Chapter 65: He Cheated!
Chen Ming was slightly stunned and saw that Sun Shicai's gaze was as sharp as a blade, clearly indicating that he was serious.
Could it be that he suspected Huo Chengkun had passed that so-called "Sword Manual" to him?
What wild imagination!
Before he could speak, someone suddenly shouted, "The Governor has arrived!"
Immediately, everyone in the garden quieted down and turned their eyes in the direction of the voice.
A middle-aged man with a scholarly appearance stepped out.
He had three strands of beard and wore a long cyan robe, exuding the demeanor of a learned gentleman.
This was none other than the current highest-ranking official of Qingfeng City, the Golden-Clad Governor of the Six Doors Authority, Zhao Shouchang, a Third Grade expert.
Following behind him were three others, all dressed in plain clothes but with extraordinary bearing.
One of them was the former highest officer of the Six Doors Authority in Qingfeng City, the Blue-Clad Captain Yu Xiuming. Now that Zhao Shouchang had arrived, he had naturally been demoted one rank.
According to rumors, the court was extremely displeased with his failure to protect Qingfeng City.
It was only because of his powerful backing that he wasn't dismissed altogether.
Stripping him of the top position and keeping him in Qingfeng City was considered a form of punishment.
The two standing beside Yu Xiuming were likely the newly assigned Blue-Clad Captains.
By the Six Doors hierarchy, one Golden-Clad Governor commanded three Captains.
Now in Qingfeng City, with one Third Grade and three Fourth Grade experts, there was no longer any need to worry about pirate invasions.
…
"Greetings, Governor."
Everyone stepped forward to pay respects to the top authority in Qingfeng City.
Zhao Shouchang raised his hand to signal they need not be so formal and took his seat at the main spot in the center. Stroking his beard, he smiled gently, "You all are young talents from across Jiangzhou. No need to be reserved—please, be seated."
Seating had already been arranged in the garden.
Those participating in the Martial Gathering had their designated seats.
As for the young ladies who had come to spectate, they stood near the nearby pavilions and corridors, watching from a distance.
Chen Ming and Zhang Mingyu were seated at the outermost edge.
This was to be expected.
Among everyone present, they had the weakest backgrounds.
Even if Huo Chengkun were still alive, he couldn't compare to the others here.
They were either from prestigious families or top-tier sects.
At the very least, the others were from second-tier sects.
Seated with them was He Da from the Sihai Trading Company—a dark-skinned, plain-looking man.
Needless to say, anyone who joined Sihai Trading likely had an ordinary background as well.
Chen Ming exchanged a glance with He Da and gave a slight nod, which counted as a greeting.
From the main seat, Zhao Shouchang said, "Today's Martial Gathering is a friendly exchange. I hope everyone will keep things restrained and not damage harmony. I believe everyone is eager to begin, so let us start. Who would like to go first?"
As soon as he finished speaking, someone stood up and said loudly, "Governor, this junior, Tian Qiming of Dai Prefecture, volunteers to go first."
This man was dressed in blue and was the same one who had mocked Chen Ming at the gate earlier.
He was quite clever—by making the first move, he could leave an impression on Zhao Shouchang.
Sure enough, Zhao Shouchang smiled and said, "The Tian Family of Dai Prefecture—descendants of a First Grade family. How is your practice of the 'Fuyou Sword Technique' coming along?"
Hearing that the Governor knew of his family, Tian Qiming’s face beamed with pride. "This junior has practiced the sword for ten years and has a bit of talent."
Zhao Shouchang asked, "Very good. Have you decided whom you want as your opponent?"
"That one."
Tian Qiming pointed into the crowd.
…
Chen Ming had heard of the rules of the Martial Gathering hosted by Governor Zhao.
Whoever stepped up first could choose their opponent. Of course, the chosen one could refuse.
However, in this kind of setting, very few would decline.
"That one."
Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly felt something was off as several gazes fell upon him.
He looked up and realized that Tian Qiming was pointing at him.
Chen Ming was slightly stunned, then it dawned on him—was he picking the softest persimmon to squeeze?
Then he heard Zhao Shouchang ask, "Do you accept the challenge?"
For a Third Grade expert to ask such a question—what young man would dare say “no”?
Especially for a youth from an ordinary background, this was a rare opportunity.
Tian Qiming had banked on exactly that, so he chose this country bumpkin who didn’t even understand “intent” as his opponent.
No doubt the guy had no proper inheritance, and his master’s cultivation wouldn’t be anything remarkable either.
How could someone like that possibly be a match for him?
This was his first step into the martial world and could not be lost—naturally, he had to pick the opponent he was most confident about defeating.
“This junior is willing.”
As expected, the boy accepted.
Tian Qiming was already in position, drawing his sapphire-inlaid treasured sword.
It was a gift from his grandfather when he advanced to the Seventh Grade—a blade so sharp it could slice hair.
“Chen Ming of Qingfeng City, please advise.”
Chen Ming stepped into the arena, cupped his fists in salute, and drew his saber—an ordinary forged steel blade.
Tian Qiming sneered in his heart.
As expected of a country bumpkin, he couldn’t even afford a decent weapon.
The moment he drew his sword, it gleamed like autumn water.
Someone commented, “This is the best sword forged this year by the Qiu Family of Jiangzhou. Its name is ‘Hong Ying’.”
“Ah, it’s from the Qiu Family. No wonder it’s such a fine sword!”
…
In a nearby pavilion, a female disciple of the Xiaoshui Sect noticed a worried expression on Huo Qianqian’s face and deliberately asked, “Junior Sister, who do you think will win this round?”
Huo Qianqian respectfully replied, “Fifth Senior Sister, this junior’s cultivation is shallow and I can’t tell.”
Fifth Senior Sister said, “This Chen Ming—isn’t he your grandfather’s disciple? I can see you’re quite concerned about him.”
“Senior Sister is right. He did study martial arts under my grandfather.”
But he wasn’t actually her grandfather’s disciple.
That part, she didn’t say out loud.
Fifth Senior Sister nodded and said, “To have reached Seventh Grade at such a young age, he must be quite gifted. It’s just unfortunate that he’s up against someone from the Tian Family. The Tian Family is a top-tier noble family, and the ‘Fuyou Sword Technique’ is quite extraordinary. Compared to it, your family’s ‘Five Elements Saber Technique’ falls far short.”
Upon hearing this, Huo Qianqian clenched the short sword in her hand tightly.
Fifth Senior Sister continued, “It’s a bit of a waste that he ended up training under your grandfather. If he had joined a sect, perhaps he could have made something of himself. As things stand, advancing to Sixth Grade in the future will likely be very difficult.”
While they were speaking, the two fighters in the arena had already begun to exchange blows.
Fifth Senior Sister stopped talking and focused her attention.
It wasn’t every day one got to witness a sparring match between two Seventh Grade martial artists.
…
Tian Qiming wanted to make a strong impression, so his first move was a killing technique from the Fuyou Sword Technique.
Fuyou Rising—
Nine Thousand Miles!
Huh?
Mid-way through his technique, the tip of a blade suddenly thrust up from an oblique angle, aiming straight for his face.
Not good!
Startled, he tried to switch moves mid-strike, but he was a beat too slow.
Clang!
Taking advantage of his momentary shift, the back of the opponent’s saber smashed hard into the weakest part of his sword’s spine, and the edge of the blade swept toward his wrist.
Seeing that his wrist was in danger, Tian Qiming panicked and hurriedly let go.
Clang!
That treasured sword, worth a fortune, clattered to the ground.
In an instant, all color drained from Tian Qiming’s face—he was stunned on the spot.
The scene fell silent—one could hear a pin drop.
No one had expected that Tian Qiming, with his prestigious background, would lose in a single move.
In the nearby pavilion, the confident smile on Fifth Senior Sister’s face froze.
She had just confidently declared that Chen Ming was no match for Tian Qiming.
Yet Tian Qiming couldn’t even take a single blow.
“Thank you for letting me win.”
Chen Ming cupped his fists and said lightly.
“No!”
Tian Qiming finally snapped out of it and shouted, “That didn’t count just now…”
He couldn’t accept the fact that he had been defeated like this.
He hadn’t even had the chance to show his full strength.
That guy had used trickery!