Chapter 48: The Tragic Incident
Chen Ming left Wu’s Martial Arts School and then made a trip to the Huo Residence to find Zhang Mingyu.
“How come junior brother’s here?” Zhang Mingyu greeted.
He was demonstrating the Five Elements Saber Technique to several junior brothers—familiar faces all.
After a quick call, he told Gu Junrong and the others to continue practicing on their own, then led Chen Ming into the pavilion for tea.
There had been a time not long ago when the three of them—Zhang Mingyu, Chen Ming, and Hong Mingquan—would sit here every day, drinking tea and chatting.
Now the tea set remained the same, but the people were gone.
Chen Ming felt a pang of melancholy. He took a sip of tea and said, “I was passing by, so I came by for a cup.”
Zhang Mingyu laughed heartily. “There’s plenty of mountain tea here. I’ve been looking forward to you stopping by every day.”
Over the past month, more often than not, they had been sparring with their blades.
Afterwards, Chen Ming would review each session with him.
Zhang Mingyu felt his saber skills had improved, so he naturally hoped Chen Ming would drop in frequently.
Chen Ming replied, “If brother doesn’t mind the bother.”
“Of course not.”
After some casual talk, Chen Ming brought up the real matter. “Actually, early this morning, a black-clad constable from the Six Doors authority came looking for me…”
He gave Zhang Mingyu a concise account of events.
When Zhang Mingyu heard the constable mention “Six,” he immediately became tense. “You didn’t tell him anything, right?”
Chen Ming looked serious. “No. I promised you, senior brother—I wouldn’t say a word.”
“That’s good.”
Zhang Mingyu finally relaxed.
He glanced at the junior brothers practicing sabers a short distance away and spoke in a low voice, “Actually, Sixth Junior Brother—”
“I have no intention of digging into it. I just thought I ought to tell you, Brother. It’s getting late; I’ll head back now.”
He knew that once he learned the story of Bi Haibo, he might unwittingly be drawn into the ensuing consequences.
It offered no benefit, so he decided to avoid it.
With that, he excused himself and left.
…
Chen Ming returned home around dusk, just in time for dinner.
At the table, he noticed his sister-in‑law was absent. His older brother Chen Rui had already given the go-ahead to start eating.
“Not waiting for my sister‑in‑law?” he asked.
“She isn’t feeling well. Xiao Hong has already sent the dishes up to her room.”
“Not feeling well?”
Chen Ming chuckled to himself—she probably felt socially mortified in front of him.
His older brother suddenly asked, “Ah Ming, is there any young woman you fancy?”
“No.” Chen Ming shook his head. “As for marriage, you needn’t worry. I have no intention of settling down anytime soon.”
Seeing his resolve, Chen Rui seemed about to say something but stopped himself.
After the meal, he returned to his room and asked Lady Wei, “Do you think Ah Ming still can’t forget that daughter of the Zhang family?”
“Why bring that up now?”
“Ah Ming is already twenty‑one and shows no intention of marrying. When I was his age, A‑de was already born.” Chen Rui looked worried.
As eldest brother—his parents are gone—he naturally felt responsible for arranging his younger brother’s marriage.
A man should marry when he grows up; it’s a natural rite.
But Ah Ming’s persistent refusal seemed abnormal to him. Isn’t taking a wife just a simple matter? How should that affect his martial training? To him, it must be an excuse.
After pondering, he concluded only one possibility made sense.
Lady Wei frowned. “What can we do? That girl’s about to be betrothed to someone else.”
“The Zhang family is so materialistic—they’re not fit. Even if she doesn’t marry someone else, Ah Ming must not marry into that house. That would bring nothing but discord. We must think of another solution.”
That night, Chen Rui stayed awake, turning the matter over in his mind.
The next day, as expected, Li Jinchuan brought a guardian with him—a man in his forties, ordinary in appearance and dressed in coarse cloth garments.
Li Jinchuan introduced him, “This is Uncle Rui. Uncle Rui, this is Senior Brother Chen.”
The man bowed and said, “Hu Guangrui greets Second Young Master Chen.”
“There's no need for such formality, Mister Hu.” Chen Ming couldn’t quite make out their relationship. The man didn’t seem like a relative—more like a servant. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”
“I wouldn’t dare say it’s a pleasure,” Hu replied. “But I do have a favor to ask.”
“Please, speak freely.”
“I’ll be leaving Qingfeng City in the coming days and am worried no one will be around to look after Chuan’er. Would it be possible for him to stay at your residence for a short time? I’ll be back in no more than a month.”
Chen Ming laughed. “I was wondering what it might be—no trouble at all. He can stay as long as he likes.”
Hu Guangrui was delighted. “Many thanks, Young Master Chen. If it’s convenient, he’ll move in tonight. I’m leaving first thing tomorrow.”
“Very well.”
And so, Li Jinchuan moved into the Chen Residence.
As news of this spread among the students, many others clamored to move in too.
To these rabble-rousers, Chen Ming merely straightened his face—and they fell in line instantly.
…
A few nights later, Chen Ming was reading in his room when he suddenly heard a miserable scream in the distance.
Judging by the sound, it must have come from several hundred meters away.
“Something happened?”
Just as he was wondering, another scream rang out—much closer this time.
Chen Ming’s expression turned serious.
He put down his book, grabbed the long saber by his bedside, and stepped out, heading straight for his elder brother’s courtyard.
“Brother!” he called.
Chen Rui quickly emerged, cloaked in a robe, his face tense. “What happened?”
Chen Ming replied gravely, “I’m not sure yet. You should go back in and keep an eye on Sister-in-law and Lide. I’ll guard outside.”
“Alright.”
Chen Rui didn’t argue and returned to comfort his wife and children.
Chen Ming then ordered Chunxiang and Xiaxiang to wake everyone in the residence and gather them in the courtyard.
Soon after, several more screams rang out.
Then, silence.
Chen Ming stayed on full alert, standing guard in the courtyard until dawn.
No one slept well that night.
At daybreak, Chen Ming sent someone out to investigate.
The messenger quickly returned.
The man, pale-faced, reported, “First Young Master, Second Young Master—last night, a group of bandits broke into a household in the eastern district, surname Jiang. They killed the entire family—twelve people in total—and looted the place. The Six Doors have already arrived…”
Upon hearing of such a tragedy, Chen Rui’s face twisted in anger and shock. “Outrageous. Who could commit such a heinous act? Robbery is one thing—but to slaughter the whole family?”
“It’s said… it was done by a group of pirates. These sea traders know no morals. When raiding merchant ships, they often leave no survivors…”
Chen Ming frowned deeply.
It seemed Wang Mingyang’s concern had been justified.
These pirates were utterly unrestrained.
It had only been a few days, and they’d already committed such a massacre.
If their household had been the target last night, Chen Ming doubted he alone could have protected everyone.
Clearly, he needed to strengthen himself quickly.
It was foreseeable—now that Zheng Longwang was dead, the pirates under him had lost their leash.
Qingfeng City was likely to descend into chaos for a while.
After all, the city’s overall strength paled in comparison to Zheng Longwang’s band.
Qingfeng City had only one Fourth Grade expert from the Gu Family, one Fifth Grade warden from Six Doors, and two other renowned Fifth Grade martial artists.
On the pirates’ side, even though Zheng Longwang was dead, his nine adopted sons were all at Fourth or Fifth Grade strength. If they all descended on Qingfeng City, the city wouldn’t stand a chance.