I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 17 That's not up to him anymore.

"Second Brother, this second daughter of the Wang family is not only beautiful and polite, but also an excellent cook. Everyone who has met her praises her. Don't you really want to consider her?"

After breakfast, Madam Wei asked this question.

Chen Ming shook his head and said, "My ambition lies in martial arts, and I have no intention of getting married for the time being. Sister-in-law, please help me refuse them all."

Seeing his resolute attitude, Madam Wei stopped mentioning it, but she couldn't help feeling a little regretful. This second daughter of the Wang family suited her temperament very well, and it would be best if they could become sisters-in-law.

Pity.

In the past few days, matchmakers have been flocking to the Chen family's doorstep.

Previously, people disliked Chen Ming so much that they used him as a negative example to teach their own children. Almost overnight, his reputation reversed, and he became the kind of child everyone praised.

Don't say he has no intention of getting married. Even if he did want to get married, he wouldn't choose one of these sycophants.

Becoming in-laws with such a family will undoubtedly lead to countless troubles in the future.

At this moment, the maid Xiaohong came over to report, "Second Young Master, a young man surnamed Deng has come outside, saying he is your friend."

Chen Ming hurriedly asked, "Where is he now?"

"It's right in the main hall."

Chen Ming put down his chopsticks and went out. When he came to the hall, he saw Deng Ziyang, dressed in a blue robe, standing in front of the wall with his hands behind his back. "Brother Deng, what brings you here?"

Deng Ziyang turned his head and smiled, "I heard you haven't been to the Huo residence for a few days, so I was a little worried and came to check on you."

"I'm sorry to have worried you, Brother Deng."

Soon, the maid Xiaohong came over and served tea.

Chen Ming and Deng Ziyang sat down and chatted.

Deng Ziyang did not mention the Wanli Casino coming to collect the debt. He believed that with Chen Ming's abilities, resolving this matter would be a piece of cake.

If he brings it up himself, it would seem like he's deliberately trying to curry favor, which would be a poor move.

After exchanging pleasantries, Deng Ziyang finally got down to business: "I plan to take the martial arts exam and join the Six Doors. I'll set off tomorrow."

Chen Ming was somewhat surprised, "Would your father agree to this?"

Deng Ziyang laughed and said, "That's not up to him."

He smiled, but his eyes flashed with a fierce glint. "The old man already has four sons, none of whom are willing to pass on their martial arts to me. Old Ghost Huo doesn't dare to take me as his disciple either. And I don't want to live a mediocre life. So, taking the martial arts exam is my only option!"

Chen Ming could sense his resentment and his yearning for martial arts.

He raised his teacup, using tea instead of wine, and said solemnly, "I wish Brother Deng all the best on his journey."

Deng Ziyang also raised his glass, clinked it with his, and laughed heartily, "Thank you for your kind words."

After finishing his tea, he added, "My biggest worry about leaving is my group of brothers. Please keep an eye on them for me."

Chen Ming shook his head and said, "I can't do that, they won't listen to me. Only Brother Deng can control them. So, Brother Deng, you should come back soon."

Deng Ziyang laughed and said, "You're wrong about that. They may not say it, but they actually admire you a lot. In the past two weeks, they've been sparring with you every day, and their skills have improved a lot."

"By the way, please give them some pointers on swordsmanship in the future. When I join the Six Doors, I'll inevitably have to use swords and spears."

Swordsmanship.

Thinking of his rudimentary mastery of the Bagua Knife technique, Chen Ming could only say, "I'll give it a try."

After finishing our business, we started chatting casually.

"I heard Wen Zehao is back. The Wen family has prepared a generous betrothal gift and will be going to the Huo family to propose marriage in a few days. How lucky is this kid? He's become Huo Chengkun's grandson-in-law, and his path in martial arts will be smooth sailing."

Deng Ziyang's tone was a little sour as he expressed his lament that people of the same kind have different fates.

He believed that his talent and character were no less than Wen Zehao's; it was only because Wen Zehao was the illegitimate son of the Giant Tiger Gang leader that such good things would never come his way.

Chen Ming recalled a saying and said, "Every gift bestowed by fate has already had a price tag attached in secret. I dare say that his future achievements will be far inferior to Brother Deng's."

Deng Ziyang pondered the words, finding them increasingly meaningful. His eyes gradually brightened, and he suddenly bowed respectfully, saying solemnly, "Senior Brother Chen, I have learned a great deal."

Chen Ming quickly stopped him, "Brother Deng, what are you doing? You're making me feel uncomfortable."

"Senior brother, farewell."

Deng Ziyang quickly took his leave. Chen Ming saw him to the door and watched him walk away. He silently thought to himself, "The Six Doors."

In order to better control the grassroots, the Great Jin Dynasty established a dual-track system, with government offices for civil affairs and the Six Doors for military affairs.

The imperial examination system naturally included both civil and military examinations.

The smaller the place, the greater the influence of the Six Doors (a government agency).

In a large city like Qingfeng City, the officialdom tacitly accepts the head of the Six Doors as the leader, with civil officials assisting.

If one can pass the martial arts examination and join the Six Doors, one will naturally have the opportunity to learn advanced martial arts. However, this will come at the cost of one's freedom.

The Six Doors is not only a super sect, but also a political arena. In such a cesspool, without a background, you can be swept into a vortex in no time and die without even knowing how.

If he hadn't truly had no other choice, Chen Ming would never have wanted to take this path.

……

In the latter half of the night, after midnight, the entire Qingfeng City became quiet.

Chen Mansion.

A dark figure silently emerged from within the wall, moving through the shadows and avoiding the night watchman and those collecting chamber pots. Half an hour later, the figure arrived in front of a secluded house.

The dark figure scaled the high wall, when suddenly a dog barked.

Whoosh!
A pebble was launched, and the dog in the yard whimpered and died on the spot.

The shadowy figure crossed the courtyard and arrived at the back house. He took out a thin dagger, inserted it into the crack of the door, and gently flicked it a few times, opening the latch.

"Who?"

A wary voice came from inside the house.

The man in black flashed into the inner room, pointed his short knife at Old Man Xiao on the bed, and said in a hoarse voice, "If you don't want your whole family to die, shut up."

Upon seeing the opponent's agility, Xiao Laogui was horrified and lost all will to resist.

This is clearly a martial artist who has reached the rank of Master.

He forced himself to remain calm and said, "Good sir, let's talk this out. The money is in the box under my bed. I'll get it for you, but I beg you to spare my family's lives."

"I'm after your money, but you're just unlucky. If you cooperate obediently, I might spare your family's lives."

As he spoke, the man in black casually grabbed a belt from beside the bed and put it around Xiao Laogui's neck.

Old Ghost Xiao was horrified. Just then, as he got closer, he could see clearly in the darkness the other person's exposed eyes, which were clearly those of a young man.

A sudden thought struck him, and he cried out a name, "Young Master Chen, spare my life..."

The man in black paused in his movements.

Old Xiao immediately knew he had guessed correctly. He racked his brains, trying to find a glimmer of hope, "I truly had no intention of offending your brother. It was all my men who acted on their own..."

As the man in black wrapped the belt around his neck, he was terrified. Concerned for his family's lives, he dared not resist and could only beg for mercy, "I'll offer you a martial arts manual, just please spare my life, young master..."

After he finished speaking, he immediately felt the bandage around his neck loosen a little.

The man in black asked in his hoarse voice, "Do you have any martial arts manuals?"

"It's true."

Old Ghost Xiao seemed to have grasped at a lifeline. "I got it from a poor man several years ago. His ancestors included a fifth-rank master... If you don't believe me, I can get it for you to see."

"Where is the thing?"

"Right under the bed frame, in the middle, there's a hidden compartment—uh—"

As soon as Xiao Laogui finished speaking, he felt the bandage around his neck tighten suddenly. He struggled desperately, his eyes bulging out. After a while, his body stiffened and he died with his eyes wide open.

The man in black then hung him from the roof beam, making it look like he was committing suicide.

Then, he lifted the bed and searched around. Sure enough, he found a hidden compartment in a bed board. He took out the contents, which were books wrapped in oilcloth.

Without looking closely, he wrapped it in a cloth, left the house, and then used fishing line to re-lock the door. Only then did he drift away.

Under the cover of night, no one knew that a murder had just taken place here.

(End of this chapter)