I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 45 Lao Liu
You defeated a level 24 enemy and gained 200 experience points.

After Chen Ming narrowly defeated Zhang Mingyu in one move, this prompt appeared before his eyes. He cupped his hands and said, "Senior Brother's Five Elements Sword Technique does indeed have many differences from what I figured out myself."

Zhang Mingyu was not disappointed when he was defeated by him. He had witnessed Chen Ming's battle with Li Ankun at the Fenglei Martial Arts School and knew that he was no match for this junior brother.

The reason they were able to exchange seventy or eighty moves was entirely because Chen Ming was letting him win.

He was well aware of this.

He felt he had gained a lot from today's match.

Since his master passed away, he has been able to figure things out on his own for the past year, making slow progress. When he encounters difficulties, he has no one to ask.

His recent sparring session with Chen Ming actually resolved many of his doubts.

"This junior brother is indeed a martial arts prodigy. We should spar with him more often in the future."

Zhang Mingyu thought to himself.

He said, "Junior Brother's swordsmanship is light and graceful, more like a sword technique. If it were a sword, its power would definitely increase even more."

Chen Ming was a little surprised. He did indeed use the "Swallow Return Sword Technique" to use the "Five Elements Saber Technique," but he didn't expect Zhang Mingyu to be able to see it.

He laughed and said, "To be honest, this 'Five Elements Saber Technique' manual was a gift from my fifth senior brother. When I was studying it on my own, I always remembered what those people said that day, that the 'Five Elements Saber Technique' was originally a sword technique. So when I practiced the saber, I was inevitably influenced by it."

That was the excuse he made up. In reality, he learned his "Swallow Return Sword Technique" from Zhong Shuyu.

She would challenge him to spar every few days, and after many times, he learned this sword technique.

Zhang Mingyu suddenly realized, "I see."

This resolved a long-standing question in his mind. He had assumed the sword technique was taught by his junior sister, but it turned out to be his fifth junior brother. No wonder he took such good care of his fifth junior brother's widow and son.

"Senior brother, your Flowing Clouds and Layered Waves technique is quite different from mine..."

Next, Chen Ming took the opportunity to "ask for advice" from Zhang Mingyu.

In fact, he was taking the opportunity to tell him the essence of the "Swallow Returns Sword Technique".

This is called returning a favor; today, Zhang Mingyu brought everyone he could to support him. This kind of friendship is quite rare.

The two chatted for half an hour.

Zhang Mingyu's eyes grew brighter and brighter. He listened intently, scratching his mouth and cheeks, practically itching to try it out. He couldn't wait to try it right away.

Over the past year, he has been constantly pondering whether the Five Elements Knife Technique was originally a sword technique. However, due to his limited knowledge, although he felt that there were many unreasonable aspects to the Five Elements Knife Technique, he did not know where to start in making changes.

Chen Ming's words instantly dispelled the fog in his mind and resolved many of his doubts.

As we chatted, it got dark without us even realizing it.

Just as Chen Ming was about to take his leave, he suddenly heard a grief-stricken voice from outside, "Third Senior Brother, how did Master die?"

Who?
He turned his head and saw a tall, dark-skinned man with a rugged appearance walk in. His eyes were bloodshot and he exuded a menacing aura.

This is……

Chen Ming felt that this person looked familiar, and then he heard Zhang Mingyu say in surprise, "Sixth Brother? What are you doing in the city?"

Sixth child?

Could it be... Huo Chengkun's sixth disciple, Bi Haibo?
Isn't he already dead?

Chen Ming was very surprised.

When the original owner was in the Huo family, Bi Haibo was an instructor. Not long after he left the Huo family, it was heard that he had been killed by his enemies while traveling.

Judging from Zhang Mingyu's reaction, he knew that Bi Haibo was not dead, so why did he release the news that the man had faked his death?

Chen Ming naturally didn't ask, and only said, "Since you have guests here, Senior Brother, I'll be leaving now."

"and many more."

Zhang Mingyu stopped him and instructed him, "I hope you can keep your meeting with your sixth junior brother a secret."

"it is good."

Chen Ming agreed and left.

Chen Ming didn't want to delve into Bi Haibo's secrets, since they were none of his business anyway.

The next day, Chen Ming went to visit the Sihai Martial Arts School.

Yesterday at the dinner table, he had the most congenial conversation with the owner of the Sihai Martial Arts School, and they made an appointment to visit him.

He was personally received by the master of the martial arts school, Shangguan Hong. The two talked about martial arts and philosophy, and felt as if they had met too late in life.

Shangguan Hong is in his fifties and still quite energetic. He keeps calling Chen Ming "brother" and seems eager to get him to become sworn brothers with him.

This put his sons in an awkward position. The youngest of them was older than Chen Ming, but they could only reluctantly call him "Uncle."

A few days later, Chen Ming suggested that he spar with Shangguan Hong.

Shangguan Hong hesitated at first. In the martial arts world, one is bound to be burdened by empty fame. As the head of the martial arts school, he absolutely could not afford to be defeated by someone else.

Once he loses, who will come to his martial arts school to learn martial arts?

Chen Ming said it was just a private sparring session, not to determine a winner or loser.

It means that it was a friendly match between the two of them, with no third person present, and it didn't matter who won or lost.

Shangguan Hong then agreed.

So, that afternoon, in an empty courtyard, the two of them had a fight.

This was the strongest opponent Chen Ming had ever encountered, even more difficult to deal with than Li Ankun. He had to use his most powerful techniques to win by a single move at the end.

You have defeated a Level 29 enemy and gained 300 experience point.

Chen Ming cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for showing mercy, Brother Shangguan. How about we consider this a draw?"

Shangguan Hong sheathed his longsword and gave a self-deprecating laugh, "I'm getting old after all. If I were five years younger, I would have knocked your longsword away by the forty-third move."

He paused for a moment, then added, "However, you haven't used your true skills either. If you were wielding a sword, I would still be no match for you."

As expected of a seasoned veteran, he had already recognized that he was using swordsmanship.

Chen Ming said, "Brother Shangguan's skill far surpasses mine. If you hadn't held back, how could I have lasted more than fifty moves?"

That is true.

Shangguan Hong's expression immediately improved. If it were a life-or-death struggle, he would definitely win. However, the initial agreement was to spar with swordsmanship, so he didn't try to overpower his opponent with brute force.

The two sat down again, drinking tea and chatting casually. "Brother Shangguan, your cultivation is just one step away from reaching the seventh rank, isn't it?"

Shangguan Hong shook his head and said, "Once you pass fifty, your qi and blood begin to decline, and I have no hope of reaching the seventh rank."

Rank 7, the Qi and Blood Realm. Once you reach this level, your blood and qi are as pure as mercury. Even at eighty years old, you can still maintain peak physical strength.

Chen Ming comforted him, "I think all three of Brother Shangguan's sons are exceptionally talented, especially the second one. He is only twenty-five years old and has already reached the eighth rank. He is sure to reach the seventh rank in the future."

These words struck a chord with Shangguan Hong. He was most proud of his three sons, all of whom were exceptionally talented, especially his second son, on whom he placed high hopes.

However, he still humbly said, "Compared to you, little brother, I'm still far behind."

Chen Ming laughed and said, "I wonder how much of your 'Breaking Waves Saber Technique' your second son learned from you."

Shangguan Hong said, "He has never really fought anyone before. I plan to let him go out and gain some experience in a few years."

"If Brother Shangguan trusts me, I can offer him some guidance."

"Oh?"

Shangguan Hong was somewhat tempted. He knew that his second son was arrogant and not very convinced by Chen Ming. If Chen Ming was willing to help guide him, firstly, it could temper his arrogance, and secondly, it could increase his practical experience.

"How could I trouble you, my brother?"

"No trouble at all. I'm naturally fond of martial arts and love sparring with others."

(End of this chapter)