Golden Bell Shield!

The morning wind carried a blade-like chill, scraping at the back of one's neck until even breathing felt frosted over.

Lin Yin silently watched the scene unfold before him—his mother's fierce argument, his grandfather's favoritism, his uncle and second aunt's relentless greed and harassment, all forming a motley tapestry of color.

He took a deep breath, rose from his seat, and stood behind his mother, who seemed so frail and alone.

Seeing the atmosphere grow so tense, Third Uncle Lin De, who had been standing silently to the side, could no longer hold back.

He let out a long sigh.

"Father, Eldest Sister-in-law has her grievances. Second Brother and his family have already taken so much from Eldest Brother—even the martial arts academy slot was given to Lin Lin. And Lin Yin? Even his chance at the school was... We really have gone too far."

"Third Brother... what are you saying? Why are you twisting your arm so far out?"

"Don't forget, you were the one who supported Lin Lin entering the martial arts academy in the first place."

Second Uncle and Second Aunt traded words back and forth, leaving Third Uncle Lin De's face flushed red.

"I only saw that Lin Lin had excellent bone structure! I had faith in Lin Lin, but that doesn't mean we abandon Lin Yin!"

He tried to defend himself, but Second Aunt cut him off directly.

"Enough, Third Brother. When Lin Lin returns accomplished in the future, you'll get a share of the glory too. As his third uncle, you'll have good days ahead. Even Ai Er—how could Lin Lin forget his little sister?"

"..." At that, Lin De's face showed embarrassment, and he glanced at Lin Lin's expression.

After all, Lin Lin's talent had been personally acknowledged by the martial arts instructor—a born martial artist with superior bone structure, even better than Lin Shan. That was the only reason things had come to this.

"Third Brother does have a point, but..."

The aged voice rang out across the spacious courtyard. Old Master Lin glanced at Madam Wang, whose face was iron-hard and showed no sign of backing down, before continuing.

"Eldest Daughter-in-law, if Lin Lin enters the sect during next year's Spring Hunt, lending a hand to Lin Yin would be a simple matter. Why must you be so stubborn about this?"

"Father... I came here only for Yin'er. I am happy that Lin Lin has prospects, but that cannot be a reason to sacrifice Yin'er!"

Madam Wang's gaze swept across each face before her, word by word, her voice trembling with grievance.

"Before Dashan left, did our family ever take a single coin from the clan? Even the school fees came from Dashan's own earnings. Back then, you already favored Second Brother!"

"Now that Dashan has fallen, we widows and orphans never expected anything from you. But how have you treated us? Instead of any help from the family, you take what Dashan left behind to support Lin Lin. Do you mean to drive us mother and son to death? I believe that even if Dashan's spirit watches from above, he will not bless you!"

Her voice rose from indignation to a piercing wail, and for a moment, the vast courtyard fell into dead silence.

Old Master Lin, seated at the head, wore a face of iron. Second Uncle's complexion was pale. Even Second Aunt, usually so sharp-tongued, flushed red and could not utter a word.

Death is the greatest matter. To exploit the widow and orphan of the deceased eldest son like this—if word got out, tongues would never stop wagging!

"What family interests? What family future? How much did Dashan give to this family, and how much did the family give us in return?"

Tears welled in Madam Wang's eyes, finally spilling over as her voice choked with sobs.

All she sought was a little.

Yet even that little—what should rightfully be theirs—these people would brazenly strip away. Could she swallow this anger? What about her son?

For her son, she would do anything!

"Enough!"

His chest heaving violently, his face cycling through shades of green and red, Old Master Lin slowly rose from his creaking chair.

He cast a cold glance at Madam Wang.

"Say what you want directly. If it's about Dashan's slot or the martial arts academy's business, don't bother. I can give you and your son some other compensation."

"Fine. I want thirty taels of silver, and all the martial arts equipment Dashan left behind, including the medicines."

Even though the old man's voice carried a chill, Madam Wang shed her usual timidity and spoke with firm resolve.

"No! Those medicines must stay for Lin Lin! Without them, how can he temper his bones and tendons? If his progress falls behind, that would be disastrous! Old Master, this won't do!"

Second Aunt shrieked.

"Those medicines..."

Old Master Lin's expression also darkened.

His hopes now rested entirely on his youngest grandson, Lin Lin. The importance of those medicines went without saying.

But these things had originally belonged to Dashan. To forcibly keep them would be somewhat...

"Grandfather, your grandson cannot do without those medicines!"

When the topic turned to the medicines, Lin Lin, who had been sitting calmly at the left head seat, could no longer stay composed.

The saying goes: poverty for scholars, wealth for martial artists. That wealth lay in the necessities of martial practice—and the Great Medicine was the most critical link of all.

Without the stockpile of medicinal ingredients that Eldest Uncle had accumulated, even if he took silver to buy more, it wouldn't be something he could gather overnight.

In fact, expenses were already tight; even purchasing these medicines would be a stretch.

"Those medicines are out of the question!"

The moment Lin Lin spoke, Old Master Lin's expression shifted as he directly refused.

"That was ours to begin with."

Madam Wang said loudly.

"Eldest Aunt, those medicinal ingredients are all Great Medicine meant to temper the bones, tendons, Qi and Blood. I can't figure out what use you'd have for them. Does Lin Yin need them?"

Lin Lin's brows were tightly furrowed. He hadn't planned to argue and lose face, but seeing his eldest aunt set her sights on that batch of medicine—touching on his own interests—he naturally had to defend them.

"Lin Lin, how dare you speak like that? Don't think that just because you've trained in martial arts for a day or two, you're above others. He's your elder brother, and you call him by his name outright—have you no manners at all?"

Madam Wang showed no restraint toward Lin Lin, who was usually the center of the Lin Family's attention, and shot back sharply.

"Aunt, you..."

His still-young face flushed bright red in an instant. Lin Lin wanted to say something, but Old Master Lin shot him a fierce glare, and he immediately dared not speak.

"Lin Lin, no matter what, he is still your brother!"

Old Master Lin frowned at his youngest grandson.

In a feudal society, hierarchy and respect were held in utmost importance. Even though Madam Wang had come to the Lin Family to cause a scene, she still had to address him respectfully as 'Father.' Lin Lin's behavior of calling his elder brother by name was rebellious in any household.

His face burning red, Lin Lin dared not retort and awkwardly returned to his seat. Even Second Aunt and Second Uncle, sitting nearby, found it hard to speak up for their own son at that moment.

"Sigh... Eldest daughter-in-law, choose another condition. As Lin'er said, those medicines are useless to you. Why not settle for something else?"

The old man's brows were creased into deep folds, but he still spoke in a soothing tone.

"No matter who says it, it's useless. Yin'er is also preparing to train in martial arts..."

"Lin Yin, train in martial arts?"

Old Master Lin was stunned. Second Uncle and Second Aunt exchanged glances, seeing the shock on each other's faces. As for Lin Lin, he couldn't help but let out a "pfft" of laughter, completely ignoring the occasion.

"Sister-in-law, are you saying Lin Yin is going to train in martial arts? Are you joking?"

Third Uncle Lin De walked forward in disbelief, sizing up Lin Yin's frail frame from head to toe.

Martial arts training valued Bone Structure and talent above all else—far more demanding than the conditions for studying. Setting aside Lin Yin's Bone Structure, even his physical condition showed no sign of being suited for martial arts.

"Second Aunt, I do have a method... I wonder if you'd accept it."

A smile had returned to his face, and his expression seemed calm again. Lin Lin suddenly spoke up once more.

Madam Wang didn't even look at him; her gaze remained fixed on the unsettled Old Master Lin.

Lin Lin sighed helplessly, then turned to Lin Yin and said directly, "With Big Brother's Bone Structure, there's no way he'll get into the Martial Arts School. I believe Eldest Uncle has already tried for Big Brother. But if Big Brother wants to train in martial arts, your little brother here has a perfect solution."

With that, he entered the Side Room and came back a moment later holding a small Thin Booklet.

"Isn't that... the one the Bone-Touching Master left for you..."

Second Aunt, sharp-eyed, recognized it at once. Her eyes widened in some anxiety, but Lin Lin gave her a calm look before walking straight over to Lin Yin.

"To train in martial arts, besides a Master, you naturally need techniques and methods. Back then, Eldest Uncle trained in the Vajra Stake Technique, and his Qi and Blood were extraordinary. This corresponding technique would naturally suit Big Brother better as well."

"..."

Lin Yin's expression remained unchanged, but his heart gave a slight leap. He reached out and took the booklet handed to him.

"Golden Bell Shield..."

Three bold, flowing characters met his eyes.