This Martial Saint is Too Cautious

As Yang Qingfeng left, most of the people present swarmed forward, bursting into a chorus of praise.

Lin Yan stood to one side, watching as everyone crowded around Zhao Linyuan, but he felt no jealousy.

’Junior Brother Zhao really is a genius!’

’I’m still only a little over seventy percent of the way to the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing. Junior Brother Zhao didn’t just catch up from behind—he’s left me in the dust.’

’I wonder... if I used my Stone Waist Barbarian Ridge and Fist Momentum now, would I still be a match for Junior Brother Zhao?’

’Probably not. He’s at the Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing. Every breakthrough at that level is a qualitative leap in power.’

"Junior Brother Lin." Having offered his share of praise, Zhang Liang walked back over. "What are you thinking about? You seem a million miles away."

"It’s nothing." Lin Yan smiled. "I was just thinking that with Junior Brother Zhao’s breakthrough, our Martial Arts Hall has grown even stronger."

"That’s true," Zhang Liang remarked. "Our Yang Family Martial Arts Hall used to only have three senior brothers at the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing. With Junior Brother Zhao, we now have four. Among the six martial arts halls, only Lingyun Martial Arts Hall and Juying Martial Arts Hall can claim to be above us."

In the local Martial Arts Community, the disciples from Lingyun Martial Arts Hall and Juying Martial Arts Hall were widely considered the strongest. Each of those two schools had seven or eight disciples at the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing, and their masters were both top-tier powerhouses at the Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing. While the Yang Family Martial Arts Hall couldn’t compare to those two, it was firmly at the top of the second tier.

"We’ll just make do with lunch at the Martial Arts Hall today. Junior Brother Zhao’s family is throwing a celebratory banquet tonight, so we’ll get to have a real feast." Zhang Liang clapped Lin Yan on the shoulder. "We can bask in some of the good fortune."

...

「Evening.」

「East City, Zhao Mansion.」

Gazing at the magnificent, imposing estate, Lin Yan’s expression remained neutral, but he sighed inwardly. ’Junior Brother Zhao really was born to be a protagonist.’

’He has a great family background and immense talent in the Martial Arts. He’s practically the template for a protagonist from the web novels of my past life.’

"The largest silver business in the city, Zhao’s Silver Building, is owned by Junior Brother Zhao’s family. The Zhao Family also runs rouge and powder shops. You could say none of the fine ladies in the city can do without the Zhao family."

When Zhang Liang saw Lin Yan pause before the main gate of the Zhao Mansion, he realized Lin Yan probably didn’t know about Junior Brother Zhao’s family situation and started to explain. "In this generation, Junior Brother Zhao is the only male heir; he has four older sisters. The entire financial power of the Zhao Family is dedicated to supporting him alone. An ordinary person simply can’t compare."

"You know all this in such detail, Senior Brother Zhang?"

Lin Yan’s question made Zhang Liang’s expression a little awkward. While he wasn’t arrogant, his merchant background had made him a bit of a pragmatist; he made it a point to learn about the family circumstances of his martial brothers in the hall and to associate more with those who were well-off.

Seeing the awkward look on Zhang Liang’s face, Lin Yan put two and two together. This senior brother of his hadn’t been particularly friendly at first. Only after he broke through to Second-Time Skin Smoothing did Senior Brother Zhang take the initiative to get close to him. With a practical personality like Senior Brother Zhang’s, he had surely inquired about the family backgrounds of his martial brothers beforehand.

But he didn’t hold it against Senior Brother Zhang. ’Networking up is just human nature. There’s nothing wrong with what he did.’

Upon entering the Zhao Mansion, a servant led the group from the Martial Arts Hall to the rear garden. It was already bustling with people, all of them young men and women. Lin Yan spotted a familiar figure—Li Yu.

"The disciples from the Yang Family Martial Arts Hall have arrived."

Li Yu was chatting with several other young women. Hearing the announcement, she and her friends turned to look. When her eyes landed on Lin Yan in the crowd, her expression instantly turned cold, and she quickly averted her gaze.

Lin Yan didn’t notice Li Yu at all, as Zhang Liang was busy introducing him to the other guests.

"Junior Brother Lin, let me introduce you to a few people."

Zhang Liang was an excellent networker and knew many of the people there.

"This is the young master of the He Family from East City."

"This is the eldest son of the Six Flavors Workshop from South City."

...

"An honor to meet you!"

"A pleasure!"

...

The people Zhang Liang introduced Lin Yan to were all young and of a similar age. Not only had they all achieved Second-Time Skin Smoothing, but they also came from excellent family backgrounds.

’This must be the Brahmin class of this small county. As the saying goes, "No commoners among their associates."’

Lin Yan didn’t put on a cold and aloof act. He understood that Senior Brother Zhang meant well and was trying to help him expand his social network.

After the round of introductions, Zhang Liang started chatting with the others. Lin Yan scanned the gathering, saw Zhuang Zheng standing by himself, and after a moment’s thought, walked over to him.

"Not a fan of socializing, Junior Brother Zhuang?"

"I’m not good with words, so it’s better if I don’t interact with people much."

Zhuang Zheng gave a bashful smile. Lin Yan understood; Junior Brother Zhuang was the type who was a man of action, with a hint of social anxiety.

As night fell, more and more guests filled the garden. People who knew each other gathered in groups to chat, leaving only Lin Yan and Zhuang Zheng together, making their little corner seem rather quiet.

"Might you be Young Master Lin, Lin Yan of the Yang Family Martial Arts Hall?"

A soft voice drifted from behind him. Lin Yan turned to see a woman in white walking slowly toward him. She had a graceful figure that her simple clothes couldn’t conceal, skin as white as snow, and features as if from a painting. Her cool expression held a trace of indelible sorrow, but it did nothing to detract from her dignified and elegant air.

"I am," Lin Yan replied with a slight nod.

He had already sensed someone watching him for some time. As a Second-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artist, he possessed at least that much awareness.

Qin Yin curtsied gracefully. "My name is Qin Yin, daughter-in-law of the South City Lin Family. Please forgive my sudden intrusion, Young Master Lin."

Lin Yan was taken aback. ’The South City Lin Family? The one in the ironworks business?’

’Lin’s Iron Shop, which monopolized over half of the county’s demand for iron goods. He recalled how, back when he had just achieved Single-Time Skin Smoothing, a senior brother from the Martial Arts Hall had mistaken him for being part of the South City Lin Family.’

"You’re too kind, Madam," Lin Yan said, returning the bow. He was puzzled, however. ’Why would the daughter-in-law of the Lin Family be looking for me?’