Chapter 45: Sixth Senior Brother
【You have defeated an LV24 enemy and gained 200 experience points】
After Chen Ming narrowly defeated Zhang Mingyu with a single move, such a notification appeared before his eyes.
He cupped his fists and said, “Senior Brother’s Five Elements Saber Technique indeed differs greatly from my own interpretation.”
Zhang Mingyu, though defeated by his saber, was not disheartened.
Back at the Wind and Thunder Martial School, he had witnessed Chen Ming’s battle with Li Ankun and already knew he was no match for this junior brother.
That he could even last seventy or eighty moves was entirely because Chen Ming was going easy on him.
This, he understood perfectly.
Today’s bout had brought him great benefit.
Since the death of his master a year ago, he had been training on his own, progressing slowly.
When encountering difficult problems, there was no one to consult.
The recent exchange with Chen Ming had, instead, resolved many of the questions he had carried in his heart.
“This junior brother truly is a martial prodigy. I must spar with him more in the future,” Zhang Mingyu thought.
He said, “Junior Brother’s saber technique is light and graceful, more like the path of swordsmanship. If it were replaced with a sword, its power would surely increase by a few degrees.”
Chen Ming was a bit surprised. He had indeed been using the Swallow Returns Sword Technique to execute the Five Elements Saber Technique, and hadn’t expected Zhang Mingyu to see through it.
He smiled and said, “To tell you the truth, Senior Brother, this Five Elements Saber Technique manual was given to me by Fifth Senior Brother. While studying it, I often recalled how some people mentioned that this saber technique was originally a sword technique. So, when I practiced, I couldn’t help but be influenced.”
That was a made-up reason.
In reality, he had learned the Swallow Returns Sword Technique from Zhong Shuyu.
She had frequently come to spar with him, and after so many sessions, he had simply picked it up.
Zhang Mingyu nodded in sudden realization. “So that’s how it is.”
This cleared a doubt he had harbored.
He had originally thought that the technique had been passed down by their junior sister, but now it turned out to be from their fifth junior brother.
No wonder Chen Ming had been taking such good care of the latter’s widow and son.
“Senior Brother, I noticed that your ‘Flowing Clouds Overlapping Waves’ move is quite different from how I execute it…”
Next, Chen Ming took the opportunity to “consult” Zhang Mingyu.
In truth, he was seizing the chance to impart the essence of the Swallow Returns Sword Technique to him.
This was called reciprocation—Zhang Mingyu had brought along everyone he could to support him earlier today.
Such a gesture of camaraderie was rare and precious.
The two of them talked for half an hour.
Zhang Mingyu’s eyes grew brighter as he listened, scratching his head and cheeks in excitement, unable to contain his eagerness.
He wished he could try it out immediately.
For the past year, he too had been pondering the notion that the Five Elements Saber Technique was originally a sword technique. But limited by his own insight, though he had sensed many inconsistencies in the technique, he didn’t know where to begin modifying it.
Chen Ming’s words had cleaved through the fog in his mind, dispelling many of his doubts.
As they talked, night fell unknowingly.
Just as Chen Ming was about to take his leave, a voice full of grief and rage rang out from outside, “Third Senior Brother, how did Master die?”
Who was that?
He turned his head and saw a tall, dark-skinned, rugged man stride in. His eyes were bloodshot, and a murderous aura radiated from his body.
This was…
Chen Ming found the man familiar, then heard Zhang Mingyu exclaim in surprise, “Sixth Brother? How did you get into the city?”
Sixth Brother?
Could it be… Huo Chengkun’s sixth disciple, Bi Haibo?
Wasn’t he already dead?
Chen Ming was shocked.
Back when the original host was still at the Huo Residence, Bi Haibo had been an instructor.
Not long after he left the residence, he heard that this man had been killed by enemies while out traveling.
From Zhang Mingyu’s reaction, it was clear that he had known Bi Haibo was still alive. So why had the rumor of his death been spread?
Naturally, Chen Ming didn’t ask. He simply said, “Since Senior Brother has a guest, I’ll take my leave.”
“Wait.”
Zhang Mingyu stopped him and reminded him, “Please keep it a secret that you saw Sixth Junior Brother.”
“Alright.”
Chen Ming agreed and then left.
——
Chen Ming didn’t want to delve too deeply into Bi Haibo’s secrets.
After all, they had nothing to do with him.
The next day, Chen Ming went to visit the Sihai Martial School.
At the drinking table yesterday, he had gotten along best with the headmaster of Sihai Martial School, and they had agreed on the spot that he would come by for a visit.
Headmaster Shangguan Hong personally received him.
The two talked martial arts and philosophy, and there was a sense of regret for not having met sooner.
Shangguan Hong was in his early fifties, still considered vigorous and robust. He kept calling Chen Ming “brother,” as if he wanted to form a sworn brotherhood with him right then and there.
This made his sons rather embarrassed.
The youngest among them was still older than Chen Ming, yet they had to pinch their noses and respectfully address him as “Uncle.”
After a few days, Chen Ming brought up the idea of sparring with Shangguan Hong.
At first, Shangguan Hong was hesitant.
In the martial world, one was always burdened by reputation.
As the head of a martial school, he could not afford to be defeated by another.
If he were to lose, who would still want to come to his school to learn martial arts?
It was only after Chen Ming clarified that it would be a private spar, not meant to determine a winner or loser, that he agreed.
That is, only the two of them would be present, and they wouldn’t be concerned with the outcome.
Only then did Shangguan Hong consent.
And so, that afternoon, in an empty courtyard, the two of them fought.
This was the strongest opponent Chen Ming had faced so far, even more difficult to deal with than Li Ankun.
He had to use his most hidden trump card to narrowly win by a single move in the end.
【You have defeated an LV29 enemy and gained 300 experience points】
Chen Ming cupped his hands and said, “Thank you, Brother Shangguan, for showing mercy. Shall we call this match a draw?”
Shangguan Hong put away his long saber and let out a self-deprecating laugh. “Age is catching up to me. If I were five years younger, I would’ve knocked the saber out of your hand with the forty-third move.”
He paused and added, “However, you didn’t use your true skills either. If you had been wielding a sword, I wouldn’t have been your match.”
Truly a veteran of the martial world—he had already seen that Chen Ming was using sword techniques.
Chen Ming replied, “Brother Shangguan, your skills far surpass mine. If not for your mercy, how could I have lasted beyond the fiftieth move?”
That much was the truth.
Shangguan Hong’s expression brightened considerably. If it had been a real fight to the death, he would certainly have won. But since they had agreed beforehand it was to be a saber technique spar, he hadn’t overpowered Chen Ming with brute force.
The two sat down again, sipping tea and chatting leisurely.
“Brother Shangguan, you’re just one step away from reaching the seventh grade, aren’t you?”
Shangguan Hong shook his head and said, “Once you pass fifty, your qi and blood begin to decline. I no longer have any hope of reaching the seventh grade.”
Seventh grade—the Qi and Blood Realm. Once one attained this level, their qi and blood would flow like mercury.
Even at eighty years old, they could maintain peak physical strength.
Chen Ming offered some consolation, “I see that your three sons are all exceptionally talented, especially your second. He’s only twenty-five, and already an eighth-grade martial artist. He’ll surely reach seventh grade in the future.”
This hit Shangguan Hong right in the heart. What he was most proud of were his three sons, all of whom had outstanding talent—particularly the second, on whom he had placed high hopes.
Still, he modestly replied, “Compared to you, brother, they still fall short.”
Chen Ming smiled and said, “I wonder how much of your true skill your second son inherited in the ‘Wave-Cleaving Saber Technique’?”
Shangguan Hong said, “He has yet to engage in any real combat. I plan to send him out for some field training in a few years.”
“If Brother Shangguan trusts me, I could lend him some guidance.”
“Oh?”
Shangguan Hong was a bit tempted. He knew this second son of his was proud and ambitious, and not too convinced by Chen Ming. If Chen Ming were willing to guide him, it could serve both to humble his pride and to give him real combat experience.
“How can I trouble you, brother?”
“It’s no trouble at all. I’ve always loved martial arts and enjoy sparring with others the most.”