I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 21 Sworn Worship
Not getting married?
Chen Mingman was stunned for a moment, his mind full of questions. He looked at Zhang Mingyu and saw that he didn't seem to be joking—he probably wouldn't joke about something like this.

He glanced at Hong Mingquan again and saw his serious expression, so he knew that this must be true.

Chen Ming couldn't help but gasp. This young lady was really willful. She suddenly said she wouldn't get married, and she only informed the groom on the day he came to propose.

He even felt a little sorry for Wen Zehao.

For a moment, he didn't know how to react. After a while, he muttered softly, "How...how could this be?"

Hong Mingquan said with a bitter face, "Who knows what Junior Sister was thinking? Her words 'I won't marry' almost made Master die of anger. It was the first time I'd ever seen Master so angry. He almost slapped me..."

Zhang Mingyu said, "I think my junior sister probably has someone she likes."

Hong Mingquan was startled. He looked up and around, and seeing that the other students were not looking in his direction, he complained, "Third Senior Brother, you can't just say things like that."

"Alright, we all know the truth. Junior Sister has never objected to this marriage. Sometimes we tease her about it, and she just blushes. Why is she suddenly unwilling to marry? She must have someone else she likes."

"That's not how it works. Junior Sister has been arguing with Seventh Brother these past few days and is just being a little temperamental."

Zhang Mingyu shook his head, "Although my junior sister is a bit willful, she wouldn't be so unreasonable as to use marriage as a pretext for a fit of pique."

Hong Mingquan still didn't believe it. "How could this be? In terms of looks and character, there are few people in the entire Qingfeng City who can compare to Seventh Junior Brother. How could Junior Sister possibly be interested in someone else?"

"Of course there are. Chen Ming is just as good. Maybe Junior Sister likes him."

Chen Ming was startled by his words, "You can't say things like that carelessly, it could kill someone."

Zhang Mingyu laughed and said, "Just kidding, look how scared you are."

"You can't make jokes like that. If Senior Brother Wen hears about it, he'll hate me to death!"

"That's true. If Seventh Brother knew who Junior Sister's sweetheart was, he would definitely kill her."

"Fifth Senior Brother, keep your voice down..."

……

"Qian'er, tell Grandpa honestly, have you fallen for someone?"

In Huo Qianqian's boudoir, Huo Chengkun sat in the outer room and finally asked the question.

"No."

Huo Qianqian was lying on the bed when she heard this and replied stiffly.

"Then why did you suddenly decide you didn't want to marry Lao Qi anymore?"

"I just won't marry you. If you force me, I'll kill myself. If my parents were still alive, they wouldn't force me... Waaah..."

Huo Chengkun felt a headache coming on when he heard his granddaughter crying.

Even though he knew she was faking it, he still couldn't bring himself to be heartless. He blamed himself for not teaching her properly when she was young, for spoiling her too much, and for raising her to have this kind of personality.

From childhood to adulthood, every time she cried and told him that she was an orphan, his heart would soften, and he would give in to her every whim.

However, this time he will not compromise so easily.

She's so capricious about even her marriage now, what will become of her in the future?

While he was still alive, he could certainly protect his granddaughter.

What if he's no longer alive?

So he hardened his heart and said, "Qian'er, you can choose not to marry. But you have to agree to one condition."

The crying on the bed stopped abruptly. "What are the conditions?"

"If you can achieve a certain rank within a year, you can marry as you please. If you cannot achieve a certain rank, then you must listen to your grandfather's arrangements and obediently get married."

The beaded curtain was lifted, and Huo Qianqian, with her hair disheveled, walked out. "I agree."

Huo Chengkun extended his hand, "Let's make a vow with a high five."

"I will never go back on my promise."

Huo Qianqian stepped forward solemnly and gave her grandfather a high five.

……

…………

Chen Ming spent the whole morning eating gossip, which brought a little bit of fun to his otherwise mundane life.

At noon, he went to the Deng family's house as usual.

Upon arriving at the backyard, we saw Deng Ziyang.

He exclaimed with delight, "Brother Deng, you're back?"

Deng Ziyang smiled and said, "The martial arts examination is over. So naturally I came back. Come, let me introduce you to two new friends."

He pointed to the two young men sitting next to him, "This is Guan Peng, from Guanjiabao, skilled in using a broadsword." "This is Zhuang Xiaotian, from Guangtong, a master of throwing knives."

"I met these two people in the state capital."

"This is Chen Ming, my senior brother. We studied martial arts together under Master Huo."

Deng Ziyang introduced the three of them to each other.

"Nice to meet you."

Guan Peng and Zhuang Xiaotian exchanged a few polite words, clearly not taking Chen Ming seriously.

They could tell from Deng Ziyang's introduction that he wasn't a martial artist, so he didn't catch their eye. They were only being polite out of respect for Deng Ziyang.

Deng Ziyang and the other two chatted about what they had seen and heard on their trip to the prefectural city.

Chen Ming sat quietly to the side, unable to get a word in edgewise.

"Only after going to the city did I realize that I was just a frog in a well, and that there are so many talented people in the world. Those five heroes of Jiangzhou are about the same age as you and me, and they have already reached the sixth rank of cultivation."

Guan Peng said, "Brother Deng, there's no need to be too self-deprecating. Those five are all direct descendants of major sects and scions of aristocratic families. If you and I had such family backgrounds, we might not necessarily lose to them."

Zhuang Xiaotian also said, "They've just taken the first step. Once you and I enter the Six Doors, what the future holds is still unknown."

……

After listening for a while, Chen Ming already knew that the "Five Heroes of Jiangzhou" were five outstanding young masters from Jiangzhou, all under the age of twenty and with a cultivation level of the sixth rank.

No wonder Deng Ziyang was somewhat discouraged.

Comparing people will make you die, and comparing goods will make you throw them away.

After listening to Guan Peng and Zhuang Xiaotian's words, it became clear why Deng Ziyang had become friends with them. They were all very ambitious young people.

Deng Ziyang sighed again, "Fortunately, very few of these scions of noble families and members of sects participate in the martial arts examinations; otherwise, how would we have a chance to rise to prominence?"

Guan Peng laughed, "The imperial court established the Six Doors precisely to deal with powerful families and sects, so naturally there will be various restrictions. Besides, how could those young masters endure the hardships of the Six Doors?"

Zhuang Xiaotian sighed, "It is so difficult for us poor kids to get ahead. Although entering the Six Doors is dangerous, it is our only way out."

Deng Ziyang suddenly slammed his hand on the table and said excitedly, "That's right. It's precisely because of the difficulties that we need to unite. Why don't we become sworn brothers today? That way, we can look out for each other when we enter the Six Doors in the future."

"it is good."

"Just to my liking."

All three of them were clearly a bit tipsy.

Deng Ziyang suddenly looked at Chen Ming, as if he wanted to drag him along.

Chen Ming quickly said, "That's great! How about I be your witness?"

"it is good!"

"can."

Guan Peng and Zhuang Xiaotian immediately took over the conversation, not giving Deng Ziyang a chance to speak at all.

Thus, witnessed by Chen Ming and Deng Ziyang's group of subordinates, the three swore an oath of brotherhood by drinking blood.

The three men told each other their ages: Deng Ziyang was the oldest, Guan Peng was the second oldest, and Zhuang Xiaotian was the youngest.

The form of address was changed immediately.

Overjoyed, Deng Ziyang sent someone to buy wine, intending to drink to his heart's content.

……

This commotion delayed Chen Ming's sparring session with them.

As the wine flowed freely, Qi Jun suddenly stood up, his face flushed, and said, "Senior Brother Chen, I admire your martial arts skills. Today I would like to challenge you to a swordsmanship contest. Do you dare to accept the challenge?"

Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted in cheers.

"Then come on."

Chen Ming naturally wouldn't refuse and agreed. With a thought, he opened the panel.

【Level: 10】

Current points: 964

[Techniques: Iron Horse Stake (Fifth Level Perfection), Three Yang Body Forging Technique (First Level 2/1000)]

Martial Arts Skills: Three Talents Fist (Mastery 27/500+), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Beginner 55/100+)

He started adding points to the "Eight Trigrams Knife Technique".

(End of this chapter)