24: Chapter 24 Hitting a brick wall

Lin Tian stopped in his tracks, his brows slightly furrowed.

He looked down at his attire—rough cloth garments washed until they were faded white, but the bundles on his back were certainly conspicuous.

The packaging from the silver shop, winery, and grocery store made it obvious he had just purchased quite a few things.

He had been targeted.

He put down his bundles, raised his head, looked at the two men, and spoke calmly: "I am Lin Tian, a Disciple of the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall. You two, please give me some Face."

The two gang members were stunned.

Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall?

That was one of the three major martial arts halls in Heishan City. Although their Black Wolf Gang ran rampant in the countryside, they were still a tier below compared to the martial arts halls.

The burly man with a Face full of flesh eyed him suspiciously: "From the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall? Just because you say so?"

Lin Tian took his waist token from his pocket and held it up.

The wooden token was the size of a palm, with the characters "Qingfeng" carved on the front and "Lin Tian" on the back. Under the sunlight, the characters were clearly visible.

The two gang members exchanged glances, their expressions changing slightly.

They really were from the martial arts hall?

Lin Tian said nothing more. He stomped his foot heavily, and the Qi and blood within his body erupted instantly!

"Boom!"

The ground beneath his feet trembled, and cracks spread outwards like a spiderweb, sending dust flying. That wave of Qi and blood pressure rushed towards them like a mountain-toppling sea.

The two gang members' expressions changed wildly, and they instinctively took a few steps back.

A First-Rank Martial Artist!

This was a true First-Rank Martial Artist!

Although they were also members of the Black Wolf Gang, they were merely Quasi-Martial Artists who hadn't even touched the threshold of the first rank. In front of a First-Rank Martial Artist, they were no different from ants.

"Mis... misunderstanding!" The sharp-mouthed, monkey-cheeked man forced a smile that looked uglier than crying, "This Young Master, we were blind and failed to recognize you. Please don't take offense!"

Before he could finish speaking, the two turned and ran, disappearing into the woods by the roadside in a flash, not even daring to look back.

Lin Tian put away his waist token, brushed the dust off his clothes, and shouldered his bundles again.

The identity of a Disciple of the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall was truly useful.

He shook his head and continued on his way.

In this world, one really had to join a major power.

Lin Family Village, village entrance.

When the sun was leaning west, Lin Tian's figure appeared on the dirt road.

"Is that... Lin Tian?"

"Lin Tian is back!"

"Go quickly and tell the Village Head!"

The news seemed to grow wings, spreading quickly throughout the entire village. Men, women, young, and old all rushed out of their homes and flooded towards the village entrance.

Lin Tian was surrounded, asked question after question, the atmosphere as lively as the New Year.

He distributed the things he had brought to his clansmen—cloth, salt, tea leaves, and candies and pastries for the children.

Everyone was overjoyed and expressed their thanks repeatedly.

After finally squeezing out of the crowd, Lin Tian finally returned to his own courtyard.

The gate was left slightly ajar, and he pushed it open to enter.

Mother Zhao was feeding the chickens in the courtyard. Hearing the commotion, she looked up, froze for a moment, and the basket in her hands dropped to the ground with a "clatter".

"Mother." Lin Tian called out.

Mother Zhao's eyes turned red, and she rushed over in a few steps, grabbing his arm and looking him up and down, muttering: "You've lost weight... lost weight... are you not eating well at the martial arts hall?"

"Mother, I'm doing just fine." Lin Tian smiled.

Lin Dashan came out of the room, stood at the doorway, and looked at his son. His lips moved, and after a long while, he managed to squeeze out a sentence: "You're back? Come inside and eat."

Lin Xiaohe rushed out from the room and hugged his waist: "Brother! You're back!"

Lin Tian patted her head and took out the bag of snacks from his bundle: "Here, I bought this especially for you."

Lin Xiaohe opened it and her eyes lit up—candied fruits, candies, pastries; they were all good things she had never seen before. She hugged the snacks, smiling until her eyes squinted into slits: "Brother is the best!"

The family went inside and sat down.

Lin Tian placed two jars of good wine on the table: "Father, this is for you."

Lin Dashan took the wine jar, opened it, and sniffed. His eyes lit up: "Good wine!"

Lin Tian then took out the silver bracelet and handed it to Mother Zhao: "Mother, this is for you."

Mother Zhao was stunned.

The silver bracelet, the style was exactly the same as the one she had sold years ago. She took the bracelet, her fingers stroking the smooth surface, and her eyes turned red again.

"This... this must be very expensive, right?" Her voice trembled.

Lin Tian shook his head and said with a smile: "Mother, Father, you don't need to worry about money anymore. I am now a true First-Rank Martial Artist."

"What?"

Both were stunned.

"A First-Rank Martial Artist?" Lin Dashan widened his eyes.

"Yes." Lin Tian nodded, "A formal Disciple of the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall, and I hold a position at the Sifang Pavilion. I get a monthly salary of eight taels of silver."

Eight taels of silver.

A First-Rank Martial Artist.

A formal Disciple.

These words landed, and both Lin Dashan and Mother Zhao were dumbfounded.

Lin Dashan opened his mouth, and it took a long while before he managed to squeeze out a sentence: "Re... really?"

"Of course it's true." Lin Tian smiled, "From now on, our family won't have to worry about money anymore."

Mother Zhao covered her mouth, tears flowing uncontrollably. Lin Dashan was silent for a long time, then suddenly threw his head back and laughed, laughing until tears welled up in the corners of his eyes.

"Good! Good, good, good!"

He said the word "good" several times in a row, his voice trembling.

Although Lin Xiaohe didn't quite understand what a First-Rank Martial Artist or eight taels of silver meant, seeing her parents so happy, she started laughing along, hugging the snacks and burrowing into Lin Tian's arms.

The family was filled with joy.

Lin Tian stayed at home for one day.

Early the next morning, he packed his things, preparing to return to the city.

Mother Zhao was full of reluctance: "Leaving so soon? Can't you stay a few more days?"

Lin Tian shook his head: "The Sifang Pavilion needs someone to hold the fort, so I cannot stay away for too long. But don't worry, Mother, I have vacation next month, and I will come back then."

He crouched down and rubbed Lin Xiaohe's head: "Be obedient at home."

Lin Xiaohe pursed her lips, tears welling up in her eyes, but she still nodded.

Lin Dashan walked him to the village entrance, silent the whole way. At parting, he only said: "Work hard, and don't bring shame to our Lin Family Village."

Lin Tian nodded, turned, and strode away.

After walking a long distance, he looked back once. The village was faintly visible in the morning mist, with curling smoke from cooking fires.

He took a deep breath and quickened his pace.

Next time he returned, he would be even stronger.

Less than an hour after Lin Tian left, Lin Family Village was once again awakened by the sound of horse hooves.

The people from the Black Wolf Gang had arrived.

This time, the Second-in-Command was leading the team personally, followed by more than twenty gang members, all riding horses, with swords hanging at their waists, exuding Killing Intent.

On the threshing ground, the people of Lin Family Village had grave expressions. The grain had already been prepared according to the amount, stacked bag by bag at the edge of the field.

Lin Dashan stood at the very front, with Village Head Lin Tieshan, Lin Bao, and other men from the village behind him.

The Second-in-Command reined in his horse, his gaze sweeping over the grain bags, and nodded slightly: "Not bad, you were sensible this time."

He waved his hand, and the gang members dismounted and began to count and load the carts.

As the grain was moved onto the carts bag by bag, the Second-in-Command saw it was about done and was just about to lead his men away when he suddenly heard a voice from behind: "Second-in-Command, wait a moment."

The Second-in-Command turned around, saw Lin Dashan walking forward, and frowned: "What else is there?"

Lin Dashan took a deep breath, cupped his hands and said: "Second-in-Command, our Lin Family Village has a clansman named Lin Tian, who is now a First-Rank Martial Artist and has officially joined the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall."

The Second-in-Command was stunned.

A First-Rank Martial Artist? Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall?

A few months ago, the Village Head of this Lin Family Village had mentioned this Lin Tian, saying at the time he was still Cultivating in the martial arts hall and wasn't even a first rank. How long had it been, and he was already a first rank?

He narrowed his eyes, staring at Lin Dashan. The Qi and blood within his body circulated slowly, and an invisible pressure spread out. The surrounding air seemed to freeze.

Lin Dashan's Face turned pale, and cold sweat seeped from his forehead, but he gritted his teeth and did not retreat.

"Do you know what the consequences are for deceiving me?" The Second-in-Command's voice was cold, enunciating every word.