I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 64 Sun Shicai's Suspicion

After Chen Ming and his companion entered the governor's mansion, they were led by a servant to a vast garden with pavilions, terraces, rockeries, flowing water, and a spacious open area in front. It was indeed a good place for a gathering.

Quite a few people had already arrived, and they were chatting in small groups.

He glanced around and didn't recognize a single person.

According to Zhang Mingyu, there are only four people in Qingfeng City who can participate in the martial arts tournament. Besides the two of them, there is Gu Yuantao from the Gu family and He Da from the Sihai Trading Company.

It's clear that Qingfeng City is indeed experiencing a decline in talent; there are only a handful of seventh-rank officials under the age of thirty.

Of course, there was another person who was qualified to participate, namely Sun Shicai, but he held an official position and would not participate.

"Why are there so many women?"

Chen Ming noticed that more than half of the thirty-odd people present were women, and most of them were wearing pretty dresses, which made them seem unsuitable for fighting.

Do I have to change my clothes later?
Given the way these wealthy young ladies behave, it's not impossible.

Zhang Mingyu said, "Today, this place has gathered almost half of Jiangzhou's most talented young people. If you have a daughter of marriageable age, would you try to get her in?"

"Oh."

So she came here for a blind date.

Chen Ming glanced at them and, to his surprise, the quality was quite good. Two of them were particularly outstanding, even prettier than Huo Qianqian, easily scoring an 8 out of 10—definitely stunning beauties.

It must be said that there are indeed beautiful women in this world, it's just that ordinary people don't get to see them.

Just then, next to one of the 8-point girls, there were two men and two women. One of them, a young man in blue, was the same one who had just mocked Chen Ming. He was pointing at him, talking and laughing.

It seems they're using him as a joke to amuse the beauty.

The beautiful woman looked at him, her gaze shifting, and she used her fan to cover the lower half of her face, clearly smiling.

"stop looking."

At this moment, Zhang Mingyu whispered a reminder, "That's the Admiral's daughter."

So she's the admiral's daughter. No wonder she's treated like a star.

Chen Ming thought to himself and looked away.

Zhang Mingyu pointed to the side and said, "That's Gu Yuantao."

Upon hearing the name, he glanced at the person a couple more times; the person looked somewhat bitter and resentful.

Gu Yuantao, the eldest son of the Gu family, was not the most outstanding of his generation. He had a younger brother who was more outstanding than him, but unfortunately, he died half a year ago.

He was once a carefree young master from a prominent family, but overnight, his entire clan was almost wiped out. The heavy burden of reviving the family suddenly fell on his shoulders, which explains why he looked so burdened.

If he can't let go of this, he'll probably be trapped in it for the rest of his life.

As Chen Ming was thinking, his eyes suddenly lit up.

Not only him, but almost everyone's attention at the scene was drawn to him.

She was a woman in white, graceful and elegant, with a refined and ethereal beauty that made her unforgettable at first sight.

I'd give it an 8.5 out of 10.

Chen Ming mentally gave her a score. Of course, this was a matter of personal preference; the only drawback of this woman in white was that she couldn't afford an A cup.

This woman must be Xiao Zhuyun, the peerless beauty of the Xiaoshui Sect that Zhuang Xiaotian mentioned. Because he saw Huo Qianqian following behind her.

Huo Qianqian was considered a beauty, but standing behind Xiao Zhuyun, she immediately paled in comparison.

As soon as Xiao Zhuyun entered, she became the focus of everyone's attention. She walked towards Admiral Zhao's daughter and said, "Xiao Zhuyun of the Xiaoshui Sect greets Miss Zhao."

Miss Zhao's eyes lit up. "I've long heard that Sister Xiao is incredibly beautiful. Seeing her today, she's even more beautiful than the rumors say."

"You flatter me. Miss is so elegant and graceful; how could I possibly compare?"

Xiao Zhuyun adopted a very humble attitude.

Chen Ming watched as the two beautiful women exchanged pleasantries and chatted for a while before affectionately holding hands, as if they had known each other for a long time. He found it somewhat amusing and thought they were being incredibly fake.

Do beautiful women appreciate each other?

Maybe, but it will never happen between two beautiful women under the age of twenty.

These two are most likely putting on an act to show everyone that they are generous, polite, and approachable.

"Third senior brother."

At this moment, Huo Qianqian came over to greet Zhang Mingyu. She glanced at Chen Ming beside her but did not greet him.

"Junior Sister, are you getting used to staying at the inn? Why don't you go home?" Zhang Mingyu's tone carried a hint of reproach.

Huo Qianqian explained, "Before leaving, Master instructed me that I had to listen to Third Senior Sister in everything. Third Senior Sister said we should stay at an inn, so I had no choice but to listen to her."

Zhang Mingyu didn't say much, but he felt melancholy. His junior sister was no longer the junior sister she used to be; she was now first and foremost a disciple of the Xiaoshui Sect.

Chen Ming, watching from the side, could also sense the distance between the two.

Huo Qianqian returned to Qingfeng City, but instead of staying at her home, she went to stay at an inn. The third senior sister she mentioned should be Xiao Zhuyun.

They were probably worried about being gossiped about if they stayed at the Huo residence.

After all, Zhang Mingyu is a man, and he's not married yet.

Should we say she's too concerned about her reputation?

At this moment, Zhang Mingyu said, "This is Chen Ming, you should know him."

"Ah."

Huo Qianqian simply nodded.

Chen Ming nodded and said, "Greetings, Senior Sister."

Zhang Mingyu said, "Junior Sister doesn't know yet, but Junior Brother Chen is now also at the seventh rank of cultivation."

Huo Qianqian was clearly taken aback, her eyes widening as if she couldn't believe it.

"Isn't it a bit unbelievable? Come to think of it, Master misjudged him. If he had taken in Junior Brother Chen instead of Wen Zehao, that old hag might not have gotten away with it that day."

Huo Qianqian's expression darkened when he mentioned her grandfather.

Zhang Mingyu quickly realized he had said the wrong thing and didn't know how to make amends, so he could only look at Chen Ming beside him.

Just then, Chen Ming spotted a familiar face and whispered, "Senior Brother Sun is here."

Then, he saw Huo Qianqian's expression change, and he heard her say, "Third Senior Brother, Senior Sister is calling me."

Then left.

Chen Ming thought to himself, "It seems she's still holding a grudge against Sun Shicai for not attending Huo Chengkun's funeral. She doesn't even want to greet him."

Sun Shicai, dressed in a blue official robe, walked over. He didn't offer any greetings, but simply called out, "Third Senior Brother."

Then, a pair of sharp, hawk-like eyes fell on Chen Ming. "Junior Brother Chen, I was truly shocked to hear that you have broken through to the seventh rank."

This assertive attitude makes people feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Chen Ming said, "I am very grateful for the guidance from my third senior brother."

Sun Shicai smiled faintly, "He doesn't have that kind of ability."

These words showed absolutely no consideration for Zhang Mingyu's feelings.

Zhang Mingyu's expression was somewhat unpleasant, but he did not refute it. If the two of them were to start arguing in public in such a setting, wouldn't that let everyone know that the Huo family had split apart?
So he endured it.

Sun Shicai stared intently at Chen Ming, as if trying to see through all his secrets. "I even suspect that Master secretly took you as his disciple and passed on his mantle to you."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Mingyu paused for a moment and subconsciously looked at Chen Ming.

(End of this chapter)