"The second matter is that the Boss sent a message. He said Young Master Lin no longer needs to stand guard in Sanshan County and can return to Guangping County Town."
"Alright, I understand."
"Then I won’t disturb you any longer. I’ll take my leave."
After delivering the news, Old Xia, perceptive enough to know the master and disciple might have things to discuss, tactfully departed. He even thoughtfully closed the courtyard gate behind him.
"Since the Tang Family has also told you to leave, let’s go."
"Mm."
Lin Yan had already packed his valuables early in the morning. As for wrapping things up in Sanshan County, his master had already discussed a plan with Senior Zhang last night—a mixture of truth and lies.
Publicly, Senior Zhang would admit to killing Chen Hai. The reason given would be his deep friendship with Lin Yan’s master, acting to vent his friend’s anger.
Of course, his master wouldn’t hide the fact that he had visited Sanshan County either. The Fourth-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artists of Sanshan County would all be aware of it.
But as for whether it was his master or Senior Zhang who did the killing, it made no difference to these Fourth-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artists in Sanshan County—unless they were willing to confront both his master and Senior Zhang for the sake of the dead Chen Brothers.
Senior Zhang taking the blame was to deny these Fourth-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artists the excuse to band together and attack his master for overstepping his bounds.
It also gave them a way to save face, lest they be mocked by the other Martial Artists of Sanshan County for not daring to make a stand when a Martial Artist from their own county was killed by one from another.
Martial Artist Clans relied on Power, true, but they still needed "prestige."
It could be a notorious reputation or a good one, but they had to project strength to the outside world, as this was tied to the collective interests of all the Martial Artists in the county town.
Showing weakness to outsiders while monopolizing highly profitable businesses internally would incite collective outrage among the city’s Martial Artists. Suppressing them with brute force alone would not be enough.
Otherwise, the Prefecture City Influence behind each county’s Inspection Bureau could just have the bureaus rule the county towns directly. Why would they bother placating those clans?
「Cao Mansion.」
Hearing the servant’s report that the Qian father and son had been killed, Cao Zhang was stunned speechless.
"Zhang’er, what’s wrong?"
Father Cao frowned upon seeing his son’s expression. The murder of the Qian father and son today had shaken the entire county town, and he knew his son was close with Young Master Qian.
"Father, do you know who killed the Qian father and son?"
"Not yet."
Father Cao shook his head, but then sneered, "The Inspection Bureau is investigating, but to be able to eliminate the Qian father and son without causing a major disturbance... there are only a few people in the county capable of that."
"Father, there’s something I haven’t told you." Cao Zhang took a deep breath. "This time when Qian Shuhang returned to the county, he met with Lin Yan through me."
"Lin Yan? What does this have to do with Lin Yan? Why did Young Master Qian meet with him?"
"Qian Shuhang wanted Lin Yan to persuade his master to side with the Sanshan County’s Four Seas Gang, but Lin Yan refused. And when the Chen Brothers went to cause trouble for Lin Yan, it was likely Qian Shuhang who was pulling the strings."
After hearing his son’s account, Father Cao’s old eyes narrowed slightly. "You suspect the deaths of the Qian father and son are related to Lin Yan?"
"I’m not sure."
Cao Zhang shook his head. Father Cao’s expression shifted uncertainly. After several long moments, he said with a grave face, "Zhang’er, do not mention Young Master Qian’s meeting with Lin Yan to anyone else. No matter what the inside story is, the Cao Family cannot afford to get involved. Let this matter rot in your belly."
"I understand, Father. I will never reveal it to anyone."
The journey from Sanshan County to Guangping County Town was exceptionally smooth for the master and disciple pair, Yang Qingfeng and Lin Yan.
Once they entered the town, Lin Yan bid his master farewell and headed toward his home.
The courtyard gate to his home was closed. Lin Yan pushed it, only to find it had been latched from the inside.
’It’s broad daylight. Why would Auntie latch the gate?’
Puzzled, Lin Yan lightly tapped the door knocker.
"Who is it?" his aunt’s voice called from inside.
"Auntie, it’s me!"
"It’s Big Brother!"
The voice of his younger brother, Lin Mo, rang out. Hearing the sound of hurried footsteps in the courtyard, a smile spread across Lin Yan’s face. The purpose of his diligent Cultivation was not just for himself, but also for his aunt and younger brother.
His family was one of his greatest motivations to strive.
"Big Brother, you’re finally back!"
Lin Mo opened the gate and threw his entire body forward. An ordinary person would have been knocked over, but Lin Yan simply raised his right hand and easily caught Lin Mo by the collar on the back of his neck.
"None of that, now. While I was gone, did you listen to Auntie? How are your studies?"
At Lin Yan’s words, Lin Mo instantly deflated, bowing his head and mumbling incoherently.
"I’ll deal with you later."
Lin Yan shot his little brother a glare. When he saw his aunt, who had thrown on a coat, also walking toward him, he quickened his pace to meet her.
"Auntie, why was the gate closed during the day? Did something happen?"
"Nothing happened at home. It’s just that after you left for Sanshan County, many people came to visit. They were all important, influential figures in town, and their words all touched upon the Four Seas Gang and the Inspection Bureau. I told your Fourth Aunt about it, and she advised me to just close the gate and not receive any guests."
"Fourth Aunt’s advice was right."
Lin Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly. ’It seems it wasn’t just Qian Shuhang who came to act as a lobbyist. Many Martial Artists in Guangping County Town also wanted to come and persuade me on behalf of the Four Seas Gang and the Inspection Bureau.’
’Presumably, it’s not just because I’m Master’s disciple, but also because I’ve reached the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing, making me a noteworthy figure in Guangping County Town.’
’These people who came to the door were trying to use the elder-relative approach: first persuade my aunt, then have her persuade me to join one of their sides.’
That night, candlelight flickered.
Lin Yan listened quietly as his aunt recounted the things that had happened at home during his absence.
Although they were all trivial matters, Lin Yan listened with great interest. Only in these moments could he truly let his guard down and relax completely.
When the candle had nearly burned down, Lin Yan pulled his already drowsy younger brother along, and they each went to their rooms to rest.
Returning to his room, a faint, clean fragrance wafted toward him. Lin Yan was no stranger to this scent; it came from the camphor balls that the local people used to repel insects.
The bed had been made with thick, brand-new quilts. However, when he saw the mandarin duck pattern embroidered on the bedding, the corner of Lin Yan’s mouth twitched.
’Auntie is... finding new ways to push me toward marriage.’
The next day, after finishing breakfast, Lin Yan said goodbye to his aunt and left home, heading for the Tang Family residence.
On the way back, he and his master had discussed the situation with the Four Seas Gang and the Inspection Bureau.
His master had also revealed his reasons for remaining neutral. First, it was unsuitable for a Martial Arts Hall to take sides. Second, his master felt that the Four Seas Gang had appeared too mysteriously.
Over the past few months, the Inspection Bureau and the Four Seas Gang seemed to be fighting fiercely, but upon closer observation, one would discover that both sides were actually exercising great restraint. To date, no Fourth-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artist had made a move.
If the Four Seas Gang truly intended to replace Guangping County Town’s existing Inspection Bureau, they shouldn’t be dragging things out like this. They should have gathered all their Power long ago for a decisive battle with the Inspection Bureau.
Lin Yan agreed with his master’s analysis. Especially after Qian Shuhang had revealed the backer behind the Four Seas Gang, Lin Yan was even more convinced that there was something strange about the conflict between the Four Seas Gang and the Inspection Bureau.
And now, he was heading to the Tang Family to find some answers.
His master chose neutrality mostly because of the unique position of the Martial Arts Hall.
The Tang Family, however, was different. As the number one clan in Guangping County Town, they should logically side with the Inspection Bureau. As long as the Inspection Bureau’s original personnel remained in power, the Tang Family’s interests would not be harmed. Conversely, if the Four Seas Gang took over, the town’s "pie" would certainly be re-divided, and the Tang Family’s interests would be affected.
Of course, the Tang Family could also side with the Four Seas Gang. In their bid to take down the Inspection Bureau, the Four Seas Gang would definitely be willing to offer the Tang Family greater benefits.
Therefore, in the eyes of the master and disciple, Lin Yan and Yang Qingfeng, the Tang Family had the Power to decide the outcome of the situation and had the least reason to remain neutral—unless the Tang Family knew some secret.

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