This Martial Saint is Too Cautious

Lin Yan had expected some trouble after defeating Cheng Zonghan.

For instance, retaliation from Cheng Zonghan’s senior martial brothers or the Zhou Family Martial Arts Hall.

But a piece of news that broke three days later allowed Lin Yan to breathe a sigh of relief.

A Vice Director of the Inspection Bureau had been murdered late at night!

The news sent tremors through the entire Martial Arts Community of Guangping County Town.

A powerhouse at the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing was already a significant figure in Guangping County Town. When you added the identity of a Vice Director of the Inspection Bureau, the assassination of such a person sent shockwaves through the entire Martial Arts Community, and the Inspection Bureau mobilized all its forces.

Under these circumstances, the once-common disputes among Martial Artists miraculously vanished.

The Martial Artists of Guangping County Town weren’t fools. Causing trouble at a time like this would be like poking the hornet’s nest that was the Inspection Bureau. As a result, the attention on Lin Yan’s victory over Cheng Zonghan plummeted.

’Sure enough,’ he thought, ’the best way to divert attention is to drop an even bigger bombshell.’

One day, Lin Yan was having tea and listening to an opera with Zhang Wei and Monkey.

Neither Zhang Wei nor Monkey were Martial Artists, and the gap in status between them and Lin Yan was ever-widening. But to Lin Yan, they were his childhood friends who had helped him when he first began his training. He had never forgotten their bond of brotherhood.

The higher one climbs, the fewer friends one has.

True friends are mostly made in youth.

Looking at Zhang Wei and Monkey, Lin Yan dreaded the thought of a future where they became like Brother Xun and Run Tu, a day when they would respectfully address him as "Master Lin" or "Lord Lin."

As his thoughts drifted, Lin Yan asked, "Wei Zi, Monkey, what are your plans for the future?"

"Plans?"

Zhang Wei paused, then asked, "Stone, did you hear something about our Escort Agency?"

"What’s wrong with the Weiyuan Escort Agency?"

"You don’t know, Stone?" Zhang Wei glanced around and lowered his voice. "Over the past few months, our agency’s shipments have been robbed several times. The Head of Escort Leader had to pay a fortune to keep the clients from going public. We’ve also lost quite a few Escort Leaders. Escort Leader Chen, the one you met last year, is still recovering from his injuries."

"Escort Leader Chen is injured?"

Lin Yan shot Zhang Wei a glare. "Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?"

He had joined the Yang Family Martial Arts Hall on Escort Leader Chen’s advice, and it had proven to be the perfect fit for him. That was a significant debt of gratitude.

"Well... the Head of Escort Leader ordered us not to talk about the agency’s situation. Plus, you were over in Qingtian Town, so I never found the right time to tell you."

"Take me to Escort Leader Chen’s home."

Lin Yan had originally considered setting up a profitable business for Zhang Wei and Monkey, but after learning of the Weiyuan Escort Agency’s troubles, he changed his mind.

’The county town isn’t as peaceful as I thought.’

First, the Four Seas Gang had consolidated its power in West City and was now eyeing North City. Then, the Vice Director of the Inspection Bureau was assassinated. And now, even the Weiyuan Escort Agency was having problems.

Since starting his training, Lin Yan had learned a fair bit about the county’s Martial Arts Community. The current Head of Escort Leader of the Weiyuan Escort Agency was a Third-Time of Skin Smoothing powerhouse, and his father was a powerhouse who had achieved the Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing. Though the father was old and his strength had waned, his network and lingering authority remained. Few factions would dare to rob a Weiyuan Escort Agency shipment.

Everything pointed to one conclusion: there were dangerous undercurrents swirling in Guangping County.

In the past, he might have been able to use his strength to start a business without issue. But in these circumstances, inaction was the wiser course.

...

In a remote corner of South City, Lin Yan and Zhang Wei arrived at the Chen Family residence.

Although Chen Lang was an Escort Leader for the Weiyuan Escort Agency, he was only a Skin Smoothing Martial Artist. With a son and daughter-in-law to support, family expenses were high, so he couldn’t afford to live in a better neighborhood.

"And you are?"

Shortly after Zhang Wei knocked, a young man opened the door. He eyed Lin Yan and Zhang Wei cautiously, but his expression softened into a smile when he saw the gift box in Lin Yan’s hand.

"I am Lin Yan, here to visit Escort Leader Chen."

"Come in. My father is inside recovering. You can wait in the courtyard."

The young man led them into the courtyard and gestured for them to sit at a stone table. Lin Yan glanced at a clothesline on one side, laden with laundry. It was clear that all four members of Escort Leader Chen’s family were crammed into this small home.

’Living in South City isn’t easy.’

Lin Yan and Zhang Wei had no sooner sat down than Chen Lang’s voice drifted from inside the house. "Which friend has come to visit?"

The voice was loud, but Lin Yan could detect the weakness in his breathing.

When Chen Lang emerged from the house and saw Lin Yan rising from the stone stool, he froze for a moment. Then he immediately turned to his son and chided him, "We have an honored guest! Why haven’t you served tea?"

"Escort Leader Chen, please don’t trouble yourself. I only heard from Wei Zi today that you were injured and came to pay my respects," Lin Yan said with a smile, trying to smooth things over.

Chen Lang’s son felt wronged. Seeing how young Lin Yan and Zhang Wei were, it never occurred to him that they might be Martial Artists. He had assumed they were here with a gift to ask his father for a favor.

"Still unconvinced? Young Master Lin is a Second-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artist! His visit is an honor to our family. Now hurry up and make some tea!"

Hearing "Second-Time Skin Smoothing," the son’s eyes went wide. He stared at Lin Yan and swallowed hard a few times. ’He’s reached the Second-Time of Skin Smoothing at such a young age?’

Chen Lang shot his son another glare. As soon as the young man scurried back inside, Chen Lang fixed his gaze on Lin Yan, his eyes a mixture of admiration and disbelief.

A while back, he had casually asked Zhang Wei about Lin Yan. When he heard that Lin Yan had reached the Second-Time of Skin Smoothing, he’d been stunned for the better part of a day. He knew Zhang Wei wouldn’t lie to him, but it was still hard to believe. He only accepted it as fact after it was confirmed by another Escort Leader at the agency, one who had come from the Yang Family Martial Arts Hall.

Who would have thought that the boy who once knew nothing about the various Martial Arts Halls was now a Second-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artist, worthy of being called "Master"?

The very model of someone from a Humble Family rising against the odds!

"How are you feeling, Escort Leader Chen?"

Seeing Chen Lang approach, Lin Yan moved to support him, but Chen Lang waved him off. "Another half a month or so and I should be fine... You shouldn’t have spent so much."

Chen Lang glanced at the gift box Lin Yan had placed on the table. A single look at the Tang Family insignia on it told him it contained nourishing medicinal herbs.

"It’s nothing compared to the guidance you once gave me."

Lin Yan’s words were sincere. Chen Lang fell silent for a moment before sighing. "The reason I advised you back then was simply because we came from similar backgrounds. I didn’t understand the differences between the Martial Arts Halls in my youth and ended up at an irresponsible one. I couldn’t bear to see you repeat my mistakes."

With that, Chen Lang’s tone shifted, and he smiled. "I never imagined my little piece of advice would help forge a true dragon. That’s a story I can brag about for the rest of my life."

Soon, Chen Lang’s son returned and poured tea. Lin Yan chatted with Chen Lang. As both were Martial Artists, their conversation naturally turned to matters of the Martial Arts Community, where the most explosive topic was the assassination of the Inspection Bureau’s Vice Director.

"You’re good friends with Zhang Wei, so I imagine you know about our Escort Agency’s situation. My own skill in the Martial Arts isn’t much to speak of, but I’ve been with the agency for nearly twenty years. There’s something I must warn you about, Young Master Lin."

Chen Lang rubbed his teacup. "Guangping County might look the same as ever, but in reality, dangerous undercurrents are swirling. I’m afraid the Vice Director’s death is only the beginning. Greater turmoil is yet to come."

Lin Yan’s eyes narrowed. Escort Leader Chen’s analysis matched his own.

"Young Master Lin, you’ve reached the Second-Time of Skin Smoothing at such a young age. Hall Master Yang must think highly of you, and you also hold a post with the Tang Family. My advice is to focus on your training and do your best to stay out of the city’s various power struggles."

"Thank you for the advice, Escort Leader Chen. I will keep it in mind."

Seeing Lin Yan’s earnest expression, Chen Lang was pleased to see he had genuinely taken the words to heart. He had worried that, having achieved the Second-Time of Skin Smoothing and tasting success so young, Lin Yan would be too arrogant to listen. After all, from Lin Yan’s perspective, Chen Lang’s own martial prowess was that of a failure.

"I can only offer you advice on matters like this, Young Master Lin. When it comes to the Martial Arts, I have nothing more to teach you."

...

After they finished the pot of tea, Lin Yan and Zhang Wei took their leave. Chen Lang offered to walk them out personally, but Lin Yan politely refused. In the end, Chen Lang’s son escorted them to the mouth of the alley.

"Dad, is he really a Second-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artist? He’s so young!"

Chen Lang’s son watched Lin Yan’s retreating figure, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"His youth is the least of it. Do you know he only started training last year? All told, it’s been just one year. On top of that, he’s level-headed. Barring any accidents, he’s guaranteed a place in the Martial Arts Community of Guangping County."

Chen Lang’s son’s mouth fell slightly open. But more than that, he was interested in the gift box Lin Yan had brought.

"Dad... this must have cost a fortune, right?"

Seeing the Ginseng and other valuable medicinal herbs in the box, Chen Lang’s son now understood firsthand the generosity of a Second-Grade Martial Artist.

"A ten-year-old Mountain Ginseng, plus these other herbs... this must be worth twenty silver taels. This is a truly generous gift."

Even Chen Lang was stunned by Lin Yan’s extravagance. It would be one thing if Lin Yan came from a wealthy family, but he was from an ordinary background. Even with a generous stipend from his post with the Tang Family, his own training was expensive. That stipend would, at best, just cover his own cultivation needs.

’Lin Yan probably figured I wouldn’t accept money, so he gave me medicinal herbs instead.’

In the Martial Arts Community, these kinds of nourishing herbs were as good as hard currency; they could be taken to an apothecary and exchanged for silver taels at any time.

After a moment’s thought, Chen Lang said to his son, "Go invite your Uncle Wang, Uncle Zhang, and Uncle Fang over. After you’re done, stop by the street and buy some prepared dishes to bring home. I want to use them to spread the news of Lin Yan’s visit today."

"Heh heh. Dad, you want people to know our family has a connection with Lin Yan."

"You don’t know a thing."

Chen Lang shot his son an exasperated look. "Lin Yan comes from an ordinary background; he’ll probably be strapped for cash to cover his future training expenses. I’m spreading the news of his visit to build up his reputation as someone who remembers his debts. Everyone is willing to sow a seed of goodwill with a promising young man who knows how to show gratitude."

Chen Lang didn’t know about Lin Yan’s victory over Cheng Zonghan. He was simply doing what he could, in his own way, to help the young man.

Why do those merchants hire Martial Arts Hall disciples as private guards? Because the Martial Arts Halls, for the sake of their own reputations, keep their disciples in line. Now, with news of Lin Yan’s grateful nature spreading, even if the great families of the county aren’t interested, at least a merchant or two might be tempted.

Many merchants would be willing to sponsor him with a few dozen silver taels to forge a good relationship.

If a few such merchants came forward, it would at least ensure Lin Yan wouldn’t be so short on funds.