What Nephew, Clearly a Real Nephew

Main Hall.

Master Cai was currently drinking tea with a young man.

He was aware that many relatives had come to the Cai Mansion today to pay their New Year respects, but the families of his three wives were nothing to write home about, so he didn't pay them much mind.

Come to think of it, Master Cai felt a twinge of regret in his heart.

Back in his youth, he had been blinded by beauty, choosing his three wives for their looks. Now that he had reached middle age and his household was facing trouble, he regretted not finding a match from a family of equal standing, leaving him with no support to rely on when difficulties arose.

"Master, the Third Mistress's nephew is at the door."

Hearing the doorman's report, Master Cai's expression turned cold. If it was a relative of Min'er, they should just be led to her courtyard; there was no need to inform him.

"Master, the Third Mistress's nephew is a martial artist."

The doorman noticed his master's dissatisfaction and quickly lowered his voice to add this detail, which Lin Yan, still standing outside the threshold, heard perfectly clearly.

A smile tugged at the corners of Lin Yan's mouth; this was exactly why he hadn't chosen to keep a low profile.

If he had truly feigned modesty and been led to his aunt's courtyard, she would eventually learn of his martial arts success and insist on inviting this uncle-in-law over anyway. While that might have satisfied his vanity even more, it would have only complicated matters, and there was no need for that.

"A martial artist?"

Master Cai was startled. Just as he stood up, he saw a figure walk in.

Lin Yan stepped into the room, his gaze first falling on the portly middle-aged man—this must be his uncle-in-law—before shifting to the other person present.

"Junior Brother Lin?"

Before Lin Yan could speak, the young man caught sight of him and spoke first, his face filled with surprise. "Junior Brother Lin, are you related to Master Cai?"

Li An was genuinely stunned. The matter he had wanted to discuss with Lin Yan at the martial arts hall earlier was precisely the trouble the Cai Mansion was facing.

After his surprise, Li An turned his gaze toward Master Cai, looking somewhat speechless. "Master Cai, you're really joking with me. With Junior Brother Lin here, why would you need me to find someone for you?"

But after he finished speaking, Master Cai was even more bewildered.

What did he mean by "with Junior Brother Lin here"? Could he say that until today, he hadn't even known he had a nephew who was a martial artist?

Lin Yan looked at Senior Brother Li and recalled that when they were at the hall, he had sensed that his senior brother had something to say to him. Judging by his hesitant expression, he must have needed help with something.

Now, seeing him at the Cai Mansion and connecting it to his words, he understood.

The favor Senior Brother Li wanted to ask of him must have been related to the Cai Mansion.

Cai Wanlong was still dazed, as he had absolutely no idea who this young man claiming to be Min'er's nephew was.

It wasn't that Cai Wanlong had a bad memory; he naturally remembered Lin Yan coming to ask for a Stance Technique over half a year ago, but he simply hadn't dared to make the connection.

The two stars on Lin Yan's martial arts uniform indicated his level of cultivation.

In just over half a year, to become a Second-Skin martial artist—even among the children of the city's great families, only those with exceptional talent could achieve that. How could Min'er's distant nephew, who had to beg for a Stance Technique, have reached the Second-Skin stage so quickly?

"Yan'er, this is your uncle."

Liu, who had entered right behind him, spoke up at the right moment and introduced herself as well.

Upon learning Lin Yan's identity, Cai Wanlong's mouth hung open even wider. It really was that distant nephew of Min'er from over half a year ago.

No, from today on, he was a close nephew.

After a few breaths, Cai Wanlong finally regained his senses and immediately shouted to the doorman, "Go quickly and call the Third Mistress!"

"Nephew-in-law... Lin... Nephew, please, take a seat."

Cai Wanlong was extremely enthusiastic, bustling about in a flurry to invite Lin Yan and Liu to sit.

Li An winked at Lin Yan, clearly interested in the relationship between him and Cai Wanlong.

Judging by Cai Wanlong's reaction just now, the two were clearly not close, and it was even possible they were meeting for the first time.

But if they were distant, why would Lin Yan come to the Cai Mansion to pay his respects on the second day of the New Year?

Lin Yan was a Second-Skin martial artist, a status higher than that of a merchant like Master Cai. Furthermore, since his junior brother was so young, there was no question of him trying to curry favor.

Cai Mansion, back courtyard.

Li Min was currently keeping her mother's relatives company, though a trace of impatience flickered in her eyes.

Every year when these relatives from her maiden family visited, most of them just complained, hinting in every way possible that they wanted the Cai family to help them out—especially this year, where they had poured out a river of grievances.

It was only because it was the second day of the New Year that she couldn't avoid them; on any other day, she would have just had the doorman find an excuse to send them away.

Just as Li Min was listening to their complaints with half an ear, the doorman hurried in. "Third Mistress, the Master has asked for you in the Main Hall."

"The Master has asked for me in the Main Hall?"

Li Min was surprised, but she stood up immediately, having long since grown tired of these relatives.

"The Master has something to attend to, so I must go. Cui'er, you stay and keep everyone company."

Li Min followed the doorman out of the courtyard, asking curiously, "Does the Master have any idea why he needs me in the Main Hall?"

If there were important guests at home requiring the presence of family members, it should have been the First Madam called; it was never her turn.

"Madam, your nephew is here."

When many people were around, the gatekeeper would address her as "Third Madam," but with few people present, he addressed her simply as "Madam." He knew very well that with such a formidable nephew appearing in the Third Madam's family, her status in the mansion would only continue to rise.

"My nephew?"

Li Min was even more confused. Wasn't her own nephew sitting in the courtyard right now, fighting with Jun over those few pieces of candied fruit?

Besides, even if it were her nephew, he wouldn't be qualified to enter the main hall to see Master Cai.

"It is... Young Master Lin. He is already a Second Skin-Toughening martial artist."

The gatekeeper quickly explained the situation. Li Min's body trembled. Young Master Lin... Second Skin-Toughening... her nephew...

A young figure emerged in her mind—that cousin of hers.

But was this even possible?

It wasn't until she stepped into the main hall and saw Liu and Lin Yan sitting in the chairs that Li Min truly believed it, followed by an overwhelming sense of pleasant surprise.

It really was Liu and her cousin.

However, this was not the time to be emotional. As she entered, Li Min sensed the silence in the atmosphere. A moment's thought made her understand: Master Cai didn't know Liu or Lin Yan at all, so he likely had nothing to say to them.

This was probably one of the reasons Master Cai had called her over—to liven up the atmosphere and avoid a cold reception.

"It really is you, sister-in-law. I thought the gatekeeper had made a mistake."

Li Min spoke with a beaming smile, greeting Liu first. Lin Yan also stood up to bow, maintaining the respect due to this cousin-aunt.

"Yan is truly promising. Your father and mother can finally rest in peace in heaven."

Li Min wore a look of gratification. Lin Yan felt a wry smile inside; before today, he doubted this cousin-aunt even remembered the anniversary of his parents' passing.

But such is human nature. They were only distant relatives; there was no real affection. Only when one had personal ability did one have "true" relatives.

With Li Min's arrival, the atmosphere improved significantly. After chatting for a while, Li Min caught a look from her husband and laughingly took Liu's hand. "Sister-in-law, I have many relatives visiting at home. Let's go and meet them together."

"Alright."

Liu had been feeling quite uncomfortable in the main hall. Whether it was Master Cai or this senior brother of Yan's, they were all "big shots" in her eyes. Yet, both treated her with great respect, making it difficult for her to adapt.

As Li Min led Liu away, Li An glanced at Cai Wanlong. He now understood the relationship between Lin Yan and Cai Wanlong.

Cousin-in-law and cousin-nephew—there wasn't much familial affection there.

However, during their conversation, he had heard that when Junior Brother Lin first started learning martial arts, he had sought out the Cai Mansion for a Stance Technique. Given Junior Brother Lin's character, he would certainly acknowledge that favor.

Since that was the case, there was no need to beat around the bush.

"Junior Brother Lin, the Cai Mansion recently ran into some trouble. My strength isn't enough to resolve it. I had originally intended to ask one of our senior brothers from the martial arts hall to step in, but since you and Master Cai are relatives, see if it would be convenient for you to handle this."

As a guard of the Cai Mansion, Li An was responsible for its security and did not participate in its business affairs. However, because Master Cai had begged him to contact a Second Skin-Toughening martial artist, he had thought of seeking help from the hall.

"My uncle-in-law has shown me kindness. If I can help, I certainly won't refuse. Could you clarify exactly what the matter is, Senior Brother?"

Lin Yan did not decline. Li An did not answer, instead looking toward Cai Wanlong.

Cai Wanlong gave a bitter smile and said, "Nephew Lin, the matter began two months ago..."

Under Cai Wanlong's explanation, Lin Yan finally understood the nature of the Cai family's trouble.

The Cai family dealt in the textile business and had good relations with several large dye houses in the city. Relying on the connections of their ancestors, they could purchase goods at low prices and earn a few hundred taels a year.

However, two months ago, the Green Bamboo Gang, which had been in the north of the city, was forced out by the Four Seas Gang. Instead of moving to another area of the city, they chose to leave the city entirely and occupy a mountain along the official road outside, taking up the trade of highway robbery.

The Green Bamboo Gang naturally dared not target the merchant caravans of the Tang family or other large clans in the city. But merchants like the Cai family, who lacked deep foundations or martial artist backing, became their targets. They demanded a fifty percent "road toll."

"Nephew Lin, I was hoping to find a Second Skin-Toughening martial artist to talk to the Green Bamboo Gang and see if we could reduce it to twenty or thirty percent."

As for paying no toll at all, Cai Wanlong didn't even dare to dream of it.

After Cai Wanlong finished, Li An took over: "Junior Brother Lin, both the leader and deputy leader of the Green Bamboo Gang are Second Skin-Toughening martial artists, and there are five others in the gang at the First Skin-Toughening level. Their strength is not to be underestimated. But if a Second Skin-Toughening martial artist is willing to step forward, I believe the Green Bamboo Gang will be willing to give face."

To Li An, the Cai Mansion was merely his employer. If there were true danger, he wouldn't have asked Junior Brother Lin for help.

Since Junior Brother Lin was so young and already at the Second Skin-Toughening level, he assumed the Green Bamboo Gang would be willing to show respect.

"If I can help my uncle-in-law, I am willing to step forward and try."

Hearing Lin Yan agree, a look of joy appeared on Cai Wanlong's face. He felt fortunate that he had rejected Min's initial idea and had instead found a Stance Technique for Lin Yan—women really were short-sighted.

If not for that favor from the past, even with this familial connection, Lin Yan would not have agreed so readily; he likely would have demanded certain conditions.

But now, Lin Yan had agreed without even asking for a reward. While Cai Wanlong would certainly offer something, the significance was entirely different: the former would have been him being forced to negotiate terms, while the latter was him giving out of his own free will.