Tang Tang Delivers Pills

The battle in front of the Fragrant Pavilion spread quickly through the county's martial arts circles.

Cheng Zonghan, a veteran second-stage skin-tempering martial artist from the Zhou Family Martial Arts Hall, was no small name. If he had lost after a grueling struggle, it would have been one thing, but being defeated in just two punches was enough to draw serious attention.

Lin Yan, a disciple of the Yang Family Martial Arts Hall—this name began to truly reach the ears of the upper echelons of every major family for the first time.

Even for these families, the ones who truly held influence were third-stage skin-tempering martial artists. However, third-stage martial artists were born from the second stage; any second-stage martial artist with potential was bound to be watched by them.

Wang Family.

"Uncle, Lin Yan hasn't been in the second stage of skin-tempering for long, yet he can now defeat Cheng Zonghan. Since he is stationed in Qingtian Town, could it be that he killed Steward Li and stole the Purple Fur Beast to consume it, which is why his strength has surged so rapidly?"

Wang Heng listened to his nephew's speculation, shook his head, and smiled. "Hao, your analysis sounds logical, but in reality, it is impossible."

Wang Hao: ?

"The greatest use of a Purple Fur Beast is to increase the probability of a breakthrough. Unless Lin Yan is an utter fool, he wouldn't consume a Purple Fur Beast just to boost his blood-qi. No one uses a gold ingot as if it were mere silver."

"Then how else can we explain Lin Yan's sudden surge in strength?"

"It is highly likely that Cheng Zonghan was arrogant and underestimated his opponent. I know Cheng Zonghan; he is conceited and self-righteous. It is only natural he suffered a loss."

Wang Heng's eyes held a look of certainty as he continued, "Besides, Hao, you are looking at this too one-sidedly. Steward Li was not a fool like Cheng Zonghan; even if he were outmatched, he could have escaped. I now suspect that the person who killed Steward Li is very likely a third-stage skin-tempering expert."

"A third-stage martial artist? Then why did you have me investigate the Zhou Family, Uncle?" Wang Hao asked, looking puzzled.

"To stabilize morale." A sharp glint appeared in Wang Heng's eyes. "If I were to reveal that Steward Li was killed by a third-stage expert, the martial artists in our family would surely grow fearful and consider leaving. No one can guarantee that this third-stage expert won't decide to cut the weeds and pull the roots by coming after the Wang Family next."

"I see. Your foresight is truly deep, Uncle; I am far from your equal."

"When you reach my age and have experienced more, you will learn."

Zhou Family.

"Father, this Lin Yan defeated Cheng Zonghan in two punches; he must be nearing the third stage of skin-tempering. If you had listened to me back then, Lin Yan would have been the perfect son-in-law for our Zhou Mansion."

Zhou Xu, the eldest son of the Zhou family, paced back and forth in the main hall, while Zhou Cang's aged face also showed a hint of regret.

"Father, Lin Yan shouldn't be betrothed yet. It's not too late for us to talk to Master Yang about this marriage."

The eldest daughter chimed in, then turned her gaze toward Zhou Shu. "Little sister, you should be willing now, right?"

"No."

Zhou Shu still shook her head. "I'll say it again: the barrier to the third stage of skin-tempering is not so easily broken. The county is full of martial artists who progressed quickly in the second stage, only to be trapped at that threshold, unable to break through."

"Little sister, you're wrong." Zhou Xu interrupted her. "If we wait until Lin Yan actually breaks through to the third stage—even if he does it by twenty-five, let alone twenty—it won't be our Zhou Family's turn anymore."

"Even if I were willing, what good would it do? He might not agree. And even if he did, we already rejected him once; the thorn is already buried. I fear he wouldn't be truly devoted to our Zhou Family."

Zhou Shu was anxious. Not long ago, she had discussed this with several close friends and mocked Lin Yan for his delusions. If she were to go back on her word and accept the marriage now, how could she face them?

For the sake of her own pride, she could not turn back.

"Shu is right. If we go back now, there will still be a thorn in his heart. There is no need to bring up this marriage."

Zhou Cang sighed softly. In the end, the Zhou Family did not currently lack a third-stage martial artist to hold down the fort. While there was some regret, it was not enough to cause him deep remorse.

Li Family.

"It seems I truly misjudged him back then. This Lin Yan is now qualified to be a candidate for my husband. Use my name to send an invitation to Lin Yan, requesting his presence at the Flower Appreciation Banquet in three days."

Li Yu took the towel from her maid, wiped the sweat from her face, and gave her orders.

"Miss, what if Lin Yan doesn't come?"

"He will come." A look of confidence graced Li Yu's face—confidence not only in her own beauty but in her grasp of Lin Yan's current predicament.

To cultivate so quickly, Lin Yan's expenses must be staggering.

From the fourth stage of skin-tempering onwards, so-called rapid progress is always accompanied by massive amounts of silver. Given Lin Yan's family background, the faster he cultivates, the more money he lacks. It is even possible that his rapid progress is sustained by borrowing money from everywhere.

Under these circumstances, Lin Yan had no reason not to attend the banquet.

Tang Family.

"Eldest Miss, something happened in the city today."

"What is it?"

"Lin Yan defeated Cheng Zonghan, a second-stage disciple of the Zhou Family Martial Arts Hall, with only two punches."

"Who is Cheng Zonghan?"

The steward was speechless for a long moment before remembering that, given his mistress's status, an ordinary second-stage martial artist wouldn't even catch her eye; she wouldn't know who Cheng Zonghan was.

"Cheng Zonghan is a second-stage disciple of the Zhou Family Martial Arts Hall. He entered the second stage three years ago, and his strength is, if not top-tier, at least near the top among second-stage martial artists."

Tang Tang lifted her beautiful eyes from the book in her hands and looked at the steward. "It seems, then, that the medicinal pills Lin Yan purchased were indeed for his own cultivation."

"That must be it." The steward agreed, though his tone immediately turned doubtful: "But even with those resources, it wouldn't be enough for Lin Yan's strength to reach its current level."

"Everyone has their own opportunities; there's no need to dwell on it. During this time, has Lin Yan purchased any more pills or medicinal herbs from the pharmacy?"

"He made one purchase of herbs, but the cost was low. He hasn't bought any more Muscle-Generating Pills; I suppose he cannot sustain such expenses."

"How did the conflict between Lin Yan and that disciple from the Zhou Family Martial Arts Hall arise?"

"Because of a cousin of Lin Yan's..."

The steward recounted the situation in detail, then added: "Based on what I have gathered, the reason Lin Yan was able to embark on the path of martial arts in the first place was due to a Stance Technique he obtained from the Cai Mansion."

After listening, Tang Tang traced her slender, fair fingers over the pages of her book. After a long silence, she said: "In the name of the Tang Family, send him five Muscle-Generating Pills."

"Miss, should we invite Lin Yan to the estate?"

The steward remained unmoved by the mention of five Muscle-Generating Pills; to the Tang Family, such a quantity was negligible.

"There is no need."

Tang Tang shook her head slightly. By sending the pills, the favor was already extended; there was no need to force Lin Yan to come and express his gratitude in person.

A person who values kindness will naturally remember the favor. Summoning Lin Yan to the Tang Family just to have him acknowledge the debt face-to-face would be a petty move.

Lin Yan sat in the Cai Mansion for a while before taking his leave.

By striking against Cheng Zonghan this time, he had exposed a portion of his strength, yet Lin Yan felt no regret.

No matter how cautious one chooses to be, there are still things one must do and things one must not.

The Cai Family had shown him kindness, and he could not stand by and do nothing when they were in need.

After leaving the Cai Mansion, Lin Yan returned home directly. He greeted his aunt but said nothing of the events at the Cai Mansion, sparing her from unnecessary worry.

"Is Young Master Lin in?"

Just as Lin Yan had finished changing his clothes, a voice drifted in from the doorway.

Seeing the maid standing at the entrance, Lin Yan narrowed his eyes slightly. He recognized her; she was the maid who had followed Li Yu.

"Young Master Lin, my Miss is hosting a Flower Appreciation Banquet in three days. She specifically sent me to deliver this invitation, inviting you to attend and enjoy the flowers and the feast together."

"I understand. I will go if I am free."

Lin Yan took the invitation, and the maid left with a smile. However, once he closed the door, Lin Yan glanced at the invitation and tossed it onto the table.

[Brother Lin:]

[The flowers in my family's garden are in full bloom, and the spring scenery is at its peak.]

[I have scheduled a small Flower Appreciation Banquet in the back garden of my home three days from now.]

[I have prepared some light wine and hope you can spare the time to join us.]

[Respectfully invited by Li Yu.]

He could guess Li Yu's intentions well enough.

When they first met, she had been blunt and cold; now that her attitude had shifted, it was simply because he had defeated Cheng Zonghan with two punches, demonstrating sufficient potential.

But he had no intention of going.

It wasn't that he held a grudge over being rejected before; it was simply that his focus was entirely on his cultivation, and he had no time for such hypocritical social gatherings.

Moreover, while Li Yu appeared straightforward, she was calculating to the bone. There was no need to have much to do with such a person.

"Yan'er, which young lady invited you to appreciate flowers?"

Liu walked out from the inner room. She had heard the gist of what the Li family maid had said, and her face was full of smiles.

Now that her nephew was successful and she no longer had to worry about his livelihood, there was one thing she still fretted over: Yan'er's marriage.

A few days ago, the Third Mistress had invited her to the Cai Mansion and mentioned Yan'er's marriage. The Third Mistress told her that since Yan'er had become a martial artist, the girl he married certainly couldn't be the daughter of a commoner; he couldn't just find anyone to marry.

The Third Mistress's words made sense, but she didn't know any daughters of the elite, so she could only worry in silence.

Yan'er was nineteen after the new year; he was already at the age to be betrothed and married.

Only when she saw Yan'er married would she truly feel she had fulfilled her duty to his late parents.

"Aunt, please don't nag me. I only want to focus on martial arts right now; I haven't considered marriage yet."

Lin Yan knew what his aunt was thinking and stated his position clearly.

"Yan'er, even if you don't intend to marry now, it wouldn't hurt to meet some young ladies and get to know them..."

"Is Young Master Lin in?"

Another voice came from the doorway, cutting off Liu's words.

"Could that girl have come back?"

Liu didn't mind being interrupted and walked toward the door with a smile. Lin Yan, however, gave a wry smile; he feared his aunt was about to be disappointed.

Although he didn't know who was at the door, the person's footsteps were completely different from the Li family maid's. The visitor was clearly a martial artist.

The door opened, revealing the face of a man in his thirties.

The man saw Liu, who was guarding the door, and leaned slightly to the side: "Madam, I am a guard from the Tang Mansion, here to see Young Master Lin."

"Tang Mansion... please, come in quickly."

Liu hurriedly stepped aside. She knew her nephew held a position at the Tang Mansion, and with her limited experience, she only knew the Tang Mansion was a prominent family without understanding their true strength. However, she had grown close to Third Mistress over the past few months and had learned about the situation in the county town through her.

The Tang Mansion was the most powerful major family in Guangping County.

"Young Master Lin, my Young Lady specifically instructed me to deliver these five bottles of Muscle-Generating Pill to assist in your martial arts cultivation."

The man held a wooden box in his hands. Lin Yan was somewhat surprised; for no apparent reason, why would the eldest daughter of the Tang Family send him Muscle-Generating Pills?

Five bottles of Muscle-Generating Pill were worth one hundred and fifty taels, which was no small sum.

"Many thanks to the employer."

Lin Yan did not refuse, as he had suddenly realized the reason.

The news of him defeating Cheng Zonghan must have reached the ears of the Tang family. Judging by the eldest daughter's move to adjust the stipends for registered martial artists, it was clear the Tang family wanted to recruit promising martial artists.

The eldest daughter of the Tang Family must have felt he showed potential at Martial Dao Mountain and was providing him with support to build a favorable connection in advance.

The man left after delivering the wooden box, leaving Liu standing there in a daze, lost in thought.

"Aunt, what are you thinking about?" Lin Yan asked curiously.

"Yan'er, you say this eldest daughter of the Tang family..."

In Liu's mind, the eldest daughter of the Tang family and that young lady from the Li family kept alternating, and she seemed unable to decide which one to choose.

In her simple worldview, a woman taking the initiative to invite someone or send gifts was an expression of romantic interest.

Lin Yan read his aunt's thoughts from her conflicted expression and the corner of his mouth twitched. Having the eldest daughter of the Tang family as his niece-in-law was something his aunt dared to imagine, but he certainly did not.