26: Chapter 26 Dealing with Lin Tian

The man in black felt inexplicably uneasy under Lin Tian's gaze.

But remembering the promise from Liuli Pavilion—ten taels of silver upon success—he bolstered his courage, stiffened his neck, and said:

"What? Does Sifang Pavilion intend to use force? Everyone, come and see! Sifang Pavilion is bullying an honest man, suppressing prices, and now resorting to violence!"

He shouted at the top of his lungs, hoping to make a scene.

Lin Tian didn't waste any more words.

He took a step forward, his figure already in front of the man in black. He threw a light right fist. It looked slow, but it made the man in black's hair stand on end.

Wood Element Fist, Soft Branch Entwining Vine.

The fist technique was gentle, like vines coiling, yet it carried an endless, subtle force. The man in black hurriedly raised his hands to block, but was pulled off balance by that soft force, stumbling forward.

Lin Tian's second fist arrived.

Wood Element Fist, Withered Wood Meets Spring.

This punch transitioned from soft to hard; it looked withered, but actually concealed vitality. The fist hit the chest of the man in black, making a dull sound.

"Bang!"

The man in black flew backward, hit the door frame, bounced back, and rolled on the ground a few times.

His Face was deathly pale, his eyes full of terror.

Lin Tian retracted his fist, stood in place, and looked down at him:

"The contract is signed, and the money and goods have been exchanged. If you come to cause trouble again, it won't just be a matter of one punch."

The man in black scrambled up and fled Sifang Pavilion, not daring to look back.

The onlookers burst into laughter.

"Thought he was so tough, but he turned coward after one punch."

"Who is that young man? Such handsome kung fu!"

"Must be a guard from Sifang Pavilion, a Disciple of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall."

Manager Zhou smiled and cupped his hands: "Everyone, pardon the disturbance. It's just a small incident, it won't affect business. Everyone, please continue; buy whatever you need."

The crowd gradually dispersed, but many cast extra glances at Lin Tian.

So young, and so strong; Sifang Pavilion had really recruited a good guard.

In the crowd, two inconspicuous men quietly retreated after the man in black was sent flying.

One headed west to the Black Wolf Gang's hall.

One headed south to the back door of Liuli Pavilion.

Black Wolf Gang Hall.

The man found the Second-in-Command and bowed respectfully:

"Second-in-Command, it has been investigated."

The Second-in-Command was sitting in a grand master chair drinking tea. Hearing this, he put down his cup: "Speak."

"That Lin Tian is indeed a Disciple of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall, a First-Rank Martial Artist. Today at Sifang Pavilion, he sent the troublemaker flying with one punch. His strength... is not weak."

The Second-in-Command narrowed his eyes: "What strength?"

"At least First-Rank," the man said. "And he used the Wood Element Fist. His Moves were seasoned, not like someone who just made a Breakthrough."

The Second-in-Command was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly:

"Understood, you may go."

The man withdrew.

The Second-in-Command leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the armrest, calculating in his heart.

First-Rank, seasoned Wood Element Fist, official Disciple of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall, working as a guard at Sifang Pavilion... This kid really has some ability.

With someone like this in Lin Family Village, we really shouldn't bully them too much in the future.

He stood up, walked to the window, looked at the street outside, and muttered:

"Forget it, give Lin Family Village some Face. In the future, collect grain at twenty percent, and let's keep to our own sides."

Liuli Pavilion Back Hall.

The Pavilion Master heard the subordinate's report, his Face so gloomy it could drip water.

"You mean that kid sent Old Hei packing with one punch?"

"Yes." The subordinate lowered his head, "Old Hei couldn't even withstand a single Move."

The Pavilion Master snorted: "Trash!"

He paced back and forth in the hall, getting angrier the more he thought about it.

He had wanted to use Old Hei's incident to cause trouble at Sifang Pavilion, test the waters, and incidentally cause some trouble for Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall. But instead, he was slapped back by one of their young guards.

If word got out, where would he put the Face of Liuli Pavilion?

"What is that kid's background?" He stopped pacing.

"Named Lin Tian, an official Disciple of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall, recently transferred to Sifang Pavilion. I heard he's a Genius, breaking through from Quasi-Martial Artist to First-Rank in just a few months."

The Pavilion Master narrowed his eyes: "Genius? Hmph, Geniuses die the fastest."

He waved his hand: "Go. I will report this to the martial arts hall myself."

The subordinate withdrew.

The Pavilion Master changed his clothes and went out toward Liehuo Martial Arts Hall.

Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, Council Hall.

The Pavilion Master finished reporting the matter and stood to the side with his hands hanging down.

Three people sat in the hall.

In the center sat an old man in his fifties with a cold Face and sharp eyes; he was the Grand Elder of Liehuo Martial Arts Hall. On the left and right sides sat a middle-aged man, both powerful figures in the hall.

The Grand Elder heard the report and spoke slowly:

"You mean a young guard came to Sifang Pavilion and ruined our business?"

"Yes." The Pavilion Master lowered his head, "That person is named Lin Tian, a newly promoted First-Rank Martial Artist from Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall, and his strength is not weak. Old Hei didn't even last one Move under him."

The Grand Elder pondered for a moment and looked at the person on the left: "Instructor Li, have you heard of this Lin Tian?"

Instructor Li shook his head: "Never heard of him. Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall hasn't had any famous young Disciples lately, except for that... Oh, right, I heard a while ago that there was someone named Lin Tian who defeated Sun Hao in the martial arts hall and snatched the Sifang Pavilion job."

"Defeated Sun Hao?" The Grand Elder raised an eyebrow, "That kid Sun Hao might be useless, but he is at least a veteran First-Rank. A newcomer can defeat him?"

"It is said that the kid has Minor Achievement in Metal Element Fist and also knows Wood Element Fist." Instructor Li said, "His talent is indeed quite good."

The Grand Elder sneered:

"Talent is quite good? Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall has really found a treasure. However, since he dares to ruin our affairs, he must pay the price."

He looked at the person on the right: "Consultant Liu, you make a Move and teach that kid a lesson. Don't kill him, just break an arm or a leg."

Consultant Liu was a lean man in his forties. Hearing this, he stood up and cupped his hands:

"Grand Elder, rest assured. A junior who has just entered the First-Rank can be wiped out with a turn of the hand."

Lin Tian knew nothing of all this.

He returned to the backyard and continued practicing his fists.

Metal Element Fist, Wood Element Fist, Five Elements Stance, over and over, tirelessly.

[Five Elements Stance proficiency + 1]

[Metal Element Fist proficiency + 1]

[Wood Element Fist proficiency + 1]

The System's notification sound was his best companion.

Days rose and moons fell, winter came and summer went.

In the blink of an eye, another month passed.

Lin Tian stood in the courtyard, bathing in the morning sun. He slowly finished his practice and exhaled a breath of turbid air. That breath condensed into a white streak, shooting out a zhang away and lingering for a long time.

He called up the System panel:

[Name: Lin Tian]

[Realm: First-Rank Martial Artist (Middle Stage)]

[Martial Arts: Five Elements Stance (Major Achievement) 23/1000]

[Metal Element Fist (Major Achievement) 20/1000]

[Wood Element Fist (Proficiency) 330/500]

[Strength: Approximately 1,500 jin]

Five Elements Stance at Major Achievement, Metal Element Fist at Major Achievement, and Wood Element Fist was also close to breaking through.

His cultivation had leaped from First-Rank Early Stage to Middle Stage, and his strength had grown from 1,200 jin to 1,500 jin.

Lin Tian clenched his fist, feeling the surging Qi and blood in his body, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

Time to go home and check in.

He packed up, went to the accounting office to collect his salary for the month—eight taels of silver.

Then he went to the street to buy some things: fabric for his mother, good wine for his father, snacks for his little sister, and some sundries.

With bags large and small on his back, Lin Tian left Sifang Pavilion and headed out of the city.

Just as he walked out of the city gate, a figure flashed by in the street corner in the distance.

The man walked quickly through several alleys, arrived at a secluded courtyard, and pushed the door open.

"Consultant Liu, that kid has left the city!"

In the courtyard, a lean man was wiping a short blade. Hearing this, he looked up, a cold light flashing in his eyes:

"Finally out."

He put away the short blade, stood up, and stretched his muscles.

"Alone?"

"Alone, carrying large and small bags, likely returning home to visit relatives."

Consultant Liu sneered: "Perfect. It's convenient to make a Move outside the city."

He strode out the door and chased after him outside the city.

Lin Tian walked on the dirt road leading to Lin Family Village.

He had walked this road many times and could find the direction even with his eyes closed. On both sides were yellow, ripe wheat fields; it would be time to harvest in half a month. The wind blew, the wheat waves rolled, rustling.

He was in a good mood, his steps light.

Walking to a secluded section of the road, there were dense woods on both sides, and no one was in sight before or behind.

Suddenly, Lin Tian's steps paused.

He stopped and scanned the road ahead.

In the middle of the road, someone had appeared out of nowhere.

The man was wearing gray clothes, his Face covered with a black cloth, revealing only a pair of cold eyes. He stood in the center of the road, arms crossed, like a wooden stake.

Lin Tian narrowed his eyes and slowly put down the bundle on his back.