Chapter 211: Chapter 199: Marginalized Groups
In the solemn and strictly organized meeting hall, only Chen Ming was left alone. Facing such a First Grade expert, he felt somewhat nervous inside.
The Six Gates housed many extraordinary people; it was said that there was a Divine Eye Detective who could see through all disguises under heaven. He wondered if his Disguise Technique could hide from such Pupil Technique.
At this moment, Governor Liang stood up and walked towards him.
He hurriedly bowed, "Greetings, Lord Governor."
"Nephew, no need to stand on ceremony."
Governor Liang’s previously severe expression was replaced by a smile, as he patted his shoulder to show friendliness, "I was an acquaintance of your father, you can just call me Uncle Liang."
"Uncle Liang."
Chen Ming naturally followed his lead smoothly.
Governor Liang’s smile grew brighter, "I’ve long heard that the Gu Family has a Gu Qi who, just over twenty, has reached Fourth Grade, which is a rare talent indeed. Meeting you today, you truly possess a dragon-like demeanor, extraordinary."
He looked somewhat flattered, "Uncle Liang praises too highly."
"Nephew, you have a profound family heritage. It’s fortunate that you are here; you should join the platform. As you’ve seen, those people earlier are unlikely to be the match of those disciples from the aristocratic and sect families. Only you, Nephew, can assist me."
Chen Ming spoke hesitantly, "I still need to report to Xiazhou City..."
Governor Liang replied, "Don’t worry, I’ll write a document and send someone to Xiazhou City. I doubt Shen Dingjun would disrespect my position."
"If that’s the case, I must comply, Uncle."
Only then did he agree and curiously asked, "Why is Uncle Liang targeting the Wan Family?"
Governor Liang responded, "I have a personal vendetta with them."
Just because of this?
His straightforwardness left Chen Ming unsure of what expression to use. So, at the end of the day, it was a personal grudge.
...
That night, Governor Liang not only invited Gu Xianyu and Gu Yuyin to dinner but also took him to the study for a chat after dinner.
He was extremely warm, treating them like his own kin.
Chen Ming was afraid he’d ask about the Gu Family’s current affairs and promptly inquired for advice on Martial Dao, how to breakthrough to Third Grade, and how to refine Sword Intent, etc.
That night, he truly realized the benefits of one’s background.
As a Gu Family member, Gu Xianyu was treated as a distinguished guest by the Governor when he arrived at Ten Thousand Thunder City and could receive guidance from a First Grade expert.
Even casual pointers from a First Grade expert benefited him greatly.
Until someone came looking for Governor Liang, Chen Ming took the chance to bid farewell and was led back to the small courtyard he resided in.
"Seventh brother is in good spirits, chatting with Governor Liang for two hours."
From the neighboring courtyard came Gu Yuyin’s teasing.
The attendant left first.
Chen Ming pushed open his small courtyard and stepped inside.
The Liang family’s arrangements were quite thoughtful, with two small courtyards connected, separated only by a wall.
Yet Gu Yuyin followed him, saying, "Earlier at the banquet, you kept calling Uncle Liang affectionately."
Chen Ming turned back and asked coldly, "Is there a problem?"
Gu Yuyin’s eyes darted over his face, saying, "It seems you truly don’t know. Liang Zongcheng has a grudge with our Gu Family."
Chen Ming was taken aback, "Really?"
"Of course. Back then, our thirteenth uncle stole someone’s sweetheart and then discarded her like an old shoe, leading to her dying of depression. Afterward, Liang Zongcheng sought revenge against the thirteenth uncle, almost dying at his hands. He likely loathes everyone from our Gu Family.
"My seventh brother, did you not investigate before coming to Xiazhou? I advise you not to mingle with Six Gates. Otherwise, you might not even know how you die someday."
After Gu Yuyin spoke, she turned and left.
She nearly pointed at his nose and called him foolish, unable to distinguish friend from foe.
Thinking of Liang Zongcheng’s attitude towards him made Chen Ming’s scalp tingle.
If what this cousin said was true, then Liang Zongcheng’s demeanor towards him was merely sweetness laced with poison, with another scheme in mind.
To think a First Grade Governor would stoop to dealing with a mere Fourth Grade; it seemed unnecessary.
Currently, he was Gu Xianyu, naturally appearing as Fourth Grade in the eyes of others.
"The official field is indeed tough."
No wonder Deng Ziyang left Six Gates after two years and decisively went to roam the martial world. The waters in Six Gates are deeper than they seem.
The problem was, he had just agreed with Liang Zongcheng today to step onto the platform for the martial arts competition, effectively accepting Liang Zongcheng’s order. There was no time to withdraw now.
He suspected, should he leave without a word, Liang Zongcheng might immediately reverse his demeanor and use disobedience as an excuse to have him killed.
Hence, he still had to get on the martial arts competition platform.
If Liang Zongcheng intended harm, it likely wouldn’t be overt and would probably aim to kill him on the platform.
Only by dying on the platform would the Gu Family be left speechless.
"Starting off intense, aren’t they?"
Chen Ming thought of Gu Yuyin again.
Judging by her attitude, she clearly didn’t think highly of Gu Xianyu, yet both of them shared the same bloodline and family interests were intertwined. Especially when traveling, they shared risks.
Though she often mocked him coldly, she would still offer reminders when necessary.
At least on this journey, he didn’t have to worry about her acting against him.
...
The next day, Gu Yuyin left first under the pretext of having to travel, taking people with her out of the city.
Beside Chen Ming, there remained only a close maid.
This was also good, as those familiar with Gu Xianyu all left, leaving only a maid, so he need not worry about his identity being exposed.
Chen Ming would go out every day, wandering around. Since he was here, he naturally wanted to experience the local customs more.
On the first day, he encountered several brawls, all triggered by trivial matters, leading to fights. Others seemed to take it as a common occurrence.
When the people from Six Gates arrived, they didn’t stop the fights either.
The arrest officers waited until the two had finished fighting, only making them compensate the shopkeeper for damages, without arresting anyone.
Several fights were handled like this in succession.
Chen Ming found it eye-opening, having heard long ago about the fierce local customs in Xiazhou, which truly lived up to their reputation.
If this were Jiangzhou, Six Gates would have arrested people without hesitation.
From this, it was evident that the strength of the local martial artists in Xiazhou was probably much higher than in Jiangzhou, hence Six Gates’ lighter enforcement.
Often, it’s not about unwillingness to manage, but inability to do so.
Chen Ming wandered for several days, witnessing daily fights over various reasons, with two instances resulting in fatalities, yet the arrest officers of Six Gates still remained indifferent, clearly treating this as a matter of the martial world.
This actually wasn’t a problem, as it was a martial world affair.
Additionally, he noticed that there were many martial halls in Ten Thousand Thunder City. He counted at least a dozen, with the strength of the hall masters no less than Sixth Grade.
One day, as Chen Ming was strolling outside, near noon, he found a tavern and ordered some food.
Halfway through the meal, he suddenly heard someone discussing the matter of the Longevity Mysterious Tomb and couldn’t help but listen in.
"...Two months ago, it was rumored in the martial world that the Longevity Mysterious Tomb appeared in Qingfeng City, Jiangzhou, causing a huge commotion. Many people rushed there but couldn’t even get through the main gate. It’s said that at least ten pinnacle experts were present. Even First Grade experts couldn’t approach..."
Someone asked curiously, "What happened afterwards?"
"Later, it caused an enormous stir. It’s said that it even lured out a great demon suppressed for thousands of years, the Immortal Demon Venerable of the Longevity Sect..."
"That battle saw nearly ten First Grade experts fall, an extremely brutal event. Ultimately, that Immortal Demon Venerable possessed a young man and fell into the Fire Vein, eventually disappearing."
Hearing this, Chen Ming couldn’t help but glance at the person.
This fellow knew so much, either having been there himself or having heard from someone present.
He was a middle-aged man with the appearance of a merchant, whose cultivation was indiscernible.
Someone then asked, "That Immortal Demon Venerable should be dead by now, right?"
"Since he’s called the Immortal Demon Venerable, he obviously isn’t that easy to kill. The reemergence of the Demon Venerable spells troubles for the world."
Chen Ming couldn’t help stealing a glance at the "Mingfeng Sword" resting on the table, thinking, this Demon Venerable was suppressed by my Divine Weapon.
Suddenly, someone said, "Nonsense, that Immortal Demon Venerable has always been suppressed at the peak of Sky Extreme Mountain. Guarded by the strong of Six Gates and the Celestial Dao Alliance, how could he possibly reach Jiangzhou?"
The merchant was about to refute when he saw that the speaker wore the official uniform of Six Gates, causing his complexion to change, "It was my idle talk."
Finishing his words, he prepared to leave.
Being a businessman, he naturally couldn’t afford to offend people from Six Gates.
However, the Fifth Grade Patrol Envoy of Six Gates was relentless, "Stop, did I say you could leave? Daring to spread misleading words here, maliciously defaming Six Gates, you must come with me."
The middle-aged merchant turned livid, "Sir, I’m innocent..."
The Fifth Grade Patrol Envoy had already stepped forward, pressing on his shoulder with a cold smile, "Speak further at the government office!"
"Stop!"
At that moment, a loud shout came from the crowd, a young man in black stepped forward, indignantly rebuking, "Such overbearing authority! He just drank a bit too much and mentioned some martial world rumors, what law did he break? And you want to arrest him!
"In broad daylight, under the clear sky, you dare to blatantly frame others and make random arrests, where is the rule of law?"
This young man in black, though simply dressed, spoke loudly and imposingly.
"Indeed, why should you arrest him?"
"Why can’t Six Gates be criticized?"
"It’s exactly because there are too many people like you in Six Gates, that the world is in chaos!"
"..."
Many present expressed their dissatisfaction with the middle-aged merchant’s treatment.
The Fifth Grade Patrol Envoy’s face turned livid, drew his blade, and shouted angrily, "What, do you want to rebel?"
The voice of the crowd faltered.
However, the young man in black showed no fear, smiled coldly, and with a lifted hand, a sword was thrust out.
The Fifth Grade Patrol Envoy couldn’t react in time, being struck and sent flying, collapsing to the ground, his weapon broken in two.
"Good!"
Deafening cheers erupted at the scene.
The young man in black declared assertively, "Today was just a lesson. Should you dare to abuse your power again, I will take your life! Get lost!"
Close by, Chen Ming watched this scene, feeling something was off.
Why did it seem like Six Gates were the underdogs here?
PS: It’s the end of the month, asking for monthly votes.
