Chapter 127: Warning

In the east of the city, inside a certain residence, Li Qingchang was practicing saber techniques in the courtyard, slashing one strike after another into the air to vent his inner frustration.

This place was a property of Guanglong Trading Company. After becoming a disciple, he had studied under his master for two months before being sent back to Qingfeng City. He was required to return every three months for an assessment of his martial progress.

His master was advanced in age and preferred tranquility, choosing to live in a small town in the countryside, unwilling to enter the city.

The more Li Qingchang thought about it, the angrier he became. Suddenly, he slashed at the pine tree in the courtyard, cutting the trunk clean in two.

With a crackling sound, the pine tree, as thick as a bowl’s rim, leaned over and finally crashed down with a thunderous thud.

He sheathed his saber and stood still, vowing in his heart, "Once I break through to Sixth Grade, I will surely wash away today’s humiliation!"

He was incredibly confident in this.

He was cultivating a top-tier cultivation method; once he reached Sixth Grade, the quality of his true qi would far surpass that of ordinary Sixth Grade practitioners. Defeating someone like Chen Ming would be a walk in the park, wouldn’t it?

Suddenly, footsteps were heard outside.

Li Qingchang said unhappily, "Didn’t I say not to disturb me during training?"

But then a somewhat familiar voice replied, "Third Senior Brother."

He turned around and, surprised, said, "Little Junior Brother? Why are you here?"

The visitor was indeed his junior who had entered the sect at the same time—Duan Xiaoliu. He was only at the Ninth Grade, and due to his young age, he had been ranked fifth upon joining.

After speaking, Li Qingchang felt something was off about his junior today. In the past, this Little Junior Brother was always respectful and deferential to him. But today, not only did he not salute, he also stared at him with a solemn expression.

"Third Senior Brother, do you recognize this?"

Duan Xiaoliu held up a golden saber in his hands.

Li Qingchang was shocked and swallowed nervously. "This is Master’s golden saber."

"As long as you recognize it." Duan Xiaoliu’s gaze turned sharp as he declared, "Master has ordered me to deliver this message: Senior Brother is to be grounded in the residence for one year for deep reflection. During this period, you are not to step outside the gate. Any violation will result in expulsion from the sect!"

What?

Li Qingchang felt like he had been struck with a club. He staggered and nearly collapsed to the ground.

Duan Xiaoliu stepped forward to support him, sighed, and said, "Third Senior Brother, accept the order."

Li Qingchang seemed as if he had suffered a blow to the head. His expression twisted as he grabbed Duan Xiaoliu’s collar and roared, "Why? What did I do wrong?"

Duan Xiaoliu did not get angry. He explained, "The person Master sent said you shouldn’t have offended Third Young Master!"

"I—"

Li Qingchang wanted to explain, but the words got stuck in his throat. Soon, his entire demeanor wilted. He loosened his grip and said in a hoarse voice, "Disciple… accepts the order."

Everything he currently possessed—his status, position, cultivation—was all given by his master. No matter how his master punished him, he could only endure it.

……

…………

That night was destined to be a sleepless one.

Su Zhi Ning had taught through the entire night, and Chen Ming finally gained a vivid understanding of 《Phantom Step》. However, he was still far from entry level.

Not until dawn approached did Su Zhi Ning end this teaching session. Before leaving, she asked a sharp question, "How exactly did you train your sword technique?"

It was her first time seeing someone so dense. It was merely a second-tier movement technique—what was so difficult about it? The mnemonic chant was clearly simple, yet he asked again and again, needing patient explanations several times before he could grasp it.

His comprehension was just too poor.

In truth, she had never even trained in this 《Phantom Step》 herself—she had simply learned it after reading through it once.

Chen Ming smiled and said, "I’m a slow starter."

He had average talent. How could he possibly compare with someone like Su Zhi Ning, a true disciple of the top of the Nine Great Sects, who had already reached Fourth Grade cultivation in her early twenties?

If it weren’t for the system, he would never have had any chance to associate with such a heaven-blessed woman.

Just then, the sound of footsteps came from outside. Su Zhi Ning’s figure flashed and disappeared as if melting into thin air.

What a superb movement technique!

Chen Ming suddenly felt a pang of envy. Joining a great sect truly had its perks—advanced martial arts at your fingertips, and a master to guide you hand-in-hand.

Having a teacher and learning on one’s own—those were truly two entirely different things.

……

That day, Chen Ming did not go out; he stayed at home.

He had a feeling that the Qi Family would make a move in the next few days. It was pure intuition.

If they still didn’t act, he would take certain measures to force their hand. His longsword was already thirsting for blood.

The day passed in complete calm.

After nightfall, he remained seated in his room, flipping through the 《Phantom Form and Shadow》. With Su Zhi Ning’s guidance from the night before, he now understood the specialized terms related to the Eight Trigrams’ directions and could finally, albeit barely, comprehend the manual.

Su Zhi Ning had not reappeared—presumably, she no longer wished to teach him.

He could understand that feeling. In his previous life on Earth, he had once helped his third-grade nephew with homework. It drove his blood pressure sky-high, making him want to smash the idiot’s head open with a hammer just to see what kind of structure was inside.

Su Zhi Ning’s mood was probably much the same back then.

Unknowingly, it had reached the latter half of the night.

Suddenly, Chen Ming detected an unusual draft—a sound caused by someone’s movement stirring the air.

Someone was coming!

He reached out and gripped the sword hilt.

No—something was wrong.

Chen Ming quickly let go. The person approaching was alone and had very low cultivation—at most, Seventh Grade. No matter how foolish Qi Yanhong was, he wouldn’t send someone of such level to assassinate him.

 "It’s me."

The visitor stopped at the door. As soon as they spoke, Chen Ming found the voice familiar and asked in surprise, "Is that… Junior Sister Zhong?"

It was actually Zhong Shuyu, the disciple of that lunatic Junior Sister Huo.

This woman’s background was anything but simple. She had once been hunted by the Six Doors Authority—accused of being a pirate.

About half a year ago, she had also appeared at the Sea-Calming King’s Mansion. At that time, she was with a red-clad woman. Although she wore a veil, Chen Ming recognized her at a glance.

Not long after, her master—that lunatic old woman—arrived at the Sea-Calming King’s Mansion in search of Senior Shang.

Although her cultivation wasn’t high, there was an air of mystery about her, clearly indicating she harbored many secrets.

Zhong Shuyu remained outside the door and did not enter. She spoke in a very low voice, "Someone wants to kill you."

"The leader is called Wan Laosan, a Fifth Grade expert. The other three are his sworn brothers, all Sixth Grade. These four are pirates with fearsome reputations on the seas—they never leave survivors. You’d best lay low."

Chen Ming said, "Thank you, Junior Sister, for the warning."

Zhong Shuyu gave no reply; she had already departed.

A Fifth Grade and three Sixth Grades. Qi Yanhong truly thought highly of him to send such a lineup.

Chen Ming was not surprised that the Qi Family would enlist pirates.

Among the trading companies in Qingfeng City, not a single one could claim innocence—each had ties to pirates. For a murder, there was no better choice than these desperate rogues.

The legendary assassin organizations weren’t something just anyone could get in touch with.

……

After leaving the Chen Residence, Zhong Shuyu slipped into a narrow alley, only to suddenly see a person standing ahead. Her heart gave a jolt.

"You’ve disappointed me deeply!"

Upon hearing the voice, Zhong Shuyu was struck as if by lightning. She dropped to her knees with a thud, "This servant deserves death. I await Miss’s punishment."

The one in the alley was the mysterious red-clad woman. Shrouded in darkness, she spoke with a hint of anger in her tone, "Do you even understand what you’re doing? This is betrayal—betraying your own brothers. If the Sea Lord finds out, do you know what the consequences will be?"

Zhong Shuyu simply remained prostrated, crying softly, "This servant knows my sin is unforgivable. I am ready for punishment."

The red-clad woman stared at her for a long while before softly asking, "Was it worth it?"

"He once saved my life. Now… I’m merely returning it."

"Foolish."

The red-clad woman’s voice was tinged with disappointment. After a long pause, she finally said, "Get up."

Zhong Shuyu finally lifted her head. "Miss…"

"You and I are like sisters. How could I bear to watch you die?"

"Thank you… Miss."Zhong Shuyu was deeply moved, her voice choked with emotion.

"However, I also cannot sit by and watch my own brothers be killed."

The red-clad woman looked in the direction of the Chen Residence and said coldly, "Don’t worry. I won’t make a move. But he shouldn’t think he can use the Six Doors Authority to eliminate Wan Laosan and his men."

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