I Only Stomp on Weaklings

After Chen Ming finished talking with his elder brother, Chen Rui, he returned to his room alone.

"Panel."

[Level: 40]

[Current Points: 56740]

[Cultivation Technique: "Iron Horse Stance" (Fifth Level Perfection), "Three Yang Body Refining Skill" (Ninth Layer Perfection), "Six Yang Qi Cultivation Skill" (First Level 253/100000)]

[Martial Skill: "Three Talents Fist" (Mastery), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Mastery), Zhuang’s Flying Knife (Mastery), Swallow Returning Sword Technique (Mastery), "Vermilion Bird Swordsmanship" (Beginner 1/100000)]

More than fifty thousand points!

This was his gain in recent days, tossing Qingfeng City into chaos and offending so many people to achieve it.

"It’s a pity this is a one-time deal."

Thinking this, Chen Ming felt a wave of happiness in his heart.

With these fifty thousand experience points, he could finally enhance some strength.

Add points!

He directly added fifty thousand points to the newly learned "Vermilion Bird Swordsmanship".

Instantly, he felt a boom in his head, and many insights emerged in his mind.

Many things that Shang Jianfei had told him but he couldn’t comprehend suddenly became clear.

After a long time.

Chen Ming took a deep breath, a hint of joy in his eyes, and murmured, "So, that’s how it is!"

He finally understood where the difficulty of "Vermilion Bird Swordsmanship" lay. Simply put, it was the technique to mobilize true qi. The formulae told by Shang Jianfei were too abstract, not only in classical texts but also full of metaphors. To him, it sounded like spells.

His classical Chinese was weak, scoring less than eighty in the college entrance examination. Understanding such complex formulas really challenged him.

Fortunately, there was a system, or else, he wouldn’t know how long it would take to understand those heart method formulas.

Chen Ming picked up a long sword beside the table, activated the heart method, and stabbed the sword towards the wall. With a swoosh, the sword effortlessly penetrated the earth wall, burying itself a foot deep.

He twitched, "This power is a bit exaggerated."

This was just an ordinary Cyan Steel Sword. With brute force, it might not even pierce through this earthen wall. Even if it could penetrate, it couldn’t achieve such a light and effortless strike without a trace of smoke or fire.

"No wonder a sixth-grade martial artist can easily defeat a seventh-grade. The power of true qi is indeed impressive."

"But, the consumption is also substantial."

Just now, with that one sword, he nearly exhausted the tiny bit of true qi within him.

Chen Ming pulled out the sword, sheathed it, and sat cross-legged on the bed to recuperate, recovering the consumed true qi.

...

Unbeknownst to him, morning had already arrived.

Chen Ming opened his eyes, his internal true qi fully restored. He counted silently in his heart.

It took three hours to recover two hundred and fifty units of true qi.

This past month, he hadn’t added points to cultivation techniques. Through daily practice, it had increased by a total of 23 points so far.

"Forget it, just add them directly."

Chen Ming no longer hesitated and poured all the remaining points into his cultivation technique.

Instantly, a flame surged within him, burning from the dantian through the meridians, eventually turning into a stream that merged with his true qi.

Within moments, his true qi expanded more than twentyfold.

In other words, he could now perform sword techniques with yesterday’s power over twenty times, barely able to hold his ground against a sixth-grade martial artist.

At this moment, his panel data also changed.

[Level: 40]

[Current Points: 0]

[Cultivation Technique: "Iron Horse Stance" (Fifth Level Perfection), "Three Yang Body Refining Skill" (Ninth Layer Perfection), "Six Yang Qi Cultivation Skill" (First Level 6970/100000)]

[Martial Skill: "Three Talents Fist" (Mastery), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Mastery), Zhuang’s Flying Knife (Mastery), Swallow Returning Sword Technique (Mastery), "Vermilion Bird Swordsmanship" (Beginner 50000/100000)]

...

Chen Ming did not leave the house all day, staying inside.

This disappointed many people waiting for a spectacle. Because of the recent events, many people waited near his house, ready to follow him as soon as he left.

Seeing him not leaving, these people gradually dispersed, leaving only a few stalwarts.

Finally, at dusk, they saw Chen Ming’s carriage come out. The remaining few excitedly followed, only to find the carriage heading straight to Yihong Brothel.

That was the most high-end brothel in the city.

Upon inquiry, they learned that Guanglong Trading Company’s Young Master was hosting a gathering there that night. They suddenly understood that Chen Ming was attending the banquet.

This was Chen Ming’s first time visiting the Yihong Brothel. He had heard the name mentioned quite a few times.

To be honest, he was quite curious about these ancient places of pleasure, and today he finally had the chance to experience one, since someone else was treating him.

With the Young Master’s influence from Guanglong Trading Company, he believed they should be able to invite the courtesan over.

"Sir, I apologize, but the place has been reserved by Young Master Feng today for a banquet..."

Just as he was about to enter, someone stopped him, so he presented the invitation card.

When the person saw it, they quickly took it respectfully, "So it’s Young Master Chen Er, please come in quickly, Young Master Feng has been waiting for quite some time."

To think he would reserve the whole place, he’s quite the extravagant spender indeed.

Chen Ming thought to himself as he followed the madam-looking middle-aged woman inside.

It was indeed worthy of a high-class venue, as the decor was exquisite and elegant. In the hall, there stood a row of young women, catering to various tastes from full-figured to slender.

Their attire wasn’t too revealing, yet exuded a charming allure.

"Young Master Chen."

"Young Master..."

All the women surrounded him, some giggling, others bashful, leaving him dazzled.

From Chen Ming’s perspective, they would score between 6.5 to 7 points, qualifying as beauties. However, compared to Xiao Zhuyun, they fell far short.

If Xiao Zhuyun couldn’t shake his steadfastness, how could they?

At this moment, a loud laugh emanated from within, "It seems these common beauties aren’t enough to catch Brother Chen’s eye. Disperse, all of you."

The women surrounding Chen Ming looked forlorn as they retreated.

He finally saw who had spoken, a man in his thirties, bearded and smiling, giving off a friendly impression—a slick businessman, at first glance.

He cupped his hands and said, "Chen Ming, I’ve seen Young Master Feng."

Feng Siyuan appraised him and praised, "I’ve long heard that there is a blade genius in Qingfeng City. Seeing you today, the reputation is well-deserved indeed."

"Young Master Feng flatters me."

"The entire city is abuzz, saying that Brother Chen is arrogant and domineering. But now that I see you, it doesn’t really match the rumors."

Chen Ming replied, "To be honest, I am obsessed with martial arts, my greatest hobby is to spar with others. But most people in the world are confined by sect distinctions. Despite my repeated requests, many are unwilling to spar with me. So I could only resort to forceful measures after diplomatic ones."

Feng Siyuan laughed heartily, "Hahaha... how delightful, resorting to force after diplomacy. Let’s drink to that! Bring wine!"

Then the beaded curtain lifted, and a graceful woman walked out, coming beside Chen Ming to pour wine for him.

First, he caught a whiff of an enticing fragrance, then turned to see her eyebrows like distant mountains and eyes like autumn waters—a truly outstanding beauty.

This beauty could easily score an 8.

Sensing his gaze, the beauty with a shy, yet joyous expression said, "I am Ru Yin, greetings to Young Master."

So this year’s courtesan—her skills were quite polished. Just her seemingly shy and delighted demeanor, with a glance that seemed full of affection, could capture a man’s soul.

What a pity.

Knowing she was in the world of dust and debauchery, Chen Ming didn’t feel anything, only lamenting how someone so beautiful ended up in this line of work.

Just like every time he watched films and saw especially beautiful teachers, he would think to himself, why engage in this when you’re so beautiful?

The conclusion being, perhaps women in neon lights lived in dire circumstances.

...

"Brother Chen, I toast to you."

Feng Siyuan first toasted Chen Ming, saying nothing about the reason for the invitation.

Casually chatting, Chen Ming enjoyed the musical skills of another courtesan, watched a dance, and listened to Feng Siyuan talk about foreign lands and customs.

Feng Siyuan, having traveled overseas with the fleets and dealt with pirates, had visited various maritime nations.

His eloquence was such that even Chen Ming felt a tinge of temptation. "If I have the chance in the future, I must visit those foreign countries."

"There will certainly be a chance in the future."

Seeing the conversation was going well, Feng Siyuan finally extended the formal invitation, "Brother Chen, are you interested in joining our Guanglong Trading Company? Don’t rush to refuse; you may not know much about Guanglong. In terms of cultivation manuals, both in variety and quantity, the other companies are nowhere near comparable. As long as you agree, I have the authority to let you choose a First Grade Divine Skill."

Chen Ming set down his wine cup and said, "Thank you for your generosity, Brother Feng. It’s just that I’ve always been carefree and can’t stand constraints, so I must apologize."

Seeing his straightforward refusal, Feng Siyuan shrugged, a bit helpless, "It seems Brother Chen and Guanglong are not destined."

Chen Ming shifted the conversation, "Actually, Jiangzhou is a land with outstanding people, surely it wouldn’t lack talented individuals. How could Guanglong Trading Company be short on manpower?"

Feng Siyuan smiled wryly, "Jiangzhou is large, but with the Three Great Families and Four Great Sects, who can extend their reach so far?"

Chen Ming smiled slightly, the plan fully revealed, "Since each place has its own territory, why not think of a way to attract those young talents to Qingfeng City?"

Feng Siyuan was slightly taken aback, "What do you mean, Brother Chen?"

"Remember a few months ago when Magistrate Zhao first arrived in Qingfeng City? He hosted a Martial Arts Gathering, attracting many young aristocrats. Why not follow the example and host a Martial Arts Gathering yourselves?"

PS: Third update seeking votes.