I Only Know How to Bully Noobs

Chapter 69: The Shelter

Chen Ming tore open the letter in front of the two boys, his face somber as he read it through.

Old Liu had written that he had something he absolutely had to do and was entrusting his two disciples to Brother Chen.

If he did not return within two months, then Chen should erect a cenotaph beside his master’s grave.

At that time, Wu’s Martial School would be given to Brother Chen.

“So he really went.”

Chen Ming sighed inwardly, unable to describe how he felt.

In fact, after that young nobleman came to Wu’s Martial School to provoke them, Chen had already sensed something based on Old Liu’s reaction afterward.

At today’s Martial Gathering, he had seen that nobleman again.

The man claimed to be from Gu Prefecture and bore the surname He.

He also came from an aristocratic family with a third-grade expert guarding it.

Old Liu going to the He family to take revenge on the man who had stolen his fiancée years ago was no different from suicide.

He clearly understood this himself, which was why he entrusted his two disciples to Chen Ming, even leaving a final letter and making arrangements for his own aftermath.

Chen Ming held the “final letter” in his hand and asked the two teenagers in coarse linen clothes standing before him, “Do you know what Old Liu went to do?”

“No.”

Both of them shook their heads blankly, knowing nothing about it.

In their memory, their master was incredibly lazy.

Ever since they had joined the martial school, they had never seen him leave it even once.

A few days ago, when he suddenly said he was going out to handle something, they were very surprised but didn’t dare ask.

That was just how their master-disciple relationship worked.

Chen Ming said, “He entrusted you two to me. From today on, you’ll be staying here with me.”

He felt like his place was turning into a shelter—everyone kept leaving people in his care.

Hong Mingquan had done it.

So had Uncle Rui from Li Jinchuan’s side.

And now Old Liu had left his disciples with him too.

The two boys looked troubled. “But… this place is too far from the restaurant. The trip takes too long.”

Chen Ming was puzzled. “Restaurant? What are you doing there?”

“We’re working as helpers. When Master left, he took all the money we’d saved over the past two years.”

“……”

Chen Ming finally understood why Old Liu had left his disciples with him.

It must’ve been a final pang of conscience, realizing how much he had wronged them over the years.

“From now on, you don’t need to work at that restaurant anymore. I’ll provide your meals here.”

The two teenagers looked at each other, feeling lost and unsure of how to respond.

Seeing their confusion, Chen Ming added, “Your master said you’re to help me out here. Food and lodging are covered, plus five taels of silver per month.”

Their eyes lit up instantly. “Really?”

“Of course.”

Chen Ming thought to himself, now Li Jinchuan and Hong Zilin finally had some company.

…

“This is Wu A-da, and this is Liu A-er. From now on, they’ll be living with us.”

At the dinner table, Chen Ming introduced the new members of the household.

Both were orphans taken in by Old Liu—one took his father-in-law’s surname, and the other took his own. In a way, they carried on the incense offerings of two families.

“In that case, let me give you proper names.”

Chen Ming said to the two of them, “You’ll be called Wu Bofu. And you, Liu Zhongda.”

He couldn’t be bothered to come up with original names, so he just borrowed names from Earth. Since the surnames were different, it wasn’t too offensive.

Now, the household included himself, his eldest brother’s family of four, and Li Jinchuan who lived with them.

Plus Hong Zilin, who came every day to mooch food and only returned home at night.

They could just fill one table.

Sister-in-law Madam Wei already knew about their background and sympathized with them.

Seeing how they ate with their heads down, only picking from the single dish in front of them, she added several large pieces of beef to their bowls and said kindly, “No need to be so reserved. Treat this place as your own home, alright?”

The two adolescent boys had never received such warmth.

Seeing the beautiful and dignified hostess looking at them with motherly affection, their eyes instantly reddened and their throats tightened with emotion.

Madam Wei said to Chen Ming, “I heard Ah Ming was quite impressive at the Governor’s Office today, winning three matches in a row. Now, everyone’s saying you’re the top saber wielder among the younger generation in Qingfeng City. Even the Governor himself praised you.”

News certainly traveled fast—even his sister-in-law, a woman who lived deep in the inner chambers, had already heard.

It seemed she had climbed up the social ladder of the ladies’ circle as well.

The first-hand information from the Governor’s Office must have come from those noble ladies present at the event.

Chen Ming shook his head. “It’s all been exaggerated. I’ve only just broken through to the Seventh Grade. In terms of cultivation, I’m still not as good as others.”

Having spent so much time with him, Madam Wei understood his personality well. She knew he was being modest. She continued, “I heard there were three noble young men from Jiangzhou. Not only are they handsome and elegant, but their swordsmanship is also excellent. Some gossipers even dubbed them the ‘Three White-Clad Swords.’”

“……”

Well, these guys really knew how to market themselves—coming up with a flashy nickname to tie themselves together and boost their fame.

At least in Qingfeng City, the three of them had become famous.

Now that he thought about it, all three were indeed dressed in white. Who knew if it had been coordinated beforehand?

Chen Ming wasn’t sure what to make of it.

Madam Wei, on the other hand, seemed to think it unfair. “In terms of strength, Ah Ming, you’re definitely not inferior to those three. You even won three rounds. Why weren’t you included?”

Chen Ming laughed. “I’m just a saber user—how could I be lumped in with them? Besides, they’re noble young masters. I wouldn’t dare to climb that high.”

He had no desire to be associated with those three. If people actually gave them some nickname like the Four Talents or something, it might become a stain on his reputation a few years down the line, something for his opponents to mock.

…

Early the next morning, Chen Ming was fully prepared, having adjusted his state of mind, waiting for Gu Yuantao to arrive.

“The carriage has arrived!”

When Chunxiang came to report, he went to the entrance himself. To his surprise, the carriage in front looked very familiar—it seemed to be Zhang Mingyu’s.

“What are they doing here together?”

Just as he was thinking this, he saw Zhang Mingyu stepping down from the first carriage. What caught him off guard was the occupants of the second carriage.

Two women he recognized.

Xiao Zhuyun and Huo Qianqian.

“What are they doing here?”

Chen Ming was momentarily stunned.

Zhang Mingyu looked puzzled and asked, “Junior Brother, did you already know we were coming?”

I really didn’t.

Chen Ming remained composed and said, “Your visit brings great honor to my humble abode. Please, come in.”

Xiao Zhuyun wore a light green long dress that highlighted her delicate beauty and grace. She gave a gentle curtsey and said, “Forgive us for intruding so suddenly, Young Master.”

Chen Ming smiled. “It’s an honor to have you here, Miss. I could never be offended. Please, come in.”

He led the three of them inside.

Once they were seated, he got straight to the point. “May I ask what brings Miss Xiao to visit me today?”

As the saying goes, no one visits the temple without a reason.

There was no way this woman came without a motive.

From what he had observed yesterday, this woman—by far the most beautiful he had seen in this world—was anything but simple.

At the Martial Gathering, she seemed to know almost everyone. Not only did Qin Jinlin show interest in her, but one of the “Three Young Masters” was also hanging around her.

Besides those two, several others seemed to be quite enamored with her as well.

Back then, he had already labeled her in his mind: social butterfly!

What business could a woman like that possibly have with him?