Chapter 3: Tie Yang covets!

............

Mucheng East Street.

Lin Changsheng returned to his tiled house and opened his dashboard.

[Simple Great Way: Level 1]

[Lin Changsheng: 16/55]

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

[Skills: None]

[Martial Arts: Archery (Great Perfection), Iron Sand Palm (Great Perfection)]

[Spend a certain amount of silver to simplify your skills and techniques.]

[Status: Yin Qi Invading the Body]

"I've already achieved Great Perfection in Archery and Iron Sand Palm, but my progress has slowed. It might be related to the skills!"

"Wait another half a month, and I can claim the skills!"

Lin Changsheng pondered, looking at his dashboard.

In addition to Iron Sand Palm, the Iron Hand Martial Arts School also offers the Sunlight Breathing Method, which is paired with it. It regulates the meridians, strengthens the tendons and bones, and condenses the Qi and blood. It's rumored that when practiced to the highest level, one's Qi and blood become powerful, and their body becomes so formidable that even ghosts dare not approach!

However... The Sun-Shaping Breathing Method requires a basic understanding of the Iron Sand Palm technique before it can be taught.

This is also a way for the Iron Hand Martial Arts School to make money.

If you haven't mastered the Iron Sand Palm technique, you can't practice the Sun-Shaping Breathing Method. After three months, if you still haven't mastered the Iron Sand Palm technique? Sorry, you'll have to pay another 10 taels of silver to stay in the school and learn martial arts!

The Sun-Shaping Breathing Method is like a candy hanging ten feet away, tempting you to keep paying.

Of course.

If you can master the Iron Sand Palm technique within three months, it means you have talent. You will become a formal disciple of the Iron Hand Martial Arts School and will naturally be taught the breathing method.

To be cautious,

Lin Changsheng planned to demonstrate the entry-level Iron Sand Palm technique in about half a month, around the beginning of the new year. After all, the fastest master of the Iron Hand Martial Arts School was Qi Tong, who only took half a month. His taking over a month wasn't particularly impressive.

................

East Street.

Three miles away, in a large courtyard. "Big! Big! Big!"

"Small! Small! Small!"

"Leopard!"

"........."

Over twenty young men in blue robes, with eagle tattoos on their chests, were rolling the dice. The scene was bustling with activity. As the dealer opened the betting, some rejoiced, others worried.

"Damn it, small again!"

"What bad luck! I lost again!"

Tie Yang angrily stalked out of the crowd and squatted in front of the courtyard gate, sulking.

I've lost a total of 700 coins today!

"Brother Yang, I was wondering why Lin Changsheng has been going to West Street so often lately. Turns out he's gone to the Tieshou Martial Arts School to learn martial arts!"

At this moment, a short young man trotted over and said to Tie Yang.

"What a great Lin Changsheng! He actually has the money to go to the Tieshou Martial Arts School!"

Tie Yang's eyes lit up when he heard his younger brother's whisper.

I've had a terrible day today. I've lost quite a bit.

Since Lin Changsheng has the money to learn martial arts at the martial arts school, wouldn't it be great to extort a few taels of silver from him to make up for his losses?

Thinking of this, Tie Yang admonished the short young man. "Third son, don't tell anyone about this. Tomorrow we'll go find Lin Changsheng and get some money!"

"Okay, Brother Yang!"

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

.................

East Street.

Ma Zhankui's living room.

"Master Ma, someone broke my hand last night and told me to clear the name of the widow Yan Zhen... If I didn't, he would kill my entire family... Just look..."

Coroner Li Zhen, his right hand bandaged, looked at the sturdy middle-aged man in brocade robes before him and clasped his fists respectfully.

"A single blow severed her hand, and the technique was brutal. Who is helping that widow?"

Ma Zhankui observed Li Zhen's injuries, his eyes narrowing slightly. He was curious about the person who was threatening Li Zhen. As far as he knew.

Yan Zhen's husband was dead, so no one would stand up for her.

"You've helped me a lot over the years. How about this? Go to the county government office and re-examine Yan Zhen's mother-in-law's autopsy. Clear her of suspicion, and that person won't attack your family!"

Ma Zhankui pondered for a moment, then said.

"Thank you, Master Ma! Thank you!"

Hearing Ma Zhankui's words, Li Zhen burst into tears of gratitude and bowed deeply to Ma Zhankui.

"Go about your business!"

Ma Zhankui waved to Li Zhen, watched him turn and leave, and spoke in a deep voice. "Old Li."

"Master!"

An old man emerged from behind the screen and bowed to Ma Zhankui.

"Go to the county government jail and tell Yan Zhen that although she didn't agree to marry me, I, a soft-hearted man, spent a large sum of money to clear her of suspicion. You know what to say, don't you?"

Ma Zhankui narrowed his eyes and said. "I understand. I'll do it right away!"

Lao Li nodded and turned to leave.

"Also, arrange for personnel to monitor Yan Zhen and find out who has contact with her!"

Ma Zhankui continued.

"Understood!"

Lao Li nodded.

"It's okay to force her, but it wouldn't have the same charm... A widow is better!"

Ma Zhankui stroked his chin, sighing as he watched Lao Li's departing figure.

.................

Half a day later.

East Street.

"Sister Zhen is back. Apparently, the coroner, Li Zhen, did as he was told."

"Let's go see her!"

Lin Changsheng muttered as he sat in the room, gazing at the distant mountains.

Yan Zhen has helped him a lot; he should go see her.

Lin Changsheng's home was not far from Yan Zhen's, and soon they arrived at Yan Zhen's.

"Sister Zhen, did they give you any trouble?"

Lin Changsheng looked at Yan Zhen and asked. "Changsheng, thank you for coming to see me. They didn't make things difficult for me, because the coroner said it was a mistake and released me." Yan Zhen nodded at Lin Changsheng.

She had returned from the county jail, still looking a little haggard, a hint of melancholy on her face.

"Sister Zhen, it's good to be back. Live your life well, and everything will be peaceful!" Lin Changsheng soothed.

"Well, I hope so!"

Yan Zhen thought of what Lao Li had said when she left the cell, and a dark worry settled over her. However, she still smiled. "Changsheng, have you eaten yet? I'll give you something to eat!"

"Sister Zhen, no, I've already eaten. Go ahead! I'm going back." Lin Changsheng waved his hands repeatedly.

Yan Zhen had returned to take care of her mother-in-law's funeral. Besides, New Year's Eve was approaching, and Lin Changsheng was preparing some delicious food for the New Year.

"Well, okay."

Yan Zhen nodded, a hint of worry between her brows. Lin Changsheng said nothing as he said goodbye to Yan Zhen and left.

...

Lin Changsheng had returned from Yan Zhen's house and sat for a short while.

"Lin Changsheng, open the door."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"It hasn't even been a month since I paid my monthly salary..."

Lin Changsheng looked at Tie Yang and Li San standing at the door, his eyes filled with confusion.

"You're such a jerk, Lin Changsheng! You signed up for martial arts lessons at the Tie Shou Martial Arts School, and you're crying poor to me? From what I hear, the entrance fee is ten taels of silver. You must have made a fortune!"

"Give it to me!"

Tie Yang strode in and barked.

"Brother Yang, you're joking. There's no such thing as a windfall. I'm not in good health, so I just used my last ten taels of silver to learn martial arts at the Tie Shou Martial Arts School. I wanted to get stronger. I really didn't make a fortune!"

Lin Changsheng shook his head, denying the idea outright.

Murderous intent surged within him.

However. Tie Yang was a minor leader of the Green Snake Gang. Killing him wouldn't be possible without a secret. Although he had achieved the Great Perfection of the Iron Sand Palm, he wasn't sure he could kill the leader!

He would never do anything he wasn't sure of.

"Don't be so shameless!"

"I told you that tomorrow, news will spread around East Street that you fell into the river! Do you believe it?"

Seeing Lin Changsheng's denial, Tie Yang immediately grabbed Lin Changsheng by the collar, his eyes flashing with murderous intent, and he shouted fiercely.

"Ah... I... I believe it..."

Hearing Tie Yang's words, Lin Changsheng's heart sank. Knowing this matter couldn't be resolved peacefully, his thoughts raced, and he feigned fear. "Brother Yang... Yang, to be honest, I did accidentally pick up a package two weeks ago. It contained over 30 taels of silver. I spent 10 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 this moment. Lin Changsheng's heart was filled with murderous intent.

He knew.

Tie Yang wouldn't leave until he got the silver. Killing him in East Street would alert the Green Snake Gang, so he might as well lure him into the mountains and kill him!

Throwing him into the river wouldn't even bring suspicion to his body!

"The package!"

"In the cave?"

Hearing Lin Changsheng's words, Tie Yang and Li San exchanged a look of greed, each revealing a deep voice. "You're smart. Lead the way!"

You know, these days.

Five taels of silver is enough to feed a family of three for a year!

And there's still over twenty taels left!

As for Lin Changsheng's deception?

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

Dare to cheat, and I'll beat him to death!

This wasn't the first time they'd done this.