I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 106 No Promise

On the open ground by the river, next to the arena, many tents were erected. These tents were prepared for prominent figures in the city.

These important figures naturally didn't want to be crammed together with others, so this arrangement was highly praised.

For a time, being invited to enter the tent to watch the martial arts competition became a symbol of status.

Inside one of the tents, there were only a few people. A woman in red standing at the front watched the match on the stage, which was like two chickens pecking at each other, and seemed to be muttering to herself, "I really didn't expect that he could stir up such a big storm. Yu'er, you have a good eye."

A woman behind her trembled upon hearing this, "Miss..."

The others remained completely silent.

They all knew the woman in red's temperament well; whenever she started talking to herself, it meant she was angry. When she praised the people around her, it proved she had murderous intent.

The woman in red sneered, "What are you afraid of? Afraid I'll kill him?"

The woman in blue behind her knelt down with a thud, pleading, "Miss, please spare his life—"

A flash of anger crossed the woman in red's eyes. "How pathetic! You actually begged me for a man?"

The woman in green cried even harder, "Miss, you promised not to kill him..."

"stand up!"

The woman in red was exasperated and angrily rebuked, "When did I ever say I was going to kill him? Look at you now, what kind of spell did he cast on you?"

The woman in green finally stood up, without saying a word, bowing her head and silently wiping away her tears.

She knew that her mistress was a woman of her word and would never lie to her. If she said she wouldn't kill Chen Ming, she would never do it.

At this moment, a middle-aged man who looked like a scholar stepped in to smooth things over, "Master, this boy's strength is weak and he won't affect the overall situation. What we need to consider now is that if we failed to drive Zhao Shouchang away this time, it will probably be even more difficult in the future."

The woman in red snorted and said with a gloomy expression, "The Blood Demon Sect is full of idiots. No wonder the Longevity Sect has made such a big show of itself for thousands of years, but has never been able to achieve anything. They can't even control their own subordinates."

"Now, I'm afraid that demon has also been targeted by Zhao Shouchang. Should we..."

"Don't waste your energy trying to save this kind of idiot."

"But if Zhao Shouchang makes another great contribution, it will be even more difficult to get rid of him."

“It’s good that he has made meritorious contributions, but I’m afraid he won’t make enough.”

"Master's meaning is... brilliant!" The middle-aged scholar exclaimed, slapping the table in admiration. "Since we can't demote him, let's promote him and wait for him to be transferred. Master's plan is ingenious. Could it be that the trail of this devil is also your doing, Master..."

The woman in red straightened her face and said, "How could I betray my allies? He's just stupid; his subordinates have all been captured and he didn't even know."

At this moment, the outcome of the match has been decided on the stage.

The woman in red suddenly sighed.

No one else knew why she sighed.

Only the middle-aged scholar guessed something and asked, "Is the master worried that the seven maritime merchants will become much stronger after absorbing so many talents?"

The woman in red shook her head and said with a sigh, "I was just wondering why no one had thought of such a simple method before?"

The middle-aged scholar pondered, "It seems the master values ​​that Chen Erlang highly. Does he intend to recruit him?"

"Sir, do you have a solution?"

"There are three strategies: superior, middle, and inferior. Which one would you like to hear, Master?"

The woman in red frowned, as if recalling some unpleasant memory, and said, "Let's talk about the worst option first."

The middle-aged scholar said, "The owner will take direct action, tie the man up, bring him to the ship, and then threaten him with the lives of his family members. He won't have to worry about the man not complying."

Without hesitation, the woman in red replied, "Tell me your plan."

"Find a middleman to do business with the Chen family's pharmacy a few times. Then report them to the Six Doors, saying that the Chen family is colluding with pirates. Once they're arrested, we'll find a way to get them out. At that point, Chen Ming will have nowhere to stand in Qingfeng City..."

The woman in red was clearly tempted, but she shook her head. "His relationship with Zhao Shouchang's daughter is extraordinary; this plan might not succeed. What's the better option?"

The middle-aged scholar said, "The best strategy is for the master to use a beauty trap to seduce him—"

"Be bold!"

Before he could finish speaking, someone next to him shouted angrily, looking as if they wanted to tear him apart.

The middle-aged scholar was not afraid; he was merely offering advice. Whether or not to accept his plan was up to the host.

The woman in red glanced at him sideways and said indifferently, "He's not worthy."

The middle-aged scholar said, "These are the only three strategies I can come up with."

Finally, the woman in red shook her head and said, "Never mind."

She didn't bring it up again. To her, Chen Ming wasn't someone she would rack her brains and go to great lengths to recruit.

……

In the afternoon, at the ancient mansion.

When Chen Ming first arrived at the first family in Qingfeng City, he found the place empty and dilapidated, even more so than the Zhenhai Prince's Mansion.

"What are you here for?"

When Zhou Weihao saw him arrive, he had a stern face, clearly still angry about what happened a few days ago.

Chen Ming, carrying a jar of wine, smiled and said, "I've been busy with the martial arts tournament these past few days and haven't been able to visit Brother Weihao. Please forgive me."

“I, Zhou, am not worthy of such an honor.”

"It seems that Brother Weihao really blames me. I'll punish myself with three drinks first."

If three cups aren't enough, have three more.

Zhou Weihao couldn't stand it anymore, so he snatched the wine from his hand and said, "Don't drink all the wine I brought for you."

"I have plenty of wine, I'll bring you a few more jars next time."

After a few drinks, the two reconciled.

Zhou Weihao said, "So, that apprentice-acceptance ceremony was something you organized. It caused a huge sensation throughout Jiangzhou, and even many of my guards wanted to try their luck."

Chen Ming laughed and said, "I don't have that much ability. I just borrowed the influence of Guanglong Trading Company. This Guanglong Trading Company is really remarkable. They can find two third-rank officials so easily."

"The Seven Great Merchants have kept a low profile for the past twenty years, but their hidden strength is unfathomable. They can mobilize more Rank 3 experts than the Four Great Sects. If it weren't for Senior Shang's vow back then, the martial artists of Qingfeng City would never be so depleted as they are today."

Chen Ming asked, "Did you visit Senior Shang during your trip?"

Zhou Weihao's expression turned serious when the matter was brought up. "I went, but Senior Shang wouldn't let me in. Did something happen to Senior Shang while I was away?"

Chen Ming frowned. "Something did happen, two months ago..."

He recounted how Zhao Shouchang and the woman in red went to find Shang Jianfei, but omitted the fact that Shang Jianfei had taught him the Vermilion Bird Sword Technique.

"Senior Shang told me before that I should not go to his place anymore."

After listening, Zhou Weihao said with some worry, "Oh no, I'm afraid the Six Doors have freed up their forces and are going to do something bad to Senior Shang."

Chen Ming hurriedly asked, "What do you mean?"

Zhou Weihao said, "I heard from my elders that the death of the Prince of Zhenhai must have hidden a great secret. He was the younger brother of the late emperor and a member of the royal family. He died suddenly, but the Six Doors hastily closed the case, claiming that he died of illness. Who would believe that a first-rank expert would die of illness? However, the late emperor actually accepted this explanation. Then, the Prince of Zhenhai's subordinates were either arrested or killed by the Six Doors, until they suffered a great loss at the hands of Senior Shang."

He became somewhat worried as he said this, "Senior Shang has been living in seclusion in the Zhenhai Prince's Mansion all these years, and the Six Doors must know about it. The reason they haven't made a move is because they weren't confident. Three years ago, another Rank One member of the Six Doors broke through to the Divine Treasure Realm, and now, I'm afraid they'll have to make a move against you, Senior."

Chen Ming asked curiously, "What kind of secret could have caused even a powerful figure like the King of Zhenhai to die for it?"

What is the secret that even a nobleman with a first-rank cultivation level couldn't keep?
Zhou Weihao looked around and said in a voice only he could hear, "It is said that when the King of Zhenhai killed that pirate king, he obtained something that was a relic of the Longevity Emperor, and it was the key to open the Longevity Emperor's tomb."

Chen Ming was startled.

The Longevity Emperor is a being who, according to historical records, lived for over a thousand years. Moreover, he did not die of natural causes.

After his death, everyone searched for his tomb, as the secret to immortality was rumored to lie within it.

For thousands of years, people have been searching for his tomb. To date, it is said that six tombs have been excavated. Unfortunately, they are all suspected to be false tombs.

Legend has it that the Immortal Emperor built nine fake tombs during his lifetime, only one of which is real.

Every time a tomb of an immortal emperor is discovered, it causes a bloodbath.

If the King of Zhenhai obtained the secret of the tomb of the Immortal Emperor, then his sudden death would be perfectly reasonable.

How could someone of the highest rank possibly keep such a secret?
Therefore, not only did the King of Zhenhai die, but his trusted subordinates also perished. Even a top-tier expert like Shang Jianfei, who was above the first rank, had to hide in the King of Zhenhai's mansion. In the end, even the sect was wiped out.

No wonder Shang Jianfei refused to teach him the martial arts of the Qinghe Sword Sect. And he even told him never to go there again.

This secret is deadly to anyone who gets involved with it.

Zhou Weihao warned, "Don't go looking for Senior Shang anymore. If I'm not mistaken, there will be people from the Six Doors watching over him."

Chen Ming was somewhat worried about him, "Then wouldn't you be..."

"There's no need to worry about that. The people of the Six Doors are well aware of the connection between my elders and Senior Shang."

P.S.: Requesting monthly votes.

(End of this chapter)