Chapter 142 : Jiang Family
Chapter 142: Jiang Family
Inside the carriage, Su Zhi Ning, dressed in snow-white clothes, sat opposite Chen Ming. Her deep, clear eyes were fixed on him, not moving away for a long time.
Chen Ming had already noticed her gaze. He quietly turned off the panel and asked nonchalantly, “Why is Miss Su looking at me like that?”
“Your progress is much faster than I expected.”
Su Zhi Ning’s tone remained as cold as ever, but her beautiful eyes continued to watch him.
Chen Ming smiled and said, “Could it be that Miss just realized today? I’ve always been a martial arts prodigy.”
Su Zhi Ning replied, “I have a Martial Aunt who was hailed as a once-in-a-century peerless genius. It took her one year to break through from Fifth Grade to Fourth Grade. At your current pace, I’m afraid it won’t even take you half a year to reach Fourth Grade.”
“Miss thinks too highly of me.”
Chen Ming’s smile turned a bit dry, silently calling it trouble in his heart.
Su Zhi Ning had been following him around every day. To avoid exposing his secrets, he had no choice but to spend time each day practicing internal cultivation. Perhaps it was during these sessions that she had seen through some of it.
He had already tried to distribute the experience points as evenly as possible. Sometimes he even split them across several sessions in one day to make the increase in true qi look less abrupt.
Even so, his progress was still too fast, too overwhelming.
Chen Ming knew who her Martial Aunt was. In the “Under Heaven Ranking” book from the World’s Number One Tower, on the first page of the “Heaven Ranking,” the tenth-ranked peerless expert came from the Heaven’s Path Alliance.
Beside the entry was a remark: a peerless genius appearing once in a hundred years, who entered the Heaven Ranking at the age of thirty, shocking the entire world.
During this time, Chen Ming had been sparring with the Fifth Grade experts of the Shang’an Trading Company every day. After a month and a half, he had harvested over 1.1 million experience points.
He had spent four hundred thousand on the 《Vermilion Bird Sword Technique》. If he had invested all of it into the 《True Art of Two Principles》, it would have been even more terrifying.
Such an opportunity wasn’t something that happened often.
Yun Niang and the others had gone out to sea. A short trip would take two to three months, a long one might last half a year. There was such a long idle period in between.
Fortunately, the Azure Cloud Ranking contest was coming up soon, and he could harvest another round of experience points. Otherwise, his progress over the next few months would slow down drastically, and if there were no improvement at all, Su Zhi Ning would surely become suspicious.
Chen Ming decisively changed the topic, “Speaking of which, is Miss planning to participate in the Azure Cloud Ranking? If you don’t go, it would truly be a shame.”
“Such vain contests are of no benefit to martial cultivators. How many conflicts in the world arise because of them? This move by the World’s Number One Tower is nothing but a scourge upon the realm.”
When Chen Ming saw the hatred flash in her eyes at the mention of the World’s Number One Tower, he wondered if she might tear it down herself once she had enough strength.
……
Seven days later, Jiangzhou City came into view. It was a city even larger than Qingfeng City, with its tall and majestic gates bearing the marks of time.
It was said that the city gate had been built over a thousand years ago, with a long history.
As Chen Ming entered the city, he immediately felt how different it was from Qingfeng City.
Qingfeng City was a young, emerging city with a strong commercial atmosphere.
In contrast, Jiangzhou City felt more profound, its rhythm slower, with more leisurely pedestrians and a higher proportion of martial artists.
Of course, this was related to the upcoming Azure Cloud Ranking contest. Besides those vying for the rankings, many more were simply there to watch the excitement.
After entering the city, Chen Ming observed its surroundings.
Elsewhere, Feng Siyuan was bidding farewell to two acquaintances he had run into on the road. “Brother Jiang, we part ways here. I wish you victory and a place on the Azure Cloud Ranking.”
Brother Jiang was a handsome young man with an extraordinary bearing. He clasped his hands toward Feng Siyuan and said, “Then I’ll take you at your word, brother.”
With that, the two sides went their separate ways.
After the carriage of Brother Jiang had gone far, Feng Siyuan boarded Chen Ming’s carriage and cursed angrily, “What the hell. Just living off the remnants of the Meng family’s glory, and he dares to look down on people like that.”
He was venting on behalf of Chen Ming.
Earlier that morning, Feng Siyuan had run into the Jiang family’s carriage on the road. Since they knew each other, he stopped to greet them and suggested they travel together.
The Jiang Family was one of the three great Aristocratic Families in Jiangzhou, with a long history.
This Jiang Shihua was the most outstanding young talent of the Jiang Family’s current generation. He had reached Fifth Grade at the age of twenty, and now at twenty-three, he was likely not far from Fourth Grade, making him a strong contender for the Azure Cloud Ranking.
With his background from a top Aristocratic Family and such remarkable talent, it was only natural for him to be arrogant. Feng Siyuan, as a member of the Feng Family, might not be very accomplished himself, but was still qualified to socialize.
However, as soon as he introduced his friend—who was neither from an Aristocratic Family nor a sect—Jiang Shihua couldn’t even be bothered to respond.
Feng Siyuan was indignant at how Jiang Shihua treated his friend with such disrespect, but he dared not confront him directly.
Only after the man had left did he rush over to Chen Ming and angrily curse that Jiang Shihua.
Chen Ming found it a bit amusing. If you say that, aren’t you scolding yourself too?
He consoled him, “The Jiang Family is a thousand-year-old Aristocratic Family. A bit of arrogance is normal. If I had that kind of background, I’d be even more arrogant.”
Seeing Chen Ming wasn’t angry at all, Feng Siyuan felt comforted and sighed, “Brother Chen, your heart is broad. I pale in comparison.”
Chen Ming smiled and said, “If I got angry every time someone looked down on me, wouldn’t I die from anger on the day of the Azure Cloud Ranking?”
In this world, people like Jiang Shihua were the majority. It was foreseeable that once he got on the stage, all those Aristocratic Youths and Sect disciples would surely look down on him.
After all, he wasn’t born into an Aristocratic Family, nor did he have a Sect.
Feng Siyuan suddenly chuckled, “Now I’m really looking forward to the day Jiang Shihua runs into you in the ring. You must teach him a good lesson.”
Chen Ming smiled, “You have quite a bit of confidence in me.”
“That’s only natural. Brother Chen’s cultivation has advanced by leaps and bounds in these few years—I’ve seen it with my own eyes. In terms of talent, how can that arrogant Jiang Shihua compare to you? I believe you’ll beat him so hard he won’t know where north is.”
……
On the other side, inside the Jiang Family’s carriage sat a beautiful young girl around sixteen or seventeen. A trace of mockery flashed across her face. “Seventh Brother, you’ve seen that kid surnamed Chen. What do you think?”
“Nothing special.”
Jiang Shihua’s expression appeared calm, but that hint of jealousy in his eyes didn’t escape his sister’s notice.
Jiang Yingxue smiled and said, “Since Sister Yan views him differently, he must have some ability. I heard he broke through from Sixth Grade to Fifth Grade in less than half a year. Coming to Jiangzhou City this time, he must be aiming for the Azure Cloud Ranking. Perhaps he’s your strong opponent, Seventh Brother.”
Jiang Shihua sneered, “People are foolish, easily parroting baseless rumors. Breakthrough from Sixth Grade to Fifth Grade in half a year—who believes such nonsense? Qingfeng City is full of merchants who always exaggerate. You believe that too, Ninth Sister?”
Jiang Yingxue seemed to enjoy seeing him lose composure. Her eyes curved into a smile, clearly amused. “Sister Yan has always had her own mind. Perhaps she intends to repeat the old tale of our grand-aunt…”
“Hmph!”
Jiang Shihua raised his eyebrows, his gaze suddenly sharp, and said word by word, “I am not the Sea-Calming King, and he will never be Shang Jianfei!”
The ‘Sister Yan’ Jiang Yingxue mentioned was Zhao Xiyan.
They were cousins. Her grandmother and his grandfather were cousins, so their families were quite close.
A few years ago, their parents had already intended to arrange a marriage between them.
However, at the time Zhao Xiyan had just broken through to Sixth Grade and didn’t want to marry so soon. The engagement was thus delayed.
In Jiang Shihua’s heart, he had already regarded her as his future wife.
Until last year, he heard some rumors—Zhao Xiyan had ambiguous ties with some man. To him, that was a humiliation beyond compare.
Today, he had coincidentally run into Feng Siyuan. When Feng Siyuan introduced his friend and he heard the name “Chen Ming,” a burning killing intent surged in Jiang Shihua’s heart.
If not for the nearby “Uncle Fu” stopping him, he would’ve drawn his sword and slain Chen Ming on the spot.
Seeing that he was genuinely angry, Jiang Yingxue no longer provoked him.
Jiang Shihua asked, “Uncle Fu, why did you stop me from acting?”
The coachman’s voice came from the front, “There was a Third Grade expert hidden nearby at the time.”
“Third Grade?”
Jiang Shihua was momentarily stunned, then said, “It must’ve been protecting Feng Siyuan.”
No matter how low-profile the Feng Family acted, they could only fool outsiders. A force like the Jiang Family had a clear grasp of the Feng Family’s strength.
The coachman said, “The family head instructed that this trip is for the Young Master to make a name on the Azure Cloud Ranking. You must not create trouble.”
Jiang Shihua heard him bring up his grandfather and didn’t press further.
The coachman asked again, “Young Master, are we heading straight back to the villa?”
“No, to the Inspector’s Residence.”
“Yes.”
Jiang Yingxue watched her Seventh Brother with a hint of amusement in her eyes. She knew he was flustered.
Sister Yan had arrived in Jiangzhou City a few months ago and had been living in the Inspector’s Residence since then.
……
…………
The Feng Family also had a residence in Jiangzhou City. It was a large estate, far bigger than Chen Ming’s home, and looked like it had some years to it. The servants within were all present and capable.
At Feng Siyuan’s strong invitation, Chen Ming decided to stay there. It was certainly better than finding an inn, which were likely already full at this time.
Feng Siyuan arranged a large courtyard for Chen Ming and even assigned him a few charming maidservants.
He had always thought the two maids around Chen Ming were too ugly and had long wanted to send him a few beautiful ones. So this time, he stuffed all the prettiest ones into Chen Ming’s courtyard.
Unfortunately, Chen Ming still had no interest in such matters and didn’t let the beautiful maidservants serve him.
At night, after confirming no one was around, Chen Ming asked softly, “Miss Su, are you there?”
Su Zhi Ning could be described as appearing and disappearing unpredictably. She had left suddenly halfway through the journey and hadn’t shown herself since. He didn’t know if she was nearby.
After a while, there was no response.
“Seems she’s not here.”
Chen Ming felt a bit worried. With her being such a naive and trusting girl, without him by her side, if she ran into those old foxes, she might get tricked and not even realize it.
Soon, he set aside these distracting thoughts, took out the sword jade, pressed it to his forehead, and began to comprehend it.
……
Early the next morning, Chen Ming went out alone. He had something to take care of.