Chapter 183 : Trading Life for Survival
Chapter 183: Trading Life for Survival
Chen Residence.
Early in the morning, Old Li the gatekeeper picked up the large broom and began sweeping the heavy snow in front of the gate. After a while, he became so exhausted he could barely straighten his back. He stood there, leaning on the broom to rest.
Suddenly, a valiant young man walked over and asked, “Uncle Li, what are you looking at?”
“Second Young Master, you’re here.”
Old Li greeted him warmly before continuing, “The two neighboring households just moved in yesterday, but they didn’t show the slightest courtesy, didn’t even come over to greet us.”
As he spoke, he couldn’t help but shake his head.
This valiant young man was none other than Hong Zilin. Previously, the Lady of the House had half-jokingly mentioned adopting Li Jinchuan and him as foster sons. Thus, the servants in the residence referred to Li Jinchuan as First Young Master and him as Second Young Master.
Upon hearing this, Hong Zilin felt something was off. Both neighbors on either side changing residents on the same day? That was too much of a coincidence.
“Let me help you.”
He took the broom and swept the snow aside in a few strokes, while asking, “I heard some burglars came by yesterday?”
“That’s right. Fortunately, Guard Gu discovered them in time and killed those burglars. Sigh, Qingfeng City is getting more chaotic lately. I’ve heard several households were robbed...”
“What about the corpses of those burglars?”
“After reporting to the authorities, the corpses were sent to the mortuary.”
At that moment, Hong Zilin had finished sweeping. He returned the broom to Old Li and said, “I’m going to pay my respects to my foster father and mother.”
“Go on.”
Old Li watched his back and felt more and more that this Second Young Master had the demeanor of his foster father.
...
After entering the residence, Hong Zilin first sought out Guard Gu Junrong. “Master Gu, what was the background of those burglars yesterday?”
Yesterday, he had gone to the Huo Residence to practice martial arts with Martial Uncle Zhang Mingyu and had returned home late. He only heard about the incident from his mother, so he came early today to investigate.
Gu Junrong looked solemn. “Those three came with ill intent, and their strength was far beyond mine. If someone hadn’t intervened in the shadows to kill them, I fear...”
He shuddered and didn’t dare continue.
Hong Zilin’s heart sank. So they really weren’t just ordinary thieves. “Master Gu, do you know who helped in secret?”
“No idea. But I suspect it might be one of Second Master’s friends. I’ve reported this to First Master. He told me not to spread the word. Since that person didn’t want to show themselves, we’ll pretend we don’t know.”
Hong Zilin nodded, though his heart felt heavy. They didn’t know who the enemies were, nor the allies. Not knowing anything was the worst — like a headless fly.
He smiled bitterly inside. “Martial Uncle, oh Martial Uncle, what kind of enemy did you provoke in Jiangzhou City?”
As the saying goes, it’s cold at the top. When he learned that Martial Uncle had reached sixth on the Azure Cloud Ranking, he had already foreseen that the Chen Residence would inevitably become the center of a storm.
Now, with Martial Uncle Chen Ming still not returned, the Chen Family lacked a backbone.
Worse still, Qingfeng City was in turmoil, rumors flying everywhere. New faces flooded the city, and even the dullest people could sense something major was about to happen.
“Martial Uncle, please come back soon.”
Hong Zilin then sought out Wu Bofu and Liu Zhongda. The two were still their usual carefree selves. When they saw him, they even cheerfully greeted him.
Sometimes, he really envied how carefree they were.
And yet, they were the strongest in the Chen Residence now — both at Seventh Grade. If something truly happened in the residence, it would fall on them to protect their foster parents.
After paying respects to Chen Rui and Madam Wei, Hong Zilin went to visit his Martial Uncle’s two maids, Chunxiang (Spring Fragrance) and Xiaxiang (Summer Fragrance). The two of them were now Eighth Grade Martial Artists — quite powerful indeed.
Counting it all, the Chen Residence’s strength was rather considerable.
Two at Seventh Grade — Wu Bofu and Liu Zhongda.
Four at Eighth Grade — Chunxiang, Xiaxiang, Master Gu Junrong, and himself.
Additionally, there was a young lady in the residence with a mysterious background, rarely seen, also of Seventh Grade strength.
Still, this level of strength was far from enough to face the current crisis.
Feeling a sense of urgency, Hong Zilin left the Chen Residence after chatting with Chunxiang and Xiaxiang. He decided to probe into the background of the two “new neighbors” who had just moved in.
...
Inside the room, Chen Ming sat on a chair. His left hand was pressed against the center of Yu Haitang’s back, while his right hand was on Su Zhi Ning’s back, continuously channeling Gang Qi into their bodies.
Every now and then, he would take a Jade Dragon Pill.
This had continued for ten days now.
The two of them were like bottomless pits — no matter how much Gang Qi he infused, it was never enough.
To others, it seemed like his Gang Qi was inexhaustible. Over ten days had passed, and yet he hadn’t run out.
Only Chen Ming knew that his Gang Qi was nearly depleted.
【Level: 67】
【Current Points: 440000】
【Cultivation Methods: Iron Horse Stance (Fifth Layer – Perfection), Five Elements True Art (Incomplete) (Sixth Layer – 1683000/2400000)】
【Martial Techniques: Three Talents Fist (Mastery), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Mastery), Zhuang’s Flying Knife (Mastery), Swallow Returns Sword Technique (Mastery), Vermilion Bird Sword Technique (Mastery), Phoenix Dances Across the Nine Heavens (Third Layer – 1322/300000)】
【Secret Arts: Disguise Technique (Mastery)】
With his remaining points, he could only level up once more. That meant he could last around five more days at most.
If they didn’t recover by then, he would be out of options.
Chen Ming was currently studying the Nine Suns Divine Containment. Since he couldn’t move his hands, he had someone make a stand to hold his books.
When he wanted to flip a page, he used Gang Qi. This was a true test of precision control.
When Qiuxiang came by to deliver food, she brought up a matter. “Young Master, a young man from your residence is investigating us.”
“Oh?”
Chen Ming became intrigued and asked, “What kind of young man?”
“Around seventeen or eighteen, looks quite valiant and spirited...”
From that description, he immediately knew who it was — only Hong Zilin matched that age.
“It’s him, huh.”
Chen Ming felt quite pleased. That little boy who once acted like a little adult had grown up and was now able to share some of the family’s burdens.
Back when he was at home, Hong Zilin was mature for his age but focused solely on martial arts, rarely concerning himself with other matters. In the months since he left, the kid had clearly gained experience.
He said, “It’s fine. Let’s see how far he can investigate.”
...
Two more days passed. Chen Ming’s Gang Qi was once again depleted, and he had no choice but to add points and level up.
【Level: 68】
【Current Points: 200000】
【Cultivation Methods: Iron Horse Stance (Fifth Layer – Perfection), Five Elements True Art (Incomplete) (Sixth Layer – 1923000/2400000)】
【Martial Techniques: Three Talents Fist (Mastery), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Mastery), Zhuang’s Flying Knife (Mastery), Swallow Returns Sword Technique (Mastery), Vermilion Bird Sword Technique (Mastery), Phoenix Dances Across the Nine Heavens (Third Layer – 1322/300000)】
【Secret Arts: Disguise Technique (Mastery)】
Chen Ming’s depleted Gang Qi was fully restored, and he returned to peak condition.
He glanced at the panel — just forty thousand more experience points, and he could level up again.
“Where can I get forty thousand experience points?”
As he pondered, Yu Haitang suddenly asked, “How did you do it?”
“Huh?” His thoughts were interrupted. He looked up and saw her turned slightly toward him, eyes full of curiosity.
“Your Gang Qi was clearly depleted, yet suddenly, it’s full again and vibrant. This is the seventh time!” Yu Haitang stared intently at him, full of doubt.
Chen Ming knew it was nearly impossible to hide anything from these two women in such a situation.
He replied seriously, “You really want to know?”
“Yes.”
“No harm in telling you. I obtained a secret art before, called the Blood-Burning Method. By paying a certain price, I can restore my True Qi to peak state. As for the price — just ten years off my lifespan.”
“You’re lying.”
Yu Haitang coldly stated, “I’ve never heard of such a secret art.”
Chen Ming feigned shock. “Ah? You saw through me? Was my acting really that bad?”
“If you don’t want to say it, fine.”
Yu Haitang turned away, seemingly annoyed.
Just then, Chen Ming felt a surge of Gang Origin from within Su Zhi Ning’s body. It pushed his hand away. He was first startled, then delighted. “Miss Su, you’ve recovered?”
Yet she remained in a meditative state, silent, her breathing extremely faint.
He placed his palm on her back again — only to be pushed away in less than a second.
Chen Ming finally relaxed. It seemed she had indeed recovered well. No longer did he need to protect her heart meridian with True Qi.
It hadn’t been easy — half a month of effort. He had finally pulled her back from the brink of death.
Now, only Yu Haitang remained.
Her complexion had greatly improved. He could sense her Gang Qi slowly recovering. As long as it grew strong enough to sustain her life, he could let go.
Chen Ming’s burden lightened. With one hand now free, things became much easier.
Just as he was feeling relieved, Qiuxiang knocked on the door. “Young Master, a Six Doors Authority officer named Du Constable seeks an audience.”
Du Caiyue had finally come knocking.
He said, “Let her in.”
It wouldn’t be easy to hide anything from a Qingfeng City native like Du Caiyue.
Before long, Qiuxiang brought Du Caiyue in.
“Lord Du, long time no see.”
A curtain now hung between them, separating Su Zhi Ning and Yu Haitang. With one hand now free, Chen Ming’s appearance seemed less awkward.
Du Caiyue was momentarily stunned by his appearance. She instinctively glanced past the curtain and saw someone — a woman.
She suddenly recalled some rumors from Jiangzhou City.
Still, she said nothing and smiled. “Indeed, long time no see. I didn’t expect that in just half a year, the young man I met back then would now be the renowned sixth on the Azure Cloud Ranking — Chen Erlang Jun.”
The last time they met had only been half a year ago.
“You flatter me.”
At that moment, Qiuxiang served the tea.
Chen Ming asked, “What brings Lord Du here today?”
Du Caiyue glanced at the woman behind the curtain, then gritted her teeth and said, “Have you heard of Bliss Island?”