I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 182 Completed
Tao Fang was very satisfied with the house arranged by the Six Doors. It was located near the bustling city, making it convenient to gather information. The courtyard was not large, but it had everything one needed, and they even arranged for a maid and servants.

However, the first thing her grandfather did was to dismiss the old women and servants, telling them they didn't need to come anymore.

Then, the grandfather and grandson went outside for a stroll, and finally went to a nearby restaurant to inquire about information.

As a result, the diners in the restaurant talked most about that Mr. Chen Erlang.

“I watched Chen Erlang grow up since he was a child. He had great ambitions from a young age. In order to learn martial arts, he knelt at the door of his house for three days and three nights, and finally got his father to nod his head.”

"When I was thirteen, I declared in public that one day I would be listed on the Azure Cloud Ranking and bring glory to Qingfeng City!"

"At eighteen, he had achieved nothing in his studies, and everyone said he was mediocre and had no talent whatsoever. After two years of silence, he still did not give up. At twenty, he was falsely accused and imprisoned, but then he had a fortuitous encounter, and from then on, he soared to great heights, reaching the fifth rank in four years, displaying unparalleled talent..."

"Chen Erlang was truly a martial arts fanatic, devoted to martial arts. Countless women secretly fell in love with him and vowed to marry no one but him. Yet he remained unmoved..."

"..."

Tao Fang found it amusing and naturally assumed that these people were just bragging.

This is understandable. Qingfeng City has finally produced a martial arts prodigy who can be listed on the Qingyun Ranking, so naturally they are very proud and will do their best to praise him.

She doesn't know about other things, but the claim that she's not interested in women is utter nonsense.

For martial artists, once they reach the sixth rank or above, they are no longer prohibited from having sex and are even encouraged to take more concubines and have more offspring.

It's understandable to be attracted to women, but a normal person wouldn't go to such extremes as Chen Ming, who built such an extravagant carriage and slept with women outside.

Tao Fang listened for a long time but didn't hear any useful information; they were all talking about Chen Erlangjun, including his romantic affair with Zhao Tidu's daughter.

It seems that news of Miss Zhao's master breaking up the couple hasn't reached this area yet.

She urged her grandfather to leave. Before leaving, she inadvertently learned that Chen Ming's house was right next to the small courtyard where she lived, with only a wall separating the two houses.

……

"Really, is there nothing else to talk about in Qingfeng City?"

Tao Fang returned to the small courtyard and couldn't help but complain, "Why is everyone talking about that Chen Erlang?"

Suddenly, Tao Zhiquan made a shushing gesture, pulled her to hide behind the wall, and listened for a while.

Tao Fang couldn't help but feel a little nervous. After a while, she heard her grandfather's voice in her ears, "They're not coming for us."

They weren't coming for us?
She subconsciously looked in the direction her grandfather was looking; next door, it seemed, was Chen Ming's house.

It was still dark when she saw a dark figure climb over the wall and enter.

She clenched her fists suddenly and bit her lower lip.

Tao Zhiquan shook his head, indicating that he should mind his own business.

Tao Fang seemed to be thinking of something, and said sadly, "Grandpa, if there had been a master like you who was willing to help when the family was in trouble, wouldn't Father, Mother, my eldest brother, my second brother, and my younger sister have been safe?"

These words struck Tao Zhiquan's heart like a heavy hammer.

He looked at his granddaughter's sorrowful face, sighed deeply, and said softly, "Don't worry, they'll be alright."

Thinking of her deceased parents and close relatives, Tao Fang was overcome with grief and wept uncontrollably.

……

Before nightfall, a luxurious large carriage drove into the courtyard next to the Chen residence, attracting everyone's attention.

The people in the carriage were Chen Ming, Su Zhining, and Yu Haitang.

Only after getting off the carriage and returning to the room that had already been prepared did he say, "Thank you for your trouble, ladies."

Given his current condition, it was naturally inappropriate for him to go home directly. Therefore, Dongxiang and Ju'er were sent to Qingfeng City first to rent a house near the Chen residence.

This way, you can protect your family members nearby.

Dongxiang said, "Something happened in the manor today. Just half an hour ago, three thieves climbed over the wall and entered the manor. Fortunately, the guards discovered them in time and killed them. No one in the manor was injured."

Chen Ming frowned involuntarily.

Dongxiang, observing his expression, asked, "Young master, is there something amiss?"

Chen Ming said in a deep voice, "Something's not right. Many people know the strength of the guards in my household. If it were a petty thief trying to steal valuables, why wouldn't he have found out beforehand? There's definitely something fishy going on here."

Dongxiang was startled and immediately knelt down to beg for forgiveness, "It was my negligence, please punish me, young master."

Chen Ming said, "Perhaps I'm overthinking it. Here's what you'll do: invite Mr. Wang over."

Mr. Wang was the middle-aged man sent by Madam Yu to protect Yu Haitang. He looked unassuming, but he was actually a peak fourth-rank expert, just one step away from entering the third rank.

This man is not only highly skilled in martial arts, but also a seasoned veteran, handling matters with utmost competence. It's a mystery where Madam Yu recruited such a talent.

Chen Ming asked Mr. Wang to examine the bodies of the three men to see if they were just petty thieves.

No sooner had Mr. Wang left than someone came to report, "Young master, someone outside is requesting an audience. They specifically ask to see you."

He asked curiously, "Who is it?"

Only Zhuang Xiaotian knows about his return, and he specifically instructed that it not be revealed to anyone.

"It was a woman, dressed in red and wearing a veil."

It turned out to be her.

Wow, you're really well-informed.

Chen Ming said, "Please invite her in."

A moment later, the mysterious woman in red arrived at the door and said through the door, "What, you're not welcoming me?"

Chen Ming said apologetically, "There are reasons why it's inconvenient for us to meet. Please forgive me, Sister Hong." The woman in red smiled strangely, "It seems you really are not available. Well then, you must have returned because of that rumor, right?"

The sound entered Chen Ming's ears directly using a sound transmission technique.

He said, "Yes, I was worried about the safety of my family, so I came back early."

"The Immortal Tomb, are you not tempted?"

"Of course I'm tempted, but with my small frame, I dare not even think about it. If I could, I would just take my family and get as far away as possible."

The woman in red said, "Unfortunately, you're caught in the middle of it all; you can't escape it."

Chen Ming's heart skipped a beat. "Sister Hong, do you know something?"

"What I know is unimportant. Now that this secret has spread and is out of my control, I will no longer get involved. You'd better watch yourself."

"You came all this way just to tell me this?"

"I'm leaving now. We've known each other for a while, so I'll leave you with this: if you want to live, you have no choice but to rely on Su Zhining. That's all I have to say. Good luck."

"and many more."

Chen Ming suddenly stood up and shouted, "Sister Hong, could you do me another favor? Help me get the 'Nine Yang Spirit Cultivation Technique'!"

After a while, just when he thought the woman in red had left, he heard a word, "Good!"

Thank you.

Chen Ming silently said to himself.

With the "Nine Yang Spirit Nourishing Technique," which is the seventh to ninth level of the "Blazing Sun Divine Skill," he can immediately break through to the third rank once he has enough experience points, giving everyone a pleasant surprise.

Yu Haitang suddenly spoke up, "Are you talking about the second volume of the 'Mysterious Fire True Technique'?"

"good."

Chen Ming knew he couldn't hide it from her.

"Interesting. It seems she knows quite a lot. I'm afraid her background is not simple." Yu Haitang was clearly quite interested in the woman in red.

Chen Ming didn't respond to that. Actually, he had been wondering all along about the mysterious woman in red's intentions in approaching him. It was Yu Haitang's words that later helped him uncover the mystery.

It's most likely because of the "Blazing Sun Divine Skill".

Today was also a test, and it worked. The last copy of "The Fiery Sun Divine Skill" is indeed in her hands.

Chen Ming glanced at Su Zhining beside him and suddenly felt a little worried.

These days, she hasn't said a word, and no matter what happens, she doesn't react at all, as if she's in a meditative state.

If she hadn't still had a heartbeat, he would have thought she was dead.

He guessed that this must be some kind of secret technique used to heal wounds.

……

It was completely dark when Chen Ming took another Jade Dragon Pill, digesting its medicinal effects and replenishing his depleted internal energy.

Just then, Mr. Wang returned. "Just as you said, young master, those three were not ordinary thieves. They were quite powerful in life, one a fourth-rank official and the other two fifth-rank officials. Their identities have also been investigated; they were the leaders of a band of horse bandits active around Yujie County."

A flash of malice appeared in Chen Ming's eyes, which was caught by Yu Haitang as she turned around.

He asked in a deep voice, "How did these three people die?"

Mr. Wang said, "His heart meridian was ruptured silently, and he died on the spot. The person who did this must have been at least a second-grade cultivator."

Second grade?

Chen Ming was somewhat puzzled. He only knew two experts of the third rank or higher: one was the woman in red, and the other was Shang Jianfei.

First, we can rule out Shang Jianfei.

It shouldn't be the woman in red, otherwise she would have reminded him directly just now.

Who could that be?

He couldn't help but look at Yu Haitang.

She shook her head and said, "He's not one of my people."

If it wasn't her, then that would be strange.

Chen Ming could only suppress his doubts and said to Mr. Wang, "Thank you for your trouble, sir."

Mr. Wang smiled slightly and left the room.

……

The next morning, Qiu Xiang came in with a wooden box and handed it to Chen Ming, saying that someone had delivered it.

He opened it and saw that it was indeed a secret manual, which read "Nine Yang Qi Gathering Method".

"We've finally gathered all the necessary materials for this technique. It wasn't easy."

Chen Ming was filled with emotion and couldn't help but think of Old Liu. When Old Liu handed him the "Three Yang Body Forging Technique," he probably never imagined that this technique would have so many complications.

Thinking of Lao Liu, he couldn't help but think of the Gu family and others who had also stayed at the same inn yesterday afternoon.

The He family of Gu County were Old Liu's enemies. Old Liu left Qingfeng City that day to seek revenge on the He family, and then he never returned.

With mixed feelings, Chen Ming opened the manual.

(End of this chapter)