Chapter 136: Saving Someone

Chen Ming leapt up. While mid-air, he reached into his robe, and with both hands repeatedly flinging out, he unleashed the “Rain of Flying Daggers” technique. Countless flashes of cold light shot toward the Six Doors Authority officers.

First wave—five men fell.

【You have defeated an LV43 enemy, gained 1000 experience points】

【You have defeated an LV42 enemy, gained 1000 experience points】

【You have defeated an LV41 enemy, gained 1000 experience points】

……

It was clear at a glance—all those who couldn’t even dodge a single strike were newly advanced Sixth Grade Martial Artists.

The second wave of hidden weapons followed almost immediately. Only the sound of muffled grunts could be heard, and two more fell.

【You have defeated an LV47 enemy, gained 1000 experience points】

【You have defeated an LV49 enemy, gained 1000 experience points】

They were felled by the Sub-Mother Linked Rings technique.

Third wave. Fourth wave.

Two more collapsed.

【You have defeated an LV53 enemy, gained 8000 experience points】

【You have defeated an LV54 enemy, gained 9000 experience points】

In the end, only two Fifth Grade Martial Artists remained standing, and even they were far from unscathed.

If there had been another wave, they surely would not have been able to endure it.

Unfortunately, Chen Ming had run out of flying knives. This time, he had brought fifty knives in total, thinking it would be more than enough. He hadn’t expected to encounter so many enemies.

With this sudden turn of events, everyone was dumbfounded.

Some quick-reacting pirates took off running—not toward the shore, but straight into the sea, diving headfirst.

The two remaining Six Doors Authority officers didn’t even spare a glance at the fleeing pirates. They stared at this sudden master with grave expressions.

On the other side, Li Guangjie and the Sand Sea General were still locked in a fierce battle, entirely unaware of what was happening here.

Chen Ming ignored the two Fifth Grade officers, landed beside Zhong Shuyu, grabbed her arm, and leapt away. After a few quick bounds, he vanished into the distance.

The two officers both let out a sigh of relief, realizing that this unknown expert had only come to save someone.

They didn’t pursue the pirates who jumped into the sea. Instead, they immediately checked on their fallen comrades. To their surprise, though injured and incapacitated, none had life-threatening wounds.

There was no poison on the hidden weapons either.

The two strongest among them exchanged glances, both understanding clearly that this person had shown mercy. Each dagger had deliberately avoided vital points.

If that man had truly intended to kill, their comrades would not have survived.

“Who is this man? In Qingfeng City, there doesn’t seem to be anyone known for mastering hidden weapons.”

An older man held a flying knife in hand, examining it. The blade was shorter than a finger, and extremely thin. It was made of common refined steel.

Such knives—any blacksmith could make them.

The other man wore a heavy expression. “There is one person, but he doesn’t possess this level of cultivation.”

Although they hadn’t exchanged blows, they could tell that the opponent was at least a Fifth Grade Martial Artist.

In Qingfeng City, there weren’t many openly known Fifth Grade experts. But if one counted those secretly nurtured by the Seven Great Maritime Traders, the true number was unknown.

The Seven Great Maritime Traders kept a low profile. Only they knew how many experts their fleets harbored.

“Who was that woman just now? It seemed he came specifically to rescue her.”

“Not sure. But judging by her bound hands, she was probably captured by the pirates.”

The two officers stood guard beside a group of incapacitated comrades, speculating about the man’s identity while keeping an eye on the nearby fight.

A whole incense stick’s time passed before the duel between the two Fourth Grade experts came to a conclusion.

Li Guangjie stepped across the water carrying the unconscious Sand Sea General. There was a bloody hole in his shoulder—clearly, it had not been an easy victory.

“What happened here?”

He looked at the bodies sprawled across the ground, his face darkening considerably.

Just moments ago, he had noticed the disturbance, but he had trusted in his subordinates’ strength and hadn’t paid it much attention.

 Who would have thought that by the time he dealt with the Sand Sea General and came over, his subordinates were nearly wiped out, and those pirates had also been rescued.

How could he not be enraged?

The two men immediately knelt to plead guilty, “Subordinates failed in their duties. We await Your Excellency’s punishment.”

Li Guangjie quickly calmed down and said coldly, “Investigate for me. I want to see who dares to go against our Six Doors Authority!”

“Reporting to Your Excellency, that man came specifically to rescue a woman. We can begin investigating from her identity.”

“Very well.”

Not long after, they withdrew.

Leaving behind a scene of utter chaos.

……

Inside Qingfeng City, in a tranquil little courtyard.

In the loft, a woman dressed in red sat before the window sill, gently stroking a stringless zither. The moonlight cast a clear glow upon her, adding an air of mystery.

Suddenly, her hand paused as she softly said, “Honored guest at my door, why not come in for a cup of tea?”

Soon after, a calm male voice replied from outside, “Coming at such a late hour is presumptuous. I ask for the lady’s forgiveness. I shall decline the tea—an unmarried man and woman alone would be improper.”

The woman in red sighed and said, “So it is an unwelcome guest. You’re blocking my doorway—what is your intention?”

“I was entrusted with a task. As long as the lady doesn’t step beyond this door, all is well.”

She chuckled, “Zhao Shouchang is truly narrow-minded. Still holding a grudge over how I tricked him? He’s scheming this elaborately to deal with me?”

The man outside said nothing more.

The woman in red continued, “What if I insist on leaving?”

“Then I will have no choice but to stop you.”

“Aren’t you afraid that if we come to blows, we’ll wreck Qingfeng City in the process?”

“If you’re not afraid of drawing out the Heaven's Path Alliance's Grandmasters, then by all means, try it.”

Her gaze turned cold, and she said lightly, “Now I’m all the more curious about your identity. Did Zhao Shouchang once save your life? Are you using this to threaten me?”

Within Great Jin’s borders, if a Third Grade or higher expert makes a move in a city causing serious casualties, those old undying ones from the Heaven's Path Alliance would step in to uphold justice.

She wasn’t exactly afraid. As long as she hid in the ocean, even experts of the Divine Repository Realm could do nothing to her. But if she did that, she could never openly return to the inland again.

The man outside sighed, “Living in the martial world, one’s actions are not their own.”

After that, there was no further sound.

The woman in red also stopped speaking and simply sat by the window, wiping the zither in her arms.

Time passed, bit by bit.

Finally, dawn arrived.

As the first streak of pale white light appeared on the horizon, the woman in red finally said, “Attend me.”

Soon, two maids arrived. “Miss.”

“Send someone to check the rendezvous point where our household was supposed to meet us last night.”

“Yes.”

……

By the time Chen Ming brought Zhong Shuyu home, it was already around five in the morning.

After entering the courtyard, he released Zhong Shuyu.

She lowered her head, quietly stepped back two paces, and softly said, “Thank you… for saving me again.”

Chen Ming gently said, “You’ve suffered. If not for me, you wouldn’t have endured such hardship. I should be the one thanking you.”

Zhong Shuyu looked down at her dirty, worn shoes. Instinctively, she took two more steps back, tugging hard at her skirt, not wanting him to see her feet.

Seeing her fall silent, Chen Ming asked, “What are your plans next?”

Zhong Shuyu felt a bit lost inside.

Since childhood, she had always followed her Miss. Whatever her Miss told her to do, she did.

Told to seek a master, she sought one. Told to stay hidden in Qingfeng City, she stayed. Told to return to Bliss Island, she returned…

Now that her Miss no longer wanted her to follow, she suddenly felt the vast world had no place for her.

Seeing her like this, Chen Ming said, “If you have nowhere to go, then stay with me for the time being. But… you’ll have to change your name.”

Zhong Shuyu lowered her head even more, “I’ll follow… follow Senior Brother’s instructions.”

“Tomorrow, I’ll arrange a new identity for you. That way, it’ll be easier if you wish to see your Miss again.”

She suddenly looked up, eyes shining with a glimmer of hope. “Really?”

“Of course. The one who betrayed Bliss Island is Zhong Shuyu. Once you change your identity, your past will no longer be tied to you.”

Chen Ming thought to himself that his home really had become a refuge, yet another person joined the household.

Just for the fact that she had risked her life to warn him, he was more than willing to shelter her. It’s not like he couldn’t afford it.

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