I Only Know How to Bully Noobs

Chapter 205: Visualization Diagram

Chen Ming fiddled with the token for a while and tried injecting a strand of Gangyuan into it, but nothing happened. It was just like an ordinary gold medallion.

Xia Shaowen observed his expression. Seeing that his face remained calm, he secretly praised him. To face such a rare treasure yet remain unperturbed showed the steadiness of his heart.

He explained, “This token can only be activated by a First Grade Martial Artist. Your cultivation isn’t sufficient, so naturally, it had no reaction. Three days later, let a First Grade Martial Artist hold this token and come to the Qian Money Gang, and you will be able to enter that Secret Realm.”

So it even had a cultivation requirement?

Chen Ming found this somewhat strange. He set the token down and asked, “Lord Xia, what do you mean by this?”

Xia Shaowen did not answer. Instead, he reached for something from the bookshelf behind him. His movements were light, as if he were cradling something of utmost importance.

It was a small purple sandalwood box.

He placed the box in front of Chen Ming and said, “Open it and take a look.”

Chen Ming glanced at him, then reached out and opened the box. Inside lay a rolled-up scroll. He took it out and slowly unfurled it, revealing the contents.

It was a landscape painting—a lone boat upon a lake, in the midst of falling rain.

The brushwork was rather crude, worse than the craftwork sold at roadside stalls.

Just as Chen Ming was thinking this, he suddenly felt the painting come alive, as though it was pulling his consciousness into it.

What the hell?

Startled, he quickly snapped back to himself. The next moment, everything returned to normal.

He steadied his mind, looking at the painting with suspicion, yet the strokes remained as rough as before.

Xia Shaowen exclaimed in admiration, “As expected, my virtuous son-in-law’s spiritual sense is extraordinary. At the very first sight of this Visualization Diagram, you were able to grasp the intent within.”

Chen Ming’s expression changed. “This is a Visualization Diagram?”

The Third Grade was the Gangyuan Realm, while the Second Grade was the Divine Will Realm. To nourish one’s spiritual sense, the most effective method was through a Visualization Diagram.

A Visualization Diagram not only tempered one’s spiritual sense, but also aided martial artists in comprehending that elusive ‘intent’.

However, Visualization Diagrams were extremely rare, almost entirely monopolized by great aristocratic families and sects.

For a lone martial artist like Chen Ming, without family or sect backing, such a treasure was beyond all expectation. Who would have thought he would encounter one here, in Xia Shaowen’s possession?

“Lord Xia, what do you mean by this?”

This time, Chen Ming’s tone carried far greater weight.

Seeing that he was finally moved, Xia Shaowen’s face lit up with a smile. “This is part of my Xia Family’s dowry. Virtuous son-in-law, keep it well.”

“Hiss—”

To give a token entry into a Secret Realm, plus a Visualization Diagram, as a dowry—wasn’t this generosity a bit too much?

As the saying went, ‘when something is abnormal, there must be something amiss.’ The more generous he acted, the more it showed that something was terribly wrong.

“I—”

Just as Chen Ming was about to refuse, he realized he could not move again, nor could he speak.

This trick again?

He could only watch as Xia Shaowen tucked both the token and the Visualization Diagram into his robes.

“Virtuous son-in-law, tonight is your wedding night. Go back now.”

And so, Chen Ming was carried like a puppet to the bridal chamber door.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached, followed by an anxious cry: “Gang Leader, something has happened!”

Xia Shaowen stopped in his tracks. “What has happened?”

The man stepped forward and whispered a report.

At this moment, Chen Ming’s Gangyuan was completely sealed, so he could not hear the words.

After listening, Xia Shaowen hastily left, clearly faced with some grave incident. Before leaving, he ordered two maids who had just emerged from the room to escort Chen Ming into the bridal chamber.

These two maids were Xia Mudan’s personal attendants, whom Chen Ming had seen before.

One on either side, they took his arms and lifted him toward the courtyard.

Then, with two muffled thuds—

Both maids collapsed to the ground.

“Brother Gu.”

A somewhat familiar voice rang out. Chen Ming was stunned—it was him?

It was indeed the voice of the Peerless Young Master.

“Forgive me.”

Jiang Wushuang spoke from behind. In the next instant, Chen Ming felt himself lifted into the air, carried away like riding clouds and mist, soaring straight out of the Qian Money Gang.

In bitter amusement, Chen Ming thought, hey, you’re here to steal the bride, but you’ve grabbed the wrong person, haven’t you?

Today was the Qian Money Gang’s day of great celebration, with all the important figures drinking in the front hall. Jiang Wushuang had taken him from the inner quarters, without alarming a single soul.

Just like that, they left Wanlei City.

Outside the city, in a wooded grove, Jiang Wushuang finally stopped and set Chen Ming down.

Clang!

At that moment, Jiang Wushuang drew the “Dragon Abyss Sword,” his face solemn, and struck straight down.

A dazzling sword light flared. Read full story at novel(ꜰ)ire.net

Chen Ming felt something within his body shatter—the shackles binding his Gangyuan and flesh dissolved, and he finally regained his freedom.

He cupped his hands in salute and thanked Jiang Wushuang. “Many thanks, Brother Jiang, for helping me escape.”

Jiang Wushuang shook his head. His face was pale, the single strike having drained him greatly. Even with the aid of a peerless divine weapon, breaking the seal of a First Grade expert was no easy feat.

Seeing him on the verge of collapse, Chen Ming hurried forward to support him, asking with concern, “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

Jiang Wushuang finally steadied himself, subtly withdrawing his hand from Chen Ming’s grasp.

Chen Ming then asked, “Why did Brother Jiang help me?”

Logically speaking, he had defeated Jiang Wushuang on the arena stage, shaming him and even winning away the woman he loved. He should have hated him.

To be honest, when that sword descended, Chen Ming had thought for a moment that Jiang Wushuang meant to kill him.

Yet instead of killing, he had freed him from Xia Shaowen’s seal.

Chen Ming could not understand why.

Jiang Wushuang said, “I admire Brother Gu’s character and martial skill. I do not wish to see you ensnared in a vortex without knowing it.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“This is not the place to linger. Let us talk as we walk.”

“Very well.”

…

“Brother Gu, do you know why Lord Xia held this martial arts tournament for marriage? And why he rushed to have you and Lady Xia wed immediately?”

Walking side by side, Jiang Wushuang questioned him.

Chen Ming replied, “I suppose Lord Xia must have his own difficulties.”

“Brother Gu is truly wise,” Jiang Wushuang praised. “To not be blinded by beauty, to remain calm amidst such temptations—Brother Gu is indeed no ordinary man.”

“Brother Jiang, don’t flatter me.”

“Have you noticed that Lord Xia’s wife has yet to appear?”

“This is indeed strange. At her daughter’s wedding, how could a mother not attend? Could it be that Lord Xia intended to act first and explain later?”

Jiang Wushuang said, “It is more than that. Lady Xia is completely unaware. At this very moment, she is in seclusion, attempting a breakthrough to the First Grade.”

“What? Why would Lord Xia do this?”

“Because Lady Xia intends to marry Mudan into the palace. Lord Xia is unwilling, so he took advantage of her seclusion to marry off his daughter. By the time Lady Xia emerges, it will already be a fait accompli. No matter how displeased she may be, it will be too late.”

“There’s actually such a thing?”

Now Chen Ming was truly dumbfounded.

So Xia Shaowen wanted to use him as a shield?

And not just any shield—one against the imperial family?

A mere Third Grade like him—what qualifications did he have for this?

He swallowed nervously and asked in a low voice, “Lady Xia wishes to marry her daughter to whom in the palace?”

Jiang Wushuang replied, “The Emperor himself!”

Well then, he was completely finished.

So he had just put a green hat on the Emperor?

This was the hatred of a stolen wife! Would the Emperor not kill him for this?

He gave a bitter laugh. “Brother Jiang, do you think I can still keep my little life?”

Jiang Wushuang saw his bitter expression and could not help but laugh. “Rest assured, this is merely Lady Xia’s idea and has not yet been put into action. Originally, she intended to wait until the imperial draft six months later to send her daughter into the palace.”

Hearing this, Chen Ming finally breathed a sigh of relief and said with gratitude, “In that case, it’s still fine.”

After a while, Jiang Wushuang continued, “In truth, Lady Xia’s thought arose from the Supreme Beauty List of the First Pavilion of the World. They gave her daughter the title of Mortal Flower of Wealth. Since Mudan is the queen among flowers, and Lady Xia listened to some soothsayers, she firmly believed her daughter would become the most exalted woman in the world. That is why she entertained the idea of sending her into the palace, regardless of whether her daughter was willing.”

Chen Ming looked at him and said, “It seems Brother Jiang truly harbors deep feelings for Lady Xia. Rest assured, just now in the bridal chamber, I did not so much as touch her fingertip, nor even lift her veil. You also know this wedding was fake. I hope Brother Jiang will not mind.”

Jiang Wushuang’s expression became strange. “Brother Gu truly has no interest in Lady Xia? After all, she was able to ascend the Supreme Beauty List, and must surely be of unparalleled beauty.”

Chen Ming laughed. “To be honest, I carry a certain bias—the more beautiful a woman is, the less lovable she tends to be. Having basked in admiration and praise since childhood, growing up in such an environment, it’s impossible for her to be normal. I cannot stand princess syndrome.”

Jiang Wushuang replied seriously, “Brother Gu’s words may be somewhat prejudiced.”

“That’s why I said it was my bias. I imagine that in Brother Jiang’s eyes, Lady Xia must be flawless.”

Chen Ming thought to himself, once you marry someday, you’ll understand after some time has passed.

After a while, he noticed Jiang Wushuang was silent, seemingly angry. Chen Ming wondered, why so petty?

Then he suddenly realized—with Jiang Wushuang’s looks, he too must have grown up in a similar environment.

“Could he think I was mocking him?”

Chen Ming immediately apologized. “I misspoke. Please forgive me, Brother Jiang.”

Jiang Wushuang said calmly, “You weren’t wrong. Why apologize?”

Chen Ming shifted the topic. “So, where does Brother Jiang intend to go next?”

After a moment of silence, he answered, “Xiazhou City.”

“Perfect, I’m also heading to Xiazhou City. Let us travel together.”

…

At dawn, Chen Ming and Jiang Wushuang had already reached a small town more than fifty li away and found a tavern to eat in.

It seemed Jiang Wushuang had never been in such a modest place before. He looked rather uncomfortable, likely a bit of a clean freak.

“Waiter.”

Chen Ming called the shop attendant over, handed him a piece of silver, and instructed him to wash the bowls and chopsticks until spotless.

Then, with a flick of his sleeve, he swept a layer of grease from the table and stools before sitting down. “Brother Jiang, please sit.”

Jiang Wushuang gave him a glance, said nothing, and sat opposite him.

Chen Ming asked, “Where are your attendants?”

“I instructed them last night. They should arrive here before noon.”

“Good.”

“I also sent word to notify your sister. They should be arriving together.”

Chen Ming praised, “Brother Jiang, you are meticulous and thoughtful indeed.”

That saved him the trouble.

Otherwise, he would have had to figure out how to hand that token to Wu Zhenhang.

…

Before noon, the Jiang retainers arrived, together with Gu Yuyin and Wu Zhenhang.

“Seventh Brother, here is your sword.”

As soon as they met, Gu Yuyin returned both swords to their rightful owner.

Chen Ming accepted the Po Jun Sword and the Phoenix Cry Sword, finally at ease, and said with joy, “How did these end up in your hands?”

He had thought the two swords would be lost in the Qian Money Gang and irretrievable for the time being. This was an unexpected surprise.

Gu Yuyin said, “Lord Xia had them sent back. And congratulations, Seventh Brother, on your wedding yesterday.”

Chen Ming tapped her lightly on the head. “Don’t talk nonsense. Without our parents’ command, there can be no true marriage.”

Seeing his serious expression, Gu Yuyin dared not joke further.

Jiang Wushuang did not disturb them, instead leading his people outside.

Chen Ming turned to Wu Zhenhang, took out the token, and said, “Brother Wu, I finally fulfilled my promise and obtained a quota. Two days later, a First Grade expert must take this token to Lord Xia of the Qian Money Gang. That way, you may enter the Secret Realm.”

Wu Zhenhang looked at the golden token with a deeply complicated expression. “We did nothing to earn this quota. To receive it feels undeserved.”

“Take it.”

Chen Ming said freely, “This quota has a time limit. If missed, it becomes useless. If you won’t take it, then I’ll just throw it away.”

Wu Zhenhang finally accepted the token, and solemnly declared, “Brother Gu, this favor will be remembered by the entire Wu Family. In the future, should you have need, I, Wu Zhenhang, will go through fire and water without hesitation.”

“His words are mine as well.”

Suddenly, a woman’s voice rang out.

Chen Ming felt a blur before his eyes, and suddenly an extraordinary beauty stood there. At first glance, she seemed very young, barely over twenty. But on closer look, she appeared like a mature woman in her late twenties or thirties.

“Aunt!”

“Little Aunt!”

Hearing the siblings Wu and Gu Yuyin’s greetings, Chen Ming also bowed. “Greetings, Little Aunt.”

The newcomer was none other than Gu Yuyin’s mother’s youngest sister, Wu Qiuyue, a peak of the First Grade.

Wu Qiuyue was satisfied with how Chen Ming addressed her and said, “If I can successfully open the Divine Repository this time, once you reach the First Grade, I will return a quota to you.”

Chen Ming said, “Then I thank you in advance, Little Aunt.”

…

In the afternoon, Chen Ming parted ways with Wu Qiuyue and her group.

Wu Qiuyue, the Wu siblings, and the others were returning to Wanlei City.

Chen Ming and Jiang Wushuang headed toward Xiazhou City.

To save time, they did not take a carriage, but rode on horseback, one man with two steeds.

Chen Ming asked, “Brother Jiang, for what purpose do you go to Xiazhou City? Is there anything I can assist with?”

Jiang Wushuang said calmly, “I go to kill someone.”

“Who?”

“An enemy.”

“If you need my help, just say the word.”

“Good!”