I Only Know How to Bully Noobs

Chapter 90: Listening to Secrets

In the early morning, as the sky was just beginning to brighten, Chen Ming stood beneath the eaves, watching snowflakes drift down from the sky.

It was the first snowfall of the winter this year.

He extended his hand, and a strange scene occurred—the snowflakes falling above vanished into thin air about thirty to forty centimeters from his palm.

This was not a direct effect of true qi, but rather a consequence of his excessively vigorous qi and blood.

At that moment, the true qi in his body was slowly flowing along a meridian, and with each complete cycle, it became more active.

After reaching Sixth Grade, the enhancement of strength became more tangible and perceptible.

According to the 《Six Suns Qi Nurturing》, martial artists at Sixth Grade must unblock the twelve principal meridians within the body.

Once all were unblocked, true qi would be fully developed.

This required a grinding effort—accumulation over time.

For him, the way to accumulate was by earning experience points.

The first tier alone required one hundred thousand points.

Chen Ming felt the pressure mounting.

He counted on his fingers and realized that the Sixth Grade Martial Artists residing permanently in Qingfeng City could be counted on two hands.

Sixth Grade Martial Artists were not like those of Seventh Grade; they were considered true seniors. Just like Huo Chengkun before—he had been a prominent figure in Qingfeng City.

Moreover, these individuals often had many disciples or were symbols of their family clans.

They had fame and influence.

It was impossible for them to casually spar with others—they could not afford to lose.

This was no longer a matter of personal honor.

They represented the face of an entire faction.

Even though it was just one grade apart, the social standing between Sixth and Seventh Grade was vastly different, and so were their mentalities.

Most crucially, he might not win.

Sixth Grade was a watershed—from third-rate to second-rate.

The logic of techniques shifted as well.

If he used the fully mastered 《Swallow Returns Sword Technique》 to spar against those veteran Sixth Grade experts, chances were high he would lose.

No matter what, the 《Swallow Returns Sword Technique》 was still just third-rate.

A true second-rate martial technique was wielded with true qi. Its power was incomparable.

"I must find a way to learn a second-rate martial technique."

Chen Ming felt that his experience points were entirely insufficient.

He hesitated for a moment but gave up on the idea of asking Zhao Xiyan for help. He already owed her a significant favor. If he owed her another, it would be difficult to repay.

He thought to himself, "Looks like there's only him!"

……

After breakfast, Chen Ming took a carriage and departed.

Braving the wind and snow, he arrived at the gates of the Sea-Calming King’s Mansion.

As usual, he stepped forward and knocked on the door. "Senior, this junior has come to see you."

After waiting a while, he said, "This junior is coming in now." He then pushed open the door and stepped inside.

A thin layer of snow covered the ground, which had melted and refrozen into ice, making it a bit slippery.

Chen Ming walked all the way to that small courtyard.

The courtyard was empty; all the potted plants had been moved indoors.

Only a bare old tree stood there, stripped of its leaves.

The old man was not in the courtyard.

He entered the yard and bowed respectfully toward the house. "Senior, this junior has a request."

After speaking, he paused. Seeing no response from inside, he gritted his teeth and continued, "Half a month ago, the old woman who offended you—this junior wishes to know her current whereabouts and humbly requests your guidance."

After another moment of silence.

Finally, a somewhat hoarse voice came from within the house, "You and… her… what kind of… relationship?"

It sounded like someone who hadn’t spoken in a long time, struggling to form words.

Chen Ming steadied himself and replied, "Strictly speaking, this junior should address her as martial aunt."

At that moment, the door of the house opened.

The old man limped out, his withered face showing no expression, but a cold gleam flashed in his cloudy old eyes. "You are… whose disciple?"

"This junior once studied under Old Huo for several years."

"What… have you learned?"

"《Iron Horse Stance》, 《Three Talents Saber Technique》, 《Five Elements Saber Technique》… Actually, it’s 《Swallow Returns Sword Technique》. It was a disciple of martial aunt who helped me correct it back to a sword technique."

After Chen Ming finished speaking, several seconds passed with no response from the old man, making him break into a cold sweat.

Suddenly, with a swish, a sword flew out from within the house and landed by his feet.

He was startled.

The old man hadn’t moved, yet the sword flew out on its own. Such a technique—was it "Sword Controlled by Qi"?

The old man spoke, "Let me see the depth of your 《Swallow Returns Sword Technique》。"

"Yes, sir."

Chen Ming drew his sword and began demonstrating the sword technique in the courtyard.

Before a First Grade expert, he naturally brought out his best skills. When he executed the first strike, a subtle change appeared on the old man’s withered face.

……

Moments later, the sky-filling sword shadows in the courtyard faded.

Chen Ming had demonstrated all seventy-two moves of the sword technique.

He finally sheathed his sword and stood upright, saying to the old man, "Senior, I have shown my humble skills."

A gentle kindness emerged in the old man’s eyes. "You… are quite good."

Chen Ming asked, "Then about my martial aunt…"

"She is fine. She—"

The old man paused for two seconds before continuing, "Come inside."

Though puzzled, Chen Ming obediently walked into the house.

The room was empty except for a single chair.

On the floor lay several hoes and shovels.

Other than that, there was nothing else.

A dust-covered sword sheath hung on the wall.

Only the sheath remained—no sword.

He glanced at the sword in his hand and knew it was the one that belonged in that sheath.

Inside was another door, leading to the back room.

However, he did not venture in recklessly, so as not to violate this senior’s taboos.

"This time, I bet right."

Chen Ming thought to himself.

Now that he knew this Senior Shang and Huo Chengkun were fellow disciples, he would naturally take advantage of that connection.

Using the pretext of pleading for his "martial aunt," he could make clear his ties with Huo Chengkun.

By finally demonstrating a swordsmanship talent unmatched for his age, he managed to impress Senior Shang right away.

This could be considered his initial success in clinging to a powerful backer.

……

"Junior pays respects to Senior Shang."

Suddenly, a somewhat familiar voice reached Chen Ming’s ears, shocking him—how could it be him?

That voice belonged to none other than Zhao Shouchang, the highest-ranking officer of the Six Doors Authority in Qingfeng City, a Third Grade Inspector.

He actually knew Senior Shang too?

Chen Ming was truly stunned.

Did this mean the Six Doors Authority had always known about the old man hiding here?

"You… what are you… here for?" The old man’s voice carried a chill.

Zhao Shouchang remained respectful, "Junior has one question. Previously, Senior declared that no Third Grade martial artist was to enter Qingfeng City. Why, then, did you allow one in half a month ago?"

The old man’s voice was hoarse. "If you can… come, others… can too."

Crap!

Chen Ming’s scalp tingled.

So it was Senior Shang who had prevented the court from sending Third Grade experts to Qingfeng City all these years?

But why was Zhao Shouchang an exception?

Zhao Shouchang’s voice sounded somewhat bitter. "I had thought Senior no longer concerned yourself with worldly affairs. To think…"

"Is there more?" The old man was clearly trying to dismiss him.

Zhao Shouchang said, "Please allow this junior to offer a stick of incense to my aunt."

Aunt…

Only then did Chen Ming realize—Zhao Shouchang was the nephew of that Consort.

No wonder the court had sent him.

They knew that Senior Shang wouldn’t harm him.

So those rumors spreading in the streets were indeed unreliable.

The old man said coldly, "That won’t be necessary."

"Then this junior shall take his leave." Zhao Shouchang dared not say more and left immediately.

……

After Zhao Shouchang departed, Chen Ming thought it was his cue to leave.

The old man spoke again, "Why… not let… him see?"

His raised foot immediately retracted.

Those words were clearly not meant for him.

That meant… someone else was also present.

A playful laugh sounded. "I just had him spinning in circles. If he saw me, wouldn’t a fight break out?"

Judging by the voice, the person wasn’t very old and spoke in a rather familiar tone.

Chen Ming’s heart sounded an alarm.

Not good—this was a competitor!

Could this be Senior Shang’s disciple?

If he already had a disciple, his willingness to train another would likely diminish significantly.

Think about it—a lonely elder with no ties, finding a young man who resembled his younger self, with deep shared connections. If they got along well, leaving everything to him one day would not be surprising.

But if the old man had a biological granddaughter?

Then things would be very different.

Forget it. One shouldn’t be too greedy.

Chen Ming thought to himself, as long as he could learn one second-rate sword technique, this trip would already be worthwhile.

He waited for a while longer, but no more sounds came from outside.

Most likely, just like last time, he was being shielded from hearing anything.

All he could do was wait.