I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 205 Visualization Diagram

Chen Ming played with the token for a while, trying to infuse it with a stream of vital energy, but there was no reaction. It was just like an ordinary gold medal.

Xia Shaowen observed his expression and saw that he remained calm. He secretly praised him, saying that he could remain composed in the face of such a rare item, which showed his character.

He explained, "This token can only be activated by a first-rank martial artist. Since your cultivation level is not high enough, it naturally won't react. Three days later, have a first-rank martial artist bring this token to the Money Gang, and they will be able to enter that secret realm."

They even have a cultivation level requirement?
Chen Ming found it strange, put down the token in his hand, and asked, "What does Chief Xia mean by this?"

Xia Shaowen did not answer. He took something off the bookshelf behind him, his movements very light, as if he were holding something extremely important.

It was a small box made of purple sandalwood.

He placed the box in front of Chen Ming and said, "Open it and take a look."

Chen Ming glanced at him, reached out and opened the box, revealing a rolled-up scroll inside. He took out the scroll, slowly unrolled it, and the contents were revealed.

It was a landscape painting, with a small boat on a lake, and it was raining.

The brushwork in this painting is a bit rough; the painting technique is even worse than the handicrafts you buy on the street.

As Chen Ming was thinking, he suddenly felt as if the landscape painting had come to life and was trying to absorb his thoughts into it.

What the hell?

He was taken aback, but the next moment, everything returned to normal.

He composed himself and looked at the painting with some surprise and doubt; it still had that somewhat hasty style.

Xia Shaowen exclaimed, "My son-in-law's spiritual sense is indeed extraordinary. He was able to comprehend the artistic conception of this visualization diagram on his first visit."

Chen Ming was deeply moved. "This is actually a visualization diagram?"

The third rank is the Gangyuan Realm, and the second rank is the Shenyi Realm. The most effective way to nurture one's spiritual consciousness is to use this visualization diagram.

Visualization diagrams can not only hone one's spiritual sense, but also help martial artists comprehend the indescribable "intention".

However, these visualization diagrams are extremely rare and are almost monopolized by powerful families and sects.

Even a wild martial artist like Chen Ming, without any sect or school, wouldn't dare to dream of such a thing. Unexpectedly, he was able to see a visualization diagram here with Xia Shaowen.

"What does Sect Master Xia mean?"

This time, Chen Ming's tone became much more serious.

Seeing that he was finally moved, Xia Shaowen smiled and said, "This is our Xia family's dowry, my dear son-in-law, please accept it."

Hiss——

Taking a "spot" plus a visualization painting as a dowry is a bit too generous, isn't it?
As the saying goes, anything abnormal is suspicious; the more abnormal he acts, the more it indicates that there is a serious problem.

"I--"

Chen Ming was about to refuse when he realized he couldn't move or speak.

Here you go again?

He could only watch helplessly as Xia Shaowen carefully put away the token and the visualization diagram and stuffed them into his pocket.

"My dear son-in-law, today is your wedding night, go back now."

Then, Chen Ming was sent outside the new house like a puppet on a string.

Suddenly, someone rushed over and shouted anxiously, "Boss, something's happened!"

Xia Shaowen stopped and asked, "What happened?"

The man stepped forward and reported in a low voice.

Chen Ming's entire body was sealed, so he couldn't hear what the person was saying.

After hearing this, Xia Shaowen hurriedly left, as if something serious had happened. Before leaving, he instructed two maids who came out of the room to escort him to the bridal chamber.

Those two maids were Xia Mudan's personal maids, whom he had met before.

The two women took his arms, one on each side, and carried him into the courtyard.

Suddenly, two soft "plop" sounds.

The two maids collapsed to the ground.

"Brother Gu."

A somewhat familiar voice rang out, and Chen Ming was surprised. It was actually him?

This is indeed the voice of the peerless young master.

"excuse me."

Jiang Wushuang said something behind him, and then he felt himself being lifted up and flying out of the Money Gang as if riding the clouds.

Chen Ming thought to himself with a wry smile, "Hey, you're here to steal the bride, but you've got the wrong person."
Today is a joyous day for the Money Gang, and all the important figures are enjoying a celebratory feast in the front hall. Jiang Wushuang led him away from the back courtyard without alerting anyone along the way.

And so they continued until they left Wanlei City.

When they reached a grove outside the city, Jiang Wushuang finally stopped and put Chen Ming down.

Clang!
At this moment, Jiang Wushuang drew the "Dragon Abyss Sword," her face solemn, and slashed down at him.

A dazzling sword light appeared.

Chen Ming seemed to hear something inside his body being severed, the shackles binding his vital energy and physical body were removed, and he finally regained his ability to move.

He bowed and thanked Jiang Wushuang, saying, "Thank you, Brother Jiang, for helping me escape this predicament."

Jiang Wushuang shook his head, his face pale, clearly indicating that the sword strike had taken a heavy toll. Even with the power of a peerless divine weapon, breaking through the restrictions of a first-grade expert was not an easy task.

Seeing that he couldn't even speak and was swaying precariously, Chen Ming quickly stepped forward to support him and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"

"I am fine."

Jiang Wushuang finally recovered and subtly withdrew her hand.

Chen Ming asked, "Brother Jiang, why are you helping me?"

Logically speaking, he should hate Jiang Wushuang for defeating him in the arena, not only making him lose face but also stealing his beloved.

To be honest, Chen Ming thought for a moment that the sword strike was meant to kill him.

Instead of killing him, he helped him break Xia Shaowen's restriction.

Chen Ming couldn't understand why he did that.

Jiang Wushuang said, "I admire Brother Gu's character and martial arts skills, and I don't want Brother Gu to be caught in the whirlpool without realizing it."

"how do I say this?"

"We shouldn't stay here any longer. Let's talk as we walk."

"it is good."

……

"Brother Gu, do you know why Chief Xia held this martial arts contest to find a husband? And why she's in such a hurry to have you and Miss Xia get married?"

Jiang Wushuang walked side by side with Chen Ming, asking as she did so.

Chen Ming said, "I think Chief Xia must have some difficulties."

"Brother Gu is indeed intelligent," Jiang Wushuang praised. "To be able to remain calm in the face of such temptation without being blinded by beauty is truly remarkable. Brother Gu is no ordinary person."

"Brother Jiang, please don't flatter me."

"Brother Gu, have you noticed that Chief Xia's wife has not shown up yet?"

"This is indeed strange. What mother wouldn't attend her daughter's wedding? Could it be that Chief Xia is planning to act first and report later?"

Jiang Wushuang said, "Not only that, Madam Xia is completely unaware of this. She is currently in seclusion, attempting to break through to the First Rank."

"Huh? Why would Chief Xia do this?"

"Because Madam Xia wanted to marry Peony into the palace. Chief Xia was unwilling, so he took advantage of her seclusion to rush to marry off his daughter. By the time Madam Xia came out of seclusion, the matter was already settled, and no matter how dissatisfied she was, it was no use."

"Is there such a thing?"

Chen Ming was completely dumbfounded. So, Xia Shaowen was trying to use him as a scapegoat?

It was the royal family's gun that was blocked.

I am but a lowly third-rank official; what merit or ability do I possess?
He swallowed hard and asked in a low voice, "Which one of the palace ladies does Madam Xia intend to marry her daughter to?"

Jiang Wushuang said, "The current emperor!"

Well, this is a complete disaster.

So, he'd cuckolded the emperor?

This is a grave injustice, like having one's wife stolen! Wouldn't the emperor kill him?

He smiled wryly and said, "Brother Jiang, do you think I can still save my life?"

Seeing his pained expression, Jiang Wushuang couldn't help but laugh. "Don't worry, this is just Madam Xia's idea, and she hasn't put it into action yet. Originally, she planned to send her daughter to the palace during the imperial concubine selection six months later."

Hearing this, Chen Ming finally breathed a sigh of relief and said thankfully, "In that case, it's alright."

After a while, Jiang Wushuang continued, "Actually, Madam Xia's idea stemmed from the list of beauties at the Number One Beauty Pavilion in the World, which described her as a flower of wealth and honor in the human world. The peony is the king of flowers. Madam Xia also listened to the words of some sorcerers and firmly believed that her daughter could become the most noble woman in the world. That's why she had the idea of ​​sending her to the palace. But she didn't know whether her daughter would be willing."

Chen Ming looked at him and said, "It seems that Brother Jiang is indeed deeply in love with Miss Xia. Don't worry, I didn't touch her at all in the room just now, and I didn't even lift her veil. You also know that this wedding is fake. I hope Brother Jiang won't mind."

Jiang Wushuang's expression became somewhat peculiar. "Brother Gu, do you really have no interest in Miss Xia at all? After all, she is on the list of beauties, so she must be incredibly beautiful."

Chen Ming laughed and said, "To be honest, I have a prejudice that the more beautiful a woman is, the less lovable she is. She grew up enjoying the adoration and praise of those around her, and she can't possibly be a normal person. I can't stand princess syndrome."

Jiang Wushuang said very seriously, "Brother Gu's words are somewhat biased."

"So, as I said, this is just my prejudice. I imagine that in Brother Jiang's heart, Miss Xia must be perfect."

Chen Ming thought to himself, "You'll know after you get married."

After a while, he noticed that Jiang Wushuang was not talking and seemed to be angry. He thought to himself, "Why is she so petty?"

Then it suddenly dawned on me that, given Jiang Wushuang's looks, she probably grew up in a similar environment.

"He won't think I'm being sarcastic, will he?"

Chen Ming immediately apologized, "I misspoke, please forgive me, Brother Jiang."

Jiang Wushuang said calmly, "You're right, why apologize?"

Chen Ming changed the subject, "Where does Brother Jiang plan to go next?"

He was silent for a moment, then said, "Xiazhou City."

“Perfect timing, I’m also going to Xiazhou City, let’s travel together.”

……

After daybreak, Chen Ming and his companion arrived at a small town more than 50 miles away and found a restaurant to eat at.

Jiang Wushuang was probably visiting such a small restaurant for the first time and was clearly not used to the environment; she was probably a germaphobe.

"The waiter."

Chen Ming called the waiter over, took out a piece of silver, and instructed him to wash the bowls and chopsticks thoroughly.

Then, with a flick of his sleeve, he wiped the table and chairs clean, removing all the grease, before sitting down. "Brother Jiang, please sit down."

Jiang Wushuang glanced at him, said nothing, and sat down opposite him.

Chen Ming asked, "Where are your attendants?"

"I already reminded them last night that they should be able to meet here before noon."

"it is good."

"I also sent someone to inform Brother Gu that your sister should be coming along."

Chen Ming praised, "Brother Jiang is very thoughtful and considers things very thoroughly."

This saves him a lot of trouble.

Otherwise, we would have to figure out how to hand that token over to Wu Zhenhang.

……

Before noon, the Jiang family, along with Gu Yuyin, Wu Zhenhang, and others, arrived.

"Seventh Brother, this is your sword."

Upon meeting, Gu Yuyin returned the two swords to their rightful owner.

Chen Ming took the "Broken Army Sword" and the "Phoenix Cry Sword" and was finally relieved. He asked happily, "How did they end up in your hands?"

He originally thought that the two swords were going to be lost to the Money Gang and that he would not be able to get them back for the time being.

This was an unexpected surprise.

Gu Yuyin said, "It was sent back by Chief Xia. He hasn't congratulated Seventh Brother yet, since he got married yesterday."

Chen Ming tapped her on the head. "Don't talk nonsense, that doesn't count. Without parental consent, how can there be such a big deal as marriage?"

Seeing how serious he was, Gu Yuyin dared not joke about it anymore.

Jiang Wushuang did not disturb them and led her people outside.

Chen Ming looked at Wu Zhenhang, took out the token, and said, "Brother Wu, you've finally lived up to expectations and secured a spot. Two days later, a first-rank expert will take it to the Money Gang to find Chief Xia. Only then can you enter that secret realm."

Wu Zhenhang looked at the golden token with a very complicated expression. "We did nothing. We are truly unworthy of this spot."

"Take it."

Chen Ming said nonchalantly, "This spot is time-limited; once you miss it, it's useless. If you don't want it, then I'll just have to throw it away."

Wu Zhenhang finally accepted the token and solemnly said, "My Wu family will always be grateful for Brother Gu's kindness. In the future, if you ever ask me to do anything, I, Wu Zhenhang, will go through fire and water without hesitation."

"Hang'er's words are my words."

Suddenly, a woman's voice rang out.

Chen Ming felt a blur before his eyes, and there was a stunningly beautiful woman in front of him. At first glance, she looked very young, only in her early twenties.

Upon closer inspection, she appeared to be a young woman in her twenties or thirties.

"aunt!"

"Auntie!"

Upon hearing the Wu siblings' and Gu Yuyin's titles, Chen Ming also bowed, saying, "Greetings, Aunt."

The person who arrived was Wu Qiuyue, the youngest sister of Gu Yuyin's mother, a top-tier expert.

Wu Qiuyue was very satisfied with Chen Ming's address and said, "If I can successfully open the Divine Treasury this time, I will definitely give you a spot when you reach the first rank in the future."

Chen Ming said, "Then I thank you in advance, Auntie."

……

In the afternoon, Chen Ming bid farewell to Wu Qiuyue and her group.

Wu Qiuyue and her siblings were heading back to Wanlei City.

Chen Ming and Jiang Wushuang were heading to Xiazhou City.

In order to save time, the two did not take a carriage, but rode horses, one person riding two.

Chen Ming inquired, "Brother Jiang, what brings you to Xiazhou City? Is there anything I can do to help?"

Jiang Wushuang said calmly, "I am going there to kill someone."

"who?"

"Enemy."

"If you need my help, just let me know."

"it is good!"

(End of this chapter)