I Only Stomp on Weaklings

When Chen Ming returned home, the sky was completely dark. The family was seated at the table, waiting for him to join them for dinner.

He took his seat and explained, "There was traffic on the way, sorry for being late."

"As long as everything’s fine." Chen Rui’s mustache was growing thicker, making him look even more mature.

Only then did everyone start eating.

Chen Ming first served a piece of meat to Li Jinchuan, who was sitting to his left, saying, "You’re still growing, eat more meat."

Li Jinchuan thanked him, "Thank you, Senior Brother."

He seemed to have become a new member of the Chen Family. Half a year ago, his guardian entrusted him to Chen Ming, saying they had something to attend to and would be back in a month, but there has been no news since.

So he continued to stay there.

The young man was thoughtful, and feeling inferior while living under someone else’s roof, if Chen Ming didn’t serve him some meat, he wouldn’t reach for it himself, only eating vegetables.

Chen Ming glanced at him and suddenly focused, asking, "Did you make a breakthrough?"

Li Jinchuan, seeing he had noticed, nodded and admitted, "Yes."

Chen Ming praised, "At sixteen you’ve reached Ninth Grade, truly gifted."

Li Jinchuan’s face flushed at the compliment, "You’re too kind, Senior Brother."

The couple, Chen Rui and his wife, didn’t think much of it initially; Chen Ming had praised him more than once. But upon hearing he had reached Ninth Grade, they were surprised.

Wei was somewhat excited and exclaimed, "Little Chuan is a Ninth Grade Martial Artist? That’s incredible!"

She knew better than anyone what a Ninth Grade Martial Artist meant!

More than a year ago, the Chen Family seemed on the verge of decline, but because Erlang broke through to Ninth Grade, within a few months, the family revived.

Li Jinchuan felt even more embarrassed, his ears turning red, stammering, "Compared to Senior...Senior Brother, I’m far...far behind..."

At this point, Chen Lide, who had just turned seven, felt a bit jealous and raised his hand, shouting, "Dad, Second Uncle, I also want to learn martial arts.

Beside him, three-year-old Chen Lirong chimed in sweetly, "Silly brother, Second Uncle said last month you’re not old enough, you have to be ten to start learning martial arts."

Her words made Chen Ming laugh, "Little Lirong has a great memory."

The family laughed and enjoyed themselves together.

...

After dinner, Chen Rui called Chen Ming into the study, saying he wanted to discuss something.

Once seated in the study, Chen Ming saw his somber expression and knew there might be some trouble at the pharmacy. He didn’t rush to ask, only saying, "Lide is already seven, he should get a teacher to teach him reading and writing."

No matter if he will pursue literature or the Martial Dao, he needs to know how to read.

At seven, on Earth, he would be starting elementary school.

Chen Rui nodded, "Your sister-in-law mentioned it a few days ago, and I’ve asked someone to look into it."

Then he paused before addressing the main issue, "Erlang, do you know Zhengren Hall?"

Chen Ming nodded, "Of course, it’s the largest pharmacy in Qingfeng City, a century-old establishment."

"Yesterday, they sent someone to tell us that Chunhe Hall is overreaching, breaking the rules." Chen Rui said, "The incident started because I intercepted another pharmacy’s goods. Erlang, this won’t cause trouble for you, right?"

Chen Ming laughed, "Don’t worry, in a few days, this won’t be trouble at all."

In Great Jin, each industry has its own rules. Martial arts schools have associations, and pharmacies naturally have theirs too.

These are barriers and regulations set by vested interests to protect their business and prevent new competitors from entering the industry.

Just like gangs dividing territory.

If you’re new to the scene, extending your hand into someone else’s territory, taking their business, naturally they will react.

If it weren’t for Chen Ming being an Eighth Grade Martial Artist, it wouldn’t have been just a warning—the store might have been smashed.

This is also due to the rapid expansion of the Chen Family’s pharmacy. Seeking new growth points, they have no choice but to take others’ business.

Seeing him speak so calmly, Chen Rui was reassured. However, he decided to avoid causing such trouble in the future, to spare Erlang any inconvenience.

With Erlang’s talent, his future achievements are limitless. Bringing trouble for him over such benefits could hinder his cultivation, which would be foolish.

Since ancient times, medicine and martial arts have been intertwined; the strength and connections of Zhengren Hall are something the current Chen Family can’t compare to.

...

Two days later, at dawn, the sky barely showed a fish-belly white.

In the Chen Family’s backyard, over forty young boys were already sweating profusely.

Chen Ming, as usual, tested each one to see if their footing was stable before concluding today’s lesson.

After everyone left, he returned to his room, instructing Chunxiang and Xiaxiang to guard outside the courtyard, ensuring no one entered.

He opened the panel.

[Level: 29]

[Current Points: 88]

[Cultivation Technique: Iron Horse Stance (Fifth Level Perfection), Three Yang Body Forging (Sixth Level 29965/30000)]

[Martial Skills: Three Talents Fist (Complete), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Complete), Zhuang’s Flying Knife (Complete), Swallow Returning Sword Technique (Proficient 434/10000)]

Finally about to reach Seventh Grade!

Chen Ming’s heart was slightly excited; for the past six months, he spent his days either bullying the young ones or sparring with those far inferior, constantly investing effort in building relationships with other martial artists...

Finally, the time for harvest had arrived.

"Add points!"

He allocated all 88 points to Three Yang Body Forging.

In an instant, he felt a sudden surge.

Inside his body, a powerful force erupted, his blood seemed to boil, burning through blood vessels, muscles, bones...

After an immeasurable period, it finally calmed down.

Chen Ming carefully sensed the changes in his body, it was as if a furnace was inside him, constantly providing him with immense energy.

"This power feels ten times stronger. Is this Seventh Grade Qi-Blood Realm?"

He clenched his fists, naturally gaining confidence that he could punch a hole in the sky.

Of course, that was just an illusion.

...

In the following days, Chen Ming didn’t go out, aside from teaching the young boys, he stayed in his courtyard, familiarizing himself with his newly enhanced power.

In truth, he hadn’t decided how to announce his breakthrough to Seventh Grade.

Taking only seven months to go from Eight Grade to Seven Grade, would it be too shocking if word got out?

In the martial world, the higher the realm, the harder it is to break through, the longer it takes.

Someone like him, taking less and less time, was quite abnormal.

While he hesitated, a visitor arrived.

It was Gu Junrong, and before even entering, he was shouting outside the courtyard, "Junior Brother, I have good news, Third Senior Brother has made a breakthrough...breakthrough to Seventh Grade..."

What?

Chen Ming was somewhat surprised, Zhang Mingyu had actually broken through to Seventh Grade?

What a coincidence?

A few days ago, he said he needed to handle some matters, turns out it was to break through his realm.

Gu Junrong finally rushed in, his face flushed with excitement, every pore of his body expressing his joy, "Third Senior Brother wants to see you, let’s go."

"That’s wonderful."

Chen Ming gave an earnest smile.