At dawn, the people from Six Gates came to collect the corpse.

After Chen Ming committed murder, he called Gu Junrong over to report to Six Gates.

The people from Six Gates arrived swiftly, without any delay. Leading the team was a Seventh-Grade Patrol Envoy, who was very friendly and polite. After finishing the job, they departed without causing any trouble, and even refused the offerings from the steward.

This surprised the servants of the Chen Mansion. When did the people from Six Gates become so accommodating?

They recalled that a few months ago, it was also a Seventh-Grade Patrol Envoy who led a group of constables, and they were utterly fierce.

"Surely it’s because they knew about the second master’s power last time, and dared not act recklessly again." Someone understandably said.

Others agreed deeply and felt proud of it.

The second master is truly formidable, even capable of intimidating Six Gates’ thugs.

In reality, it was because the relationship between Chen Ming and Du Caiyue had spread within Six Gates, and coincidentally, the Seventh-Grade Patrol Envoy who came today was an underling of Du Caiyue. Naturally, his attitude was exceedingly good.

Soon, Six Gates verified the identity of the deceased, all wanted pirates from the list. Consequently, they sent people to drum along the street, proclaiming that the second son of the Chen Family killed a group of pirates and personally delivered the bounty to the door.

This has always been an old tradition of Six Gates, as long as someone catches or kills a wanted criminal, they receive such treatment. While proclaiming in the streets, they can also obtain high rewards.

It brings fame and profit, greatly encouraging martial artists to hunt wanted criminals. It also gave birth to a profession, Bounty Swordman.

...

The Qi Family study was silent as death.

The Qi Family core members were all present, no one uttered a word, the atmosphere exceedingly solemn.

In the center, Qi Yanxiong sat expressionlessly on the Grand Master chair; only his closest aides could discern his furious mood from his bulging veins on the back of his hands.

"What a Chen Family’s Second Gentleman!"

He finally spoke, his tone chilling, his gaze fixed on his incompetent son.

Qi Laosan’s death genuinely pained him profoundly.

He poured countless efforts into Qi Laosan, seeing him secure a foothold at the Red Sea Monarch, becoming one of the thirty-six generals.

With Qi Laosan at sea, the Qi Family could advance and retreat, standing invincible.

This was the Qi Family’s last escape route.

Now, with this route cut off, how could he not grieve?

Qi Yanxiong even felt some regret, pondering why he hadn’t killed this unfilial son earlier, leading to today’s catastrophe for the Qi Family.

"Brother, I fear there’s an expert guarding Chen Ming. What do we do next, you must make a decision."

"I heard that Chen Ming is close with the Six Gates’ Captain Du. Perhaps she took action last night..."

"If Captain Du supports him, we can’t afford to provoke..."

"..."

The attendees began discussing, speaking one after another.

Their words implied retreat was in mind. This calamity was Qi Xingdong’s doing; they just wanted to watch from the sidelines.

To antagonize Six Gates’ Du Caiyue for one Qi Xingdong, unwise indeed.

This revealed that Qi Xingdong wasn’t favored within the family; the core figures held him in low regard.

At present, Qi Xingdong stood aside, listening to his elders, his countenance grew darker, eventually fading to the hue of liver.

From their talks, it seemed to sacrifice him to quell Chen Ming’s fury.

At this moment, Qi Yanxiong spoke, "That Chen Family’s Second Gentleman is narrow-minded, always avenging any grievance. Sending people to kill him last night doomed a peaceful resolution. Between us and the Chen Family, it’s now a fight to the death."

His words brought silence to the study once again.

After a pause, he resolutely stated, "We have no retreat now, either he dies or I perish."

The others exchanged glances quickly, finally, the eldest opened his mouth, "Elder Brother, what are you planning?"

Qi Yanxiong’s face showed a murderous aura, "Summon the two offerings to strike. With thunderous means, eliminate him."

The two offerings of Jin Yuansheng possessed Fourth-Grade Cultivation, their strongest force available.

The elder still harbored some doubts, "And Captain Du..."

Qi Yanxiong decisively stated, "Zhao Shouchang took his daughter away, representing his stance, neutral. This is the Qi Family’s survival moment; we hope everyone unites."

With that, no further opposition arose.

Qi Family’s current prosperity owes much to Qi Yanxiong. Years of accumulated enormous prestige made him highly trusted.

Once united in thought, Qi Yanxiong immediately ordered, "Dong’er, take my seal, personally invite the two offerings."

"Yes!"

Qi Xingdong answered, took the seal, and went to the offerings.

...

Chen Mansion.

Upon receiving the six thousand taels of bounty delivered by Six Gates, Chen Ming thought, whoever established this rule truly had malicious intentions.

To proclaim so flamboyantly, as if fearing others wouldn’t know who killed those criminals. No matter how wicked, they have relatives and fellow apprentices.

Later, those seeking revenge would naturally know where to find their target.

Six thousand taels seem substantial, an amount a regular family might never earn in a lifetime.

Yet, a Fifth-Grade pirate only produced a three thousand tael bounty. The other three Sixth-Grades, each garnering one thousand taels, seemed considerably stingy.

Compared with other wanted criminals, it was pitifully little.

The reason was clear; if someone met misfortune at sea, even if pirates robbed and killed, finding which pirate group on land was incredibly difficult.

So, many pirates aren’t listed on the wanted list.

"Old Man Wan" is on the wanted list due to his strong abilities, significant reputation, and because he was appointed as one of the thirty-six generals by the Red Sea Monarch. As a token gesture, a bounty of three thousand taels was set on him.

After Chen Ming sent the Six Gates people away, he met his elder brother’s worried yet slightly expectant gaze and said, "I have caused Brother to worry, I will resolve this matter as soon as possible."

Chen Rui’s lips moved, but ultimately he didn’t ask anything, just reminded, "Be very careful."

"I will."

Chen Ming nodded, turned around, and left.

It’s time to settle things with the Qi Family.

...

Jin Yuansheng was located in the city center, on the bustling Vermilion Bird Street.

Behind the trading house, there was a quiet courtyard where one of the old devotees resided.

Qi Xingdong rushed there as fast as he could, carrying his father’s seal, requesting to see one of the two most powerful devotees of the trading house.

Since taking charge of Jin Yuansheng, his father had always been cautious, rarely offending others. These two devotees hadn’t made a move for many years.

Perhaps many had already forgotten the prestige of these two devotees.

Even when pirates rampaged in the city two years ago, his father did not let the two devotees make a move.

"This time, I will make sure you die without a place to be buried."

Qi Xingdong, waiting outside the door, had eyes flickering with a hateful light.

The attitudes of those elders earlier, along with his father’s disappointed gaze, made him realize he no longer had any chance to inherit his father’s position.

"It’s all that little bastard’s fault."

Qi Xingdong was furious, at this moment he only wanted to tear Chen Ming—the one who caused him to lose everything—into pieces.

As long as the two devotees made a move, even if Du Caiyue protected him, he would certainly die.

With a creak, the door opened, and a young boy said, "Third Young Master, please come in."

Qi Xingdong quickly met the old devotee, greeting respectfully and said, "Elder Pang, my father has a matter and wishes to invite you over."

Elder Pang squinted slightly and asked calmly, "What matter?"

"My father wants you to kill someone."

Qi Xingdong spoke while taking out the seal his father gave him.

Elder Pang glanced at it and said, "I understand."

"Then I shall take my leave."

Qi Xingdong did not tell him who was to be killed, such matters were for Elder Pang to directly meet his father and receive orders from him.

...

Next, Qi Xingdong went to meet the other high devotee and conveyed the message. Returning home, he reported back to his father.

Not long after, the two devotees arrived together.

Qi Xingdong stood aside, clenched his fists, already thinking of how to take care of the little bastard’s family after his death, to vent his anger.

His father said, "Today I invited you two gentlemen here to ask you to take action to kill someone. He is called Chen Ming, young in age but with a remarkably high aptitude. This child has a grudge with Jin Yuansheng; if not removed, he will surely become a serious problem in the future."

Then he heard Elder Pang say, "Regarding this matter, forgive me for being unable to comply!"

Huh?

Qi Xingdong was stunned for a moment before realizing what had just been said, shocked.

Unable to comply?

They actually refused?

What was going on?

Not only him, but several others present were equally astonished.

Qi Yanxiong’s gaze instantly turned solemn, yet he remained composed, "Elder Pang, what is the meaning of this?"

Before Elder Pang could speak, a voice suddenly came from outside the door, "Some people, having been housekeepers for others for too long, develop a certain illusion, truly thinking they have become the masters."

Everyone present couldn’t help but have a change of expression.

These words revealed a truth they wished to deny.

One of them with a hot temper slapped the table on the spot, "Such audacity, daring to speak so recklessly here, come out."

Then a tall and graceful young man walked in, accompanied by two imposing middle-aged men protecting him on either side.

Elder Pang and High Devotee stepped aside and bowed respectfully to the young man.

This scene made Qi Yanxiong’s heart sink.

"It’s you—"

At this moment, Qi Xingdong suddenly screamed in a sharp voice, full of venom, as if wishing to rush up and tear the young man into pieces.

He had recognized the person.

This person was Chen Ming. They had met a few times before, but Chen Ming had changed so much over the years that he didn’t recognize him at first.

Chen Ming slightly smiled and said, "Third Young Master Qi, it’s been years since we last met, how have you been?"

Qi Xingdong’s body trembled uncontrollably, not only because of resentment but also fear. He had just seen the two devotees bowing to Chen Ming.

These two devotees were originally their last resort, but now, they stood on the enemy’s side, how could he not be afraid?

PS: It takes me more than two hours to write a Chapter, after completing three updates, my head feels empty, and I don’t want to do anything. These two days, I want to recharge a bit, I watched Old Wang’s ’Restart Life,’ and then my head started to hurt in the afternoon, really can’t keep writing, so I’ll just do two updates these days to take a break.