......
East Street of Mu City.
Lin Chang'sheng returned to his clay-tile house and opened his panel.
[Great Dao is Simple: Level 1]
[Lin Chang'sheng: 16/55]
[Cultivation: Third-rate (419/500)]
[Cultivation Technique: None]
[Martial Arts: Archery (Great Perfection), Iron Sand Palm (Great Perfection)]
[Spend a certain amount of silver taels to simplify cultivation techniques, martial arts, etc.]
[Status: Yin Qi Invasion]
"Both archery and Iron Sand Palm have reached Great Perfection, but my cultivation progress has slowed down. Maybe it's because of the cultivation technique!"
"Wait another half a month, then I can go claim a cultivation technique!"
Lin Chang'sheng looked at his panel, pondering silently.
At the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall, besides Iron Sand Palm, there's also the Sun-Bathing Breathing Technique to match it, which regulates the meridians, strengthens muscles and bones, condenses blood and Qi. Legend has it, cultivated to the extreme, one's Qi and blood become fierce, the physical body incomparably strong, and even evil spirits wouldn't dare approach!
However.
The Sun-Bathing Breathing Technique requires at least entry into Iron Sand Palm before it will be taught.
This is also a way for the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall to make money.
If you haven't reached entry level in Iron Sand Palm, you can't train in the Sun-Bathing Breathing Technique. And after three months, still not at entry level? Sorry, you'll have to cough up another 10 taels of silver to stay and keep learning at the hall!
The Sun-Bathing Breathing Technique is like candy dangled a yard away, luring you to keep forking over silver.
Of course.
If you manage to reach entry level in Iron Sand Palm within three months, that means you have talent. After that, you'll be an official disciple at the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall, and they'll teach you the Breathing Technique for sure.
Just to be cautious.
Lin Chang'sheng planned to wait another half month or so, then after New Year's, show off entry-level Iron Sand Palm. After all, the fastest entry at the martial arts hall was by Qi Tong, and it only took him half a month. If it takes him a little over a month, it's not too attention-grabbing.
.......
East Street.
About three miles away, inside a large courtyard.
"Big! Big! Big!"
"Small! Small! Small!"
"Leopard!"
"......"
More than twenty young men and grown men in blue clothes, eagle emblems on their chests, were shaking dice, the place truly bustling. As the banker revealed the dice, some cheered, others groaned.
"Damn it, small again!"
"Shit, what rotten luck! Lost again!"
Tie Yang stomped out of the crowd, squatting moodily at the courtyard gate.
He'd lost 700 Wen Coins today!
"Brother Yang, I was just asking why Lin Chang'sheng keeps running off to West Street—turns out, he's been going to the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall to learn martial arts!"
At this moment, a short youth hurried over and said to Tie Yang.
"That Lin Chang'sheng, huh, actually has the silver to learn martial arts at the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall!"
Tie Yang's eyes immediately flashed with sharp light at his underling's whispers.
Tough luck all day, lost a lot.
Since Lin Chang'sheng had enough silver to learn at the martial arts hall, well, why not go "knock" a few taels off him to make up for his losses? Wouldn't that be perfect?
With that thought, Tie Yang warned the short youth, "Third Son, don't tell anyone about this. Tomorrow, let's go find Lin Chang'sheng and get ourselves some silver to spend!"
"You got it, Brother Yang!"
The short youth's eyes lit up with anticipation.
...........
East Street.
Ma Zhankui's house, in the sitting room.
"Master Ma, someone broke my hand last night and forced me to clear that Widow Yan Zhen's name... If I refused, he said he'd kill my whole family... What do you think..."
Forensic doctor Li Zhen, his right hand bandaged, respectfully cupped his fists to a muscular man in a brocade robe.
"One strike to break your hand, ruthless skill... Who's helping that widow?"
Ma Zhankui looked at Li Zhen's injury, eyes narrowing, quite intrigued by whoever had threatened Li Zhen.
From what he knew...
Yan Zhen's husband was dead; nobody should be standing up for her.
"You've helped me plenty these years. How about this—go to the County Government Office and re-examine Yan Zhen's body, clear her of suspicion, and that person won't harm your family!"
After some thought, Ma Zhankui said.
"Thank you, Master Ma! Thank you!"
Hearing Ma Zhankui's words, Li Zhen was moved to tears, bowing deeply to him.
"Go on, then!"
Ma Zhankui waved Li Zhen off, and once Li Zhen had left, he called out in a deep voice, "Old Li."
"Master!"
From behind the folding screen, an elder stepped out, bowing to Ma Zhankui.
"Head over to the County Government Office's jail. Tell Yan Zhen, even though she refused to marry me, I'm a softhearted man, so I spent a fortune to clear her name. You know what to say, right?"
Ma Zhankui's eyes narrowed as he spoke.
"The old servant knows. I'll see to it at once!"
Old Li nodded and turned to leave.
"And set up some men to watch Yan Zhen—monitor everyone she has contact with!"
Ma Zhankui added.
"Understood!"
Old Li nodded.
"Forcing her might work, but it's missing something... Widows really are the best!"
Ma Zhankui stroked his chin, watching Old Li's departing figure, sighing to himself.
........
Half a day later.
East Street.
"Sister Zhen's back. Looks like Li Zhen the forensic doctor did it."
"I should check on her!"
Lin Chang'sheng sat in his room, gazing at the distant hills, muttering to himself.
Yan Zhen had helped him a lot; it was only right to go see her.
Lin Chang'sheng's house wasn't far from Yan Zhen's. It didn't take long before he reached her home.
"Sister Zhen, they didn't give you any trouble, did they?"
Lin Chang'sheng looked at Yan Zhen and asked.
"Chang'sheng, thank you for coming to see me. They didn't really give me any trouble. The forensic doctor just said he made a mistake, so they let me go."
Yan Zhen nodded to Lin Chang'sheng.
Having just returned from the county jail, she still looked weary, a touch of melancholy on her face.
"Sister Zhen, it's good you're back. Just live your life well; everything will be better from now on!"
Lin Chang'sheng comforted her.
"Yeah, I hope so!"
At the thought of what Old Li had said when she left the jail, Yan Zhen's heart sank, but she still managed to smile. "Chang'sheng, have you eaten yet? I can make you some noodles!"
"No thanks, Sister Zhen, I've already eaten. You go ahead. I'm heading home."
Lin Chang'sheng waved his hands repeatedly.
Yan Zhen had to handle affairs for her mother-in-law, and besides, New Year's Eve was coming up—Lin Chang'sheng wanted to fix up a decent meal for the holiday himself.
"Alright then."
Yan Zhen nodded, a hint of worry between her brows.
Lin Chang'sheng said nothing more, said goodbye to Yan Zhen, and left.
........
Returning from Yan Zhen's house, Lin Chang'sheng had just sat for a while.
"Lin Chang'sheng, open up."
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
"I haven't even paid this month's silver yet..."
Looking at Tie Yang and Li San at his door, Lin Chang'sheng was puzzled.
"You little shit, Lin Chang'sheng, signed up at Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall to learn martial arts, yet you act broke with me? Far as I know, just the entry fee at Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall is 10 taels of silver. You must've come into a windfall!"
"Hand it over—now!"
Tie Yang strode in and barked right in his face.
"Brother Yang, you're joking. There's no windfall. My health hasn't been good, so I used up my last 10 taels to learn martial arts at Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall, just trying to get strong. Really, there's no windfall!"
Lin Chang'sheng shook his head, denying everything flat-out.
Murderous intent flickered in his heart.
But—
Tie Yang was a minor boss in the Cyan Snake Gang. Killing him would be impossible to hide. Even with Iron Sand Palm at Great Perfection, he wasn't sure he could take down the Cyan Snake Gang Leader!
He'd never do anything without certainty.
"Don't you fucking act smart with me!"
"I'm telling you, word on the street tomorrow will be you drowned in the river! Don't believe me?"
Seeing Lin Chang'sheng flatly deny it, Tie Yang immediately grabbed his collar, murderous intent flashing in his eyes, snarling savagely.
"Ah... I... I believe you..."
Hearing Tie Yang's words, Lin Chang'sheng felt a chill inside. He knew this wouldn't end peacefully. Mind racing, he feigned fear and pleaded, "Bro—Brother Yang, to tell the truth, half a month ago I really did accidentally find a package—there was more than 30 taels of silver inside! I spent 10 learning martial arts, the rest I hid in a mountain cave..."
"I'll give it all to you. I don't want to drown—"
In this moment,
Lin Chang'sheng felt a murderous urge rise.
He knew—
If Tie Yang didn't get the silver, he'd never leave. Killing someone on East Street would alert the Cyan Snake Gang, so better to lure them into the mountains to finish them!
Toss the body in the river and nobody would suspect him!
"Package, huh!"
"In a mountain cave?"
Hearing Lin Chang'sheng, Tie Yang and Li San exchanged greedy glances. Tie Yang said in a low voice, "At least you know the smart move. Lead the way!"
Thing is—
These days—
5 taels of silver was enough to feed a family of three for a year!
And there was more than 20 left!
As for Lin Chang'sheng lying?
In Tie Yang's eyes, Lin Chang'sheng was just a cowardly scholar, how could he be a match for him and Li San?
If he dared to cheat them, they'd just beat him to death!
This wasn't their first time, either.