I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 33 Please forgive me
For the next few days, Chen Ming stayed at home, studying the book "Five Elements Knife Technique".

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that something was wrong with this sword technique.

He had mastered the Eight Trigrams Knife Technique and gained a certain understanding of the way of the knife. The more he studied, the more he felt that there were many illogical aspects to the Five Elements Knife Technique.

Especially when combined with the internal techniques, the sense of incongruity becomes even stronger.

"Could it really be as they say, that this is actually a sword technique, which Huo Chengkun has modified into a saber technique?"

Chen Ming couldn't help but start to have doubts.

However, he wasn't sure either, since looking at the picture alone meant relying on his imagination. He would have to wait for Hong Mingquan to return.

But no matter how long they waited, the Huo family's funeral procession never returned.

The Xiaoshui River is only about two hundred miles away from Qingfeng City.

Even if they've been walking slowly, they should have been back by now.

……

That night, Chen Ming had already gone to sleep.

Suddenly I heard a noise, and when I turned around, I saw a pebble on the ground in front of the bed with a note wrapped around it.

Come again?

He rolled out of bed, tore off the note, unfolded it, and saw the same messy handwriting: "Let's fight again in the back alley."

Chen Ming was overjoyed. As long as she didn't go back to get reinforcements after her defeat, why would he refuse?

He put on his clothes, picked up his knife, and went out.

Upon arriving at the back alley, she was still dressed in black night clothes. Upon seeing him come out, she didn't say a word, but instead drew her sword and thrust, still using the "Swallow Returns Sword Technique".

Chen Ming handled the situation carefully, observing closely as he compared the techniques with the mental techniques and incantations of the Five Elements Sword Technique manual. As a result, the process became much smoother.

"It seems she was right; the Five Elements Knife Technique is actually a sword technique."

He felt somewhat certain.

This time, the two exchanged nearly a hundred moves.

The more Chen Ming learned about the "Swallow Return Sword Technique," the easier it became to deal with it.

As soon as Zhong Shuyu made her move, he could guess which move she might use. Being able to make predictions made things much easier for him.

In terms of swordsmanship and combat experience, Zhong Shuyu is still far behind him.

And so, about a hundred moves were exchanged.

Zhong Shuyu suddenly retreated, disengaging from the battle, and said angrily, "I'm not fighting anymore, it's really boring."

After saying that, he flipped over the wall and disappeared in a few leaps.

Chen Ming was somewhat disappointed; he wanted to spar with her a few more times and secretly learn the authentic "Swallow Return Sword Technique" from her.

It's a pity. Judging from her appearance, she probably won't come again.

He waited for a while, but the notification for gaining experience points didn't appear for a long time. He became even more frustrated, realizing that all his hard work had been for nothing.

……

Half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

Hong Mingquan has not returned yet, and there has been no news of him at all.

In this era, communication was underdeveloped, and information was scarce. Chen Ming also lacked connections, making it difficult for him to even ask someone for a piece of information.

He could only comfort Hong Mingquan's wife and children, saying, "No news is good news. Maybe something has held them back."

Li and Hong Zilin remained strong, without crying or whining, and continued with their daily activities.

Of course, he had no idea what happened in private.

On the second day, Hong Zilin took the initiative to learn martial arts from Chen Ming. Now he practices with the group of children every morning and has become the "senior brother" of the group of boys.

For the next two weeks, the woman in blue did not come to spar with him again.

This morning.

Chen Ming had just finished breakfast and was reading a history book in the yard, trying to brush up on his knowledge of the world's history.

Suddenly, the maid Chunxiang came to report that a guest surnamed Zhou was requesting an audience.

"Looking for me?"

"Yes."

Chunxiang stayed at the Chen family's house for over half a month, and she actually got even darker than before. She and Xiaxiang were both quite ambitious; knowing Chen Ming was teaching martial arts to others, they secretly learned from him. When he discovered this, he made them join him in the morning lessons, on the condition that they didn't neglect their duties.

The two sisters were naturally extremely grateful.

They knew very well that such acts of secretly learning martial arts would be considered a minor offense in other families, with broken limbs being the least of their worries.

From then on, they were completely devoted to this young master.

Chen Ming thought for a moment but couldn't recall having any friends with the surname Zhou. He said, "Let's invite them in."

Soon, the man was invited in. He was a middle-aged man who was not familiar with the man. He had a humble smile on his face and bowed deeply as soon as he entered. "This humble servant, Zhou Quan, greets Lord Chen."

This confused Chen Ming.

However, he didn't rush to help her up; such a grand gesture upon first meeting must be suspicious.

Either they have something in mind.

Or perhaps they've come to apologize.

In a flash, Chen Ming stepped aside, refusing the man's greeting, and said calmly, "I dare not accept such a respectful address. Mr. Zhou, I wonder why you would offer such a grand gesture upon our first meeting? Have you perhaps done something wrong?"

Zhou Quan broke out in a cold sweat instantly, but dared not wipe it away. He said tremblingly, "My lord, please understand. It was all my fault for being foolish and listening to the slander of a villain. That's why I did such a terrible thing. I came here specifically to apologize. I hope you will forgive my mistake and let me off the hook."

Seeing that he was so frightened that he was shaking like a leaf, Chen Ming was a little surprised. Am I that scary?
He asked, "Tell me the whole story."

So Zhou Quan then stammered out the whole story.

……

It turns out that Zhou Quan is a medicinal herb merchant who has been cooperating with the Chen family's pharmacy for many years. Chen Ming's parents used to buy their medicine from him when they were still alive.

Just over a month ago, someone approached him, wanting him to tamper with a batch of goods he was supplying to the Chen family's pharmacy, promising him a large sum of money.

He was blinded by greed and did as the man asked.

Chen Rui was caught off guard and genuinely didn't expect that this supplier he was used to working with would harm him, so he accepted the goods.

Later, somehow, he still discovered that there was a problem with this batch of goods, so he confronted Zhou Quan, who naturally denied it.

Fortunately, Chen Rui later found another supplier, bought a batch of medicinal herbs at a high price, and delivered them on time, thus preserving the pharmacy's reputation.

Afterwards, Zhou Quan felt increasingly guilty, so he took the initiative to bring gifts and visit Zhou Quan's home to apologize.

After listening, Chen Ming finally understood why his older brother had stayed at the pharmacy for several days and hadn't come home recently.

However, since Chen Rui didn't mention it to him, he pretended not to know.

He knew, of course, that Zhou Quan's words were not entirely true; his talk of a change of heart was utter nonsense. He must have heard from somewhere that Chen Rui's younger brother had become a ninth-rank martial artist, and fearing retaliation, he had come to apologize.

Whether Chen Ming reports it to the authorities or seeks revenge in private, it's something a small-time herbal medicine merchant like him can't afford.

A ninth-rank martial artist is an existence that ordinary people cannot contend with.

Chen Ming looked at Zhou Quan, who was lying on the ground, crying and blaming himself in remorse, but felt nothing. He simply asked coldly, "Who is that person?"

“I recognize him… he is… one of the managers of Jin Yuansheng.”

Jinyuansheng?
Chen Ming was taken aback.

He had almost forgotten about this enemy of the original owner, but unexpectedly, he jumped out at this moment to make his presence known.

"My lord... I was just confused for a moment... I'm willing to compensate..." Zhou Quan was still pleading.

Chen Ming was getting annoyed and said, "Go away and wait for my brother to come back. Let's see if he's willing to forgive you."

……

Chen Rui didn't get home until evening. When he saw Zhou Quan, he was furious. The usually mild-mannered man almost rushed up to hit him. "How dare you come to my house?"

"Manager Chen, please calm down. I'm here to apologize. I'm willing to compensate you for all your losses..." Zhou Quan didn't dare to dodge and just said loudly.

Chen Rui was stunned when he heard his words. "You mean compensation?"

He found it hard to believe; he still vividly remembered how Zhou Quan had stubbornly denied everything when they confronted him earlier.

Now, they're actually offering compensation on their own initiative?
Looking at Zhou Quan's timid expression and his younger brother sitting next to him, leisurely drinking tea, he suddenly understood.

He didn't know he was wrong; what he was afraid of was his younger brother, who had already become a ninth-rank martial artist!

For a moment, Chen Rui's feelings were extremely complicated.

In the end, he still had to rely on his younger brother to help him clean up the mess.

(End of this chapter)