I Only Stomp on Weaklings

On the tenth of May, it is auspicious for travel, gatherings, forming alliances, and moving to a new home.

On this day, the sky was clear, not a cloud in sight, a rare good weather.

Chen Ming wore a brand-new blue outfit, with a long sword hanging at his waist, looking exceptionally heroic. Upon leaving the gate, he waved to signal his elder brother and sister-in-law not to see him off, and boarded the carriage waiting for him.

Sitting inside the carriage was Zhang Mingyu.

"Senior Brother."

He greeted, taking a seat opposite him.

Zhang Mingyu examined him and praised, "Junior Brother, you’re looking more impressive every day."

"Senior Brother, you are also becoming more awe-inspiring."

Chen Ming politely returned the compliment.

The exchange of pleasantries was a social etiquette.

Zhang Mingyu said, "Junior Brother, did you know that our Little Junior Sister returned a few days ago."

"I heard. Is she now a disciple of the Xiaoshui Sect?"

"Yes. Our Mistress was originally from the Xiaoshui Sect. With this connection, it was natural for Little Junior Sister to join, and now she is personally taught by the Sect Leader." Zhang Mingyu’s tone held a note of envy.

Chen Ming curiously remarked, "I heard that this Xiaoshui Sect is predominantly female. Is that true?"

Zhang Mingyu nodded and said, "Yes, the founding ancestor of the Xiaoshui Sect was a woman, and the Cultivation Technique leans towards the softer side, suitable for women to cultivate, so they only accept female disciples. However, Xiaoshui Sect doesn’t restrict marriages. Didn’t our Mistress marry our Master?"

"How strong is this Xiaoshui Sect?"

"It’s a first-class sect."

Chen Ming’s heart skipped a beat. A first-class sect meant there were multiple generations of Third Grade or higher experts within the sect.

The strength of the Xiaoshui Sect suddenly became clear.

Zhang Mingyu recalled something and said, "Speaking of the world’s sects, the most famous all-female sect must be Fengming Palace in Ru State. Fengming Palace has stood for over a millennium in Ru State, always being one of the world’s top sects. Currently, it’s also among the nine great sects.

"It is said that Fengming Palace not only accepts female disciples but also practices a female-dominated hierarchy. Under its influence, within Ru State, men are even forbidden from practicing Martial Arts, completely reversing societal norms. If you roam the martial world, make sure not to enter Ru State."

Chen Ming said in surprise, "Is this Ru State the legendary Women’s State?"

Zhang Mingyu nodded and said, "Yes, because women are revered there, many call it the Women’s State."

Chen Ming had heard of this "Women’s State" before, always assuming it was a legend. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be true.

However, since this is an all-female sect with such power, it’s not surprising they would do such a thing.

...

The two were lost in conversation when they unknowingly arrived at the Admiral’s Mansion.

Getting off the carriage, Chen Ming saw an imposing grand gate, with two stone lions over two meters tall standing at the entrance, looking extremely majestic.

Above the gate, the plaque read "Admiral’s Mansion" in iron and silver strokes, exuding a unique aura.

Chen Ming couldn’t help but glance twice and suddenly felt dizzy.

At this moment, Zhang Mingyu reminded him, "Don’t look, those are the words of someone who has condensed intent; staring too long harms the spirit."

Chen Ming dared not look any longer, closed his eyes, took a moment, and finally recovered.

Suddenly, a mocking voice nearby said, "Where did this country bumpkin come from, not even knowing what intent is, yet dares to attend the Martial Arts Gathering?"

The speaker was a young man around twenty, dressed lavishly, with a sword inlaid with a pigeon egg-sized sapphire, appearing very precious.

The young nobleman wore a mocking expression.

Zhang Mingyu frowned, about to speak. Chen Ming had already stepped in, saying, "I am ill-informed, making the young master laugh."

The young nobleman raised an eyebrow and remarked, "At least you know your limits." Then, he and his companions entered the Admiral’s Mansion first.

A potential conflict dissolved quietly.

Zhang Mingyu looked at him in surprise, feeling increasingly unable to fathom this junior brother.

On such an important occasion, being insulted as a country bumpkin, he actually endured it. Is this still the same Chen Ming who dared to challenge the Martial Arts Hall Association just after breaking through to the Eighth Rank?

Chen Ming said, "Let’s go."

He appeared calm, as if he hadn’t taken the incident to heart at all.

Zhang Mingyu couldn’t help but say, "This is the Admiral’s Mansion. No one dares to act wild here, so why fear him?"

Chen Ming laughed, "Why bother with people like that? Come on, we’ll be late."

With that, he led Zhang Mingyu through the grand gate of the Admiral’s Mansion.

...

Not far away, in an inconspicuous-looking carriage, a young man in white mocked, "Is that really Qingfeng City’s youngest Seventh Grade? Too timid."

Riding with him was a young man in black, with a stern face, ignoring his remarks.

The young man in white shook his head, "It seems that since the great chaos thirty years ago, Qingfeng City still hasn’t recovered its Primordial Qi. Among the younger generation, besides you, there are few outstanding ones. From this person, it’s evident."

The black-clothed youth remained silent, gently pressing the sword across his knees, his gaze growing deeper.

This young man in white was named Zhou Weihao, from the Zhou Family of the neighboring Qinglin Commandery. He and the black-clothed youth were cousins.

The stern-faced youth in black was named Gu Yuantao, a survivor of the first family of Qingfeng City, the Gu Family. Half a year ago, the Gu Family was nearly wiped out by pirates.

Not long ago, that Fourth Grade of the Gu Family succumbed to injuries and passed away. Now, the direct lineage consists of only two who escaped by being elsewhere during the tribulation.

After this upheaval, Gu Yuantao became taciturn, and even in front of his cousin, he seldom spoke.

Zhou Weihao was quite worried about this cousin’s state, sometimes trying to provoke conversation on purpose, but to little avail.

Then he suddenly noticed a familiar carriage, hurriedly saying, "Look, it’s the carriage of the Xiaoshui Sect. It seems Miss Xiao is here."

He clearly saw a subtle change in Gu Yuantao’s eyes, but he still neither spoke nor looked up.

It seemed even Xiao Zhuyun couldn’t pique his interest... 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Zhou Weihao was anxious, and just then, the Xiaoshui Sect’s carriage drove up, the curtain was lifted, revealing an exquisitely beautiful face, the skin like cream, the aura like an orchid.

The young woman in her early twenties had a gentle face tinged with concern, "Is Brother Gu in the carriage?"

Zhou Weihao quickly pulled the curtain aside a bit, saying, "Greetings, Miss Xiao, my cousin is in the carriage."

Xiao Zhuyun looked apologetic, "I was shocked to hear about the calamity that befell the Gu Family and couldn’t come to Qingfeng City to pay respects. I hope Brother Gu will forgive me."

A subtle emotional fluctuation appeared on Gu Yuantao’s stern face, yet he remained restrained. He finally spoke, "Miss Xiao, I appreciate your kindness."

Xiao Zhuyun said, "Seeing you safe, Brother Gu, puts my mind at ease. Please accept my condolences."

"Thank you."

Gu Yuantao turned to his cousin and said, "It’s time to go in."

Xiao Zhuyun seemed to want to say more, but someone nearby caught up and called out to her, "Miss Xiao..."

...

Zhou Weihao turned to look, seeing Xiao Zhuyun surrounded by a few young nobles from Jiangzhou, asked his cousin Gu Yuantao, "Cousin, why put yourself through this?"

Gu Yuantao’s face remained expressionless, as if he hadn’t heard his words.