Chapter 77 A Tall Tree Catches the Wind? Lin Chen: The Stronger the Wind, the Deeper My Roots Run!

The moonlight in the duty room had long since receded.

Lin Chen opened his eyes from his cross-legged position; outside the window, the sky was just beginning to show a layer of fish-belly white, and the spider silk hanging from the eaves swayed slightly in the morning breeze.

He raised his right hand and clenched his five fingers into a fist.

The True Qi in his palm surged through his Meridians toward his fingertips, thick and dense, more than twice as abundant as yesterday.

Deep within his Dantian, the dark gold True Qi core rotated steadily; its speed was not fast, but the power ground out by every revolution was heavy, like an iron weight pressing against the very bottom of his abdominal cavity.

Late Stage of the Tongmai Realm.

He relaxed his fist and flexed his fingers twice, a subtle crackling sound emanating from his knuckles.

His fascia and bones had undergone a round of reshaping after the Breakthrough; his joint flexibility was significantly higher than before, and the smoothness with which True Qi poured into his limbs was on an entirely different level.

Lin Chen stood up from the edge of the bed; as his feet hit the ground, his knees bent slightly, and his center of gravity sank half an inch.

The soles of his boots ground against the wooden floor, letting out a very faint creak.

He picked up the black abyss from the head of the bed and hung it back at his waist, the copper buckle snapping shut perfectly.

As he pulled back the door bolt, a morning breeze carrying the scent of dew poured in, dispersing most of the stale air that had accumulated in the duty room overnight.

Outside the courtyard gate, Zhou Tie was already standing there.

He wore his full set of standard armor, his iron bracers polished to a shine; his expression was cold and stern, and his back was straight as a rod.

Seeing Lin Chen push the door open and step out, he took a step forward and cupped his fist in a one-knee salute.

“Centurion Lin.”

Lin Chen stopped beside the doorframe and lifted his chin slightly.

“What is it?”

Zhou Tie straightened his body and glanced toward the direction outside the courtyard wall.

“A steward from the Governors Mansion's Internal Affairs Division has arrived and is waiting outside the gate. He says he is acting on the orders of the Lord Governor to take you to inspect your new station.”

Lin Chen’s hand rested on the mouth of the black abyss’s scabbard, his thumb rubbing half a circle over it.

“A new station?”

Zhou Tie nodded.

“I have already asked. It is said to be an independent three-entry courtyard in the East Courtyard of the Patrol Division, specifically allocated for the Centurion’s use.”

He paused for a moment, his tone becoming solemn.

“That steward’s attitude is very polite; it seems he was given instructions beforehand.”

Lin Chen did not reply, shifting his gaze from Zhou Tie’s face to the sliver of sky above the courtyard wall.

The orange-red morning glow was climbing up from behind the eastern rooftops, illuminating the broken tiles atop the courtyard wall with a warm light.

He turned his head and glanced at the activity in the courtyard.

Zhao Gang was squatting by the stone table, holding a coarse porcelain bowl and shoveling food into his mouth, his chopsticks-holding hand still steady as he grabbed some pickles.

Shen Yue sat on the steps with one leg curled up, holding half a dry cake in her hand and taking small bites.

Lin Chen took two steps toward the courtyard gate.

“Call him in.”

Zhou Tie acknowledged and turned to pull open the courtyard gate.

Standing outside the gate was a middle-aged man wearing a gray-blue round-collared robe; the fabric wasn't top-tier, but the tailoring was decent. Tied around his waist was a black belt exclusive to stewards of the Internal Affairs Division, with the character 'Lv' engraved on the copper buckle.

He was in his early forties, with a slightly dark complexion and two brown spots on his cheekbones from years of sun exposure.

Seeing Lin Chen walk out from the courtyard, he stepped forward with cupped hands, bowing at least thirty degrees.

“Centurion Lin, my surname is Lv, and I am a steward of the Governors Mansion's Internal Affairs Division.”

The rhythm of his speech was well-measured—respectful but not fawning.

“By order of the Lord Governor, I have come specifically to lead you to the new station for inspection.”

Lin Chen’s gaze swept over his face.

“What is the situation with the new station?”

Steward Lv pulled his hand from his sleeve and pointed vaguely toward the east.

“In the East Courtyard of the Patrol Division, there is an independent three-entry courtyard. It was originally the residence of the Vice Envoy of the Patrol Division and has been vacant for nearly two years.”

He withdrew his hand and clasped them in front of him, his attitude humble.

“The Lord Governor has already approved the order to allocate this courtyard for Centurion Lin’s exclusive use.”

Lin Chen did not rush to respond, merely staring at him for a few moments.

Steward Lv felt his back tighten slightly under that gaze, but he did not flinch, bracing himself to finish what he had to say.

“The front courtyard contains the Conference Hall and duty rooms; daily official business and receiving guests will take place there.”

He paused and swallowed.

“The Middle Courtyard is the Training Ground and armory. The space is not exceptionally large, but it is more than enough for practicing martial arts and storing weapons and equipment.”

His fingers unconsciously rubbed against his sleeve twice.

“The back courtyard is for accommodation and rest. There are twelve rooms in total, so it will be quite spacious for Centurion Lin and your subordinates to live in.”

Steward Lv added another sentence, slowing his pace slightly; in his view, this sentence carried the most weight.

“The courtyard walls are over a zhang high, and there is an independent side gate. Entering through the side gate means you don't have to pass through the main gate of the Patrol Division. You will have freedom of movement, and others won't be able to interfere.”

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

Zhao Gang’s hand holding the bowl stopped at his mouth, and the rice grains in the bowl almost fell back to the bottom.

He turned his head to look at Lin Chen, his mouth opening and closing a few times, his eyes bulging like walnuts.

“An... independent three-entry courtyard?”

His voice squeezed out of his throat, as if something were stuck.

“Centurion Lin, before this, we couldn't even scrape together a table that wasn't missing a leg, and now we're moving into a three-entry courtyard?”

The dry cake in Shen Yue’s hand stopped at her lips. She didn't have as large a reaction as Zhao Gang, but the five fingers gripping her sword hilt tightened slightly, and she quickly suppressed the curve at the corner of her mouth.

Only the light in the depths of her eyes was a bit brighter than before.

Lin Chen did not look at the two of them.

He moved his hand away from the mouth of the black abyss’s scabbard, let it hang at his side, and turned to walk.

“Let’s go.”

Steward Lv immediately bowed and led the way, walking ahead with light steps.

Lin Chen stepped out of the courtyard gate with Zhou Tie following half a step behind to his right. Zhao Gang finished the rice in his bowl in a few large gulps and dashed out before even having time to wipe his mouth.

Shen Yue tucked the dry cake into her robes, patted the crumbs off her skirt, and silently followed at the end of the group.

The group walked east along the corridor of the Patrol Division’s back courtyard.

The morning light shone diagonally from above the left courtyard wall, cutting the corridor into two strips—one bright and one dark—and casting long shadows on the stone floor.

Steward Lv introduced the area in a low voice as they walked.

“Follow this path to the end and turn the corner to reach the entrance of the East Courtyard. Usually, people from the Patrol Division don't really come this way.”

He turned halfway around to look back at Lin Chen.

“It is quite peaceful.”

The sound of Lin Chen’s boots on the stone slabs was steady and unhurried, no different from the rhythm he used when patrolling the streets.

Zhao Gang leaned toward Shen Yue and whispered under his breath.

“Do you think the Lord Governor values our Centurion exceptionally?”

Shen Yue didn't even lift her eyelids.

“Shut up and just follow.”

Zhao Gang shrank his neck and obediently shut his mouth.

After turning the corner at the end of the corridor, the view suddenly opened up.

A gray-brick, green-tiled courtyard stood about ten paces ahead. The courtyard walls were half a section higher than the other buildings in the Patrol Division, and the brick edges atop the walls were perfectly neat, without a single missing corner.

The courtyard gate consisted of two thick elm wood panels; although the paint was a bit old, not a single copper nail on the doorframe was missing.

The space above the lintel was empty, with no plaque hanging there.

Steward Lv jogged forward a couple of steps, pulled out a string of copper keys that jingled loudly, and opened the copper lock on the courtyard gate.

As the two door panels were pushed inward, the hinges let out a low creak.

The gate was open.

Lin Chen stepped over the threshold, his boots landing on the stone floor of the front courtyard.

The front courtyard was more spacious and bright than expected.

Directly opposite were five interconnected, spacious halls. The door panels were all made of brand-new pine, and the windows were covered with translucent oil paper, through which the morning light hit the long tables inside the hall.

The long tables were made of red-lacquered elm, with four sturdy legs, not a single one missing.

Standing behind Lin Chen, Zhao Gang’s gaze swept over that table with all four legs intact, then over the rows of high-backed chairs arranged on both sides of the hall.

His Adam's apple bobbed.

“These tables... they're all whole.”

Lin Chen ignored him.

Steward Lv took up the conversation from the side.

“On either side of the Conference Hall are two duty rooms, fully equipped with tables, chairs, and beds, as well as copper basins and hot water kettles.”

He led Lin Chen around the Conference Hall and through a moon gate into the Middle Courtyard.

The Middle Courtyard was slightly narrower than the front courtyard, but it benefited from being paved with bluestone slabs, which were flat and smooth—perfect for practicing martial arts.

The open space in the center was a full thirty paces square, and several rows of weapon racks stood against the walls, currently empty and waiting for items to be placed upon them.

On the west side was an independent small brick-and-stone building with an iron lock hanging on the door.

Steward Lv walked over, unlocked it, and pushed the door open.

“The armory. The walls are two feet thick, fireproof and moisture-proof. Whatever you store here will be secure.”

Following behind Lin Chen, Zhou Tie’s gaze swept across the entire Middle Courtyard, lingering for a few moments on the bluestone slabs of the Training Ground.

He said nothing.

A man who leads soldiers doesn't need any explanation when he sees a proper Training Ground.

Steward Lv then led everyone through the Middle Courtyard and into the back courtyard.

The back courtyard was the quietest.

There were living quarters on three sides: six rooms on the east, four on the west, and two slightly larger ones on the north side that came with their own independent small courtyard.

In the center of the courtyard, an old locust tree stood with lush branches and leaves, its canopy casting a wide patch of cool shade, and beneath it sat a stone table with four stone stools.

Steward Lv stood still beside the locust tree and extended his hand.

"There are twelve rooms in the backyard. Centurion Lin will stay in the two large ones to the north, and your subordinates will live on the east and west sides; there is plenty of space."

He pulled something from his sleeve and presented it to Lin Chen with both hands.

It was a brass key, polished very smooth, with a small character engraved on it.

Lin Chen took the key and flipped it over in his hand.

"This is the key to the side door."

Steward Lv bowed his head and nodded.

"Yes, the side door is over by the west wall. Outside is a quiet narrow alley that leads directly to the back street of Chengen Ward; it's convenient and not conspicuous."

He withdrew his hands into his sleeves and paused for a moment.

"The Governor specifically instructed that there is only this one key to the side door, and no one has it except for Centurion Lin."

Lin Chen gripped the key in his palm, the cool sensation of the brass pressing against his skin.

Standing under the old locust tree, his gaze swept over the twelve rooms in the backyard, then over the top of the courtyard wall, looking toward the roof ridges of the Patrol Division's Main Courtyard in the distance.

The roof ridges over there were a bit lower; from here, the activities in the Patrol Division's Main Courtyard could be seen clearly at a glance.

But looking from the Main Courtyard toward here, one could only see a high wall and the top half of the locust tree's canopy peeking over it.

Zhao Gang walked a full circle around the courtyard and touched the doorframe of the first room on the east side.

The wood was solid, and the door panels were coated with a fresh layer of paint.

He looked back at Lin Chen, the expression on his face switching between excitement and disbelief.

"Hundred-Household, this place is more than ten times grander than the Chief Constable's office at the County Yamen."

Lin Chen withdrew his gaze from the courtyard wall.

"Stop touching everything."

He turned his head to look at Steward Lv.

"When can we move in?"

Steward Lv immediately cupped his hands.

"Anytime. Daily supplies can be delivered within an hour. The Governor's intention is that you can move in today."

Lin Chen nodded.

"Then we move today."

Steward Lv acknowledged the order and briskly retreated from the backyard, trotting off to make the arrangements.

Only Lin Chen and his people remained in the courtyard.

"Everyone, pick the rooms you like, and move your things over later."

Zhao Gang slapped his thigh and happily prepared to run outside.

Shen Yue called out to him from behind.

"Zhao Gang."

Zhao Gang turned his head.

Shen Yue's voice was very low, her speech slowed by half a beat.

"Pack up the things from that dilapidated office first and bring them here. Don't leave behind that invitation Centurion Lin used to prop up the table leg yesterday."

Zhao Gang was stunned for a moment, then he grinned and laughed.

"Right, right, right. I almost forgot that good brick for propping things up."

He turned and ran out of the courtyard gate, his footsteps pattering loudly.

Shen Yue watched his receding back and smiled.

She turned back and found Lin Chen standing before the large room in the north, pushing open the door with his left hand.

The room was not luxurious, but it was clean and bright.

A wide wooden bed rested against the north wall, covered with a plain-colored coarse cloth mattress. Near the window sat a writing desk with blank bamboo slips and an inkstone placed upon it.

In the innermost corner stood an iron weapon rack with three slots, just enough to hold a single saber.

Lin Chen walked in, unfastened the black abyss from his waist, and placed it horizontally on the first slot of the weapon rack.

The scabbard hit the iron rack with a soft clang that echoed twice in the quiet room.

He sat on the edge of the bed, his palms resting on his knees.

The Tongmai Realm Late Stage True Qi circulated steadily within his Dantian, each strand feeling more robust than the day before.

Outside the window, the leaves of the old locust tree rustled in the morning breeze.

In the direction of the distant Patrol Division's Main Courtyard, the faint sounds of voices and footsteps drifted over, noisy but blurred.

Lin Chen's gaze passed through the hazy light and shadow on the window paper, looking at the patch of sky partitioned by the courtyard walls.

An independent courtyard, an independent side door, and no need to pass through the Patrol Division's main gate.

Governor Nangong Xiong's meaning was very clear.

From today onward, he was an enclave within the Patrol Division where no one else could interfere.

But an enclave also meant an isolated island.

It blocked the prying eyes from outside, but it also blocked colleagues who could be of help.

Regardless of what cases he investigated or what path he took next, he and these eight people were his entire foundation.

Lin Chen moved his hand from his knee, stood up, and walked to the writing desk.

He pulled open the drawer; it was empty, containing only a fire starter and a piece of candle.

He closed the drawer and lightly tapped the surface of the desk with his finger.

The wood grain on the surface was very fine and felt smooth to the touch.

It was countless times better than that broken three-legged table.

He sat in the chair before the desk, resting his arms on the surface, his gaze falling on the beam of light filtering through the window paper.

The light traced a narrow rectangle on the desk, with dust motes floating slowly within the beam.

Footsteps approached from outside.

Shen Yue's voice drifted in from outside the door, neither too loud nor too soft.

"Centurion Lin, Steward Lv has sent people with the daily supplies; they've been placed in the Conference Hall of the front courtyard."

She paused for a moment.

"Additionally, several Little Banners from the Patrol Division's Main Courtyard were peering around the entrance of the Conference Hall. When they saw the delivery people entering the East Courtyard, they were whispering to one another for quite a while."

Lin Chen's finger stopped on the desk.

"Whose people?"

Shen Yue's answer was short and direct.

"They are under Commander Ma Kui."

Lin Chen moved his fingers from the desk and leaned back against the chair.

"Let them watch."

Shen Yue acknowledged the order, and her footsteps headed toward the front courtyard.

Lin Chen sat in the chair without moving.

Commander Ma Kui's people were monitoring the movements in the East Courtyard, which was expected.

A new Hundred-Household who had been promoted two ranks within two days of arriving, moved into the best independent courtyard in the Patrol Division, and was assigned six Personal Guards of the Tongmai Realm.

Anyone would take a few extra looks at such a person.

But looking was fine; looking too much would not be good.

Lin Chen's thumb rubbed half a circle on the armrest of the chair; the texture of the wood was completely different from stingray skin, lacking that layer of coarse friction.

He stood up, walked to the weapon rack, and took the black abyss down to hang it back at his waist.

The saber felt more secure at his waist than on the rack.

He pushed open the door and walked out of the room, the branches and leaves of the old locust tree casting a dappled shadow overhead.

Zhou Tie was already standing at the edge of the Middle Courtyard's Training Ground, hands behind his back, watching the five Personal Guards as they each inspected the items in their rooms.

Hearing Lin Chen's footsteps, he turned around.

"Centurion Lin."

Lin Chen walked up to him, his gaze sweeping over the Middle Courtyard's Training Ground and armory.

"You will arrange the defenses for the courtyard. Bring me a protocol for the guard rotations."

Zhou Tie cupped his fists.

"Understood."

He was about to turn and attend to it, but after taking half a step, he stopped and leaned his head closer, lowering his voice.

"Centurion Lin, I have something to say, though I don't know if it's appropriate."

Lin Chen looked at him.

Zhou Tie's gaze flickered toward the Patrol Division's Main Courtyard.

"The Governor assigned us to you and gave you this independent courtyard; on the surface, it is a reward."

He paused for a second, his voice dropping another half-octave.

"But the other Hundred-Households and Little Banners of the Patrol Division won't see it that way."

Lin Chen rested his hand back on the mouth of the black abyss's scabbard.

"What are you trying to say?"

Zhou Tie's lips moved, and finally, he uttered only one sentence.

"A tall tree attracts the wind."

Lin Chen's thumb rubbed a full circle over the stingray skin pattern on the scabbard's mouth; the rasping sound of metal against scales carried far in the quiet Middle Courtyard.

He looked into Zhou Tie's eyes.

"Only when the wind is strong does a tree know if its roots are deep enough."

Zhou Tie's lips twitched slightly.

He said no more, cupped his fists, turned, and strode toward the five Personal Guards to begin arranging the defense matters.

Lin Chen stood in the center of the Middle Courtyard's Training Ground, the soles of his boots on the bluestone slabs, surrounded by courtyard walls over ten feet high, with a narrow strip of sky overhead.

The morning light spilled down from the top of the eastern wall, draping over his shoulders and casting his shadow long and straight.

Outside the courtyard wall, from the direction of the Patrol Division's Main Courtyard, came a series of hurried footsteps.

The footsteps drew closer and closer, stopping just outside the East Courtyard's gate.

Immediately following were three knocks on the door, neither too heavy nor too light.

Zhou Tie's hand had already gripped his spear shaft.

Lin Chen turned his head and looked toward the courtyard gate.

"Open the door."

Zhou Tie walked over and pulled back the door bolt.

Standing outside the door was a young Clerk in a Patrol Division uniform, his face tense and fine beads of sweat seeping from his forehead.

He cupped his hands, his voice carrying obvious panic.

"C-Centurion Lin, Director Wang requests your immediate presence at the Main Courtyard's Conference Hall, saying there is urgent official business to discuss."