This martial saint is too cautious.

Chapter 63 Returning to the City (Please Subscribe)

In the courtyard, Lin Yan brewed tea for his master and Zhang Xiuyuan.

Although it was deep winter, the three of them felt no cold due to their strong constitution.

"How about that? Your disciple is pretty amazing, isn't he?"

Zhang Xiuyuan sipped his tea contentedly, glancing at the silent Yang Qingfeng, and couldn't help but make a joke.

Just now, he recounted Lin Yan's heroic deeds in Sanshan County, first killing the two Chen brothers, then the Qian father and son. After that, Brother Yang fell silent.

Yang Qingfeng was indeed shocked; he hadn't expected his disciple to have done so much in Sanshan County.

"You've mastered the fist technique; show it to your master."

Lin Yan agreed, walked to the middle of the courtyard, and the moment he threw a punch, his entire aura changed instantly. His punch was as powerful as splitting a mountain.

One punch after another, the wind from the punches whistling through the air, forming a continuous gust like a howling gale.

Upon seeing Lin Yan's first punch, a glint flashed in Yang Qingfeng's eyes; the force of the punch was unmistakable.

Zhang Xiuyuan, who was standing to the side, was also moved. Lin Yan had developed a strong talent for boxing in less than two years.

"That's fine."

Before Lin Yan could finish his set of Mountain-Splitting Fist, Yang Qingfeng interrupted him.

"Your talent in boxing surpasses even that of your teacher."

Lin Yan was about to be modest when Yang Qingfeng waved his hand: "Don't pretend to be modest. You are better than your teacher, and that only makes me feel gratified."

Zhang Xiuyuan, standing to the side, had a look of agreement on his face. At his age, he had given up the desire to continue his studies in martial arts and was more interested in finding a good successor.

Unfortunately, he missed that opportunity.

"Are you aware of why the Qian family is targeting you?"

Yang Qingfeng did not reprimand Lin Yan for his impulsiveness and recklessness. Brother Zhang had already said these words, so he did not need to repeat them. What puzzled him more was why the Qian family was targeting Lin Yan.

If we don't know the truth, I'm afraid this matter is not over yet.

"I have interrogated Qian Shuhang. The reason he had the Chen brothers target me is related to the current situation in Guangping County."

.

Lin Yan did not hide anything from his master and told him everything that Qian Shuhang had revealed.

Yang Qingfeng frowned as he listened, while Zhang Xiuyuan's expression changed constantly. After Lin Yan finished speaking, Zhang Xiuyuan said with concern, "Brother Yang, it seems that the situation in Guangping County is quite complicated."

"It is definitely complicated. I had expected that the Four Seas Gang's backers would come from the prefectural city, but I didn't expect there to be three. And I was right, Qian Shuhang didn't know the whole story either."

"What do you mean?" Zhang Xiuyuan asked curiously.

"Guangping County's patrol and inspection office has been peaceful for so many years. Why did these three families choose to make their move at this time? It's probably related to the Li family behind the patrol and inspection office."

Seeing his disciple's puzzled expression, Yang Qingfeng explained, "Dengzhou Prefecture is vast, teeming with powerful individuals and numerous forces. However, its internal operating rules are the same as those of a county town. Most trades are dominated by various forces, and everything operates according to these rules until an overwhelming advantage is achieved. The Guangping County Patrol Office has always been under the Li family's control. Unless there are special circumstances, these three families would never covet Guangping County."

"Brother Yang, are you saying that something might have happened to the Li family?"

Zhang Xiuyuan also realized what was happening and, without waiting for Yang Qingfeng's reply, continued, "There is a high possibility that something has happened to the Li family, but there is still one question: if something has happened to the Li family, why are these three families still dragging their feet like this? They could have just taken over Guangping County directly."

Zhang Xiuyuan and Yang Qingfeng exchanged a glance, knowing that they had the same idea.

The so-called fear of a bloody battle with the Li family is completely unfounded; there must be other reasons.

"No matter the reason, my Yang Family Martial Arts School's choice of neutrality will not be greatly affected."

Yang Qingfeng shook his head, not dwelling on it any longer, and turned his gaze to Lin Yan: "Although Qian Shuhang is targeting you, it's just his private behavior, but just in case, don't stay in Sanshan County any longer. Come back with me tomorrow."

"This disciple will obey Master."

Lin Yan nodded in agreement. He had gained a lot from this trip to Sanshan County. Not to mention what he had gained in the mountains, the money he had taken from the Chen and Qian families was enough for him to cultivate for a while.

The next morning.

"Young Master Lin, something terrible has happened!"

Lin Yan was able to hear Xia Mingtang's voice again as he had wished.

Xia Mingtang pushed open the door and was stunned for a moment when he saw Yang Qingfeng sitting in the courtyard. He then quickly said, "Greetings, Master Yang."

As a second-level skin-sharpening martial artist from Guangping County, Xia Mingtang had never interacted with Yang Qingfeng, but he had certainly seen him before.

"Master, this is Old Xia."

Lin Yan introduced Xia Mingtang's identity to his master, and Yang Qingfeng smiled and said, "I heard from Lin Yan that he was very fortunate to have Brother Xia take care of him during his time in Sanshan County."

"Master Yang, you flatter me. With Young Master Lin's abilities, he has no need for my help."

Xia Mingtang hurriedly waved his hand, but he was still somewhat flattered that a martial artist like Master Yang, who had undergone four skin-sharpening trials, would address him as "Brother Xia".

The rumors circulating outside that Master Yang is aloof seem to be false.

"Old Xia, what do you need me for?"

"Upon seeing Master Yang, I almost forgot about the important matter at hand."

Xia Mingtang slapped his forehead: "There are two main things. One is that Chen Hai was killed last night."

At this point, Xia Mingtang couldn't help but glance at Yang Qingfeng. He didn't doubt Lin Yan, but the fact that Master Yang had appeared in Sanshan County, and that he had obviously arrived last night, made it quite possible that Master Yang was behind it, considering the conflict between Lin Yan and the Chen family.

"The second thing is that the master sent a message, telling Young Master Lin that he no longer needs to guard Sanshan County and can return to Guangping County."

"Okay, I understand."

"Then I won't bother you any longer, I'll take my leave now."

After delivering the message, Old Xia knew that the master and apprentice might have something to say, so he wisely left, even closing the gate behind him as he walked out.

"Since the Tang family also wants you to leave, then go."

"Um."

Lin Yan had already put away all the valuables early in the morning, and his master and Senior Zhang had already discussed the final arrangements in Sanshan County last night, planning to use a mix of truth and falsehood.

To outsiders, Senior Zhang would admit that he killed Chen Hai because he was a close friend of his master and wanted to avenge him.

Of course, the master would not hide the fact that he had been to Sanshan County, and all the four martial artists in Sanshan County who had undergone skin-sharpening would know about it.

Whether it was their master or Senior Zhang who killed them, it made no difference to these four-times-skin-refining martial artists from Sanshan County, unless they were willing to face their master and Senior Zhang for the sake of the already deceased Chen brothers.

Senior Zhang took the blame to prevent these martial artists, who had undergone four rounds of skin-sharpening, from using the excuse that their master had overstepped his bounds to launch a joint attack.

This also gives them a way out, so they won't be ridiculed by other martial artists from Sanshan County for not daring to speak out when martial artists from other counties kill their own.

In martial arts families, strength is indeed the key, but "reputation" is still essential.

It can be a fearsome reputation or a good one, but one must be tough in the face of outsiders, because it concerns the common interests of all the martial artists in the county.

Being weak externally and monopolizing some highly profitable industries internally will arouse the anger of the martial artists in the city. Suppressing them by force alone is not enough.

Otherwise, the powerful forces behind the county patrol offices could simply have the patrol offices take control of the county, instead of having to appease those families.

The Cao residence.

Upon hearing the servant's report that the Qian family father and son had been killed, Cao Zhang was stunned.

"Zhang'er, what's wrong?"

When Cao's father saw his son's expression, he frowned. The murder of the Qian family father and son today had shocked the entire county, and he knew that his son was close to the Qian family's young master.

"Father, do you know who killed the Qian family father and son?"

-

Not yet.

Cao's father shook his head, but then sneered, "The patrol and inspection department is investigating, but there are only a handful of people in the county who can wipe out the Qian family father and son without alerting too many people."

"Father, there's something I haven't told you." Cao Zhang took a deep breath: "When Qian Shuhang returned to the county this time, he met with Lin Yan through me."

"Lin Yan? What is your relationship with Lin Yan? Why does Young Master Qian want to see him?"

"Qian Shuhang wanted Lin Yan to persuade his master to side with the Sihai Gang in Sanshan County, but Lin Yan refused. The Chen brothers' trouble with Lin Yan was probably instigated by Qian Shuhang."

After listening to his son's account, Cao's father narrowed his eyes slightly: "You suspect that the deaths of the Qian family father and son are related to Lin Yan?"

I'm not sure.

Cao Zhang shook his head. Cao's father's expression shifted between light and dark. After several breaths, he said with a serious face, "Zhang'er, do not mention the matter of Young Master Qian looking for Lin Yan to anyone again. No matter what the inside story is, it is not something our Cao family can bear. Let this matter remain buried in our hearts."

"I understand, and I will never reveal this to anyone."

Yang Qingfeng and his apprentice Lin Yan had an extremely smooth journey from Sanshan County to Guangping County.

After entering the city, Lin Yan bid farewell to his master and headed in the direction of his home.

The gate to the house was closed. Lin Yan pushed the gate open and found that it was bolted shut.

Why would my aunt do this in broad daylight?

With a question in mind, Lin Yan gently knocked on the door knocker.

"Who is it?" came the aunt's voice from inside the house.

"Auntie, it's me!"

"It's my eldest brother!"

Lin Mo's voice rang out. Hearing the hurried footsteps in the courtyard, Lin Yan smiled. The purpose of his hard work in cultivation was not only for himself, but also for his aunt and younger brother.

His family is also one of his motivations for striving.

"Big brother, you're finally back."

Lin Mo opened the door and lunged forward. If it were an ordinary person, they would probably be tackled by Lin Mo. However, Lin Yan raised his right hand and easily grabbed Lin Mo's collar by the back of his neck.

"Don't give me that crap. While I was away, did you listen to your aunt? How was your homework?"

Upon hearing Lin Yan's words, Lin Mo immediately wilted, lowered his head, and stammered.

I'll deal with you later.

Lin Yan glared at his younger brother, and when he saw his aunt, who was wearing a coat, walking towards them, he quickly went over to her.

"Auntie, why is the house closed during the day? What happened?"

"Nothing happened at home. It's just that after you went to Sanshan County, many people came to our house. These people are all big shots in the city. They kept mentioning the Sihai Gang and the Patrol Office. I told your fourth aunt about this, and she suggested that I just close the door and stop receiving guests."

"Auntie's suggestion is correct."

Lin Yan narrowed his eyes slightly. It seemed that it wasn't just Qian Shuhang who came as a persuader; there were also many martial artists in Guangping County who wanted to come and persuade the Sihai Gang and the Patrol Office.

I suppose it's not just because I'm my master's disciple, but also because I've been involved in the leather-making business three times, which makes me a figure of some importance in Guangping County.

These people come to our door hoping to take the elders' route, first persuading my aunt, and then having my aunt convince me to join one of their families.

At night, the candlelight flickered.

Lin Yan listened quietly as her aunt recounted the events that had transpired in the family recently.

Although they were all trivial matters, Lin Yan listened with great interest, and only at this moment could he completely relax.

Seeing that the wax was almost gone, Lin Yan pulled his younger brother, who was already sleepy, back to their rooms to rest.

Back in his room, a faint, pleasant fragrance wafted towards him. Lin Yan was familiar with this scent; it was the aroma of camphor balls used by the local people to repel insects.

Thick, brand-new bedding had already been laid out on the bed, but Lin Yan's lips twitched when he saw the mandarin duck pattern embroidered on it.

My aunt is trying every trick in the book to get me married.

The next day, after finishing breakfast, Lin Yan said goodbye to his aunt and left home for the Tang family.

On the way back, he talked to his master about the Four Seas Gang and the Patrol and Inspection Division.

The master also revealed the reasons for his neutrality: firstly, the martial arts school was not suitable for taking sides, and secondly, the master felt that the Four Seas Gang's appearance was too mysterious.

The Patrol Division and the Four Seas Gang have seemed to be fighting fiercely these past few months, but a closer look reveals that both sides are actually quite restrained. So far, the four Skin-Scraping Warriors have not made a move.

If the Four Seas Gang truly intended to replace the existing patrol office in Guangping County, they shouldn't have dragged this out; they should have already gathered all their forces for a decisive battle with the patrol office.

Lin Yan agreed with his master's analysis, especially after Qian Shuhang revealed the powerful backer behind the Sihai Gang. Lin Yan believed that there was something fishy about the struggle between the Sihai Gang and the Patrol Bureau.

His current trip to the Tang family is to find the answer to his questions.

The master chose to remain neutral, largely due to the unique nature of the martial arts school.

However, the Tang family is different. As the largest family in Guangping County, the Tang family should logically stand on the side of the Patrol and Inspection Office. As long as the Patrol and Inspection Office remains the same, the Tang family's interests will not be harmed. On the contrary, if the Sihai Gang takes over, the pie in the county will definitely be redistributed, and the Tang family's interests will be affected.

Of course, the Tang family could also side with the Four Seas Gang, which would definitely be willing to offer the Tang family more benefits in order to take over the Patrol Division.

Therefore, in the eyes of Lin Yan and Yang Qingfeng, the Tang family had the power to determine the course of the situation and had the least reason to remain neutral, unless the Tang family knew some secret.