I Only Stomp on Weaklings

That night, Zhong Shuyu’s fever finally subsided. As dawn approached, she woke up and saw a dark-skinned girl dozing by her bedside.

"You..."

She wanted to speak, but her throat was terribly hoarse.

Chunxiang, who had been nodding off, suddenly woke up to see her eyes open and said happily, "You’re finally awake. Here, don’t speak just yet, drink some water to soothe your throat."

Saying this, she helped her sit up and fed her water in small sips.

After drinking a few mouthfuls, Zhong Shuyu’s throat was not as hoarse, and she asked, "Who are you? Where is this place?"

The voice was still very weak.

Chunxiang did not answer, only said, "Lie back, I’ll go call the young master."

After placing her down, she ran out quickly.

After a while, Zhong Shuyu saw the dark-skinned girl bringing a man over, it was Chen Ming.

Her gaze was somewhat complex, "Did you save me?"

Chen Ming said, "You and I are former classmates, I naturally couldn’t just watch you die."

For some reason, one of his words irritated her, and she suddenly became angry, "Who asked you to save me?"

Beside them, Chunxiang did not like it, "You’re being unreasonable. Do you know, the young master took a great risk to save you? The Six Gates even searched the house. To cover the smell of blood, the young master cut himself and bled a lot. Not only do you not thank him, but you also lose your temper at him. Is this how you treat your savior?"

These words rendered Zhong Shuyu speechless, and she lowered her head.

Chen Ming waved his hand, signaling Chunxiang not to say more, and said, "I won’t ask why you were being pursued by the Six Gates. You should stay here and recover, leave after you’re healed and the heat has died down."

After speaking, he turned and left.

Chunxiang glared at her and left as well.

After a while, another dark-skinned maid came to look after her.

...

Zhong Shuyu stayed for more than half a month, her injuries mostly healed. One night, she quietly slipped away while the dark-skinned girl wasn’t paying attention.

She was extremely cautious on her way, took many detours, and confirmed she wasn’t being followed before finding a place to hide.

As soon as dawn broke, she exited the city gates, and after walking far away, Zhong Shuyu looked back at the bustling city with very complex emotions.

He really just wanted to save her, and didn’t ask a word about why she was hunted by the Six Gates. Nor did he try to uncover her secrets. It now seemed like there weren’t any other plots or schemes.

"There are actually such foolish people in this world."

Zhong Shuyu sighed faintly, as if she had made a decision, turned her head, and continued on. She arrived at a beach, boarded a small fishing boat, and slowly rowed into the depths of the sea.

...

......

"Young master, I’m sorry, the maid couldn’t keep an eye on her. Let her escape."

At the Chen Mansion, Xiaxiang bowed her head, looking like she had done something wrong.

Chen Ming smiled, "It’s good she ran away, I’m relieved."

Chunxiang was somewhat indignant, "That woman has no manners, leaving without a word. Not even a thank you."

Chen Ming said, "Alright, let’s not mention her again."

"Yes." The two girls agreed.

"Alright, you can go get busy."

Chen Ming sent them away.

No matter what secrets Zhong Shuyu might hold, he was not interested. A secret that can draw Yu Xiuming, a fourth-grade expert’s attention, surely brings trouble, easily leading to a fatal disaster.

Now that she’s finally gone, Chen Ming was truly relieved.

In his view, as long as one’s cultivation is high enough, there are always ways to obtain any cultivation technique or divine weapon.

For example, now being at the peak of the fourth grade and possessing a swordsmanship at the great success level, if faced with such matters again, then the item is destined for him. Who could compete with him in the same realm?

...

Qingfeng City returned to its usual hustle and bustle, as if the past chaos had never occurred.

Chen Ming also became increasingly low-key, spending his days enlightening children, sparring with Master Liu and Shangguan Hong, or making new friends.

Life passed plain and fulfilling.

Time flew by, and very soon, winter passed, and spring arrived again.

Unknowingly, half a year had gone by, reaching early summer.

This day was a remarkable day for Qingfeng City.

Qingfeng City finally welcomed its new master, a third-grade admiral from the Six Gates.

The previous one was only temporarily stationed here, leaving once the official admiral arrived.

On this day, at the Ten Mile Pavilion by the city gates, noteworthy figures from officialdom and commerce gathered, enduring the blazing sun to welcome the arrival of this third-grade powerhouse, as if welcoming their master.

Chen Ming was not part of the welcoming group at the city gates; he did not yet have the standing for it.

He was at Deng Ziyang’s house, hosting Guan Peng, who had just returned from the sea.

Zhuang Xiaotian was there too; it was the same group of four at the table.

Meeting again after eight months, each had changed quite a bit.

Zhuang Xiaotian looked at Guan Peng and suddenly said, "Second brother, you’ve tanned. Your demeanor has changed since before. You must have broken through to eighth grade, right?"

Not only was Guan Peng tanned, but he also seemed more composed than before. He replied, "Third brother, you have keen eyes. I just broke through, how did you spot that at a glance?"

Zhuang Xiaotian sighed, "Congratulations, second brother, for achieving your goal. You’ve advanced faster than both big brother and me."

Guan Peng laughed, "The sea is indeed a good place to cultivate, life is monotonous, and apart from practicing martial arts, there’s nothing else to do. With fewer distractions, I unconsciously broke through. I, too, was surprised."

"Congratulations."

From taking his seat, Deng Ziyang only said this.

Originally the most talkative, he had become reticent, focusing only on drinking.

Chen Ming observed from the side, thinking the biggest change among the three was becoming insincere. A better word would be mature.

Deng Ziyang had received a huge blow due to his father’s death, turning into a martial arts fanatic. Since being transferred back to Qingfeng City, he sparred with Chen Ming every day.

Zhuang Xiaotian had become more diplomatic during his time in Six Gates.

Guan Peng might appear the most changed on the outside, but he was actually the least changed. His words seemed complaint-like, but were actually boastful.

He remained the sensitive and proud young man, though it wasn’t as evident.

As the four continued chatting, the topic naturally shifted to the newly arrived Six Gates admiral.

"I heard that this Lord Zhao has quite a legendary tale. He was a prodigious genius, becoming a civil servant before twenty. Later, as an official, he couldn’t endure the arrogance of Six Gates’ chief officer, so he angrily abandoned literature for martial arts. In just a few years, he passed the martial arts examination. In less than a decade, he broke through to third grade. Such high talent is rare in the world."

"Many say if Lord Zhao had practiced martial arts from a young age, he might have achieved even greater. Perhaps Great Jin would have another first-grade powerhouse."

Chen Ming, also intrigued by this new highest officer of Qingfeng City, asked, "What is Lord Zhao’s personality like?"

Zhuang Xiaotian replied, "Lord Zhao has a reputation for good conduct and acts more like a civil servant than the other rough Six Gates’ warriors."

"Moreover, it’s said that Lord Zhao loves to promote juniors. Wherever he goes, he holds a martial arts gathering, never stingy with rewards for outstanding young martial artists. He even offers personal guidance."

Guan Peng became interested, "Can anyone participate in this martial arts gathering?"

Zhuang Xiaotian shook his head, "No, at least a seventh-grade cultivation is required. As Lord Zhao’s rank is very high, so naturally are the gathering’s standards. Otherwise, second brother and Chen could showcase their skills."

He seemed quite regretful in his tone.

Seventh grade, huh?

Chen Ming’s eyes showed some thought.