The moment the man spoke, Lin Yan was genuinely stunned.
’When did he get here?’
’How does he know I killed Chen Hai?’
’Don’t tell me he’s been following me all this time?’
’No, that’s not right. If he’d been following me the whole time, he would have surely mentioned me killing the Qian Family father and son.’
"From the look in your eyes, I suppose you’re thinking about how to kill me to silence me, aren’t you?" the middle-aged man on the wall said coolly.
"You jest, Senior. With your level of strength, how could I possibly be your match?"
After the initial shock, Lin Yan quickly forced himself to calm down. His intuition told him the man held no ill will. Otherwise, someone who could appear soundlessly on the courtyard wall—someone he hadn’t even noticed until he spoke—would have already made his move if he were truly hostile.
"You’re not a fool, I’ll give you that... Hiding your strength in public, only to show up at their door to kill them in secret—that’s not something an ordinary person can do."
Zhang Xiuyuan stepped off the wall, landing steadily on the ground.
"May I ask your name, Senior?" Lin Yan ignored the comment, cupping his fist as he inquired.
"Zhang Xiuyuan of the Seven Stars Escort Agency."
’Zhang Xiuyuan?’
Lin Yan’s eyes narrowed. He’d heard that name before—one of the few Fourth-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artists in Sanshan County, and the Head of the Seven Stars Escort Agency.
This Escort Leader Zhang, unlike Qian Zhengchu, wasn’t someone whose Qi Blood was already in decline. At just over forty, he was still in his prime.
"Greetings, Escort Leader Zhang."
Lin Yan bowed slightly. "Escort Leader Zhang, you say I made a move against Chen Hai. What makes you say that?"
Although he felt Escort Leader Zhang held no ill will toward him, Lin Yan wasn’t about to simply confess.
"What makes me say that?" Zhang Xiuyuan laughed. "It comes from the fact that I went to the Chen Family estate tonight. I had originally planned to warn Chen Hai to stop bothering you, but I didn’t expect to find his corpse instead—along with a certain little thief ransacking their storeroom."
Lin Yan was speechless.
’So I was caught red-handed. But if Senior Zhang saw me at the Chen Family estate, why didn’t he reveal himself then? Why wait for me here?’
"The way you handled that body and searched the storeroom, so practiced and efficient... it can’t be your first time. You’re certainly not as guileless as your master made you out to be."
"Senior, you know my master?"
"What a ridiculous question. If I didn’t know your master, why would I go to warn Chen Hai for your sake? It’s not like I know you or any of your relatives, is it?"
Lin Yan had no rebuttal.
He couldn’t refute that. With his family background, there was no way he’d have any connection to a powerhouse of this caliber.
"You make a fair point, Senior. May I ask what your relationship with my master is?"
Lin Yan gave a sheepish smile, but inwardly he was still suspicious. He and his master corresponded by letter, but his master had never once mentioned this Escort Leader Zhang.
’If the man was willing to warn Chen Hai on my behalf out of respect for my master, then their relationship must be quite close. Shouldn’t my master have mentioned him in his letters? Told me I could seek Escort Leader Zhang’s help if I ran into trouble?’
’But it didn’t seem like he was just bluffing to get information out of me, either.’
’There was simply no need.’
"Such a suspicious kid. Here, see for yourself."
Zhang Xiuyuan could easily see what was on Lin Yan’s mind. He pulled a letter from his robes and, with a flick of his wrist, sent the envelope flying toward him.
Catching the letter, Lin Yan opened it and immediately recognized his master’s handwriting.
The letter read:
Brother Xiuyuan,
I trust this letter finds you well. It feels like only yesterday, yet two years have passed since we parted in Wunu County. I often think fondly of you.
I am writing today to ask a favor. It concerns my disciple, Lin Yan, who began studying Martial Arts under me last year. He is a good lad—guileless, straightforward, and sincere at heart.
The boy comes from a humble background with no powerful connections. He is not versed in the cunning ways of influential families, and I fear he remains naive to the wickedness in people’s hearts. With him now heading to Sanshan County, I cannot help but worry.
For the sake of our old friendship, I hope you will keep an eye on him for me.
I, Qingfeng, would be deeply indebted to you for this kindness.
Wishing you peace this winter.
Respectfully, Yang Qingfeng."
A wave of warmth washed over Lin Yan as he finished the letter. His master cared about him enough to write to Senior Zhang, asking him to keep an eye on him for fear he might encounter danger in Sanshan County.
"Do you believe me now?"
"Thank you for your concern, Senior."
Zhang Xiuyuan looked at Lin Yan and explained, "Your master didn’t tell you because he was afraid you’d let your guard down if you knew I was here to back you up."
Then, his tone shifted. "However, I bet your master never imagined that the ’guileless’ disciple he wrote about is anything but."
Lin Yan scratched his head in embarrassment. "I felt I had no other choice. After I killed the second son of the Chen Family, Chen Hai was bound to seek revenge for his brother. Rather than wait for him to come knocking, it was better to strike first and catch him off guard."
"The one who strikes first gains the advantage. The logic is sound."
Zhang Xiuyuan nodded. Despite his teasing tone, he was actually quite pleased with Lin Yan’s methods.
The ability to kill Chen Hai, regardless of whether it was through a sneak attack or some other means, was a testament to his strength.
He knew how to hide his true abilities, yet was decisive at critical moments. He already had the makings of a powerhouse.
At that moment, a bitter feeling of regret washed over him.
Long before Lin Yan had even arrived in Sanshan County, Brother Yang had written him a letter.
The letter’s contents were about Lin Yan.
Brother Yang had given all his Martial Arts Resources to another disciple, Zhao Linyuan, and had nothing left to cultivate Lin Yan. To prevent Lin Yan’s talent for the Martial Arts from being wasted, he had made a specific request in the letter.
He asked if Zhang Xiuyuan would be willing to take Lin Yan as his own disciple.
At the time, having not yet met Lin Yan, he had refused without a second thought.
Now, he just wanted to give himself a hard slap across the face. Why on earth hadn’t he agreed back then?
Even if he went back on his word now and agreed to take Lin Yan as his disciple, the gesture would have soured.

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