said."

Chen Ming laughed.

He suddenly realized that Su Zhining must have thoroughly investigated his past and knew his character and personality.

If she hadn't diligently cultivated virtue since transmigrating, never oppressed the kind, and earned a stellar reputation, she probably wouldn't be so easy to talk to.

Therefore, reputation was extremely important in ancient society.

If his reputation were even slightly worse, a true disciple of a prestigious family like Su Zhining wouldn't even give him a second glance.

He continued, "If the Qi family sends experts to kill me, I beg Miss Su to protect my family and prevent them from being harmed."

Su Zhining's calm and clear gaze finally showed a slight fluctuation. "Did you deliberately choose this time to turn against the Qi family? That way, if you encounter danger, I will have no choice but to take action."

Chen Ming laughed and said, "Young lady, you are so clever. How could you possibly hide my little thoughts from you?"

Su Zhining asked curiously, "You're so frank, openly admitting you want to use me. Aren't you worried I won't help you?"

Chen Ming frankly stated, "I already consider the girl a friend in my heart. Naturally, one should treat friends with sincerity."

friend?

Su Zhining stared at him for a while, then said calmly, "My master specifically warned me to be careful of men who say they want to be my friends. The more honest and high-sounding their words are, the more scheming they are."

"..."

Chen Ming almost lost his composure. Her master knew way too much; she was definitely a seasoned veteran. How could she have raised such a naive and innocent girl?

Of course, calling her naive and innocent wouldn't be entirely accurate. At the very least, she is very wary, doesn't easily trust people, and is very obedient to her master.

Someone like her, if she were to gain experience in the martial arts world for a few years, would definitely become a formidable female knight-errant.

Fortunately, the carriage stopped at this moment, and the driver said, "Second Master, we have arrived."

Chen Ming coughed tactically and asked her, "Want to come along?" Su Zhining shook her head and closed her eyes.

After he got off the carriage, a smile slowly crept onto his lips.

……

After getting off the carriage, Chen Ming entered his home with a relaxed expression.

Although Su Zhining didn't agree to protect his family just now, for someone like her, not refusing is equivalent to agreeing.

With her around, he can do things with peace of mind.

During the meal, he reminded his older brother Chen Rui to stay home for the next few days and not go to the pharmacy.

As the Chen family pharmacy has grown significantly, it now owns three stores, each with its own manager. Chen Rui now resembles a successful business owner and no longer needs to handle the day-to-day management.

Upon hearing this, Chen Rui felt a chill run down his spine and nodded in agreement.

He knew there must be a reason why his brother said that.

Halfway through the meal, the butler suddenly came over and said, "Master Zhang is here."

Chen Ming immediately put down his chopsticks, told them to continue eating, and went over to serve them.

It was Zhang Mingyu who arrived, and he was waiting in the lobby.

Chen Ming greeted him, "Senior brother, why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

Zhang Mingyu sighed and said, "I'm here as a mediator, at someone's request."

"Is it the Qi family?"

“It’s the Qi family, of course. He got one of my elders involved, so I had no choice but to make this trip.” Zhang Mingyu gave a wry smile. “As for your grudge with the Qi family, I’m definitely on your side. If you want revenge, I’ll fully support you.”

"Thank you, senior brother."

Chen Ming was quite touched.

Zhang Mingyu added a reminder, "However, the Qi family is a powerful and deeply rooted family. As far as I know, Jin Yuansheng has two retainers, both of whom are fourth-rank experts. Qi Yanxiong also has a nephew who is a disciple of Jin Yutang, with a fifth-rank cultivation level, and he is not someone to be trifled with."

The two fourth-rank officials were not difficult to deal with. In the end, the Qi family was not the master of Jinyuansheng.

The most troublesome one is that nephew.

Jin Yutang, one of the four major sects in Jiangzhou, is Qi Yanxiong's nephew who shares weal and woe with the Qi family. He certainly won't sit idly by and watch the Qi family be wiped out.

Just as Chen Ming was thinking, the butler hurriedly brought over another person, who was none other than Gu Yuantao.

He was surprised and blurted out, "You're here as a lobbyist too?"

"Lobbyist?"

Gu Yuantao was taken aback and asked in confusion, "What persuader? We agreed to spar today the day before yesterday."

Oh!
Chen Ming then remembered that this was indeed the case. He had been too busy these past two days and had forgotten about it. So he explained, "I misunderstood. Given Brother Gu's personality, naturally no one can persuade you."

Gu Yuantao looked at Chen Ming, then at Zhang Mingyu beside him, his expression turning serious. He asked, "Are you in trouble?"

"Just a little thing."

Chen Ming was quite touched. Given his personality, the fact that he asked that question proved that Chen Ming truly considered him a friend.

However, Gu Yuantao couldn't help with this matter, so he didn't tell him.

He changed the subject, "Brother Gu, your family has a distinguished background. I wonder what you know about the Heavenly Dao Alliance?"

The Gu family is a family that has been passed down for hundreds of years, so they should know some secrets that others do not.

"The Heavenly Dao Alliance?"

Gu Yuantao pondered for a moment, unsure of where to begin.

Just then, the butler came over and interrupted their conversation.

Chen Ming asked, "What's wrong now?"

The butler said, "Second Master, a distinguished guest has arrived at the door and is waiting outside."

Chen Ming took it seriously and asked, "Distinguished guest? Do you have a visiting card?"

This butler is quite knowledgeable; someone whom he calls a distinguished guest must have an extraordinary background.

The butler said, "Second Master, you know him too. He's a disciple of Senior Golden Knife, and his surname is Li."

I even know Li Donglin, the disciple of Jin Dao Li…

A thought flashed through Chen Ming's mind, and he said, "You mean Li Qingchang?"

The butler nodded. "Yes."

Li Qingchang, from the Huo family, was on good terms with Gu Junrong and Wang Mingkai, and they often came to his place for drinks. A few months ago, during the "Disciple Recruitment Conference," he was fortunate enough to make it to the end and was accepted as a disciple by Li Qinglin, a third-rank expert.

Chen Ming sighed, "Becoming the disciple of a third-grade expert really changes my status."

They're putting on airs now; it seems they expect him to go outside to greet them.

(End of this chapter)