The Song, Zhou, and Zhuang Families didn’t dare get involved personally, so they had the Four Seas Gang spend a fortune to recruit Martial Artists—not to defeat the Inspection Bureau, but simply to sound out the Li Family.
The Four Seas Gang were just pawns, as were the other Martial Artists in Guangping County Town.
"What are you thinking about, Young Master Lin?"
Seeing Lin Yan’s silence, Tang Tang spoke softly.
"I just find the truth a little cruel."
Lin Yan gave a wry smile, then asked, "But even if the outcome of this struggle depends on whether Li Mushen of the Li Family is dead, that shouldn’t be enough to make your family choose to relocate, should it?"
A trace of helplessness flickered in Tang Tang’s eyes. "Every time the county’s Inspection Bureau changes hands, the major families of the county are purged. As the number one family in Guangping County Town, I’m afraid the Tang Family has long been seen as a juicy prize by many other powers."
The second-rate families and powers in the county town still have a chance to survive. After all, no matter which power takes control of the Inspection Bureau, they must guarantee tax payments to the Profound Celestial Sect. If they were to slaughter every Martial Artist Clan in the county, the resulting panic would disrupt tax collection. Then they would have to face the wrath of the Profound Celestial Sect.
But without exception, the top-tier families and powers in the county are always purged.
Most importantly, Tang Tang believes that Li Mushen of the Li Family is already dead. The reason the Li Family hasn’t abandoned Guangping County Town is that if they did, other powers, smelling blood in the water, would pounce on their other territories in the Prefecture City.
Every extra month they hold on is another month of income.
"Thank you for the explanation, Miss Tang. It has allowed me to learn of these secrets."
"Young Master Lin, you are a Tributor of my Tang Family. Naturally, I wouldn’t hide these matters from you. Furthermore, the Tang Family is preparing to relocate. If you are willing to come with us, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of a Tributor."
Tang Tang lifted her gaze, her beautiful eyes fixed on Lin Yan.
Her almond-shaped eyes were already stunning, and now, illuminated by the warm glow of the brazier, they shimmered as if she had something to say but chose not to.
A lock of dark hair slipped from her shoulder, resting against her collarbone and accentuating the slender line of her fair neck.
Lin Yan picked up his teacup, lowered his head to take a sip, and avoided her gaze.
’Now I understand why Miss Tang dressed this way today.’
’A honey trap!’
’The young miss of the Tang Family is using a honey trap on me, trying to convince me to leave with them.’
’If I go with the Tang Family, not only would I continue as their Tributor, but I might even become their prized son-in-law in the future.’
’Marry into wealth, live the easy life.’
’It’s certainly a tempting offer, but it would also mean I’d be completely tied to the Tang Family.’
’Right now, as a Tributor, my relationship with the Tang Family is more like a deep strategic partnership. If we were to face a crisis I couldn’t handle, I could walk away at any time. But if I were bound to them, I wouldn’t be able to just up and leave.’
’Besides, I also have to consider whether my aunt and younger brother would be willing to leave Guangping County Town, where they’ve lived for so many years.’
’It’s mainly my aunt’s opinion I have to consider. My younger brother’s doesn’t matter as much.’
’A young man is like an eagle, eager to leave the nest and explore the world.’
"This is a matter I must discuss with my family’s elders."
Failing to get a definite answer from Lin Yan, a flicker of disappointment crossed Tang Tang’s eyes.
’She had indeed put some careful thought into her attire today.’
’Ever since that Madam Lin of the Lin Mansion had hinted at a relationship between Lin Yan and the Lin Mansion, there had been a lot of gossip.’
’Of course, she wasn’t so naive as to believe the gossip, but when she thought of Madam Lin’s beauty, and the fact that Lin Yan had so far only accepted patronage from the Lin Mansion, she couldn’t help but be somewhat affected.’
’That was why she had dressed up so splendidly today. Madam Lin was beautiful, but so was she—and she was younger.’
’Using a honey trap on Lin Yan didn’t mean she had romantic feelings for him. It was simply that she didn’t dislike being around him.’
’Lin Yan breaking through to the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing in such a short period had already proven his talent in the Martial Arts. With her family’s Martial Arts Resources to support him, a future breakthrough to the Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing, or even the Blood Exchange Realm, wasn’t out of the question.’
’Tang Tang had never fantasized that her husband had to be some peerless Martial Arts prodigy; otherwise, she wouldn’t have returned from the Prefecture City.’
’She much preferred a husband whose background she knew well, who had talent in the Martial Arts, and who was a decent person. Lin Yan met both criteria.’
’Of course, the fact that Lin Yan wasn’t ugly was also a factor.’
’If Lin Yan left with her, she would use her family’s resources to cultivate him. Once he reached the Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing, she would choose to marry him.’
’The reason she didn’t state this outright was due to a woman’s last shred of modesty, and because she didn’t want to seem like she was luring Lin Yan with Martial Arts Resources.’
"My family’s relocation is still a few days away. You can take your time to consider, Young Master Lin."
After speaking, Tang Tang reached under the table and brought out a wooden box. "These three bottles of Tiger Bone Tempering Pills are an extra token of our gratitude for helping the Tang Family defend our territory in Sanshan County, Young Master Lin."
"Thank you."
Lin Yan didn’t stand on ceremony. Although he had seized a good amount of silver coins from the Chen and Qian Families, the path of Martial Arts was incredibly expensive. These three bottles of Tiger Bone Tempering Pills would last him a month.
Now that he knew the truth, Lin Yan felt an urgent need to increase his strength.
’The Third-Time of Skin Smoothing isn’t enough. The Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing isn’t enough. Only by reaching the Blood Exchange Realm will I have the power to control my own destiny.’
’He would remember this favor from the Tang Family. With his current strength, he was powerless to solve problems that the Tang Family itself couldn’t handle. But if he was given some more time to grow, he would definitely help the Tang Family if they ran into trouble in the future.’
Lin Yan rose to take his leave, and Tang Tang also stood up to see him out. Just then, however, a pigeon flew down from above and landed on her shoulder.
Seeing the pigeon, Lin Yan was curious but didn’t stop, wanting to avoid any appearance of impropriety. Tang Tang, on the other hand, made no effort to hide it from him and directly untied the small note from the pigeon’s leg.
However, as she read the contents of the note, Tang Tang’s beautiful eyes narrowed. She looked at Lin Yan and said, "News from the Prefecture City. It’s confirmed that Li Mushen is dead. His remains have been found."

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