In the courtyard, Lin Yan brewed tea for his master and Zhang Xiuyuan.
Though it was the dead of winter, the three men’s powerful Qi Blood kept them from feeling the cold.
"So, what do you think? Your disciple is quite the beast, isn’t he?"
Zhang Xiuyuan sipped his tea contentedly, glancing at the silent Yang Qingfeng. He couldn’t resist a bit of teasing.
Just a moment ago, he had recounted Lin Yan’s incredible feats in Sanshan County—first killing the two Chen Brothers, then the Qian father and son...
After that, Brother Yang had fallen silent.
Yang Qingfeng was truly stunned. He never expected his disciple to have done so much in Sanshan County.
"You’ve developed Fist Momentum. Show your master."
Lin Yan agreed and walked to the center of the courtyard. The moment he raised his hands and threw a punch, his entire aura changed instantly. He struck out, his fist seeming to split a mountain.
One punch followed another, the wind from his fists whistling as they blurred together, like a howling gale.
The moment he saw Lin Yan’s first punch, a sharp glint flashed in Yang Qingfeng’s eyes. This powerful presence in his strike—it was undoubtedly Fist Momentum.
Beside him, Zhang Xiuyuan also looked moved. To develop Fist Momentum in less than two years... Lin Yan’s talent in Fist Techniques was immense.
"That’s enough."
Yang Qingfeng spoke up, stopping Lin Yan before he could finish the full set of the Mountain-Splitting Fist.
"Your talent for Fist Techniques is even greater than your master’s."
Lin Yan was about to be modest, but Yang Qingfeng waved his hand. "Don’t feign humility. That you are stronger than your master only brings me comfort."
Zhang Xiuyuan, standing to the side, had a look of agreement. At his age, he had already given up on advancing further in the Martial Arts. His focus had shifted more toward finding a worthy successor to carry on his legacy.
Unfortunately, he’d once had such an opportunity but had let it slip by.
"Why did the Qian Family father and son target you? Do you know?"
Yang Qingfeng didn’t scold Lin Yan for being impulsive and reckless. Brother Zhang had already said as much, and he saw no need to repeat it. What perplexed him more was why the Qian Family would target Lin Yan.
’If we don’t get to the bottom of this, I’m afraid this matter is far from over.’
"I interrogated Qian Shuhang. He said the reason he had the Chen Brothers target me is related to the current situation in Guangping County Town."
Lin Yan held nothing back from his master, relaying everything Qian Shuhang had revealed.
Yang Qingfeng’s brows furrowed as he listened, while Zhang Xiuyuan’s expression shifted continuously. When Lin Yan finished, Zhang Xiuyuan said worriedly, "Brother Yang, from the sound of it, the situation in Guangping County Town is probably very complicated."
"It’s definitely complicated. I had long suspected that the Four Seas Gang’s backer was from the Prefecture City, but I never imagined there would be three families involved. And if I’m not mistaken, even Qian Shuhang didn’t know the full story."
"What do you mean?" Zhang Xiuyuan asked, his curiosity piqued.
"The Inspection Bureau in Guangping County Town has been stable for so many years. Why would these three families choose to make a move now? I’m afraid it has something to do with the Li Family behind the Inspection Bureau."
Seeing the confused look on his disciple’s face, Yang Qingfeng explained, "Deng State Prefecture is vast, filled with powerhouses and numerous factions, but its internal operating principles are the same as a county town’s. Most territories have been claimed by various powers, and everyone abides by the rules unless they possess absolutely overwhelming strength. The Guangping County Town Inspection Bureau has always been the Li Family’s territory. Barring special circumstances, those three families wouldn’t dare covet it."
"Brother Yang, are you saying that something might have happened to the Li Family?"
The realization dawned on Zhang Xiuyuan. Before Yang Qingfeng could answer, he continued, "It’s highly likely something happened to the Li Family. But there’s still something puzzling. If the Li Family is in trouble, why are these three families dawdling like this? They could just take Guangping County directly."
Zhang Xiuyuan and Yang Qingfeng exchanged a look, each knowing the other had arrived at the same conclusion.
The supposed reason—being afraid of an all-out, bloody war with the Li Family—simply didn’t hold up. There had to be another reason.
"Whatever the reason, the Yang Family Martial Arts Hall has chosen neutrality, so we shouldn’t be too heavily affected."
Yang Qingfeng shook his head, not dwelling on it further. His gaze shifted to Lin Yan. "Although Qian Shuhang targeting you was his own private action, to be safe, you shouldn’t stay in Sanshan County any longer. Return with your master tomorrow."
"I will do as you say, Master."
Lin Yan nodded in agreement. This trip to Sanshan County had been quite fruitful. Not to mention his gains from the mountains, the money he had seized from the Chen and Qian Families was enough to support his cultivation for some time.
「The next morning.」
"Young Master Lin, this is bad!"
As he’d hoped, Lin Yan heard Xia Mingtang’s voice once again.
Xia Mingtang pushed the door open, freezing for a moment when he saw Yang Qingfeng sitting in the courtyard. He quickly recovered and said, "Greetings, Hall Master Yang."
As a Second-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artist from Guangping County Town, Xia Mingtang had never dealt with Yang Qingfeng directly, but he had certainly seen him before.
"Master, this is Old Xia."
Lin Yan introduced Xia Mingtang to his master. A smile appeared on Yang Qingfeng’s face. "I’ve heard from Lin Yan. Thank you for looking after him during his time in Sanshan County, Brother Xia."
"Hall Master Yang, you flatter me. With Young Master Lin’s strength, he hardly needs my care."
Xia Mingtang waved his hands frantically. Still, being called "Brother Xia" by a Fourth-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artist like Hall Master Yang left him feeling rather overwhelmed by the honor.
’The rumors about Hall Master Yang being cold-natured must be false.’
"Old Xia, what did you need to see me about?"
"Seeing Hall Master Yang, I almost forgot why I came."
Xia Mingtang smacked his forehead. "There are two main things. First, Chen Hai was killed last night."
As he said this, Xia Mingtang couldn’t help but dart a glance at Yang Qingfeng. He wouldn’t suspect Lin Yan. But Hall Master Yang was here in Sanshan County, and had clearly arrived last night. Considering Lin Yan’s conflict with the Chen Family, the possibility that Hall Master Yang himself had been the one to act was quite high.

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