Chapter 182 : Supplement
Chapter 182: Supplement
Tao Fang was quite satisfied with the house arranged by the Six Doors Authority. It was located near the bustling market, convenient for gathering information. Though the courtyard wasn’t large, it had everything necessary, and even included a matron and servants.
However, the very first thing her grandfather did was dismiss the matron and the servants, telling them they didn’t need to come anymore.
Then, the grandfather and granddaughter wandered around outside, took a stroll, and finally went to a nearby restaurant to gather information.
As a result, what the diners talked about the most in the restaurant turned out to be that very Chen Erlang Jun.
“I watched Chen Erlang grow up. He had great ambitions since childhood. To learn martial arts, he knelt at his family’s gate for three days and nights, eventually earning his father’s approval.”
“At thirteen, he declared publicly, ‘One day I shall ascend the Azure Cloud Ranking and bring glory to Qingfeng City!’”
“At eighteen, he hadn’t achieved anything. Everyone said he was a mediocre talent, with no aptitude whatsoever. He remained silent for two years but never gave up. At twenty, he was framed and imprisoned. By chance, he encountered a fortuitous opportunity and rose rapidly. In four years, he reached Fifth Grade, displaying peerless talent…”
“Chen Erlang is truly a martial arts fanatic, wholly devoted to martial cultivation. Back then, countless women secretly admired him, swearing to marry none but him. Yet he remained entirely unmoved…”
“…”
Tao Fang found it amusing and naturally thought these people were exaggerating.
It was understandable. After all, Qingfeng City had finally produced a martial arts prodigy who could make it onto the Azure Cloud Ranking. Of course, they would be proud and sing his praises to the heavens.
She wasn’t sure about the rest, but that part about not being interested in women was utter nonsense.
For martial artists, once they reached Sixth Grade or higher, they were no longer restricted from indulging in women. They were even encouraged to take more concubines and have more descendants.
Liking women was not a fault. But a normal person wouldn’t go to the lengths of Chen Ming, flaunting a gaudy carriage and sharing a bed publicly.
After listening for quite a while, Tao Fang hadn’t heard any useful information. They were all talking about Chen Erlang Jun, including his romantic affairs with the daughter of Inspector Zhao.
It seemed the story of how Miss Zhao’s master struck apart a pair of lovers had yet to spread here.
She urged her grandfather to leave. Before they left, she inadvertently learned something—Chen Ming’s house turned out to be right next to the courtyard she lived in, separated by only one wall.
…
“Seriously, is there nothing else worth discussing in Qingfeng City?”
Returning to the courtyard, Tao Fang couldn’t help complaining. “Why is everyone talking about that Chen Erlang?”
Suddenly, Tao Zhiquan gestured for silence and pulled her to the wall, tilting his ear to listen.
Tao Fang became a little nervous. Soon, she heard her grandfather’s voice whisper in her ear, “They’re not coming for us.”
Not coming for us?
She instinctively looked in the direction her grandfather was watching—next door, seemingly Chen Ming’s house.
It wasn’t dark yet, and she happened to see a shadow flipping over the wall and entering.
Her fist clenched tightly, and she bit her lower lip.
Tao Zhiquan shook his head, signaling her not to get involved.
Tao Fang suddenly recalled something and said sadly, “Grandfather, if back when our family was in trouble, there had been someone like you to step in and help, would Father, Mother, Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and Little Sister still have been safe?”
That sentence struck Tao Zhiquan like a heavy hammer to the chest.
Looking at his sorrowful granddaughter, he let out a long sigh and gently said, “Don’t worry, they’ll be fine.”
Thinking of her deceased family, Tao Fang couldn’t help but break into sobs.
…
Before nightfall, a luxurious large carriage pulled into the courtyard adjacent to the other side of the Chen Residence, drawing everyone’s attention.
Those inside were Chen Ming, Su Zhi Ning, and Yu Haitang.
Only after getting off the carriage and returning to the already tidied-up room did he speak. “Thank you both, ladies.”
Given his current situation, it wasn’t suitable to return home directly. So he had sent Dongxiang and Ju’er ahead to Qingfeng City to rent a place near the Chen Residence.
This way, he could protect his family nearby.
Dongxiang said, “There was a small incident at the residence today. Just half an hour ago, three thieves climbed over the wall and entered the courtyard. Fortunately, they were discovered in time by the guards and killed on the spot. No one in the household was injured.”
Chen Ming, however, furrowed his brows.
Sensing his reaction, Dongxiang asked, “Young Master, is something wrong?”
Chen Ming said gravely, “Something’s off. Everyone knows the strength of the guards at my house. If it were just common thieves trying to steal, wouldn’t they have investigated first? There’s definitely something wrong here.”
Dongxiang was shocked and immediately knelt to apologize. “It was this servant’s negligence. Please punish me, Young Master.”
Chen Ming said, “Perhaps I’m just being paranoid. Go and bring Mister Wang over.”
Mister Wang was the middle-aged man sent by Lady Yu to protect Yu Haitang. He seemed unremarkable but was actually a peak Fourth Grade expert, only one step away from reaching Third Grade.
Not only was he skilled in martial arts, but he was also an experienced martial world veteran, meticulous in handling matters. Who knew where Lady Yu had recruited such a talent?
Chen Ming instructed Mister Wang to examine the corpses of the three intruders and determine if they were really just small-time thieves.
Just as Mister Wang left, someone came to report, “Young Master, someone is requesting an audience at the gate, asking specifically for you.”
He asked curiously, “Who?”
As of now, only Zhuang Xiaotian knew of his return, and he had specifically instructed him not to reveal it.
“It’s a woman, dressed in red, wearing a veil.”
So it was her.
She really was well-informed.
Chen Ming said, “Let her in.”
Soon, that mysterious woman in red arrived at the door and said from outside, “What, am I not welcome?”
Chen Ming replied apologetically, “There’s a reason I can’t meet you in person. I hope Sister Red will understand.”
The red-clad woman gave a strange laugh. “Looks like you really are inconvenienced. Fine. You came back because of that rumor, didn’t you?”
Her voice was transmitted directly into Chen Ming’s ears using a sound transmission technique.
He replied, “Yes. I was worried for my family’s safety, so I returned early.”
“The False Tomb of Eternal Life—aren’t you tempted?”
“Of course I am. But with my current abilities, I wouldn’t dare. If possible, I’d just like to take my family and flee as far as possible.”
The red-clad woman said, “Unfortunately, you’re already in the game. There’s no escape.”
Chen Ming’s heart skipped a beat. “Sister Red, do you know something?”
“What I know doesn’t matter. Now that the secret has spread and is beyond my control, I won’t be involved any longer. Take care of yourself.”
“You came just to tell me that?”
“I’m leaving. Since we’ve known each other, I’ll leave you with one sentence: if you want to survive, your only hope is Su Zhi Ning. That’s all. Good luck.”
“Wait.”
Chen Ming suddenly stood up and said loudly, “Sister Red, can you do me one more favor? Help me acquire the ‘Nine Suns Divine Containment’!”
Some time passed. Just when he thought she had left, a single word echoed in his ear: “Alright.”
Thank you.
Chen Ming silently said in his heart.
As long as he had the ‘Nine Suns Divine Containment’, the seventh to ninth layers of the ‘Blazing Sun Divine Art’ would be complete. With enough experience points, he could immediately break through to Third Grade and surprise everyone.
Yu Haitang suddenly asked, “Are you referring to the latter volume of the ‘Primordial Fire True Art’?”
“Correct.”
Chen Ming knew he couldn’t hide it from her.
“Interesting. Seems like she knows quite a lot. Her origins must be anything but simple.” Yu Haitang was clearly intrigued by the red-clad woman.
Chen Ming didn’t respond. In truth, he had long suspected the red-clad woman’s reason for approaching him. It was Yu Haitang who eventually helped him uncover the answer.
Most likely, it was because of the ‘Blazing Sun Divine Art’.
Today was a test, and it proved true—the final volume of the ‘Blazing Sun Divine Art’ really was in her hands.
Chen Ming glanced at Su Zhi Ning nearby, feeling a sudden pang of worry.
These days, she hadn’t spoken a single word. No matter what happened, she showed no reaction, as if in deep meditation.
If not for her still having a heartbeat, he might have thought she had passed away.
He guessed it was likely some kind of secret art for healing.
…
Night had fully fallen. Chen Ming took another Jade Dragon Pill, absorbing its medicinal power to replenish his depleted Gang Qi.
At that moment, Mister Wang returned. “Just as Young Master suspected, those three were not ordinary thieves. They were quite strong in life—one was Fourth Grade, the other two were Fifth Grade. Their identities have been confirmed. They were the leaders of a group of mounted bandits active around Yujie County.”
A flash of killing intent appeared in Chen Ming’s eyes, which Yu Haitang happened to catch as he turned.
He asked gravely, “How did they die?”
Mister Wang replied, “Their hearts were silently shattered, killing them instantly. The attacker’s strength was at least Second Grade.”
Second Grade?
Chen Ming was puzzled. Of those he knew above Third Grade, there were only two—one was the red-clad woman, the other was Shang Jianfei.
He immediately ruled out Shang Jianfei.
It probably wasn’t the red-clad woman either; otherwise, she would’ve told him earlier.
Then who could it be?
He couldn’t help but look at Yu Haitang.
She shook her head. “Not one of mine.”
If it wasn’t her, that was even stranger.
Chen Ming could only suppress the doubt and said to Mister Wang, “Thank you, Mister.”
Mister Wang smiled slightly and left the room.
…
Early the next morning, Qiuxiang came in carrying a wooden box and handed it to Chen Ming, saying someone had delivered it.
He opened it and found it was indeed a manual, titled ‘Nine Suns Qi Containment’.
“At last, this cultivation method is complete. Not an easy feat.”
Chen Ming felt a flood of emotion and couldn’t help but think of Old Liu. When Old Liu gave him the ‘Three Suns Body Tempering’, he probably never imagined this cultivation art would be so deeply entangled.
Thinking of Old Liu reminded him of the people from the He Family of Gu County who were also staying at the same inn yesterday afternoon.
The He Family of Gu County was Old Liu’s enemy. Old Liu had left Qingfeng City back then to seek revenge on them and never returned.
With a complicated heart, Chen Ming opened the manual.