I Only Know How to Bully Noobs

Chapter 206: Am I Part of Your PLAY?

Chen Ming and his companion traveled at an extremely fast pace, rushing day and night. When their horses collapsed from exhaustion, they continued on foot, moving even faster than riding.

Two days later, Xiazhou City was already in sight.

Seeing the great city not far away, both of them couldn’t help but let out a breath of relief. They had been hurrying so urgently because they were afraid someone might chase after them.

For instance, Xia Shaowen—or perhaps Liang Zongcheng.

Now that they had reached the vicinity of Xiazhou City, they were finally safe.

Chen Ming slowed down his pace and asked Jiang Wushuang, who still appeared spotless, “Brother Jiang, do you know about the Secret Realm?”

Perhaps it was because he was handsome, but Jiang Wushuang seemed to subconsciously pay more attention to his image. Despite having traveled for two days and nights, his clothes looked as if they were freshly changed.

This meant he had consumed extra Vital Energy to ensure that no dust clung to him.

Chen Ming had no such concerns. If his clothes got dirty, he simply changed them.

Jiang Wushuang’s face was solemn, as though deep in thought. Startled by the question, he answered with some doubt, “Brother Gu should actually know better than I do.”

They had already compared their ages. Gu Xianyu was two months older than Jiang Wushuang.

Chen Ming said, “To tell you the truth, I was born a bastard. It was only because I displayed some talent that I was included in the Gu Family’s genealogy. My father has always been indifferent toward me and never spoke of such things. As for others, it’s better not to mention them.”

Jiang Wushuang was moved. “I never thought that with Brother Gu’s talent, you would be treated so coldly in the Gu Family.”

He found it hard to imagine. By right, with Gu Xianyu’s peerless aptitude, even if his father did not care, the elders of the clan should have valued him greatly.

After a pause, Jiang Wushuang changed the topic back to the Secret Realm. “As for the origins of Secret Realms, there are many theories. Some say they were formed naturally by heaven and earth, while others claim they were opened up by ancient mighty figures and left behind. This can no longer be verified.

“A Secret Realm is a world of its own, each with unique marvels and distinct laws. Only by obtaining the proper token can one enter.

“The number of people a Secret Realm can contain differs. Some can only accommodate one person, others three to five, while the largest can hold ten. Moreover, if the required number is not met, the Secret Realm cannot be opened…”

The more Chen Ming listened, the stranger it seemed.

Not only did a Secret Realm require cultivation level to meet the condition, it also required a set number of participants. No matter how he looked at it, it seemed artificially designed.

Good heavens, had he transmigrated into a game world?

No wonder killing beasts allowed him to level up.

Jiang Wushuang continued, “It is said that all Secret Realms require at least First Grade cultivation to open. Furthermore, only within a Secret Realm can one obtain the divine treasures needed to unlock the God Repository within the body.

“Some have speculated that perhaps the original pinnacle of the human world was First Grade. And the Secret Realms are ladders left behind by heaven for us to ascend.”

Chen Ming’s mouth twitched.

So, this entire vast world was like a novice village. The Secret Realms were like dungeons. If one wanted to change class, they had to enter a dungeon, complete quests, and only then could they advance…

No, this sense of déjà vu was far too strong.

He sighed with emotion. “No wonder the aristocratic clans and sects of this world have endured for hundreds or even thousands of years. It turns out they control the ladder to the heavens.”

For a wild martial artist to break into the Divine Repository Realm would be extremely difficult.

And he was the same.

If things were truly as he imagined, and advancing to the Divine Repository Realm required completing a class-change quest, then he had no choice but to do so.

“At least I’ve just formed a good karmic tie.”

Chen Ming couldn’t help but think of Wu Qiuyue. He hoped that once she broke through to the Divine Repository Realm, she would keep her promise and secure him a slot.

Jiang Wushuang said, “Brother Gu need not worry. With your talent, even if the Gu Family treats you coldly, once you reach First Grade, they will still help you obtain the necessary slots. Unlocking all five Divine Repositories will not be difficult.”

There were five Divine Repositories?

Chen Ming was stunned. That meant he would need to secure five slots?

But he wasn’t truly Gu Xianyu. He dared not return to the Gu Family. If the strong cultivators of the Divine Repository Realm saw through him, he would surely die.

…

The walls of Xiazhou City were tall and imposing. The city wall, ten zhang high, was built from massive square stones, still bearing the scars of past wars.

This was an ancient city steeped in history, a place that had always been of military importance.

Its style differed completely from Jiangzhou City’s, carrying a heavier sense of the past.

With the Six Doors Authority patrol envoy’s waist token, Chen Ming entered the city smoothly with Jiang Wushuang.

As he examined the passersby and buildings, Jiang Wushuang asked, “Brother Gu, do you have a place to stay in Xiazhou City?”

“No.”

“Why not stay at my residence for now?”

“So long as you don’t find it troublesome.”

Thus, Chen Ming followed Jiang Wushuang to his residence—or rather, a property the Jiang Family owned in Xiazhou City.

Aristocratic clans like the Jiang Family always maintained properties in Xiazhou City, providing a foothold whenever they needed to come here.

This was normal. The families in Jiangzhou did the same.

From the outside, Jiang Wushuang’s residence looked ordinary. But upon entering, one discovered it was actually a refined garden. Every plant and stone seemed carefully arranged, likely the work of a master.

From this residence alone, one could tell that Jiang Wushuang was a man of taste.

Chen Ming was arranged to stay in a guest room within a side courtyard. It was quiet and private, separated from the main courtyard.

He was satisfied with the environment. After bathing and changing into fresh clothes, he dismissed everyone. Then he took out the Visualization Diagram Xia Shaowen had given him and hung it on the wall.

Sitting down, he gazed at the painting.

Before long, he again felt as if the painting had come to life, trying to draw his spirit into it.

This time, he did not resist. Instead, he immersed his spirit within the painting, comprehending its unique intent.

Amidst distant mountains, he found himself alone, boating on a lake. Suddenly, heavy rain fell. Before his eyes was only a curtain of white rain. His heart involuntarily felt the solitude of “a lone boat, a raincoat-clad old man, fishing alone in the cold river snow.”

He did not know how much time passed before he felt himself transformed into a great bird, soaring alone through heaven and earth…

…

The artistic conception within the painting ebbed away like receding tides.

Chen Ming’s consciousness returned to reality. He let out a long breath and carefully put away the Visualization Diagram.

This time, the comprehension had taken several hours. Night had already fallen.

Excess was harmful. Comprehending a Visualization Diagram required caution. If one became too immersed, it could affect their mental state—or even their personality.

Chen Ming opened his panel.

【Level: 70】

【Current Points: 155896】

【Cultivation Methods: Iron Horse Stance (Fifth Layer Perfected), Five Elements True Art (Incomplete) (Seventh Layer 192134/10000000)】

【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 (Second Layer 5763/2000000)】

【Secret Arts: Disguise Technique (Mastery)】

He was pleasantly surprised. “The proficiency of Heaven and Earth’s Lone Swan actually increased by more than five thousand.”

This Visualization Diagram truly matched the intent of this sword art.

Five thousand a day meant one hundred fifty thousand a month. In just over a year, he could raise this sword art to the second layer.

It would save him a great deal of experience points.

Even the Five Elements True Art had seen noticeable improvement.

“Though Xia Shaowen isn’t much of a person, his gift was indeed generous.”

Chen Ming thought that Xia Shaowen likely felt guilty, so he gave these two items as compensation.

For the sake of this Visualization Diagram, he decided to let Xia Shaowen off.

Just then, he suddenly sensed something, got up, and opened the door. “Brother Jiang, is that you outside?”

Outside the courtyard, Jiang Wushuang stood holding an oil-paper umbrella. At some point, rain had begun falling.

He said, “Brother Gu cultivates so diligently. I feel ashamed in comparison.”

Chen Ming said, “Come inside and talk.”

Jiang Wushuang entered, closed the umbrella, and set it aside. In truth, with his strength, he wouldn’t have been wet even without it. But he still brought one.

After he sat down silently, Chen Ming asked, “You wouldn’t have come just to sit with me, would you?”

“Actually, I do have a request.”

“Speak freely. If it’s within my power, I’ll help.”

“Brother Gu, tomorrow when you go to the Six Doors Authority, could you not clarify that the engagement with Miss Xia is false?”

“??”

Chen Ming had never expected that the favor he was being asked for would turn out to be this.

Wasn’t Jiang Wushuang in love with Xia Mudan? Read full story at NoveIＦire.net

What did this mean?

Were they treating him as part of their PLAY?

This hobby was rather unusual.

He said, “This isn’t proper, is it?”

Jiang Wushuang stood up and gave a deep bow. “I ask Brother Gu to help me with this matter.”

Chen Ming supported him up and said gravely, “You must at least give me a reason.”

Biting his lip, Jiang Wushuang said, “If you go around saying this marriage is false, then Madam Xia will have an excuse to send her into the palace. By then, there will be no turning back.”

Hearing this, Chen Ming thought it made sense.

Xia Shaowen had only dared to pull such a stunt while his wife was in seclusion. Clearly, Madam Xia was usually a forceful woman. Once she emerged from seclusion and learned the marriage was fake, she might really send her daughter into the palace.

He sighed. “But in this way, it is far too unfair to you.”

Not only had the woman he loved married another man, now he was asking that man to maintain the pretense of being her husband.

This was too pitiful.

Jiang Wushuang remained silent.

Surely, his heart was being cut to pieces at this moment.

Chen Ming thought to himself, you clearly could have eloped with her.

But he did not say it aloud. He had already heard that the Jiang Family had been in decline for many years, and only recently produced a peerless genius.

Jiang Wushuang, like Gu Yuantao, bore the burden of revitalizing his family.

On one side was the woman he loved, on the other was his clan. For anyone, it would be a painful choice.

Now that Jiang Wushuang spoke so, it was clear he had already decided to put his family above all else.

Thus, Chen Ming said solemnly, “Brother Jiang, I admire your magnanimity and thank you for your trust. I, Gu Xianyu, swear before the heavens that I will never harbor any improper thoughts toward Xia Mudan. If I break this vow, may I die wretchedly and have my corpse turn to ashes.”

His voice was firm as he swore a heavy oath.

Jiang Wushuang stared blankly at him, his lips moving, but in the end, he said nothing.

……

The next morning, Chen Ming put on the official uniform of a Fifth Grade Patrol Envoy of the Six Doors Authority and went to report for duty.

Xiazhou City was divided in two by the Gan River—one side being the eastern city, the other the western city.

The Six Doors Authority headquarters was located at the very center of the eastern city.

After Chen Ming presented the seal that verified his identity, he was taken to meet a First Grade Inspector, who was also his direct superior.

The man was an elderly figure with graying hair, smiling as he said, “So, the Gu Family’s boy has finally arrived.”

Chen Ming bowed formally. “Subordinate Gu Xianyu greets Lord Hong.”

This man’s name was Hong Yuze. He was already very old and, according to rumors, disinclined to meddle in affairs. Among the three Inspectors of Xiazhou City, he had the lowest presence.

Since he had come to Xiazhou City to serve, Chen Ming had naturally investigated the important figures of the Six Doors Authority here.

And indeed, the number of experts in Xiazhou City’s Six Doors Authority far surpassed that of Jiangzhou City.

Hong Yuze looked at him with a troubled face. “Boy, your luck is really poor. Inspectors Liu and Zhou are both away. If you want to assume your post now, you can only be assigned under me. Otherwise, you could wait a few days until they return.”

Chen Ming replied, “Subordinate is willing to serve under Lord’s command.”

“Ha ha, you’re new here, so you may not know. This old man is already aged, my energy lacking, and I don’t care much for affairs. If you serve under me, you’ll have no chance to earn merit…”

“Subordinate is willing to follow Lord.”

Chen Ming restated his stance.

Hong Yuze gave him a few appraising looks, a smile appearing on his face. “Since that is the case, this old man will take you. In the future, when you handle matters under me, just remember one thing: don’t bother me unnecessarily. This old man likes peace and quiet.”

“Yes.”

Chen Ming understood: don’t stir up trouble, and if he did, this old man would not protect him.

In fact, this was exactly what he had heard about Hong Yuze’s way of doing things. Seeing him now, the rumors were not exaggerated. The man truly wanted nothing to do with anything.

Among the common folk, he was nicknamed the “Wooden Bodhisattva”—meaning that although high and exalted, no amount of worship would bring results.

Seeing Chen Ming so sensible, Hong Yuze nodded in satisfaction. He then summoned officials to ask what positions were currently vacant.

An official produced a prepared register, looked it over, and replied solemnly, “Reporting to Lord, the quota for patrol envoys is already full. The only vacancies are for tomb-guarding positions, clerical posts, and prison wardens…”

They were all clerical or logistical jobs.

In truth, this was the Six Doors Authority’s way of limiting aristocratic scions. While they didn’t forbid them from entering, they denied them opportunities to earn merit.

After all, in the Six Doors Authority, merit came from capturing criminals. Working in logistics or clerical tasks, how could one earn merit?

Even the Gu Family’s noble sons were no exception.

Hong Yuze said nothing, staring at the ground in a daze.

When Chen Ming heard the words “prison warden,” he immediately said, “Lord, I will take the position of prison warden.”

Hong Yuze blinked, yawning. “Fine. Someone, take him to complete the formalities.”

“Yes.”