I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 119 The storm is coming
The news of Chen Ming's emergence from seclusion quickly spread throughout the entire Chen residence. Chen Rui was the first to receive the news. He was eating breakfast when he dropped his bowl and ran over.

"Second Uncle has emerged from seclusion!"

Chen Lirong, who had just turned five, screamed excitedly, jumped off the chair, and followed her father on her toes.

The wet nurse, fearing she might fall, quickly chased after her, calling out, "Little darling, slow down!"

Nine-year-old Chen Lide paused for a moment, then quickly shoveled the meat from the bowl into his mouth before chasing after them.

After everyone had left, Madam Wei suddenly realized what was happening and ran excitedly toward Erlang's courtyard. "Quick...quick..."

"Madam, please be careful."

Two maids nearby quickly went over to help him up.

……

"Big brother."

When Chen Ming saw his older brother rushing over, he went to greet him and called out with a smile.

I hadn't seen my older brother for three months. His beard had grown longer, and he had gained some weight, making him look even more dignified.

Chen Rui was also looking at his younger brother. His hair had grown longer, and he had a short stubble around his lips, but other than that, there was no change.

He didn't say anything, he just nodded.

It's just a period of seclusion, nothing serious.

Chen Ming asked, "Brother, how was everything at home while I was in seclusion?"

Chen Rui said, "Everything is fine."

"Second uncle!"

At this moment, Chen Lirong rushed over, threw herself into Chen Ming's arms, and wrapped her arms around his neck, "You're finally out of seclusion!"

Chen Ming picked up his little niece and kissed her cheek. "I haven't seen you for months, and you've gotten even fatter."

"itch--"

The little girl giggled as his beard tickled her.

"Second uncle!"

Chen Lide also came over, having already swallowed the piece of meat in his mouth, and was now trying his best to appear calm.

Chen Ming went over and patted his head, saying with satisfaction, "You've grown taller again."

At this moment, his sister-in-law also came over. She looked much fuller and was being supported by two maids. When she saw him, her eyes were red. "Second Brother, you've finally come out of seclusion."

Chen Ming was somewhat amused and exasperated. "What are you doing, sister-in-law? I'm just going into seclusion."

Suddenly, Chen Lirong, who was in his arms, exclaimed loudly, "Mother is pregnant! Mother is worried that Second Uncle won't be able to see the baby born..."

Chen Ming asked in surprise, "Is this true?"

Chen Rui nodded and said, "Yes, it's been four months."

"This is great news!"

Chen Ming was very happy.

In ancient times, the continuation of bloodlines was of utmost importance. Now that the Chen family is becoming increasingly prosperous, the more offspring the better. Having ten or eight children wouldn't be too many.

Chen Ming was reluctant to get married, so he could only ask his sister-in-law, Wei, to work harder and have more children.

……

Less than two hours later, Zhang Mingyu arrived after receiving the news. The first thing he asked Chen Ming was, "You've broken through to the fifth rank?"

Chen Ming laughed and said, "It's not that easy."

Although he could break through at any time, the situation in Qingfeng City was a bit chaotic at the moment, with several groups of outsiders arriving. He decided to play it safe for now and not draw too much attention.

Moreover, he plans to challenge all the sixth-rank martial artists in Qingfeng City in the next few days and then reap the rewards.

Hearing him say that, Zhang Mingyu breathed a sigh of relief, "It's mainly because your cultivation improved too quickly before, I thought..."

The two had just sat down when Gu Yuantao arrived. He looked Chen Ming up and down a few times and said, "You haven't broken through to the fifth rank?"

Although this is a question, it is phrased with an affirmative tone.

Chen Ming and Zhang Mingyu exchanged a glance and couldn't help but smile.

He laughed and said, "It's not that easy."

Gu Yuantao didn't know what they were laughing at, nor did he care. He simply said, "I'd like to spar with you again."

That was his real purpose in coming here.

Chen Ming said, "Okay, but let's have a cup of tea first."

He poured three cups of the freshly brewed tea and asked, "Where's Brother Weihao?"

"I'm in seclusion," Gu Yuantao said, picking up his teacup and taking a sip. Suddenly, his gaze sharpened, and he stared at the tea in his cup for a few seconds.

"He's broken through to the sixth rank?"

"Hmm." Gu Yuantao took another sip before putting the cup down.

Chen Ming became a little worried, "Are you just leaving him alone at the Gu family's house?"

Gu Yuantao said, "One of his uncles has come over; he's a fourth-rank official." He paused briefly, then asked, "Where did you get this tea?"

Seeing that he seemed very interested in the tea, Chen Ming beckoned Chunxiang over and asked her, "Where did this tea come from?" Chunxiang replied, "It was a gift from Young Master Zhao."

Young Master Zhao is naturally Zhao Xiyan. Because she always comes dressed as a man, she calls him Young Master Zhao.

Chen Ming asked Gu Yuantao, "Is there something wrong with this tea?"

Gu Yuantao said calmly, "This is the Black Bone Spirit Tea, one of the Nine Great Spirit Teas. It is extremely rare and can only be produced on Black Jade Island overseas. It is a tribute item."

Zhang Mingyu, standing to the side, stared in astonishment at the cup of tea in his hand and exclaimed, "It's actually Black Bone Spirit Tea, more valuable than gold! This is a rare spiritual item that can enhance cultivation. Junior brother, your friend actually gave you something so precious!"

Chen Ming was also quite surprised. Seeing Chunxiang's uneasy expression, he didn't say anything and waved her away.

He took a sip of the spiritual tea in his cup, and indeed it was sweet and refreshing, making his mouth water. Soon, a cool sensation arose in his lower abdomen, which quickly merged into his true energy, but he could hardly feel any increase in his true energy.

He laughed and said, "Good things are meant to be shared with friends. If you like them, take some with you when you go back."

Zhang Mingyu quickly refused, "This won't do, it's too valuable. I can't accept a gift without having done anything right."

Just then, someone else arrived. This time it was Feng Siyuan, who exclaimed as soon as he entered the courtyard, "Brother Chen, you've finally come out of seclusion! You don't know, several major events happened during your seclusion... Oh, you have a guest here."

Chen Ming said, "Perfect timing, let me introduce you."

……

After introducing them to the three of them, Chen Ming said, "I was just about to ask you, what is the background of the person who founded the Dragon Tiger Gate?"

Feng Siyuan quickly said, "You've come to the right person. This man's surname is Pang, and he is actually of Qin family blood. He is the illegitimate son of an elder of the Qin family. The Qin family has long coveted the profits of maritime trade, but for some reason, they have never dared to set foot in Qingfeng City. This time, for some reason, they actually dared to send this Pang Shaoxuan to establish a sect. He is not here with good intentions."

Chen Ming suddenly realized.

The Qin family is one of the three great families of Jiangzhou. Now that they want to extend their reach into Qingfeng City, the seven major merchants are naturally on high alert.

However, how did the Qin family know that the taboo in Qingfeng City had been lifted?

Could it be that Senior Shang's accident is related to the Qin family?

A top-tier family like the Qin family must have a powerful expert of at least the first rank in charge. If we're talking about who in Jiangzhou can threaten Senior Shang, the Qin family is definitely one of them.

Chen Ming then asked, "What about the Red Sea Gang?"

Feng Siyuan said, "Pan Chihai of the Chihai Gang is an outer disciple of the Wushan Sect. Heh, he says he's an outer disciple, but he practices one of the three great divine skills of the Wushan Sect, the Nine Dragons Treading the Sea. Doesn't everyone know what's going on?"

Chen Ming nodded. The Wushan Sect is one of the four major sects in Jiangzhou, an ancient sect with a history of thousands of years.

These top aristocratic families and sects have all sent people to Qingfeng City, undoubtedly eyeing the enormous profits of maritime trade and intending to get involved.

The seven major sea merchants will not easily give up their profits; they will definitely have to fight each other.

It is foreseeable that Qingfeng City will become increasingly chaotic in the future.

Feng Siyuan continued, "While you were in seclusion, one of Pan Chihai's hall masters came to challenge you, just to establish his authority by taking you down. They had malicious intentions; they wanted to defeat the young masters of Qingfeng City and establish the invincible reputation of the Chihai Gang."

Chen Ming laughed, "Then he chose the wrong person."

He changed the subject, "However, the leader of the Red Sea Gang is probably very protective of his own. I don't want to provoke him, so I'd better keep my distance."

"Dare he?"

Feng Siyuan quickly replied, "Don't worry about that. Our seven major merchant guilds will never allow him to disregard the rules of the martial arts world and bully the weak."

The rules of the underworld only have binding force when powerful forces need them.

In Qingfeng City today, the seven major merchant guilds clearly need to use the rules of the martial arts world to restrain the Dragon Tiger Gate and the Red Sea Gang. To put it bluntly, it's a kind of game.

Chen Ming wouldn't mind being used as a pawn, provided there were sufficient benefits. It all depends on how much sincerity the seven major merchant guilds are willing to offer.

He has now expressed this attitude, and now we are just waiting for Feng Siyuan to go back and discuss it with his father to come to a conclusion.

……

After nightfall, all the guests left.

Chen Ming sat in the courtyard, drinking tea and watching the newly sprouted tender green leaves of the sycamore tree, enjoying this long-lost leisure.

"You haven't broken through to the fifth rank?"

The sudden sound shattered the tranquil atmosphere.

Chen Ming didn't turn around, but just smiled and asked, "Did I disappoint you?"

A woman dressed in white, Zhao Xiyan, holding a fan, walked over from the courtyard gate, sat down opposite him, and looked him over with a puzzled expression. "Strange, I can't quite see through your cultivation level. What kind of cultivation technique do you practice?"

She finally couldn't contain her curiosity and asked the question.

Chen Ming didn't hide anything from her, "Have you heard of the 'Blazing Sun Divine Skill'?"

Zhao Xiyan's eyes first showed surprise, then realization, "So it's this kind of cultivation technique."

She didn't ask him where he got the technique. After a moment's thought, she said, "This technique involves quite a bit of trouble, so you must never tell anyone about it. If anyone asks, you can say that I gave it to you."

Chen Ming poured her a cup of tea and said, "Thank you for the Black Bone Spirit Tea. I really like it."

Zhao Xiyan's expression softened, and joy shone in her eyes as she said softly, "Since you like it, I'll bring you some more after you finish it."

He asked, "Why are you back?"

"I heard that my father wiped out the Blood Demon Sect and even captured the Demon Child. I thought that Qingfeng City should be safe, so I bid farewell to my grandmother and returned to my home."

In other words, it wasn't Zhao Shouchang who asked her to come back. Rather, she took it upon herself to insist on coming to Qingfeng City.

Chen Ming didn't say much, but silently refilled her teacup.

(End of this chapter)