I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 130 Betrayal
As soon as it was light, the people from the Six Doors came to collect the body.

After Chen Ming killed the man, he called Gu Junrong over and asked him to report the incident to the Six Doors (a government agency).

The people from the Six Doors arrived quickly, without the slightest delay. Leading them was a seventh-rank inspector, whose attitude was extremely friendly and courteous. They left immediately after completing their business, without causing any trouble, and even refused the bribes offered by the steward.

This surprised the servants of the Chen family. When did the people from the Six Doors become so easy to talk to?
They still remembered that a few months ago, a seventh-rank inspector, leading a group of constables, was incredibly fierce.

"They must have learned how powerful the Second Master was last time, and they don't dare to cause trouble again," someone said matter-of-factly.

Others also wholeheartedly agreed and were proud of it.

Second Master is truly amazing; he can even subdue the monsters and demons of the Six Doors.

Actually, it was because the relationship between Chen Ming and Du Caiyue had spread within the Six Doors, and the seventh-rank inspector who came today happened to be a subordinate of Du Caiyue. Naturally, his attitude was extremely polite.

Soon, the Six Doors verified the identities of the deceased; they were all wanted pirates. So, they sent people to spread the news along the streets with gongs and drums, announcing that the second son of the Chen family had killed a group of pirates and personally delivering the bounty.

This is an old tradition of the Six Doors (a government agency in China). Anyone who catches or kills a wanted criminal receives this reward. The news is publicized throughout the city, and a large sum of money is awarded.

The prospect of fame and fortune greatly motivated martial artists to hunt down wanted criminals. It also gave rise to a new profession: bounty hunters.

……

The Qi family study was deathly silent.

The most core members of the Qi family were all present, but no one spoke, and the atmosphere was extremely heavy.

In the middle armchair, Qi Yanxiong sat expressionless. Only his closest confidants could discern the extent of his anger from the bulging veins on the back of his hands.

"What a fine second son of the Chen family!"

He finally spoke, his tone chilling, but his eyes were fixed on his good-for-nothing son.

Qi Laosan's death truly broke his heart.

He poured countless efforts into Qi Laosan, watching as Laosan gained a foothold with Honghai Jun and became one of the Thirty-Six Generals.

With the third son at sea, the Qi family can advance or retreat at will, remaining invincible.

This is the Qi family's last resort.

Now that this escape route has been cut off, how can he not feel heartbroken?

Qi Yanxiong even felt a pang of regret, wondering why he hadn't killed this rebellious son back then, leading to the Qi family's current predicament.

"Brother, Chen Ming is probably protected by a powerful expert. What should we do next? You need to make a decision."

"I've heard that this Chen Ming has a close relationship with Commander Du of the Six Doors. Perhaps she was the one who attacked last night..."

"If Commandant Du is backing us up, we can't afford to offend him."

"..."

The group of people present started discussing it animatedly.

Judging from their tone, they were already showing signs of backing down. To put it bluntly, this whole mess was caused by Qi Xingdong, and they just wanted to watch the show.

It would be unwise to offend Du Caiyue of the Six Doors for the sake of Qi Xingdong.

This also shows that Qi Xingdong was not well-liked in the family, and several of the most important figures did not think highly of him.

At this moment, Qi Xingdong stood aside, listening to the words of his elders, his face growing increasingly pale, eventually turning a liverish color.

Judging from their words, they meant to sacrifice him to appease Chen Ming's anger.

At this moment, Qi Yanxiong spoke up, "That second son of the Chen family is narrow-minded and always holds grudges. Sending someone to kill him last night meant that things were destined to end badly. He and our Qi family are now sworn enemies."

One sentence brought peace back to the study.

He paused for a moment, then said resolutely, "We have no way out. It's either him or me who dies."

The others quickly exchanged glances, and finally the oldest man spoke up, "Big Brother, what do you plan to do?"

Qi Yanxiong's face hardened with a murderous look. "Please, the two elders, take action. Kill him with swift and decisive force."

The two retainers, Jin Yuansheng and Jin Yuansheng, were both at the fourth rank of cultivation, which was the most powerful force they could wield.

The old man still had some doubts, "What about Commandant Du..."

Qi Yanxiong said resolutely, "Zhao Shouchang taking his daughter away shows his attitude: he will not help either side. This is a critical moment for the survival of our Qi family. I hope everyone will work together."

After that, no one raised any objections.

Qi Yanxiong deserves much credit for the Qi family's prosperity today. Over the years, he has accumulated immense prestige, and people still have great faith in him.

After reaching a consensus, Qi Yanxiong immediately ordered, "Dong'er, take my seal and personally go to invite the two retainers."

"Yes!"

Qi Xingdong acknowledged, took the seal, and went to find the two retainers.

……

Chen Mansion.

When Chen Ming accepted the six thousand taels of reward offered by the Six Doors, he thought to himself that the person who set up this rule was truly wicked.

To publicize it so blatantly is like they're afraid people won't know who killed those wanted criminals. Even the worst villains have friends, family, and fellow disciples.

When the time comes, these people will know who to seek revenge from.

Six thousand taels may seem like a lot, but for an ordinary family, it might be an amount they could never earn in a lifetime.

However, the bounty for a fifth-rank pirate was only three thousand taels. The bounty for the other three sixth-rank pirates was one thousand taels each. This seemed rather meager.

Compared to other wanted criminals, their numbers are pitifully small.

There is a reason for this, of course. If a person at sea is killed, even if it is by pirates, it is very difficult for their family members on land to find out which group of pirates killed them.

Therefore, many pirates were not put on the wanted list. "Wan Laosan" was put on the wanted list because he was strong, famous, and was appointed as one of the thirty-six generals by the Red Sea Lord, with a bounty of three thousand taels set as a token reward.

After Chen Ming dismissed the people from the Six Doors, he met his elder brother's worried yet expectant gaze and said, "I'm sorry to have troubled you, brother. I will resolve this matter as soon as possible."

Chen Rui's lips moved slightly, but in the end he didn't ask anything, only reminding him, "Be very careful."

"I will."

Chen Ming nodded, turned around and left.

It's time to sort out the family dynamics.

……

Jinyuansheng is located in the city center, on the most bustling Zhuque Avenue.

Behind the trading company, there was a quiet courtyard where one of the old temple keepers lived.

Qi Xingdong rushed over as quickly as possible, carrying his father's seal, to request an audience with one of the two most powerful retainers of the merchant guild.

Since his father took over Jinyuansheng, he has always been cautious and rarely offends anyone. These two retainers haven't made a move for many years.

I'm afraid many people have already forgotten the illustrious reputation of these two worshippers.

Even when pirates ravaged the city two years ago, his father didn't allow the two retainers to intervene.

"This time, I'll make sure you die a horrible death."

As Qi Xingdong waited outside the door, a resentful glint flashed in his eyes.

Just now, the attitude of those elders and the disappointed look in his father's eyes made him realize that he no longer had the chance to inherit his father's position.

"It's all that little beast's fault."

Qi Xingdong was filled with extreme resentment and at this moment only wanted to tear Chen Ming, who had caused him to lose everything, to pieces.

Even if Du Caiyue protects him, he will surely die as long as the two elders make a move.

With a creak, the door opened, and a young boy said, "Please come in, Third Young Master."

Qi Xingdong soon met the old retainer, bowed, and said respectfully, "Senior Pang, my father has something he would like to ask you to come over."

Pang Gongfeng squinted and asked calmly, "What is it?"

"My father wants you to kill someone."

As Qi Xingdong spoke, he took out the seal that his father had given him.

Pang Gongfeng glanced at it and said, "I understand."

"Then this junior will take his leave."

Qi Xingdong didn't tell him who he was going to kill. For something like this, Pang Gongfeng would definitely have to go to his father in person to get the order from him.

……

Next, Qi Xingdong went to see another high-ranking official and relayed the message. He then returned home and reported back to his father.

Soon after, the two worshippers arrived together.

Qi Xingdong stood to the side, clenching his fists, already thinking about how to deal with that little beast's family after he died, to vent his hatred.

His father said, "I invited you two gentlemen here today to ask you to kill someone. The man is named Chen Ming. He is young, but his talent is exceptionally high. This boy has a grudge against Jin Yuansheng. If we don't get rid of him, he will surely become a major threat in the future."

Then, Pang Gongfeng said, "I'm afraid I can't comply with this request!"

Huh?
Qi Xingdong was stunned for a moment before realizing what he had just said. He was taken aback.

I'm afraid I can't comply.

They actually refused?
How is this going?

Not only him, but everyone present was equally surprised.

Qi Yanxiong's gaze instantly turned serious, but he remained calm. "What does Elder Pang mean by this?"

Before Pang Gongfeng could speak, a voice suddenly came from outside the door, "Some people, after being stewards for others for a long time, develop a delusion that they really think they have become the masters."

The people present couldn't help but change color.

This statement reveals a fact they are most unwilling to admit.

One of them, who had a fiery temper, slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "How dare you spout such nonsense here! Get out here!"

Then a tall and handsome young man walked in, followed by two imposing middle-aged men, one on each side, protecting him.

The two attendants, Pang and Gao, stepped aside and bowed to the young man.

This scene made Qi Yanxiong's heart sink.

"It's you--"

At this moment, Qi Xingdong suddenly screamed, his face full of resentment, as if he wanted to rush up and tear the young man to pieces.

He had already recognized the other person.

This person was Chen Ming. They had met a few times before, but Chen Ming had changed so much in the past few years that they didn't recognize him at first.

Chen Ming smiled slightly and said, "Young Master Qi, it's been several years. How have you been?"

Qi Xingdong's body trembled uncontrollably, not only from resentment but also from fear. He had just seen the two retainers bow to Chen Ming.

These two retainers were originally their last resort, but now they have sided with the enemy. How could he not be afraid?
P.S.: It takes me more than two hours to write one chapter. After finishing three chapters, my mind is completely blank, and I don't want to do anything. These past two days, I wanted to recharge, so I read Lao Wang's "Rebooting Life," and then my head started to hurt in the afternoon. I really couldn't write anymore, so I'll just update twice a day for now and let me rest.

(End of this chapter)