I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 42 Backer
Chen Ming's breakthrough to the eighth rank was a minor matter for Qingfeng City, causing only a small ripple to certain forces.

However, for the Chen family, it was a major event.

In the following days, people came to offer their congratulations in an endless stream. Some were acquaintances of Chen Rui from his business dealings, some were friends of Chen Ming, and most were Huo Chengkun's nominal disciples.

Even Zhang Mingyu personally came to visit.

Many of Sun Shicai's people also came. They were all from the same sect, so Chen Ming's breakthrough to the eighth rank was a good thing for them as well.

After all, besides Sun Shicai, who is a seventh-rank disciple, the Huo family only has two eighth-rank disciples, Zhang Mingyu, and another nominal disciple. Having another eighth-rank disciple would significantly enhance the Huo family's prestige.

These past few days have been even more lively than when the Chen family moved house.

Chen Ming only met with his fellow disciples Zhang Mingyu and friends like Deng Ziyang; his elder brother Chen Rui received the others. Everyone knew he was about to participate in three matches at the martial arts guild and couldn't be distracted, so they were all understanding. As long as the gifts were delivered, that was enough.

……

On the afternoon of the third day, in the same courtyard.

The sun was about to set, and the late autumn evening was already a bit chilly.

Chen Ming was sharing his experience of breaking through to the eighth rank with Deng Ziyang and Zhuang Xiaotian, "...The ninth rank is the Bone and Tendon Realm. There are no shortcuts. Only by constantly tempering your body and perfecting your bones and tendons can you naturally break through..."

"The eighth rank is called the Inner Strengthening Realm, which trains the five internal organs and six bowels, and requires corresponding stance training..."

Speaking of stance training, he has to thank Old Ghost Xiao for contributing a book called "Sanyang Body Strengthening Exercise" to him.

As he advanced this technique to the fourth level, he felt more and more that it was no ordinary technique.

"San Yang" signifies the arrival of prosperity and harmony, symbolizing the revival of all things through the balance of Yin and Yang. This is a highly advanced practice.

He had specifically tried to investigate the origin of that cultivation technique, but had made no progress. Many people had been tricked by Old Ghost Xiao, but he didn't have a suitable person to investigate the matter, so he had to put it aside for the time being.

Deng Ziyang and Zhuang Xiaotian listened attentively and each gained something from the conversation.

Before we knew it, it was already dark.

Chen Ming had lanterns lit, and the three of them sat in the pavilion to eat.

"I wonder when my second brother will be able to return."

Deng Ziyang thought of his sworn brother Guan Peng again, and a hint of melancholy appeared on his face.

Yesterday, Guan Peng set off on a merchant ship bound for a foreign country. He did not come to Chen Ming's place before leaving; it was Deng Ziyang and Zhuang Xiaotian who saw him off.

Zhuang Xiaotian said, "If they set sail now, they're probably going to the Southeast Asian countries. Judging from the cargo on the ship, it's mostly porcelain and raw silk. My second brother will definitely be back in two or three months at most."

Chen Ming was a little curious, "Brother Zhuang, do you know so much about ships?"

“My father went to sea when he was young, and he taught us brothers these things from a young age.”

"I see."

Qingfeng City is a port city, so it is exceptionally prosperous, second only to the state capital in Jiangzhou.

Like Zhuang Xiaotian's father, there are quite a few people who went to sea when they were young, saved up a sum of money, retired and went ashore to buy land and houses in their hometown.

Wanlong Trading Company is one of the top trading companies in Qingfeng City, a shipping giant with a huge fleet and a great need for manpower.

To attract martial artists to join the fleet, they even offered some martial arts techniques as a lure.

Every year, many martial artists like Guan Peng join the Wanlong caravan in search of martial arts techniques. Although dangerous, it is a viable path to survival.

For impoverished children like Guan Peng and Zhuang Xiaotian, who have no martial arts lineage, the path of learning martial arts is far too difficult; every step they take requires risking their lives.

In fact, Chen Ming was just like them, and even far less talented. The difference was that he had a cheat code.

As the three were chatting, Deng Ziyang suddenly asked, "Senior brother, do you know who Jin Yuansheng's backer is?"

Chen Ming asked curiously, "Does the Qi family have a powerful backer?"

"That's for sure. Otherwise, how could the Qi family alone manage such a large business?"

"Appreciate further details."

"In Qinghe City, the enormous profits from maritime trade are monopolized by the seven major sea merchants. The Qi family started their business too late to get a share, so they took a different approach and became a supplier, almost monopolizing the porcelain from Yunzhou and Lanzhou. Even the seven major sea merchants have to buy porcelain from them."

"How much power and connections does it take to manage so many porcelain factories in two states?"

Chen Ming was taken aback; he had never really thought about this question before. Zhuang Xiaotian also became curious and asked, "So, who exactly is the Qi family's backer?"

Deng Ziyang didn't keep them in suspense, "It's the Wang family from Yunzhou."

"Wang family?"

Chen Ming glanced at Zhuang Xiaotian and saw that he also looked puzzled, clearly having never heard of it.

Deng Ziyang explained, "This Wang family is not a family of江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the martial arts world) but a royal merchant family that specifically supervises major porcelain kilns for the royal family."

"Oh."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ming and Zhuang Xiaotian understood.

The Wang family was able to secure exclusive supplies from major porcelain factories to Jinyuansheng through their power. With this connection, Jinyuansheng amassed a fortune.

Deng Ziyang said, "Don't underestimate the Wang family. Although they are not well-known, their true strength is far beyond that of the Gu family."

The Gu family is the most prestigious family in Qingfeng City, and its patriarch is a fourth-rank expert.

If it's stronger than the Gu family, then it must have a powerhouse of rank three or above overseeing it.

"Thank you very much."

Chen Ming thanked him sincerely, knowing that Deng Ziyang had come specifically to remind him.

They probably worried that he would be too eager for revenge and would retaliate against Jin Yuansheng, only to suffer a great loss in the end.

Let Jinyuansheng run wild for another two years.

He wasn't in a hurry to take revenge.

Deng Ziyang changed the subject, "There are several martial arts schools in the city, each with its own unique skills. They will definitely propose demanding challenges to discourage you. Are you confident?"

Chen Ming said, "We'll only know after we've competed."

"Tomorrow, my third brother and I will go with you to cheer you on."

"Thank you both very much."

……

the next morning.

Not long after Chen Ming got up, Zhang Mingyu arrived with several people to help him. Then, more people came, all of them disciples of the Huo family, making it quite lively.

When they left, a group of more than a dozen people marched towards the Fenglei Martial Arts School. Anyone who didn't know better would have thought they were going to challenge the school.

Inside the Fenglei Martial Arts Academy, the members of the martial arts guild were already on high alert.

People from all twelve martial arts schools were present, each sitting on a chair; there were men, women, young and old.

Behind them stood numerous disciples, totaling dozens, which put immense pressure on the newcomers.

Sitting in the very center was Lei Zhenguang, the president of the martial arts guild and a seventh-rank master.

After entering the martial arts school, Chen Ming calmly bowed to the dozen or so pairs of eyes that were staring at him. "This junior student, Chen Ming, greets you all. I have come today specifically to learn from you. Please, all of you, explain yourselves."

Lei Zhenguang scoffed, "What courage! Since that's the case, I won't waste any more words. If you can pass the three tests, you can open a martial arts school in Qingfeng City. If you can't, you will have to dismiss your disciples and will never be allowed to open a school or teach students again."

"it is good."

"Let Brother Fang take the lead in the first round."

Lei Zhenguang looked at an elderly man with white hair and beard beside him.

"Alright." The old man responded, then said to someone behind him, "Yu'er, go ahead. Don't tarnish the reputation of our Tenglong Martial Arts School."

"Yes."

A man in his thirties stepped forward and said, "Chen Ming, right? Let's have a contest of hidden weapons."

Chen Ming didn't waste any words, simply saying, "Please."

(End of this chapter)