I Only Stomp on Weaklings

After the carriage from Wind and Thunder Martial Arts Hall left Chen Mansion, Lei Yucheng finally couldn’t hold back and said, somewhat indignantly, "Grandfather, he claimed he didn’t care about our Lei family’s secret techniques, so why still leave the cultivation technique behind?"

Lei Zhenguang glanced at him and didn’t directly answer his question, instead posing another, "What kind of person do you think this Chen Er is?"

"Defiant."

Lei Yucheng responded without hesitation, "Arrogant, disrespectful. Grandfather, out of courtesy, called him brother, and he actually dared to accept it."

Earlier at Chen Mansion, he had held back a stomach full of anger.

This Chen Ming, younger than him by five or six years, was calling his grandfather "old brother" in front of him, which nearly made him lose his temper. Had it not been for his grandfather’s presence, he’d have slammed the table and cursed.

After Lei Zhenguang listened, he nodded, "What you said isn’t wrong. However, as a martial artist, if one doesn’t have such defiance, and isn’t this kind of proud figure, then they wouldn’t be able to advance so courageously and diligently. In just two years, he’s broken through three realms."

Although Lei Yucheng was dissatisfied, he couldn’t refute it.

Lei Zhenguang patiently taught his grandson, "To assess someone, listen to their words and observe their deeds. From an incident half a year ago, I could tell that this Chen Er is not a reckless person; he acts methodically and knows his limits. He understands moderation and won’t push people too far."

He paused before continuing, "In the past six months, those who have close contact with him, whether Shangguan Hong or Liu Fu, have grown better friendships with him. I’ve asked several old friends who sparred with him, and they all praised him endlessly, commending his broad mind and saying he’s extremely earnest."

"If one or two people commend him, it might be flattery. But if everyone praises him, it shows his character is undoubtedly good. Such a person is absolutely worth making deep ties with. Giving him a favor now might be of great benefit in the future."

Lei Yucheng still felt uncomfortable, "Grandfather, are you really sure he can earn Admiral Zhao’s favor and obtain a second-rate cultivation technique? What if he can’t?"

Lei Zhenguang said, "It doesn’t bring us any actual loss. Our Wind and Thunder Martial Arts Hall has been around for so many years, and these cultivation techniques and swordsmanship aren’t unheard of. Letting one more person learn them, what harm could it bring?"

After speaking, he solemnly advised, "Yucheng, I know you’re upset, feeling he’s younger and so rude to you. However, in this martial world, the capable always come first. Would you care about a senior whose cultivation is a realm lower than yours? If you can’t overcome it, you’ll surely attract trouble in the future."

Lei Yucheng was shocked, breaking out in a cold sweat.

He finally realized it was his mindset that was at fault.

"Grandfather’s lesson is right."

...

...

In a blink, half a month passed.

Chen Ming finally found time to visit Wu Martial Arts Hall.

"Old Liu!"

He carried a jug of wine and a food box, walked into the backyard, pushed the door open, and Liu Fu was inside drinking. Looking up, he said, "Oh, isn’t this Chen Er? I heard you’ve been busy lately; how do you have time to visit this old geezer?"

Chen Ming laughed, "If you don’t visit me, I’ll have to come visit you instead."

He shook his head vigorously, "Your threshold is too high; I just won’t go."

Seeing his resentment-ridden expression, clearly blaming him for not visiting these days, Chen Ming laughed and placed the wine jug and a dish of roasted chicken and duck on the table.

Liu Fu sniffed the air, licked his lips, and reached to tear off a chicken leg, all the while complaining, "It’s been too long; the skin isn’t crispy anymore..."

There’s a saying, one can’t be harsh after accepting hospitality.

After eating a whole roasted chicken and duck and drinking a jug of fine wine, he couldn’t keep a grumpy face and said, "I heard that old Lei Zhenguang personally went to your house to congratulate you?"

"Yes."

"Did he give you the secret techniques of the Wind and Thunder Body Forging and Wind and Thunder Swordsmanship?"

Chen Ming was somewhat surprised, "Who told you that?"

Liu Fu replied disdainfully, "Would they spread such things openly? I guessed it; that old coward is afraid of offending anyone, worried you’d hold a grudge against him, so he used those two things as a favor. Hmph, they’re merely third-rate cultivation techniques and swordsmanship; he’s certainly shrewd."

Chen Ming asked curiously, "Old Liu, do you have a grudge with him?"

"What kind of grudge could I have with him? I just don’t like him."

Liu Fu didn’t want to talk about him anymore and asked, "I heard that Admiral Zhao is going to organize a Martial Arts Gathering. Did you receive the invitation?"

Chen Ming nodded, "Yes, the gathering is ten days from now."

Not only him, Zhang Mingyu also received an invitation.

Liu Fu looked at him and asked, "Do you feel confident you’ll shine at the gathering with your skills?"

"You really seem like a worm in my stomach."

They were already quite familiar, able to joke a little.

Liu Fu sneered, "With your prowess in swordsmanship, purely speaking in Qingfeng City, among those under thirty and seventh grade, indeed, no one can confidently defeat you. But do you think your opponents are limited to Qingfeng City?"

Chen Ming’s expression shifted, "Old Liu, what do you mean?"

"You’re underestimating an admiral’s influence. I dare say, right now, young masters from all over Jiangzhou, from dozens of counties, have already heard and are heading here. You’re competing against all of Jiangzhou. Do you still have the confidence to stand out at the Martial Arts Gathering?"

Liu Fu thought this would frighten the youngster, but instead, his eyes lit up, showing a look eager to try.

This kid delights in battle, truly a martial arts fanatic.

He’d also heard that after the youngster broke through to the seventh grade, he’s spent the past half month visiting those veteran seventh grade martial artists, sparring with them.

Such a battle-loving person, he’d never met anyone like that before.

Just as Liu Fu was thinking, he heard Chen Ming say, "Old Liu, it’s been a while since we sparred, let’s have a match."

Liu Fu shook his head, "I wasn’t your match before, and now it’s pointless to try."

Chen Ming replied, "I can tell you’ve been holding back, never showing your true skills. Actually, you’re at the seventh grade cultivation, right."

Liu Fu gave him a surprised look, this youngster could actually discern his true cultivation level?

"Let’s do it."

Chen Ming forcibly pulled him up.

Although unwilling, one can’t refuse after accepting hospitality, so for the sake of the jug of fine wine, he could only accept the saber Chen Ming thrust into his hands.

Besides, he was somewhat curious about the strength Chen Ming had achieved after breaking through to the seventh grade.

Clang!

After engaging, the saber in Liu Fu’s hand nearly slipped from his grip. He silently cursed, this youngster was not holding back at all.

He focused and faced him seriously.

The more he fought, the more shocked he was. The power of this youngster’s saber technique was more than just elevated; it was incredibly challenging to counter.

Liu Fu hadn’t engaged in real combat for too long, and within twenty moves, he was already being overwhelmed.

"No more!"

Suddenly, he leaped out of the ring and said, looking frustrated, "I can’t beat you."

Before he was pretending to lose; now he’s genuinely outmatched.

[You again defeated a Level 30 opponent, gaining 100 experience points.]

Seeing the prompt, Chen Ming smiled and sheathed his saber, saying, "You just lack fighting experience. Your saber technique is quite outstanding; you just haven’t unleashed its full potential."

Liu Fu was about to speak when suddenly a voice came from nearby, "You’re Liu Fu? The one who defeated my father? You’ve truly disappointed me."

Both were startled, turning to find at the courtyard gate, at some point, appeared an old man and a young man. The speaker was the young man, seemingly in his early twenties, dressed in brocade, with an exceptional presence, clearly a noble young master.

"You—"

Liu Fu’s face drastically changed upon seeing the youth, his body trembling uncontrollably.

PS: Asking for monthly votes.