NOVEL WEB Chapter 9
Chapter 9: Drawing In
"Your punches aren't bad."
The heroic-looking young man gave a neutral comment before turning around and leaving with his group.
As soon as these intermediate students left, the new trainees on the scene immediately erupted in cheers and surrounded Chen Ming, as if they had just won a great battle.
However, Chen Ming felt a bit regretful.
They had actually just left like that.
He had thought they would try to save face by sending someone to fight him again.
What a pity.
He knew who that heroic young man was—Deng Ziyang, the strongest in the intermediate class.
It was said that he was the illegitimate son of the Giant Tiger Gang's boss.
He carried himself like a gang leader and was highly respected.
He had been studying martial arts here for four years and had already cultivated the 《Iron Horse Stance》 to the fifth level. His talent was no less than that of Wen Zehao. Yet he remained in the intermediate class.
When Chen Ming first heard about this, he found it odd. Hong Mingquan had told him that this meant Master had never considered taking Deng Ziyang as a disciple.
After thinking about it, Chen Ming understood—it was because of Deng Ziyang’s background.
The Giant Tiger Gang had a terrible reputation.
They ran gambling dens and brothels, charged usurious interest, and committed all sorts of heinous deeds.
A cautious man like Huo Chengkun would certainly avoid forming deep ties with the Giant Tiger Gang.
Naturally, he would not take Deng Ziyang as a disciple.
Once someone entered the advanced class, even if only as a registered disciple, they could learn more advanced stances and martial arts techniques.
In the future, when traveling the martial world, they would be recognized as Huo Chengkun’s disciples.
……
"Thanks for the good wine, Senior Brother..."
Elsewhere, Hong Mingquan and Zhang Mingyu were chatting and laughing as they returned from the backyard, when a burst of cheering reached their ears.
Hong Mingquan frowned and cursed, "These little brats, can’t even leave them alone for a bit—are they trying to rebel?"
After investigating, he finally understood what had happened.
He looked at Chen Ming with some surprise. He knew how strong Qi Jun was—his 《Iron Horse Stance》 had reached the Level 3, and he had practiced the 《Three Talents Fist》 for several years.
Logically, Qi Jun should have been far stronger than Chen Ming.
But Chen Ming had defeated him without even getting a scratch.
It truly exceeded his expectations.
"No wonder Third Senior Brother looked so sour when he left earlier."
Hong Mingquan thought to himself.
As for Third Senior Brother luring him away to give his subordinate a chance to challenge Chen Ming, he wasn’t the least bit surprised.
Seventh Junior Brother had always been close with Third Senior Brother—it was only natural that he would ask for help.
"Silence! Do you all know where you are? Laughing and joking like this—what kind of behavior is that?"
Hong Mingquan’s loud rebuke instantly quieted the excited youths.
The sparring began.
He asked, "Who’s going first?"
Everyone turned in unison to look at Li Jinchuan.
Li Jinchuan walked up with a blank expression and said stiffly, "Please give me your guidance."
The earlier fight between Chen Ming and Qi Jun had made him realize that defeating this person today would not be easy.
Sure enough, once they exchanged moves, even when he used the killer technique taught by Uncle Rui, he gained no advantage. Chen Ming dealt with it effortlessly.
After thirty-six moves, Chen Ming struck him in the chest with a palm, and Li Jinchuan had no choice but to admit defeat.
……
"Trash!"
Elsewhere, Zhang Mingyu’s face was grim.
Thinking of the big talk he had spouted in front of Seventh Junior Brother, only to be thoroughly humiliated—of course he was furious.
Unable to find Qi Jun, he could only sulk alone.
After mulling it over, he realized that among his disciples, the only one who could definitely beat Chen Ming was Deng Ziyang.
However…
If he went to Deng Ziyang, the latter would definitely demand a condition he couldn’t fulfill.
After a while, Zhang Mingyu calmed down and thought, "Forget it, it’s not even my problem—let Old Seven figure it out himself."
After all, this was Old Seven’s issue.
……
Chen Ming finished today’s sparring session and left the Huo Residence in high spirits, carrying 35 experience points and planning to head home.
As soon as he stepped out the door, he saw a carriage parked by the roadside, waiting.
The curtain lifted, and Deng Ziyang stepped down with a smile. “Senior Brother Chen, would you honor me by joining me for a meal?”
Chen Ming was a bit surprised, but smiled in return. “Since Brother Deng has invited me, it would be my honor.”
“Please.”
He then stepped onto the carriage.
Inside the carriage, Deng Ziyang was alone. He said, “I’ve heard all about what happened with Senior Brother Chen. Jinyuan Prosperity Trading really acted disgracefully.”
Chen Ming replied indifferently, “It’s all in the past—no need to bring it up again.”
Deng Ziyang praised, “Senior Brother Chen has a magnanimous heart—admirable indeed. But didn’t you feel even a bit resentful about how Jinyuan Prosperity treated you?”
He gave a self-deprecating chuckle. “That’s just how the world is. A small figure like me shouldn’t have gotten caught up in such matters. The ending I got—I brought it on myself.”
Deng Ziyang laughed heartily. “So Senior Brother Chen does have some resentment after all.”
“May I ask, Brother Deng, if you invited me for something in particular?”
“No rush—I’ll first introduce a few brothers to you.”
Soon, they arrived at a restaurant called Drunken Immortal Tower.
It was a well-known establishment in Qingfeng City, an upscale place with steep prices.
The original host had never been here before.
Deng Ziyang brought him to a private room, where several others were already seated—young men around twenty years old.
Qi Jun was also there.
As soon as the two entered, everyone stood to greet them.
Qi Jun was a bit unwilling, but someone beside him tugged him up to stand.
Deng Ziyang introduced, “Let me introduce—this is Senior Brother Chen Ming.”
Everyone greeted in unison, “Hello, Senior Brother Chen.”
Only Qi Jun remained silent, looking off to the side with a stiff expression.
Chen Ming quickly responded, “I dare not accept the title of senior from all of you.”
Deng Ziyang tried to seat him at the head of the table.
After some back-and-forth, Chen Ming insisted Deng Ziyang take the main seat while he sat beside him.
“These are all my brothers—let me introduce them one by one…”
Deng Ziyang went through the names one by one. When he got to Qi Jun, he scolded, “A real man, when sparring, win or lose, it is what it is. If you’re not convinced, win next time. Don’t make it seem like we can’t take a loss.”
Qi Jun lowered his head with some shame.
“Lift your head, drink a toast with Senior Brother Chen. Don’t act like some weakling.”
So, Qi Jun raised his glass with Chen Ming and said, “Senior Brother Chen, let’s have another match next time.”
Chen Ming said, “Sure.”
The two clinked glasses and drank, putting an end to their grudge.
With the misunderstanding resolved, the atmosphere at the table became even more enthusiastic.
Young men drinking together soon led to discussions about life and the world.
By the end of the banquet, Chen Ming and the others were laughing and hugging, calling each other brothers.
People in the underworld didn’t stand on ceremony.
Once the drinking wrapped up, Deng Ziyang still had matters to attend to and left early.
Before leaving, he grasped Chen Ming’s hand and promised to drink together again next time.
He even sent a carriage to take him home.
“Is he trying to rope me in?”
Sitting in the carriage, the drunken haze in Chen Ming’s eyes cleared slightly as he realized Deng Ziyang’s little scheme.
If it had been the original host, a young man like that, receiving this kind of treatment, he would’ve probably sworn brotherhood on the spot and jumped into some grand venture.
“Unfortunately, you picked the wrong person.”
Chen Ming only wanted to peacefully work as a sparring partner and farm his experience points.
He had zero interest in any grand ambitions.
Deng Ziyang’s whole act was like throwing flirtatious glances at a blind man.
Throughout the banquet, he had deliberately avoided responding to Deng Ziyang’s cues. If that guy had any brains, he would understand his stance.
Still, there was no need to fall out with Deng Ziyang.
Keeping a friendly relationship was just fine.