I Only Stomp on Weaklings

On this day, Qingfeng City was in complete chaos. The people Chen Ming sent out couldn’t find any concrete news, only that the streets were bustling with those planning to flee and those preparing to loot.

Every household had their doors tightly shut, and whoever could avoid going out, stayed inside.

That afternoon, a group of neighbors came knocking on the door of the Chen Family, seeking an audience with Chen Ming.

Once they saw him, an elder leading the group said, "Chen Er, the world is so chaotic now, everyone is on edge. We’ve been neighbors for so many years, you can’t just stand by and do nothing. We hope you can step up, organize some people, and patrol the streets to guard against petty criminals."

Chen Ming immediately expressed, "This is a responsibility I cannot shirk."

So, he and the elder went door to door, gathering everyone living on this street. After discussing, each household provided one strong adult.

With thirty-two households, there were thirty-two people.

Chen Ming gathered these people and gave them a brief training.

He simplified three Saber Techniques to teach them. Those without sabers used sticks instead.

He personally demonstrated to them, then had them attack him one by one.

"When paths cross, the brave wins. If you must fight, do not cower. Whoever fears death less is more likely to survive... Show your courage and imagine the person opposite you is your parent’s murderer!"

Snap!

"Too weak."

[You defeated an LV0 enemy, gaining 2 Experience Points]

Snap!

"Wrong angle."

[You defeated an LV0 enemy, gaining 2 Experience Points]

"..."

...

In this way, Chen Ming gained another sixty-four Experience Points.

Given the current situation, his introductory lessons had to be put on hold temporarily. At least there was some new income.

The neighbors were earnest in their learning; it was for the protection of their families, so their morale was naturally high.

Of course, these people could only handle the petty thieves taking advantage of the chaos. If they really encountered pirates, fighting would lead to futile deaths.

Thus, these folks patrolled merely as a warning. Carrying a gong, they would sound it at the first sign of trouble, and Chen Ming would rush over to handle it.

After organizing everything, Chen Ming returned home.

Upon reaching the yard, Master Liu, who was sunbathing on a wicker chair, leisurely remarked, "Your neighbors are truly lucky to have encountered such a kind-hearted Martial Artist as you."

Feeling a hint of sarcasm in Master Liu’s tone, Chen Ming couldn’t discern if it was a compliment or criticism, "I grew up here, and the neighbors have always looked after me. There’s a sense of camaraderie; naturally, I can’t ignore it."

"Good people don’t live long," Master Liu lamented before closing his eyes again.

"Master, let’s spar for a bit."

"Your yard is too small for us to stretch out."

...

It wasn’t until the next day that Gu Junrong, who had been out all night, returned with news.

"So many people died."

As Gu Junrong spoke, his face was pale, his eyes unfocused, "Six Gates was filled with corpses... Our employer sent me to Manager Qian of the Four Seas Trading Company..."

"Yesterday afternoon, just before night fell... Manager Qian sent us to Six Gates... As soon as we entered, the smell of blood was overwhelming..."

Seeing he was speaking incoherently, Chen Ming directly asked, "Who won?"

Gu Junrong shook his head, "I don’t know... I heard people say it was a mutual defeat. From the pirate side, one White Flood Dragon King died. On our side, an Iron Sir died too..."

"I heard the Captain was severely injured... The other two Patrol Envoys from Six Gates also died, and more than half of the Black-robed Constables perished..."

"The other two Jiao Kings were also seriously injured... Madam Sha gave chase..."

"Oh, and Master Deng of the Giant Tiger Gang died too. Some say he was ambushed while trying to snatch something from the White Flood Dragon King’s body..."

Just listening to his account, Chen Ming and Master Liu could imagine the horrific scene.

Two Fourth-Grade fighters died, and even the Chief Officer of Six Gates was heavily wounded.

The Gang Leader of the Giant Tiger Gang, a notorious figure in the city, also perished.

If Deng Ziyang knew his father was dead, who knows how he would react?

Chen Ming realized the world was still too dangerous. One storm could kill Fourth and Fifth-Grade fighters just like that.

As for the lower-grade Martial Artists, more of them died, often when the two Jiao Kings were injured and fleeing, as they overestimated themselves trying to seize an advantage and were killed.

Among them were a few of Gu Junrong’s well-known fellow disciples.

"I also saw the bodies of Junior Brother Li, Senior Brother Wang, and Senior Brother Hou..." Speaking of these three, his eyes reddened.

Chen Ming didn’t know how to comfort him, so he just patted his shoulder, indicating to mourn.

These three were staunch supporters of Sun Shicai. Although they hadn’t been on good terms with Gu Junrong before, they were still sect brothers after all.

He analyzed, "Since the two Jiao Kings were injured, they definitely wouldn’t stay in the city. The remaining ordinary pirates are not worth worrying about. I’m sure Jiangzhou will soon get word and send people to suppress the chaos. This turbulence will soon pass."

...

No matter who died, life must go on.

The next day, neighbors from the two nearby streets volunteered to join the patrol team, and Chen Ming agreed. Thus, the patrol expanded to one hundred people.

Every morning, Chen Ming gathered them for some practical training, earning Experience Points.

The neighbors not only didn’t find it bothersome, but felt quite honored. Having an Eighth-Grade Martial Artist personally teaching them hand to hand, it was something they could boast about for half a lifetime.

In this way, seven or eight days passed. As several major Sea Merchants cleared up the smaller pirate groups, Qingfeng City gradually returned to its usual order.

A few days later, about half a month after the battle, the governor of Jiangzhou finally sent someone— a Third-Grade Golden Robe Admiral leading a group of Six Gates experts.

Once the news spread, the entire city cheered, some even setting off firecrackers in celebration.

On Chen Ming’s side, the patrol team disbanded, and everyone returned home.

Gu Junrong and his family also returned to their own home.

The Chen Mansion finally became much quieter.

In a few days, they moved back to the new home.

...

After the storm subsided, the city quickly returned to its former prosperity. With a Third-Grade expert stationed, everyone believed no pirates would dare to cause trouble again.

In the following days, Chen Ming had to attend several funerals daily. Among the twelve martial arts halls, four lost people.

He also had to attend the funerals of those from the Huo Sect.

Even Zhang Mingyu, who usually didn’t get along with them, brought people there.

Oddly enough, Sun Shicai didn’t show up.

Even though he was injured, after half a month of recovery, he should have been able to attend a funeral, right?

Because of this, many who stood by Sun Shicai felt somewhat disheartened.

It was at these funerals that Chen Ming heard more details of that day’s battle.

"I heard from the three Jiao Kings that they didn’t get Gu Family’s ’Ten Thousand Mountains True Skill.’ This Cultivation Technique has always been orally passed on in the Gu Family, never written down, only the Family Head could learn it. Currently, only Gu Yanchang knows the contents of the technique..."

"It’s said that Gu Yanchang has been in a coma since being injured that day. Now the Gu Family’s direct lineage only has one boy and one girl left, both just over ten..."

"If only we had known earlier, back then..."

Chen Ming just silently listened to these discussions without saying a word.

That day, after leaving a funeral and returning home, he opened the door to find a person lying on the floor with quite a bit of blood.

"Who?"