I Only Know How to Bully Noobs

Chapter 93: Don’t Get Too Close

Governor’s study.

Zhao Shouchang, dressed in a scholar’s robe, was reading under the lamp.

He was deeply engrossed when the steward quietly reported, “Master, Miss has returned.”

He gave no response, as if he hadn’t heard, his attention still fixed on the book.

The old steward remained standing in place, waiting.

After a while, Zhao Shouchang finally finished the page and placed the book on the table, asking, “Where did she go today?”

His daughter had always been sensible and rarely returned home so late. If she did, she would at least inform the steward in advance.

But today, there hadn’t been a word.

It was very unusual.

The steward replied, “Miss has been with Chen Ming the whole time.”

“Chen Ming?”

Upon hearing the name, Zhao Shouchang’s eyes sharpened. “Is he the young man who killed that patrol envoy who betrayed his master and ancestors?”

“It’s him, Master.”

So it was him?

Zhao Shouchang’s brow furrowed slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Naturally, he was aware that his daughter had been drawing in the guards and servants in the residence.

In the past two years, she had even begun reaching out to people outside the household.

All of this had been with his tacit approval.

His daughter, after all, could not simply know needlework and bookkeeping. If she didn’t understand the ways of winning people over, she’d be easily bullied after marriage.

So, he had always supported her, allowing her to act freely.

But this Chen Ming was not an ordinary person.

He was involved with Shang Jianfei.

After Zhao Shouchang had met Shang Jianfei last time, he had ordered men to keep a close eye on the Sea-Calming King’s Mansion.

Then, they discovered a young man visiting the Sea-Calming King’s Mansion daily, staying inside for one to two hours each time.

Clearly, he had an unusual relationship with Shang Jianfei.

Hence, a man was assigned specifically to watch this Chen Ming.

However, over the past month, Zhao Xiyan had not sought out Chen Ming.

Zhao Shouchang had no idea that his daughter had been associating with him.

The steward had noticed Zhao Shouchang’s reaction and immediately realized that the master not only knew this person, but also took him very seriously.

The steward quietly raised his own estimation of this young man named Chen Ming.

Zhao Shouchang asked, “Does Yan’er hold him in high regard?”

The steward said, “We just received news—this man has already broken through to Sixth Grade.”

Zhao Shouchang didn’t react much, merely said, “Go summon Yan’er. I have something to say to her.”

“Yes.”

The steward bowed and retreated, a bit puzzled.

The Sixth Grade was a watershed for martial artists.

Generally, anyone who could break through to Sixth Grade before the age of thirty was considered a talented youth with boundless potential, possibly destined for Third Grade in the future.

This Chen Ming was only twenty-three years old and came from an ordinary family. Such talent was one in ten thousand. And yet, the master was unimpressed?

...

“Father, you summoned me?”

Not long after, Zhao Xiyan had changed back into women’s attire and came to the study to see her father, bowing in greeting.

Zhao Shouchang spoke gently, “Yan’er, no need for formalities.”

Zhao Xiyan obediently admitted her fault, “Your daughter returned late and caused you worry.”

“You always act with propriety. I’ve never had to worry about you,” Zhao Shouchang said with a smile. “I called you here because your grandmother wrote a letter, saying you’re not young anymore, urging me to find a good match for you. Do you have someone in mind?”

Zhao Xiyan shook her head. “I do not. However, I don’t wish to marry so soon.”

“You’ll be eighteen very soon——”

“Your daughter has already reached Sixth Grade!”

Zhao Shouchang paused for a moment, a piercing light bursting in his eyes.

He stared at his daughter for a long while and asked with some surprise, “Yan’er, when did you reach Sixth Grade?”

“According to the ancestral rule, if a daughter of the Zhao family reaches Sixth Grade before the age of eighteen, she may choose to delay marriage until the age of twenty-five. Your daughter wishes to focus on martial cultivation. Let’s wait a few more years, and then Father can worry about my marriage.”

Zhao Xiyan invoked the ancestral rule, and Zhao Shouchang was instantly left speechless.

In martial arts families, daughters with outstanding talent held high status as well.

Generally, daughters with poor aptitude would be married off before the age of eighteen to form alliances.

If it was someone like Zhao Xiyan, who could reach Sixth Grade before the age of eighteen, such exceptional talent could not be married off hastily.

She had to wait a few more years, and the alliance target would then be a talented youth from another family.

In any world, marriage was about matching social status.

The same went for cultivation. If the gap was too wide, it would even be difficult to produce offspring.

That would hinder the family's continuation.

Therefore, geniuses often married geniuses.

The chances of birthing a genius would naturally be higher.

Almost all great families with long heritage had similar rules.

"Your daughter will not disturb Father’s rest any longer."

Zhao Xiyan was about to take her leave.

"Yan’er." Zhao Shouchang stopped her, hesitated a moment, then reminded her, "That Chen Ming has some entanglements. It’s best not to get too close to him."

"Your daughter understands."

Zhao Xiyan gave a formal bow and withdrew.

After leaving the study, her brows furrowed tightly. Her father had specifically called her over, and the main point was that final sentence—to remind her not to get too close to Chen Ming.

Why was Father paying such close attention to him?

Her curiosity only grew.

What exactly was the secret Chen Ming was hiding?

……

Elsewhere, Chen Ming had also returned home.

Awaiting him were not only his eldest brother and sister-in-law, but also friends like Zhang Mingyu, Deng Ziyang, and Zhuang Xiaotian.

He asked, "Why are you all here?"

As soon as Zhang Mingyu saw him enter, he rushed over with a face full of excitement. "You really reached Sixth Grade?"

Looking at all those excited or thrilled faces, Chen Ming realized they had rushed over upon hearing the rumor. He felt a touch of emotion and nodded. "Yes, I’ve reached Sixth Grade."

"I knew it!"

While Zhang Mingyu was excited, his gaze also became extremely complicated.

Sixth Grade!

His master had once reached Sixth Grade, and even within Qingfeng City, that held great weight.

Zhang Mingyu’s lifelong wish was to reach Sixth Grade, like his master.

But that was too hard—his master hadn’t left behind any martial arts for reaching Sixth Grade.

Zhang Mingyu had no idea if he’d ever break through.

Yet now, Chen Ming had quietly reached Sixth Grade.

Zhang Mingyu couldn’t help but wonder—where had he gotten the martial arts technique? Could it be that the master had truly passed down the sect’s legacy to him?

……

Deng Ziyang and Zhuang Xiaotian both wore looks of disbelief, shocked at Chen Ming’s speed of advancement.

"You broke through to Seventh Grade only about half a year ago, right?"

"Two realms in one year!"

"Sixth Grade..."

Zhuang Xiaotian, who had already broken through to Eighth Grade, was more genuinely happy for Chen Ming.

He had long come to terms with the gap between them. With their friendship, the stronger Chen Ming became, the more benefits he might gain as well.

Deng Ziyang’s emotions were much more complex.

He had just barely caught up to Chen Ming, only to be left behind again in an instant.

And this step was even harder to cross than before.

The gap had grown wider again.

……

The happiest of all were Chen Rui and Madam Wei.

One was so overwhelmed he couldn’t form coherent words, muttering who knew what.

The other had clasped her hands in prayer, eyes brimming with tears, as if offering thanks to the heavens.

Chen Ming reaching Sixth Grade meant that the Chen family’s influence would rise another tier—they now had a seat at the table. Though it was still the kids’ table, it marked a real leap forward.

This brought tangible benefits, as well as intangible influence, reputation, and status...

Though the couple had expected this day would come eventually, they hadn’t thought it would come so quickly, so suddenly.

As for the servants in the household, while they didn’t fully understand the true significance of the Second Young Master reaching Sixth Grade, seeing the masters so happy made them excited too.

At the very least, they knew—it was a very good thing.

……

Watching the genuine joy on the faces of his family and friends, Chen Ming couldn’t help but feel a sense of fulfillment.

Being able to make them proud was his honor.

So, he had the household bring out their best wine to celebrate together.

That night, everyone drank too much.

Even Chen Rui, who normally never touched alcohol, ended up completely drunk and had to be carried to his room by house servants.

The only ones who remained sober were Deng Ziyang, Zhang Mingyu, and Chen Ming.

Zhang Mingyu suddenly asked, "Brother Chen, what are your plans next?"

Deng Ziyang also looked over, clearly very interested in this question.