I Only Stomp on Weaklings

Early in the morning, outside the Chen Mansion on Xiushui Street, a group of martial artists with knives and swords arrived in a threatening manner. The leader, a young man in his twenties, with an arrogant expression, shouted, "Kick the door open!"

A burly subordinate stepped forward and kicked the door, causing a snap as the latch broke.

With another kick, the door collapsed.

"Senior Brother Zhang is mighty!"

For a moment, the accompanying martial artists cheered loudly.

"What are you doing?"

Zhang Li, the doorkeeper, came out to look and saw the door had been kicked open, his eyes filled with fury, clenched his fists, eager to fight.

They had just moved into their new home, and the next day their door was smashed.

What a shameful humiliation!

The arrogant young man shouted, "Li Xiangrong from the Martial Arts Hall Association comes today to demand justice. Bring out Chen Ming."

"Bring out Chen Ming!"

"Bring out Chen Ming!"

"..."

More than a dozen people shouted in unison, their voices echoing far away.

Old Li was intimidated by their presence, his legs gave way, and he sat down on the ground.

Such commotion quickly alerted nearby residents, who sent their housekeepers to check the situation. It soon became known that the Martial Arts Hall Association was causing trouble for the Chen Family who had moved in yesterday.

The timid ones closed their doors tightly.

The braver ones sent housekeepers to keep an eye on it.

Some, unafraid of trouble, ran outside to watch the fun.

"Martial Arts Hall Association? I’ve never heard of it. I only know of the Fabric Guild, Tea Guild..."

"How many martial arts halls are there in Qingfeng City? It’s normal you haven’t heard of them. They usually don’t cause trouble for people, as long as you don’t provoke them..."

"Looks like the newly moved-in Chen Family is in for bad luck."

"I wonder how the Chen Family managed to anger the Martial Arts Hall Association..."

...

The Martial Arts Hall Association is formed by a group of martial artists, of all people, why provoke them? Isn’t this akin to courting death?

Finally, a young man emerged from the Chen Mansion, tall and handsome with an extraordinary presence. He was none other than Chen Ming, the second brother of the Chen Family. He calmly stepped out, facing the aggressive dozen outside, seemingly without fear.

Li Xiangrong, hands behind his back, arrogantly dismissing the other, asked casually, "Are you Chen Ming?"

Chen Ming ignored him, glanced at the collapsed doors with cold eyes, and asked, "Who did this?"

At this moment, scared old doorkeeper Li, seeing the second young master had come out, instantly felt reassured. He jumped up from the ground, pointing at the burly man behind Li Xiangrong, spoke with a crying voice, "It’s him, it’s this damned one. In broad daylight, kicked down our door, cursing us to be childless..."

Chen Ming finally looked at Li Xiangrong and coldly said, "I don’t recall having a grudge with you?"

Li Xiangrong said, "No."

"Is it an old feud then?"

"Not that either."

Chen Ming asked, "Then why tear down my door for no reason?"

Li Xiangrong lifted his chin, sharply replied, "Simply because you broke the rules of our Martial Arts Hall Association by privately opening your hall and accepting apprentices. Today we’re here to demand justice."

Chen Ming, unperturbed, said, "I’d like to hear, how do you plan to demand justice?"

Li Xiangrong extended a finger, saying, "First, immediately dismiss your apprentices."

Then extended the second finger, "Second, you must go to the Martial Arts Hall Association to apologize."

"Third, compensate the Martial Arts Hall Association with five thousand taels."

"This is our president giving you an opportunity to correct your mistakes, considering you’re the disciple of Old Master Huo. Otherwise, you wouldn’t even have the chance to speak; you’d be taken down and sent to the association directly. Don’t let yourself be deceived!"

Li Xiangrong’s demeanor seemed to imply he’d already shown leniency.

...

"This Martial Arts Hall Association, their methods are truly domineering."

"Martial artists, when aren’t they domineering? Therefore, better to offend merchants than offend martial artists. Harboring sharp blades, murderous instincts arise, this is not just talk. They truly kill..."

"This Chen Family’s second brother is unfortunate too. If Old Master Huo were still around, the Martial Arts Hall Association certainly wouldn’t come directly to demand justice."

...

Those watching the excitement were talking amongst themselves. Suddenly, they saw the Chen Family’s second brother start laughing, as if he’d heard something funny.

Everyone thought, perhaps he’s driven mad?

Li Xiangrong angrily reprimanded, "What are you laughing at?"

Chen Ming laughed until tears nearly came out, "Should I thank your president for being so generous?"

Li Xiangrong naturally detected the mockery in his tone, showing a sinister smile, "Seems like you’re not convinced?"

Before coming, he had consulted the president on what to do if the Chen Family’s second brother doesn’t accept the punishment.

The president only said one sentence: Don’t cause any deaths.

He understood, as long as the other party’s life is spared, it’s fine. Disabling or crippling them wasn’t a problem.

This was probably to save face for Sun Shicai. No matter what, the two were considered disciples from the same school, must give him some leeway.

Chen Ming said coldly, "I’ll give you two choices. One, fix my door and publicly apologize to me. I won’t ask for five thousand taels, just five hundred."

"Two, or none of you will leave here."

Li Xiangrong furiously shouted, "Reckless!"

He came on behalf of the Martial Arts Hall Association, how could this kid dare talk to him like that?

"Junior Brother Liu, go, teach him a lesson."

Junior Brother Liu, precisely the burly man who kicked down the Chen Family’s door, was from Xiangyang Martial Arts Hall, with Ninth Grade Cultivation, naturally incredibly strong, rarely matched among the ninth grade.

The only weakness is not being too bright.

This time, three Ninth Grade martial artists came in total, already considered substantial regard for Chen Ming.

Li Xiangrong believed Junior Brother Liu alone could handle him.

Junior Brother Liu didn’t say a word, rushing towards Chen Ming.

Those bystanders, seeing the fight finally started, each became very excited. Among them, some had seen this big man’s feet kick down the door, knowing his strength is astonishing.

Probably this Chen Family’s second brother is going to get hurt—

As soon as this thought emerged, they saw the burly man fly back even faster, landing on his back, holding his leg, letting out a piercing scream.

Everyone was stunned.

Li Xiangrong’s expression froze, he didn’t even see how Junior Brother Liu lost.

How could this happen?

Just then, he heard Junior Brother Wang next to him exclaim, "Eighth Grade—"

What?

Eighth Grade?

This can’t be!

Li Xiangrong was unwilling to believe it’s true. How old is Chen Ming? How could he have Eighth Grade Cultivation?

Wasn’t he a year ago just entering the Ninth Grade?

In just one year, how could he have broken through again?

Absolutely impossible.

He roared wildly, "Impossible...Attack...Everyone together..."

"But..." Junior Brother Wang hesitated. If the opponent really is Eighth Grade, even if all are tied together, they wouldn’t be his match.

Li Xiangrong glared at him fiercely, "Are you defying orders?"

Junior Brother Wang’s mouth tasted bitterly, "Not daring."

"Then attack."

Thus, Li Xiangrong led everyone, charging at Chen Ming.

"Hmm!"

Chen Ming sneered, facing their attack from over a dozen people, without any apparent action. A punch out, surely one falls. A kick out, someone is definitely kicked flying.

In an instant, all dozen were down.

Only Li Xiangrong still stood there, no longer exhibiting his previous arrogance, only desperation, his voice trembling, "You...you...you actually..."

Bam!

Before Li Xiangrong could finish, Chen Ming kicked him to the ground.

Li Xiangrong, in excruciating pain, eyes rolled back, fainted.

Chen Ming looked at Junior Brother Wang, calmly said, "You, send someone back, tell your person in charge, fix my door, then come talk to me."

...

On the street, those watching the spectacle were dumbstruck, never imagining such a reversal.

Someone trembled, "This Chen Family’s second brother is actually Eighth Grade Cultivation! How old is he?"

"Seems like, just twenty..."

"A twenty-year-old Eighth Grade...My heavens..."

"This Chen Family is extraordinary!"