’This Xu Ping has such a powerful background, yet he keeps it hidden. Could he be intentionally waiting for me to make a mistake so he can scheme for my captain’s position?’
Lin Yan didn’t stay long at the city gate, nor did he dismount his horse.
It wasn’t that he was being arrogant. Just calling him "Brother Ping" was more than enough for Xu Ping to benefit from. If he had also dismounted and acted too familiar, it might not have been a good thing for Xu Ping. It could easily disrupt his current life, and he might even find himself targeted by the other powers in the county town.
Once inside the city, the streets of Guangping County Town were still the same as always. Two years wasn’t long enough for a county town to change drastically.
Lin Yan and Zhao Linyuan headed straight for the Yang Family Martial Arts Hall.
But as they were riding down a certain street, Lin Yan suddenly stopped, his gaze abruptly shifting to the left.
"Senior Brother Lin, what’s wrong?"
Zhao Linyuan saw Lin Yan stop and look in another direction. He followed Lin Yan’s line of sight, but there was nothing unusual, just a few pedestrians.
"I thought I saw an acquaintance, but I guess I was mistaken."
Lin Yan shook his head and looked away. He had just stopped because his Perception had picked up a gaze from the left, spying on him.
As he and Junior Brother Zhao rode through the streets, they attracted many stares. These looks were filled with curiosity and prying, but none of them had given him the distinct sensation of being spied on.
With his five senses enhanced by the Black Cicada, Lin Yan was certain that a gaze had indeed been spying on him just now, one strong enough to trigger his senses. But by the time he looked over, the feeling of being watched was gone.
The facade of the Yang Family Martial Arts Hall was much grander than it had been two years ago. The lintel above the door was freshly painted with black lacquer, and the four words "Yang Family Martial Arts Hall" were gilded, shining dazzlingly in the sunlight.
A pair of stone lions had also been added at the entrance, squatting there with bared teeth and looking quite majestic.
Lin Yan reined in his horse, looked up at those four words, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
"The Martial Arts Hall has changed. Looks like Master has made some money."
"The Martial Arts Hall is now, without a doubt, the number one in the county town. But Master didn’t raise the discipleship fees; he just limited the number of new disciples each year. Otherwise, the other martial arts halls wouldn’t be able to survive."
Zhao Linyuan clearly knew more about the situation than Lin Yan. Just as the two were about to step up to the entrance, the doors of the Martial Arts Hall were pushed open from within.
A robust man with a full beard walked out, dressed in a set of worn training clothes. When his gaze fell on Lin Yan’s face and their eyes met, he froze instantly.
"Junior... Junior Brother Lin?"
The next moment, Li An’s voice shot up an octave, his eyes as wide as saucers, as if he’d seen a ghost.
"Senior Brother Li, long time no see." Lin Yan smiled and clasped his fist in greeting.
"You... How are you back?" Li An finally snapped out of it, the shock on his face slowly turning into ecstatic joy as he stepped forward and threw his arms around Lin Yan.
"Senior Brother Li is playing favorites. He only has eyes for Senior Brother Lin."
As Li An was overcome with joy and excitement, Zhao Linyuan stood to the side with a smile.
Hearing the voice, Li An’s gaze shifted to Zhao Linyuan. He froze for a second, then let out another strange cry.
"Junior... Junior Brother Zhao?"
Li An was completely floored.
Junior Brother Lin’s sudden appearance was shocking enough, but now Junior Brother Zhao was back too. What kind of day was this?
"Senior Brother Li." Zhao Linyuan clasped his fist, a gentle smile on his face.
"You two... How did you end up together?" Li An looked from Lin Yan to Zhao Linyuan, then suddenly slapped his thigh. "No, I have to go tell Master!"
With that, he turned and ran inside, only to stop after two steps and run back. He roared at a group of new disciples practicing in the front courtyard, "Stop! Everyone, stop! Come and meet your two senior brothers!"
On the training grounds in the front courtyard, about twenty youths were holding horse stances, their backs drenched in sweat. Hearing Li An’s roar, they all relaxed their stances and stood up straight, looking curiously toward the entrance.
"This is Senior Brother Lin Yan, and this is Senior Brother Zhao Linyuan!" Li An’s voice was filled with unconcealed pride, as if he were showing off some priceless treasure. "I don’t need to say much about the deeds of these two."
The youths looked at each other, and for a moment, there was silence.
But just a breath later, a wave of exclamations erupted.
They had heard those two names countless times. Their elders had spoken of them before they even joined the Martial Arts Hall. After joining, Senior Brother Li mentioned them constantly—though he mostly focused on Senior Brother Lin. From the other senior brothers, they heard more stories about Senior Brother Zhao.
In their hearts, these two were "legendary figures."
And now, these two legendary senior brothers were standing right in front of them, in the flesh.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Lin! Greetings, Senior Brother Zhao!"
About twenty youths shouted in unison, their voices so loud and clear that dust rustled down from the eaves.
After shouting, a few of the bolder ones in the front row couldn’t help but secretly size them up, their gazes shifting back and forth between Lin Yan and Zhao Linyuan. A round-faced youth lowered his voice and asked the companion next to him, "Which one is Senior Brother Lin? And which is Senior Brother Zhao?"
"You’re asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?" his companion retorted irritably.
"I can’t believe we’re actually seeing the two legends in person."
Lin Yan and Zhao Linyuan heard the youths’ supposed whispers crystal clear. The two exchanged a glance, each seeing a sense of dazed unreality in the other’s eyes.
Once, they had also practiced their fists here. Now, they had become the legends spoken of by these youths.
"On second thought, I won’t go report to Master. You two should just go in yourselves."
"Alright, alright, get back to your training!" Li An waved the group of youths away, then turned to Lin Yan and Zhao Linyuan. "Master is in the back courtyard. You can go on your own."
Li An had also sobered from his excitement. ’Master will definitely lose his composure when he sees his two junior brothers. If I’m standing there and see it happen, he’ll probably find some petty way to get back at me later.’
In the back courtyard of the Martial Arts Hall, Lin Yan and Zhao Linyuan, with a tacit understanding, concealed their auras. When they pushed the gate open, they saw Yang Qingfeng sitting in a grand armchair under the corridor, engrossed in a yellowed Fist Manual he held in his hands.
Lin Yan stood at the courtyard gate, his throat suddenly tightening as he looked at his master, who hadn’t changed at all in two years.
"Master."
Zhao Linyuan spoke first. His voice wasn’t loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet courtyard.
Yang Qingfeng’s hand, which was turning a page, froze. He looked up, his gaze falling on the courtyard gate. He stared for a moment, seemingly unable to believe his eyes, even rubbing them before a wide smile slowly spread across his face. "How did you two come back together?"
"Master, I happened to run into Junior Brother Zhao on my way back, so we traveled together."
Lin Yan spoke up right after. His master was not yet fifty, and as a Fourth-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artist, he was far from the age where his Qi Blood would begin to decline, so his appearance was well-preserved.
He thought of his aunt. ’Maybe I should find a way to help her age more slowly, too.’

Comments

Loading...