Chapter 124: Distinguished Guests

In a luxurious residence in the eastern part of the city, an extremely furious voice suddenly rang out.

"How dare that little thief?!"

The voice was so loud that half the household heard it.

For a moment, the busy servants became even more cautious, not daring to breathe loudly.

It was the Third Young Master’s voice.

No one knew what had enraged him so much.

The servants of the Qi Residence could only pray that they wouldn’t run into the Third Young Master shortly…

Inside the study.

Qi Xingdong's face was ashen as he glared at Zheng Shi, standing in front of him, with eyes like he wanted to devour someone.

"A penniless brat, who by sheer luck managed to break through to Sixth Grade, now thinks he's invincible? That little beast dares to covet my head? Go tell him—this Young Master is at Jinyuan Prosperity Trading. I want to see what ability he has to take my life."

Zheng Shi hunched over where he stood, head lowered, silently enduring Qi Xingdong’s fury.

"Enough!"

At that moment, the elderly man seated in the Grand Tutor’s chair slapped the armrest, silencing his son.

This elder was none other than Qi Yanhong, the helm of Jinyuan Prosperity Trading.

He had just passed sixty this year, maintained himself well, and remained robust.

Half a year ago, he had even taken a concubine.

"Father!"

Qi Xingdong was still seething. "I told you long ago, we should have killed that brat when he was still weak and unformed. Now look what’s happened—raising a tiger invites disaster. He wants my life now! You always insisted on being kind and reasonable—what good has it done?"

He grew angrier as he spoke.

In his mind, Chen Ming was nothing more than a clerk of their trading company.

Now that he had made some name in martial arts, he dared to bite the hand that fed him?

As for sending Chen Ming to prison back then—Qi Xingdong didn’t consider it a big deal. Hadn’t he spared the kid’s life?

Even his illegitimate younger brother had been punished.

He had even humbled himself to seek reconciliation and was willing to offer compensation. Who knew that brat would be so ungrateful?

Twice he sent Shopkeeper Zheng to negotiate, and twice they were turned away.

Now, the brat wanted his life.

Qi Xingdong had already seen it—there was a rebellious bone growing in the back of that boy’s head. He should have been killed sooner to avoid future trouble.

Qi Yanhong’s face darkened as he scolded, "Wasn’t it your mess in the first place? And now I have to clean up after you. Kill, kill, kill… the daughter of Inspector Zhao took a liking to him. What will you use to kill him with? You want to drag the entire Qi Family down with you as your burial?"

Qi Xingdong lowered his head, not daring to talk back.

The old man was scolding—clearly, he was truly furious.

After a while, seeing that his father’s anger had subsided a bit, he softly asked, "Father, then how should we handle this matter? We really can’t delay any longer. If that brat breaks through to Fifth Grade, or even Fourth Grade, he’ll become our greatest threat."

Qi Yanhong said, "I have my own plans for this. Wait for news. Elder Zheng, thank you for your efforts. You may leave now."

Zheng Shi immediately took his leave.

After exiting the Qi Residence, his expression grew deeply grave.

It seemed the Qi Family and Chen Family could no longer settle things peacefully.

He too should start making preparations...

…

…………

After Zheng Shi got off the carriage, a while later, Su Zhi Ning got on and sat opposite Chen Ming.

Before she could speak, Chen Ming preempted her.

"You’re not planning to meddle in my grudge with the Qi Family, are you?"

Su Zhi Ning looked at him calmly.

"The Heaven's Path Alliance never interferes in the grudges of the martial world."

Chen Ming said, "Let me guess. You already investigated what happened between me and the Qi Family, didn’t you?"

Su Zhi Ning’s voice remained icy.

"It was the Qi Family’s fault. They do deserve to die."

"That’s the most pleasant thing you’ve ever said."

Chen Ming laughed.

He suddenly thought—Su Zhi Ning must have already investigated his past thoroughly, understanding his character and conduct.

If not for his diligent virtue and never bullying the innocent since transmigrating, his good reputation wouldn’t exist. Then she probably wouldn’t be so easy to talk to.

Which is why, in ancient society, reputation was very important.

Had his reputation been even slightly worse, someone like Su Zhi Ning—a legitimate successor from a prestigious family—wouldn’t even spare him a glance.

He continued, "If the Qi Family sends experts to kill me, I ask that Miss Su protect my family, so they don’t get hurt."

Su Zhi Ning’s calm, clear gaze finally revealed a trace of emotion.

"You chose this time to turn against the Qi Family on purpose, didn’t you? This way, if you encounter danger, I’ll be forced to act."

Chen Ming laughed.

"Miss, you’re incredibly perceptive. How could I possibly hide such petty thoughts from you?"

Su Zhi Ning asked curiously, "You’re this honest, even admitting you want to use me. Aren’t you afraid I won’t help you?"

Chen Ming said calmly, "In my heart, I already consider you a friend. Toward a friend, naturally, I must be honest and open."

Friend?

Su Zhi Ning stared at him for a while, then said lightly, "My master specifically warned me to beware of men who claim to want to be my friend. The more honest they appear, the more upright their words, the deeper their schemes."

"……"

Chen Ming nearly lost his composure. Her master really knew too much—definitely an old hand in the martial world.

How did such a scheming master raise someone so naive and trusting?

Of course, calling her naive wasn’t entirely accurate.

At the very least, she was highly cautious and would not trust others easily.

Moreover, she listened closely to her master.

With someone like her, just a few years of tempering in the martial world would definitely shape her into a formidable heroine.

Fortunately, the carriage stopped just then. The coachman said, "Second Master, we’ve arrived."

Chen Ming coughed tactically and asked her, "Would you like to come along?"

Su Zhi Ning shook her head and closed her eyes.

After he stepped out of the carriage, a faint smile slowly appeared at the corner of her lips.

 ……

After Chen Ming got off the carriage and entered the house, he looked relaxed.

Although Su Zhi Ning hadn’t agreed to protect his family, someone like her, so long as she didn’t refuse, it meant she agreed.

With her around, he could now act boldly without worries.

During dinner, he reminded his elder brother Chen Rui to stay home for the next few days and not go to the medicine shop.

As the Chen Family’s medicine shop grew larger, it now had three storefronts, each managed by a shopkeeper.

Chen Rui now looked the part of a big boss and no longer needed to handle the daily operations himself.

When Chen Rui heard this, his heart tightened, and he nodded in agreement.

He knew that if his younger brother said so, there must be a reason.

Halfway through the meal, the housekeeper suddenly came over and said, "Master Zhang has arrived."

Chen Ming immediately put down his chopsticks, told them to continue eating, and went to receive the guest himself.

It was indeed Zhang Mingyu, waiting in the main hall.

Chen Ming greeted him, "Senior Brother, why didn’t you let me know you were coming?"

Zhang Mingyu sighed, "I came on someone’s request, as a mediator."

"The Qi Family?"

"Who else but the Qi Family? They convinced an elder from my family, so I had no choice but to make this trip." Zhang Mingyu gave a bitter smile. "As for the grudge between you and the Qi Family, I absolutely stand with you. If you want revenge, I’ll fully support you."

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Chen Ming was genuinely moved.

Zhang Mingyu added, "Still, the Qi Family is deeply rooted. From what I know, Jinyuan Prosperity Trading has two consecrated experts, both Fourth Grade. Qi Yanhong also has a nephew who’s a disciple of Jin Yutang, with Fifth Grade cultivation. He’s not easy to deal with."

Two Fourth Grade consecrated experts wouldn’t be too difficult to handle.

After all, the Qi Family wasn’t the true owner of Jinyuan Prosperity Trading.

The real trouble was that nephew.

Jin Yutang, one of the Four Great Sects in Jiangzhou—Qi Yanhong’s nephew was closely bound to the Qi Family and certainly wouldn’t stand by if they were wiped out.

Just as Chen Ming was thinking this, the housekeeper came rushing in with someone—it was Gu Yuantao.

He was surprised and blurted out, "You’re here as a mediator too?"

"Mediator?"

Gu Yuantao was stunned, confused. "What mediator? We agreed to spar today, remember?"

Oh!

Only then did Chen Ming recall.

That was indeed the case.

Too much had happened in the past few days, and he had forgotten. So he explained, "That was my mistake. With your character, of course no one could persuade you."

Gu Yuantao glanced at Chen Ming, then at Zhang Mingyu beside him. His expression turned serious.

"Are you in trouble?"

"Just a small matter."

Chen Ming was quite touched.

For someone like him to ask that question meant he truly considered him a friend.

However, there wasn’t much Gu Yuantao could help with in this matter, so he didn’t tell him more.

He shifted the topic, "Brother Gu, given your family’s deep roots, do you know anything about the Heaven's Path Alliance?"

The Gu Family had been around for hundreds of years, so they should know some secrets that others didn’t.

"Heaven's Path Alliance?"

Gu Yuantao began to ponder, unsure where to begin.

Just then, the housekeeper returned again, interrupting their conversation.

Chen Ming asked, "What now?"

The housekeeper said, "Second Master, a distinguished guest is waiting outside."

Chen Ming grew alert and asked, "Distinguished guest? Is there a name card?"

This housekeeper was quite knowledgeable—anyone he called a distinguished guest surely wasn’t ordinary.

The housekeeper replied, "Second Master, you know him too. He’s a disciple of Senior Gold Saber, surname Li."

A disciple of Gold Saber Li Donglin, surname Li, and someone he knew…

A spark of clarity flashed in Chen Ming’s mind. He said, "You mean Li Qingchang?"

The housekeeper nodded. "Yes."

Li Qingchang, from the Huo Family, close with Gu Junrong and Wang Mingkai, often visited here for drinks.

A few months ago, during the “Disciple Recruitment Assembly,” he had the good fortune to make it to the end and was accepted as a disciple by the Third Grade Expert Li Qinglin.

Chen Ming sighed. "Becoming the disciple of a Third Grade Expert really changes your status."

He was even putting on airs now—judging from this, it looked like he expected Chen Ming to personally welcome him at the gate.

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