A Probe!

"How is this possible?"

"That brat really joined Lingyun Martial Arts School."

"According to what I heard, that kid's been quietly getting things done. Not only did he join the school, he's even mastered the basics of Inner Strength cultivation."

Shi Ba's face was gloomy, and his voice carried a hint of tension.

He hadn't forgotten how he'd followed his big brother, Li Sihhu, in bullying that mother and son.

Joining the school meant becoming a Martial Artist. He'd offended a Martial Artist...

The other two understood the same thing. Their faces went "whoosh" white.

"We're finished. What if that guy comes after us?"

"He's mastered Stance Skill? Good heavens, that makes him an Inner Strength expert in the gang!"

The two underlings spoke over each other, fear clear in their voices.

It wasn't as if the Black Scorpion Gang lacked experts who'd cultivated Inner Strength, but those men were far beyond the likes of them, mere nobodies.

They'd once been lucky enough to witness an expert from the gang hunting down a leader of the Hungry Wolf Gang. The sight of fists and feet shattering metal and stone, of a man being beaten to death with bare hands, had struck terror into all who heard of it.

And now... suddenly they'd learned they'd offended an expert like that. How could they not be afraid?

Watching the house in the distance, its door shut, Shi Ba's gaze flickered. His expression shifted between light and dark.

Heaven knew how shocked he'd been when he got the news. The frail scholar he'd once looked down on had suddenly transformed into an Inner Strength expert.

"Brother Ba, what do we do?"

"Should we go to his place and apologize?"

The two underlings spoke over each other, their words filled with panic.

All three of them had followed Li Sihhu in bullying the common folk. They'd once imagined things might come to this, but hadn't expected it to happen so soon.

Staring hard at the pitch-black doors and windows, Shi Ba couldn't make out what was inside. Beads of sweat gathered on his forehead.

For some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that the boy was watching him from that dark window, his gaze brimming with murderous intent!

"No! That's not right..."

He shook his head and pulled his gaze away.

"Have you two considered one thing?"

His face still held that eerie, startled look, and his brows drew together. Suddenly, Shi Ba remembered how Li Sihhu had died that night.

His thoughts racing, Shi Ba couldn't help asking in a low voice, "Do you remember how Brother Sihu died?"

"Brother Sihu?"

"Wasn't the boss assassinated by an Inner Strength expert from the Hungry Wolf Gang?"

The other two underlings were at a loss.

Shi Ba's gaze flickered.

"Do you think this could have something to do with that kid? The boss died, he joined the Fist Manor, and now he's officially joined the martial arts school. Don't you think there might be a connection?"

The two men looked at each other. Doubt showed on their faces at first, but soon it faded.

"But a month ago, that kid really was weak as a kitten. And he only joined the Fist Manor after Brother Sihu died. Before that, he was just some brat we could deal with whenever we pleased."

"Even so..."

Shi Ba's brows knitted tightly. For some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, especially given Lin Yin's dramatic change during this time.

"For now, we should focus on how to turn things around. What if we just go apologize in person?"

One of them spoke, his face full of apprehension.

The thought of being targeted by a Martial Artist who'd mastered Inner Strength terrified him. He figured he wouldn't get a good night's sleep for days.

Looking at the fear and weakness on his two companions' faces, a flash of fury and viciousness crossed Shi Ba's expression.

"Apologize? If apologizing worked, what would we need knives for?"

He scoffed at such a childish trick.

"Brother Ba, what do you mean?"

The two were startled, unable to understand what gave Shi Ba such confidence.

"Relax. Nothing's going to happen to the three of us brothers. Tonight...

"Tonight, I'll find someone to finish that kid off. He's only just joined the martial arts school. There's no way I, Shi Ba, am going to bow down and apologize!"

The enormous reversal of fortune and the fear buried deep in Shi Ba's heart twisted his face into a snarl.

"I have a way. It'll cost us plenty, but it'll put an end to this once and for all."

Night fell over Lingyun Fist Manor.

As usual, Lin Yin was among the last few to leave the Manor.

The bustling streets from the day lay empty beneath the night sky. He crossed the long street outside the Fist Manor, then slipped into the narrow alleys.

Lin Yin made his way through the lanes and soon reached the last intersection.

There were naturally no streetlights in the alleys of Tiancong Kingdom, so they were pitch-black. But beyond the narrow lanes, the moonlit streets looked considerably brighter.

Looking at the stretch of road ahead, seemingly blanketed in silver frost, Lin Yin quickened his pace. No one liked lingering in the dark.

Just as he stepped out of the alley, a figure suddenly appeared at the mouth of a nearby lane.

Lin Yin's brisk steps came to an abrupt halt.

"Junior Brother Lin..."

A voice called out from the darkness.

"You are..."

Lin Yin looked toward the newcomer, narrowing his eyes.

At this hour, most people would already be at home. Few would be out wandering.

The figure slowly emerged from the alley. Moonlight fell across his face, and as Lin Yin recognized him, the slight tension in his expression gave way to solemn respect.

He clasped his hands and bowed formally to the newcomer.

"Senior Brother Li, what brings you here?"

Though he said this, Lin Yin's face showed unease and nervousness, as if the sudden appearance of this man at the turn on his way home had startled him.

"Don't be nervous, Junior Brother. I've just come from Langshi Tavern, where I met a few friends. I'm on my way back to the Fist Manor."

The newcomer wore a perfectly measured smile as he walked toward Lin Yin alone.

The pale moonlight fell across his face. Somehow, his smile looked false.

It was Li Qianjiang, whom Lin Yin hadn't seen in many days!

As a disciple who'd joined the school years earlier, Li Qianjiang had already reached Minor Accomplishment in Stance Skill. He usually stayed inside the school, tempering his Qi.

Since the last time they'd parted, Lin Yin hadn't seen him again.

As Li Qianjiang casually came to stand beside him, Lin Yin wore a respectful expression, but inside, he was on guard. The rich qi and blood cultivated through his Vajra Stake Technique quietly surged within him.

The two drew close. Li Qianjiang suddenly stepped forward and patted Lin Yin on the shoulder, praising him.

"People say you used backdoor connections to get into the school, and that there was something fishy about how quickly you learned Stance Skill. I don't think that's the case. I'd say it's because you've worked hard at your training, Junior Brother."

Li Qianjiang's words held praise and encouragement. He didn't seem to be the kind of person Lin Yin had imagined.

"Thank you for the praise, Senior Brother. I'm slow-witted, so I can only put in extra effort. I wouldn't dare slack off after reaching what I have today."

Lin Yin bowed as he spoke, his words earnest.

"All right. It's getting late, so you should head home."

Li Qianjiang waved his hand as if casually dismissing him. Lin Yin hurriedly cupped his hands and bowed, then turned and strode away.

But just as Lin Yin turned around, a gust of wind suddenly swept in behind him. His pupils contracted, and his body darted forward like a nimble ape. He twisted and sprang away.

The scorching palm wind grazed the back of Lin Yin's neck by a hair!