Autumn gave way to the winter solstice, and the cold descended.
In the courtyard.
Lin Yan stood bare-chested, his spine arched like a great bow. Sweat rolled from his shoulder blades, trickling down the ridges of his back muscles. His skin, like a repeatedly forged iron billet, had a subtle, resilient sheen.
HUFF!
He exhaled a single breath, which instantly turned into a plume of mist in the cold air, shooting out a full foot before dissipating.
The Martial Arts Tree inside him had already reached a height of one foot and seven inches, not far from the two-foot height of a Second-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artist.
This Cultivation speed already far surpassed that of most Single-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artists.
He was able to maintain this speed for two reasons. First, his Mountain-Splitting Fist was nearing the Minor Achievement stage. Most Martial Artists were considered quite accomplished if they could just master their Cultivation Technique during the Single-Time Skin Smoothing period.
Second was the bonus to Qi Blood growth provided by his Stone Waist Barbarian Spine Root Bone.
Without these two advantages, at the normal Cultivation speed of his senior brothers at the Martial Arts Hall, it would take nearly two years to reach the Second-Time Skin Smoothing threshold.
If they failed to break through, they would be set back by another year or so.
’Fortunately, I don’t have the risk of failing to break through. The current trouble is that the silver coins sponsored by others have all been spent. The only reason I can still afford Muscle Strengthening Ointment is because of the stipend from the Tang Family.’
"Master Lin, let me wipe your face."
Ah Xiu, who was standing to the side, had already prepared a basin of water and handed over a wrung-out face towel.
"Thanks."
Lin Yan took the towel and wiped the sweat from his face, but he didn’t bother with the sweat on his body. In the beginning, Ah Xiu had offered to wipe him down several times, but he had refused.
It wasn’t that he was uncomfortable with a stranger wiping his body. In his previous life, he had lived for thirty-five years and had certainly enjoyed such services before. He couldn’t afford the 698-yuan package, but the 398-yuan one was a better value.
It was just that now was his time to struggle, and he couldn’t afford to develop a habit of indulgence.
After wiping himself, Lin Yan said, "You don’t need to come for the next two days."
Ah Xiu, who was taking the towel, froze for a moment. Lin Yan added, "I’m heading back to the county seat today, so I won’t be here for the next two days."
For the past three months, Lin Yan had returned to the city once a month. He would set out in the evening, stay at home for one night, and then rush back to town early the next morning. Although Zheng Xun had said the Boss wouldn’t mind, Lin Yan was taking their money and didn’t want to give anyone cause for gossip.
His nominal post with the Tang Family was a good job, and he didn’t want to lose it.
Now that winter was setting in, most of the medicinal fields had already been harvested. The few that were still planted were far from ready for harvest, so there was no need for him to watch over them every day.
"Lin Yan, let’s go."
By the time Lin Yan had packed up and walked out of the courtyard gate, Zheng Xun was already waiting.
During his three months in Qingtian Town, Lin Yan had gotten along well with Zheng Xun. They were around the same age, while everyone else was a good dozen years older. In Zheng Xun’s words, he couldn’t find anything to talk about with those guys.
Once they entered the city, Zheng Xun gave Lin Yan a suggestive look. "Lin Yan, are you sure you won’t come have some fun with me?"
"No, thanks."
On the way back to the city, Zheng Xun had completely let loose, regaling Lin Yan with tales of the wonderful pleasures offered by the women in the city’s pleasure quarters, constantly trying to tempt him. But Lin Yan remained unmoved.
It was said that after a Martial Artist completed Skin Smoothing, they didn’t need to be so wary of wine and women. But if Zheng Xun treated him today, wouldn’t he have to return the favor someday?
Zheng Xun’s situation was different from his. Although the Zheng Family couldn’t compare to the top families in the city, Zheng Xun’s grandfather had been a Third-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artist before he died and had accumulated a considerable fortune. He had the capital to live so freely.
’The money I have isn’t even enough for my training. How could I possibly spend it on something like that?’
’When a person is at a low point, they should minimize leisure and socializing. Even if someone else is paying, you’re still spending their money, which means you have to flatter them and suck up a bit. Over time, you start to subconsciously accept a lower status and lose the will to strive.’
After parting with Zheng Xun, Lin Yan first went to the Martial Arts Hall to buy a jar of Muscle Strengthening Ointment, then headed for home. Compared to three months ago, the atmosphere in the North City District was noticeably different. There were fewer people on the streets, and even the usual crowds of children had vanished.
"Auntie, I’m home."
Lin Yan pushed open his family’s gate. His little brother was in the courtyard, bored, poking at ants on the ground. Hearing the sound, he ran over happily. "Big Brother, you’re back!"
"Yeah. Where’s Auntie?"
Handing the meat he’d bought from the butcher shop to his little brother, Lin Yan asked curiously.
He knew that because of his Martial Arts training expenses, his aunt was definitely reluctant to spend money. It was useless no matter how many times he told her otherwise, so he always brought some meat back with him.
’My little brother is at a growing age; his nutrition is important.’
"Mom went to deliver some clothes."
Lin Mo tugged on the corner of Lin Yan’s clothes. "Big Brother, can you take me out to play? I’m going to die of boredom staying home all day."
"How’s your calligraphy practice coming along?"
Lin Yan didn’t take the bait. Even though his little brother looked pitiful, he remained unmoved.
His aunt didn’t let his little brother play outside because the current situation was different. Although the Qingshui Gang had been wiped out, the Three Heroes Gang had moved in not long after.
These gang members loitered around their territory all day. If they didn’t like the look of someone, they’d find any excuse to beat them up. His aunt was afraid his little brother would be bullied by them.
Unlike the Qingshui Gang, which only had one Skin Smoothing Martial Artist, the Three Heroes Gang had three Single-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artists. Furthermore, the Gang Leader of the Three Heroes Gang had attempted to break through to the Second-Time Skin Smoothing stage a year ago. Although he had failed, he was widely recognized as a top-tier existence among Single-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artists.
The protection money collected by the Three Heroes Gang was ten percent higher than the Qingshui Gang’s. At first, the people of Willow Lane wanted to ask Lin Yan to step in, but he was in Qingtian Town. Besides, before he left, he had specifically instructed his aunt not to get involved in these matters.

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