I Only Know How to Bully Noobs

Chapter 95: A Great Increase in Strength

Chen Ming returned to his room alone after talking with his big brother Chen Rui.

"Panel."

【Level: 40】

【Current Points: 56740】

【Cultivation Techniques: 《Iron Horse Stance》 (Fifth Level, Perfected), 《Three Suns Body Tempering》 (Ninth Level, Perfected), 《Six Suns Qi Nurturing》 (First Level 253/100000)】

【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》 (Introductory 1/100000)】

Over fifty thousand points!

This was the result of the past few days, turning Qingfeng City upside down, offending countless people to obtain it.

"What a pity, this was a one-time deal."

That was what Chen Ming thought, though his heart brimmed with joy.

With these fifty thousand experience points, he could finally enhance his strength a bit.

Add points!

He directly poured the fifty thousand points into the newly learned 《Vermilion Bird Sword Technique》.

In an instant, he felt a boom in his head, as if insights suddenly flooded his mind.

Much of what Shang Jianfei had once said to him, which he never understood, now became crystal clear.

After a long while.

Chen Ming let out a long breath, a trace of joy flashing in his eyes, and muttered to himself, "So that's how it is!"

He finally understood the difficulty of the 《Vermilion Bird Sword Technique》 — it lay in the technique of manipulating true qi.

The formula Shang Jianfei had given him was too abstract, not only written in classical Chinese but full of metaphors. To him, it sounded just like an incantation.

His classical Chinese was already poor.

In the college entrance exam, he hadn’t even scored eighty points in the Chinese subject.

Understanding such profound formulas was truly a challenge for him.

Fortunately, he had the System.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t even know how long it would have taken him to comprehend those mind techniques.

Chen Ming picked up a long sword from beside the table, activated his mind technique, and thrust the sword at the wall.

With a hiss, the sword pierced through the earthen wall easily, sinking a foot deep.

His eyelid twitched. "This power is a bit exaggerated."

This was just an ordinary refined steel sword.

Using brute force alone, it wouldn’t necessarily pierce through the wall, and even if it did, it couldn’t have done so with such lightness, devoid of the least bit of worldly aura.

"No wonder a Sixth Grade Martial Artist can overwhelm a Seventh Grade. The power of true qi really is extraordinary."

"But, the consumption is quite something too."

That one thrust just now had nearly drained all the true qi in his body.

Chen Ming pulled out the sword, sheathed it, then sat cross-legged on the bed to regulate his breathing and recover the expended true qi.

……

Unknowingly, dawn had arrived.

Chen Ming opened his eyes.

The true qi in his body had fully recovered.

He silently counted in his heart.

It took three hours of breathing regulation to restore two hundred and fifty units of true qi.

This past month, he hadn’t added any points to his cultivation techniques. Through daily training, his total increase was only twenty-three points.

"Forget it, better to just add points directly."

Without further hesitation, Chen Ming dumped all remaining points into the cultivation technique.

Immediately, a surge of flame rose within his body, burning from the dantian through his meridians, ultimately transforming into a stream of qi that merged with his true qi.

In moments, his true qi expanded over twentyfold.

In other words, he could now unleash over twenty strikes of the same power as yesterday’s sword technique — barely enough to spar with a Sixth Grade Martial Artist.

At this moment, his panel data had also changed.

【Level: 40】

【Current Points: 0】

【Cultivation Techniques: 《Iron Horse Stance》 (Fifth Level, Perfected), 《Three Suns Body Tempering》 (Ninth Level, Perfected), 《Six Suns Qi Nurturing》 (First Level 6970/100000)】

【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》 (Introductory 50000/100000)】

……

All day, Chen Ming did not go out and stayed inside.

This greatly disappointed many people who were waiting to see a commotion. Because of the recent events over the past few days, quite a few people simply waited near his house, just waiting for him to step out so they could follow him.

Seeing he hadn’t come out for so long, the crowd gradually dispersed, leaving only a few persistent individuals.

It wasn’t until evening that Chen Ming’s carriage finally emerged, and the remaining few people excitedly followed it, only to see the carriage heading straight for Yihong Courtyard.

That was the highest-end brothel in the city.

Upon inquiry, they learned that the young master of Guanglong Trading Company was hosting a banquet there tonight, and they suddenly understood that Chen Ming was attending the feast.

It was Chen Ming’s first time visiting Yihong Courtyard.

He had heard of this place quite a few times before.

To be honest, he was rather curious about ancient entertainment venues, and today he finally had the chance to visit one.

After all, someone else was footing the bill.

He believed that with the reputation of Guanglong Trading Company’s young master, they should be able to invite the courtesan.

"Honored guest, truly sorry, but the entire venue has been reserved by Young Master Feng tonight. A private feast…"

Just as he was about to enter, someone stopped him, so he took out the invitation.

Seeing it, the person immediately became respectful, "So it’s Second Young Master Chen. Please, come in. Young Master Feng has been waiting for quite a while."

To think the whole place was reserved. What a filthy rich dog.

Chen Ming thought to himself, following a middle-aged woman who looked like the madam inside.

As expected of a high-end entertainment venue, the interior was exquisitely decorated, quite elegant in taste.

In the main hall stood a row of ladies, varying in style—some plump, some slender, a variety of aesthetics.

Their attire wasn’t overly revealing but exuded charm and allure.

"Young Master Chen."

"Young master…"

These women all crowded forward, some laughing sweetly, others coy and bashful, dazzling his eyes.

By Chen Ming’s standards, they would be rated around 6.5 to 7—considered beauties. But compared to Xiao Zhuyun, they still fell far short.

Even Xiao Zhuyun couldn’t shake his Dao heart, let alone these women.

At this moment, a hearty laugh rang from inside, "It seems these ordinary powdered faces fail to catch Brother Chen’s eye. Disperse."

The women surrounding Chen Ming all withdrew with faces full of wistful regret.

Chen Ming finally saw who had spoken. It was a man around thirty years old, bearded, with a smiling face that gave off a warm and amiable vibe.

He looked every bit the slick businessman.

He cupped his hands and said, "Chen Ming greets Young Master Feng."

Feng Siyuan sized him up and praised, "I’ve long heard that Qingfeng City has produced a saber genius. Seeing you today, the rumors are indeed true."

"Young Master Feng flatters me."

"Everyone in the city says Brother Chen is arrogant and domineering. But now that I see you, it seems the rumors are not quite accurate."

Chen Ming replied, "To be frank, I, Chen, am obsessed with martial arts. My greatest hobby is to spar. Yet most people are bound by sect prejudice. Even after repeated requests, many are unwilling to spar with me. Thus, I have no choice but to show courtesy before force."

Feng Siyuan slapped the table and laughed, "Hahaha… well said—show courtesy before force. Let’s drink a big one! Someone, bring the wine!"

Just then, the beaded curtain lifted, and a graceful woman walked out, approached Chen Ming, and poured his drink.

He first caught a whiff of a pleasant fragrance.

Turning to look, he saw that her brows were like distant ink and her eyes like autumn water—an exceptionally stunning beauty.

This appearance easily deserved an 8.

Sensing his gaze, the beauty blushed and spoke with joy, "This humble one, Ruyin, greets the young master."

So she was the courtesan of this year, clearly quite seasoned.

That shy yet affectionate demeanor and glance alone could capture a man’s soul.

What a pity.

Since Chen Ming knew she came from the dusty world, he felt nothing—only pity. With such beauty, why must she do this?

Just like when he watched films—whenever he saw a particularly beautiful actress, he would think, why must someone like her do this? With such looks, isn’t there something better?

It always came down to one conclusion—women in Neon lived in deep suffering.

……

"Brother Chen, I toast to you."

Feng Siyuan toasted Chen Ming with a drink first, without mentioning the reason for the invitation.

Chen Ming casually chatted, enjoying another courtesan’s zither performance, watching a dance, and listening to Feng Siyuan speak of foreign lands and customs.

Feng Siyuan had sailed overseas with trading fleets, had dealings with pirates, and visited many countries across the sea.

He was an excellent speaker, and his tales even stirred Chen Ming’s heart a little. "If there’s ever a chance, I must visit those foreign lands myself."

"There will be a chance in the future."

Seeing the conversation had gone well, Feng Siyuan finally extended his formal invitation, "Would Brother Chen be interested in joining our Guanglong Trading Company? Don’t be so quick to refuse. You might not be familiar with Guanglong, but in terms of martial arts manuals—variety and quantity—none of the others can compare. As long as you agree, I can personally guarantee you get to choose a divine technique that reaches First Grade."

Chen Ming set down his wine cup and said, "Many thanks for Brother Feng’s generosity, but I, Chen, am used to being carefree and can’t bear constraints. I must respectfully decline."

Seeing such a decisive refusal, Feng Siyuan shrugged, a bit helpless. "It seems Brother Chen and Guanglong are not fated."

Chen Ming changed the subject, "Actually, Jiangzhou is a land of talent. It shouldn’t be lacking in outstanding individuals. Why would Guanglong Trading Company still lack people?"

Feng Siyuan smiled bitterly, "Though Jiangzhou is vast, the three great noble clans and four major sects dominate. Who can reach that far?"

Chen Ming smiled faintly.

Now the true intention was surfacing. "Since each region has its own territory, why not think of a way to attract young talents to Qingfeng City instead?"

Feng Siyuan was momentarily stunned. "What do you mean, Brother Chen?"

"Remember some months ago, when Lord Zhao had just arrived in Qingfeng City? He hosted a Martial Gathering that attracted many young nobles. Why not follow suit and host one yourselves?"