I Only Stomp on Weaklings

[You defeated an LV24 enemy and gained 200 experience points]

After Chen Ming barely won against Zhang Mingyu with one move, this prompt appeared before him. He cupped his hands and said, "Senior Brother’s ’Five Elements Saber Technique’ indeed has many differences from what I’ve figured out myself."

Zhang Mingyu, defeated by his saber, was not discouraged. Earlier, at the Wind and Thunder Martial Arts Hall, after witnessing the battle between Chen Ming and Li Ankun, he knew he wasn’t a match for this junior brother.

That he could exchange seventy to eighty moves was entirely because Chen Ming let him.

He was fully aware of this.

Today’s sparring made him feel he gained a lot.

Since his master passed away, in the past year, he could only figure things out on his own, progressing slowly, and having no one to ask when he encountered difficult problems.

The bout with Chen Ming earlier actually resolved many of his internal doubts.

"This junior brother is indeed a martial arts prodigy. I should spar with him more in the future," Zhang Mingyu thought to himself.

He said, "Your saber technique is light and graceful, more like swordsmanship. If you were using a sword, its power would surely increase significantly."

Chen Ming was a bit surprised; he was indeed using the ’Swallow Returning Sword Technique’ to perform the ’Five Elements Saber Technique’. He didn’t expect Zhang Mingyu to notice.

He replied with a smile, "Not to hide it from Senior Brother, the manual for the ’Five Elements Saber Technique’ was given to me by Fifth Senior Brother. While pondering it myself, I couldn’t help but recall that someone once said the ’Five Elements Saber Technique’ was originally a sword technique. So, when practicing the saber, I’m inevitably influenced."

That was a fabricated reason. In reality, he learned the ’Swallow Returning Sword Technique’ from Zhong Shuyu.

She frequently sought him out for sparring, and after so many sessions, he picked up the sword technique.

Zhang Mingyu suddenly understood, "So that’s why."

This solved a doubt in his mind. He originally thought the saber technique came from his junior sister, but it turned out to be from Fifth Junior Brother. No wonder he took such good care of Fifth Junior Brother’s widow and son.

"Senior Brother, I noticed the move ’Flowing Clouds and Overlapping Waves’ you used is very different from mine..."

Subsequently, Chen Ming took the opportunity to "seek advice" from Zhang Mingyu.

In fact, he was using the opportunity to pass on the essentials of the ’Swallow Returning Sword Technique’ to him.

This is an exchange of favors—today, Zhang Mingyu brought as many people as he could to support Chen Ming. Such friendship is quite precious.

The two chatted for half an hour.

Zhang Mingyu’s eyes grew brighter and brighter, and he listened with an intense desire to try it out immediately.

Over the past year, he’d been thinking all along that the ’Five Elements Saber Technique’ was originally a sword technique. However, limited by his own knowledge, he couldn’t figure out where to start even though he found many unreasonable aspects of the ’Five Elements Saber Technique’.

Chen Ming’s words instantly cleared the fog in his mind, resolving many of his internal doubts.

As they conversed, night fell without them realizing.

Just as Chen Ming was about to take his leave, he suddenly heard a sorrowful and angry voice from outside, "Third Senior Brother, how did Master die?"

Who?

He turned his head to see a tall, dark-skinned, rugged-looking man walk in. His eyes were red, exuding a murderous aura.

Is this...

Chen Ming thought the man looked familiar, then heard Zhang Mingyu exclaim in shock, "Old Six? How did you get into the city?"

Old Six?

Could it be... Huo Chengkun’s sixth disciple, Bi Haibo?

Wasn’t he already dead?

Chen Ming was very surprised.

When he was at the Huo Mansion, Bi Haibo was an instructor. Not long after he left the Huo Mansion, he heard that Bi Haibo was killed by an enemy while out.

From Zhang Mingyu’s reaction, it seemed he knew Bi Haibo wasn’t dead, so why was the false news of his death spread?

Chen Ming naturally wouldn’t ask. He just said, "Since you have a guest, Senior Brother, I’ll take my leave first."

"Wait."

Zhang Mingyu stopped him, urging, "Regarding seeing Sixth Junior Brother, I hope you can keep it secret."

"Alright."

Chen Ming agreed and then left.

...

Regarding Bi Haibo’s secret, Chen Ming had no desire to investigate further; after all, it had nothing to do with him.

The next day, Chen Ming went to visit the Four Seas Martial Arts Hall.

Yesterday, at the banquet, he chatted most amiably with the Hall Master of the Four Seas Martial Arts Hall, and they agreed on a visit.

Hall Master Shangguan Hong personally received him. As they discussed martial arts, they felt a sense of meeting too late.

At over fifty years old, Shangguan Hong was still considered vigorous. He called Chen Ming "brother" at every mention, almost wishing to become sworn brothers with him.

This situation made his sons uncomfortable. Even though they were all older than Chen Ming, they had to respectfully call him "Uncle".

In this manner, after several days, Chen Ming proposed sparring with Shangguan Hong.

Shangguan Hong was initially hesitant. Being involved in the martial arts world inevitably meant being constrained by reputation. As the Hall Master, he absolutely couldn’t be defeated by others.

If he lost, who would come to his martial arts hall to learn martial arts?

But Chen Ming suggested it be a private sparring session, not for determining a winner or loser.

The idea was that it would be just the two of them, with no third party present, and not about winning or losing.

Only then did Shangguan Hong agree.

Thus, that afternoon, they battled in a deserted courtyard.

This was the most formidable opponent Chen Ming had encountered; even more difficult than Li Ankun. He had to use his ultimate skills to narrowly win a move in the end.

[You defeated an LV29 enemy and gained 300 experience points]

Chen Ming cupped his hands, saying, "Thank you, Brother Shangguan, for holding back. How about we call this match a draw?"

Shangguan Hong sheathed his long saber and laughed self-deprecatingly, "In the end, I’m old. If I were five years younger, on the forty-third move, I would have knocked the long saber out of your hand."

He added, "However, you didn’t use your true skills either. If you were holding a sword, I wouldn’t be your match."

Truly a seasoned martial artist, he had already realized Chen Ming was using sword techniques.

Chen Ming said, "Brother Shangguan’s power far exceeds mine. Without your restraint, how could I have lasted over fifty moves?"

This was indeed true.

Shangguan Hong’s expression improved significantly. In a life-and-death struggle, he would certainly have won. But since they had agreed at the start to spar using sabers, he didn’t overpower him with strength.

Sitting down again, the two sipped tea and chatted leisurely, "Brother Shangguan, your cultivation is just one step away from reaching the seventh grade, isn’t it?"

Shangguan Hong shook his head, "Once over fifty, the Qi-Blood begins to decline. I have no hope of reaching the seventh grade."

The seventh grade, the Qi-Blood Realm, reaching this level means having Qi-Blood like mercury throughout the body. Even at eighty, one can maintain peak physical strength.

Chen Ming consoled, "I see your three sons are all exceptionally talented, especially the second one, who is only twenty-five and already at the eighth grade. He surely has hope of reaching the seventh grade in the future."

This hit the mark with Shangguan Hong. What he was most proud of was having three talented sons. He especially had high hopes for his second son.

However, he modestly said, "Compared to you, younger brother, they’re still far behind."

Chen Ming laughed, "I wonder how much of your ’Wave-Breaking Saber Technique’ has your second son learned from you."

Shangguan Hong replied, "He has yet to truly face an opponent. I’m planning to send him out for some real-world experience in a few years."

"If you trust me, Brother Shangguan, I could help guide him a bit."

"Oh?"

Shangguan Hong was somewhat tempted. He naturally knew that his second son was proud and not too convinced by Chen Ming. If Chen Ming were willing to help guide him, it would not only humble his pride but also enhance his combat experience.

"How can I trouble you, younger brother?"

"It’s no trouble. I am quite fond of martial arts and enjoy sparring with others the most."