Chapter 10: Huo Qianqian
“Sorry, junior brother, I couldn’t help you this time.”
In a separate courtyard of the Huo estate, Zhang Mingyu was sharing a small drink with Wen Zehao, chatting lightly.
Wen Zehao replied hastily, “That’s not what I meant—Brother, I’m already deeply grateful that you were willing to help. I just didn’t expect that guy to actually have some skill.”
“After all, he’s been cultivating for many years.” Zhang Mingyu toasted him with a glass and said, “I suppose there’s nothing more I can do. You know, last time I offended the little junior sister; she ignored me for half a year. I definitely can’t risk that again.”
Wen Zehao’s smiling face stiffened; he could only force out a polite laugh. “I’m sorry to have troubled you, Brother.”
They drank a few more cups, and Wen Zehao found an excuse to leave.
As he stepped out of the small courtyard, his face turned dark.
He had thought the guy was insignificant, someone he could easily get rid of. But unexpectedly… not only did he fail to drive him away, he also ended up owing a favor.
“Hmph, I’ll let you run around for a while longer,” he muttered, clenching his fist.
Tomorrow, an important shipment needed his personal escort; he would leave Qingfeng City early the next morning.
Before leaving, he planned to see the junior sister one more time.
Instead, he was given the cold shoulder.
Wen Zehao was bewildered.
They had reconciled that morning—hand in hand—and now she was sulking? Then he realized: she must be shy.
So he wrote a letter and had a servant deliver it to her before departing the Huo estate.
This round trip would take a month, just in time for the junior sister’s sixteenth birthday.
By then, he could begin discussing marriage arrangements.
When Wen Zehao left, his heart was alight with anticipation.
...
“He’s gone?”
Inside the courtyard, Huo Qianqian sat on a swing, her feet dangling in midair. She swayed back and forth without even glancing at the letter handed by her maid.
“The Seventh Young Master said he needs a month for this trip. He’ll be back before your birthday, Miss.”
“So what if he comes back or not?” Qianqian replied, visibly displeased.
Her maid whispered, “Your father did say that once you come of age, he’ll handle your marriage arrangements.”
Qianqian snapped angrily, “Let him marry whoever he wants—I’m not going!”
“Ah?”
The maid couldn’t understand why Qianqian was suddenly so furious.
Even Qianqian didn’t know what had come over her. She knew Wen Zehao wanted to marry her, and her grandfather approved of the match.
Wen Zehao was fairly handsome, came from a good family, and was talented—among Qingfeng’s younger generation, he was quite remarkable.
She felt neither particularly satisfied nor dissatisfied.
After all, girls were expected to marry.
But lately, Wen Zehao’s behavior had disappointed her.
He’d shown a side that was narrow-minded.
They weren’t even married yet, and because she had interceded with her grandfather on behalf of some unrelated man, he marched over and questioned her harshly.
What would it be like after marriage?
Over the past half month, he’d acted humbly to win her forgiveness.
But as soon as she forgave him that morning, he immediately went looking for trouble with Chen Ming.
When she heard this, her heart sank. Is this the man she’s going to marry?
Would marriage mean she wouldn’t even be allowed to speak to another man?
The more she thought, the more agitated she became, and a nameless anger flared up: it’s all Chen Ming’s fault!
If not for him, none of this would be happening.
...
The next morning, Tuesday, 9 a.m.
Chen Ming arrived at the Huo estate on time.
The moment he entered, a maid stopped him. “Young Master Chen, Miss requests your company.”
Miss? Huo Qianqian?
Chen Ming paused and then said, “I’ve been hoping for a chance to personally thank Miss Huo—please show me the way.”
He wondered what she wanted.
Was she going to ask him to explain himself to her betrothed?
Huo Qianqian was Huo Chengkun’s only surviving child; her parents had died, and she depended entirely on her grandfather.
It was clear how doting Huo Chengkun was toward her.
One word from her would make Chen Ming have no choice but to leave; he couldn’t avoid meeting her—you could only hide so much.
The maid led him deeper into the rear courtyard.
This was Chen Ming’s first time in the inner rear quarters of the Huo estate—this area was reserved for Huo Chengkun and his granddaughter; only his personal disciples were allowed here, and no one else.
The further they walked, the quieter and more secluded it became.
Huo Qianqian living here?
Chen Ming began to suspect that maybe this maid was planted by Wen Zehao to trap him…
“You must be Chen Ming?” said a crisp voice from the side.
As he turned, he saw a young woman in red martial attire by the moon gate—flawlessly fair-skinned, sweet-faced, tall, undeniably beautiful.
But on her face was a willful arrogance that ruined the beauty.
Chen Ming wasn’t moved by wilful women—he’d seen countless temperamental beauties on Earth; no matter how pretty, he wasn’t impressed.
Huo Qianqian snorted. “Not much to look at, are you?”
Chen Ming bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Miss Huo.”
Huo Qianqian fixed her gaze on him. “I heard you spar with the students who came here to learn martial arts, so let’s see what your skill is like.”
Without waiting, she threw a punch at his face.
It came fast and fierce—had it landed, his nose would’ve been broken.
“For real?”
Chen Ming didn’t risk it—he sidestepped. “Miss Huo…”
“Watch this.”
Seizing the initiative, she followed up with a vicious sweep, not giving him a moment to speak.
Her skill was even above Qi Jun’s!
Chen Ming felt unprecedented pressure. He couldn’t afford any distraction; he concentrated fully.
Fluidly they moved in combat, exchanging seven or eight strikes.
Huo Qianqian shouted fiercely, “Is dodging all you can do? Fight back!”
Chen Ming remained silent—dodging only—searching for an opening.
“This must be the Four‑Elements Fist—it’s deeper than Three‑Talent Fist. Luckily she lacks combat experience—her transitions are too stiff. There’s still opportunity.”
“Her Iron‑Horse Stance is at least Level 4. Her strength far exceeds mine. I can’t clash head‑on.”
He thought quickly; he’d rely on experience to counter.
After another ten or so moves, her technique became smoother; she was fast learning the proper flow.
He couldn’t continue like this.
Feeling pressure mounting, Chen Ming swallowed his nerves. Kicking a stone underfoot, he lost balance.
Huo Qianqian seized the chance and both hands lunged.
Unexpectedly, as Chen Ming fell backward, he used a strange trick—his foot shot out lightning-fast, striking her thigh squarely.
She cried out and fell to the ground.
“You—”
Huo Qianqian’s eyes widened, suddenly welling with tears—hurt, anger, disbelief…
Oh dear…
Chen Ming registered: this was the little princess of the Huo family, and he had just struck her.
He moved to apologize, but Huo Qianqian got up and ran off, limping—his kick had been heavy indeed.
【You defeated a Level‑8 enemy and gained 30 XP.】