Chapter 203 : Quota
Chapter 203: Quota
Chen Ming remained silent for a while before asking, “Who is the young lady’s beloved?”
Miss Xia, who was behind the wall, did not answer him and had already left.
He was hesitating whether to chase after her, when just at that moment, the servant who had left earlier came over, saying, “Young Master Gu, that side is the inner residence. It would not be convenient for you to enter. Please come this way.”
Chen Ming could only follow this servant.
He was arranged to stay in a quiet little courtyard, where the maid Xiaohong had already prepared hot water for him to bathe.
As he soaked in the bath, he asked, “Xiaohong, do you know where Gu Yuyin lives?”
“I do.”
“Good. Tomorrow morning, take me to find her.”
Just now, Chen Ming had been thinking about the matter of the “quota.” Unfortunately, that Miss Xia had not given him a chance to ask. Such matters could only be asked of someone trustworthy.
From Gu Xianyu’s perspective, this younger cousin looked down on him, always sneering and mocking. With his temperament, he would probably never go to her for help, even in death.
But Chen Ming saw things differently. After all, the two of them were cousins from the same family, without any conflicting interests. In a place like Xiazhou, where everything was unfamiliar, she was someone he could trust.
After all, Gu Yuyin would never collude with outsiders to harm him.
As for colluding with her own family—well, that was another matter.
……
The next morning, before dawn, Chen Ming left the Qian Money Gang with the maid Xiaohong.
Coincidentally, Gu Yuyin and the Wu siblings lived nearby, so it did not take long to arrive.
Upon hearing the news, Wu Zhenhang personally came to the door to welcome him. His eyes burned with enthusiasm as he warmly said, “Seventh Lang, you have finally come.”
“Greetings, Cousin Wu.”
Chen Ming politely greeted, “I am here to see Yuyin.”
In that era, in terms of kinship, cousins from the same paternal line were closer than maternal cousins. After all, paternal cousins could not marry, while maternal cousins marrying was considered strengthening family ties.
From this, it could be seen that the elders of the Gu and Wu families somewhat had this intention. That was why the two were made to travel together, though Wu Zhenhang’s sister also came along to avoid suspicion. But anyone with eyes could see the truth.
“She is with my younger sister.”
Wu Zhenhang personally led him inside, chatting along the way. “Seventh Lang, you’ve really hidden yourself well. Yuyin said that you broke through to Third Grade, yet you concealed it from everyone.”
Chen Ming replied calmly, “In a great family, it is only natural to remain low-key.”
“If your father knew you had reached Third Grade, he would never have let you come to Xiazhou alone.”
“After reaching Third Grade, one must go out and temper oneself.”
How could that be the same?
Wu Zhenhang thought to himself: if the Gu family knew he had reached Third Grade, they would surely have sent a family expert to protect him in secret. A twenty-year-old Third Grade martial artist—at the very least, a First Grade expert would be assigned as his guard.
However, such words were not appropriate to say directly. Speaking too much when acquaintanceship was shallow was taboo.
Judging from Yuyin’s evaluation of this man, he seemed cautious and wary of the Gu family, not getting along well with his brothers because of his birth…
Yet, Wu Zhenhang felt that her evaluation was somewhat biased. This Seventh Lang gave him a rather sincere impression.
……
“Seventh Brother, you really kept me in the dark!”
Gu Yuyin, accompanied by a young girl, came walking out. The moment she saw Chen Ming, she ran up as if reproaching him, though in truth it was more like acting spoiled. “You reached Third Grade and never told me, making me worry for nothing yesterday.”
Chen Ming smiled. “That was indeed my fault.”
Wu Zhenhang introduced, “This is my younger sister, Wu Xiuyan.”
Chen Ming politely said, “Greetings, Cousin Wu.”
Wu Xiuyan bowed with reserved manners, a little shy as she said, “Greetings, Seventh Brother Gu.”
After some polite exchanges, they arrived at Gu Yuyin’s courtyard, where the Wu siblings then left.
Once only the two of them remained inside the house, Gu Yuyin frowned and said, “Seventh Brother, did you come specifically to mock your younger sister?”
Chen Ming feigned ignorance. “What makes you say that?”
“Sigh!”
Gu Yuyin let out a soft sigh. “When I recall the things I said to you before, I feel utterly ashamed.”
“We are family. I know you bore no ill intent. As your elder brother, how could I take it to heart?”
“……”
Gu Yuyin froze, her expression nearly slipping.
She looked at this Seventh Brother with unfamiliar eyes. That he could say such words truly made it hard to believe.
Was this really the Seventh Brother she knew?
“Actually, I came to see you early today because I have something to ask.” Chen Ming did not want to dwell on trivial matters and moved on to the main point.
“Please speak, Seventh Brother.” Gu Yuyin looked as though she was all ears.
“Last night, that Xia Mudan came to me and asked whether I had come for the quota. Do you know what this quota refers to?”
Mudan was the title of the “Mortal World’s Regal Flower” on the Supreme Beauty List.
At the mention of “quota,” Gu Yuyin was visibly startled. “She really said that?”
Seeing her reaction, Chen Ming realized she likely did know what the quota was. “Then what exactly is it?”
Gu Yuyin shook her head solemnly and said, “In truth, I do not know the exact details of this quota. I only know it should be related to when a First Grade expert attempts to break through to the Divine Repository Realm.”
Hiss——
Chen Ming drew in a cold breath. This was even more troublesome than he had imagined—it was actually connected to a First Grade expert’s breakthrough into the Divine Repository Realm.
If he recalled correctly, Liang Zongcheng had been in First Grade for quite a few years already.
So, was his aim to break through to the Divine Repository Realm?
And his so-called personal grudge with the Wan Family was in truth for the sake of contending over this quota?
Many speculations flashed through Chen Ming’s mind.
Then came the real question.
He asked, “Why would this martial contest for marriage be related to that quota?”
Gu Yuyin could not figure it out either. After all, her understanding of the quota was limited.
She cautioned, “Seventh Brother, perhaps you should not go today. Those First Grade experts, for the sake of a chance at the Divine Repository Realm, will become ruthless and recognize no kin. Whoever blocks their path, they will kill without hesitation. After all, the Gu Family is too far away.”
Chen Ming looked at her and suddenly smiled. “The Gu Family may be far, but the Wu Family is near. I believe they would certainly be interested in this quota.”
“You mean—”
Gu Yuyin was shocked, already guessing his thoughts.
Chen Ming said, “Call Brother Wu over.”
If the Wu Family could marry into the Gu Family, they were naturally no ordinary family. In this world, marriages were about being well-matched in social status.
His idea was simple: pulling the Wu Family into this would be enough to secure his safety.
He was still far from the Divine Repository Realm, with no need to think about it within a year or two. Giving away this quota would not be painful.
Besides, with his current strength, even if he seized the quota, he could not keep it. It was better to let the Wu Family have it, thus forming a good relationship and gaining strong support in Xiazhou for the future.
Of course, the premise was that the Wu Family did not already know about this matter.
……
Before long, Wu Zhenhang came over. When he heard Chen Ming mention “the quota,” he nearly jumped up and exclaimed, “You mean this martial contest for marriage is actually tied to the quota?”
Seeing his reaction, Chen Ming knew he was right. He nodded. “That Miss Xia said so.”
Wu Zhenhang could no longer sit still. He stood and paced the room, his face unable to hide his excitement.
After a while, he stopped, looked at Chen Ming, and asked a soul-piercing question: “Why would Seventh Lang tell me this?”
Chen Ming answered calmly, “The Gu Family is far away in the capital. By the time word reached them, it would be far too late.”
Wu Zhenhang bowed deeply. “Regardless of success or failure, the entire Wu Family owes Seventh Lang a great favor.”
Chen Ming smiled. “We are family. That is too heavy a word.”
With that, Wu Zhenhang left, clearly intending to arrange for someone to send the news back to his family.
……
At the beginning of the Hour of the Snake, Chen Ming accompanied the Wu siblings to the Qian Money Gang to participate in the martial contest for marriage.
On the way, Wu Zhenhang walked beside Chen Ming and said in a low voice, “If I am not mistaken, the Qian Money Gang must have discovered a secret realm deep within the gold mine.”
“A secret realm?” Chen Ming asked.
Wu Zhenhang glanced at him with some pity. As a core disciple of the Gu Family, he actually did not even know such common knowledge. This showed clearly what his standing in the Gu Family was.
“It could be a cave mansion left behind by an ancient mighty figure, or it could be a pocket world. Such a place is a world of its own, some large, some small. Everyone refers to such places as secret realms.”
“So that is how it is.”
Chen Ming understood that this was a secret known only to aristocratic families and sects. “And what is the quota?”
“The quota is the only way to enter the secret realm. The authority to grant quotas naturally lies in the hands of the secret realm’s owner. For Miss Xia to ask you that way means that as long as one wins the martial contest for marriage, one can obtain a quota. So, the answer is obvious—the leader of the Qian Money Gang is the master of the secret realm.”
Wu Zhenhang knew much of such secrets, and with a little deduction, reached many conclusions. “I suspect that Miss Xia deliberately revealed this to you.”
Chen Ming was puzzled. “Why would she do that?”
The more people who knew about such a precious quota, the more competitors there would be, and the more chaotic the situation would become.
“It is very simple—to muddy the waters. The Qian Money Gang is likely mired in trouble right now. Xia Shaowen has not yet reached the Divine Repository Realm. Even if he became the master of the secret realm, it would be difficult to keep it, and he might even bring disaster upon himself. By letting his daughter reveal this to you, he was in fact revealing it to the Gu Family. Once the Gu Family joins the fray, those who already covet the quota but wish not to be excluded will be forced to ally with Xia Shaowen.”
As they spoke, they had already arrived at the Qian Money Gang.
The two no longer discussed the matter.
Today, there were even more spectators than yesterday.
When Chen Ming appeared, he drew countless gazes, and the crowd parted to open a path for him.
When Xia Shaowen appeared and announced the start of today’s matches, a man in blue clothing could not wait to leap onto the arena. Pointing his saber at Chen Ming, he shouted, “Gu, come up! Let me test your swordsmanship.”
Chen Ming wasted no words, leaping onto the stage to begin the first battle of the day.
……
【You have defeated an opponent of LV71, gained 33,000 experience points.】
【You have defeated an opponent of LV70, gained 30,000 experience points.】
【……】
It was almost a repeat of yesterday. Chen Ming defeated several opponents in succession, reaping experience points.
At first, people were still cheering loudly for the Third Grade martial artists of Xiazhou. But after several consecutive defeats, their voices grew weaker.
With his strength alone, Chen Ming had nearly defeated all of Xiazhou’s strongest of the younger generation, delivering a huge blow to their morale.
When the fifth challenger of the day was also defeated, the entire venue fell into silence.
“Peerless Young Master!”
Suddenly, someone shouted.
The arena once again erupted into excitement. Everyone shouted, “Yes, we still have Peerless Young Master.” “Peerless Young Master, it’s up to you!”
This spontaneous, heartfelt hometown sentiment was something Chen Ming could understand. He looked down at the crowd at that one figure who stood out like a crane among chickens, waiting for him to step up.
The beloved that Xia Mudan had spoken of was most likely this man.
So far, Chen Ming had already defeated ten of Xiazhou’s Third Grades, yet Xia Mudan, up on the second floor, had shown no reaction. Now, among the Third Grades who had yet to fight, there could only be a few left.
Amid the crowd’s cheers, Peerless Young Master finally moved. He leapt onto the stage with effortless grace, drawing thunderous applause.
Peerless Young Master’s eyes shone as bright as stars as he looked at Chen Ming, speaking loudly, “Brother Gu has fought five battles in a row and consumed much strength. Why not rest for a day and fight me tomorrow?”
It must be said, this person’s bearing was truly admirable.
Chen Ming replied, “Why wait until tomorrow? Let us fight again in three hours.”
“Very well.” Peerless Young Master agreed.
Then, before everyone’s eyes, he sat cross-legged on the stage, began circulating his qi to recover, while Chen Ming opened his panel.
【Level: 70】
【Current Points: 419896】
【Cultivation Methods: 《Iron Horse Stance》(Fifth Layer Perfection), 《Five Elements True Art (Incomplete)》(Seventh Layer 187544/10000000)】
【Combat 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 Through Nine Heavens》(Fourth Layer 3277/400000), 《Heaven and Earth’s Lone Swan》(First Layer 700564/1000000)】
【Secret Technique: 《Disguise Technique》(Mastery)】
In these two days, he had gained a total of 320,000 experience points.
This Peerless Young Master had such a great reputation; his strength would surely not be ordinary. The first layer of Heaven and Earth’s Lone Swan might not be enough to defeat him.
Thus, Chen Ming invested 300,000 points into Heaven and Earth’s Lone Swan, raising this sword art to the second layer.
Immediately, the panel displayed: 《Heaven and Earth’s Lone Swan》(Second Layer 564/2000000).
At the same time, countless new insights into the sword art flooded his mind.
……
Three hours passed in the blink of an eye.
When Chen Ming stood up, many in the crowd who had been waiting drowsily instantly perked up, eager for the earth-shaking battle to come.
Everyone knew that if even Peerless Young Master could not defeat this Seventh Lang of the Gu Family from the capital, then among Xiazhou’s younger generation, no one would be able to match him.
Among those present, the only ones standing on Chen Ming’s side were Gu Yuyin and the Wu siblings.
She asked worriedly, “Seventh Brother, can you win?”
Wu Zhenhang did not speak. He had never seen Peerless Young Master fight and did not know his true strength. But for one to have such fame, it was certainly not simple.
Though Gu Xianyu was strong, he had never reached the level of utterly crushing his peers.
Thus, Wu Zhenhang did not hold much confidence in his heart.