I Only Stomp on Weaklings

[You defeated an enemy of LV87 and gained 20,000 experience points.]

Chen Ming cupped his hands at the middle-aged man covered in blood on the ground and said, "Brother He, I apologize."

The middle-aged man sat paralyzed on the ground, wiped the blood from his face, and said with an unwilling expression, "With your swordsmanship, if I hadn’t been sealed by the Dragon Sealing Needle for so long, you wouldn’t have defeated me."

"That is indeed true."

Chen Ming nodded and said, "Brother He’s swordsmanship is brilliant. I can’t compare at all and could only rely on the advantage of the Divine Weapon, which is not a fair victory."

His swordsmanship, if evaluated by the standards of ’Lone Goose Shadow,’ would at least have reached the sixth level.

The middle-aged man with the surname He snorted coldly, "Just so you know. Kid, if you think you can use this method to secretly learn the He Family’s swordsmanship, you’re mistaken."

"Brother He, your integrity is admirable."

Chen Ming didn’t explain further and called for someone from outside to come in, restrain the man again, and return him to the cell.

In the cell, a table of good wine and food was already prepared.

This was the recompense after being "interrogated" by him.

It was precisely this sort of compensation that made many Second Grade prisoners willing to spar with him. However, they were smart and never used their signature moves, fearing they would be learned by others.

Because they were well aware that even if they won, it was impossible for them to get out of the prison.

Chen Ming naturally wouldn’t explain, which made winning easier and spared him a lot of trouble.

Currently, he has eighteen regular sparring partners each day, from which he gains 360,000 experience points daily. Over a month, that’s just over 10 million.

Even with the remaining four million, it’s far from enough to advance to the First Grade.

...

Chen Ming ended today’s experience grind and left the heavily guarded prison.

As the heavy iron door opened, a sudden thought struck him, "It seems like every time I enter the prison, something happens. Surely no one would dare to raid the prison here?"

The first time in Qingfeng City, he went to spar with the prisoners, and shortly after, there was a prison break.

The second time in Xiazhou City was even more outrageous; someone marched right into the prison without any reaction from outside.

Chen Ming thought again, "This is the Capital City, with many hidden talents, no one should dare."

After leaving the prison, a carriage was parked roadside, dispatched by the Gu Family to pick him up.

The coach driver was an old man, with eyes full of spirit, his strength not weak.

The driver was responsible for picking him up daily, a form of protection as well as surveillance.

As Chen Ming got into the carriage, he politely said to the driver, "Thank you, Uncle Li."

The driver, whose surname was Li, wasn’t very talkative. He merely nodded slightly after hearing him and drove the carriage toward the Duke Jingguo’s residence.

The day ended fairly early today, and the sun had yet to set.

It was around four in the afternoon.

The carriage entered the Duke’s residence through the back gate.

As Chen Ming stepped off, a servant approached and said, "Seventh Young Master, Fifth Master requests your presence."

Just as well, he was thinking of finding Gu Haochuan, so he said, "Lead the way."

...

Gu Haochuan’s residence was rather secluded and not easy to find. Without someone leading the way, Chen Ming might not have found it.

The Duke’s residence was vast, even larger than the Prince Zhenhai’s Mansion in Qingfeng City. One must know, this was in the Capital City, where land is highly valuable.

It’s said this was originally the Prince Mansion of some prince from the previous dynasty. Later, when the Great Jin army entered the Capital City, the first Duke Jingguo took a liking to this place and obtained it by request from the Grand Ancestor Emperor.

This shows how influential Duke Jingguo is.

Chen Ming entered the courtyard and greeted Gu Haochuan, "Fifth Uncle, you asked for me?"

Gu Haochuan looked at him and said, "You’ve been in the Capital City for ten days and haven’t come to see me. I want to see if your swordsmanship has improved in these days. This is Protector Luo, also a Second Grade. Spar a few moves with him. Let me see."

"Yes."

Chen Ming thought, just right to showcase the ’progress’ over the past few days.

The Protector Luo was a middle-aged man around fifty. As an outsider yet still a protector reaching Second Grade, it showed he was one of their own, like a family servant.

If he could advance further to First Grade, there was a chance for him to become a worshipper.

Protector Luo respectfully said, "Seventh Young Master, please instruct."

"Protector Luo, please."

Chen Ming drew the "Taiyue Sword" and performed a move "Lone Goose Shadow," thrusting towards Protector Luo’s face.

Seeing this sword, Gu Haochuan’s expression changed.

This sword had already grasped a bit of the true essence of ’Lone Goose Shadow.’

This boy, in just a short time, had such a massive improvement?

The last time he saw this boy practicing sword was more than a month ago on a ship.

In just over a month, his swordsmanship had qualitatively progressed from merely understanding the basics to having entered the higher level.

In the Gu Family, those with better comprehension at least required one or two years of honing to achieve such progress.

For the first time, Gu Haochuan felt a hint of apprehension.

This boy possesses not only extraordinary talent but also exceptional comprehension, truly rare in the world. In today’s world, few could compare with him.

Although Gu Haochuan couldn’t fully see through this person’s true nature, he could roughly determine the person’s age, not exceeding thirty. Such exuberant vitality like the morning sun is unmistakable.

"Enough."

After about a dozen moves, Protector Luo, forced to retreat step by step and about to lose, was abruptly interrupted by Gu Haochuan in their spar.

Protector Luo jumped to the side and sincerely said, "Seventh Young Master’s swordsmanship is exceptional, I’m no match."

[You defeated an opponent of LV86 and gained 52,000 experience points.]

"Thank you for letting me win."

Chen Ming wore a smile on his face.

Gu Haochuan praised, "It seems you truly haven’t been slacking off during this time. After some trials in real combat, your swordsmanship has greatly improved. Very good, keep it up."

Chen Ming seized the opportunity and said, "Fifth Uncle, if I could spar with a First Grade prisoner from the Heavenly Prison, I’m sure I could make even greater progress. I wonder if Fifth Uncle could help?"

"Spar with a First Grade?"

Gu Haochuan hesitated, shaking his head, "This matter might not be easy, as my friend’s position within Six Gates isn’t high enough."

"If that’s the case, then forget it. I’ll take my leave, Uncle."

"Hmm, go on."

After Chen Ming left, the smile on Gu Haochuan’s face gradually faded.

In fact, the matter wasn’t difficult. However, for some reason, a hint of unease sprouted towards this boy in his heart, making him unwilling to help.

He thought to himself, "With his current skills, securing a fifth place at the Mid-Autumn Night Feast shouldn’t be hard."

In the Capital City, the strongest powers belong to three people, each possessing formidable First Grade strength.

These three stand towering above the rest.

Aside from those three, the others possess newly acquired Second Grade skills, posing little threat to the boy.

Thus, he was unwilling to invite complications.

...

Upon leaving the small courtyard, Chen Ming cursed inwardly; couldn’t the prestigious Mansion fulfill even this simple request?

He didn’t believe it.

With such a narrow vision, they still dream of obtaining a place in the divine residence?

Returning to his residence, he found a maid dressed exquisitely waiting anxiously at the door. Seeing him, she eagerly rushed forward, "Seventh Young Master, you’re finally back! The eldest miss urgently needs to see you, please hurry!"

"Eldest Miss?"

Chen Ming was full of questions.

In the Gu Family, the only person who could be addressed as the Eldest Miss was the family’s sole legitimate daughter.

The current Duke Jingguo’s only daughter, born from his legal wife. All other children were from secondary wives.

The Duke Jingguo’s wife was a Commandery Princess, the daughter of a Prince, exceedingly noble. Naturally, this Eldest Miss’s status in the Gu Family was quite special, practically untouchable.

Simply put, she was the truly legitimate young lady. The others, one by one, were all born of concubines.

The key was, Gu Xianyu had never interacted with this Eldest Miss before, so why was she calling for him?

He wondered, "Why is the Eldest Miss looking for me?"

"A distinguished guest wishes to see you, hurry up, don’t keep the noble waiting." The maid was anxious, reaching out to tug at his clothes.

But how could she move him?

Chen Ming had no desire to meet any noble guest; no matter how esteemed the Gu Family’s Eldest Miss was, what did she have to do with him?

"No, I’m going to train."

With a flick of his hand, he shook off the maid’s grip, entered the courtyard and closed the door.

Seeing this, the maid stomped her foot in frustration but had to return to report.

...

Gu Zhengshan heard noises inside and came out, with a hint of surprise, "Why didn’t you go when the Eldest Miss called for you?"

"I said, I need to train."

He finished speaking and returned to his room directly.

Gu Haochuan couldn’t meet even this small request of his, and wouldn’t allow him to have a small tantrum?

After a while, a knocking was heard outside.

"Who is it?"

Chen Ming actually already recognized the footsteps, he only pretended to ask.

"Seventh Brother, it’s me."

Outside, Gu Yuyin’s voice came.

He responded, "It’s getting late, whatever it is, let’s talk tomorrow."

"You embarrassed the Eldest Miss, made her lose face in front of the noble. Her expression at that time was truly spectacular." Gu Yuyin said, giggling.

Seeing the Eldest Miss embarrassed seemed to make her very happy.

Chen Ming asked, "You came to tell me this?"

Gu Yuyin replied, "Of course not. I’m just here delivering a message for someone."

After waiting for a while and seeing Chen Ming didn’t respond, she continued on her own, "That noble wants me to ask you, could it be that you’ve forgotten your wife whom you pledged eternal love to?"

"..."

Chen Ming wanted to say, Where do I have a wife?

But deep down, he knew who she meant.

Xia Mudan, summoned by a decree of the emperor to the Imperial Palace, intended to be named as Lady Xia.

Regarding her, Chen Ming hadn’t heard anyone mention a word since entering Duke Jingguo’s Mansion. As if it never existed.

This is certainly impossible, as rumors had already spread, Gu Xianyu and Xia Mudan are married, even Gu Haochuan knew, so there’s no reason others wouldn’t.

There’s only one possibility, someone gave the order to shut down discussions, which is why no one dared to speak on it.

But silence doesn’t mean the matter ceases to exist.

See now, someone is here because of it.

This, was the variable Chen Ming had been waiting for.