I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 87 Farewell
As the weather gets colder day by day, there are more and more fallen leaves on the ground.

It wasn't until one day when Chunxiang brought a lit charcoal brazier into the house that Chen Ming realized winter had arrived.

Once you reach the seventh rank, your qi and blood become abundant, you are immune to heat and cold, and you become less sensitive to changes in temperature.

However, Chen Ming didn't refuse the charcoal brazier. He didn't need it; Chunxiang and Xiaxiang were still sensitive to the cold. It would keep them warm.

It was early morning, before dawn.

Chen Ming got up early and sat under the eaves, looking at the osmanthus tree in the yard, whose leaves had all fallen, with strings of ice crystals hanging from its branches.

"Sir, all trainees have arrived. There should be fifty-three, and there are fifty-three present. Please give us your instructions."

At this moment, Hong Zilin counted the number of people and reported loudly.

Chen Ming then looked at the students standing in front of him, lined up in several rows. They all stood tall and proud, and even the cold weather could not hide the youthful vigor that was unique to them.

"let's start."

At his command, the fifty-three students present skillfully assumed their stances and began practicing martial arts.

He remained seated in the wicker chair, glancing at one of the students every now and then.

These students, the ones who have been with him the longest, have been training for over a year. Some of them have a very good foundation, and it's obvious that they've been practicing extra at home.

Judging from the progress of these people, we can roughly determine who has high qualifications and who has average qualifications.

Of these fifty-three people, if he doesn't interfere, only three will be able to become martial artists before the age of twenty. This includes Hong Zilin, who comes from a family with a strong martial arts tradition.

"No wonder there are so few martial artists in this world. The proportion of those with good aptitude and talent is indeed small, coupled with the monopoly of martial arts families and sects..."

As Chen Ming was thinking, he noticed Li Jinchuan walking in through the moon gate.

Since Li Jinchuan broke through to the ninth rank, he hasn't trained with the ordinary students anymore. He usually practices in his own courtyard.

Li Jinchuan approached Chen Ming and bowed respectfully, saying, "Senior Brother."

Seeing that he looked a little awkward, Chen Ming said, "Just say what's on your mind."

"I've come to say goodbye to my senior brother. Thank you for taking me in."

"Your Uncle Rui is back?"

"No, he sent me a letter through someone, asking me to go to Jiangzhou."

Chen Ming asked, "Is that person reliable?"

Li Jinchuan said, "Very reliable. Uncle Rui helped me contact a caravan, and they will set off early tomorrow morning."

Chen Ming nodded and said, "When you arrive in Jiangzhou, send someone back to let us know you're safe. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, feel free to come back. That little courtyard will always be reserved for you."

"Senior brother——"

Li Jinchuan's eyes immediately reddened.

"Before you leave, remember to say goodbye to my sister-in-law."

"Ah."

Li Jinchuan bowed again before leaving.

Looking at the boy's slightly thin figure, Chen Ming felt a pang of emotion. He could tell that Li Jinchuan also had a story, but he had never asked him about it.

As a modern person who has worked in the workplace, he has always been very aware of boundaries and would not pry into other people's privacy.

Someone like Lao Liu, who took the initiative to write to him, is different. It proves that their relationship is quite close.

……

After the morning exercise, the students left the Chen residence in small groups.

Chen Ming went to have breakfast with his family. At the table, Madam Wei talked about Li Jinchuan's departure, looking very reluctant.

In her eyes, Li Jinchuan was the perfect child: good-looking, quiet but very polite, hardworking, and already a martial artist at a young age.

She hoped her son could learn from him.

Now that he's suddenly saying he's leaving, it's natural that we're reluctant to part with him.

……

After lunch, Chen Ming took a carriage and went out.

As his pharmacy business grew, he changed his carriage to a large one pulled by two horses, and the interior was quite luxurious.

According to his brother Chen Rui, he is now a person of status, so his car cannot be too shabby.

Chunxiang thoughtfully prepared a hand warmer in the car for him to warm his hands.

After the carriage left the gate, it sped northwards.

They walked a short distance before suddenly stopping.

Hearing the commotion outside, Chen Ming was a little curious. Why were there so many people outside in the middle of winter? He asked the driver, "What's going on up ahead?"

The coachman said, "It looks like today is the day of the autumn executions; there are many people waiting there to watch the beheadings."

Beheading and public display?

Chen Ming's heart skipped a beat. The executioner profession seemed appealing. Killing a martial artist yielded far more experience points than defeating one. However, he only thought about it. Given the Six Doors' modus operandi, they often killed on the spot; few were arrested, and even fewer were executed—only a handful each year.

Can't do it.

At this point, all the roads were blocked, so he could only wait there.

After a while, the time came.

The executioner read out the prisoner's name and the crime he had committed; the sound carried far and wide.

Suddenly, Chen Ming heard a name, "Ding Guangnan." He immediately remembered that he had seen this man in the Six Doors prison; he had acted bravely and killed the illegitimate son of the owner of the Sihai Trading Company, and was sentenced to death.

This man was a tough nut to crack, and he left a deep impression on him.

Unfortunately, he still had to die.

Amidst cheers, it's likely that the prisoners have already been beheaded.

After the crowd dispersed, the carriage was finally able to continue its journey.

"Old Wang."

Chen Ming suddenly told the driver to stop, gave him a few instructions, and then jumped off the carriage and walked away.

He instructed the driver to find someone to collect Ding Guangnan's body so that it wouldn't end up exposed in the wilderness.

This was the only thing he could do for Ding Guangnan.

……

Chen Ming arrived alone at the former gate of the Zhenhai Prince's Mansion and announced loudly, "Junior Chen Ming has come to see Senior."

After standing and waiting for a while, he said again, "This junior has come in."

Only then did he push open the door and enter.

For the past two months, he has come every ten days. At first, he came with Zhou Weihao, but later Zhou Weihao went home, so he came alone.

The one inside is a first-grade expert.

It should be noted that Zhao Shouchang, the top expert in Qingfeng City, is only a third-rank official.

The invincible pirate king of the sea, Red Sea Lord, is only a second-rank official.

With such a powerful backer, one naturally wants to find a way to get close to him.

It's just weeding every ten days, what's wrong with that?
Chen Ming walked to the courtyard of Senior Shang and saw the old man still wearing his gray cloth clothes, barefoot, limping as he watered the potted plants.

He bowed and said, "Senior, this junior, Chen Ming, has come to see you."

The old man ignored him and waited until he finished watering before going inside and throwing out a small hoe.

Chen Ming picked up the hoe and went outside to work.

After winter set in, even many of the wild grasses withered. No new grasses grew in the areas he had cleared last time, so he went to a more distant place.

This work lasted for more than an hour.

"Shang Jianfei!"

Suddenly, a shrill cry shattered the tranquility of the abandoned royal palace.

Chen Ming was startled. Could it be that they came to cause trouble for Senior Shang?

But why does that voice sound so familiar? I feel like I've heard it somewhere before.

He hesitated for a moment.

Anyone who dares to cause trouble for Senior Shang must be no ordinary person.

If a fight really breaks out, we could easily be affected.

The destructive power of a first-grade expert is no joke.

Or should we run?

"You actually hid here..."

The voice drew closer, its tone filled with resentment, anger, and sorrow... like a cold wind blowing from hell, every word smeared with hatred and resentment.

is her!

Chen Ming finally remembered the owner of the voice.

Huo Chengkun's junior sister, that old woman!
What's going on? She actually knows Senior Shang? It sounds like their relationship is quite special.

That's not right. That old woman's cultivation level doesn't seem to be very high. She shouldn't be at the third rank. How could she have any connection with Senior Shang?

Moreover, it sounds like they have a very deep-seated grudge.

"I should have thought of that... Hahaha..."

That maniacal laugh sent chills down Chen Ming's spine.

P.S.: Requesting monthly votes.

(End of this chapter)