Tie Yang's Greed!

East Street, Pasture City.

Lin Changsheng returned to his tiled house and opened the panel.

[Great Dao Made Simple: Level 1]

[Lin Changsheng: 16/55]

[Cultivation: Third-Rate Realm (419/500)]

[Techniques: None]

[Martial Arts: Arrow Technique (Grand Perfection), Iron Sand Palm (Grand Perfection)]

[By consuming a certain amount of silver, techniques, martial skills, and more can be simplified.]

[Status: Yin Energy Invasion]

"Both my Arrow Technique and Iron Sand Palm have reached Grand Perfection, but my cultivation progress has slowed. It might be related to my cultivation technique!"

"In another half month, I can go collect a cultivation technique!"

Lin Changsheng looked at his panel and pondered to himself.

Besides the Iron Sand Palm, the Iron Hand Martial School also had the matching Reflecting Sun Breathing Method. It regulated the meridians, strengthened sinews and bones, and refined one's qi and blood. Rumor had it that, when cultivated to the extreme, one's qi and blood would surge mightily, one's body would become incomparably powerful, and yin ghosts would not dare approach!

However.

The Reflecting Sun Breathing Method could only be taught after one had attained entry-level mastery of the Iron Sand Palm.

This was also one of the Iron Hand Martial School's ways of making money.

If one had not attained entry-level mastery of the Iron Sand Palm, one could not cultivate the Reflecting Sun Breathing Method. And if, after three months, one still had not attained entry-level mastery of the Iron Sand Palm? Sorry, pay another ten taels of silver if you wanted to remain at the martial school and keep learning!

The Reflecting Sun Breathing Method was like candy hanging a yard away, luring you into handing over silver again and again.

Of course.

If you could attain entry-level mastery of the Iron Sand Palm within three months, that proved you had talent. You would become an official disciple of the Iron Hand Martial School, and they would naturally teach you the breathing method.

To be cautious.

Lin Changsheng planned to wait another half month or so, until after the New Year, before showing off his entry-level Iron Sand Palm. After all, Qi Tong had been the fastest to attain entry-level mastery at the Iron Hand Martial School, taking only half a month. Lin Changsheng taking over a month would not be too eye-catching.

East Street.

Three miles away, inside a large courtyard.

"Big! Big! Big!"

"Small! Small! Small!"

"Triples!"

"..."

More than twenty young men and burly fellows in blue clothes, with eagles embroidered on their chests, were shaking dice. The atmosphere was blazing hot. As the banker revealed the result, some rejoiced while others despaired.

"Damn it, small again!"

"Bloody rotten luck! Lost again!"

Tie Yang angrily pushed his way out of the crowd and squatted by the courtyard gate, sulking.

He had lost a full seven hundred copper coins today!

"Brother Yang, I was wondering why Lin Changsheng had been running to West Street so often lately. Turns out he went to the Iron Hand Martial School to learn martial arts!"

At that moment, a short young man hurried over and spoke to Tie Yang.

"Lin Changsheng actually has silver to learn martial arts at the Iron Hand Martial School!"

Hearing his lackey's whisper, Tie Yang's eyes immediately flashed with brilliance.

His luck had been terrible today, and he had lost quite a bit.

Since Lin Changsheng had silver to learn martial arts at the martial school, would it not be wonderful to squeeze a few taels out of him and make up for his losses?

At this thought, Tie Yang instructed the short young man. "Sanzi, don't tell anyone about this. Tomorrow, we'll go find that Lin Changsheng and get ourselves some silver to spend!"

"Got it, Brother Yang!"

The short young man's eyes lit up with anticipation.

East Street.

The reception hall of Ma Zhankui's residence.

"Master Ma, someone broke my hand last night and told me to clear the widow Yan Zhen of suspicion... If I refused, he would kill my entire family... Please, look..."

Li Zhen, the coroner, his right hand wrapped in bandages, cupped his fist respectfully toward the sturdily built, middle-aged man in brocade robes before him.

"One strike to break a hand. Such ruthless technique. Just who is helping that widow?"

Ma Zhankui examined Li Zhen's injury, his eyes narrowing slightly. He was very curious about the person who had threatened Li Zhen.

As far as he knew.

Yan Zhen's husband was dead. There should have been no one to stand up for her.

"You've helped me quite a bit over the years. How about this? Go to the county yamen and conduct another examination of Yan Zhen's mother-in-law's corpse. Clear Yan Zhen of suspicion, and that person will not harm your family!"

After weighing it over, Ma Zhankui spoke.

"Many thanks, Master Ma! Many thanks!"

Upon hearing Ma Zhankui's words, Li Zhen was overwhelmed with gratitude and gave Ma Zhankui a deep bow.

"Go handle your business!"

Ma Zhankui waved Li Zhen away. Watching Li Zhen turn and leave, he spoke in a low voice. "Old Li."

"Master!"

An old man stepped out from behind the screen and bowed with cupped fists toward Ma Zhankui.

"Go to the county yamen prison and tell Yan Zhen this: although she refused to marry me, I am a softhearted man. I still spent a great sum to clear her of suspicion. You know what to say, don't you?"

Ma Zhankui narrowed his eyes.

"This old servant understands. I shall handle it at once!"

Old Li nodded and turned to leave.

"Also, arrange men to watch Yan Zhen. Find out everyone who comes into contact with her!"

Ma Zhankui added.

"Understood!"

Old Li nodded.

"Forcing a bow onto the string is not impossible, but it would lose that particular flavor... Widows are still the best!"

Ma Zhankui stroked his chin, watching Old Li's departing back as he sighed.

Half a day later.

East Street.

"Sister Zhen is back. Looks like that coroner Li Zhen did as he was told."

"I should go see her!"

Sitting inside his house and looking at the distant mountains, Lin Changsheng muttered to himself.

Yan Zhen had helped him greatly. He ought to go see her.

Lin Changsheng's home was not far from Yan Zhen's. Before long, he arrived at her house.

"Sister Zhen, they didn't make things difficult for you, did they?"

Lin Changsheng looked at Yan Zhen and asked.

"Changsheng, thank you for coming to see me. They did not make things difficult for me. That coroner said he had made an error in the examination, so they released me."

Seeing Lin Changsheng, Yan Zhen nodded.

Having returned from the county yamen prison, she still looked somewhat haggard, and a trace of melancholy lingered on her face.

"Sister Zhen, it's good that you're back. Live well. From now on, everything will be peaceful and safe!"

Lin Changsheng comforted her.

"Mm, I hope so."

Remembering Old Li's words when she left the prison, Yan Zhen quietly worried to herself. Still, she forced a smile. "Changsheng, have you eaten? I'll make you some noodles!"

"Sister Zhen, no need. I've already eaten. You get busy. I'm heading back."

Lin Changsheng waved his hands repeatedly.

Yan Zhen had to handle her mother-in-law's funeral arrangements now that she was back. Besides, New Year's Eve was close, and Lin Changsheng also planned to prepare some good food for the New Year.

"Mm, all right."

Yan Zhen nodded, though a faint worry remained between her brows.

Lin Changsheng said nothing more and bade Yan Zhen farewell.

Lin Changsheng had only been sitting for a short while after returning from Yan Zhen's house.

"Lin Changsheng, open the door."

Suddenly, knocking sounded outside.

"I haven't even paid my monthly silver for a full month yet..."

Lin Changsheng looked at Tie Yang and Li San standing at the doorway, confusion in his eyes.

"Well, well, Lin Changsheng. You signed up to learn martial arts at the Iron Hand Martial School, yet you cried poverty to me? As far as I know, the entry fee at the Iron Hand Martial School is ten taels of silver. You must have come into a windfall!"

"Hand it over!!"

Tie Yang strode inside and barked without preamble.

"Brother Yang, you're joking. What windfall could there be? Isn't my health poor? I only took my last ten taels of silver to the Iron Hand Martial School to learn martial arts, hoping to make my body stronger. I really didn't come into any windfall!"

Lin Changsheng shook his head and flatly denied it.

Killing intent rose in his heart.

However.

Tie Yang was a minor leader in the Green Snake Gang. If Lin Changsheng killed him, he certainly would not be able to keep it hidden. Although his Iron Sand Palm had reached Grand Perfection, he was not confident he could kill the Green Snake Gang's leader!

He would never do anything he was not confident about.

"Don't be so damn shameless when I'm giving you face!"

"I say word will spread across East Street tomorrow that you slipped and fell into the river! Do you believe me or not?"

Seeing Lin Changsheng deny it outright, Tie Yang immediately seized Lin Changsheng by the collar. Murderous intent flashed in his eyes as he roared like a vicious god.

"Ah... I... I believe you..."

Hearing Tie Yang's words, Lin Changsheng's heart sank. Knowing this matter could not end peacefully, his thoughts spun rapidly. Pretending to be terrified, he said, "B-Brother Yang, to tell you the truth, half a month ago, I did happen to find a package by accident. There were over thirty taels of silver inside. I spent ten taels learning martial arts, and I hid the rest in a cave..."

"I'll give it all to you. I don't want to fall into the river..."

At that moment.

Killing intent rose in Lin Changsheng's heart.

He knew that Tie Yang would not leave without getting the silver. Killing him on East Street would alert the Green Snake Gang, so he might as well trick him into the mountains and kill him there!

Then he could throw the body into the river, and no one would suspect him!

"A package!!"

"In a cave?"

Hearing Lin Changsheng's words, Tie Yang and Li San exchanged a glance. Greed appeared in both their eyes as they said in low voices, "At least you know what's good for you. Lead the way!"

After all.

In times like these.

Five taels of silver were enough to feed a family of three for an entire year!

And there were more than twenty taels left!

As for Lin Changsheng lying?

In Tie Yang's eyes, could a timid scholar like Lin Changsheng possibly be a match for him and Li San?

If he dared lie, they would beat him to death!

This was not their first time doing such a thing.