I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 94 Lobbyist
"What are your plans for the future?"

This is the second time someone has asked Chen Ming this question, the underlying meaning of which is whether he will leave Qingfeng City.
Because there isn't a single respectable sect in Qingfeng City, and the only aristocratic family, the Gu family, has also declined. If one wants to obtain a martial arts inheritance, besides the Six Doors, the only other options are the Seven Great Merchants.

Therefore, whenever a young person with outstanding talent emerges from Qingfeng City, they will leave, mostly to Jiangzhou City.

There are four major sects in Jiangzhou, three of which are located near Jiangzhou City, making it the top choice for young people.

There are also three major gangs, two of which are also in Jiangzhou City, so this is the next choice.

Besides, Jiangzhou City has various large and small forces, experts and renowned figures, offering far more opportunities than Qingfeng City.

Actually, Qingfeng City used to have powerful families and sects, with several Rank 3 experts. That is, until the arrival of the Sea-Suppressing King, who took them all away in one fell swoop.

Then, Shang Jianfei, a suspected top-tier expert, hid in the Zhenhai Prince's Mansion and issued a statement prohibiting third-rank experts from entering Qingfeng City.

Over the past two decades, Qingfeng City has naturally declined. It's not even comparable to Jiangzhou City anymore; among the dozen or so prefectures, it's at the very bottom.

This can only be attributed to historical reasons.

Chen Ming said, "I haven't decided yet. Let's settle things at home first."

Zhang Mingyu couldn't help but advise, "Junior brother, leave your family matters to us. We will take good care of your brother's family. If you want to make further progress in martial arts, you must make plans as soon as possible. Don't hesitate and waste your unparalleled talent."

Chen Ming knew he meant well, so he patted him on the shoulder and said, "I know what I'm doing."

Seeing his reaction, Zhang Mingyu didn't press him further. He said with some melancholy, "I used to be filled with resentment, always wanting to venture out and see the more exciting world outside... But now, I no longer have that ambition. I just hope you can go out soon and let the world know that Qingfeng City also has martial arts geniuses."

He was clearly drunk to say such things.

Chen Ming looked at him and said, "I see that you've been blessed with good fortune lately, something good is bound to happen."

"Then I'll accept your kind words, Junior Brother."

Zhang Mingyu assumed that the man didn't want to hear what he was saying and was trying to change the subject, so he didn't take it to heart.

……

That night, Zhang Mingyu and his group stayed at the Chen family's house.

I woke up early the next morning and had breakfast before leaving.

Chen Ming taught a class to more than fifty students as usual, then ate breakfast, saw Zhang Mingyu and the others off, and went out himself.

He went to the governor's mansion first. As soon as the carriage stopped, a maid ran out of the mansion and ran to him, saying, "Young Master Chen, Miss is not feeling well today and cannot go out. She specially ordered me to wait at the door so that you would not have to wait too long."

Chen Ming said, "Miss, go back and tell your mistress to get some rest; her health is the most important thing."

The maid curtsied and said, "Then this servant will go back to report to Miss."

Chen Ming watched her enter the door before returning to the carriage and telling the driver to leave.

He remained calm; Zhao Xiyan's reaction was not unexpected. After all, this was not a matter of pride, and it was only natural that a lady from a prestigious family would not want to lose face with him.

The next destination is the east of the city.

Qingfeng City is very large, with a permanent population of over 200,000, which is a very large number in this era.

Chen Ming usually spends his time in the western part of the city, which is the old city area, including the Huo family mansion, the Gu family mansion, and so on. Almost all of his friends live in this area.

The governor's mansion was located in the central city, not too far from Chen Ming's home.

However, getting to the east of the city is quite far, and you have to cross a large bridge. For most people in the west of the city, going to the east of the city is no different from going out of the city altogether.

The eastern part of the city is a trade zone. Qingfeng City has two docks, one of which is located here, so it is quite prosperous and the roads are bustling with traffic.

Therefore, there are many small gangs or forces in the east of the city, and there are quite a few seventh-rank martial artists.

When Chen Ming first broke through to the seventh rank, he came here a few times to visit the local seventh-rank martial artists, but he didn't gain anything. Either they would accept his gifts and then see him off after a short while, or they would simply refuse to see him at all.

After being turned down three times, he stopped coming here.

Now, he has come to the east of the city for the fourth time, and following the same order as his first visit, he challenges each person one by one, fighting his way through.

This is called "courtesy before force." Throughout the day, Chen Ming had taken down over forty men, achieving an even more impressive result than the previous day. He didn't return home until after dark.

Over the next two days, he went through both the south and north of the city again. In short, he went directly to any seventh-rank official whose name he knew.

For a time, all the seventh-rank martial artists in Qingfeng City were on edge, and many of them hid elsewhere in advance, which made it difficult for Chen Ming to find them at all.

His bullying behavior naturally provoked public outrage.

It's important to understand that martial artists don't just appear out of thin air; they have their own lineages and are always connected to some more powerful master.

Many people, unable to swallow their humiliation, sought out renowned martial arts masters in the city, hoping they could uphold justice.

However, these renowned experts were not fools. After learning of Chen Ming's close relationship with Admiral Zhao's daughter, none of them wanted to be the first to speak out.

……

On the night Chen Ming had chosen many seventh-rank martial artists from the north of the city, he returned home and saw Zhang Mingyu's helpless face.

Before he could speak, Chen Ming asked, "Are you here as a mediator?"

"Junior brother, I really don't know what to say to you." Zhang Mingyu was truly at a loss for words, both laughing and crying.

He used to think that this Junior Brother Chen was too kind and well-mannered, lacking the vigor of a young man. He never expected that Junior Brother Chen would really lose his temper and turn Qingfeng City upside down.

"This morning, all sorts of people came to me to complain, accusing you of bullying the weak. They questioned whether Huo Men intended to be their enemy?"

Zhang Mingyu smiled wryly, "Junior brother, although I don't know who made you so angry, now that you've beaten up so many people, your anger should have subsided, right?"

To others, Chen Ming's outburst and harassment of those seventh-rank martial artists must be motivated by revenge. The underlying reasons naturally sparked much speculation.

Seeing his expression, Chen Ming knew that he must be under tremendous pressure, and said apologetically, "I acted impulsively for a moment, and I have made things difficult for you, Senior Brother."

Zhang Mingyu shook his head and said, "I'm not afraid, but I'm worried that my junior brothers won't be able to handle it."

This time, Chen Ming has made too many enemies. If things go wrong, those nominal disciples of the Huo family will definitely face retaliation.

Chen Ming said, "Okay, I won't bother those people anymore."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Mingyu felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders. He was genuinely worried that Chen Ming would act recklessly and offend even more people. If that happened, the entire Huo family would have nowhere to stand.

He breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That's good."

In fact, Chen Ming knew that this was a one-time thing that couldn't be repeated. Aside from the issue of offending people, many seventh-rank martial artists were now avoiding him, and he couldn't find anyone even if they wanted to.

Even if Zhang Mingyu didn't come looking for him, he wouldn't continue.

This is perfect timing; it gives Zhang Mingyu face.

……

Chen Ming had just seen Zhang Mingyu off when his older brother Chen Rui came to find him. Judging from his expression, he knew something was up, so he couldn't help but laugh and ask, "Who are you here to act as a go-between for this time, brother?"

Chen Rui didn't laugh, but said seriously, "Erlang, do whatever you want. Even if you offend a lot of people, we're not afraid. At worst, our whole family will leave Qingfeng City."

Chen Ming felt a warmth in his heart. In this world, there really was someone who would stand firmly by his side and support him no matter what he did.

"I have no intention of leaving Qingfeng City. I know what I'm doing."

Hearing him say that, Chen Rui felt relieved. "Actually, a few days ago, Erlang hired two eighth-rank martial artists as guards for the pharmacy and his home, and I knew you were up to something big."

Chen Ming laughed and said, "Big brother understands me best."

Chen Rui added, "There's one more thing. The young master of Guangtai Trading Company sent you an invitation today, wanting to invite you to a banquet tomorrow."

As he spoke, he took out a gold-embossed invitation and handed it over.

Guangtai Trading Company was also one of the seven major trading companies.

Chen Ming accepted it; it was just in time to make contact with the people from the seven major merchant houses.

(End of this chapter)