Chapter 227 - 210: Don’t Follow in My Footsteps
"Does your twin brother look exactly like you? Logically, dragon-phoenix twins are fraternal and shouldn’t look the same—"
Chen Ming stopped mid-sentence, seeing Xia Mudan staring at him blankly, eyes filled with confusion. He shook his head and said, "Never mind, forget I said that."
This is an Otherworld, after all, with Extraordinary Power; dragon-phoenix twins looking identical is nothing unusual.
"I’m fine now."
Xia Mudan said shyly, clearly not used to being so intimately close together.
Chen Ming released his hand and sat back on the brocade stool by the bed.
She sighed slightly, brushing hair back from her temples, "My brother and I do look somewhat alike."
He asked, "The person you want to kill is the one who killed your brother?"
"Yes." Her face showed hatred when she brought up her enemy, "I didn’t expect that scoundrel to be prepared, hiring a Second Grade expert to protect him. I was caught off guard and suffered a big loss."
So, her enemy is quite a formidable character.
Chen Ming asked, "What is your enemy’s cultivation level?"
"Just an ordinary Third Grade."
Ordinary Third Grade means around level seventy-five, not having grasped ’intent’, the average strength for Third Grade.
Chen Ming assessed her enemy’s approximate strength, having a sense of it, and asked, "What kind of person is he?"
Xia Mudan glanced at him, a hint of hesitation flickering in her eyes.
He smiled and said, "I was being presumptuous, I shouldn’t have asked that."
"I didn’t mean that, Brother Gu." She became anxious, afraid he’d misunderstand, "That person is a Third-Grade Admiral of the Six Gates."
"Oh!"
Chen Ming suddenly understood; no wonder she wanted to travel with him to Xiazhou City and even invited him to stay together. Because he is also a member of the Six Gates.
Originally, Xia Mudan wanted to use his Six Gates identity as a cover, right?
He asked, "Which one is it?"
In Xiazhou Six Gates, there are three First Grade Governors, each having at least three Third Grades under them, adding up to nine.
"It’s Zhu Wanlin!"
When Xia Mudan mentioned this name, it was with some gritted teeth.
Chen Ming actually knew this person; he is the youngest Third Grade Governor in Xiazhou City, rose quickly, ambitious, capable, and extremely talented. He is ruthless in his actions, being a legendary figure.
"Does he have a feud with the Jiang Family?"
"No, I’ve investigated, he has no connection with the Jiang Family at all. Initially, I wasn’t completely sure he was the one who killed my brother. The day I went to investigate his mansion, I fell into a trap and got ambushed. I am certain now, he must be the killer."
"Who injured you?"
"Zhou Wentao of the Eight Righteous Sect, the most outstanding disciple of the Qingyi lineage. A Second Grade peak, wielding the Unparalleled Divine Weapon Heartless Sword."
The Qingyi lineage emphasizes loyalty, believing in avenging grievances and repaying kindness. They are famous for not being guided by justice but rather personal feelings.
This is the most popular lineage within the Eight Righteous Sect. Similarly, because of owing people favors, they’ve done many foolish things.
It’s estimated that this Zhou Wentao owed Zhu Wanlin a favor.
Seeing she said so much, Chen Ming noticed she was a bit weary and said, "You should rest well."
He returned to his small courtyard and began pondering.
This matter was originally unrelated to him. However, no matter what, she is a woman he has performed marital rites with, he can’t just watch her die.
Considering the visualization map her father gave, he couldn’t ignore her.
For now, staying in Xiazhou City seems safe. Zhou Wentao, also of the Eight Righteous Sect, didn’t kill her, clearly mindful of the rules of the Qingyi lineage.
Currently, Xia Mudan’s injuries are stable. Stay here and focus on enhancing strength. Once Xia Shaowen breaks through to the Divine Treasure Realm, this little trouble won’t be an issue.
Having thought this through, Chen Ming felt at ease and took out the visualization map to study it.
...
The next morning, as soon as Chen Ming arrived at the Six Gates, his subordinate Zhang Dingce hurried over, "Sir, Master Ruan has arrived, waiting for you to come."
Master Ruan, the Prison Director, his immediate superior.
Chen Ming quickly followed over.
Shortly, they arrived at the pavilion where the Prison Director worked.
"Come in."
A deep voice sounded.
Chen Ming walked in and saw Prison Director Ruan Caixiong, a man in his thirties, quite handsome. Although wearing purple representing a First Grade Governor, he had a somewhat unrestrained air.
"Your subordinate, Gu Xianyu, pays respects to Master Ruan."
He was about to bow when his hand was held back.
Ruan Caixiong laughed heartily, "I just heard yesterday that a young master came from the Capital City to Xiazhou City, with formidable talent rarely seen in the world. I didn’t expect you’d become my subordinate, truly wonderful. Come, come, sit and drink."
"Sir, this..."
"Don’t call me sir, it’s too formal. Although I haven’t dealt with the Gu Family before, I’ve met your father a few times. If you don’t mind, you can call me brother."
The warmth Ruan Caixiong showed revealed the sincere connection felt between acquaintances from the same hometown.
He said this while already pulling Chen Ming to sit down on the chair. He personally poured two cups of wine and excitedly said, "I haven’t been back to the Capital City in many years, and I don’t know how it is now. Let me ask you, before you came, was the sword outside the Heavenly Master Mansion taken away by someone?"
"Is the National Guardian Beast of Beigong still roaring every night around midnight?"
"Where has that strange person carrying the Celestial Dao Alliance reached now?"
"..."
Chen Ming was baffled by these questions. He hadn’t been to the Capital City, so how could he know about these things?
In the end, he could only apologetically say, "To be honest, when I was at home before, I seldom went out. Others also wouldn’t tell me these things. So, I truly don’t know about these matters."
Ruan Caixiong looked at him surprisingly and said somewhat regretfully, "It turns out to be this martial arts fanatic. You’ve really missed out on a lot of good things. You’ll find out later that in life, apart from the Martial Dao, there are many other exciting and beautiful things."
Chen Ming found it difficult to continue this conversation.
The deeds of Ruan Caixiong were quite famous. The Ruan Family was also a top family, but they were not part of the aristocracy and didn’t belong to the same circle as the Gu Family.
It’s said that he was frivolous and did many absurd things in his youth. After making a mistake, he was demoted to Xiazhou City, planning for him to reflect upon his actions well.
Who would’ve thought he fell in love at first sight with a woman, determined to marry no one but her. For this woman, he didn’t hesitate to break ties with his family. His father was so angry that he almost drove him out of the family.
From then on, Ruan Caixiong stayed in Xiazhou City.
Such a man would be called a "romantic" in ancient times.
In modern times, he would be called "a love-struck fool."
This was over ten years ago, and it’s unknown if he regretted it after marrying that woman.
It was clear that Ruan Caixiong really missed the Capital City, so when he ran into this fellow countryman, he was so enthusiastic.
After several rounds of drinks, Ruan Caixiong was somewhat intoxicated, and finally changed the subject, "Brother, I heard that you’ve already tied the knot with Xia Mudan. Is the Gu Family aware of this?"
Chen Ming accompanied him in finishing the drink and said, "Not yet, but I estimate they’ll know soon."
Gu Yuyin was accompanied by quite a few Gu Family bodyguards, such a big event would definitely be reported to the Gu Family.
"You need to handle this carefully, don’t follow in my footsteps."
His tone indeed showed some signs of regret.
Chen Ming sighed, "Brother, you have no idea, my situation is not much better than yours."
Ruan Caixiong pondered, "It seems there are hidden details in here. Besides, Xia Shaowen suddenly organized a martial arts tournament for marriage, which was odd in itself. However, with the prestigious reputation of your Duke Qin Mansion, some trouble is nothing to worry about."
That’s not "some trouble," it’s snatching the emperor’s woman.
Chen Ming shook his head and decided not to bring up the matter again.
Anyway, before the emperor troubles him, he needs to accumulate enough Experience Points, and if things go bad, he might abandon this disguise.
...
In the afternoon, Chen Ming finally found an excuse to leave and went to the prison. He brought those nine Third-Grade prisoners one by one to the torture chamber for a fight.
[You’ve defeated a LV76 opponent once again, gaining 24,000 Experience Points.]
Just like before, defeating the same person a second time yields half of the original Experience Points.
After fighting nine rounds, he finally harvested 200,000 Experience Points.
Upon leaving the prison, he opened the panel.
[Level: 70]
[Current Points: 769,875]
[Cultivation Technique: "Iron Horse Stance" (Fifth Level Perfection), "Five Elements True Skill (Missing)" (Seventh Level 203324/10000000)]
[Martial Skills: "Three Talents Fist" (Accomplished), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Accomplished), Zhuang’s Flying Knife (Accomplished), Swallow Returning Sword Technique (Accomplished), "Vermilion Bird Swordsmanship" (Accomplished), "Phoenix Dance of Nine Heavens" (Fourth Level 3543/400000), "Heaven and Earth Solitary Swan" (Second Level 23781/2000000)]
[Secret Technique: "Disguise Technique" (Accomplished)]
...
That evening, Ruan Caixiong booked a table and invited Chen Ming, this fellow countryman. Both changed into casual clothes, booked a private room, and drank together without even having anyone to accompany them.
Chen Ming took advantage of the alcohol to inquire, "Brother, you’ve been in Xiazhou City for so many years, do you know about the Eight Righteous Sect?"
Ruan Caixiong cautioned, "There’s no normal person in the Eight Righteous Sect, it’s best to avoid dealings with them."
He asked, "Why so?"
Ruan Caixiong was about to speak when he suddenly stood up.
Chen Ming found it strange, then heard footsteps outside, coming quickly, and with a bang, the door was pushed open.
The visitor was a stunningly beautiful young woman in a red long dress, exuding a mature charm unique to women. However, at this moment, she appeared somewhat imposing.
Ruan Caixiong looked surprised, "Madam, why are you here?"
It turned out this was his wife, the woman he was willing to break with his family for.
She indeed was very beautiful and charming.
Madam Ruan turned her gaze and smiled, "I heard my husband was here entertaining a guest, so I thought I’d come toast with a glass of wine."
Chen Ming’s mouth twitched slightly.
Judging by her imposing manner when she entered, she probably came to catch him in the act.
It’s truly surprising, this Ruan Caixiong, is still under his wife’s control.
PS: It’s the last day of the month, asking for monthly votes.