I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 3 Master Huo

"uncle."

After entering the house, Chen Ming met his nephew Chen Lide, who was just five years old. He bowed to him solemnly like a little adult.

"It's Djokovic."

A smile spread across his face. He wanted to hug the boy, but then he remembered that he had just come out of prison and hadn't taken a shower yet. So he patted the little guy's head instead, saying, "You've grown taller in the months I've seen you."

Next to him was his nanny holding his little niece, Chen Lirong, who was only ten months old. She wasn't shy at all and was staring at him with her big, dark eyes.

Sister-in-law Wei said, "A-Ming, go take a bath and change your clothes first. The water is already boiled. Don't bother with the clothes you took off; let Aunt Fu take them to burn."

"it is good."

Chen Ming returned to his own little courtyard, where there was a large tub of water for him to take a bath.

To be fair, the Chen family was quite well-off. In those days, having a two-courtyard house and a wooden tub for bathing was better than most families.

……

After taking a shower and changing into new clothes, Chen Ming felt much refreshed.

Soon, a maid brought food—lunch.

After he finished eating, he started practicing martial arts in the courtyard.

The main training focused on boxing, specifically the "Three Talents Boxing," which refers to the three elements of Heaven, Earth, and Man. It's essentially a beginner's boxing style, and the one the original owner was most proficient in.

He practiced all afternoon, and only stopped when someone called him to eat as it was getting dark.

Chen Ming opened the panel and saw that his proficiency level hadn't increased at all.

He shook his head, "With this kind of training, when will you ever become a master?"

The original owner's aptitude was truly terrible.

"We still have to rely on the system."

He started to think about it.

……

Dinner was quite lavish, with the main dish being a plate of braised pork knuckle, which was placed in front of Chen Ming.

Sister-in-law Wei did not pick up a single bite.

Chen Lide, the nephew, looked at the plate of meat, his mouth watering, but he didn't dare to pick it up.

“You have suffered inside these past two days.”

The eldest brother, Chen Rui, picked up the fattest piece and put it in his bowl, saying, "Eat more."

"Thank you, brother."

Chen Ming didn't stand on ceremony and ate with gusto.

He was truly starving; the prison food was worse than pig slop. He barely ate anything.

After eating a few pieces of meat, he put a piece on his sister-in-law's plate and then a piece on his nephew's plate, saying, "You two eat too."

Madam Wei was stunned and somewhat at a loss. This was the first time her brother-in-law had ever served her food.

Previously, Chen Ming had never given her a kind look—she actually knew that her brother-in-law probably thought that she had instigated her husband to cut off his money for martial arts training.

Although she had complained privately that her brother-in-law's martial arts training was too expensive and she didn't know when it would end, this matter really had nothing to do with her.

The young Chen Lide looked at the piece of meat, then at his father, he was reluctant to take it back, but dared not eat it. He looked conflicted, and drool dripped from the corner of his mouth.

Chen Rui finally spoke up, "Eat."

Wei picked up the piece of meat and put it in her mouth. Thinking of the grievances she had suffered over the years, her nose tingled and she almost burst into tears.

Chen Lide ate the meat with a satisfied expression.

……

After dinner, the two brothers talked in the study.

Chen Ming explained, "Brother, I was framed."

He recounted the entire story.

After listening, Chen Rui said, "In the end, it's your reckless actions that brought this trouble upon you..."

He regretted it as soon as the words left his mouth; he knew his brother didn't like hearing these things.

Chen Ming looked enlightened, "Brother is right."

This reaction was completely unexpected by Chen Rui, and he was very pleased.

After this ordeal, Ah Ming is finally able to listen to advice, which is a good thing.

Chen Ming got down to business, "Brother, how much did it cost you to get me out this time?"

"Don't worry about that. As long as we brothers work together, we'll always make it back." Chen Rui didn't tell him, but instead asked, "What are your plans next? How about you come and help out at the pharmacy?"

Chen Ming shook his head and said, "No, you can't put all your eggs in one basket. I'll find another way to make a living. I'm planning to try and find connections with my master." Chen Rui naturally understood this principle as well, but after such an incident, who would dare to hire him?

When they went to Master Huo to learn martial arts, it was agreed beforehand that they would pay to learn martial arts, but there was no formal master-disciple relationship. They could choose not to go at any time, and they could not act in Master Huo's name.

Master Huo is extremely protective of his reputation, would he accept him as a student?

"Okay." Chen Rui didn't want to dampen his spirits; he had to let him give it a try.

……

Chen Ming rested at home for two days, and on the third day, he brought gifts to visit his master Huo Chengkun.

As a result, I was turned away.

He was not discouraged and went to the door again the next day, but still couldn't get in.

For several days in a row, he went to the Huo residence every day.

On the fifth day, they were finally allowed to enter the main gate and meet Huo Chengkun in the main hall.

Huo Chengkun was over sixty years old, with gray hair and a fairly strong physique. He held a pipe in his hand, puffing away, his face full of bitterness, looking just like an old farmer. You couldn't tell at all that he was a martial artist.

"I'm no longer your master, what are you doing here?"

The moment she opened her mouth, she wanted to distance herself from him.

Chen Ming bowed respectfully, saying, "A teacher for a day is a father for life. Even if a master doesn't acknowledge his disciple, the disciple will still respect his master in his heart."

Huo Chengkun raised an eyebrow, his cloudy old eyes scrutinizing him for a moment, his tone softening slightly, "These past few years at Jinyuansheng haven't been a complete waste. Alright, put the gifts down, you can leave now."

Just get up.

Chen Ming quickly said, "I heard that Master took in more than a dozen new junior brothers last year. Why don't I be their sparring partner?"

"unnecessary."

"I don't want money." Chen Ming knew where his master's weakness lay.

"Oh?"

Huo Chengkun's interest was piqued. "Then what do you want?"

Chen Ming said, "As long as my senior brother can occasionally give me some pointers."

Huo Chengkun shook his head and said, "Your talent is only average to begin with, and you've wasted several more years. You'll never achieve anything in this life. Why waste any more time?"

"My 'Iron Horse Stakes' has broken through to the second level."

"Oh?"

Huo Chengkun walked to his side, grabbed his wrist, and his eyes lit up slightly. "You really made a breakthrough. It seems you haven't been slacking off these past few years."

"Please grant my request, Master."

Chen Ming bowed again.

Huo Chengkun was still hesitating when he suddenly heard a cough from behind the screen. He then spoke, "Never mind, we are still master and disciple after all."

That means they've agreed.

Chen Ming was overjoyed and quickly bowed in gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Master."

Huo Chengkun's face hardened. "Don't be too happy yet. I haven't finished speaking. Don't involve my disciple in your messy affairs, or don't blame me for turning ruthless."

He assured him, "Master, rest assured, the trouble I've caused will not implicate you or my fellow disciples."

"Also, don't call me master."

"Yes, Elder Huo."

Seeing how obedient he was, Huo Chengkun's expression softened slightly, and he said, "Alright, you can go back now and come back tomorrow."

"Yes."

Chen Ming finally took his leave.

As soon as he left, a sweet-looking girl of about seventeen or eighteen years old came out from behind the screen, hugged Huo Chengkun's arm, and said with a smile, "Grandpa, I knew you would help me."

She is Huo Chengkun's granddaughter, Huo Qianqian.

Huo Chengkun snorted, "If it weren't for his deceased grandfather, I wouldn't care whether he lives or dies. Qianqian, remember this: never do good deeds indiscriminately, or you'll be punished."

Huo Qianqian said coquettishly, "I was just doing this for someone else. This way, Xinyi can make up for what she owed Chen Ming and can marry someone else with peace of mind."

Zhang Xinyi was her best friend. She was originally engaged to Chen Ming.

After Chen Ming's incident, the Zhang family reacted quickly and immediately went to the Chen family to annul the engagement.

Zhang Xinyi felt somewhat guilty about this. She heard that Chen Ming had been turned away at the Huo family's house for several days, so she went to Huo Qianqian for help.

That's why we have this whole situation today.

(End of this chapter)