「The next day.」
"Young Master Lin, this is bad!"
Hearing Xia Mingtang’s voice from outside the courtyard, Lin Yan felt rather exasperated. ’Every time I want to cultivate in peace, this guy Old Xia has to come and disturb me.’
"Old Xia, what is it now?"
"Second Master Chen has come to our door, demanding we hand over these mountains and leave Sanshan County."
Compared to the previous times, Xia Mingtang was truly panicked now. Before, when the Wei Family snatched the traveling merchants’ supplies, it hadn’t been a devastating blow. But the Chen Family trying to seize these mountains? That would destroy their livelihood.
Without the mountains, the Tang Family would have no more need for their affiliated positions.
"What’s the Chen Family’s background?"
"The Chen Family is a clan that has risen in Sanshan County over the past decade. Their business is very diversified."
’Very diversified... that means they haven’t established a monopoly.’
Lin Yan had the gist of it. Based on his understanding of the Martial Artist Clans in Guangping County Town, most families that had a Third-Time Skin Smoothing powerhouse for one or two generations would specialize in a particular trade, eventually forming a monopoly in that field.
Like the Lin Mansion’s forges, or Junior Brother Zhao’s family’s Silver Building...
Only when a new generation’s Third-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artist surpassed the strength of their predecessors would they diversify their business so broadly. Before that, the family lacked the power to monopolize any single trade. Faced with industries that were already dominated, they could only dabble here and there until the day they were strong enough to supplant another family and seize its monopoly.
"How strong is the Chen Family?"
"There are two Chen Brothers. The elder is just over thirty and reached the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing five years ago. The younger also reached the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing three years ago."
Listening to Xia Mingtang’s explanation, Lin Yan nodded. The situation was just as he had expected.
’So, it seems the Chen Family wants to take advantage of the Wei Family’s destruction to get into the medicinal herb business.’
’But the medicinal herb business isn’t that easy. There are plenty of other powers in Sanshan County eyeing it, so it won’t be simple for the Chen Family to seize control.’
’In that case, the Chen Brothers’ priority should be to secure the Wei Family’s former territory, not to immediately target the Tang Family’s land. Unless... someone told the Chen Brothers to do so.’
’That Young Master Qian—Qian Shuhang!’
A sharp glint flashed in Lin Yan’s eyes. He was certain now. Qian Shuhang had to be the one directing the Chen Brothers to target the Tang Family. The two parties must have reached some kind of agreement.
’The most likely scenario is that the Chen Brothers deal with me, and in return, Qian Shuhang helps the Chen Family seize control of the medicinal herb business in Sanshan County.’
’As for why Qian Shuhang wouldn’t act against me himself, that wasn’t hard to understand either.’
’Someone like Qian Shuhang sees himself as high and mighty; he probably thinks I’m not worthy of his personal attention. Of course, it’s also possible he’s using the Chen Brothers to try and force me into submission.’
’The way I dealt with the Wei Family won’t work on the Chen Brothers.’
’Qian Shuhang will definitely demand the Chen Brothers deal with me quickly. I don’t have much time.’
’Things have been going too smoothly for me lately; I’ve gotten a bit arrogant.’
’The optimal way to handle it would have been to not reject Qian Shuhang so directly yesterday. I could have stalled for time.’
’But what’s done is done. Regret is useless. Learn the lesson and don’t make the same mistake next time.’
"First, let’s go see who’s here."
Lin Yan glanced at his Martial Arts Tree. By now, it had reached a height of three feet and four inches. Without using his Jinghong Swordsmanship, dealing with the Chen Family’s second brother should be no problem.
"Young Master Lin, you’re going to meet Second Master Chen?"
Xia Mingtang’s eyes widened, unable to believe what he was hearing. He had already braced himself for Lin Yan to hide and refuse to get involved.
"I’m on the Tang Family’s payroll. How could I just stand by and do nothing?"
Watching Lin Yan stride out of the courtyard, Xia Mingtang pursed his lips. ’It’s probably not that his conscience is pricking him over the stipend,’ he thought. ’The Chen Family is already at the gates. If he doesn’t show his face now and we really lose the territory, the Boss will revoke his affiliated position anyway.’
At the entrance, the Tang Family’s affiliated Martial Artists were in a standoff with a group of people. However, one could tell from their expressions and auras that the Tang Family’s men clearly lacked confidence. And no wonder—facing Chen Zheng, who was at the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing, it would have been strange for these Single-Time and Second-Time Skin Smoothing martial artists to feel confident.
"Second Master, the man’s out."
As Lin Yan appeared with Xia Mingtang behind the crowd, one of the Chen Family’s Martial Artists whispered in Chen Zheng’s ear.
On the Tang Family’s side, the Martial Artists parted to make way, their eyes filled with surprise as they watched Lin Yan walk past them to stand at the front.
’How rare!’
’This time, Young Master Lin didn’t try to get out of it.’
Chen Zheng’s gaze landed on Lin Yan. He sized him up, then chuckled, his tone laced with disdain. "So you’re Lin Yan?"
"I am." A smile touched Lin Yan’s face as he walked toward Chen Zheng and extended his hand. "Second Master Chen, what brings you here today?"
Seeing Lin Yan’s outstretched hand, Chen Zheng hesitated for a moment but still gave it a brief shake before quickly pulling his own hand back.
’If this Lin Yan thinks a fake smile will be enough for me to give him face and leave, he’s hopelessly naive.’
"I came to inform you that as of today, the Tang Family’s mountains in Sanshan County belong to my Chen Family. You can all pack your things and get out."
Hearing this, the faces of the Tang Family’s affiliated Martial Artists turned grim. Although they already knew why the Chen Family had come, hearing it from Chen Zheng himself meant the matter was no longer negotiable.
A Third-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artist’s word is their bond. A statement made in front of so many people would be difficult to retract without losing face.
Now, unless this Young Master Lin could step up and defeat Chen Zheng, or the Boss got word and sent reinforcements, their only option was to pack up and leave.

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