Chapter 140: Yun Niang

Zhou Weihao and Gu Yuantao were planning to set off for Jiangzhou City in a few days and wanted to invite Chen Ming to join them.

Such a grand event as the World’s Number One Tower’s reestablishment of the Azure Cloud Ranking was something even someone as indifferent as Gu Yuantao was unwilling to miss.

Chen Ming could only politely decline.

He still had many matters left unresolved and couldn’t leave just yet.

Thus, he arranged with the two to meet again in Jiangzhou City two months later.

……

In the following days, Ding Guangsheng stirred Qingfeng City into upheaval. First, he destroyed the shops of Four Seas Trading Company in the city, then went after their warehouses all over, and finally their fleet.

At first, Four Seas Trading Company’s people could still hunker down and stay still. But once the merchant ships were destroyed, they could no longer sit back. They sent out several experts to respond.

That day, it was said the battle was so fierce that the sky darkened and the sun and moon lost their light. Even nearby mountain peaks were said to be leveled.

Of course, these were all accounts heard from others and likely contained exaggerations.

As for the outcome of that battle, opinions varied widely.

Some said Ding Guangsheng was killed on the spot.

Others claimed Ding Guangsheng won, took Chief Steward Qian’s head, and left after avenging his great grudge.

There were also those who said both sides were gravely wounded.

In any case, after that battle, Ding Guangsheng never appeared again.

And Four Seas Trading Company, after this ordeal, was left seriously damaged, their recovery estimated to take no less than ten years. The biggest blow was the loss of most of their merchant fleet — a heavy injury indeed.

Four Seas Trading Company really did replace their chief steward.

Later, Chen Ming specifically asked that red-clad woman who had won that battle. But she didn’t answer directly, only saying, “From now on, Qingfeng City has only six great maritime traders.”

He didn’t press further and could only infer from her words that Four Seas Trading Company had likely suffered damage to its foundation.

As time went on, the storm stirred up by Ding Guangsheng gradually calmed down.

Half a month after that great battle—

“Finally done!”

In the courtyard, Chen Ming leapt down from the rooftop, landing lightly on the ground. Seeing a new martial technique added on the panel, joy filled his heart.

【Level: 50】

【Current Points: 200000】

【Cultivation Methods: 《Iron Horse Stance》（Fifth Level Perfected），《True Art of Two Principles》（Fifth Level 101879/1500000）】

【Martial Techniques: 《Three Talents Fist》（Mastery），Eight Trigrams Saber Technique（Mastery），Zhuang’s Flying Knife（Mastery），Swallow Returns Sword Technique（Mastery），《Vermilion Bird Sword Technique》（Proficient 21667/500000)，《Phoenix Dances Through the Nine Heavens》（First Level 1/100000)】

【Secret Arts: 《Disguise Technique》（Mastery）】

This movement technique called 《Phoenix Dances Through the Nine Heavens》was gifted to him by the red-clad woman. It was even more exquisite than 《Phantom Step》.

Moreover, he found it much easier to learn. It took him less than ten days to grasp the basics.

It seemed the red-clad woman wasn’t wrong — this movement technique truly suited his cultivation method perfectly.

However, this movement technique didn’t display a proficiency value. Like the cultivation methods, it was divided into different realms.

“Should I add to it?”

After his excitement faded, Chen Ming saw he had only two hundred thousand experience points left and grew a bit reluctant.

Ever since advancing to Fifth Grade, apart from that time killing pirates, he hadn’t gained much. He was planning to participate in the World’s Number One Tower’s competition, so naturally, experience points should be prioritized for cultivation methods and sword techniques — to increase his combat power.

Just then, Chunxiang entered and reported, “Young Master, someone from Shang’an Trading Company delivered a letter.”

“Bring it here.”

Chen Ming’s eyes lit up. He took the letter and skimmed through it quickly. A gleam of excitement flashed across his face. “It’s finally here. Have them prepare a horse. I need to head out.”

……

Shang’an Trading Company, as one of the Seven Great Maritime Traders, had a very good reputation in Qingfeng City. Among the seven, they were considered a stream of purity.

Chen Ming rode a carriage, led by the clerk who had delivered the letter, into a secluded alley, stopping in front of a residence.

“Second Young Master, the person you wanted is inside. Please enter.”

The clerk was young but maintained a calm and composed demeanor. To be sent by Shang’an Trading Company for such a task, he was clearly no ordinary clerk.

Chen Ming followed behind him and stepped into the courtyard that looked to have quite a few years of history.

Upon entering, he saw five people, some standing, some sitting. They all stopped what they were doing and turned to look at him, their expressions varied — some discontented, some wary, some appraising...

The young clerk introduced, “These five are guards of the Trading Company, all at Fifth Grade cultivation. They just returned from overseas yesterday.”

“Mm, very good.”

 

Chen Ming looked at the five before him, very satisfied.

Last time, when he had taken the Heaven's Path Alliance token to Shang’an Trading Company and borrowed two Fourth Grade devotees to deal with the Qi Family, he had also made one request — for them to arrange some Fifth Grade martial artists to spar with him.

Nearly a month had passed since then. He had urged them several times along the way, and now they had finally arranged five people.

Judging from the sluggish response of Shang’an Trading Company, they were clearly reluctant, but didn’t dare disobey the order.

With the token in hand, it must be used to its fullest.

Unused power was power wasted.

Chen Ming’s gaze grew fervent as he looked at the five, and he said, “The five of you are all my seniors. Please do not hold back. Who will go first?”

“I will!”

A tall woman stepped forward. She had short hair — extremely rare in this era — tanned skin the color of wheat, and wore black clothes that accentuated her fiery figure.

She appeared to be about thirty years old, and her eyes held a wild and untamed gleam.

Chen Ming had seen female martial artists before, but never one this fierce and domineering.

The woman didn’t report her name and struck immediately, clearly not taking him seriously.

Moreover, her first move was a killing strike, obviously aiming to make him look like a complete fool on the spot.

As someone who had fought her way up from the bottom to Fifth Grade, she naturally harbored hostility toward these noble sons born with silver spoons in their mouths.

To her, the fact that Shopkeeper Gong had personally ordered the five of them to come and "spar" with this young lord meant that he must be the son of some bigwig behind the Trading Company.

It was no wonder she thought this way. She had spent most of her years overseas and only occasionally returned, so she had never heard of Chen Ming's name.

Not only her — the other four shared the same thoughts.

……

“Well struck!”

Facing the woman’s saber, Chen Ming instantly felt immense pressure.

This strike had simplified complexity. Though it looked ordinary, it cut off all avenues of retreat. The saber technique was far more seasoned than that of Wan Laosan.

This was the first opponent he had faced since advancing to Fifth Grade that made him feel pressured.

“Blazing Stream Shocks the Sky”!

Chen Ming chose to take it head-on.

A loud clang rang out.

Terrifying force exploded outward. The blazing heat made even the four observers nearby instinctively hold their breath. Their gazes sharpened, shedding their previous nonchalance.

This youth possessed such intense true qi — definitely a formidable opponent.

As for that young clerk, he had long since slipped away.

The battle between Fifth Grade martial artists was not something just anyone could observe. Without sufficient strength, one could easily be caught in the crossfire.

The two fighters simultaneously retreated a few steps.

Evenly matched!

But the four observers saw a flush appear on the woman’s face and immediately knew she had suffered a hidden loss.

“Again!”

The woman shouted fiercely and charged forward once more.

Only, this time she was obviously more cautious, displaying her true skills. The curved saber in her hand danced unpredictably — now here, now there, now ahead, now behind.

Chen Ming responded to every move with counter-moves. His longsword was flawless, blocking all attacks.

The expressions of the other four gradually grew serious. Their eyes remained fixed, unblinking, on the two exchanging blows. When the fight reached its peak, some even couldn’t help but cheer aloud.

Such an exhilarating battle wasn’t something one could witness often.

In the blink of an eye, the two had already exchanged forty to fifty moves.

Suddenly, the woman’s figure flickered as she withdrew from the battle circle. With a face full of displeasure, she said, “No more. This is boring. Why are you holding back? Do you think I, Yun Niang, am someone who can’t afford to lose?”

【You defeated an LV55 enemy and gained 9000 experience points】

Seeing the prompt appear, Chen Ming cupped his fists and said, “It was my fault. Miss, your saber technique is exquisite. I only wished to observe a few more moves, hence I resorted to that inferior tactic.”

Upon hearing his words, Yun Niang’s anger turned into joy. “At least you’ve got good eyes. This saber technique of mine is something I created myself by fusing the martial arts of several island nations overseas. If you wish to learn, I can teach you.”

Chen Ming’s impression of her improved greatly. Such a generous heart — she truly was an extraordinary woman.

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