I Only Know How to Bully Noobs

Chapter 80: Story and Secret

【You have once again defeated an LV38 opponent, gaining 500 experience points】

【You have once again defeated an LV38 opponent, gaining 300 experience points】

【……】

That day, Chen Ming spent the entire time inside the Six Doors Authority’s prison, bringing out the prisoners from Cell Block B one by one, tossing them a knife, and sparring with them.

To call it sparring was really just to say—it was beatings and humiliation.

None of these prisoners were uninjured, so how could they be his match?

One by one, the prisoners seethed with anger but dared not speak.

However, not everyone was cooperative.

Among them, there was one hard-boned man who, even when he heard about “solitary confinement,” only sneered coldly, his face full of disdain.

Chen Ming had always admired such tough bones. He didn’t make things difficult for him and simply ordered the jailers to send him back.

Then he asked the jailer beside him, “What crime did this man commit?”

“Murder. It’s said he killed the illegitimate son of the owner of Four Seas Bank. He’s been sentenced to death and is just waiting for the execution after autumn.”

Four Seas Bank, huh.

Chen Ming came to a realization.

No wonder—this man even dared to kill the son of Four Seas Bank’s owner. He must be someone bold beyond reason.

In Qingfeng City, those sea merchants were truly giant crocodiles.

They usually kept a low profile, but their influence was immense. It was just that their power manifested in different ways—not the same kind as influential families like the Gu Family.

In terms of political clout, even ten Gu Families couldn’t compare to a single Four Seas Bank.

He asked curiously, “Why did he kill someone?”

That jailer said, “It’s said it was to stand up for a widowed mother and her orphan. That was a month ago. That young master wanted to seize the woman’s house, so he forged a debt note supposedly signed by her deceased husband and came demanding money. The woman was fierce and picked up a kitchen knife to fight. The young master became enraged and wanted to kill her on the spot. This Ding Guangnan couldn’t bear to see it and stepped in, beating that young master to death…”

Upon hearing this, Chen Ming suddenly remembered. His sister-in-law had even mentioned this incident at the dinner table. It had caused quite a stir at the time.

He didn’t expect that the tough guy from just now was the very man himself.

Chen Ming asked, “What’s the background of this Ding Guangnan?”

“From out of town. He never reported which sect he belongs to, so no one knows his origin. But really, what sect would matter? After killing the son of Four Seas Bank’s owner, how could there be a path to survival?”

From the jailer’s regretful tone, it was clear he felt sympathetic toward Ding Guangnan.

That must be the simple sense of right and wrong held by the people of this world.

While Chen Ming was pondering this, two more jailers arrived with another prisoner. According to the records, this man’s name was Fu Zhengyang.

He had been arrested just a few days ago.

Said to be from Wanzhou, thousands of li away from Jiangzhou, his identity couldn’t be verified at all.

When the prisoner arrived, he appeared meek and cooperative—very different from the others.

The other prisoners either cursed loudly, stayed silent, or looked scornful.

This one, however, showed none of the arrogance expected from a Seventh Grade Martial Artist. He looked utterly honest.

Fu Zhengyang appeared to be around forty, with the air of a traveling merchant. Though he was also in shackles, his shoulder blades had not been pierced.

As soon as he entered, he bent at the waist, wore a bitter expression, and said, “My lord, I’ve already confessed everything I know. I really just came to visit relatives…”

Chen Ming waved a hand to interrupt him, “I didn’t bring you here to ask about that.”

Then he signaled for the jailers to unshackle him.

As usual, he tossed him a knife.

“As long as you can beat me, I’ll let you go. Even if you lose, you’ll still get an extra meal with meat.”

Fu Zhengyang still looked hesitant, but upon hearing there would be extra food—and meat, at that—he instinctively licked his lips.

After hesitating a few seconds, he steeled himself and picked up the knife from the ground.

He braced himself and said, “M-My lord, here I come. Please be careful.”

Seeing him like this, Chen Ming couldn’t believe he was a martial artist.

He wondered how the man had even reached Seventh Grade.

“Come on, then.”

Fu Zhengyang slashed at him with some technique, indicating formal training. However, the man dared not aim directly at Chen Ming and missed badly.

Chen Ming spun around and smacked the knife from his hand with a backhanded slash.

“Aiyo!”

Fu Zhengyang jumped in fright, backing away several steps, and quickly said, “My lord, your martial arts are far too superior. I’m no match.”

Just as Chen Ming was about to speak, a prompt suddenly popped up before his eyes, causing his eyelids to twitch.

【You have defeated an LV42 opponent, gaining 2200 experience points】

He was startled and thought he saw wrong. But after checking closely, it was indeed Level 42.

According to the System’s level classification, anything above Level 40 equated to Sixth Grade.

This man was actually a Sixth Grade expert!

Chen Ming’s heart pounded wildly, though his face remained calm.

He called in the jailers to re-shackle Fu Zhengyang and send him back to the prison cell.

Only after the dangerous man was taken away did he breathe a sigh of relief, realizing his back was drenched in sweat.

“So close—”

Chen Ming felt a lingering sense of fear.

Who could have imagined that inside a place meant to hold Seventh Grade Martial Artists, a Sixth Grade expert had been hiding all along? And he had even personally unshackled him to spar.

If Fu Zhengyang had even a sliver of murderous intent, he would most likely be dead today.

Though the difference between Seventh Grade and Sixth Grade was only one level, the disparity in power was like a chasm. They weren’t on the same level at all.

As for why this man had hidden his true cultivation and how he had concealed it from the people of the Six Doors Authority, Chen Ming didn’t want to know at all.

He only stayed away from matters beyond his current level of power.

……

By the end of the day, Chen Ming had sparred with all nine prisoners from Cell Block B, except Ding Guangnan.

In total, he earned 11,550 experience points, setting a new single-day record.

This place was truly a treasure trove.

Chen Ming had “sparred” with each prisoner three times, squeezing them dry.

With these prisoners, there was no need to hold back.

When he stepped out of the prison, it was already afternoon.

Before leaving, he took out one hundred taels and gave them to the head jailer of Cell Block B, asking him to provide extra meals for all nine prisoners.

It didn’t take that much money just to provide extra meals. The rest, naturally, was the jailer’s benefit—an unspoken understanding.

  ……

In the days that followed, Chen Ming went to the Six Doors Authority’s prison every day, come rain or shine.

Unlike the first day when he went empty-handed, now he brought various wines and foods daily to treat the prison guards.

Making good connections with those in charge never hurt.

Chen Ming “interrogated” the prisoners every day. Except for Fu Zhengyang, the other eight prisoners were sparred with three times each, daily.

This way, he consistently gained 6300 experience points every day.

Opportunities to farm such massive experience gains daily were rare.

By the fifth day, new prisoners began to be brought in. Within a few days, there were already thirteen prisoners in Cell Block B.

Chen Ming was so engrossed in gaining experience that he forgot about everything else.

However, such good days couldn’t last forever.

That morning, Chen Ming went to the prison as usual, but unexpectedly ran into Chen Yong. “Lord Chen, aren’t you out catching criminals today?”

Chen Yong’s expression didn’t look good. He pulled him aside and said, “I don’t know who it was, but someone reported your daily visits to the prison to Patrol Envoy Yu. Unfortunately, prison affairs fall under his jurisdiction. Because of what happened with Patrol Envoy Sun, he already dislikes you. Thanks to Miss Zhao, he won’t pursue the matter. But starting tomorrow, they won’t let you in anymore.”

Damn you, Yu Xiuming!

Just you wait.

A glint of cold light flashed in Chen Ming’s eyes as murderous intent surged within.

He hadn’t liked or disliked Yu Xiuming before. But this guy just had to meddle and cut off his shortcut to gaining experience.

That made him an enemy for life.

He said, “Regardless, thank you for these past two weeks, Lord Chen.”

Chen Yong replied, “If you want to thank someone, thank Miss Zhao instead.”

“Credit where it’s due. I’ll thank your young lady properly. But I’ll also remember how you’ve looked out for me, Lord Chen.”

These words made Chen Yong feel quite pleased, and his smile grew more genuine. He lowered his voice and said, “No need to take it to heart, young master. Patrol Envoy Yu came to Qingfeng City for merit. He’ll be reassigned within a year or two. Once he’s gone, Miss Zhao will naturally find a way to get you back into the prison.”

……

Anyway, since he could still gain experience today, Chen Ming’s mood immediately brightened.

He brought in wine and food, distributing them among the guards.

Then, he had them bring the prisoners out one by one.

Just like before, the first to appear were the three pirates who had once attacked him.

After going through them, he finally had Ding Guangnan brought over.

Ding Guangnan was in even worse shape than before, with several new wounds on his body.

Chen Ming pulled out a bottle of wine, poured a cup, and said, “I heard about what happened. You’re a real man. I salute you with this cup.”

Ding Guangnan didn’t move.

Lying on the ground, it was unclear whether he disdained drinking with a Six Doors Authority lackey or simply lacked the strength.

Chen Ming didn’t take offense.

After downing the wine, he added, “This is my last time here. After today, we likely won’t meet again. Do you have any last words?”

After a while, Ding Guangnan still gave no response.

Chen Ming sighed, drank another cup of wine, and said no more. He had someone return him to his cell.

Then, he left the prison.

As he stepped out the main gate, he suddenly thought of Fu Zhengyang, the one who had hidden his cultivation.

There were many stories here—and many secrets hidden, too.