Chapter 29: The Art of Hidden Weapons
The lesson went on for the entire afternoon.
Chen Ming hadn’t expected Zhuang Xiaotian’s flying‑knife technique to contain so many subtleties.
No wonder Deng Ziyang had praised it so highly.
Previously, he had thought it was just commercial flattery.
From the basic “One Stone, Two Birds” trick to the advanced “Meteor Chasing the Moon” and “Swallows Splitting Apart,” and even higher‑level techniques like “Heavenly Maiden Scatters Flowers” and the linked “Mother‑Child” chain knives—Zhuang Xiaotian was familiar with all of them.
But due to limitations in his own skill, many of the high‑level techniques had low success rates, barely working even once out of ten tries.
After one afternoon, Chen Ming only grasped the general ideas; mastering them all at once was impossible.
Zhuang Xiaotian had also given him a few pages of parchment—the very manual he had inadvertently acquired before—on which the high‑level techniques were described.
It contained many methods reliant on fortune, meaning these hidden‑weapon techniques required at least Sixth Grade martial prowess to grasp.
Martial Six Grade, also known as the True‑Qi Realm, signified one had cultivated true qi.
Chen Ming felt as if he had discovered a treasure.
With these hidden‑weapon techniques in his arsenal, he could have a trump card in hand.
So upon returning home, he immersed himself in studying the parchment’s contents, repeatedly practicing the few methods Zhuang Xiaotian had taught him.
…
The next morning, after finishing martial‑arts basics instruction for that group of boys, Chen Ming gained another 50 experience points.
“Looks like I could consider opening a martial arts school, specializing in enlightenment training for younger children,” he thought.
With the upheaval at the Huo Residence, it was uncertain whether he would continue as a sparring partner there—he needed to plan ahead.
There were several martial arts schools in Qingfeng City.
He had no reputation, and his martial arts were learned from Huo Chengkun.
Without Huo Chengkun’s permission, he certainly couldn’t teach others freely.
The techniques Chen Ming taught the children were all common “Tiger‑Form Posture,” a widely spread and basic stance‑training method.
Thus, he chose to pursue this fresh path.
Furthermore, he could offer free tuition and even room and board, accepting anyone who came.
He believed he’d soon fill his classes.
While contemplating his “startup” plan, he reached the dining table.
Seeing his elder brother Chen Rui still hadn’t shown, he asked in surprise, “Brother didn’t come back last night again?”
“Yes,” Madam Wei wore a worried expression. “Yesterday when I went to deliver his meal, I found him frowning deeply. I feared the trouble was non‑trivial, but he wouldn’t tell me. I quietly asked the shop’s staff.”
“Did you find out anything?”
“They only know that a batch of medicinal ingredients at the pharmacy had issues and the delivery is due in a few days. If it’s delayed, they’ll owe a hefty penalty.”
Chen Ming instantly felt relieved—it wasn’t a major problem.
He comforted Madam Wei. “Sister‑in‑law, don’t worry too much. Brother didn’t tell me, which means he can handle it. You have to trust him.”
Madam Wei felt reassured by his words and relaxed quite a bit.
Chen Ming had no intention of getting involved. He believed in his brother’s capability.
Besides, even if things went awry, it would only cost money—which was like paying for a tuition fee.
…
After breakfast, Chen Ming didn’t go to the Huo Residence.
Instead, he headed to the Deng Household, planning to see Zhuang Xiaotian and Guan Peng off.
Upon arrival, he found they had already departed.
He hurried on horseback out of the city and reached the Shili Pavilion, where he saw Deng Ziyang and Zhuang Xiaotian bidding a reluctant farewell.
“Brother Chen, didn’t we agree you didn’t have to see us off?” Zhuang Xiaotian complained, but his face was lighted with joy.
Guan Peng also said, “Brother Chen, perfect timing. This was supposed to be handed to you by my brother, but now I’m giving it to you directly.” He then placed a white porcelain bottle into Chen Ming’s hand.
“What’s this?”
“These days, thanks to your guidance, my knife‑technique has improved greatly. I possess nothing of value, just two Gu‑Yuan Pills, as a token of gratitude.”
“This… this is too precious. I cannot accept it.”
Chen Ming hurriedly tried to return it.
The Gu‑Yuan Pill was greatly beneficial to a Ninth Grade martial artist, capable of enhancing one’s cultivation.
Each one sold for several hundred taels of silver on the market, and without connections, even money couldn’t guarantee a purchase.
Guan Peng naturally refused to take it back, saying outright, “How can you reclaim a gift once it’s been given?”
After some back-and-forth, Chen Ming ultimately accepted it.
After chatting for a while, Guan Peng and Zhuang Xiaotian finally took their leave.
Chen Ming looked reluctant to part. Deng Ziyang chuckled, “Why do you look sadder than I, his sworn brother?”
You don’t understand.
Chen Ming sighed.
After all, his two sources of experience points had just walked away.
These two had provided him with a reliable daily income of experience—twenty points from one, thirty from the other.
He couldn’t go to the Huo Residence for now.
Now that those two were gone as well...
His only remaining source of experience was the group of twenty-something little boys learning martial arts.
…
By the time Chen Ming and Deng Ziyang returned to the city, it was nearly noon.
They decided to find a large restaurant and enjoy a good meal.
Just as they were sipping their first cup of wine and chatting idly, they suddenly overheard a voice from the next table: “...Can’t believe a Sixth Grade expert could just die like that, without any warning at all.”
Chen Ming and Deng Ziyang exchanged glances, both surprised.
There were fewer than ten Sixth Grade experts in the entire Qingfeng City, all well-known figures.
Who had died?
They pricked up their ears to listen more closely.
“No way. A Sixth Grade martial artist isn’t that easy to kill. Don’t go making things up.”
“If you don’t believe me, go look at the Huo Residence—they’ve already hung up the white lanterns…”
“…”
The Huo Residence?
At the mention of that name, both Chen Ming and Deng Ziyang were stunned.
Among Qingfeng City’s Sixth Grade experts, only one bore the surname Huo.
Deng Ziyang suddenly sprang to his feet, rushed to the next table, and demanded, “Did you just say Huo Chengkun is dead? How did he die?”
“Let go… How would I know…”
Chen Ming quickly pulled Deng Ziyang back, urging him to calm down. He then asked the people at that table, “When did this happen?”
“This morning… The white lanterns are already up, and the servants are all in mourning clothes. I saw it with my own eyes…”
Deng Ziyang glared at him. “If you’re lying, I’ll come back and rip your head off.”
Then he turned and stormed off.
He didn’t even wait for a carriage, sprinting directly toward the Huo Residence.
Chen Ming followed behind, his mind in turmoil.
How had Huo Chengkun died so suddenly?
Could it be that his Junior Sister had really struck him down yesterday?
…
Before long, Chen Ming and Deng Ziyang arrived outside the Huo Residence.
Seeing the white lanterns hanging at the entrance, a heavy feeling settled in Chen Ming’s heart.
Deng Ziyang stood at the gate for a long time without stepping forward to knock.
Chen Ming stood behind him, unable to see his expression.
He silently wondered what would become of the Huo Residence now that Huo Chengkun was dead.
After a long while—
Deng Ziyang turned around and murmured, “You old bastard, how could you just die like this?”
“How could you die just like that?”
“I haven’t surpassed you yet. I haven’t seen you regret it. How could you die just like that?”
As he spoke, his eyes were already brimming with tears.