I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 54 The New Admiral
That night, Zhong Shuyu's fever finally subsided. As dawn approached, she woke up and saw a dark-skinned girl dozing by the bedside.

"you……"

She wanted to speak, but her throat was terribly hoarse.

Chunxiang, who was dozing off, was suddenly awakened. Seeing that she had opened her eyes, she said happily, "You're finally awake. Come on, don't talk yet, drink some water to moisten your throat."

As he spoke, he helped her sit up and fed her water in small sips.

After taking a few sips, Zhong Shuyu's voice finally wasn't so hoarse anymore, and she asked, "Who are you? Where is this place?"

Her voice was still very weak.

Chunxiang didn't answer, but said, "You lie down first, I'll go call the young master."

After putting her down, he ran out.

After a while, Zhong Shuyu saw the dark-skinned girl bring over a man, who was none other than Chen Ming.

Her gaze was complicated. "Did you save me?"

Chen Ming said, "We are from the same sect, so naturally I won't stand by and watch someone die."

Something must have triggered her, because she suddenly became angry: "Who told you to save me?"

Chunxiang, standing to the side, was displeased. "You're so unreasonable. Do you know how much trouble the young master went through to save you? Even the Six Doors came to search our door. To cover up the smell of blood, he cut himself and bled a lot. You didn't even say thank you, and you had to throw a tantrum at him. Is this how you treat your savior?"

These words left Zhong Shuyu speechless, and she lowered her head.

Chen Ming waved his hand, indicating that Chunxiang didn't need to say anything more, and said, "I won't ask you why you're being chased by the Six Doors. Just stay here and recover from your injuries. Leave when you're healed and things have calmed down."

After saying that, he turned around and left.

Chunxiang glared at her and then left.

After a while, another maid with similarly dark skin came to take care of her.

……

Zhong Shuyu stayed for more than half a month. When her injuries had almost healed, she secretly slipped away one night when the dark-skinned girl wasn't paying attention.

She was extremely careful along the way, circling around several times to make sure no one was following her before finally finding a place to hide.

As soon as it was light, she left the city gate. After walking a long way, Zhong Shuyu looked back at the bustling city behind her, her feelings extremely complicated.

He genuinely only wanted to save her; he didn't ask a single question about why she was being hunted by the Six Doors. He didn't investigate her secrets either, and now it seems there were no other schemes or plots involved.

"There are actually such foolish people in this world."

Zhong Shuyu sighed softly, as if she had made a decision, then turned and continued walking. She arrived at a beach, boarded a small fishing boat, and slowly rowed out to sea.

……

…………

"Young master, I'm sorry, I failed to keep an eye on her. She got away."

At the Chen residence, Xia Xiang lowered her head, looking as if she had done something wrong.

Chen Ming laughed, "It's good that they ran away. I can finally breathe a sigh of relief."

Chunxiang was a little angry. "That woman has no manners at all. She ran away without saying a word. Not even a thank you."

Chen Ming said, "Alright, let's not mention this person anymore."

"Yes," the two maids agreed.

"Alright, you guys go ahead and get busy."

Chen Ming sent them away.

He wasn't interested in any secrets Zhong Shuyu might possess. A secret that even a fourth-rank expert like Yu Xiuming coveted was bound to bring trouble and could easily lead to his death.

Now that she's finally gone, Chen Ming truly breathed a sigh of relief.

In his view, as long as one's cultivation level is high enough, there's always a way to get whatever cultivation technique or divine weapon one desires.

For example, if he's currently at the peak of the fourth rank and possesses a corresponding mastered sword technique, then encountering something like this again would mean that the item is destined for him. Among those of the same cultivation level, who could compete with him? ...

After that, Qingfeng City returned to its former bustling and prosperous state, as if the riots had never happened.

Chen Ming also became increasingly low-key. Every day, besides teaching the children, he would go to spar with Master Liu and Shangguan Hong, or make new friends.

Life was simple yet fulfilling.

Time passed day by day, the harsh winter soon passed, and spring came again.

Before we knew it, half a year had passed, and early summer had arrived.

This day was an extraordinary one for Qingfeng City.

Qingfeng City finally welcomed its new master, a third-rank admiral from the Six Doors.

The previous one was only temporarily stationed in Qingfeng City; he would leave once the official governor took office.

On this day, at the Shili Pavilion at the city gate, almost everyone of importance, whether in officialdom or business, was present, braving the blazing sun to welcome this third-rank expert. It was as if they were welcoming their master.

Chen Ming was not in the welcoming party at the city gate; he was not yet qualified.

He was at Deng Ziyang's house, hosting a welcome dinner for Guan Peng, who had just returned from the sea.

Zhuang Xiaotian also arrived, and the four of them were still at the table.

After eight months apart, everyone had changed quite a bit.

Zhuang Xiaotian looked Guan Peng up and down, then suddenly said, "Second Brother, you've gotten a tan. Your demeanor is different than before. You haven't broken through to the eighth rank, have you?"

Guan Peng not only had a tan, but was also much more composed than before. Upon hearing this, he said, "Third brother has good eyesight. I just broke through, and you actually saw it at a glance."

Zhuang Xiaotian exclaimed, "Congratulations, Second Brother, on achieving your wish. You've done it a step ahead of both me and my eldest brother."

Guan Peng laughed and said, "The sea is indeed a good place for cultivation. Life is monotonous, and there's nothing to do except practice. With no distractions, I unknowingly broke through to the next level. I was quite surprised myself."

"Congratulations."

Deng Ziyang said this as soon as he sat down.

He, who used to be the most talkative, became silent and withdrawn, only drinking in silence.

Watching from the side, Chen Ming felt that the biggest change in the three of them was that they had become hypocritical. To put it more politely, they had become more mature.

Deng Ziyang suffered a great blow because of his father's death and became a martial arts fanatic. Since being transferred back to Qingfeng City, he has been sparring with Chen Ming every day.

Having spent so long in the Six Doors, Zhuang Xiaotian has become more worldly-wise.

Guan Peng, who appears to have changed the most outwardly, has actually changed the least. What he just said, seemingly a complaint, was actually a boast.

He was still that sensitive and proud young man, just not as obviously so.

As the four chatted, the topic naturally turned to the newly appointed Admiral of the Six Doors.

"I've heard that this Lord Zhao's experience is quite legendary. He was a child prodigy who passed the imperial examination in the humanities before he was even twenty. Later, when he was an official in a local area, he couldn't stand the rudeness of the head of the Six Doors. In a fit of anger, he abandoned literature and became a martial arts expert. Within a few years, he passed the martial arts examination. In less than ten years, he broke through to the third rank. His talent is so high that it is rare in the world."

"Many people say that if Lord Zhao had learned martial arts from a young age, his achievements would have been even greater, and perhaps the Great Jin Dynasty would have gained another first-rank expert."

Chen Ming was also very interested in this newly appointed highest-ranking official of Qingfeng City and asked, "What is this Lord Zhao's personality like?"

Zhuang Xiaotian said, "This Lord Zhao has a good reputation as an official, and his conduct is more like that of a civil official. He is not as rude as the other powerful figures of the Six Doors."

"Moreover, I heard that this Lord Zhao is most fond of mentoring younger generations. Wherever he goes, he will hold a martial arts competition. Lord Zhao is never stingy with rewards for outstanding young martial artists. They may even receive personal guidance from him."

Guan Peng became interested upon hearing this, "So, anyone can participate in the martial arts tournament?"

Zhuang Xiaotian shook his head and said, "No, at least a seventh-grade cultivation level is required. This Lord Zhao's status is too high, so the martial arts tournament he holds is naturally of a higher standard. Otherwise, Second Brother and Brother Chen could have gone to show their skills."

He expressed considerable regret.

Is it a seventh-rank official?
Chen Ming looked thoughtful.

(End of this chapter)