Chapter 210: Chapter 198: Rich and Noble Flower
The girl in green was named Gu Yuyin, and she was the cousin of Gu Xianyu. She accompanied him on this journey to attend her grandfather’s sixtieth birthday celebration.
Her grandfather lived in Xiazhou.
Gu Yuyin noticed his silence, glanced at him up and down, and said, "It seems you’re not hurt, which is really fortunate. But why did you, Seventh Brother, leave without a word, giving those villains an opportunity?"
Chen Ming still didn’t speak, just looked down at the corpse on the ground, his eyes slightly reddened.
This was the persona of Gu Xianyu: taciturn, with a deep-rooted sense of inferiority and cowardice.
Despite being remarkably talented, achieving Fourth Grade cultivation at just twenty, he feared the legitimate sons from his father’s powerful family-in-law. Frightened, he fled, wanting to distance himself from the troubles of the capital.
He didn’t dare refuse the maid assigned to him by the family.
He also didn’t dare refuse when Gu Yuyin said she would travel with him.
Eventually, he made the most foolish decision—to leave without notice just before reaching Xiazhou City, which ultimately led to being ambushed by two Third Grade assassins and causing his own demise.
He might never have thought that the reason he could safely reach Xiazhou was the highly skilled guard accompanying Gu Yuyin who deterred others from attacking.
No matter if there were wolves among Gu Yuyin’s people, with Gu Xianyu’s Fourth Grade strength, they could hardly kill him without arousing suspicion.
Of course, fortunately, Gu Xianyu himself had the kind of nature that wouldn’t utter a word even after being hit three times, making it effortless for Chen Ming to play the part—just keeping his mouth shut was enough.
People were already used to seeing him like this.
Gu Yuyin sighed helplessly and asked, "Who were the people who attacked you?"
This time, Chen Ming finally reacted, shaking his head and saying, "I don’t know."
"What cultivation level?"
"Third Grade, two of them."
"Two Third Grades?" Gu Yuyin looked skeptical, her expression seemed to say, if two Third Grades attacked, how could you still be standing in front of me?
Chen Ming briefly explained, "A master passed by and killed them."
"Where is that master?"
"Gone."
"What about the bodies?"
"No remains."
"..."
...
Gu Xianyu had lost two of his closest people, so naturally, he couldn’t continue the journey immediately. He asked his cousin Fan Lianggui to go to the nearest town to purchase two coffins and hire a cart to transport them to Xiazhou City.
This delayed them by a day.
That night, they stayed in a luxurious manor, which was the home of the highest official in town.
Gu Xianyu, being a Fifth Grade Captain of the Six Gates, revealed his seal, and naturally, the local officials would extend lavish hospitality.
That night, in the room, after sending the maid He’er away, Chen Ming took out a sword manual and started reading. The cover read "Lonely Spirit of Heaven and Earth."
This was a First-Class Swordsmanship that could only unleash its true power when one reached Third Grade.
This swordsmanship was one of the Gu Family’s secret techniques. Before his journey, Gu Xianyu’s father had given it to him. Unexpectedly, it ended up benefiting Chen Ming.
"It is indeed much more intricate than the Vermilion Bird Swordsmanship."
The more he read, the more excited he became, with a sense of sudden enlightenment. It was as if he thought there was no road ahead, but suddenly a new door opened before him.
Just the first section had already brought him great benefit.
That night, he didn’t sleep, researching the sword manual throughout.
Upon reaching the second section, he found it somewhat hard to understand. It required comprehending the essence, with many descriptions being quite abstract. As for the third section, it was utterly perplexing to him.
"Young Master."
It wasn’t until the maid’s call came from outside the door that Chen Ming realized dawn had unknowingly arrived.
...
The group left the small town and continued their journey.
There were quite a few attendants sent by the Gu Family. Gu Xianyu and Gu Yuyin each had a carriage, followed by several big carts carrying gifts.
This was the advantage of being a young master from a prominent family; he never had to worry about trivial matters, as everything was naturally prepared for him.
Chen Ming hid in a carriage, contemplating the "Lonely Spirit of Heaven and Earth" swordsmanship that he had just obtained.
After several consecutive days.
"Finally succeeded!"
Joy filled Chen Ming’s heart as he opened the panel.
[Level: 70]
[Current Points: 769896]
[Cultivation Technique: Iron Horse Stance (Fifth Level Perfection), Five Elements True Skill (Missing) (Seventh Level 187544/10000000)]
[Martial Skill: Three Talents Fist (Mastery), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Mastery), Zhuang’s Flying Knife (Mastery), Swallow Returning Sword Technique (Mastery), Vermilion Bird Swordsmanship (Mastery), Phoenix Dance of Nine Heavens (Fourth Level 3277/400000), Lonely Spirit of Heaven and Earth (First Layer 1/1000000)]
[Secret Technique: Disguise Technique (Mastery)]
Finally, I’ve mastered this sword technique. As long as it appears on the panel, I can use experience points to increase my proficiency.
"Young Master, there are many people outside Ten Thousand Thunder City, and I’m afraid it will take some time."
The voice of the maid, Little He, came from outside.
"No worries."
Chen Ming was in a good mood. After mastering the "Heaven and Earth Solitary Swan," he covered his only flaw: swordsmanship. Naturally, he didn’t know Gu Xianyu’s previous sword techniques.
Now it’s different. In the future, whenever he needs to take action, he can use "Heaven and Earth Solitary Swan" without anyone suspecting. It’s an authentic Gu Family sword technique.
Who knew that this wait would last a tea’s worth of time, stuck outside the city gates and unable to enter.
Chen Ming couldn’t help but feel curious. He lifted the curtain of the carriage to look outside and saw the front was crowded with various carriages, blocking the road. Many pedestrians were also stuck outside.
The main issue was that none of the carriages would give way to each other.
He asked, "What’s going on? Why are there so many carriages?"
"Replying to Young Master, the Money Gang in Ten Thousand Thunder City set up an arena for martial arts matchmaking, widely inviting young heroes to participate."
Money Gang?
Chen Ming thought for a moment, finding it somewhat familiar, but couldn’t remember where he had heard it before.
The situation in Xiazhou was entirely different from Jiangzhou. There was only one dominant Eight Righteous Sect. In comparison, other gangs and noble families weren’t well-known.
He naturally couldn’t show unfamiliarity with Xiazhou’s situation, so he asked, "Are all these people here for the martial arts matchmaking?"
Little He replied, "These people come from all over Xiazhou, all wanting to marry the sixth-ranked Rich and Noble Flower from the Exceptional Beauty List, achieving both wealth and beauty."
With that explanation, Chen Ming recalled it: it was that Money Gang.
He had seen it when looking at the Exceptional Beauty List. The current sixth rank was the only daughter of the Money Gang leader. The Money Gang was incredible, being the wealthiest in Xiazhou.
It’s said that the gang leader was a rare handsome man who later caught the eye of a prince’s daughter and got married with a grand dowry.
Therefore, the sixth-ranked exceptional beauty on the list was called the "Rich and Noble Flower," not only wealthy but also with noble blood.
Chen Ming became interested, "I wonder if there are any conditions for this martial arts matchmaking by the Money Gang?"
Before Little He could answer, the voice of Gu Yuyin came from behind, "Seventh Brother, you’ve finally come to understand the importance of family background for a wife. If you can marry that Rich and Noble Flower, in Xiazhou you could walk around with your head held high."
There was a teasing tone in the words.
Chen Ming quickly remembered something: Gu Xianyu had someone he loved. For this person, he even firmly refused a marriage arrangement from his father.
Claiming that he would focus on the Martial Dao and not marry before reaching the First Grade.
Coincidentally, the person he loved was someone Chen Ming also knew: Su Zhining, the most outstanding disciple of the current generation of the Celestial Dao Alliance.
In Gu Xianyu’s memory, it was love at first sight, completely entranced after just one meeting.
Of course, Chen Ming wasn’t interested in the "Rich and Noble Flower." He was excited about the prospect of martial arts. During the last Cyan Cloud Ranking competition, he gained a wealth of experience points.
So, he pretended not to hear Gu Yuyin’s words.
Little He whispered, "Anyone under thirty can participate, regardless of their background or origin."
Chen Ming’s eyes lit up. If the age limit was extended to thirty, there would surely be many Third Grade participants. His adrenaline surged.
At that moment, officials from the Six Gates finally appeared. Several Fifth Grade Captains led a group of people to start controlling the scene’s order.
Those who were initially stubborn and unwilling to yield eventually gave way to the Six Gates, clearing the road.
Finally, the convoy began to move.
After another tea’s worth of time, the Gu Family’s convoy successfully entered the city.
Suddenly, someone outside asked, "Is this the Gu Family’s carriage? The Lord Governor invites you."
Chen Ming lifted the curtain and saw a Fifth Grade Captain in blue, who cupped his hands in greeting, "Gu Family’s Gu Xianyu at your service, brother."
The captain glanced him up and down after he introduced himself, praising, "Indeed, a leader among men. You’ll be like family from now on..."
...
Ten Thousand Thunder City is a state city, but in terms of prosperity, it naturally cannot compare to Qingfeng City. However, within the Six Gates, Ten Thousand Thunder City is significantly more important.
The highest official here is a First Grade Governor!
Because Ten Thousand Thunder City has the Money Gang, and the leader of the Money Gang is at the Peak of First Grade. Without dispatching a First Grade expert, it’s impossible to maintain control.
Chen Ming followed the captain named Qiu Chundong to the conference hall of the Governor’s Mansion, where he found over twenty other blue-uniformed captains standing.
What’s the situation?
He found it a bit odd.
Logically, there shouldn’t be so many blue-uniformed captains in a state city. This was severely overstaffed.
When the two of them stood at the back of the line, the stern elder sitting at the main position began to speak, "Alright, everyone is here. Within the Six Gates of Xiazhou, everyone under thirty years old with a cultivation level above Fourth Grade is here. In total, twenty-seven people.
"You should know why I’ve summoned you all. That’s right. It’s to have you participate in the Money Gang’s martial arts matchmaking. The rest doesn’t matter to me, but we absolutely cannot allow a member of the Wan Family to become the Money Gang’s son-in-law.
"As long as any of you can eliminate them, you will be heavily rewarded."
Everyone present enthusiastically responded, "Yes!"
Chen Ming was completely puzzled, not understanding why the Lord Governor had such a vendetta against the Wan Family, going to such lengths.
After Governor Liang finished speaking, everyone was dismissed, but Chen Ming was asked to stay behind alone.
