The Invincible Strongest Student

Early last night, Jiang Pan Die had already told Lin Tian that she must return to Kanyue City immediately. During the days at Luoyan Dock, the people from Heyue were nearly going crazy looking for her, but dared not report it to the authorities. After all, Jiang Pan Die’s influence was immense, and her fans were too numerous—if word got out that something happened to her, it would only lead to more trouble.

Upon waking up, Jiang Pan Die also called Heyue’s top executives, briefly recounting where she’d been recently, mainly to reassure them. There were still many matters waiting for her attention upon her return.

So, early this morning, she packed her things (there was really nothing to pack) and left by car, seeing off Lin Tian and the others.

In the following days, Lin Tian’s life was relatively peaceful. Sparring sessions with Xu Xianrong in the morning focused on knife fighting. Although he hadn’t mastered any specific moves, he wielded the knife with more ferocity than before.

Moreover, Luoyan Dock was a place with many spies from various family clans, so news of Lin Tian’s recovery always reached them promptly.

Thus, many visitors came to see Lin Tian these days, quite different from before. This time, all the visitors were senior members from various family clans. Some enjoyed fine tea, some enjoyed chess, some liked wine. The Tang Family was different; their discussions with Lin Tian mostly revolved around herbal medicine, mostly related to poisons.

No matter how the conversations went, the topics ultimately circled around the core interests. After all, over the recent days, they had brought Lin Tian many gifts—the pills being another matter. Even the daily essentials were all carefully chosen. This could be considered using the wool off the sheep’s own back.

Besides these, Lin Tian also heard an interesting piece of news.

Wang Sicong was added to the Wang Family’s genealogy. His body, upon being returned to the Wang Family a few days ago, soon occasioned a memorial service held at the ancestral home of the Wang Family. The guests invited were mostly prominent figures in society, of course, the other family clans were invited as well. Although some unpleasantness occurred at True Martial Hall a couple of months ago, basic courtesy had to be extended.

Lin Tian wasn’t interested in how Wang Sicong’s memorial service was conducted—even if he were to resurrect, Lin wouldn’t be bothered. What he cared about was whether the Wang Family’s mad dog would ’jump over the wall’ out of desperation; if they began retaliating, Lin would need to return swiftly.

Regarding this issue, everyone answered consensually, saying that over ten members of the Wang Family were recently sentenced to death, with the winds tight, they likely wouldn’t make any moves for now.

Only the lame man from the Li Family—Tieguai Li—had a different take after drinking more with Lin Tian.

"Hey, do you still think this is the old world of martial arts? Avenging right in the open? How did the Wang Family’s recent hard tactics end? It ended hastily, didn’t it? Took a dumb loss! Plus, now they’ve got a backer; who knows what tricks they might play. Just be cautious. Also, even though the Wang Family has turned against us, there’s a saying about delicate connections that comes to mind. Anyway, the relationship between the Wang Family and our family clans is complex. Without a Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart here, you’d end up outplayed sooner or later."

Don’t let Tieguai Li’s graying hair fool you—after all, he’s from the older generation and sees through many things well. If he weren’t on good terms with Lin Tian, or hadn’t drunk as much, he wouldn’t have told Lin Tian any of this.

Lin Tian drank alongside Tieguai Li quite a bit. Slouched in a chair like a drunkard, he said dazedly, "Ha, human hearts are never satisfied—like a snake wanting to swallow an elephant... Well, Old Li, you old fossil, as an elder of the Li Family, what is it exactly you all want?"

Old Li laughed foolishly, casually swinging his lame leg as he said, "Whatever you have is what we want. After all, our ancient martial art families are prestigious—reliable and honorable. Who would willingly let a youngster like you sit on their heads and excrete?"

"Sit on their heads and excrete? Haha, isn’t this phrasing a bit much?"

"Too much? Not too much anymore. You shared a pill recipe with various family clans, yet demanded hundreds of pills in return for it. A few times might be okay, but if this goes on, who could tolerate it? You’re robbing beggars’ money, and sooner or later, someone will snap." Tieguai Li said lazily as if it had nothing to do with him.

"Whoever snaps, just gouge out their eyes, whoever gets dirty hands, chop off their hands. This simple logic, I still understand."

"Hahaha, you are really...." Tieguai Li pointed at Lin Tian, laughing, unsure whether to describe him as fearless of tigers or just naive.

"What are you laughing at?!"

"Alright, alright, I won’t laugh anymore. But one Wang Family has already made you so miserable—how would you deal with several more?" Tieguai Li’s smile carried deep significance that wasn’t easily understood.

Lin Tian looked at Tieguai Li and began laughing, and as he did, his gaze became much colder.

"Looking at me like this won’t help. Let me make a statement to you. Our Li Family is now a middle faction. If I told you we’re standing by your side, would you believe it? So we must watch the winds, and observe the skies. Whether to embellish the tapestry or to kick someone while they’re down, we seek stability first."

"Wall reeds sway with the wind, tipping East when the wind blows West, tipping West when the wind blows East, not touched by dogs or cats, can’t even be used for firewood when dried." Lin Tian casually sang, slouched comfortably in the chair.

"If you, young man, keep on cursing this way, don’t blame my Li Family for flipping first." Tieguai Li said with a laugh.

"When fleas are plentiful, what’s one more, no different?"

"..."

This brat just keeps on cursing endlessly. If this continues, I, Old Li, might actually flip!

"Why are you standing up? Sit down, keep drinking, we’re just getting started."

"Hmph, my stomach, spleen, and liver don’t feel well—I can’t drink anymore!"

"Look at your petty and narrow-minded demeanor. If you can drink me under the table, I’ll teach you how to brew Zhou Gong Wine, how about that?" Lin Tian said with a smile.

"Zhou Gong Wine?!" Tieguai Li’s eyes widened with surprise as he turned to Lin Tian, asking incredulously, "You know how?"

"What do you think?"

Lin Tian mimicked the old man’s earlier posture, crossing his legs and being noncommittal.

A spark of interest flashed in Tieguai Li’s eyes—Zhou Gong Wine was renowned, a legendary brew. Rich and smooth, not strong but with lasting effect. Once drunk, dreams would follow, and upon awakening, there would be no headache or discomfort, but rather refreshed vigor.

In the past, such splendid wine was an offering to the imperial palace. Even within ancient martial arts families, it was a rare annual reward, let alone knowing the brewing method. Up to now, the technique has long been lost.