I Only Stomp on Weaklings

"Chen Ming, my young friend."

Just as Chen Ming’s carriage moved a short distance, he heard someone calling him. He lifted the curtain and saw a familiar face, "Master Liu?"

It was indeed Master Liu from Wu Martial Arts Hall.

He instructed the driver to stop and invited Master Liu into the carriage.

Once the carriage resumed moving, Master Liu looked at him with a peculiar gaze, "You’re leaving just like that?"

Chen Ming shook his head and said, "A gentleman doesn’t stand by a dangerous wall. When Fourth Grade martial artists clash, it’s best to keep a distance."

Master Liu suddenly burst into laughter, "It seems, young friend, you’re truly unaware."

"Oh?"

He was somewhat surprised. Could there be more to the story?

"Please enlighten me, Master Liu."

Master Liu stroked his half-whitened beard, "Have you ever considered, why in Qingfeng Commandery, the Gu Family is called the premier family? In terms of power, wealth, and influence, the Gu Family is far inferior to those Seven Great Sea Merchants."

"Is it because the Gu Family has been around for a longer time?"

"Of course not. Actually, throughout history, there’s an unwritten rule: only families that have produced Third Grade martial artists qualify to be called a noble family."

Could there really be such a notion?

Chen Ming asked, "Master, why is that?"

Master Liu’s gaze became even more peculiar, "You don’t even know this common knowledge? Didn’t the person who taught you martial arts tell you?"

He implied that he believed Chen Ming had a mentor teaching him martial arts.

Chen Ming sincerely said, "Please teach me, Master Liu."

Master Liu was merely surprised and had no intention to probe further. He said, "Because Third Grade martial artists are beyond human capability. Without an equivalent Third Grade to restrain them, they can fight and leave as they please, no matter how many are besieging. On ancient battlefields, they are one who can defeat ten thousand."

"In this world, there are countless martial arts secret manuals, but only those that can be cultivated to Third Grade or higher are called True Martial Arts."

"The Gu Family has produced Third Grade martial artists, naturally they have True Skill inheritance. Otherwise, do you think those Fourth Grade sea pirates would personally take action just for silver and wealth by robbing the Gu Family?"

Chen Ming realized that those pirates attacked the Gu Family for the True Skill of the Gu Family.

Hence, the Four Seas Trading Company suddenly summoned all the city’s martial artists, allied with the Six Gates, and even invited two Sea Generals of the Red Sea Monarch, all aiming for that True Skill in the hands of the three Jiao Kings.

"So that’s the case, thank you, Master Liu, for clearing the confusion."

Master Liu looked at him, "Why, are you not tempted by the True Skill Secret Manual?"

Chen Ming smiled helplessly, "I’m just an insignificant Eighth Grade. Do I dare dream of snatching a Cultivation Technique from a Fourth Grade expert?"

Master Liu said, "In this world, clear-headed people like you are in the minority."

"Isn’t Master Liu the same?"

"I’m already half buried in the ground, what use do I have for the True Skill Secret Manual?"

Chen Ming saw the fleeting look of bitterness on his face, guessing he must have experienced a tragedy, leading to such desolation.

He said, "Greed blinds wisdom, it’s been true since ancient times."

Master Liu retrieved a wine pouch made of cowhide from his bosom, uncorked it, took a sip, and said, "Speaking of True Skill Secret Manuals, I’m reminded of an old event."

"Thirty years ago, the Sea Suppression King was commanded to come to Qingfeng City to eliminate the Sea-covering Dragon King. At that time, Qingfeng City was monopolized by six sea merchants profiting from maritime trade. These six sea merchants were lavishly extravagant, flaunting wealth in all aspects of life, comparable to royalty."

"Coincidentally, the Sea Suppression King was short of ships and military supplies, so he captured the heads of the six sea merchants and forced them to pay for ransom. It’s said he extorted tens of millions of silver from them. With this money, the Sea Suppression King bought ships and recruited troops, and within a few short years, eradicated the Sea-covering Dragon King."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ming finally understood why the current Seven Sea Merchants Association was so discreet.

It turns out, thirty years ago, they were too high-profile and flaunted their wealth, getting harvested once. It’s like "once bitten by a snake, you’ll be fearful of ropes for ten years."

Master Liu continued, "Unfortunately, the Sea Suppression King offended too many people as a result. Those who were behind the six sea merchants hated him deeply. Within a few years, he died mysteriously."

"The Sea Suppression King’s subordinates also faced retribution. Back then, the Sea Suppression King had a deputy named Xu, who stayed in Qingfeng City. This person was Third Grade cultivation, caught by experts from the Six Gates, taken to the Capital City, and soon after died in prison."

"His family also vanished overnight. Some say they fled back to the countryside to avoid disaster. Others say they were abducted, all to extract the True Skill Secret Manual."

Master Liu said regretfully, "I was as young as you back then and had seen Lord Xu’s elegance. He practiced a Cultivation Technique called ’Fiery Sun Divine Skill.’ When he activated it, he appeared like a magnificent sun, resembling a deity."

"It’s said this ’Fiery Sun Divine Skill’ was divided into three parts: ’Three Yang Body Forging’, ’Six Yang Qi Cultivation Skill’, and ’Nine Yang Nourishing Spirit.’ It’s a pity this Divine Skill hasn’t appeared since Lord Xu died."

Chen Ming had been listening with interest until he heard "Three Yang Body Forging," at which point his smile almost froze.

Fortunately, Master Liu was looking out the window, seemingly reminiscing, and didn’t notice his abnormality.

He quickly gathered his emotions and tentatively asked, "Master seems very familiar with Lord Xu?"

Master Liu said, "It’s just hearsay."

I don’t believe you at all.

Knowing the name of every part of his Cultivation Technique clearly. Claiming he has no connection with the Xu family would be bizarre.

Chen Ming thought this but switched the topic, "Who does Master think will win this battle?"

Master Liu sighed, "I don’t know who will win, but this time, many will die."

His gaze seemed to penetrate time and space, returning to Qingfeng City thirty years ago, witnessing the scenes of blades shining, bodies lying, and rivers dyed red with blood.

Thirty years later, the same scene emerges again in Qingfeng City.

He did not know what he recalled; suddenly he snorted coldly, "After the Sea Suppression King’s death, those sea merchants feared another figure like him would emerge, so they bribed officials in the imperial court with silver, making the highest official from Six Gates in Qingfeng City a Fifth Grade Captain. Since then, Qingfeng City has lacked a Third Grade expert to oversee it. The calamity Qingfeng City faces today is the sea merchants’ doing."

Chen Ming timely changed the topic, "In the future, Qingfeng City will likely remain chaotic for a while. What are Master’s plans?"

Master Liu said, "Naturally, I’ll close tight the household doors. In this city filled with wealthy families, those sea pirates probably won’t fancy my rundown martial arts hall."

Chen Ming extended an invitation, "Why doesn’t Master bring your esteemed disciples to stay at my house for a while? That way, even if pirates come, together we can protect them."

Master Liu was silent momentarily, merely staring at him.

Chen Ming’s gaze was sincere.

"If you don’t mind my old bones, then there’s no problem."