I Only Know How to Bully Noobs

Chapter 91: Vermilion Bird Sword Technique

The snow in the courtyard had unknowingly stopped.

In the deeply sunken sockets of Shang Jianfei’s eyes, there was a trace of sorrow. "Why didn’t you... tell me that Junior Brother Huo... was in the city?"

Standing in front of him was a woman in red. She wore a white cloak, spotless and pristine. Her appearance was stunning—at first glance, she seemed like a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girl, but on closer inspection, she resembled a young woman just past twenty, exuding a dangerous and mysterious aura.

A hint of worry showed in her eyes."I only found out this year. I hadn’t had the chance to tell you before he died..."

Shang Jianfei spoke softly,"He... didn’t know... anything..."

He fell silent for a moment, seemingly recalling old memories.

"How did he... die?"

"He was killed by a disciple named Sun Shicai. But someone already avenged him—it was another one of his disciples. The one you saw before, who came with that young man from the Zhou family."

Shang Jianfei fell silent once more.

The woman asked,"What about your Junior Sister—how will you deal with her?"

A flicker crossed Shang Jianfei’s eyes as he replied,"Don’t... hurt her."

"Alright."

The woman looked at the elderly man before her, as if he were a candle in the wind, and a wave of sorrow welled up in her heart. But she quickly hardened her resolve and said,"I’m leaving. Take care."

With that, she turned and walked away.

A gust of wind blew, lifting the tail of her cloak high into the air.

……

Chen Ming waited for quite a while.

Just as he was starting to feel bored, the door finally opened, and the old man walked in.

"Senior." He hurriedly saluted, while inwardly guessing what that woman had said to the old man.

In fact, from the very first sentence she spoke, the information she revealed allowed him to make a rough guess about her identity.

"Give me your hand."

Chen Ming obediently extended his hand.

The old man grasped his wrist, and suddenly a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He exclaimed in astonishment,"Blazing Sun Divine Art?"

"Where did you learn this divine art?"

His tone abruptly turned stern, and his fingers tightened slightly.

Chen Ming immediately felt as if his wrist was caught in an iron clamp, a chill rising in his heart. He knew that a wrong answer here could very well cost him his life.

So, he recounted everything—how he had obtained the Three Suns Body Tempering and the Six Suns Qi Nurturing, and all the events surrounding them.

At some point, Shang Jianfei had already loosened his grip and was quietly listening. He waited until Chen Ming finished before softly saying,"So that’s how it is... This Blazing Sun Divine Art was originally a family inheritance of an old acquaintance of mine... That you ended up with it must be fate."

After saying this, he paused and sighed. "Since you’ve already practiced the Blazing Sun Divine Art, you’re no longer suited to learn the martial arts of our sect."

He spoke more fluently now.

Chen Ming could feel it.

Ever since the old man discovered he had cultivated the Blazing Sun Divine Art, his attitude had cooled noticeably.

He couldn’t help but smile bitterly in his heart.

This was all fate.

Back then, he hadn’t sought out Huo Chengkun, choosing instead to cultivate the Three Suns Body Tempering.

That led to today’s outcome.

Of course, if he had truly become Huo Chengkun’s disciple after mastering five full levels of the Iron Horse Stance back then, he might have died during the bandit raid.

Some things, truly, could not be forced.

"However——"

The old man suddenly changed his tone and said,"When I was young, I once inadvertently acquired a sword technique. It suits you quite well. If you’re willing, I can teach it to you."

This meant that he couldn’t pass on the legacy of his sect to Chen Ming, so he was offering this sword technique as compensation.

"This junior is willing."

Chen Ming immediately kowtowed.

His original goal had merely been to acquire a second-rate sword technique.

Now he had achieved it, though the journey had been full of twists and turns.

……

From then on, Chen Ming went to the Sea-Calming King’s Mansion every day, following Shang Jianfei to learn swordsmanship.

After a full month, he finally barely managed to grasp the basics of this new sword technique.

He could tell that Shang Jianfei was almost out of patience in teaching him.

Once, the old man casually muttered,"Back then, I learned it in just one day..."

A sword genius like him clearly couldn’t tolerate a fool.

He was probably deeply puzzled.

With Chen Ming’s level of comprehension, how had he managed to master the Swallow Returns Sword Technique to such a degree?

Shang Jianfei had not asked, but Chen Ming knew that this was definitely what he was thinking.

Therefore, when Chen Ming finally grasped the basics of this sword technique a month later, he saw a sense of relief in the old man’s expression.

He felt somewhat guilty.

The original host’s aptitude was indeed mediocre, and his own talent was only average.

Moreover, Shang Jianfei truly did not know how to teach.

It was like a math genius trying to teach high school students—jumping straight to calculus, making him feel like he was listening to an alien language.

In any case, when Chen Ming saw a new entry for 《Vermilion Bird Sword Technique》 on the panel, he finally let out a sigh of relief. He had at least gotten through the basics.

Then, he shared this good news with the old senior.

That day, as Chen Ming was taking his leave, Shang Jianfei suddenly said,"From now on, you need not come again."

He froze for a moment but did not press further. He merely saluted,"This junior will forever remember the grace of Senior’s instruction."

He understood that Shang Jianfei was actually doing it for his own good.

Shang Jianfei carried heavy karmic burdens. Getting too close to him would easily pull one into storms of chaos, and those were battles between beings above the First Grade. As a mere Sixth Grade, getting involved could mean dying without even knowing how it happened.

……

Just after Chen Ming left, the same woman in the white cloak from before appeared in the courtyard. Looking in the direction where Chen Ming had disappeared, she said,"Uncle Shang wishes to keep him out of this, but I’m afraid it won’t be so easy. He’s been coming here every day. Zhao Shouchang has already noticed him."

Shang Jianfei resumed his withered expression."Whether he can escape this vortex will depend on his fate."

The woman seemed to recall something, and a strange smile appeared in her eyes."However, I think Zhao Shouchang’s daughter seems to be quite fond of him. I imagine she will find a way to protect him. Speaking of which, his experiences are somewhat similar to yours when you were young."

Shang Jianfei said nothing.

After a long pause, he finally said,"His aptitude is lacking."

The woman laughed.

Of course, she had seen that too. Otherwise, she would have found a way to pull him under her wing long ago. How could she have let him fall into the hands of Zhao Shouchang’s daughter?

最⊥新⊥小⊥說⊥在⊥⊥⊥首⊥發！

……

…………

"Panel!"

Chen Ming didn’t know that, in the eyes of Shang Jianfei and that mysterious woman, he was someone of mediocre talent. Even if he knew, he wouldn’t have cared. He silently recited in his heart and summoned the panel.

【Level: 40】

【Current Points: 3580】

【Cultivation Techniques: 《Iron Horse Stance》(Fifth Level Perfected), 《Three Suns Body Tempering》(Ninth Level Perfected), 《Six Suns Qi Nurturing》(First Level 230/100000)】

【Martial Skills: 《Three Talents Fist》(Mastery), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique(Mastery), Zhuang’s Flying Knife(Mastery), Swallow Returns Sword Technique(Mastery), 《Vermilion Bird Sword Technique》(Entry 1/100000)】

When Chen Ming saw the string of zeroes required for proficiency in 《Vermilion Bird Sword Technique》, he felt a headache coming on.

Just to reach entry level, it needed a full hundred thousand points.

Over the past month, he had only scraped together a pitiful three thousand-plus experience points from the other students.

At this rate, when would he ever earn enough points to level up?

"Looks like, I’ll have to go with that method."

Chen Ming finally made up his mind—to go all out.

……

The next day, Chen Ming had Chunxiang deliver a letter to Zhao Xiyan, inviting her to meet at the Drunken Immortal Tower.

He waited early in the private room until afternoon before Zhao Xiyan finally arrived late.

She was still dressed in men’s attire, holding a folding fan, looking every bit like an elegant young nobleman.

She lifted her chin and, upon entering, first gave a cold humph and said sarcastically,"I wonder what matter brings Brother Chen to meet this little brother today?"

Even the way she addressed him had changed to "Brother Chen," clearly showing she was annoyed.

And she had reason to be.

For the past few months, it seemed like Chen Ming had been avoiding her. Several times she went to his home, and he was either out or in seclusion—not even letting her in.

As proud and haughty as she was, getting snubbed repeatedly, she naturally wouldn’t go invite more humiliation.

Today, when she received Chen Ming’s message, she deliberately arrived several hours late—just to make a statement.

Chen Ming stood up and said,"Are you angry at me?"

Zhao Xiyan turned her face away."How would I dare?"

"Then allow me to apologize. If I’ve done anything wrong, you’re free to scold me. If that’s not enough, you can even hit me."

"Who wants to hit you? It would dirty my... my hands." Zhao Xiyan spat lightly and finally turned to look at him. But as soon as she did, she froze. Her bright, wide eyes opened to the limit."You—"

She instantly saw the change in Chen Ming—not only was his qi and blood full, but a flame burned within his body!

Of course, she knew what that flame was.

True Qi!

He was Sixth Grade now!

He actually became a Sixth Grade Martial Artist!

In his past life, Chen Ming had dated a few times, so naturally he knew how to coax girls.

These were modern dating tactics, and in a feudal society, they were absolutely overwhelming.

"I’ve been focusing solely on cultivation lately and neglected you..."

A flush of red spread across Zhao Xiyan’s face.

She excitedly grabbed his hand. "You... when did you break through?"

All her anger had long vanished without a trace, replaced by a surge of joy so intense it felt like her chest would burst.

Seeing that she was even happier than he was, Chen Ming thought to himself: Girls in this world are really easy to please.

He told her honestly,"A month ago."