59: Chapter 59 Celebration

The night was deep in the inner hall of Liehuo Martial Arts Hall.

It was brightly lit, yet it could not disperse the heavy and oppressive atmosphere.

Hall Master Lie Fentian sat upright on the tiger-skin armchair at the head of the table. His crimson Face was flickering in the dancing firelight, appearing uncertain.

The signature look of violence between his brows was now replaced by a deeper, more sinister gloom.

Below, several Elders, deacons, and two Disciples who had just passed the assessment stood with their hands hanging down, not daring to breathe loudly.

The hall was deathly silent, save for the occasional "crackle" of the lamp wicks bursting.

After a long while, Hall Master Lie Fentian spoke slowly, his voice raspy like grinding iron and stone: "Elder Yan Lie... is there still no news?"

A deacon responsible for intelligence below trembled, bit the bullet, and stepped forward, whispering: "Replying to Hall Master, we have mobilized all informants and searched every place Elder Yan Lie might have gone, including the few hidden places where he often goes to Cultivate..."

"There is no trace of him."

"The last time someone saw him was a few nights ago, when he left the city alone and headed northeast."

"Since then, there has been no news."

"Northeast..." A fierce glint flashed in Hall Master Lie Fentian's eyes. That was the general direction of Lin Family Village, and also the area where Elder Yan Lie had been ordered to tail Lin Tian and wait for an opportunity to strike.

"No need to look anymore."

He closed his eyes and leaned back against the chair, appearing to have aged a few years in an instant. But when he opened his eyes again, they were filled with cold murderous intent and determination: "Elder Yan Lie has most likely fallen into the hands of that little beast."

"What?!"

"Elder Yan... was killed by Lin Tian?!"

"This... how is that possible? Elder Yan is a Second Grade..."

The crowd below exclaimed, their Faces filled with disbelief.

Elder Yan Lie was a veteran Elder of the martial arts hall who had stepped into the Early Stage of the Second Grade for over ten years. He was experienced and cunning, and his Fire Killing Palm was quite powerful. How could he have fallen into the hands of a brat who had just achieved a Breakthrough to the Second Grade?

"Previously, I also harbored a fluke, thinking that Elder Yan Lie might have been held up by other matters or had gone far away to track that kid."

Hall Master Lie Fentian's voice was cold, carrying a trace of self-mockery and a deeper hatred: "But today on the ring, you all saw it. That Lin Tian's movement technique was unpredictable, and his grasp of timing was ruthless and decisive."

"Furthermore, that technique of combining Metal and Wood was incredibly powerful."

"Even Constable Lie Ming couldn't block three punches... If Elder Yan Lie was ambushed while hiding in the dark and was discovered, caught off guard while he was the one calculating... Hmph!"

He did not finish, but the meaning was clear.

Thinking of the terrifying speed and explosive power Lin Tian had displayed on the ring, as well as the ruthless, unforgiving nature of his final heavy blow to Constable Lie Ming, a chill rose in everyone's hearts.

If Elder Yan Lie really had fallen into his hands, then the Heart-Nature and strength of this boy were far more terrifying than they had imagined!

"Hall Master, what should we do now..." an Elder asked with a bitter voice.

"This kid has already gained momentum, and now that he has leaped over the Dragon Gate, he has become a member of the Imperial Guard."

Hall Master Lie Fentian tapped his fingers heavily on the armrest, his eyes filled with a mix of murderous intent and apprehension: "His status is different now."

"That skin of the Imperial Guard is a protective talisman."

"If we want to continue sending people to intercept and kill him as before, the risk is too great. Once evidence is left behind, it will give Hall Master Chen Qingfeng and the Imperial Guard an excuse to act."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below, especially the two newly promoted Imperial Guard Disciples, his voice lowering, yet sounding even more sinister: "We cannot take action on the surface anymore."

"But this kid's talent is too terrifying. If we let him grow, he will surely become a major threat to our Liehuo Martial Arts Hall in the future!"

"This hatred must be avenged!"

"Does the Hall Master mean..."

"Borrowing a knife to kill." Hall Master Lie Fentian slowly spat out the four words, his eyes flashing with a venomous light: "The Jianghu road is long, and the duties of the Imperial Guard... are not necessarily always safe."

"Outside Heishan City, there is not only our Liehuo Martial Arts Hall."

"Remnants of the Demon Sect, mountain bandits and major outlaws, fierce frontier soldiers, and even some shady assassin organizations... there is always a 'knife' that can be used."

"This matter needs to be considered carefully and must be done cleanly; it must never be linked to the martial arts hall."

He looked at the two Disciples, his tone softening slightly: "Since you two have been selected, work well in the Imperial Guard and establish a firm foothold."

"In the future, there may be times when you are needed."

"As for that Lin Tian... do not provoke him in the guard station for now, just wait and see."

"Yes, Hall Master!" The crowd responded solemnly.

Hall Master Lie Fentian waved his hand, dismissing the crowd.

In the empty inner hall, he was left alone facing the solitary lamp, his expression growing more ferocious in the interplay of light and shadow.

"Lin Tian... Hall Master Chen Qingfeng... Hmph, we will settle our accounts slowly!"

In stark contrast to the gloomy clouds over Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, inside and outside Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall, there were lanterns and streamers, and joy filled the doors.

Hall Master Chen Qingfeng held a banquet in the main hall to entertain guests who had come to offer congratulations.

Prominent families and merchant guilds in Heishan City, and even some small and medium-sized forces on good terms with the martial arts hall, had almost all sent people to deliver congratulatory gifts.

For a time, carriages and horses were like dragons in front of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall, and the sounds of congratulations were endless.

At the banquet, cups were exchanged, and it was exceptionally lively.

The focus of everyone was naturally the three people who had shone brightly on the ring today and successfully obtained the qualifications for the Imperial Guard, especially Lin Tian.

"Young Hero Lin is so young yet possesses such cultivation; his future is limitless!"

"Hall Master Chen obtaining such an excellent Disciple is truly the fortune of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall, the fortune of Heishan City!"

"Young Hero Lin, this old man toasts you! In the future, in the Imperial Guard, I hope you will take care of us!"

Compliments, flattery, and intentions to build connections poured in like a tide. Many heads of families or managers, taking the opportunity to toast, beat around the bush to ask about Lin Tian's Family background and age, and finally would "inadvertently" mention that they had a daughter or niece of marriageable age, describing her appearance and character.

The intention to play matchmaker in their words could not be more obvious.

"Young Hero Lin is young and promising, you should consider starting a Family. I wonder if you are married? This old man has a little daughter, just sixteen, who would be a perfect match for you..."

"Young Nephew Lin, I have a niece who is gentle and virtuous, and also proficient in martial arts. I'm sure you would get along well..."

Facing these "matchmaking" attempts, whether direct or subtle, Lin Tian always maintained a humble and appropriate smile, raising his cup in return, while his words remained watertight:

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior. However, this Junior is still young, my martial arts path is not yet complete, and I am single-minded. For now, I only want to focus on Cultivate and serve the imperial court, so I have no intention of starting a Family."

"Moreover, marriage is a major life event that requires the orders of parents and the words of a matchmaker. This Junior dare not make decisions on my own. This matter should be discussed later."

His attitude was firm, his reasons sufficient, and he gave the other party Face while politely declining, leaving those forces who wanted to form an alliance feeling regretful but unable to force the issue.

They could only laugh and change the subject, turning to praise his high aspirations instead.

After a banquet, the table in front of Lin Tian was already piled with various gift boxes and calling cards.

Gold, silver, jewelry, precious medicinal materials, fine weapons, and even land deeds and house deeds were all there.

These were "congratulatory gifts" and also "investments."

Lin Tian accepted them all without refusal.

He was not greedy for wealth; he simply knew that in this world, these resources were useful for his own practice, for his Family, and for the martial arts hall.

Rather than pretending to be high-minded and refusing, offending people for no reason, it was better to accept them frankly and build good karma.

As for favors... he would help within the rules in the future.

After the banquet dispersed, Lin Tian collected most of the easily portable wealth and medicinal materials, while the land deeds and house deeds were handed over to Hall Master Chen Qingfeng for safekeeping or disposal.

Hall Master Chen Qingfeng understood his intention and did not refuse, just patted his shoulder and laughed: "Don't worry, the martial arts hall will not covet your things. These properties will be managed well for you, and the income will belong to you."

"You can rest assured in the Imperial Guard, and I, your master, will look after your Family and the martial arts hall."

The next day, Lin Tian took several large bags of carefully selected gifts and returned to the residence in the east of the city where his clansmen were settled.

Seeing their son return with so many exquisite items they had never seen before, Lin Dashan and Mrs. Zhao were both surprised and delighted.

Lin Xiaohe cheered and rushed over, touching this box and looking at that brocade, her little Face full of novelty and excitement.

"Tian'er, this... where did all this come from? Who sent it?" Lin Dashan looked at the mountain of silks, satins, gold and silver utensils, and precious medicinal materials on the table, and his speech was a bit incoherent.

The largest amount of silver he had ever seen in his life was probably the one hundred taels Lin Tian brought back a few days ago. When had he ever seen such a scene?

"Dad, Mom, Little Sister, these are all congratulatory gifts sent by some families in the city yesterday." Lin Tian helped his parents sit down and explained, "I passed the Imperial Guard assessment and am now a probationary Small Flag Officer of the Imperial Guard."

"They are here to congratulate me."

"Imperial Guard? Small Flag Officer?" Lin Dashan and Mrs. Zhao looked at each other.

They were just ordinary villagers and knew nothing about the imperial court's official system, but hearing the name and seeing the posture, they knew it must be an incredible official!

"My son... has become an official?" Mrs. Zhao's voice trembled, her eyes slightly red, both proud and disbelieving.

"You could say that, but it's just the lowest level of military officer." Lin Tian laughed, "Dad, Mom, you keep these gifts. Use what is useful, and if you don't need it, you can exchange it for money or distribute it to the uncles and aunts in the clan."

"I have a salary in the Imperial Guard, so there will be no shortage of money for the Family in the future."

He roughly distributed the gifts and specifically invited the Clan Chief, the Hunting Team leader Lin Bao, the guard captain Big Beard, and others.

He took out several basic fist technique and stance training Secret Manuals, as well as some ordinary medicinal materials for strengthening the body and polishing Qi and blood, and said solemnly:

"Clan Chief Grandfather, Uncle Bao, Uncle Beard. Our Lin Family cannot rely on me alone."

"Take these Secret Manuals and medicinal materials."

"Select some young people in the clan who are of appropriate age, have a firm Heart-Nature, and are willing to suffer, and teach them martial arts for Foundation Establishment."

"If you find any with good talent, you can tell me. I might be able to find a way to send them to Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall to lay a Foundation. Even if they cannot be like me in the future, strengthening their bodies and guarding the village is good."

The Clan Chief and the others were moved to tears upon hearing this and agreed repeatedly. This was an opportunity to change the fate of the Family!

In the past, entering a martial arts hall to learn skills was like climbing to heaven for village families like them. Now, because of Lin Tian, the whole clan saw hope!

This was more exciting to them than any gold or silver treasure.

A few older clansmen who had lived in the city for a while were ultimately not used to it, missing the crops in the fields and the ancestral house in Lin Family Village, and hesitated to ask Lin Tian if it was safe now and if they could go back.

Lin Tian pondered for a moment and said: "The Black Wolf Gang matter started because of me. Now that I have joined the Imperial Guard, as long as they are not stupid, they will never dare to move against the Lin Family again."

"If you uncles want to go back, you can go back. Just tidy up the houses and fields."

"However, I will keep renting this house in the city. Parents and Little Sister may live here often, and other clansmen can come to the city to see or stay temporarily whenever they want."

"Our Lin Family can be considered to have a foothold in the city now."

After arranging these trivial matters, seeing his parents' gratified smiles, the hopeful eyes of his clansmen, and his little sister's happy appearance, Lin Tian felt a sense of peace in his heart.

This was the responsibility he, as a member of the Lin Family, should shoulder now that he had the ability.

Night fell, and the noise dissipated. Lin Tian returned to the quiet room where he was staying, closed the door, and lit the oil lamp.

On the table were the better-quality body-tempering medicinal materials given as "compensation" by the families when he declined the marriage proposals, and the "Fire Poison Palm" booklet "contributed" by the Liehuo Hall Master.

Outside the window were the twinkling lights of Heishan City and the faint sounds of the marketplace.

However, Lin Tian's heart had quickly pulled away from the noise of the day and the warmth of the Family, becoming calm and focused again, even carrying a touch of coldness unique to a cultivator.

The status of an Imperial Guard, the admiration of the crowd, the reliance of the Family... the Foundation of all this glory and convenience stemmed from the word "strength."

Without the strength to defeat the enemy with three punches on the ring, everything would be a mirage.

The murderous intent of Liehuo Martial Arts Hall had not dissipated, it would only become more hidden and venomous. The inside of the Imperial Guard was also by no means a peaceful pure land; competition and even secret struggles would likely be even more intense.

To stand firm, protect his Family, and go further, he must constantly become stronger!

"The Water Element Fist has not yet reached Perfection, and although the Metal-Wood combination is successful, if I can integrate the power of the Water Element into it to form a mutually generating cycle of Metal, Wood, and Water, the power will certainly rise to a higher level..."

"By then, even if facing a Second Grade Middle Stage or even Late Stage, I might not be without the power to fight."