Chapter 60: Evaluation
After the carriage from Wind and Thunder Martial Hall departed the Chen residence, Lei Yucheng could no longer restrain himself.
He said, somewhat resentfully, “Grandpa, he said he’s not interested in our Lei family’s manuals, so why did he keep the martial techniques?”
Lei Zhenguang glanced at him and did not answer directly but instead asked a question, “What kind of person do you think this Chen Ming is?”
“Defiant.”
Without thinking, Lei Yucheng replied, “He looks down on people, lacks courtesy. When you, Grandpa, called him ‘younger brother’ out of politeness, he actually accepted it.”
He had been seething with anger at the Chen residence just now.
This Chen Ming was five or six years younger than him, yet he had called his grandfather “big bro” right in front of him. Lei Yucheng almost got furious. If Grandpa hadn’t been there, he would have slammed the table and cursed.
After Lei Yucheng finished speaking, Lei Zhenguang nodded and said, “There’s nothing wrong with what you said. But as a martial artist, if he didn’t have that kind of defiance, weren’t arrogant, he wouldn’t advance so fiercely. In just two short years, he broke through three levels.”
Lei Yucheng, though unwilling, couldn’t refute that.
Lei Zhenguang gently lectured his grandson: “To measure a person, listen to their words and observe their actions. Half a year ago, I already saw that this Chen Ming wasn’t arrogant—he had principles and acted with restraint. He knew his limits and didn’t push others too far.”
He paused, then continued: “In the past six months, everyone who has dealings with him—whether it’s Shangguan Hong or Liu Fu—has grown closer to him. I asked several old friends who sparred with him, and they all praised him highly, saying he had a broad mind and was a very sincere man.”
“If just one or two people praised him, it might be flattery. But everyone praises him; clearly his nature is good. Someone like that is definitely worth befriending. Now that we owe him a favor, it might come in handy in the future.”
Lei Yucheng still felt uncomfortable and asked, “Grandpa, are you really convinced he can gain Lord Zhao’s favor and acquire a second-class martial manual? What if he doesn’t get it?”
Lei Zhenguang said, “If he doesn’t, it’s not a real loss to us. Our Wind and Thunder Martial Hall has existed for years. These techniques and sword methods have been passed around before. What’s the big deal if one more person learns them?”
After saying this, he earnestly admonished him: “Yucheng, I know you feel angry—he’s younger and treated you rudely. But in this Jianghu, the capable come first. Would you care if an older person with lower cultivation outranked you? If your heart can’t handle it, you’ll bring trouble on yourself later.”
Lei Yucheng was shaken by the words, suddenly breaking out in a cold sweat.
He finally realized that his mindset was off.
“You’re right, Grandpa.”
***
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
Chen Ming finally found time to visit Wu’s Martial Hall.
“Old Liu!”
He carried a jar of wine and a food box, walked into the backyard, and pushed the door open.
Inside, Liu Fu was drinking. He looked up and said, “Oh ho, isn’t this Chen Ming? I heard you’ve been really busy lately—how do you have time to visit this old geezer?”
Chen Ming smiled and said, “Since you didn’t visit me, I have to come see you.”
He shook his head exaggeratingly, “Your mansion threshold is too high—I don’t dare go.”
Seeing Liu Fu’s exaggerated scolding, clearly blaming him for not visiting, Chen Ming laughed and placed the jar of wine and a platter of roast chicken and duck on the table.
Liu Fu sniffed, licked his lips, grabbed a chicken leg, and started eating. He complained: “It’s been sitting too long—the skin’s lost its crispness…”
A person who eats won’t stay hard‑hearted.
After downing a roast chicken and duck and drinking fine nü’er hong wine, Liu Fu no longer wore a sour face and said, “I heard that old Lei Zhenguang personally went to congratulate you?”
“Yes.”
“Did he give you the manuals for Wind and Thunder Body Refinement and Wind and Thunder Sword Technique?”
Chen Ming was surprised: “Who told you that?”
Liu Fu said dismissively, “They wouldn’t be announcing that everywhere. I guessed—the old fellow is as timid as a mouse who dares offend no one. He must have given those two things as a favor to you. Hmph, they’re just third‑rate techniques and sword methods, but his calculation’s shrewd.”
Chen Ming asked curiously, “Old Liu, have you had a grudge with him?”
Liu Fu said, “What grudge could I have with him? I just dislike him.”
He didn’t want to say more about him and instead asked, “I heard Governor Zhao is hosting a martial gathering. Did you get an invitation?”
Chen Ming nodded: “Yes, it’s in ten days.”
Not only him—Zhang Mingyu had also received an invitation.
Liu Fu looked at him and asked, “Do you think that, with your current strength, you’ll surely shine at this martial gathering?”
“You sound like the worm in my belly.”
They were already well acquainted—close enough to joke a little.
Liu Fu let out a cold laugh. “With your level of swordsmanship, in Qingfeng City alone, among the Seventh Grade martial artists under thirty, indeed no one could defeat you with certainty. But do you think your opponents are only from Qingfeng City?”
Chen Ming’s expression shifted slightly. “Old Liu, what are you implying?”
“You’re underestimating the influence of a Governor. I can guarantee that right now, all of Jiangzhou—across a dozen prefectures—young experts are rushing over. You’ll be competing against the best in the entire Jiangzhou. Are you still confident you’ll stand out?”
Liu Fu thought those words would intimidate the boy, but to his surprise, Chen Ming’s eyes lit up instead, showing a face full of eagerness.
This kid got excited at the mention of battle—truly a martial arts fanatic.
He had heard that after Chen Ming broke through to Seventh Grade, he had spent the past half month visiting veteran Seventh Grade martial artists all over, seeking sparring matches.
Such a battle-hungry person—he had never met one like this in his whole life.
Just as Liu Fu was thinking, he heard Chen Ming say, “Old Liu, it’s been a long time since we sparred—let’s have a match.”
He shook his head. “I wasn’t your match before, and I certainly won’t be now.”
Chen Ming replied, “You think I couldn’t tell? You were holding back every time—never showing your true skills. Actually, you’re a Seventh Grade martial artist, aren’t you?”
Liu Fu looked at him in surprise—this brat actually saw through his true cultivation?
“Come on.”
Chen Ming dragged him up by force.
Though reluctant, Liu Fu couldn’t refuse—he had eaten his food and drunk his wine.
For the sake of that jar of nü’er hong, he accepted the saber Chen Ming shoved into his hands.
Besides, he was a bit curious to see how strong Chen Ming had become after reaching Seventh Grade.
Clang!
As soon as they clashed, the saber in Liu Fu’s hand nearly flew out. He cursed inwardly—this brat didn’t hold back at all.
He focused, putting in real effort.
But the longer they fought, the more shocked he became.
Chen Ming’s saber techniques weren’t just a notch stronger—they had advanced by leaps and bounds. It was extremely difficult for Liu Fu to keep up.
It had been too long since Liu Fu had truly fought someone. Within just twenty moves, he was overwhelmed and gasping for breath.
“No more!”
Suddenly, he jumped back from the fight, looking frustrated. “I can’t beat you.”
Before, he had only pretended to lose.
Now, he genuinely couldn’t win.
[You have once again defeated a Level 30 opponent. Gained 100 experience points.]
Seeing the prompt, Chen Ming smiled and sheathed his saber. “What you lack is experience in real combat. Your saber skills are quite extraordinary—it’s just that you weren’t able to unleash them.”
Liu Fu was about to speak when suddenly a voice came from the side: “You’re Liu Fu? The one who defeated my father? What a disappointment.”
Both of them were startled.
They turned and saw that, at some point, an old man and a young man had appeared at the courtyard gate.
The one who spoke was the young man—early twenties, dressed in brocade robes, exuding an extraordinary air.
One glance revealed him as a pampered young master from a wealthy family.
“You—”
When Liu Fu saw that youth, his expression changed drastically, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.