Crackdown

Lin Qing remained silent, unsure of what Pang Tong meant by those words.

"The Soul-Calming Office Armory contains four methods for cultivating internal Hidden Strength. My method is called the Mount-Towning Art. When Perfect Mastery, it can unleash the Mount-Towning Force, which, when combined with other strengths, can double your power and make you capable of crushing bones and tendons when attacking enemies. If you want to learn it, I can teach you myself, provided that you join the Han Family," Pang Tong said calmly.

"Join the Han Family? What will I be required to do? And what are the benefits?" Lin Qing asked.

"There are many benefits. All you have to do is serve the Han Family and follow Master Han's arrangements, just like the other worshippers."

Master Han is a great philanthropist who loves to cultivate young talents. You have recently gained fame and Master Han admires you greatly. This is a golden opportunity.

"Given your background, even if you went to the Prefectural City, without sufficient martial arts resources, it would be difficult for you to Major Mastery. But with the Han Family supporting you, everything will be different," Pang Tong added.

"Please convey my message to Master Han: I appreciate his kindness, but Lin Qing is not strong enough to shoulder such a heavy responsibility, let alone be qualified to become a retainer of the Han Family," Lin Qing said in a deep voice.

He had heard that Han Shantong was currently recruiting Martial Artist to serve as retainers in the Han Family.

He suspected there was something wrong behind it all. Pang Tong was making it sound very nice now, saying that joining the Han Family grant access to a lot of martial arts resources, but it would be normal for Han Shantong to sell him out once he actually joined. After all, based on the information he had gathered, Han Shantong was no good person.

"You won't agree? Lin Qing, it's good for young people to be proud, but too much pride will only harm themselves and others. Even if you have Talent, if you don't know how to assess the situation, you will eventually achieve little." Pang Tong's tone suddenly turned cold, and a faint sense of pressure emanated from him.

"Thank you for the reminder, sir. This matter is of great importance. I will think about it for a few days and then give you an answer," Lin Qing said in a deep voice.

"Hmph, you came to me wanting a cultivation technique?" Pang Tong raised an eyebrow.

"Yes."

"Go back and wait. In a few days, I will send someone to deliver the cultivation technique to you. Young man, don't be impatient," Pang Tong said indifferently.

"Yes."

Lin Qing turned and left, stepping out of the courtyard gate, a surge of anger rising within him.

He had guessed this would be the outcome; Pang Tong was deliberately suppressing him, trying to force him to bow down to the Han Family.

But he refused. If he bowed down and became tethered to the Han Family, he would lose his life.

The Han Family is secretly colluding with the Bai'e Cult, doing all sorts of dirty things behind the scenes, such as developing Forbidden Drug and collecting babies. Sooner or later, something bad will happen to them.

If the matter is exposed and the perpetrators are convicted of colluding with a cult, it will result in the confiscation of their property and the extermination of their entire clan. The Han Family members will die, and the retainers will also be implicated.

Therefore, even with pressure from the Han Family, he refused to back down.

Anyway, he had already received the Silver Token from Ran Hongxia, so Pang Tong wouldn't dare to act forcefully. As long as he didn't reveal any flaws, it would be fine.

Of course, Lin Qing didn't intend to sit idly by and wait for his death. As he walked towards the courtyard, he pondered whether he had the strength to kill Pang Tong.

He thought it was possible. Although he didn't have Hidden Strength, he had three methods of cultivating Bright Force strength, so he wasn't at a disadvantage in terms of physical strength, and might even have an advantage.

The only thing he lacks is Combat Arts; he currently lacks a Body-Hardening Art.

The Hidden Strength of Martial Artist makes their punches and kicks extremely powerful, so Body-Hardening Art is very important. Otherwise, they won't be able to withstand a single punch from face to face, as the pressure and risk are too great.

"Once I kill Pang Tong, the problem of practicing the Hidden Strength technique will also be solved. I have the Rebirth Record, so I don't need to practice it myself. I can just take Pang Tong's martial arts directly," Lin Qing thought to himself.

Inside the courtyard, Lin Qing had just left when Han Tai arrived.

"Sir, what brings you here?"

"I have a task for you. Investigate whether there's anything fishy going on at Lin Qing's General Store," Pang Tong said coldly.

"Does Your Excellency suspect that Lin Qing's family is hiding that Buddha Statue?" Han Tai asked.

"Whether there's Buddha Statue or not is unimportant. The most important thing is whether there are any problems. I want to see the General Store closed within three days," Pang Tong said in a deep voice.

"Understood, it's a small matter, sir. Why is Lin Qing still unwilling to back down?" Han Tai asked.

"A stubborn person like him won't listen to reason no matter how clearly it's explained. Since he's determined to stand against us, I can't let him have an easy time. I must find a way to crush him in Qishan County."

"Hmph, so what if he's Talent? Ran Hongxia will be leaving Qishan County soon. Let's see who supports him then!" Pang Tong said coldly.

"This kid is far from being able to compete with the adults," Han Tai said with a smile, then turned and left.

Half a day later, Han Tai led a group of Constable into the Lin Family's small General Store. Lin Cheng was cleaning a white porcelain bottle that he had just received. When he saw Han Tai and the others burst in, he hurriedly went to greet them.

"Master Han, is there anything I can help you with?"

"Someone reported that you're hiding stolen goods from the Bai'e Cult here?" Han Tai said coldly.

"My lord, I'm innocent! I've always been honest and upright in my business dealings, and I've never hoarded anything of dubious value," Lin Cheng hurriedly said.

"Whatever you say, what use are we? Search the shop!" Han Tai waved his hand, and a large group of Constable dispersed and began ransacking the shop.

They claimed to be searching for stolen goods, but their actions were extremely violent; they were essentially smashing and destroying items.

The white porcelain bottle that Lin Cheng had just cleaned was smashed to pieces by a Constable's punch, and other items were also roughly damaged.

Lin Cheng trembled with rage. He had made a living as a general store owner all his life, and he loved to wander the streets and alleys collecting broken old objects. It could be said that everything in this store was his life's savings, and now it was being ruthlessly destroyed before his eyes. His heart was bleeding.

But he gritted his teeth, remained silent, and simply stood aside to watch quietly.

He knew that Han Tai was deliberately trying to cause trouble. Arguing was useless; the people couldn't fight against the officials, so he could only endure it.

After ravaging the shop, Han Tai and his gang broke into the backyard and smashed up everything, including the old objects there, until they had destroyed almost everything they could see.

"Sir, they're just some old, broken items. Nothing much to find," a Constable approached and reported in a low voice.

"Old Lin, not bad, it seems the intelligence was wrong. Let's go." Han Tai waved his hand, turned and left, leaving behind a mess.

The General Store was so badly vandalized that it had no choice but to close. Although they didn't find any stolen goods that could be used to convict him, they had still achieved their goal.

After Han Tai and the others left, Lin Cheng slumped to the ground, his face ashen. The scene before him had dealt him a heavy blow.

At this moment, neighbors who had heard the commotion outside also squeezed in, each one showing great concern.

"Old Lin, pull yourself together. Ah, that's just how the world is."

"Yes, the common people can't fight against the officials; we can only endure it."

"What kind of world is this? They don't even give ordinary people a way to survive."

The neighbors, one after another, all sighed repeatedly.

Lin Cheng is a down-to-earth and warm-hearted person who often helps his neighbors, so he has excellent relationships with everyone around him.

Seeing the Lin Cheng General Store smashed, everyone felt angry, but there was nothing they could do.

Because they also frequently suffered oppression from the government and the Soul-Calming Office Constable Division, they had no choice but to endure it.