Earth Vein True Interpretation

Autumn departed and winter arrived, bringing a biting chill in its wake.

In the courtyard.

Lin Yan stood bare-chested, his spine arched like a great bow. Sweat rolled from his shoulder blades, tracing the contours of his rippling back muscles; his skin, tempered like iron repeatedly hammered on an anvil, glowed with a restrained, resilient sheen.

Hoo!

He exhaled a long breath that instantly transformed into a cold mist in the frigid air, shooting out a full foot before dissipating.

The Martial Dao Tree within his body had reached one foot and seven inches, not far from the two-foot height required for a second-stage skin-tempering martial artist.

This speed of cultivation far exceeded that of most first-stage skin-tempering practitioners.

He was able to maintain such a pace primarily because his Mountain Splitting Fist was nearing the minor achievement stage—most martial artists were lucky to reach proficiency in their techniques during their first skin-tempering phase.

The second reason was the boost to blood and qi nourishment provided by his Stone Waist Savage Spine constitution.

Without these two factors, following the normal cultivation speed of the senior brothers at the martial arts school, it would take nearly two years to reach the threshold of the second skin-tempering stage.

Should one fail the breakthrough, it would delay progress by another year or eighteen months.

Fortunately, he faced no risk of failing a breakthrough. His current trouble was that the silver sponsored by others had run dry; he could only continue using Muscle Strengthening Paste thanks to the stipend from the Tang Family.

"Master Lin, let me wipe your face."

Axiu, who had been standing to the side, had long since prepared a basin of water and handed over a wrung-out towel.

"Many thanks."

Lin Yan took the towel and wiped the sweat from his face, though he left the sweat on his body alone. Axiu had offered to wipe him down several times when he first started, but he had declined.

It wasn't that he was unaccustomed to having a stranger clean him; having lived thirty-five years in his past life, he wasn't unfamiliar with such services—he couldn't afford the premium ones, but the budget-friendly options were quite cost-effective.

It was simply that he was currently in his prime fighting years and could not afford to develop habits of indulgence.

After wiping his face, Lin Yan said, "No need to come tomorrow or the day after."

Axiu, who had taken the towel back, was startled. Lin Yan added, "I'm heading back to the county town today, so I won't be here for the next two days."

Over these three months, Lin Yan had returned to the city once a month. He would depart in the evening, stay at home for one night, and return to the town early the next morning. Although Zheng Xun had said the employer wouldn't mind, Lin Yan didn't want to give anyone cause for gossip while taking their money.

The position at the Tang Family was a good job, and he didn't want to lose it.

Now that winter had set in, most of the medicinal fields had been harvested, and the few remaining crops were nowhere near ready, so there was no need to keep a daily watch.

"Lin Yan, let's go."

By the time Lin Yan had packed up and stepped out of the courtyard, Zheng Xun was already waiting.

During these three months in Qingtian Town, Lin Yan and Zheng Xun had developed a good relationship. They were of similar age, while everyone else was a generation older; in Zheng Xun's words, he couldn't find common ground with those people.

Once they entered the city, Zheng Xun winked at Lin Yan, "Lin Yan, are you sure you don't want to come and enjoy yourself with me?"

"No."

Throughout the journey back to the city, Zheng Xun had completely let loose, regaling Lin Yan with tales of the exquisite pleasures offered by the courtesans in the city and constantly trying to tempt him, yet Lin Yan remained unmoved.

While it was true that martial artists didn't need to be overly abstinent regarding wine and women after skin-tempering, if Zheng Xun treated him today, would he be expected to return the favor later?

Zheng Xun's situation was different from his own. Although the Zheng family couldn't compare to the top families in the city, Zheng Xun's grandfather had been a third-stage skin-tempering martial artist before he passed, leaving behind a considerable fortune. He had the capital to indulge.

Lin Yan barely had enough money for his own martial arts training; how could he possibly spend it on such things?

When a person is at a low point, they should minimize leisure and social activities. Even if someone else is paying, accepting their hospitality often necessitates fawning and flattery. Over time, one subconsciously accepts a status inferior to others, losing the will to strive.

After parting ways with Zheng Xun, Lin Yan first went to the martial arts school to buy a jar of Muscle Strengthening Paste, then headed toward his home. Compared to three months ago, the atmosphere in the North City district was noticeably different; there were fewer people on the streets, and even the groups of children who used to play everywhere had vanished.

"Aunt, I'm home."

Lin Yan pushed open his door to find his younger brother idly teasing ants in the courtyard. Hearing his voice, the boy ran over happily, "Big Brother, you're back!"

"Mm, where is Aunt?"

Handing the meat he had bought from the butcher to his brother, Lin Yan asked curiously.

He knew that because of his martial arts training, his aunt would never spend money on herself, no matter how many times he told her not to worry. That was why he always bought meat whenever he returned.

His younger brother was at an age where he needed proper nutrition to grow.

"Mother went to deliver some clothes."

Lin Mo tugged at the corner of Lin Yan's shirt, "Big Brother, take me out to play. Staying at home all day is driving me crazy."

"How is your calligraphy practice coming along?"

Lin Yan ignored the request, remaining unmoved even as his brother gave him a pitiful look.

His aunt didn't let his brother play outside because the situation was different now. Although the Clear Water Gang had been wiped out, the Three Heroes Gang had moved in shortly after.

These gang members roamed their territory all day, and if they didn't like the look of someone, they would find any excuse to beat them black and blue. His aunt was afraid his brother would be bullied by these thugs.

Unlike the Clear Water Gang, which only had one skin-tempering martial artist, the Three Heroes Gang had three. Furthermore, the leader of the Three Heroes Gang had attempted a breakthrough to the second stage a year ago; although he failed, he was recognized as a top-tier expert among first-stage skin-tempering martial artists.

The "protection money" collected by the Three Heroes Gang was ten percent higher than what the Clear Water Gang had demanded. Initially, the people of Yuliu Alley wanted Lin Yan to step in, but Lin Yan was in Qingtian Town, and before he left, he had specifically told his aunt not to get involved in these matters.

If the gangs wanted to collect protection money, let them collect it. The Lin family, however, would not be paying.

This is the rule in Guangping County: no matter the gang, no one is allowed to collect protection money from the homes of martial artists.

"Put some strength into the finish of this stroke, and write it another hundred times."

Lin Yan had just finished teaching his younger brother to practice a page of calligraphy when his aunt returned.

"Mother, why were you out for so long today? Did you run into trouble?"

Seeing his mother return, Lin Mo's eyes darted around. Putting on a look of concern, he dropped his brush and prepared to dash over.

"Keep writing. If you don't finish today, you don't get to eat."

Smack!

Lin Yan knew exactly what the brat was up to, and the ruler landed squarely on Lin Mo's outstretched right leg.

"Mother!"

Lin Mo grimaced in pain, looking pitifully toward his mother, but Liu ignored him entirely and simply set down the basket in her hand. "I went to see Mr. Sun today. Times are hard for him right now, so I dropped off some grain."

Hearing his aunt mention Mr. Sun, Lin Yan's gaze sharpened. Mr. Sun was the teacher who had taught him calligraphy back in the day.

"What happened to the teacher?"

"Mr. Sun's daughter-in-law is six months pregnant, and it's a time when they need money most. The Three Heroes Gang has raised the stall fees by another twenty percent, and the Sun Family is struggling."

Lin Yan fell silent.

The teacher made a living setting up a stall on the street to write letters, name newborns, and perform tasks like geomancy. While not wealthy, he had always managed to get by.

Having spent two years learning to read and write under him, Lin Yan considered him a teacher in every sense of the word.

"I'll go pay him a visit later."

After finishing dinner at home, Lin Yan left the house, carrying a gift box to visit his teacher.

As he approached the wall of the Sun Family courtyard, he heard a woman's voice inside. After listening carefully for a moment, he frowned, stepped forward, and knocked on the door. "Is the teacher home?"

The woman's voice inside stopped abruptly. A few moments later, a middle-aged man opened the door. Seeing Lin Yan standing at the gate, he seemed quite surprised. "Lin Yan? Come in, come in! Your aunt was just telling me that you're studying martial arts at the Yang Family Martial Arts Hall and making something of yourself."

Four years had passed since Lin Yan had studied under him, and Sun Huairen found it impossible to reconcile the tall, sturdy young man before him with the frail boy in his memory.

Once inside, Lin Yan met Madam Sun and exchanged greetings.

"Lin Yan, come... have some tea."

"Teacher, please, just call me Xiao Yan."

Lin Yan took the tea. It was much worse than what he drank in Qingtian Town, carrying a bitter aftertaste, but he didn't mind at all and finished it in one gulp.

A look of gratification appeared in Sun Huairen's eyes as he spoke: "Your aunt told me you're a martial artist now. I don't understand the martial path, but I know that practicing martial arts is just like studying—it all comes down to diligence..."

Teachers always loved to lecture.

Lin Yan listened quietly. Although Mr. Sun didn't understand the martial path, many principles of conduct and life were universal.

After finishing the pot of tea, Lin Yan stood up. "It's getting late, I won't disturb your rest any longer. I've been deeply inspired by your teachings today, and I will certainly take your advice to heart."

Sun Huairen walked Lin Yan to the door, and Lin Yan smiled. "Please stay, Teacher, no need to see me out further."

Standing at the doorway, Sun Huairen watched Lin Yan's figure disappear out of the alley. As he turned back, he was startled by his wife standing behind him.

"Old Sun, Lin Yan is a martial artist now. Why do you keep lecturing him with those useless platitudes? You don't even care if he wants to hear them."

"What would a woman like you know? Even if I don't understand martial arts, I've lived for more than half a century; I know a thing or two about how to conduct oneself in the world. What Xiao Yan lacks most at his age is experience."

"You have your reasons, sure. But the daughter-in-law is pregnant, and we can't even afford to buy a chicken for her to eat."

Madam Sun's voice was loud, meant both to complain to her husband and to be heard by her daughter-in-law, ensuring that if the girl held any resentment, she, the mother-in-law, would have already scolded it out of her.

"If you ask me, since Lin Yan is a martial artist now and finally came to visit, and since things are so hard at home, you should have said something to him."

"Say what? You want me to ask Xiao Yan for money?" Sun Huairen glared at his wife. "Don't you know the situation at Xiao Yan's home? He has even higher expenses for his martial arts training; he barely has enough for himself."

"If not money, then at least mention the protection money. See if he has any way to get it waived for us."

"Xiao Yan has only just started his training. Bringing up protection money would only cause him trouble!"

"But he's the most promising of all the children you've taught. With our current situation, having to pay that money every month, we simply can't go on like this."

Madam Sun looked distressed, but her hands didn't stop moving. She opened the gift box Lin Yan had brought, and upon seeing its contents, she fell silent for a moment.

"Old Sun, this... there are two taels of silver here."

Hearing this, Sun Huairen walked over and peered into the box.

The top layer of the box contained some pastries, which his wife had set aside, while the bottom layer held several pieces of broken silver, totaling roughly two taels.

"The boy has a good heart."

Sun Huairen sighed softly. His teaching Lin Yan to read and write wasn't really much; many children on the street had studied with him, and he had even collected money from Liu at the time.

It was a kindness for Lin Yan to come and visit; it would have been perfectly normal if he hadn't, let alone bringing money.

"Indeed, the boy is loyal. If you ask me, you should just teach him that geomancy skill of yours."

Sun Huairen fell silent. The Sun Family's geomancy skills were passed down through generations, but unfortunately, he had never mastered them, and his son was even worse.

"The world is getting more chaotic by the day. When the grandson is born, we'll need someone to look out for him. Since Xiao Yan is making a name for himself in martial arts, if we want him to help us in the future, the small favor of teaching him to read won't be enough."

Seeing her husband still silent, the woman said no more, turning to pick up a sack of rice and head toward the door. "With these two taels of silver from little Yan, I can buy some rice and meat for our daughter-in-law. I'm heading to the grain shop."

The coarse grains Liu had brought were the standard rations for common folk, but since the Sun Family's daughter-in-law was pregnant, they naturally needed better food. Before Lin Yan had even entered the house, the couple had been arguing over whether to trade their coarse grains for rice.

Fifty catties of coarse grain could only be traded for ten catties of rice—barely enough to feed the family for a few days even with strict rationing—whereas the coarse grain would have lasted them nearly a month.

"Fine. With the world in such chaos, it's hard to say if the Sun Family line can even survive. Holding onto ancestral rules is useless now."

After a long silence, Sun Huairen made his decision. He walked to the bookshelf in the room and retrieved an object wrapped in oilpaper from among the yellowed books.

Late at night.

Knock, knock, knock!

"Little Yan, it's me."

"Teacher, why have you come? Please, come in."

Opening the door, Lin Yan invited his teacher inside, though his eyes betrayed his surprise.

He had just visited his teacher earlier that day, and now his teacher had come to his home.

Liu hurried to brew some hot tea to help warm Sun Huairen up.

After downing a cup of hot tea, Sun Huairen did not hesitate. "Little Yan, does martial arts cultivation require a lot of precious medicinal herbs?"

"Yes." Lin Yan nodded, then gave a wry smile. "But precious herbs cost hundreds of taels at every turn; they aren't something a family like mine can hope for."

"Little Yan, take a look at this first."

Sun Huairen pulled the oilpaper-wrapped object from his chest, carefully unwrapping it to reveal a book with a green cover.

"Earth Vein True Interpretation?"

Lin Yan glanced at the title but did not rush to open it, looking instead at his teacher.

"Little Yan, you know that besides setting up a stall to write letters, I also take on geomancy work."

Sun Huairen smiled. "It's not just a ruse. My ancestors had a set of skills for surveying earth energy, capable of finding areas in mountains and rivers where the earth energy is dense. Such places often harbor precious medicinal herbs. It's a pity that in my generation, I only learned the basics, and my son is even less capable... Since you are now learning martial arts and have a need for these herbs, I am passing this book to you."

Lin Yan was stunned for a moment before taking it with both hands. The Earth Vein True Interpretation had thick, coarse paper and yellowed edges, clearly showing its age, yet it was well-preserved.

The four characters on the cover were written in ink by hand, the strokes steady and imbued with an old-fashioned sense of gravity.

He flipped to the first page.

What met his eyes was a line of neat, small regular script: "The earth has veins, just as the human body has meridians. Plants grow from the earth, drawing upon its energy. Those who are skilled at observing earth veins can know what is hidden by watching the energy, and find the truth by following the veins."

After a rough skim, Lin Yan's eyes shone brightly; this book was far too important to him.

The text detailed the classification of mountain and river earth veins and how to identify terrain conditions capable of producing precious herbs, including observing the growth and color of vegetation, as well as the mist rising from the ground at dawn and dusk to judge the flow of earth energy.

Where earth energy gathers, precious herbs are sure to be found.

Furthermore, the book recorded the growth habits of various herbs. One passage mentioned that plants like ginseng and ganoderma preferred cool, damp shade, and that the ground where they grew would be shrouded in thin mist at dawn, which would dissipate by midday.

Lin Yan closed the book and took a deep breath.

This was not a martial arts manual, but its value far exceeded that of any technique.

Of course, much of the text was obscure and profound. To truly master the contents, one had to acquire the relevant knowledge, or else fall into the trap of taking a part for the whole.

Lin Yan knew the teacher's son; Brother Sun was an impatient man, and he likely had no heart to sit still and study this book.

"Teacher..."

"No need to say more." Sun Huairen waved his hand and stood up. "The book is yours. How much you can learn depends on your own fortune. I am old, and my son is not up to the task. If this stayed in the Sun family, it would only end up propping up a table leg."

"It is getting late, and I should return. Mrs. Sun, sorry for the intrusion."

"Teacher, let me see you out."

Lin Yan did not stand on ceremony; he truly needed this book.

As Sun Huairen reached the door, he paused and looked back at Lin Yan, cautioning him, "Places where precious herbs grow are often guarded by fierce beasts and venomous insects. Do not be careless."

"Rest assured, Teacher. Your student will not easily court danger."