I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 57 Contrast
"Our Huo family lineage has finally produced another seventh-rank expert. It's truly an achievement..."

Inside the carriage, Gu Junrong spoke, his eyes welling up with tears, revealing the intensity of his emotions.

Since Huo Chengkun's death, disciples like him have experienced firsthand the fickleness of human relationships, and even their masters have changed their attitudes towards them.

When the master was around, the employer was always very polite and never said a word more than necessary.

Nowadays, people make demands on this and that, and if they don't do something right, they get the cold shoulder.

This contrast left him feeling deeply disappointed.

Not only him, but Wang Mingkai and Li Mingchang also had similar experiences.

Only when you lose something do you realize how precious it was.

Therefore, Zhang Mingyu's breakthrough to the seventh rank was of great significance to them, the nominal disciples of the Huo family.

Chen Ming, of course, couldn't understand their feelings, but he agreed, saying, "Yes, we won't let Senior Brother Sun's side have the upper hand anymore."

As the two were talking, they arrived at the Huo residence.

When Chen Ming got off the carriage and entered the gate, he saw that the gatekeeper also had a cheerful expression, unlike the lifeless atmosphere before.

The entire Huo residence was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Many people came today, including many of Sun Shicai's longtime followers who shamelessly came to offer their congratulations. Only a few die-hard supporters were absent.

They're all from the same school. Even someone as sharp-tongued as Zhang Mingkai would only make a few sarcastic remarks; he wouldn't actually kick someone out.

The Huo residence hasn't been this lively in a long time.

"Junior Brother Chen is here! Come quick, Third Senior Brother is waiting for you."

As soon as Chen Ming arrived, someone shouted. Everyone then made way for him.

He was an oddity in the Huo family. Everyone called him junior brother, but no one dared to be disrespectful to him. Their enthusiasm was tinged with flattery.

……

"Junior brother, you've finally arrived."

Inside the main hall, Zhang Mingyu, who was sitting in the main seat, stood up to greet Chen Ming when he entered.

Chen Ming smiled and congratulated him, "Congratulations on breaking through to the seventh rank, Senior Brother."

"I have to thank you for this."

Zhang Mingyu looked quite different from usual. His eyes were filled with a restrained light, and there was a natural confidence between his brows. His whole demeanor was refreshed, and he appeared spirited and energetic.

He pulled Chen Ming's hand and sat down next to him, sighing, "I was able to break through so quickly thanks to my junior brother's help."

Chen Ming quickly replied, "Senior brother, you flatter me—"

Zhang Mingyu waved his hand and said, "Master once said that I would not be able to break through to the seventh rank until I was at least thirty years old. In the past year or so, you and I have often talked about martial arts and the Dao, and I have been inspired by you and finally have some understanding. I have successfully broken through. Two years earlier than Master said."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ming stopped denying it and humbly said, "I dare not take credit for this; it is all thanks to Senior Brother's own comprehension."

That's a good thing. Once word gets out, will there be any shortage of people to spar with him?

……

At noon, after the banquet, Zhang Mingyu took Chen Ming and Yang Zhidong to his courtyard and had a private chat with them.

Yang Zhidong was Huo Chengkun's disciple, and the only one among the disciples to break through to the eighth rank.

However, unlike Chen Ming, he took on another master after completing his apprenticeship at the Huo family's. His breakthrough to the eighth rank had nothing to do with Huo Chengkun.

Naturally, his relationship with the Huo family became somewhat distant.

Today, Zhang Mingyu specifically sent someone to invite him over.

The three sat around a small table in the courtyard, with water bubbling and boiling in the stove.

Zhang Mingyu brewed a pot of tea, and soon the aroma filled the air. He suddenly sighed, "My two junior brothers, since Master passed away, my fourth junior brother has been focused on climbing the official ladder, ignoring everything else. I'm heartbroken to see our situation becoming increasingly difficult and our sect's influence waning day by day."

At this point, he clenched his fist and slammed it heavily on the table. "Before my eldest brother passed away, he entrusted the Huo family to me. I absolutely cannot let my master's life's work be ruined in my hands."

Chen Ming felt a pang of emotion and said, "If my senior brother had such a kind heart, they would be gratified if they knew in the afterlife."

Zhang Mingyu looked at the two of them and said, "If we want to revitalize our sect, it's not enough for me to do it alone. We need our two junior brothers to be of one mind and work together to bring glory to our sect."

At this moment, Yang Zhidong spoke up, "Of course, Master Huo has been kind to me in teaching me. If you have any requests, please feel free to ask."

Chen Ming nodded and said, "It is my duty."

Zhang Mingyu said happily, "I'm relieved to hear you say that. Actually, I invited you here today to share my experience in breaking through to the seventh rank. I hope you two junior brothers can break through to the seventh rank soon."

what?
Yang Zhidong was deeply moved and exclaimed, "Third Senior Brother, how...how can this be?"

What I just said was just polite talk.

Zhang Mingyu was actually willing to share his experience in breaking through to the seventh rank with him, which was completely beyond his expectations. Generally speaking, only direct disciples could receive such guidance.

This is such a huge favor!
But he couldn't refuse.

Yang Zhidong reached a bottleneck five years ago. The master he later apprenticed under was only an eighth-rank official, and could not provide him with any guidance.

After he found another master, Huo Chengkun would no longer teach him.

He could only fumble around on his own, struggling to find a way out, and the torment he felt was unimaginable.

Zhang Mingyu pressed his hand down and said, "We are brothers, so we should help each other."

Yang Zhidong suddenly stood up and said excitedly, "Third Senior Brother, if I can really break through to the seventh rank, I will go through fire and water for you if you ever need me."

What I said earlier was just polite talk. Now I'm showing my loyalty!
Seeing how sensible he was, Zhang Mingyu was also pleased and said, "You fellow disciples don't need to say such formal things."

Then, he turned to look at Chen Ming, who had a calm expression, and asked with some surprise, "Why isn't Junior Brother saying anything?"

What am I supposed to say?
Chen Ming wanted to scratch his head, but he held back. After thinking for a while, he decided to tell the truth, "To be honest, Senior Brother, I have also broken through to the seventh rank."

what?
Zhang Mingyu froze, his face showing shock, disbelief, and confusion...

Suddenly, he struck Chen Ming with his palm.

This palm strike didn't look fast, but it carried immense power.

Chen Ming also raised his hand and met the attack with a palm strike.

The two palms collided in mid-air.

There was a snap.

The ground seemed to tremble slightly.

Zhang Mingyu withdrew his hand and said emotionally, "It really is a seventh-grade... Junior brother, you... you really are..." He stammered, too shocked to find the words.

Yang Zhidong, sitting next to him, also looked dazed. He wasn't very familiar with this junior brother Chen; they had only met a few times.

Originally, because of his status, he naturally had a sense of wariness towards Chen Ming.

His master was Jin Yuansheng's man, and Chen Ming had a grudge against Jin Yuansheng.

On one occasion, Chen Ming even suggested sparring with him, which made him have an even worse impression of the man, and he kept his distance from him from then on.

He naturally assumed that Chen Ming wanted to test his master's martial arts skills so that he could deal with his master in the future.

Now, this junior brother, who is about ten years older than him, has actually broken through to the seventh rank.

He is only twenty-two years old!
What would the Qi family's reaction be if they knew this news?

(End of this chapter)