Chapter 58: Reaction
"Junior Brother, this really is a tremendous surprise."
After the initial shock, Zhang Mingyu was filled with joy and excitement.
He stood up and paced back and forth in the courtyard, already envisioning how much fame this news would bring to their sect.
Two people from their sect had reached the Seventh Grade at the same time—and both were so young.
Before, he had felt overwhelmed by the pressure on his shoulders, worried and uneasy. But now, all his concerns vanished like smoke.
With him and Chen Ming around, who would dare to look down on the Huo Sect?
Yang Zhidong, who stood nearby, had also wanted to say a few congratulatory words, but when the words reached his lips, he just couldn't say "Junior Brother."
This was a Seventh Grade martial artist at twenty-two years old. Such talent—if he had been born into a prestigious family or entered a renowned sect—was beyond imagination; the achievements he could have made…
In the end, he could only echo softly, "Yes, it's truly incredible."
It had taken him just a little over half a year to break through from Eighth to Seventh Grade. Could "incredible" even begin to describe it?
…
The news that Huo Chengkun’s two disciples had both broken through to the Seventh Grade spread like wildfire across the entire city, second only to the buzz surrounding Commander Zhao’s entrance into the city.
By the next morning, people had already begun arriving with gifts to offer their congratulations.
At first, the gatekeeper Old Li was rather baffled.
These people claimed they had come to congratulate the Second Young Master for breaking through to Seventh Grade. He kept insisting they must be mistaken.
How could he not know if the young master had advanced?
After sending away two groups, and then receiving a third wave of guests at the door, Old Li began to feel suspicious.
After some hesitation, he hurried off to find the Second Young Master.
"Second Young Master, there are people outside requesting to see you, saying they came to congratulate you for reaching Seventh Grade. What do you think…"
Chen Ming replied, "If they’re not close acquaintances, just turn them away and say I’m not receiving guests."
Old Li exclaimed with delight, "So, Young Master, you really have reached the Seventh Grade?"
"Yes."
With that confirmed, Old Li felt like he was floating as he walked.
The Second Young Master had really become a Seventh Grade martial artist?
Aside from his joy, he also felt a tinge of grievance.
The Second Young Master hadn’t even told his own household—they had to hear it from outsiders.
Right, the Eldest Young Master probably didn’t know yet…
Old Li understood well what a monumental event this was for the family.
After seeing off the guests, he immediately sent someone to the pharmacy to fetch the Eldest Young Master.
…
"Ah Ming, you… you really reached the Seventh Grade?"
Chen Rui burst into Chen Ming’s small courtyard in a disheveled rush, panting and with messy hair.
It was clear how emotional he was.
"It’s true," Chen Ming said, seeing how worked up he was. He explained, "I got home too late last night, and you were already asleep. I figured I’d tell you today when you returned…"
"Seventh Grade… Our Chen family actually has a Seventh Grade martial artist…"
Hearing him admit it personally, Chen Rui became so emotional he was practically incoherent.
He had always known Ah Ming would reach Seventh Grade sooner or later, but he never expected it would be this soon. How long had it been?
Eight months—only eight months.
Right, he needed to tell their parents' spirits the good news…
Chen Rui turned and left immediately, heading to the ancestral tablets to offer incense and prayers.
Chen Ming watched his brother's retreating figure and naturally understood what he was doing.
This big brother of his was truly a filial son.
Soon, the entire family had received the news, and one by one they came to offer congratulations.
Especially Sister-in-law Madam Wei, who beamed with joy and asked what dishes he wanted to eat, insisting she would cook for him herself.
…
One family's joy was another family's sorrow.
While the Chen family was jubilant, the atmosphere in the Su household was heavy and grim.
The Su family was in the wine business, running a winery passed down through generations.
Their ancestral brewing methods had brought them considerable wealth over the years.
The current head of the family, Su Chaosheng, was a shrewd businessman.
He had just sealed a major deal and planned to invest a large sum into expanding the winery, expecting output to double in a few years.
Who would’ve thought that first thing in the morning, he’d receive such troubling news?
Su Chaosheng, aged forty-nine and well-preserved for his age, now wore an extremely grim expression. "You’re sure you didn’t mishear? That Chen Ming broke through to the Seventh Grade?"
The steward standing before him replied, "Absolutely certain. Among Huo Chengkun’s disciples, only three were at the Eighth Grade. Of those, there’s only one named Chen Ming. Master, about the Young Master’s marriage arrangement…"
Su Chaosheng’s face twitched, his hand gripping the armrest tightly, eyes darkening.
He had truly underestimated this Chen Ming…
That name had first come to his attention half a year ago.
That was when he learned that the girl his only son loved—the daughter of the Zhang family—had previously been engaged.
The fiancé in question was a martial artist named Chen Ming, who had already reached the Eighth Grade before the age of twenty-one.
Su Chaosheng had flown into a rage, furiously scolding his wife and son for hiding it from him. But what was done was done, and his son had been so besotted with that girl he was ready to die for her.
In the end, Su Chaosheng could only accept it with gritted teeth.
An Eighth Grade martial artist still wasn’t enough to threaten the Su family.
But now, just half a year later, that same Chen Ming had reached Seventh Grade.
Still, even a Seventh Grade martial artist wasn’t enough to pose a real threat.
The problem was—Chen Ming was only twenty-two years old.
That was the truly terrifying part!
Su Chaosheng felt a prickling chill down his spine and couldn’t sit still.
Then, the steward quietly added, "After being rejected, Chen Ming received numerous marriage proposals, but he turned them all down. I fear he still holds feelings for Miss Zhang…"
Su Chaosheng felt a jolt in his scalp, as if he could already see a future ten years from now—Chen Ming, a martial master, recalling the humiliation of being rejected, destroying the Su family with a few cold words…
Hiss—
Su Chaosheng sucked in a sharp breath and made a decision. "Go, bring Chang’er here."
"Yes, sir."
Soon, the steward brought over Su Chaosheng’s only son, Su Youchang.
"Father, you called for me? Is it about my marriage?"
Su Youchang was basking in joy, eager to marry his beloved beauty.