Chapter 168 : What a Ridiculous Name
Chapter 168: What a Ridiculous Name
【You have defeated an LV65 enemy and gained 33,000 experience points.】
Chen Ming stood in place, a wave of darkness sweeping over his vision.
That last sword strike had not only drained all remaining True Qi from his body but had also severely exhausted his spirit. Now the aftereffects kicked in—just the thought made the back of his head ache sharply.
"Good thing he ran..."
He thought with some relief. If Lai Xiangran had been a bit braver and hadn’t fled outright, the one to die would likely have been him.
At this moment, a somewhat familiar voice echoed in his ear. "Showing mercy like that will only get you badly hurt."
Chen Ming took a deep breath. Within his dried-up Qi Sea, a single thread of True Qi finally emerged. When he opened his eyes, he saw the red-dressed "Sister Red" standing before him in the moonlight.
That stabbing pain in his head eased a great deal.
He said joyfully, "Sister Red, why are you here?"
Princess Hongyu’s gaze was somewhat complex. "If I weren’t here, how could I have witnessed that scene just now? With a Fifth Grade cultivation, you nearly killed a Fourth Grade. Chen Ming, the progress you’ve made in the past two months is far beyond my imagination!"
In just a few breaths, the thread of True Qi in Chen Ming’s body grew stronger, and he recovered slightly. He said, "Sister Red flatters me. I was merely relying on the advantage of the divine weapon."
"Many wield divine weapons, but how many can leap ranks to defeat their foes? You don’t need to be modest."
"Sister Red came to Jiangzhou City for business?" Chen Ming changed the subject.
"It’s done. I was just about to leave. I wanted to drop by to greet you tonight, but I didn’t expect to witness such a marvelous battle. You were soft-hearted just now and nearly got yourself killed. Remember this lesson—when dealing with enemies, never show mercy."
"I’ll remember Sister Red’s teachings." Chen Ming thanked her, then invited, "Why not come to my house and sit for a while?"
"No, I must go." Princess Hongyu paused, then added, "If you had focused more on 《Phoenix Dances Across the Nine Heavens》, you wouldn’t have needed to unleash Sword Intent to defeat that man today."
With that, she floated away gracefully.
Chen Ming stared at the red-clad woman who flew off like a fairy under the moon, lost in thought.
During the intense fight with Lai Xiangran, he had noticed it—the opponent’s movement technique was far superior. Several times, he had spotted openings, yet the man somehow dodged in seemingly impossible ways.
Now, with just one hint from the red-clad woman, he understood.
It was the movement technique!
Before, all the opponents he encountered were Fifth Grade, none of whom pressured him. Under the mastered 《Vermilion Bird Sword Technique》, he had always easily resolved the fight.
Lai Xiangran was, thus far, the strongest enemy he had encountered. This battle had also taught him how to enhance the power of 《Vermilion Bird Sword Technique》.
That was—movement technique.
"Young Master——"
Just then, Chen Ming heard the voices of Qiuxiang and Dongxiang. He turned to see the two maids running toward him, surrounding him with anxious expressions. "You’re not hurt, are you?"
"I’m fine. Pick up that severed arm and the black saber."
He gave the order and then returned home with them.
One thing the red-clad woman was absolutely right about—he had chopped off one of Lai Xiangran’s arms, completely forging enmity with the Heavenly Ultimate Sect.
There was little difference between this and outright killing the man, in terms of how deep the grudge was.
Of course, by not killing Lai Xiangran, he still had the chance to harvest experience points again.
The real trouble now was the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Ultimate Sect—a Second Grade expert. Killing him might be as easy as slaughtering a chicken.
"I’ll have to seek out Yu Haitang, see if she has a solution."
Yu Haitang had already gifted him the "Mingfeng Sword", clearly placing high hopes on him. Now that he had beheaded a Fourth Grade with his sword, such a display should convince her to invest even more in him, right?
...
At the Heavenly Ultimate Sect's base—
Han Xiangcheng had just regained consciousness. Upon learning that his senior brother had gone to find Chen Ming to seek justice for him, he nearly fainted again.
From sheer rage.
He knew all too well his senior brother’s temper. He would definitely fight Chen Ming. At that point, who knew if the other would be seriously injured?
This time, their Heavenly Ultimate Sect would lose both face and people.
What would others say about them?
The disciples of the Heavenly Ultimate Sect went out to challenge others, lost, and then had their elders go settle the score. How shameless!
If the Heavenly Ultimate Sect behaved this way to others, then others would, of course, have every reason to do the same to them.
Senior Brother was so muddle-headed!
Han Xiangcheng was filled with anxiety but could do nothing. At his senior brother’s speed, the situation was likely already irreversible...
As he fretted, a figure flew in.
"Senior Brother, your—your hand!?"
Just as Han Xiangcheng was about to complain, he noticed something wrong. A closer look revealed with shock—his senior brother’s right hand was gone.
Lai Xiangran’s face was pale. With his remaining hand, he grabbed his junior brother’s collar and weakly said, "Spread the word immediately—I’m about to break into Third Grade and will enter death seclusion..."
He paused for breath. "Remember... don’t... provoke that... Chen Ming... again..."
Han Xiangcheng held back tears and choked out, "Senior Brother, your hand... what exactly... happened?"
"Don’t ask. Just remember what I said! Don’t worry, as long as Martial Uncle is around, our Heavenly Ultimate Sect won’t fall! Now, help... help me inside..."
...
Dawn broke.
In a tranquil courtyard, Yu Haitang, dressed in a white gown, sat under the eaves reading a book. The morning sun bathed her, dyeing her face a golden hue.
Suddenly, the maid Mei’er tiptoed over and softly reported, "Master, Young Master Chen just sent a message."
Yu Haitang didn’t even lift her head. "What does he want?"
"He asked Master to go over." As Mei’er spoke, she sneakily observed her master’s expression. Seeing neither joy nor anger, she merely commented, "His courage has grown."
After a while, she asked, "Who delivered the message?"
Mei’er lowered her head. "A maid named Qiuxiang from Young Master Chen’s household."
Yu Haitang frowned. "What a ridiculous name. And the other one?"
"Dongxiang."
"......"
Yu Haitang closed the copy of 《Blazing Sun Divine Art》 she had received from Chen Ming, stood up, and said, "Tell them to prepare the carriage."
"Yes."
Soon after, she rode out in a carriage. All the way to Tianyangli, she alighted at the street entrance and walked to the gates of Changqing Hall.
Yu Haitang still wore a veiled hat. The white silk veil obscured her peerless beauty. Escorted by Ji Qianxing, she entered the unremarkable clinic.
She greeted the elder inside with a graceful bow. "Senior, I’ve come to see you again. Did the calming incense I brought last time work well?"
Doctor Sun replied with a detached tone. "I’ve told you, don’t waste effort on this old man. I’m just a doctor. There are at least three in Jiangzhou City whose medical skills surpass mine."
Yu Haitang said, "I know Senior wishes to keep his identity hidden. Don’t worry, I’ve been discreet. No one will notice."
"You’ve got the wrong person. I’m just a doctor."
"Yes, yes, Senior is indeed just a doctor. I merely wish to form good karma. Should I be injured or fall ill in the future, I hope Senior would save me."
Doctor Sun’s gaze swept over her and he calmly said, "Right now, your True Qi is already problematic."
Yu Haitang was slightly startled. "Senior, you can tell?"
"If I’m not mistaken, you’re trying to dual cultivate another art. But you were too hasty, and not long ago, your True Qi almost reversed. Your meridians suffered considerable damage."
Yu Haitang bowed again. "Senior’s insight is like a torch. I hope you can guide me."
"I only know medicine. Asking me won’t help." Doctor Sun changed the subject. "You should ask the person who gave you that cultivation method."
"Thank you for the guidance, Senior."
"Alright, a patient is here. Don’t disturb me from healing people."
"Junior takes her leave."
As Yu Haitang exited Changqing Hall, she suddenly stopped. Her dress fluttered without wind, and a wave of heat burst from her body.
After several breaths, the strange state faded.
Just then, Ji Qianxing quietly asked, "Master, are you alright?"
Yu Haitang shook her head without replying. She continued forward, walking through an alley behind Changqing Hall, to a small courtyard adjacent to it.
Ji Qianxing stepped forward and knocked.
Soon, the door opened.
Chen Ming personally greeted them. "Honored Lady’s arrival truly graces this humble place."
Yu Haitang entered with Ji Qianxing.
In the courtyard was a table with a tea tray atop it.
Beside the table were two chairs.
Yu Haitang’s gaze swept past the two maids behind him. "Speak. What is it?"
Chen Ming said, "Last night, I got into serious trouble. I didn’t know what to do, so I could only turn to you."
"Oh? Let’s hear it. What kind of serious trouble?"
With a wave of his hand, Qiuxiang and Dongxiang turned and brought over a tray, on which lay a severed arm and a black saber.
Yu Haitang glanced at it, recognized the saber’s peculiar design, and said indifferently, "You cut off Han Xiangcheng’s hand from the Heavenly Ultimate Sect?"
Her tone seemed to say—just for that?
Chen Ming corrected her. "Not Han Xiangcheng. Lai Xiangran."
Yu Haitang was slightly stunned, her tone finally taking on some seriousness. "Was it that Heaven's Path Alliance disciple at your side who did it?"
Chen Ming smiled bitterly. "If it were her, I wouldn’t be this troubled. I did it."
"You?"
Yu Haitang’s tone clearly showed disbelief.
Just Chen Ming, cutting off the hand of Lai Xiangran, a Fourth Grade martial artist? Unless the man had been knocked out cold.
"It was me. If you don’t believe me, ask them."
Chen Ming pointed at the two maids behind him.
Qiuxiang and Dongxiang had kept their heads lowered, not daring to look their former master in the eye. At Chen Ming’s words, they grew nervous at once. "It was indeed Young Master who did it. The two of us… saw it with our own eyes. There’s no mistake."