Chapter 193: Chapter 182: Completing the Set
Tao Fang was very satisfied with the house arranged by the Six Gates, as it was near the bustling market, convenient for gathering information. The courtyard was small, but well-equipped, with a maidservant and servants arranged.
However, her grandfather’s first action was to dismiss the maid and servants, telling them they needn’t come again.
Then, the grandfather and granddaughter strolled outside, took a walk around, and finally went to a nearby restaurant to gather information.
Unexpectedly, what the guests talked about most in the restaurant was Lord Chen Er.
"I’ve watched Chen Er grow up since he was a child. He had great ambitions from a young age. For the sake of learning martial arts, he knelt at his family’s doorstep for three days and nights until his father finally relented."
"At thirteen years old, he publicly declared that one day he would make it to the Cyan Cloud Ranking to bring glory to Qingfeng City!"
"By eighteen, he had achieved nothing, and everyone said he was a mediocre talent, without any gift. Silent for two years, he still didn’t give up. At twenty, he was wrongfully imprisoned, then had a fortuitous encounter, and soared to new heights, reaching the Fifth Grade within four years, revealing unparalleled talent..."
"Chen Er truly is a martial arts fanatic, devoted to the Martial Dao. So many young women secretly harbored affection for him, willing to marry no one else. But he remained unmoved..."
"..."
Tao Fang found it amusing, naturally thinking these people were exaggerating.
This was understandable, as Qingfeng City had finally produced a martial arts prodigy who could make the Cyan Cloud Ranking, naturally a point of pride, fiercely exaggerated on his behalf.
She wasn’t sure about other things, but the claim about not being fond of women was truly nonsense.
For martial artists, upon reaching the Sixth Grade, they needn’t abstain from women, and are even encouraged to have more concubines and offspring.
Being fond of women is understandable, but a normal person wouldn’t be as outrageous as Chen Ming, with his ostentatious carriage, conducting affairs openly outside.
Tao Fang listened for a long time, without gaining any useful information; all the conversations revolved around Lord Chen Er. Including his romantic escapades with Admiral Zhao’s daughter.
It seemed the story about Miss Zhao’s master breaking up the couple had yet to spread here.
She urged her grandfather to leave, and before leaving, unintentionally learned that Chen Ming’s house was right next to the small courtyard she was staying in, separated by just one wall.
...
"Really, is there nothing else to talk about in Qingfeng City?"
Tao Fang returned to the small courtyard, unable to resist complaining, "Why is everyone talking about that Lord Chen Er?"
Suddenly, Tao Zhiquan gestured for silence, pulling her to the wall, and listened intently for a moment.
Tao Fang couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous, soon hearing her grandfather’s voice in her ear, "It’s not aimed at us."
Not aimed at us?
She instinctively looked in the direction her grandfather was watching; next door, it seemed, was Chen Ming’s house.
Although it was not yet dark, she happened to see a shadow flip over the wall.
Her fist clenched tightly, biting her lip.
Tao Zhiquan shook his head, signaling not to meddle.
Tao Fang, thinking of something, spoke sadly, "Grandpa, if back then when the family was in trouble, there was a master like you willing to lend a hand, would father and mother, along with my elder brothers and little sister, not have been in trouble?"
Those words struck Tao Zhiquan’s heart like a heavy hammer.
He looked at his sorrowful granddaughter and sighed long, softly saying, "Rest assured, they will be okay."
Thinking of her deceased parents, Tao Fang couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with grief, crying uncontrollably.
...
Before dark, a luxurious large carriage drove into the courtyard next to the Chen Mansion, drawing everyone’s attention.
On the carriage were Chen Ming, Su Zhining, and Yu Haitang.
Once he had gotten off the carriage and returned to the already-tidy room, he said, "Thank you, young ladies, for your trouble."
In his current situation, it was naturally inappropriate to return home directly. So, he had sent Dongxiang and Ju’Er to Qingfeng City in advance to rent a house near the Chen Mansion.
This way, they could protect the family closely.
Dongxiang said, "Today, something happened in the mansion, just half an hour ago, three thieves climbed the wall into the courtyard. Fortunately, they were discovered and killed by the protectors, and no one in the house was injured."
Chen Ming couldn’t help but frown.
Dongxiang observed his expression and asked, "Young master, is there something wrong?"
Chen Ming said in a deep voice, "This matter is odd. Everyone knows the strength of the protectors in my house. If thieves were planning to steal, how could they not investigate first? Surely, there’s more to it."
Dongxiang was startled, quickly kneeling to plead, "It’s my oversight, please punish me, young master."
Chen Ming said, "Perhaps I’m just being paranoid. Bring Mr. Wang here."
Mr. Wang was the middle-aged man sent by Madam Yu to protect Yu Haitang. Though inconspicuous, he was a top-notch Fourth Grade expert, only a step away from the Third Grade.
Not only was he highly skilled in martial arts, but he was also a veteran, extremely dependable. No one knew where Madam Yu found such talent.
Chen Ming asked Mr. Wang to investigate the bodies of the three intruders to determine if they were just petty thieves.
As soon as Mr. Wang left, someone came to report, "Young master, someone at the gate wishes to see you. They specifically asked for you."
He asked curiously, "Who is it?"
The fact he had returned was known only to Zhuang Xiaotian, who was told not to let it slip.
"It’s a woman, wearing red, with a veil."
So it’s her.
Really well-informed, huh.
Chen Ming said, "Invite her in."
Before long, the mysterious red-clothed woman arrived outside the door and said, "What, not welcoming me?"
Chen Ming apologized, "There are reasons for this, it’s inconvenient to meet, I hope Red Sister understands."
The red-clothed woman gave a peculiar smile, "It seems you are indeed quite inconvenient. So be it, your return this time should be because of that rumor, right?"
This voice directly reached Chen Ming’s ears, using a sound transmission technique.
He said, "That’s right, I’m worried about my family’s safety, so I returned early."
"The Longevity Mysterious Tomb, aren’t you tempted by it?"
"Of course I’m tempted, but with my small stature, I don’t dare to think about it. If possible, I just want to take my family and hide as far away as I can."
The red-clothed woman said, "Unfortunately, you’re caught in the game and can’t escape."
Chen Ming’s heart tightened, "Red Sister, do you know something?"
"What I know doesn’t matter. Since this secret has spread and is out of my control, I won’t participate further. Look out for yourself."
"Did you come today to tell me just this?"
"I’m leaving. As we’re acquainted, I’ll leave you a word. If you want to survive, you can only rely on Su Zhining. That’s all I have to say, good luck."
"Wait."
Chen Ming suddenly stood up and said loudly, "Red Sister, can you do me one more favor? Help me get the ’Nine Yang Nourishing Spirit Technique’!"
After a while, just when he thought the red-clothed woman had left, a word came to his ear, "Alright!"
Thank you.
Chen Ming silently said in his heart.
Once he had the ’Nine Yang Nourishing Spirit Technique’, which is the cultivation technique from the seventh to the ninth layer of the ’Fiery Sun Divine Skill’, as soon as he gained enough experience points, he could immediately break through to the third grade and surprise everyone.
Yu Haitang suddenly said, "Are you talking about the lower volume of the ’Profound Fire True Skill’?"
"That’s right."
Chen Ming knew he couldn’t hide from her.
"Interesting, it seems she knows quite a lot. Her origins are probably not simple." Yu Haitang was obviously quite interested in the red-clothed woman.
Chen Ming did not follow up on this. In fact, he had been speculating about the intentions of this mysterious red-clothed woman approaching him. It was Yu Haitang’s words that helped him uncover the mystery later on.
The most likely reason was the ’Fiery Sun Divine Skill’.
Today was also a test, and it turned out he was right. The last volume of the ’Fiery Sun Divine Skill’ was indeed in her hands.
Chen Ming glanced at Su Zhining beside him and suddenly felt a bit worried.
These days, she hadn’t spoken a word, showing no reaction to anything, as if she was in a meditative state.
If it weren’t for her heartbeat, he would have really thought she had died.
He speculated this was probably some kind of secret technique used for healing.
...
When it was completely dark, Chen Ming consumed another Jade Dragon Pill, absorbing its medicinal power to replenish his depleted gang qi.
At this moment, Mr. Wang returned, "It’s just as you guessed, young master. Those three were not ordinary thieves. They were quite strong before their deaths, one was fourth grade, and two were fifth grade. Their identities have been discovered; they were leaders of a group of horse bandits active around the Yujie Commandery."
Chen Ming’s eyes flashed with murderous intent, which Yu Haitang caught when she turned around.
He asked in a deep voice, "How did these three die?"
Mr. Wang said, "Their heart veins were silently shattered, dying on the spot. The person who did it has at least second grade cultivation."
Second grade?
Chen Ming was puzzled. Among the experts he knew above third grade, there were only two: the red-clothed woman and Shang Jianfei.
He first ruled out Shang Jianfei.
It should not be the red-clothed woman either, otherwise, she would have directly warned him earlier.
Who could it be then?
He couldn’t help but look at Yu Haitang.
She shook her head, "It’s not my people."
Since it’s not her, then it’s strange.
Chen Ming could only suppress this doubt deep in his heart and said to Mr. Wang, "Thank you for your efforts."
Mr. Wang smiled slightly and exited the room.
...
Early the next morning, Qiuxiang brought in a wooden box and handed it to Chen Ming, saying it was delivered by someone.
When he opened it, he found it was indeed a manual, titled ’Nine Yang Qi Nourishing Technique’.
"Finally, this cultivation technique has been pieced together, not easy indeed."
Chen Ming felt a multitude of emotions, and couldn’t help but think of Old Liu. When Old Liu handed him the ’Three Yang Body Refining Skill’, he probably never thought this cultivation technique would have so many entanglements.
Thinking of Old Liu, he couldn’t help but recall the He Family from Gu Commandery who stayed in the same inn yesterday afternoon.
The He Family from Gu Commandery was Old Liu’s enemy. Old Liu left Qingfeng City that day to seek revenge against the He Family, and then never returned.
With complex emotions, Chen Ming opened the manual.
