Tiger, Bear, Deer, Snake, Fish - Eat If You Have Money

After Lv Qianfan and his group's attitude toward Lin Yan cooled and they departed after a few words, Li An remained as enthusiastic as before, explaining the nuances of the second stage of skin-polishing to him.

"Skin-polishing has four stages: the first is refining the skin, the second is forging the flesh. Without secret medicines, relying solely on bitter training will never lead to a breakthrough."

"The Muscle Strengthening Paste at the martial arts hall costs twenty taels a jar, slightly more expensive than outside pharmacies, but if you aren't familiar with medicinal ingredients, Junior Brother, it's best to buy it at the hall. The efficacy is guaranteed, whereas the quality of pastes from outside shops is inconsistent."

"Furthermore, there are requirements regarding food. Ordinary poultry meat barely maintains your blood and qi from declining; to nourish and generate more, you must consume other rare meats."

"Tiger, bear, deer, snake, and fish—these are the five most common rare meats consumed by us skin-polishing martial artists. The first four need no explanation, but the last one, fish, does not refer to ordinary fish, but rather mutant ones. Take the Jian Fish as an example: a normal Jian Fish has no whiskers, but a Jian Fish with whiskers is a mutant, providing a great boost to blood and qi."

"If you are short on silver, prioritize your food to keep your blood and qi from declining. Before you have secret medicines like Muscle Strengthening Paste to apply, try to minimize your training."

Lin Yan made a rough calculation of the silver he had on him; if he followed the standard regimen, it would only last him four months.

"Junior Brother Lin, do you know the saying that circulates in the martial arts circle?"

Lin Yan shook his head, and Li An chuckled: "Polishing skin, polishing skin—the word 'polish' says it all. Take it slow, like water wearing away stone. You must also consider the cost of failing a breakthrough; the more impatient you are, the more likely you are to get stuck."

"Senior Brother's teachings are wise; this junior brother has learned much."

Nodding in acknowledgment, Lin Yan glanced at the other senior brothers present and asked curiously: "Senior Brother Li, is Senior Brother Zhang the only one in our hall who has reached the second stage of skin-polishing?"

"Naturally not." Li An counted on his fingers: "There are seven senior brothers at the second stage of skin-polishing and three at the third stage. Those three don't stay at the hall; they hold positions outside. After all, practicing martial arts is too expensive; one must find ways to earn money."

"Even at the first stage of skin-polishing, you can find a position—caravans, escort agencies, pharmacies, grain stores, shipping firms... there are plenty of jobs. The compensation varies, and Junior Brother Lin can choose for himself, but remember one thing: the Master forbids us from having any dealings with gangs. No matter how high a price they offer, do not agree."

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother. I've noted it down." Lin Yan nodded, then followed up: "Then how does one go about securing a position?"

"Wait!"

"Wait?"

"Our hall has good relations with several merchant firms, but they don't currently need martial artists, so we can only wait for vacancies or for those in need to come to the hall. Of course, you can look for work yourself, but the compensation will be lower."

Listening to Senior Brother Li, Lin Yan understood the reason.

Those who go begging for a position naturally don't get as good a deal as those who are actively sought out.

He frowned; if he had to wait, he didn't know how long it would take.

"Junior Brother Lin, you've only just reached the first stage of skin-polishing, so don't worry about the position yet. Go to the General Affairs Room to collect your new disciple uniform, and if you have nothing to do, wear it and stroll around the East and South districts."

Seeing Senior Brother Li wink at him, Lin Yan was a bit confused, but once he reached the General Affairs Room and received the new uniform, he understood what Senior Brother Li meant.

The new disciple uniform had a star embroidered on the chest, representing his current stage of skin-polishing.

A first-stage skin-polishing disciple of the Yang Family Martial Arts Hall.

Senior Brother Li told him to wear the uniform in the East and South districts because those in the know would immediately recognize his status just by looking at his clothes.

As for why the East and South districts, those two areas were the most prosperous in the entire county, home to the majority of the wealthy.

After changing into the new uniform and spending twenty taels on a jar of Muscle Strengthening Paste, Lin Yan left the martial arts hall.

He didn't rush to show his face in the East or South districts, but headed straight home.

Reaching the first stage of skin-polishing meant he had officially stepped into the ranks of martial artists.

He wanted to share this good news with his aunt immediately.

However, just as he turned into his street, he saw a crowd gathered ahead, with faint, noisy sounds drifting over.

Lin Yan's brow furrowed, and his pace quickened. This street was not far from his home, and he feared something might have happened to his aunt or younger brother.

"Xu Ping, out of respect for you being a disciple of the Zhou Family Martial Arts Hall, waiving your family's protection fee is already giving you enough face. Do you really think you're the only one at the first stage of skin-polishing?"

In the crowd, a burly man with several others glared coldly at the young man in front.

Lin Yan recognized the youth: Xu Ping from the Xu family. He had started learning martial arts at a hall two years before Lin Yan. Looking at the star embroidered on his chest, he was also at the first stage of skin-polishing.

"Gang Leader Cao, for all these years in the county, the major gangs have only collected protection fees from merchants; there is no precedent for collecting them door-to-door."

"Just because there wasn't one before doesn't mean there isn't one now. In short, starting this month, every household must pay two hundred wen in protection fees. Not a single copper less."

Xu Ping's expression was grim. He had succeeded in his first stage of skin-polishing and was celebrating at home today, having invited many neighbors. He hadn't expected the Clear Water Gang to show up at this exact moment.

Having been praised by his neighbors at the banquet just moments ago, he felt compelled to stand up for them.

The Clear Water Gang wasn't a large organization, and Cao Peng was only a first-stage skin-polishing martial artist himself. However, Cao Peng had reached that stage a year ago, and with his subordinates, Xu Ping knew he was no match for them alone.

Just as Xu Ping found himself in a difficult position, his eyes scanned the surroundings. When he saw Lin Yan in the crowd, his eyes lit up, and he shouted: "Lin Yan, you've also reached the first stage of skin-polishing?"

He had heard from his father that Lin Yan of the Lin family had gone to the Yang Family Martial Arts Hall to train, but in his view, it would be impossible for Lin Yan to succeed in three to five years.

After all, the Lin family's financial situation was far worse than his own, and only those who truly practiced martial arts knew how important silver was to the path.

He hadn't expected Lin Yan to reach the first stage so quickly.

The martial arts hall uniform couldn't be faked. Although shocked by Lin Yan's speed, Xu Ping was mostly relieved; he couldn't intimidate Cao Peng alone, but with Lin Yan, it might be enough.

Two first-stage martial artists, plus the backing of their respective halls—Cao Peng would have to weigh his options.

Following Xu Ping's words, the crowd's gaze shifted to Lin Yan. When they saw the star on his chest, Cao Peng's expression flickered. He cupped his hands toward Lin Yan: "Little brother is impressive, reaching the first stage of skin-polishing at such a young age. My Clear Water Gang can waive the protection fee for your family."

Lin Yan did not reply; he simply walked to Xu Ping's side, using his actions to express his stance.

From his personal perspective, not intervening in this matter would have been for the best.

But upon seeing his aunt and younger brother in the crowd, along with the expectant faces of familiar neighbors, Lin Yan ultimately decided to join forces with Xu Ping to apply pressure.

Having lived alongside these neighbors for many years, there was still a fair amount of affection between them.

Cao Peng looked at Xu Ping and Lin Yan, his expression shifting between light and shadow. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "Fine. Yuliu Alley is truly a place of hidden talents to have two martial artists. My Clear Water Gang will waive the protection fee for Yuliu Alley. Farewell!"

Although he had stepped into the Skin-Toughening Realm a year earlier than the two of them, his odds of winning were slim if he fought one against two.

However, having lost face in front of such a crowd, he noted this grudge down; he would eventually find an opportunity to retaliate.

"Gang Leader Cao, wait a moment."

Cao Peng's footsteps faltered. He turned his head to look at Lin Yan, who was walking toward him, a look of suspicion in his eyes.

Watching Lin Yan extend his hand with a beaming smile, Cao Peng didn't understand why, but he extended his hand as well.

With so many people watching, how could he, the dignified leader of the Clear Water Gang, show fear?

As their hands clasped, Lin Yan pulled his back: "This is called shaking hands to make peace. Many thanks to Gang Leader Cao for giving me face."

Cao Peng withdrew his hand and left with his subordinates, while Xu Ping addressed the crowd: "The Clear Water Gang will no longer come to collect protection fees. Everyone, disperse."

"Lin Yan, want to come to my place for a sit-down?"

"Since Brother Xu has invited me, how could I refuse?"

Lin Yan greeted his aunt and younger brother before following Xu Ping toward the Xu residence.

Once they arrived, the two naturally exchanged some polite pleasantries.

After the formalities, Lin Yan asked curiously: "Brother Xu, why did the Clear Water Gang come all the way here to collect protection fees?"

"The county town will only become more chaotic in the future. The newly emerged Four Seas Gang is very powerful and has almost unified the West City. Many gangs in the West City were forced to relocate to our North City. The Clear Water Gang moved here from the West City. Since these gangs have lost their territory, they can only collect protection fees from commoners like us. Although we deterred the Clear Water Gang this time, I fear other gangs will come later."

Xu Ping sighed. If he hadn't happened to be there today, he wouldn't have stepped forward.

Facing the Clear Water Gang, he and Lin Yan could join forces to deter them, but what if a stronger gang came?

"We'll take it one step at a time. Perhaps the Patrol Bureau will intervene."

"The Patrol Bureau is only responsible for maintaining order in the South and East Cities. As for our side..."

Xu Ping gave a soft huff. Seeing Lin Yan's confused expression, he explained: "Gangs cannot be eradicated. Those large gangs have experts who have undergone three or even four rounds of skin-toughening, and the Patrol Bureau is unwilling to provoke them for no reason. As long as they aren't slaughtering the common people on a massive scale, the Patrol Bureau won't interfere."

A quarter of an hour later, Lin Yan left the Xu residence, a look of contemplation on his face.

From Xu Ping's words, he had gained a deeper understanding of the situation in Guangping County.

The West City had city gates and several towns outside, with significant trade in mountain goods and medicinal herbs. Gangs occupying the West City could rake in plenty of money. Because the North City lacked city gates, there were few merchants and little profit to be made, so many gangs looked down on it, making it a place of residence for ordinary people.

However, the sudden rise of the Four Seas Gang had changed everything.

The Four Seas Gang was strong; relying on the strength of one gang, they wiped out several veteran gangs in the West City. Other gangs either chose to merge into the Four Seas Gang or had to leave the West City to seek a living elsewhere.

The Clear Water Gang was in such a situation, but both Lin Yan and Xu Ping knew that the Clear Water Gang would certainly not be the last.

"Little Yan is back."

"What 'Little Yan'? He is Master Lin now."

Returning to his courtyard gate, Lin Yan saw many neighbors standing in the yard, chatting with his aunt.

"Auntie Wang, Auntie Liu..."

Lin Yan greeted the neighbors. These neighbors were quite tactful; once Lin Yan returned, they dispersed one after another.

Only, before leaving, they couldn't help but praise Liu, saying that with Lin Yan being so successful, she would have plenty of blessings to enjoy in the future.

"Little Yan, will today's matter bring you trouble?"

After the neighbors left, Liu's face showed a look of worry. In her eyes, a gang leader was a monumental figure.

No matter how skilled Lin Yan was at martial arts, in her subconscious, he was still just a child.

"Aunt, don't worry. I have made a name for myself now, and I am a disciple of the Yang Family Martial Arts Hall. The Clear Water Gang wouldn't dare to deal with me."

Lin Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, recalling that when he shook hands with Cao Peng earlier, the height of the man's Martial Dao Tree in his mind was only an inch taller than his own, and the leaves of the "Stone-Splitting Claw" technique displayed were not even fully grown—the technique hadn't even reached the proficiency level.