I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 24 Festival
"By the way, I heard that Wen Zehao's engagement was broken off, is that true?"

After finishing his business, Deng Ziyang asked about a big piece of gossip. He had heard about it from one of his servants that morning and came specifically to ask Chen Ming about it.

He wore a gloating expression, making no attempt to hide his dislike for Wen Zehao.

Chen Ming nodded and said, "It's true."

"Hahaha……"

Deng Ziyang laughed heartily, "Heaven has eyes! I knew it! How could he possibly have all the good things?"

Chen Mingqi asked, "Do you have some kind of grudge against him?"

"No, I just don't like him."

I get it, it's just jealousy.

Deng Ziyang asked with great interest, "Then why did Huo Qianqian suddenly refuse to marry him? Did she fall in love with someone else?"

"I don't know. However, with such a big incident, it's probably not going to end well."

"This is going to be quite a show. Old Ghost Huo is not young, I wonder how many more years he can live. Now that Huo Qianqian and Wen Zehao's marriage has fallen through, the happiest people are Old Ghost Huo's disciples. Heh, just wait and see, when he passes away, his disciples will fight tooth and nail for him."

"With Huo Chengkun's cultivation level, living for another twenty years shouldn't be a problem."

Chen Ming thought he was being a bit of an overreacter.

Deng Ziyang chuckled, "You don't know this. Why do you think that with Old Ghost Huo's cultivation level, he's always holed up in the Huo mansion and never steps out?"

"A sixth-rank master actually running a martial arts school, taking on so many apprentices. Don't you think that's a bit beneath him?"

Ok?
Now that you mention it, it does make a bit of a difference.

There are quite a few martial arts schools in Qingfeng City, but most of the school owners are only at the seventh or eighth rank in terms of cultivation.

A sixth-rank expert would be considered a second-rate master in the entire Great Jin Dynasty.

According to the rules of the martial arts world, those of the third rank or above are considered first-class.

The ranks from sixth to fourth are considered second-rate.

The ranks from the ninth to the seventh are considered third-rate.

Those without rank are not considered classful.

In Qingfeng City, a sixth-rank expert is already considered a top-tier master.

Chen Ming said, "Brother Deng, please don't keep me in suspense."

Deng Ziyang lowered his voice and said in his ear, "I once heard the old man say that this old ghost Huo should have had a chronic internal injury. Over the years, he has been buying all kinds of precious medicinal materials to suppress the injury. Who knows when the internal injury will flare up and he will die."

"what?"

Chen Ming was a little surprised; he hadn't expected to hear such an even bigger piece of gossip.

"This is no secret in Qingfeng City. This old ghost Huo simply wants to find a successor to take care of his granddaughter. However, he's blind to talent and actually has his eye on someone like Wen Zehao, who's all show and no substance. If the marriage doesn't work out, they'll probably end up becoming enemies."

Deng Ziyang looked gloating.

This shows how much resentment he harbored towards Huo Chengkun.

Chen Ming didn't know how to respond to him for a moment.

After all, he held no grudge against Huo Chengkun.

Now, he works for the Huo family, and in a sense, Huo Chengkun is his boss, so it's not appropriate for him to talk behind Huo's back.

He lowered his head and tactically drank water.

"By the way, do the people at the Huo family know that you've reached the rank of Martial God?"

“I didn’t tell them.”

"I really wonder what their expressions will be when they find out. Especially Zhang Mingyu, that guy has always looked down on you."

Chen Ming smiled slightly.

He certainly wouldn't reveal his entry into the ninth rank just to give Zhang Mingyu and the others a little shock. That would likely cost him his job as a sparring partner.

It must be said that Deng Ziyang is indeed a friend worth having.

Deng Ziyang was probably also very curious about how someone with mediocre talent like himself had become a martial artist. Yet he didn't ask any questions. Such a sense of boundaries is quite rare.

……

At nine o'clock sharp, Chen Ming arrived at the Huo residence to continue his sparring duties.

When he arrived at the training ground, he found that Hong Mingquan and Zhang Mingyu were not there, and the students were chatting in twos and threes.

Upon seeing him arrive, they all immediately stood up, stood respectfully, and said in unison, "Greetings, Senior Brother Chen."

Last time, they were just as lazy and undisciplined, and then during sparring, they all got a beating from Chen Ming. Now they're all behaving themselves.

Seeing that their attitude was acceptable, Chen Ming decided not to push his luck.

He gave the orders: the beginner students would practice stance training. Intermediate students, whose names were called, would come over and spar with him. All the students obediently followed the instructions.

Before I knew it, the morning had passed.

Hong Mingquan and Zhang Mingyu have not shown up and no one knows where they have gone.

Chen Ming told the students to go about their business and then left the Huo residence.

……

In the afternoon, Chen Ming, Deng Ziyang, and the other two sat together and discussed martial arts.

At first, Guan Peng kept a straight face and didn't say much.

He was burning with rage, eager to avenge his previous humiliation.

But as he listened, his expression changed, and he became somewhat surprised.

Chen Ming actually revealed all the secrets of his swordsmanship.

He's an expert; he could tell at a glance that this guy wasn't holding back at all.

Guan Peng became somewhat uneasy as he listened. "Is this something I should be listening to?"

He and Chen Ming were about to make their move, and hearing all this made it sound like they were cheating.

However, Chen Ming's voice kept drilling into his ears, and what he said had a great attraction for him. When he heard the key points, he became so excited that his eyes lit up.

So that’s it!
Is this even possible?

Guan Peng's doubts suddenly vanished. He couldn't wait to try it out.

When he came to his senses, his gaze towards Chen Ming became complicated.

This person is so selfless, willing to share such sword techniques and secrets with them.

Finally, Guan Peng couldn't help but speak up, "Brother Chen, you've told us all the secrets of your swordsmanship. Aren't you afraid of losing to me during our sparring later?"

Chen Ming said calmly, "If you can defeat me, I will be very happy. That way, I can discover the shortcomings in my swordsmanship."

These words filled Guan Peng with shame. In comparison, he had been defeated yesterday and had been holding a grudge ever since. Their levels of understanding were vastly different.

Zhuang Xiaotian exclaimed, "Brother Chen's magnanimity is truly admirable."

Deng Ziyang also admitted his inferiority. He asked himself honestly, if it were him, he would never casually tell others the secrets of his swordsmanship, not even his sworn brothers.

Chen Ming observed the three people's reactions and knew that he had achieved his goal.

Who wouldn't like a friend who is willing to selflessly share knowledge and skills?
He seized the opportunity and said, "Let's begin, who wants to go first?"

"Let me do it!"

The first to speak was surprisingly Deng Ziyang, who laughed and said, "My two younger brothers, don't argue with me. I've known my senior brother for so long, but I've never sparred with him."

Since he had said so, Guan Peng and Zhuang Xiaotian naturally had no reason to disagree, and the two stepped aside.

Deng Ziyang used a sword. "My sword technique is called 'Chasing the Wind,' which I acquired by chance. It is quite exquisite, so senior brother must be careful."

Chen Ming, sword in hand, called out loudly, "Please enlighten me!"

P.S.: I don't want to start a new book; I'll focus all my time on this one this year. I'll start writing drafts tomorrow.

(End of this chapter)