Chapter 86 - 57: Reflection
Sanshan County!
News that Lin Yan had killed Chen Zheng, the second son of the Chen Family, spread like dandelion seeds throughout the county town’s Martial Arts Community.
"As expected of someone who reached the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing in two years. His strength is improving at a terrifying rate."
Cao Zhang was stunned as he listened to the report from a Martial Artist in his household.
Chen Zheng had reached the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing three years ago, yet he had not only lost to Lin Yan but also lost his life. Didn’t that mean if he were to face Lin Yan, he’d be killed too?
"This talent of his... I’m actually a little jealous."
Cao Zhang couldn’t help but purse his lips. However, he knew full well that with Lin Yan having killed Chen Zheng, someone with Qian Shuhang’s temperament would never let the matter rest. There was a good show to watch now.
...
The Chen Family!
Chen Hai’s expression was incredibly grim as he stared at his younger brother’s caved-in chest on the stretcher.
Earlier today, Young Master Qian had paid them a visit. He promised the brothers that if they drove Lin Yan out of Sanshan County, the Tang Family’s three mountains would be theirs. If the Tang Family dared to retaliate, the Qian Family would step in and handle it.
The two Chen brothers were tempted by Young Master Qian’s promise.
Before the two of them reached the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing, the Chen Family could only be considered a lower-middle-tier family. He and his brother had successfully broken through to the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing because, by a stroke of luck in his youth, he had discovered a Treasure Medicine in the mountains—a Blood Lotus. Not only that, but it was a rare Twin Lotus, which had produced two Blood Lotus Seeds.
He used one of the seeds himself and gave the other to his younger brother.
Although both brothers had reached the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing, most of the profitable businesses in the town had already been carved up. Moreover, the families monopolizing these industries, even if they only had a single Third-Time Skin Smoothing powerhouse presiding over them, all had some connection to the few Fourth-Time Skin Smoothing powerhouses.
It wasn’t easy for the two brothers to make a move.
But now, with the Wei Family wiped out, if they could seize the medicinal herbs on the Tang Family’s three mountains and gain the support of the Qian Family, their Chen Family could become the next Wei Family.
His younger brother had declared right in front of Young Master Qian that he would immediately go and cause trouble for Lin Yan, and he had agreed.
He had expected that Lin Yan, being timid and afraid of trouble, and having only reached the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing three months ago, would simply choose to tuck his tail and run when faced with his brother’s pressure.
He never would have thought that Lin Yan would actually dare to fight back, and in the end, even take his brother’s life.
Although the men who returned reported that Lin Yan was likely injured too and was just forcing himself to hide it, the result was the same: his younger brother was the one who died.
Deep regret was etched on Chen Hai’s face. If he had known it would turn out like this, he never would have let his younger brother go and provoke Lin Yan.
"Master, Young Master Qian is here."
A servant reported from outside the door. Chen Hai composed his expression, but before he could go out to greet him, Qian Shuhang had already walked in on his own.
"Young Master Qian, my younger brother..."
Qian Shuhang cut Chen Hai off, speaking impatiently, "Your brother’s dead. Perfect. Now you have an excuse for revenge."
"But..."
"But what? Don’t tell me you really think that Lin Yan is so strong?"
Qian Shuhang said with a disdainful look, "In my opinion, your brother was just careless and underestimated his enemy, giving Lin Yan a chance to turn the tables at the last moment."
Chen Hai fell silent. Seeing his silence, Qian Shuhang sneered, "What, your younger brother gets killed by Lin Yan, and you, his older brother, aren’t planning on avenging him?"
"Young Master Qian, with your strength, you could easily crush that Lin Yan. Why did you need to involve my brother and me?"
Before, he had been so caught up in the ecstasy of the Chen Family’s potential rise that he hadn’t thought things through. Now, his brother’s death had sobered him up.
He wanted revenge, but some things needed to be cleared up first.
"I have my reasons for not acting myself. But I can tell you this: it has nothing to do with the Yang Family Martial Arts Hall behind Lin Yan, and even less to do with the Tang Family."
Looking at the silent Chen Hai, Qian Shuhang’s expression turned cold. "Drive Lin Yan away, and my Qian Family will help your Chen Family rise to power."
"Fine. Give me a few days. I also hope that Young Master Qian will make good on his promise."
Chen Hai gritted his teeth. At this point, he had no way out. ’My younger brother can’t have died in vain.’
"Within three days, I want to see you make a move. And remember, don’t kill Lin Yan. Leave him just enough breath to make it back to Guangping County."
Chen Hai looked up, his eyes filled with confusion and anger. ’Lin Yan killed my brother, but I can only injure him?’
’How can I avenge my brother then?’
’This Young Master Qian has schemed so meticulously against Lin Yan, yet he wants to spare his life. What is he trying to do?’
At first, he thought Lin Yan must have somehow offended Young Master Qian, who just wanted to vent his anger. But now, it seemed it wasn’t that simple.
"Just do as I say. If you dare to have any other ideas, you’d better consider the consequences yourself."
Qian Shuhang didn’t care what Chen Hai thought. ’In any case, Lin Yan cannot die in Sanshan County. He has to die within the borders of Guangping County.’
...
"Young Master Lin, the men below caught a wild boar that came down the mountain looking for prey. They sent it over especially for you, to help you recuperate."
Xia Mingtang appeared in Lin Yan’s courtyard, but this time, the smile on his face was incredibly fawning. He was even carrying a wild boar’s leg.
"Just put it down."
Lin Yan couldn’t help but smile. ’Since arriving, I’ve gone into the mountains several times, and Xia Mingtang and the other nominal Martial Artists have also hunted quite a bit.’
’In the past, these guys never once brought me any of their catch. Today, however, they finally remembered me.’
’This is the benefit of showing off one’s power. My strength has won over Xia Mingtang and the others.’
"Young Master Lin, I never imagined your strength was so great! Those three punches you threw this morning... just watching from the side made me tremble all over."
"Enough with the flattery. Write a letter to the Boss about the situation here. Tell him the Chen Family might retaliate, and that he should make arrangements soon."
"Yes, I’ll go write the letter right away."
"And find someone to deliver a formal visiting card to the Qian Family. I will be visiting the Qian Family Patriarch tomorrow. Prepare a gift for my visit."
Hearing Lin Yan’s command, Xia Mingtang froze. ’Why the sudden visit to the Qian Family?’
’The Qian Family and the Tang Family have no relationship. Logically, there’s no reason for Young Master Lin to have any dealings with them, right?’
"Is there a problem?" Lin Yan asked again when he saw Xia Mingtang spacing out.
"No problem! I’ll get on it right away. I guarantee everything will be prepared perfectly for you, Young Master Lin."
Watching Xia Mingtang leave, a dark glint appeared in the depths of Lin Yan’s eyes. He had three reasons for visiting the Qian Family.
First, he wanted to know if the move against him was orchestrated with the Qian Family Patriarch’s knowledge or if it was Qian Shuhang’s own decision.
Second, the Qian Family Patriarch was over sixty years old, and his Qi Blood was already in decline. This was a chance to test his actual strength.
Third, he could stall Qian Shuhang for a day. He would use that time to consume the Purple Lingzhi and increase his strength again.
...
Sanshan County, Seven Stars Escort Agency.
"Head of Escort Leader, Lin Yan, the man you asked me to keep an eye on, killed Chen Zheng of the Chen Family today."
"Chen Zheng?"
Zhang Xiuyuan was in the courtyard polishing his Iron Spear. He frowned upon hearing the news. "What feud is there between the Chen Family and Lin Yan?"
"There’s no feud to speak of. The Chen Family had their eyes on the Tang Family’s mountains. Chen Zheng went personally to demand that Lin Yan get out of Sanshan County. The two fought a great battle. Lin Yan was at a disadvantage at first but turned the tables in the end and killed Chen Zheng."
The middle-aged man who came to report described the situation in such detail it was as if he had been there to witness it firsthand.
"The two Chen brothers have the guts to make a move on the Tang Family’s mountains? I’m afraid there’s something fishy about this matter."
A mocking look appeared in Zhang Xiuyuan’s eyes. The middle-aged man nodded in agreement. "My subordinates think so too. Someone else must be involved, but we haven’t found out who yet."
Zhang Xiuyuan frowned slightly. "Keep watching. Report any new developments to me immediately."
Zhang Xiuyuan pondered for a moment, then turned and entered his study. When he came out, he was already holding a letter, which he handed to his subordinate with an order:
"Send this to the Yang Family Martial Arts Hall in Guangping County Town."