Chapter 46: Pirates
Over the next month, Chen Ming visited all twelve martial arts schools, and found that people as open-minded as Shangguan Hong were rare.
Most were old traditionalists—no matter how he tried, they refused to spar.
He felt helpless, but couldn’t force the issue.
To force the matter would be to crush their reputation deliberately.
There’s a saying: cutting off someone’s income is like murdering their parents. To destroy their reputation would make a mortal enemy.
If he were alone, he could act without concern. But he had his elder brother and sister-in-law at home, and a pair of adorable nephews and nieces—he couldn’t disregard their safety.
So he refused to use extreme measures. Those unwilling to spar, he didn’t push.
Only three schools agreed: Shangguan father and son at Sihai Martial School; Master Li of Chaoyang Martial School; and an obscure Wu’s Martial School.
Every day, Chen Ming used his Flowing Wheel technique to visit those three schools, sparring and discussing martial arts.
Occasionally he’d go to spar with Zhang Mingyu.
After repeatedly defeating opponents above his level, he earned 100 experience points each time.
Plus, teaching those thirty-some students netted another 60 points. So he earned well over 160 points a day.
In the blink of an eye, a month passed.
The days grew colder and colder.
Unnoticed, it had already reached late autumn, with cold winter approaching.
One morning, after Chen Ming finished instructing that group of students, he was about to leave.
“Senior Brother Chen.”
Someone called out and stopped him.
Among those students, only one addressed him as “Senior Brother”—that was Li Jinchuan, who had once trained at the Huo Residence.
He was also the only one older than fourteen.
After Huo Chengkun died, the youths training at the Huo Residence had all left.
Some time later, Li Jinchuan suddenly came looking for Chen Ming, wanting to train under him.
Chen Ming didn’t refuse.
Almost a year had passed since then.
Li Jinchuan progressed rapidly.
In less than a year, he rose from Level 3 to Level 8. Although he had received training at the Huo Residence, this pace was astonishing.
Of course, Chen Ming had no interest in prying into his secrets.
He asked, “What is it?”
Li Jinchuan replied respectfully, “My elders wish to visit you, Senior Brother. I wonder when it would be convenient.”
Chen Ming thought a moment and said, “Tomorrow afternoon, then.”
“Thank you for the trouble.”
Li Jinchuan bowed and left.
…
Chen Ming had just finished breakfast and was about to leave when a servant reported, “Second Young Master, an official from the Six-Door Office requests an audience.”
Someone from the Six-Door Office?
He was puzzled. He’d been following the law lately.
Why would the Six-Door Office call?
“Please usher him in.”
After a while, the guest was brought in—it was an old acquaintance: the Ninth-Rank Constable Wang Yangming.
As soon as he entered, he cupped his hands in salute. “I heard Second Young Master Chen broke through to Rank Eight—congratulations.”
“Constable Wang, you flatter me.” Chen Ming returned the salute and asked, “What official business brings you here?”
“Second Young Master needn’t be nervous. I just wish to ask you a few questions.”
Hearing this, Chen Ming invited him to sit. Servants brought tea.
Wang Yangming said, “Sir, you know the city hasn’t been peaceful lately?”
“Oh?”
Chen Ming asked in confusion. “I haven’t heard of anything.”
“Have you heard about the major incident recently in the Eastern Sea?”
“The official means the battle between the two pirate factions? I’ve heard a little—they’ve been at it for close to ten years.”
Wang Yangming said, “This time it’s different. Zheng Kou was killed by the Red Bandits, and a new Pirate King has arisen in the Eastern Sea. A changing of the guard is imminent.”
Chen Ming didn’t interrupt, knowing there must be more.
Sure enough, Wang Yangming continued, “After Zheng Kou’s death, some of his followers surrendered, others fled. Recently, a group came to Qingfeng City. Pirates have always scorned the law—they loot and kill as they please. No one knows what crimes these newcomers might commit in Qingfeng. That’s why I’ve come today—to ask that you keep watch. Should you spot any unfamiliar or suspicious individuals nearby, send word to the Six-Door Office.”
Chen Ming spoke solemnly, “This is my duty—I shall not refuse.”
Wang Yangming took out a stack of portraits and said, “These are wanted posters of pirates from recent years. Take a look and try to remember them. If you see any of them, notify me immediately.”
Chen Ming accepted the stack and looked through them one by one.
Since it concerned the city’s security, he examined each one carefully.
Until he paused on one particular portrait.
The person in the picture looked extremely familiar, bearing a striking resemblance to someone he had recently encountered.
Chen Ming kept a straight face and continued looking.
After finishing the rest, he returned the portraits to Wang Yangming.
Wang Yangming casually asked, “Does Young Master Chen recognize Old Master Huo’s sixth disciple, Bi Haibo?”
“Of course I remember. When I studied martial arts at the Huo Residence, he was my instructor. He taught me for four years. What a pity—died so young. I never imagined the day I left the Huo Residence would be our final farewell.”
“Strangely enough, someone recently spotted a man on the street who looked exactly like Bi Haibo, who supposedly died years ago.”
“Is that so?”
“Could just be a coincidence. But if you did see that man, Young Master Chen, would you be able to tell whether it’s really Bi Haibo?”
“Not necessarily. I haven’t seen Senior Brother Bi in many years.”
Wang Yangming lingered a bit longer. But seeing that he couldn’t extract anything further, he finally took his leave.
Chen Ming walked him to the gate, thinking, I knew it—he wouldn’t come to me for no reason.
Who would’ve guessed Bi Haibo had become a pirate?
He recalled that man’s appearance—it did resemble someone who made a living at sea: dark from the sun, skin weathered and rough.
“No wonder Huo Chengkun claimed he had died. If a personally taught disciple turned pirate, it’d be a great disgrace—and implicate him.”
No wonder Zhang Mingyu was so tense that day when he saw Bi Haibo, and even asked Chen Ming to keep it a secret.
Most likely, Huo Chengkun’s disciples were all aware of it.
…
Chen Ming wasn’t affected by this episode. As planned, he prepared to visit Wu’s Martial School to spar with Master Liu.
Just as he was about to head out, he saw Old Li the gatekeeper pushing a servant-like young man out the gate, cursing, “Come again and I’ll break your legs.”
As he said this, he even spat on the ground.
Chen Ming’s face darkened as he walked over and asked sternly, “Old Li, what’s going on here?”
Outside the gate, a servant-looking youth had fallen to the ground, looking aggrieved. He held a red invitation in his hand.
Seeing that it was Chen Ming, Old Li hurried to explain, “Second Young Master, this is someone from the Zhang family. Said their young lady is getting married next month and came to deliver an invitation. I was so angry that I scolded him a bit, and he actually dared talk back…”
The Zhang family?
Chen Ming stared at Old Li’s indignant face and needed a moment to recall who that referred to.
Ah yes—the original body’s former fiancée, who had unilaterally broken off the engagement immediately after he was imprisoned.
He felt no emotional reaction.
After all, it all happened before he transmigrated—he had no real attachment.
However, his elder brother had taken it to heart, deeply angered by the Zhang family’s cold-heartedness and betrayal.
Now that their daughter was about to get married, they dared deliver a wedding invitation to their door—weren’t they just asking to be scolded?
Chen Ming reminded him, “Even if you’re angry, you can’t go around cursing people. Outsiders might think we’re bullying them.”
“Sorry, Young Master,” Old Li quickly apologized.
He still felt a bit wronged.
After all, this incident wasn’t honorable for the Chen family either. They couldn’t just shout it on the streets.
That would only embarrass the Second Young Master.
Just then, Chen Ming suddenly heard a furious roar, “The Zhang family has the nerve to show their faces here? Courting death…”
He turned and saw his usually gentle and virtuous sister-in-law charging out in a fury with a broomstick, ready to go to war.
“A-Ah Ming…”
As soon as Madam Wei spotted Chen Ming standing at the gate, she quickly lowered her head and hid the broom behind her back, blushing with embarrassment.
Chen Ming nearly burst out laughing.
He never imagined his sister-in-law had such a fierce side.