I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 16 Ungrateful
Why are these people so afraid of you?

After closing the door, Chen Rui was somewhat puzzled and couldn't help but ask his younger brother.

During the day, they were so arrogant. They even left somewhat defiantly. How come they became so humble at night?

He ran to his doorstep, knelt down, and begged for forgiveness.

Chen Ming explained, "They're not afraid of me, they're afraid of Master Huo."

In Qingfeng City, the Giant Tiger Gang is the largest gang; apart from them, no other gang has any real influence.

That old scoundrel Xiao from Wanli Gambling House is nothing but a lowlife loan shark. He might bully ordinary people, but if he crossed a martial artist, he would have been wiped out long ago.

Huo Chengkun is a renowned figure in Qingfeng City, having been famous for decades. He has seven disciples, all of whom are rank-one martial artists, and dozens of nominal disciples. Although he has not founded a sect, he is a force that no one can ignore.

Old Ghost Xiao probably thought that he was Huo Chengkun's disciple, which is why he was so afraid and sent his men to apologize and apologize.

In fact, if he were to reveal his martial arts skills now, he could also make Old Ghost Xiao bow down.

Chen Rui breathed a sigh of relief and said with satisfaction, "It was the right choice for your father to send you to Master Huo to learn martial arts."

"but--"

He was still a little worried, "Wouldn't this be going too far? Offending that Wanli Gambling House too badly will always be a hidden danger in the future."

He's a businessman who believes in making money through harmony. Seeing his younger brother's aggressive demeanor just now, he was genuinely a little uneasy.

Chen Ming laughed and said, "Brother is right. Let me think of a way to eliminate this hidden danger."

Chen Rui breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Yes, let's arrange to meet with Wanli Casino and talk things out. Once we've cleared things up, everything will be fine."

Chen Ming changed the subject, handing over the box in his hand, "Take this money, and let me know if you need more."

Chen Rui did not refuse, so the two brothers naturally did not need to be too pretentious.

……

When Chen Rui returned to his room, he heard the maid Xiao Hong vividly describing to his wife how powerful the second young master was and how those villains slapped themselves in the face.

Upon hearing this, Wei Shi and Chen Lide's eyes lit up.

Even the wet nurse holding Chen Lirong looked proud.

Xiao Hong shut her mouth when she saw the young master come in.

"You guys go out first."

Chen Rui dismissed everyone, leaving only his wife. He then opened the box, took out two heavy silver ingots, placed them in front of his wife, and said, "You've worked hard these past few days. You don't need to be so frugal anymore."

Madam Wei stared wide-eyed at the box of gleaming silver. "This was... sent by those wicked people?"

"Yes, about a thousand taels."

"Uncle is really impressive now," Madam Wei murmured, then asked with some confusion, "Then why was he so hustled at Jinyuansheng before—"

She wanted to say she felt humiliated, but she was too embarrassed to say it.

Chen Rui was also puzzled, feeling that his younger brother had changed a lot since he went to jail.

Of course, they haven't had much contact in recent years, only meeting twice a year. In fact, he doesn't know his younger brother very well.

He reminded him, "Remember, never mention the past in front of Erlang."

In any case, Erlang certainly doesn't want to recall that painful past.

Madam Wei hugged the two large silver ingots, totaling a hundred taels, and nodded vigorously, "I know."

Regardless of what my uncle was like in the past, he is now the pillar of our family.

……

At this moment, Chen Ming returned to his room, lit an oil lamp on the table, and began to contemplate the future.

The first level of martial arts is called the Bone and Tendon Realm, marked by the harmonious resonance of the bones and tendons. This level is known as the Ninth Rank Martial Artist.

He is now more than ten times stronger than before.

Until you reach this level, you can never imagine how powerful a martial artist at the entry level is.

"First, we need to find a cultivation technique."

The Iron Horse Stakes technique has been perfected and there is no further progress to be made.

This is not easy. No school will teach cultivation techniques casually.

Given Huo Chengkun's suspicious and cautious nature, he most likely wouldn't accept him. The main reason is that there are too many suspicious points about him. Despite his mediocre talent, his cultivation has advanced by leaps and bounds, which inevitably makes people think too much.

After thinking it over and over, I still couldn't come up with a good solution, so I could only take it one step at a time.

However, we still need to go to the Huo residence to continue gaining experience points.

"Let's not announce the breakthrough yet."

Chen Ming thought to himself. He wanted to quickly break through to become a martial artist, mainly to solve his family's predicament. He hadn't expected this incident to bring him such a windfall, which should be enough to help his family get through this difficult time.

Therefore, it's best to keep a low profile.

After making his decision, Chen Ming blew out the oil lamp and went to bed.

Over the next few days, Chen Ming did not go to the Huo residence, but stayed at home to consolidate his cultivation.

The main problem is that he's just broken through, and he can't help but show off his talent, making it easy for others to notice. He needs to settle down for a few days.

……

Meanwhile, back at the Huo residence...

In Huo Qianqian's boudoir, she was dressed in a lake-green outfit, pacing anxiously in circles. Only when she heard the footsteps of her maid, Chunmei, outside did she rush to open the door, asking hastily, "How is it? Has he arrived?"

"No."

Huo Qianqian was greatly disappointed. She sat down on the edge of the bed, her delicate brows furrowed tightly. "Why hasn't he come these past few days?"

Chunmei whispered, "I heard something happened at home?"

Upon hearing this, Huo Qianqian quickly asked, "What is it?"

Chunmei hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped herself.

"Oh, hurry up and tell me, I'm so anxious!"

"Miss, Young Master Wen has been back for two days and even brought you a gift, but you won't even see him. Instead, you're constantly asking about another man..."

Chunmei spoke haltingly.

Huo Qianqian was stunned at first, then flew into a rage, "What nonsense are you talking about? You even dare to make up stories about me, huh? You're asking for it!"

She made a move as if to hit him.

Chunmei begged for mercy repeatedly, "Miss, I won't do it again..."

Huo Qianqian wasn't about to let her off the hook. She slapped her arm several times before she felt better. "Don't ever mention that Wen guy in front of me again."

"Oh."

Chunmei replied, feeling wronged.

"Tell me, what exactly happened in his family?"

"Well... I heard it from someone else. His family is arranging a marriage for him."

"what--"

While Huo Qianqian was still in a daze, a voice came from outside, "Qianqian, open the door quickly, I've come to see you."

Seeing that her mistress didn't react, Chunmei whispered a reminder, "It's the seventh young lady of the Zhang family."

Zhang Xinyi, the seventh daughter of the Zhang family, is Huo Qianqian's best friend and also Chen Ming's former fiancée.

Huo Qianqian said softly, "Go open the door."

……

Zhang Xinyi is seventeen years old this year. She is pretty and charming. She was wearing an apricot-yellow long dress. After entering the house, she grabbed Huo Qianqian's hand and asked in surprise, "Qianqian, why are you dressed like this?"

"You were supposed to be practicing martial arts, what brings you here?"

Zhang Xinyi said with a touch of melancholy, "I'm getting married soon. I wanted to come see you before the wedding."

"So fast?"

Huo Qianqian couldn't help but frown, "You just broke off your engagement with the Chen family, and now you're getting married right away. Is that appropriate?"

Zhang Xinyi said quietly, "I can't disobey my father's orders, what can I do?"

Huo Qianqian sneered, "Your father is really opportunistic. I heard that Chen Ming's father once saved your grandfather's life, which is why your two families arranged this marriage. But when Chen Ming fell on hard times, he took advantage of his misfortune and broke off the engagement. He couldn't wait to marry you off to someone else. It's truly despicable."

Zhang Xinyi felt uncomfortable. Although she knew that what she said was true, she still couldn't stand being criticized to her face and couldn't help but defend herself, saying, "My father also had his own difficulties."

Huo Qianqian scoffed even more, "Ha, 'difficult reasons'? Does having those two words give you the right to be ungrateful?"

"Huo Qianqian!"

Zhang Xinyi was furious. "How could you say such a thing about my father?"

"Hmph, your father is capable of such a thing, why are you afraid of what others will say? Let me tell you, your Zhang family will regret this sooner or later."

"you--"

Zhang Xinyi was heartbroken and aggrieved. She never expected that her friend would say such hurtful things.

She was too ashamed to stay there, so she covered her face with her hands and turned to leave.

(End of this chapter)