On the road, Qiuxiang briefly recounted how they became maids to Chen Ming, and finally said, "The Young Master is kind-hearted. If it weren’t for his rescue, we would still be living worse than pigs and dogs in the farm now."

Huo Qianqian was shocked, unable to believe that there could be such vicious people in the world, who would break their maids’ legs and degrade them to female slaves just for failure to perform their duties adequately.

She once had a maid named Xiaohong, who died years ago at the hands of bandits sent by Sun Shicai. She mourned for a long time.

Even for pets, you develop feelings after a while, let alone people?

She grew up with Xiaohong, nominally master and servant, but in reality, as close as sisters. She truly couldn’t understand Qiuxiang’s former master.

However, in front of Qiuxiang, she couldn’t say much.

Huo Qianqian couldn’t help but wonder if her senior brother might offend Qiuxiang’s former master over this matter.

Finally, Xiaoshui Sect arrived.

As soon as Huo Qianqian entered, she saw several uncles full of momentum, along with a group of worried or schadenfreude fellow sisters.

Seeing this scene, she couldn’t help but feel alarmed.

Fortunately, Qiuxiang came over, politely saluted, first introduced herself, then explained the situation for her.

Upon hearing she was Chen Ming’s maid, the elders of Xiaoshui Sect softened their faces.

"Miss Huo stayed out all night to meet with my Young Master. The Young Master specifically sent a maid to explain. In a few days, the Young Master will come personally to apologize."

"Mr. Chen is too polite."

Uncle Ye’s expression slightly eased.

After Qiuxiang left, she did not punish Huo Qianqian in front of everyone, but called her into the room and sternly reprimanded her.

"I know you have a fellowship with Chen Ming, but now you are a disciple of Xiaoshui Sect, remember your identity. Do you know the grudge between Chen Ming and the Qin family? How dare you meet him!"

After speaking, she saw Huo Qianqian’s head down, her tone softened, "Yesterday was the anniversary of your parents’ death, why didn’t you tell Uncle? Is Uncle so unreasonable?"

Huo Qianqian could only grit her teeth and apologize, "I’m sorry."

"Okay, you are not allowed to leave the courtyard for the next month, reflect well."

"Yes."

Thus, the matter was gently brushed over.

Huo Qianqian’s parents added a "death anniversary."

She knew Qiuxiang was helping her; otherwise, what awaited her today would be a terrible storm, not just a month of confinement.

After some interaction, Huo Qianqian found Qiuxiang and Dongxiang, the two maids, not only pretty but smart and spirited, Not at all like maids.

What kind of person could nurture maids so outstanding?

...

"What? Dong Kun is dead?"

In a luxurious yard of the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion, Qin Changyuan heard the news while practicing swordsmanship, his expression changed, and the sword light in his hand flickered, indicating his mood’s violent fluctuation.

He asked sternly, "Could that lad have a Second Grade protector by his side?"

Dong Kun, nicknamed Three Saints Rod. In his early years, he was a bounty swordsman, a true hardened veteran of the martial world. His strength among Third Grade martial artists was not weak.

If confronted with a Third Grade, even if he couldn’t win, he could escape.

Only a Second Grade could prevent his escape, resulting in his immediate death.

Second Grade!

Qin Changyuan’s face became exceedingly gloomy. Having a Second Grade personally protect him indicated the extraordinary power behind Chen Ming.

Even he did not enjoy such treatment.

"It’s not a Second Grade."

The one reporting was the coachman, looking grave as he said, "All the signs have been examined; the one who acted was at most a Third Grade. Dong Kun was ultimately stabbed from behind by someone, and the perpetrator’s cultivation wasn’t at Third Grade."

Qin Changyuan looked at him in astonishment, "You mean..."

The coachman said, "It’s inferred that Dong Kun and the Third Grade ended up hurting each other, and Dong Kun was sneak-attacked and killed, mostly by Chen Ming."

"Fool!"

Qin Changyuan cursed angrily, yet his expression relaxed.

It’s good it’s not a Second Grade.

He guessed someone might be behind Chen Ming. This time he sent Dong Kun as a test. The test worked.

He sneered, "Since the Third Grade around him is injured, find someone to kill him quickly."

"Yes."

In Jiangzhou City, there are quite a few martial artists above Third Grade. There’s always someone seeking something.

To him, offering the position of a Fifth Grade Captain to get a Third Grade to risk their life was simply cost-effective.

...

In the small courtyard behind Evergreen Hall, in the room, Chen Ming sat by the bed, one hand tightly pressed on Su Zhining’s back, the other reading a book.

Su Zhining lay on the bed, seemingly asleep, breathing lightly, with a pale complexion, like a fragile porcelain that could shatter at any moment.

Chen Ming frequently turned to check her breathing before continuing to read the book.

He always recalled last night’s scene, where Su Zhining, despite severe injuries, disregarded her safety to rescue him.

He wanted to ask her why she was so foolish?

Was it simply because her master told her to protect him?

He couldn’t guess the answer, nor dared to ask. He could only relieve his chaotic mood by picking up the medical book.

Knock knock.

Outside, Dongxiang knocked on the door.

He put down the book and said, "Come in."

Dongxiang came in with a plate, "Young Master, this is Mountain Ginseng sent from Elder Sun from the Evergreen Hall next door, saying it’s been brewed into a soup for the lady."

"Bring it here."

Chen Ming took the bowl of ginseng soup.

Dongxiang asked again, "Do you need clean clothes for her to change into?"

"No need. You go out first; I’ll call if I need anything."

"Yes." Dongxiang left, closing the door behind.

Chen Ming woke Su Zhining and fed her sip by sip.

Su Zhining did not refuse and drank the soup, only then saying, "It’s been ten hours, you’re almost at your limit. Stop wasting your True Qi."

"Don’t underestimate me."

Chen Ming gently wiped her mouth, saying, "You know nothing about my strength, sleep."

Su Zhining looked deeply at him and closed her eyes again.

...

In a flash, another day passed.

Su Zhining woke up for the third time, seeing daylight outside, internally astonished, "Thirty-six hours."

He had just broken through to Fourth Grade, yet his True Qi was so abundant.

Usual Fourth Grade martial artists would exhaust their True Qi after a few hours of such consumption.

His True Qi must be at least ten times that of other Fourth Grades.

Even the senior brother renowned in the alliance for vigorous True Qi was just comparable.

What cultivation technique is he practicing?

These thoughts flashed through Su Zhining’s mind as she looked up and saw Chen Ming’s tired face, knowing he was nearing his limit, struggling to endure.

She softly said, "Enough. You’ve done your best."

Chen Ming’s forehead throbbed, still light-hearted, saying, "I don’t like hearing that. As a true man, I never say it’s not possible. You will never know how enduring I am."

With that, he silently added points, 240,000 in the cultivation technique.

[Level: 61]

[Current Points: 1,480,000]

[Cultivation Technique: Iron Horse Stance (Fifth Level Perfection), Five Elements True Skill (Missing) (Level Six 243,000/2,400,000)]

[Martial Skill: Three Talents Fist (Great Achievement), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Great Achievement), Zhuang’s Flying Knife (Great Achievement), Swallow Returning Sword Technique (Great Achievement), Vermilion Bird Swordsmanship (Great Achievement), Phoenix Dance of Nine Heavens (Third Level 1,322/300,000)]

[Secret Technique: Disguise Technique (Great Achievement)]

He leveled up, and instantly, infinite True Qi surged into the previously drying Sea of Qi, filling his body and returning to peak condition.

This is a hidden system mechanism, allowing full recovery upon leveling up.

This was his confidence in persistency.

Su Zhining saw Chen Ming’s face visibly restore its color, and the surging True Qi seemed about to overflow from him. She was amazed. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Ps: Seeking monthly votes.