Chapter 200 : Peerless Young Master
Chapter 200: Peerless Young Master
Chen Ming saw that the black-clad young man, after teaching a lesson to the overbearing Six Doors Authority patrol envoy, was treated like a hero. He couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the Six Doors officers of Xiazhou.
Compared to their colleagues in Jiangzhou, their situation was far too pitiful.
However, he could understand. After all, in this Wanlei City alone, there were three First Grade experts, and more than a dozen above Third Grade.
When he first heard this number, he had been utterly shocked.
Though both were counties under the same prefecture, compared to here, Qingfeng County was pathetically weak.
Yet the Six Doors Authority of Wanlei City had only one First Grade and three Third Grades. Each Third Grade commanded five Fifth Grade patrol envoys—far too great a gap in strength.
Moreover, the Qian Money Gang was currently holding a martial contest for marriage, attracting countless experts.
This event was far livelier than the “Azure Cloud Ranking” contest he had attended a few months ago.
…
After Chen Ming finished his meal and most of the patrons had left the restaurant, he found an opportunity to approach a middle-aged merchant. “Brother, did you just arrive from Jiangzhou?”
The middle-aged merchant saw that although he was young, his clothes were luxurious, his temperament extraordinary, and he was accompanied by a beautiful maid. Not daring to be rude, he replied, “Indeed. I wonder what matter Young Master has with me?”
Chen Ming smiled. “I am rather interested in that ‘False Tomb of Eternal Life’ and wish to inquire about it. Would it be convenient?”
The middle-aged merchant said, “It’s no problem.”
At that moment, a voice interjected from the side. “I’m quite interested as well. May I listen in?”
Chen Ming turned to look and saw an incomparably handsome young man approaching.
What a refined gentleman in troubled times!
Chen Ming inwardly praised. In terms of looks, among all the men he had met, this one ranked first. However, he was almost too handsome, with features that were somewhat androgynous.
In the eyes of those fond of male beauty, his appeal might be no less than that of peerless beauties.
With a single glance, Chen Ming could tell he was male.
The middle-aged merchant was also momentarily stunned before replying, “Of course, it’s fine.”
Thus, the three of them, along with several attendants, found a quiet teahouse and requested an elegant tea room where they chatted over tea.
The merchant’s surname was Jia, and he mainly traded in medicinal herbs. Some herbs were unique to Xiazhou, and transporting them to Jiangzhou fetched great profits.
The area near Wanlei City produced several unique herbs, the main ingredients for wound medicines. Every year, he came here to purchase stock and transport it to Jiangzhou for sale.
Merchant Jia had just come from Jiangzhou City to Wanlei City. The matter of the False Tomb of Eternal Life was something he had heard during a banquet.
“…In truth, whether this False Tomb of Eternal Life even exists is still a mystery, yet it has already thrown Jiangzhou into chaos. Originally, I had planned to stay in Jiangzhou City longer. But then I heard that several major forces surrounded the Ji Family, and in a single night, razed them to the ground…
“That was a great aristocratic clan with a history of hundreds of years, guarded by a First Grade peak expert, yet it was wiped out just like that.”
Merchant Jia still looked shaken as he spoke.
Chen Ming was not surprised. Since that Ji Hongxin had become the puppet of the Undying Demon Lord, who knew how many members of the Ji Family had been controlled?
Naturally, wiping them out was the safer choice.
He asked, “Were all the Ji Family members killed?”
Merchant Jia shook his head. “No. I heard that only an empty shell of the Ji Family remains. The most core members received advance warning and fled, and their whereabouts remain unknown.”
The handsome young man asked, “With such a major incident, the Six Doors Authority did nothing?”
“It was the Six Doors Authority who led the charge to destroy the Ji Family.”
“What was the charge?”
“Colluding with demonic cultivators of the Cult of Eternal Life. On my boat trip here, I saw the Ji Family’s wanted posters in many places in Xiazhou. They should be posted in Wanlei City soon.”
The handsome young man’s gaze grew heavy. “Did the Undying Demon Lord truly escape suppression?”
Merchant Jia replied, “That’s what people are saying.”
A shadow flickered in the young man’s eyes. He asked again, “Do you know who the Undying Demon Lord finally possessed?”
“It was a young man named Chen Ming. Supposedly only twenty-five years old, already of Third Grade cultivation—a dazzling genius among Jiangzhou’s younger generation. Unfortunately, he perished in the Fire Vein.”
Chen Ming hadn’t expected to hear his own name here. The feeling was rather strange. He seized the chance to ask, “And after that? Who benefited the most this time?”
Merchant Jia shook his head. “All sides suffered heavy losses. Even the legendary key said to open the False Tomb of Eternal Life fell with Chen Ming into the deep underground abyss. Everyone went for the goose and ended up losing the rice.”
Seeing that he likely knew no further details, Chen Ming asked no more.
Once matters here were settled, he would find a way to make a trip to Jiangzhou.
The handsome young man also had no more questions and soon took his leave.
…
After leaving the teahouse, Chen Ming asked, “Xiao He, do you know who that man, prettier than most women, was?”
Xiao He had always followed closely behind him, silent when unnecessary, without a trace of presence. When he needed her, she acted before he even spoke—a mark of utmost professionalism.
The more she behaved this way, the more vigilant Chen Ming became, secretly observing her. So far, he still couldn’t tell whether she had grown suspicious of him.
Xiao He said, “Young Master, that should be the most famous Peerless Young Master of Xiazhou, the legitimate son of the Jiang Family, and the youngest Third Grade in Xiazhou. The Peerless Young Master is usually very low-key, so it is unexpected that he would attend the Qian Money Gang’s martial contest for marriage.”
“So it was him.”
In recent days, Chen Ming had heard much information. Rumors had it that the Peerless Young Master was one of the top favorites, with odds in the gambling houses nearly at one-to-one.
Many believed that the Peerless Young Master and the ‘Mortal Flower of Wealth’ were a match made in heaven.
Some even thought that even if he lost, he would likely still win the beauty’s heart.
“Brother Gu!”
Suddenly, Qiu Chundong hurried over. Seeing him, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. “I heard that an out-of-town colleague was beaten just now, so I rushed over in worry to find you.”
Apparently, he was afraid the one beaten was him.
Chen Ming said, “I happened to be there and saw it with my own eyes. They say the people of Xiazhou are fierce, and today I truly saw it for myself.”
Qiu Chundong gave a wry smile. “Xiazhou has always been like this, unlike the capital. Powerful martial artists here are lawless and care nothing for our Six Doors Authority.”
“Is Xiazhou City the same?”
“Pretty much. Don’t forget, the Eight Righteous Gates are in Xiazhou City.”
Eight Righteous Gates!
One of the Nine Great Sects, rivaling the Heaven’s Path Alliance. One could imagine the strength of such a sect. Against such a behemoth, the Six Doors Authority held little sway.
Even if Xiazhou City’s highest Six Doors officer was a super-grade expert, he could only maintain appearances at best.
In this world, strength spoke louder than anything.
Gu Xianyu had chosen Xiazhou precisely because the Six Doors Authority was weaker here and martial artists ran rampant—offering more opportunities to earn merit.
Chen Ming asked, “By the way, who was the one who struck?”
Qiu Chundong replied, “A disciple of the Eight Righteous Gates, from the Bitter Righteousness lineage, named He Zhixing. His parents were killed by Six Doors officers, so he particularly hates us. If you encounter him, be careful.”
Chen Ming asked again, “I heard Brother Liang’s strength is among the top of the younger generation. Why didn’t the Lord Governor have him participate in the martial contest for marriage?”
Qiu Chundong said, “The eldest young master is already married, and his relationship with his wife is deep. Naturally, it wouldn’t be appropriate.”
“I see.”
Chen Ming knew this was an excuse. In truth, among the strong of this world, three wives and four concubines were the norm.
Of course, some powerful women disregarded societal views and took multiple husbands—it wasn’t unheard of.
In fact, among those attending this contest, many were already married. To them, marrying another was nothing unusual.
No one would think it improper.
As for the eldest young master’s supposed deep feelings for his wife—utter nonsense.
In recent days, Chen Ming had heard gossip that this was a political marriage. On the wedding day, the eldest young master had not even spent the night in the bridal chamber, clearly displeased with the union.
He also heard another rumor—that the eldest young master had once pursued the ‘Mortal Flower of Wealth’ on the Supreme Beauty List but was rejected outright.
Likely because of this, he was too embarrassed to participate in the contest.
…
Several days later, the martial contest for marriage was about to begin. From Xiao He, Chen Ming learned that Gu Yuyin had returned.
He was puzzled. “Why has she come back?”
Xiao He replied, “Sixth Young Lady is accompanying her cousin to participate in the contest.”
Truly nothing better to do.
Chen Ming shook his head.
“Young Master, the young master of the Wu Family has sent an invitation, requesting your presence at a banquet. Will you attend?”
“No.”
He refused without a second thought. This was part of Gu Xianyu’s persona—such invitations were always declined whenever possible. In truth, it stemmed from his own inferiority.
As the illegitimate son of the Gu Family, his mother’s background was humble. She was merely a beauty who had caught the eye of Gu’s father during a passing encounter, resulting in a one-night affair and an unplanned pregnancy.
Because of this background, Gu Xianyu had been ridiculed often in the Gu Family, especially at banquets. If no elders were present, his origins would be mocked, and he dared not retaliate in such settings—only enduring the humiliation.
Afterward, he rarely attended such gatherings.
Frankly, with such a cowardly disposition, no matter how talented, it was hard to compete with his decisive and ruthless brothers.
Look at them—once they sensed he might be a threat, they immediately sent two Third Grades to kill him.
Had he been more forceful, his father might have respected him more, and he would not have ended up in such a situation.
This was but a small interlude. Two days later, the day of the martial contest for marriage finally arrived.
Early in the morning, Chen Ming set out with his maid Xiao He toward the Qian Money Gang.