Chapter 133: Purpose

"Break down the door！"

Luo Hao saw that the momentum had built up sufficiently. With a single order, he was ready to force his way in.

Today, he was going to completely crush this Chen Ming in front of everyone in the city, leaving him utterly defeated and disgraced, unable to show his face in Qingfeng City ever again！

He would not allow anyone in Qingfeng City younger than him, more famous than him, or more attention-grabbing than him to exist.

Especially after that time when Miss Zhao stood up for this brat, he had made up his mind to find a chance to get rid of him.

He heard that this person had never lost since his debut. Today, he would let him taste what failure felt like.

A savage smile played at the corners of Luo Hao’s lips.

He had absolute confidence in his own strength. Even in Jiangzhou City, his saber techniques were considered top-tier among his peers.

Even his master had said before that among all Sixth Grade Martial Artists in Jiangzhou, fewer than three could steadily defeat him.

His lack of reputation was only because, back in Jiangzhou City, his master had always kept him in check, preventing him from showing off and making too many enemies.

It wasn’t until he came to Qingfeng City and received his master’s permission that he could finally act freely.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t even a single decent opponent in Qingfeng City, which left him greatly disappointed. Hopefully, this Chen Ming could offer him some surprises.

Just as his men were about to crash through the door, the main gate of the Chen Residence finally opened.

Behind the door stood a young man in blue, around twenty years old, tall and upright, with sword-like brows and starry eyes. Facing Luo Hao and the others outside, he remained calm and composed, exuding an air of confidence.

The moment he appeared, the murmuring around them stopped.

Luo Hao saw this extraordinarily handsome young man and felt even more disgusted. Looking down from above, he asked, "You are Chen Ming？"

"I am."

Chen Ming looked at him, his expression seemingly a bit helpless. "You must be Hall Master Luo. There’s no past grudge between us—why force this upon me？"

Luo Hao wasn’t in a hurry to strike and laughed loudly. "The moment I arrived in Qingfeng City, I heard your name. Everyone says you’re a martial fanatic, always eager to challenge others. If anyone refused, once your strength improved, you’d force your way into their homes and compel them to fight. If you can do it, then so can I."

After he finished, he looked at Chen Ming with mocking eyes. "Last time, I spared you out of respect for Miss Zhao. Today, there will be no one to save you. You can't escape this fight no matter what. Of course, if you admit defeat and beg for mercy, I’ll turn around and leave."

Immediately, the members of the Red Sea Gang behind him burst into laughter.

For a martial artist, to admit defeat without even fighting was more humiliating than being defeated.

"Sigh."

Chen Ming suddenly let out a sigh. "You brought this on yourself. If Leader Pan holds you accountable afterward, don’t say I bullied the weak."

His voice wasn’t loud and was almost drowned out by the laughter, with only a few people catching it.

Luo Hao, with his sharp senses, happened to hear the words “bullied the weak” and, inexplicably, felt a slight tightness in his chest.

At that moment, Chen Ming said calmly, "If you can withstand three of my sword strikes, you win！"

Before his words finished, the sword was already unsheathed！

Everyone present saw a blinding flash of light erupt, so bright it made them squint instinctively, accompanied by a sword hum like a dragon’s cry.

Next came a wave of scorching heat, making it feel as if they were standing next to a blazing furnace.

Bang—a thunderous crash.

When they opened their eyes again, Chen Ming was standing exactly where he had been, his long sword sheathed, as if it had never been drawn.

Luo Hao was no longer where he had stood.

"Wah... Pff—"

Suddenly, the sound of blood being spat out rang out. Everyone turned around to see Luo Hao lying on the main street more than ten meters away, vomiting blood, looking gravely wounded.

The scene was deathly silent.

Even the members of the Red Sea Gang were stunned, momentarily unable to react.

The ever-arrogant and overbearing Hall Master Luo hadn’t even withstood a single sword strike from Chen Ming—he was defeated in an instant.

The reversal was simply too shocking.

"Hall Master！"

The first to recover was Luo Hao’s attendant, who screamed and rushed toward him.

"Hall Master!""Hall Master, are you alright?""……"

The gang members also snapped out of their daze and swarmed toward Luo Hao.

Meanwhile, the spectators nearby began buzzing with discussion."And here I thought this Hall Master Luo was something impressive—this is it?"

"As arrogant as he was just now, he’s that pitiful now..."

"This is what it means to bring humiliation upon oneself."

"If you ask me, this so-called Hall Master Luo is just a decorative pillow. If not for his master..."

"Shh, don’t say things like that out loud..."

"……"

……

Amid the flurry of voices—

Luo Hao roared,"Get the hell away from me！"

He struggled to his feet. The long saber in his hand had already been broken into two, now just a snapped blade. His hair had come loose, and he looked utterly disheveled.

He stared fixedly at Chen Ming who was still standing where he had been, his face filled with shock, disbelief, resentment, fury...

"You... you’ve reached Fifth Grade！"

As soon as those words were spoken, everyone present was stunned and turned to look at Chen Ming standing at the door.

Even the commoners who didn’t understand martial arts knew the weight of being a Fifth Grade Martial Artist. In Qingfeng City, that already made one a notable figure.

As for those who had trained or were martial artists themselves, the shock hit them even harder.

They all thought the same thing: how long had it been, and he was already at Fifth Grade?

In their memory, Chen Ming had broken through to Sixth Grade less than a year ago.

How old was he?

Not even twenty-five, right?

Everyone stared at that figure in blue, unsure whether they were waiting for him to deny it or confirm it.

Soon, Chen Ming opened his mouth and said,"You should’ve asked earlier. Then you wouldn’t have suffered today’s disgrace."

最⊥新⊥小⊥說⊥在⊥⊥⊥首⊥發！

"You—"

Luo Hao’s face went pale again, and he vomited another mouthful of blood before fainting on the spot.

The members of the Red Sea Gang panicked and scrambled to catch him, lifting him onto the carriage and retreating in disgrace.

Once they were gone, the main gate of the Chen Residence closed once more.

Boom! The spectators outside burst into excitement.

The second son of the Chen Family had reached Fifth Grade in under a year—this was huge news.

……

After the gate closed, Chen Ming turned around and met the excited gaze of his elder brother, Chen Rui, along with the equally thrilled faces behind him.

His further improvement in strength was undoubtedly massive news for the entire Chen Family.

Chen Ming said,"Big Brother, I have a few things to take care of. I’ll come find you later."

"Alright, go handle your business."

Once his younger brother left, Chen Rui turned around and discreetly wiped away his tears with his sleeve. After giving the steward a brief instruction, he hurried away.

Before long, he returned to the ancestral hall. In the bronze basin on the ground, embers still flickered among the burnt spirit money.

He picked up the scattered spirit money from the ground and continued burning it. As he burned, he choked out,"Father, Mother, Erlang is becoming more and more accomplished... He broke through to Fifth Grade in secret and didn’t even tell me..."

"But don’t blame him. I’m sure he has his reasons..."

"Father, Mother, our Chen Family is doing better and better. You both can rest in peace in the afterlife..."

Chen Rui spoke while wiping his tears.

His heart was filled with joy.

……

When Chen Ming returned to the courtyard, he saw the Woman in Red still seated there. He stepped forward and offered a quick apology,"Thank you for waiting."

The Woman in Red rested her chin on her hand, staring quietly at the apricot tree in the courtyard, lost in thought. Upon hearing his words, she turned to him and said,"With that strike, you’ve really made an enemy of the Red Sea Gang."

Chen Ming was a little helpless."They came knocking on my door. If I kept retreating, others would just think I’m weak and easy to bully."

The Woman in Red curled her lips and dropped the topic. She got to the point."I came this time to bring you a message from Shuyu."

Chen Ming’s expression turned serious."Please speak."

This Woman in Red had said upon arrival that she came on behalf of Zhong Shuyu.

Just as he had invited her to sit, Luo Hao arrived, and they hadn’t gotten to the main subject yet.

The Woman in Red looked into his eyes and said,"She said the life she owed you has now been repaid."

Chen Ming fell silent for a few seconds, confirming a suspicion in his heart."Is it because of that night she warned me in advance?"

"On our Bliss Island, any traitor is dealt with by clan law—tendons severed and thrown into Longyuan to feed the Dragon God."

Chen Ming took a deep breath."Honored Sea Lord didn’t come just to say this, right?"

The Woman in Red suddenly chuckled."That’s where you’re mistaken. I’m not the Red Sea Lord."

She’s not the Red Sea Lord?

Chen Ming was surprised but didn’t press her identity further."Sister Hong, just tell me directly. What can I do?"

The Woman in Red looked at him with a trace of admiration in her eyes."You really are sharp. I’ll tell you the truth. Shuyu is my maid, she’s been with me since childhood. She’s like a sister to me. I don’t want her to die."

"You mean...?"

"I once swore an oath never to betray Bliss Island. Shuyu violated clan law. Even I can’t protect her. I can only send her back to Bliss Island. The ship departs tonight. With her will be General Sha, an old friend of mine who sympathizes greatly with Shuyu’s situation."

Chen Ming now more or less understood her meaning. Before he could speak, the Woman in Red continued—

"I hope nothing goes wrong on this journey. The seas have been rough lately. If the ship were to capsize... Zhong Shuyu must never exist in this world again. Do you understand?"

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