This martial saint is too cautious.

Lin Yan had expected that defeating Cheng Zonghan would bring him some trouble.

For example, Cheng Zonghan's senior brothers, and the revenge of the Zhou family martial arts school.

But a message that came three days later told Lin Yan that he could rest assured.

A deputy director of the inspection department was murdered in the middle of the night!

This news shocked the entire martial arts community in Guangping County.

A powerful figure who has undergone three skin-sharpening techniques is already considered a big shot in Guangping County. Moreover, he also holds the position of deputy director of the Patrol and Inspection Bureau. The murder of such a person caused a sensation throughout the martial arts world, and the entire Patrol and Inspection Bureau was mobilized.

In this situation, the usually common martial arts battles miraculously disappeared.

The martial artists in Guangping County weren't stupid. If they were to cause trouble at this time, they would be inviting trouble from the patrol and inspection department and making a mess of things for themselves. Meanwhile, the attention given to Lin Yan's defeat of Cheng Zonghan plummeted.

Sure enough, the best way to divert attention is to drop another, even more explosive piece of news.

On this day, Lin Yan, Zhang Wei, and Monkey drank tea and listened to opera.

Neither Zhang Wei nor Monkey were martial artists, and the gap in status between them and Lin Yan continued to widen. However, in Lin Yan's heart, these two were his childhood playmates who had also provided him with assistance during his early martial arts training. Lin Yan always remembered this brotherhood.

The higher a person climbs, the fewer friends they will have.

Only in youth can one have a few true friends.

Looking at Zhang Wei and the monkey, Lin Yan didn't want to see the scene many years later, when he became Xun Ge'er and Runtu, and the two respectfully addressed him as "Master Lin" or "Lord Lin".

After a moment of reflection, Lin Yan asked, "Wei Zi, Monkey, what are your plans for the future?"

"Intend?"

Zhang Wei was taken aback, then asked, "Shi Tou, did you hear about our escort agency?"

What happened to Weiyuan Escort Agency?

"You don't know about Stone?" Zhang Wei looked around and lowered his voice: "In recent months, our escort agency has had its shipments robbed many times. The chief escort paid a lot of money to prevent the cargo owner from leaking the news, and we also lost a lot of escorts. The escort chief Chen you met last year is still recovering from his injuries."

"Is Chief Escort Chen injured?"

Lin Yan glared at Zhang Wei: "Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?"

I chose to join the Yang Family Martial Arts School because of the guidance I received from Chief Escort Chen. And as it turns out, the Yang Family Martial Arts School is indeed the most suitable for me. I am deeply grateful for that guidance.

"This... wasn't it because the head镖师 (chief镖师) gave an order not to reveal the situation of the镖局 (镖局, a type of security escort agency)? Plus, you were in Qingtian Town, so I didn't find the time to tell you."

"Take me to Chief Chen's house."

Lin Yan had originally thought about finding some money-making opportunities for Zhang Wei and Monkey, but after learning about the current situation of Weiyuan Escort Agency, he changed his mind.

The county town was not as peaceful as he had imagined.

First, the Four Seas Gang unified the entire west of the city and began eyeing the north. Then, the deputy director of the patrol bureau was killed, and now even the Weiyuan Escort Agency has run into trouble.

After practicing martial arts, Lin Yan gained some understanding of the martial arts circles in the county. The current chief镖头 (chief镖头, a type of镖师, is a level 3 磨皮 (skin polishing) expert, while his father is a level 4 磨皮 expert. Although he is old and frail now, his connections still have considerable influence. Ordinary forces would not dare to rob the镖车 (镖车, a type of镖师 ...

All the information told Lin Yan indicated that undercurrents were brewing in Guangping County.

In the past, it might have been easy to make a living through business with one's own abilities, but under these special circumstances, it's better to stay put than to take action.

……

In a secluded spot in the south of the city, Lin Yan and Zhang Wei arrived at the Chen family's residence.

Although Chen Lang was the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) of Weiyuan镖局 (escort agency), he was only a skin-grinding martial artist, and he also had a son and daughter-in-law to support, so his family expenses were high and he couldn't afford to buy a good location.

"Who are you?"

Shortly after Zhang Wei knocked on the door, a young man opened it, cautiously watching Lin Yan and Zhang Wei. Only when he saw the gift box in Lin Yan's hand did a smile appear on his face.

"My name is Lin Yan, and I have come to pay my respects to Chief Escort Chen."

"Come in, my father is recuperating inside. He'll sit in the yard for a while."

The young man led Lin Yan and the other man into the courtyard and to a stone table where they sat down. Lin Yan glanced at the clothesline on one side of the courtyard, which was covered with clothes. Clearly, the Chen family of four was crammed into the courtyard.

Living in the southern part of the city is not easy.

Lin Yan and Zhang Wei had barely sat down when Chen Lang's voice came from inside the room: "Which friend has come to visit?"

The voice was loud, but Lin Yan could hear the weakness in the breath.

When Chen Lang came out of the house and saw Lin Yan standing up from the stone bench, he was taken aback for a moment, then immediately scolded his son with displeasure: "We have distinguished guests, why don't you serve tea?"

"Chief Escort Chen, there's no need for such trouble. I learned of your injury from Wei Zi today, so I came to visit you specifically," Lin Yan said with a smile, trying to defuse the situation.

Chen Lang's son felt a little wronged. He had only thought of Lin Yan and Zhang Wei as martial artists because they were young, and assumed that they must be asking his father for a favor since they had brought gifts to his door.

"Still not convinced? Young Master Lin is a second-stage skin-smoothing martial artist. The fact that he can come to our house is an honor for me. Now go and make some tea."

When Chen Lang's son heard "secondary skin smoothing," his eyes widened as he looked at Lin Yan, his throat bobbing several times. "So young and already has secondary skin smoothing?"

Seeing his son's expression, Chen Lang glared at him again. Only after his son hurriedly ran into the house did he turn his gaze to Lin Yan, his eyes filled with admiration and disbelief.

Some time ago, he asked Zhang Wei out of curiosity. When he learned from Zhang Wei that Lin Yan had undergone a second round of skin smoothing, he was shocked for most of the day. Although he knew that Zhang Wei would not dare to lie to him, he still couldn't believe it. It wasn't until he later received confirmation from a head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) who came out of the Yang Family Martial Arts School in the镖局 (bodyguard/escort agency) that he finally believed the fact.

Who would have thought that the boy who knew nothing about the martial arts school back then is now a second-stage skin-smoothing martial artist, worthy of being called "Master"?

A true example of a poor family achieving success against all odds!

"Is Chief Escort Chen alright?"

Seeing Chen Lang approaching, Lin Yan stepped forward to help him, but Chen Lang waved his hand, saying, "He'll be almost fully recovered in another half month... This is too much of a waste for you."

On the table was a gift box brought by Lin Yan. Chen Lang only needed to glance at the Tang family mark on the gift box to know that it must contain nourishing medicinal herbs.

"Compared to the guidance you gave me back then, these things are nothing."

Lin Yan spoke earnestly, and Chen Lang remained silent for a long while before sighing: "The reason I gave you advice back then was simply because we came from similar backgrounds. It's just that I didn't understand the pros and cons of martial arts schools back then, and I ended up attending a less responsible one. I couldn't bear to see you follow in my footsteps."

After saying that, Chen Lang changed the subject and laughed, "I never expected that my guidance back then would lead to the creation of a true dragon. This is something I can brag about for the rest of my life."

Soon, Chen Lang's son poured him some tea, and Lin Yan chatted with Chen Lang. Since they were both martial artists, they naturally talked about things in the martial arts circle. The most explosive news in the martial arts circle was the assassination of the deputy director of the patrol department.

"You're on good terms with Zhang Wei, so you must know about our escort agency. Although my martial arts skills aren't great, I've been working at the agency for almost twenty years. I have something to remind you, Young Master Lin."

Chen Lang stroked his teacup with his fingers: "Guangping County may seem no different from before, but undercurrents are surging. The death of the deputy director of the patrol and inspection department is probably just the beginning, and even greater upheavals are yet to come."

Lin Yan's eyes narrowed; Chen Biaotou's analysis matched his own judgment.

"Young Master Lin, at your age you have already reached the second stage of skin refining. Master Yang must value you highly, and you have also been given a position in the Tang family. In the future, just focus on practicing martial arts and try not to get involved in the various conflicts in the city."

"Thank you for your guidance, Chief Escort Chen. I will keep it in mind."

Seeing Lin Yan's serious expression, and realizing that he had truly taken his words to heart, Chen Lang was very pleased. He was afraid that Lin Yan would become stubborn and wouldn't listen to advice after achieving early success, since he himself was a loser in terms of martial arts.

"I can only offer some advice to Young Master Lin in this regard; I can no longer provide any guidance on martial arts."

……

After finishing their tea, Lin Yan and Zhang Wei took their leave. Chen Lang wanted to see them off personally, but Lin Yan politely declined. In the end, Chen Lang's son escorted them to the alley entrance.

"Father, is this really a second-stage skin-smoothing martial artist? He's so young!"

Chen Lang's son watched Lin Yan's departing figure, his tone filled with disbelief.

"What does being young matter? Do you know that he only started practicing martial arts last year? It's only been a year since then. And he's very steady. If nothing unexpected happens, he will definitely have a place in the martial arts circle of Guangping County in the future."

Chen Lang's son's mouth was slightly open, but compared to these things, he was more interested in the gift box that had been delivered.

"Father, this...this is probably going to cost a lot of money."

Seeing the ginseng and other precious medicinal herbs in the gift box, Chen Lang's son truly understood what it meant to be extravagant as a second-rank martial artist.

"A ten-year-old ginseng, plus these medicinal herbs, would probably cost twenty taels. This gift is indeed quite generous."

Even Chen Lang was shocked by Lin Yan's actions. If Lin Yan came from a powerful family, it wouldn't be a big deal, but Lin Yan came from an ordinary background. Even though he had a generous allowance for his position in the Tang family, he still had expenses for practicing martial arts. This allowance was only enough to cover the expenses required for his martial arts training.

Lin Yan was afraid that he wouldn't accept money, so he gave it to him in the form of medicinal herbs.

These kinds of nourishing medicinal herbs are hard currency in the martial arts world, and can be exchanged for silver at pharmacies at any time.

After a few moments of contemplation, Chen Lang said to his son, "Go and invite your Uncle Wang, Uncle Zhang, Uncle Fang... to come over for a visit. After you've invited them, go to the street and buy some cooked food on your way home. I need to spread the word about Lin Yan's visit today through them."

"Hehe, Dad, you want people to know that our family has a connection with Lin Yan."

"You don't know anything."

Chen Lang glared at his son with annoyance: "Lin Yan comes from an ordinary background, and he will probably have to struggle to make ends meet when he starts practicing martial arts. I spread the word about Lin Yan's visit to his home to spread his reputation for being grateful. Everyone is willing to make a good connection with a young man who has potential and knows how to repay kindness."

Chen Lang was unaware that Lin Yan had defeated Cheng Zonghan the day before, but he did his best to help Lin Yan in his own way.

The reason why those merchants are willing to hire martial arts school disciples as guards is because martial arts schools will restrain their disciples for the sake of their reputation. Now that Lin Yan Nian'en's reputation has spread, not to mention the big families in the county, at least one or two of those merchants will be tempted.

Many merchants are willing to donate a few dozen taels of silver to establish a good relationship.

If more merchants like this come, at least Lin Yan won't be so strapped for cash.