I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 93 Don't Get Too Close

In the study of the governor's mansion, Zhao Shouchang, dressed in a scholar's robe, was engrossed in reading by lamplight when the steward came over and whispered, "Master, Miss has returned."

He didn't react, as if he hadn't heard, his attention still on the book.

The old butler stood there waiting.

After a while, Zhao Shouchang finally finished reading the page, put the book on the table, and asked, "Where did she go today?"

His daughter is always sensible and rarely comes home this late. If she really has to come home late, she will at least inform the housekeeper in advance.

But today they haven't given any explanation whatsoever.

This is very unusual.

The butler replied, "Miss has been with Chen Ming the whole time."

"Chen Ming?"

Upon hearing this name, Zhao Shouchang's gaze sharpened. "Is this the young man who killed that treacherous inspector who betrayed his master?"

"It's him, sir."

Is it him?

Zhao Shouchang frowned almost imperceptibly.

He was well aware that his daughter had been cultivating relationships with the guards and servants in the manor. In the past two years, she had even begun to make contact with people outside the manor, all of which he had tacitly approved of.

His daughter, of course, cannot only know needlework and account books. If she does not know some ways to win people's hearts, she will easily be bullied by her husband's family after she gets married.

Therefore, he was always happy to see it happen and let her do as she pleased.

However, this Chen Ming is no ordinary person; he has connections with Shang Jianfei.

After Zhao Shouchang met with Shang Jianfei last time, he had people keep a close eye on the Zhenhai Prince's Mansion.

Then it was discovered that a young man went to the Zhenhai Prince's Mansion every day and would stay there for one or two hours each time. Clearly, he had a special relationship with Shang Jianfei.

So they specifically assigned someone to keep an eye on Chen Ming.

However, Zhao Xiyan hasn't gone to see Chen Ming again in the past month. Zhao Shouchang was unaware that his daughter had ever been in contact with this man.

The butler noticed Zhao Shouchang's reaction and immediately realized that the master not only remembered this person but also valued this young man highly.

The butler immediately raised his level of attention to this young man named Chen Ming.

Zhao Shouchang asked, "Does Yan'er value him highly?"

The steward said, "We just received news that this person has broken through to the sixth rank."

Zhao Shouchang didn't react much, but simply said, "Go and call Yan'er here. I have something to say to her."

"Yes."

The butler bowed his head and left, feeling somewhat puzzled.

The sixth rank is a watershed moment for martial artists.

Generally speaking, those who can break through to the sixth rank before the age of thirty can be considered young talents with a promising future and the potential to reach the third rank in the future.

This Chen Ming is only twenty-three years old and comes from an ordinary family. Such talent is one in a million. The master actually doesn't think much of him?
……

"Dad, are you looking for me?"

A short while later, Zhao Xiyan changed back into women's clothing, came to the study to see her father, and bowed.

Zhao Shouchang said with a gentle smile, "Yan'er, there's no need for such formalities."

Zhao Xiyan obediently took the initiative to admit her mistake, saying, "I'm sorry that I came home late and made my father worry."

“You’ve always been sensible and never caused me any trouble,” Zhao Shouchang said with a smile. “I called you here because your grandmother wrote to say that you’re not young anymore and urged me to find you a good marriage. Does Yan’er have a man she likes?”

Zhao Xiyan shook her head and said, "No. However, my daughter doesn't want to get married so early."

You'll be eighteen soon—

"My daughter has already reached the sixth rank!"

Zhao Shouchang was slightly taken aback, then a piercing light flashed in his eyes. He stared at his daughter for a while, then asked in surprise, "Yan'er, when did you reach the sixth rank?"

"According to the family tradition, daughters of the Zhao family who can reach the sixth rank before the age of eighteen can choose to marry at the age of twenty-five. Daughter wants to focus on martial arts, so Father can worry about her marriage in a few years."

Zhao Xiyan brought up the family precepts, and Zhao Shouchang was immediately speechless.

In martial arts families, daughters with outstanding talent hold a high status. Generally, daughters with less talent are married off before the age of eighteen for political alliances.

If someone, like Zhao Xiyan, could reach the sixth rank before the age of eighteen, such outstanding talent naturally wouldn't warrant a hasty marriage. They would have to wait a few more years, and their marriage partner would be a talented young man from another family.

In any world, marriage is about matching social status and economic conditions. The same applies to spiritual cultivation; there can't be too much difference, otherwise, it will be difficult to have offspring, which is detrimental to the continuation of the family line.

Therefore, geniuses often mate with other geniuses, naturally increasing the probability of having a genius child. Almost all long-established families have similar traditions.

"Daughter will not disturb father's rest."

Zhao Xiyan was about to take her leave.

"Yan'er." Zhao Shouchang called her back, hesitated for a moment, and reminded her, "Chen Ming has some entanglements, you'd better not get too close to him."

"My daughter knows."

Zhao Xiyan bowed and withdrew.

After she left the study, her brows were furrowed. Her father called her over specifically, and the key point was the last sentence, reminding her not to get too close to Chen Ming.

Why was his father so concerned about him?

She grew increasingly curious about what secrets Chen Ming held.
……

Meanwhile, Chen Ming returned home, where he was greeted not only by his elder brother and sister-in-law, but also by his friends Zhang Mingyu, Deng Ziyang, and Zhuang Xiaotian.

He asked, "Why are you here?"

When Zhang Mingyu saw him come in, he rushed over excitedly, "You really reached the sixth rank?"

Looking at the excited or thrilled faces, Chen Ming knew they had rushed over immediately after hearing the rumors. He was somewhat moved and nodded, saying, "Not bad, I've already reached the sixth rank."

"really!"

While Zhang Mingyu was excited, his gaze also became extremely complicated.

A sixth-rank official!
His master was a sixth-rank cultivator and held a very important position in Qingfeng City. His greatest wish in this life was to break through to the sixth rank like his master.

However, this was too difficult, because his master had not left behind any cultivation method to break through to the sixth rank. He had no idea in his lifetime if he would ever have any hope of breaking through to the sixth rank.

Unexpectedly, Chen Ming broke through to the sixth rank without making a sound.

Zhang Mingyu couldn't help but wonder, where did he get the martial arts technique? Could it be that his master really passed on the sect's mantle to him?

……

Deng Ziyang and Zhuang Xiaotian were also filled with disbelief, shocked by the speed at which Chen Ming broke through.

"You've only been at the seventh rank for about half a year, right?"

"Breaked through two realms in one year!"

"Sixth rank..."

Zhuang Xiaotian, who had already broken through to the eighth rank, was more happy for Chen Ming. He had long recognized the gap between himself and Chen Ming. Given their friendship, the stronger Chen Ming became, the more he could benefit from it.

Deng Ziyang's feelings were much more complicated. He had finally caught up with Chen Ming, but now he had been left behind again.

This step is more difficult to take than ever before.

The gap has widened.

……

The happiest people were none other than Chen Rui and the Wei family.

One was so excited he was incoherent, muttering something unintelligible. The other had his hands clasped together, tears welling in his eyes, as if praying to heaven.

Chen Ming's attainment of the sixth rank signifies a further rise in the Chen family's influence, granting them the right to sit at the table. Although he can only sit at the children's table, it is still a true leap forward.

These are tangible benefits, but there are also intangible influences, reputation, status...

Although the couple had expected this day to come sooner or later, they did not expect it to come so quickly and so suddenly.

Although the servants in the mansion did not understand the true significance of the Second Master's breakthrough to the sixth rank, they were naturally excited to see their master happy.

At least they know that this is a great thing.

……

Seeing the genuine joy on the faces of his family and friends, Chen Ming felt a surge of satisfaction. It was an honor for him to make his family and friends proud.

So he had his family bring out their treasured wines to celebrate.

That night, everyone drank too much. Even the eldest brother, Chen Rui, who usually doesn't drink at all, got completely drunk and had to be carried back to his room by the servants.

Only Deng Ziyang, Zhang Mingyu, and Chen Ming remained conscious.

Zhang Mingyu suddenly asked, "Brother Chen, what are your plans next?"

Deng Ziyang also looked at him, clearly quite concerned about this issue.

P.S.: Requesting monthly votes.

(End of this chapter)