"Er Lang, the second daughter of the Wang Family is not only beautiful and courteous, but she can also cook amazingly well. Everyone who meets her praises her. You really don't want to consider it?"
After breakfast, Wei Shi asked this.
Chen Ming shook his head and said, "My ambition is in the Martial Dao, and I have no intention of getting married for now. Sister-in-law, you should help me refuse."
Seeing his resolute attitude, Wei Shi didn't mention it again, but she couldn't help feeling a little regretful. This second daughter of the Wang Family suited her temper very well; if they could become sisters-in-law, it would be perfect.
What a pity.
In recent days, matchmakers have been overwhelming the Chen Family's doorstep.
Previously, those people despised Chen Ming so much that they used him as a negative example to scold their own children. Almost overnight, his reputation turned, and he became the child that everyone praised in other families.
Not to mention that he has no intention of getting married. Even if he wanted to, he wouldn't choose these opportunistic families.
Being in-laws with such families, who knows how many troubles will have to be dealt with in the future.
At this moment, the maid Xiaohong came to report, "Second Young Master, a gentleman with the surname Deng is outside, claiming to be your friend."
Chen Ming quickly asked, "Where is he now?"
"In the main hall."
Chen Ming put down his chopsticks and went out, arriving in the hall. He saw Deng Ziyang in a blue robe, standing with his hands behind his back in front of the wall. "Brother Deng, why have you come?"
Deng Ziyang turned his head, smiling, "I heard you haven't been to the Huo Mansion for a few days, and I was a bit worried, so I came to check on you."
"Sorry to have worried you, Brother Deng."
Soon, the maid Xiaohong brought in the tea.
Chen Ming and Deng Ziyang sat down for a chat.
Deng Ziyang didn't mention the debt collection from Wanli Gambling House, as he believed that with Chen Ming's ability, solving this would be a piece of cake.
If he brought it up himself, it would seem like he was deliberately showing goodwill and would make him look weak.
After exchanging pleasantries, Deng Ziyang finally brought up the main topic, "I plan to take the martial examination and join the Six Gates. I'm leaving tomorrow."
Chen Ming was somewhat surprised, "Will your father agree?"
Deng Ziyang laughed, "It's not up to him."
Although his face smiled, his eyes revealed a fierce determination, "The old man already has four sons and refuses to teach me martial arts. Old Huo doesn't dare to take me as a disciple either. I refuse to live an ordinary life. Thus, the martial examination is my only choice!"
Chen Ming could feel his unwillingness and his longing for the Martial Dao.
He raised his teacup, using tea as a substitute for wine, and said solemnly, "I wish you success in everything, Brother Deng."
Deng Ziyang also raised his cup and clinked it with his, laughing heartily, "Thanks for your kind words."
After finishing the tea, he added, "Once I leave, I'm most worried about a group of brothers. Look after them for me."
Chen Ming shook his head, "I can't do that. They won't listen to me. Only Brother Deng can manage them. So, Brother Deng, come back soon."
Deng Ziyang laughed, "You're wrong about that. They don't say it, but deep down, they respect you. These past two weeks, they've sparred with you daily, and their skills have improved significantly."
"By the way, please guide their saber techniques more in the future. Once I join the Six Gates, I'll inevitably need to wield swords and sabers."
The Saber Technique.
Chen Ming thought of the "Eight Diagrams Saber" he just began learning and could only say, "I'll try."
After discussing the serious matters, they moved on to small talk.
"I heard Wen Zehao is back. The Wen Family is preparing a generous dowry, and will soon propose to the Huo Family. Why is this guy so lucky? He'll become Huo Chengkun's grandson-in-law and have a clear path in Martial Dao."
Deng Ziyang's tone was a bit sour, expressing the sentiment that not everyone shares the same destiny.
He believed that neither his talent nor character was inferior to Wen Zehao, but because he was an illegitimate child of the Giant Tiger Gang's leader, such good fortune would never come to him.
Chen Ming recalled a saying and remarked, "Every gift from fate has long been priced in secret. I bet his future achievements will surely be far inferior to yours, Brother Deng."
Deng Ziyang savored these words, finding them more meaningful the more he thought about them. His eyes gradually brightened, and he suddenly bowed in respect, "Senior Brother Chen, I've learned something today."
Chen Ming quickly stopped him, "Brother Deng, there's no need for this. You're giving me too much credit."
"Farewell, Senior Brother."
Deng Ziyang soon took his leave.
Chen Ming watched him all the way to the door, seeing him off into the distance, and silently thought to himself, "Six Gates."
The Great Jin Court established a dual system to better control the grassroots. There are government offices for civil matters and the Six Gates for martial matters.
The imperial examinations naturally include both civil and martial exams.
The smaller the place, the greater the influence of the Six Gates.
In a big city like Qingfeng City, it is tacitly acknowledged that the head officer of the Six Gates takes the lead, with civil servants as support in the government scene.
Passing the martial examination and joining the Six Gates naturally provides an opportunity to learn advanced martial arts. However, it also means sacrificing one's freedom.
The Six Gates is both a super sect and part of the bureaucracy. Without a background, one might get entangled in political whirlpools at any moment, not knowing how one dies.
If not for having no other option, Chen Ming definitely wouldn't choose this path.
...
In the latter part of the night, after midnight, the entire Qingfeng City became quiet.
Chen Mansion.
A shadow silently flipped over the wall, traveling through the shadows, avoiding the watchmen and those dumping night soil. Half an hour later, the figure arrived at a hidden residence.
The shadow leapt over the high wall, suddenly hearing a dog bark.
Whoosh!
A pebble shot out, and the dog in the courtyard whimpered and fell dead on the spot.
The shadow passed through the courtyard, reached the back house, took out a thin short knife, inserted it in the door crack, and deftly worked the latch open.
"Who's there?"
A wary voice came from inside the room.
The figure in black swiftly darted inside, pointing the short knife at Old Xiao on the bed, and said in a hoarse voice, "If you don't want your entire family to die, shut up."
Upon seeing the intruder's body technique, Old Xiao was horrified and lost all will to resist.
This was clearly an adept Martial Artist.
He forced himself to remain calm and said, "Esteemed warrior, let's talk this over. The money is in a box under my bed. I'll help you fetch it, just spare my family's lives."
"I'm here for the money, just your ill luck. If you cooperate, I'll spare your family."
As the figure in black spoke, he grabbed a belt from the bedside, preparing to loop it around Old Xiao's neck.
Old Xiao was terrified beyond belief. As the figure in black got closer, he saw in the darkness that his attacker had young eyes.
A thought struck Old Xiao, and he blurted out a name, "Spare me, Young Master Chen Er..."
The figure in black hesitated for a moment.
Old Xiao instantly knew he had guessed correctly and racked his brains to find a way to save his life, "I truly meant no offense to your brother. It was my people acting on their own..."
Seeing the figure in black wrapping the belt around his neck, he was scared out of his wits, but fearing for his family's lives, he didn't dare to resist, only begging for mercy, "I'll offer a Cultivation Manual, just spare my life..."
After speaking, he immediately felt the tension around his neck lessen a bit.
The figure in black asked in the same hoarse voice, "You have a Cultivation Manual?"
"Absolutely."
Old Xiao grasped at this chance to survive, "Years ago, I got it from a down-and-out person. Their ancestor was once a fifth-grade master... If you doubt me, I can retrieve it for you to examine."
"Where is it?"
"Under the bedboard, the middle one, there's a compartment—uhh—"
Before Old Xiao could finish, the belt around his neck suddenly tightened. He struggled hard, his eyes bulging, and after a while, his body went stiff and limp, dying with open eyes.
The figure in black then hanged him from the beam to make it look like a suicide.
Afterward, he lifted the bed, found a hidden compartment in a bedboard, and took out the items inside, which were books wrapped in oilcloth.
Without examining them closely, he rewrapped them in the cloth, left the house, and used a fish line to latch the door back. Only then did he leave quietly.
Under the night sky, no one knew a murder had just occurred here.