Chapter 153: Returning to Linhu Village at Night

The backyard of the Poyang County Wuzheng Office.

Su Lingchuan's face was ashen, and the expressions of Ceng Qingyao and the others were much the same.

Several corpses were laid out on the ground, each with a bluish face and purple lips.

"To be able to make martial artists commit suicide by taking poison—these are trained dead soldiers. What a grand display."

These corpses were the very people who had previously followed Lin Chaoyang. After Ceng Qingyao and several other hall masters caught up to them, these men had seen that the situation was dire and had swallowed poison to end their own lives.

Dead soldiers were extremely common in the countries surrounding the Liang Dynasty, and even in the previous Great Chu Dynasty, but they were very rare within the Liang Dynasty.

Because of the policy of "revitalizing the nation through the Martial Way" established by the founding Emperor, most martial artists went from school to martial arts halls, following the Wuzheng Office system. Their identities and household registrations were all recorded, and very few would serve as dead soldiers for the powerful and wealthy.

The reason why there were so many dead soldiers in the previous Great Chu Dynasty and the surrounding countries was that martial arts techniques and resources were controlled by aristocratic clans. Ordinary people had no path to learn martial arts and could only sell themselves to the powerful.

These powerful families only needed someone to be at the Acupuncture Stage to make them useful as dead soldiers. But in the Liang Dynasty, because martial arts were made public, there were many martial artists at the Acupuncture Stage in any given county. To cultivate useful dead soldiers, one had to be at least at the Organ Cultivation Stage.

The cost of such cultivation was not low, and ordinary families would not do so.

"Lord Su, given Lin Chen's situation, there is no reason for him to offend a force capable of cultivating dead soldiers. Furthermore, that Lord Xing is clearly targeting Lin Chen."

Ceng Qingyao did not hide anything; now, the several hall masters, including Lord Su, all belonged to the same camp.

"I know a few clues about this matter, but the other party does not dare to take action against Lin Chen openly, so they can only play these kinds of sinister tricks."

Regarding the Huo family of Raozhou Prefecture, Su Lingchuan did not intend to inform Ceng Qingyao and the others, as there was still no evidence that the Huo family was the mastermind.

Seeing Su Lingchuan's expression, Ceng Qingyao understood in her heart that Lord Su likely already had a suspect in mind, but was not speaking clearly because there was no evidence.

"My lord, should we inform Lin Chen about this?"

"That would be inappropriate!"

Su Lingchuan and Ceng Qingyao objected almost simultaneously. The two looked at each other, and Su Lingchuan said, "Lin Chen has been taken away by the Wuzheng Office and is currently undergoing special training; he cannot be distracted by this."

This special training was crucial for a civilian martial artist like Lin Chen. Moreover, the matter of the Lin family could be considered to have come to an end here; Lin Ming was already dead, so there was no rush to inform Lin Chen.

Just as Su Lingchuan's voice fell, hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate.

"My lord, news has just come from the county government office: Lin Chen's grandfather, Lin Chaoyang, passed away today."

At the courtyard entrance, Su Lingchuan's trusted aide walked in. Once these words were spoken, the expressions of Su Lingchuan, Ceng Qingyao, and the others turned ugly.

With his grandfather passing away, Lin Chen must be notified.

Especially since Lin Chaoyang had just personally expressed Lin Chen's filial piety toward him as a grandfather. If Lin Chen were not notified, it was feared that Xing Xing Huai Feng would again use it as a pretext to make trouble.

"I understand."

After a moment of silence, Su Lingchuan looked at the crowd: "Even if I hide it, that Lord Xing will inevitably inform Lin Chen of this matter. I do not know where these genius students have gone, so I cannot stop it."

Xing Xing Huai Feng was targeting Lin Chen. Now that there was an opportunity to interrupt Lin Chen's special training, he would absolutely not let this chance go.

"As for the forces behind these people, you all need not concern yourselves. In the coming period, do not make any mistakes, lest you be caught by others."

Su Lingchuan knew very well that Xing Xing Huai Feng had lost a great deal of face this time and would definitely not stay in the position of Director of the Raozhou Prefecture Wuzheng Office for long. However, before a suitable successor could be found, the authorities would not remove Xing Xing Huai Feng, and he would have to stay in that position for some time.

"We understand."

Ceng Qingyao and the others nodded. As hall masters, if that Lord Xing wanted to deal with them, he could only pick at the operations of their martial arts halls. However, they were confident that they would not be caught in any trouble.

"Do not be careless. In the past, I did not care about trivial matters, but that does not mean others will not use them as a pretext. In short, do not give anyone any opportunity."

After giving Ceng Qingyao and the others a few words of advice, Su Lingchuan returned to his study and began to write a letter to his teacher.

He had to inform his teacher of everything that happened today. The Huo family had even arranged for dead soldiers; this was no longer a simple targeting of Lin Chen.

The Huo family!

"This Xing Xing Huai Feng is truly a piece of trash. As a dignified Wuzheng Office Director, he actually cannot even deal with a single student."

Huo Zhong was red-faced with anger. Huo Kang looked at the porcelain fragments all over the floor and then at his father, who was in a rage, and asked, "Father, what should we do next?"

"What should we do? How would I know what to do?"

Huo Zhong glared fiercely at his son. The Huo family could find fault with Lin Chen, but they absolutely could not take action against him directly. Using Lin Ming's hand to kill with a borrowed knife—as long as the tail was cleaned up, it would not bring trouble to the Huo family.

"Father, I suppose Lord Xing did not expect that Poyang County would protect Lin Chen so vigorously."

"That is why I say he is stupid. Why was he in such a hurry to take action? I let Lin Ming report him; he could have completely brought Lin Ming back to the Wuzheng Office, then arranged for someone to bring Lin Chen's grandfather to the Wuzheng Office, and only after confirming everything was correct, then launch the attack. Instead of being like this now, riding a tiger and unable to get off, and finally getting himself involved."

"Father, are you saying that Lord Xing will also be in trouble?"

"Otherwise?" Huo Zhong sneered: "The powerful and wealthy of the entire Poyang County are protesting, and Lin Chen is a genius student. Even that He Ru has stood up, and behind He Ru stands the Prefect of Raozhou Prefecture. This matter is not over yet; it will inevitably reach the Wuzheng Hall. Xing Xing Huai Feng will lose his position as Wuzheng Office Director in less than a month."

"The Xing family has never produced a strong person. In terms of intrigue, Xing Xing Huai Feng is too green."

After scolding, Huo Zhong sighed. Xing Xing Huai Feng could be considered the most powerful martial artist in the Xing family for five generations. Before Xing Xing Huai Feng, the Xing family was just an ordinary martial arts family and did not understand the strategies of political infighting.

But the Li family had no choice. A seventh-rank martial artist with a background and history would not be willing to be the Li family's knife.

"Father, what should we do next?"

"For now, do nothing. Just clean up the tail."

The special training ground.

Bu Wenbin looked at the letter in his hand, pondering in silence.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, footsteps came from outside the courtyard, and Lin Chen's figure walked in.

"Greetings, Lord Xuetai."

Seeing Lin Chen enter, a smile appeared on Bu Wenbin's face: "Lin Chen, how have the battles on Mount Wudao been these past two days?"

"This disciple is foolish and has yet to successfully challenge the senior who has opened nine acupoints."

In two days, Lin Chen had fought that senior who had opened nine acupoints on Mount Wudao no less than ten times, but the longest he had lasted was less than thirty breaths.

The gap between martial artists was too great. Sometimes he couldn't help but want to ask: how did these seniors cultivate?

"Mount Wudao is different from the copper men you encountered in the Iron Room. Although those copper men are comparable in strength to nineteen acupoints, that is only on paper. To measure a martial artist's true combat power, besides their own stage, there is also combat technique and adaptability."

Bu Wenbin comforted Lin Chen. Those genius seniors on Mount Wudao were different from those copper men; they not only retained their strength but also adapted according to the situation, far from what copper men could compare to.

Lin Chen nodded; he could understand this point.

Just because he defeated eight copper men equivalent to nineteen acupoints did not mean he could truly defeat eight martial artists at nineteen acupoints.

Those copper men had no fear. Although their coordination was clever, their flaws were also obvious. It was like a pre-designed program; every step was operated according to settings.

In fact, a big reason he could defeat those copper men was that he had been beaten many times before, but he had remembered the copper men's attack sequence and found the flaws between them, which was how he could defeat those eight copper men.

If it were real people, he feared he wouldn't be able to do it.

And those seniors on Mount Wudao, although not real people, were no different from real people. Every time they attacked, the method would change. They truly evolved combat techniques into it.

Fighting these seniors, although he failed, he was not without gains. At least in terms of combat technique, he had improved quite a bit these days.

Combat technique was a mysterious thing, impossible to describe in words. It was more of a feeling during battle and adaptability. Previously, when he first started challenging on the ring in the Martial Garden, Lin Chen could feel his progress in combat. But later, as his stage improved, the opponents he encountered were not strong enough and could no longer bring him much improvement in technique.

Every one of those seniors on Mount Wudao likely had their combat techniques maxed out.

"Although this disciple lost every time, every battle with those seniors has brought this disciple significant gains."

"Hmm, besides strength, a martial artist's adaptability during battle is also..."

"The special training hasn't even passed a month yet, so don't be too anxious. I called you here today because there is another matter to inform you of."

Bu Wenbin looked at the glimmer in Lin Chen's eyes and sighed in his heart. It was such a bad time.

But the Liang Dynasty cared deeply about filial piety. His smile faded, and he said, "Today, the Raozhou Wuzheng Office sent a letter. Your grandfather passed away a day ago."

Lin Chen was stunned. His grandfather died?

Lin Chaoyang died?

Regarding Lin Chaoyang, Lin Chen's feelings were very complex. In his heart, he no longer regarded Lin Chaoyang as his grandfather, but merely as a strange old man. However, hearing the news of Lin Chaoyang's passing, there was still a tremor in his heart.

Perhaps, there was another reason he was cultivating so desperately: to make this old guy regret it.

The further he went on the Martial Way, the more the old guy would regret it in his heart, and the more gratified he would feel.

"I will give you three days off. Return to the special training ground after three days."

Hearing Lord Xuetai's words, Lin Chen wanted to say he didn't need to ask for leave, but the words reached his lips and he didn't say them. Regardless of what grievances existed between him and Lin Chaoyang, in Lord Xuetai's eyes, Lin Chaoyang was always his grandfather. For a grandson not to return when his grandfather passed away would be unfilial.

Do not judge others' suffering; do not urge others to be kind.

If he were to tell Lord Xuetai how his grandfather treated him, Lord Xuetai might not necessarily understand him.

Because Lord Xuetai also belonged to the category of the elderly.

The Liang Dynasty and his previous life had many similar concepts, one of which was filial piety.

The authorities placed great importance on filial piety, not only because it was a person's moral character but also out of self-interest.

Everyone has a day when their Qi and blood decline and they grow old. With filial piety, even when one grows old, one can still retain a say.

The second is that the dead are of the utmost importance.

When a person dies, it is like a lamp going out; no matter what grievances exist, they dissipate.

This was the simple concept of many people in the Liang Dynasty, including both ordinary people and martial artists.

No matter how his grandfather treated him, in the eyes of most people, his grandfather was already dead, so all grievances had dissipated.

Without Lin Chaoyang, there would be no him.

Based on this grace of birth, it was only right to offer incense at his mourning hall after his death.

"Thank you for your mercy, my lord."

"Go. I have already arranged for Jiang Kui to send you out."

Outside the thousand-step mist of the special training ground.

Lin Chen saw Jiang Kui again. Compared to the last time, Jiang Kui was much more enthusiastic this time. Seeing Lin Chen appear, he took the initiative to step forward and pat Lin Chen on the shoulder: "My condolences."

"My grandfather was seventy years old. For an ordinary person to live to this age, it can be considered a happy funeral."

Lin Chen returned a smile to Jiang Kui. He felt no sadness in his heart; returning this time was just going through the motions.

"Birth, aging, sickness, and death are common occurrences for people. It is the same for ordinary people, and it is the same for us martial artists. If you can think this way, I can rest easy."

Jiang Kui only thought Lin Chen was forcing a smile, but outsiders really shouldn't persuade him on this matter. He then took Lin Chen onto the boat and headed toward Poyang County.

The pleasure boat moved forward in the water mist. Lin Chen did not enter the cabin but stood on the deck. Jiang Kui saw this and pondered for a moment, but in the end, he did not say anything.

According to the rules, students should not know the address of the special training ground. Whether coming or leaving, they should only stay in the cabin.

But thinking of Lin Chen's performance in the special training ground, although he was only responsible for picking up and dropping off students, he had his own sources of information and knew how dazzling Lin Chen's performance was.

Lin Chen's potential was limitless. If this rule wasn't followed, so be it.

Standing on the deck, Lin Chen also noticed the green mountains on the shore, and he had a guess in his heart: this special training ground should be in the depths of Poyanghu.

Eight hundred miles of Poyanghu—he just didn't know which area of Poyanghu this special training ground was in.

An hour later, the pleasure boat finally left the cloud and mist area. What surprised Lin Chen was that he didn't encounter those soldiers this time.

When he first came, he had heard that there was a Poyang Guard in Poyanghu, and he had thought that if he met Lord Fang, or Lord Lu, who was under Lord Fang, he would ask them to convey his gratitude to Lord Fang.

The things in the bundle Lord Fang gave him were just two sets of clothes, and in addition, there was a token with the word "Guard" engraved on it.

He didn't know what use this token had, but it was because of Lord Fang's words at the time that Lord Jiang's attitude toward him had improved somewhat.

Four hours later, the sky gradually darkened. Looking at the familiar Poyanghu waters and the outline of Poyang County in the distance, Lin Chen felt a little excited.

Although he had left Poyang County for less than a month, this was the longest time he, including his original self, had left Poyang County in sixteen years.

"Lin Chen, I won't go to Poyang County. I'll send you directly to Linhu Village. I'll wait for you here at the hour of the Dragon the day after tomorrow."

"Sorry for the trouble, Lord Jiang."

Lin Chen knew this was Lord Jiang giving him convenience. Otherwise, it would be closer for the pleasure boat to go to the Poyang County wharf. Now, it was going straight down from the Poyang County wharf, and there was still a distance to go before reaching Linhu Village.

Half an hour later, the pleasure boat stopped at the lakeside of Linhu Village. Lin Chen said goodbye to Jiang Kui and went ashore with his bundle.

On the lakeside of Linhu Village, several villagers were carrying fishing nets and traps. Seeing Lin Chen coming off the boat, they were all stunned.

"Little Chen is back?"

After a long while, these villagers greeted him, but their expressions were a bit strange.

Lin Chen only thought that the villagers were thinking of his grandfather's death and knew about the grievances between him and his grandfather, and didn't know whether to tell him to "condole" or what to say, which was why their expressions were so strange.

But as he entered the village, the more villagers he met, the more their expressions were like this. Lin Chen frowned. Could it be that there was something else about Lin Chaoyang's death?

The Lin family's ancestral home.

White banners hung on the withered bamboo branches inserted in front of the door. When Lin Chen arrived at the ancestral home's main gate, his eldest brother, Lin Liang, should have received the news and walked out of the ancestral home.

"Brother Chen, Grandfather is gone."

Looking at his eldest brother wearing plain cloth and saying the word "Grandfather," Lin Chen frowned. He had hatred for Lin Chaoyang, and his eldest brother was the same. But now his eldest brother was saying "Grandfather." If there were outsiders, it might be his eldest brother covering up, but now it was just the two brothers.

"Eldest brother, what exactly happened? He... how could he just go like that?"

Lin Chaoyang's body had always been strong. Even after he had achieved success in the Martial Way, he rarely walked around the village, but the foundation of his health was still there.

"That beast Lin Ming..."

Hearing his own brother ask, Lin Liang gritted his teeth and told the whole story.

"The night before last, Grandfather held my hand and said that the person he felt most sorry for was you. He did this not to make Brother Chen recognize him as a grandfather, but just to clean up the Lin family's house. From now on, the Lin family is handed over to Brother Chen."

The Lin family's ancestral home.

Lin Chen stood silently in the mourning hall alone. Lin Chaoyang lay peacefully on the mourning bed, his body covered by a white cloth.

In the courtyard outside the eaves, Lin's father, Lin's mother, Lin's second uncle, and second aunt, including Lin Liang and Lin Hui, as well as Xi'er, whose eyes had been swollen from crying these past few days, were all standing in the courtyard.

"Chen'er has been standing in the mourning hall for a long time," Lin's mother said worriedly.

"Don't disturb him."

Zhao Canghu's figure walked in from outside the courtyard gate. Looking at the straight figure standing in the mourning hall, he shook his head.

"Village Chief."

Lin's father and the others saw Zhao Canghu enter and hurriedly greeted him.

"It's good that Lin Chen is back. Tomorrow we should bury Chaoyang."

After a long time, Lin Chen in the mourning hall finally moved. He picked up the three sticks of incense on the side and lit them, but did not worship; he directly inserted them into the incense burner.

Seeing Lin Chen light the incense, there was a glimmer of joy in Lin's father's eyes outside the courtyard. Chen'er might not necessarily recognize him as a father and grandfather, but at least he would no longer hate him.

"People are dead. What's the point of me hating him anymore? I originally thought that every time I achieved an achievement in the Martial Way, with the Village Chief's character, he would inevitably hold a banquet, which would make you sad again."

Lin Chen looked at Lin Chaoyang's face, a self-deprecating smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Father, Mother, Second Uncle, Second Aunt, you all go and rest. I will keep watch tonight."

"Okay."

Lin's father did not refuse. Chen'er was a martial artist, and his body was stronger than theirs. The Lin family had encountered such changes in the past two days, and he was indeed a bit tired, having not closed his eyes for two days.

"Eldest brother, Brother Hui, you all go and rest too."

"No, tonight is the last night. I also want to keep watch over Grandfather here."

Lin Hui spoke. On the side, Second Aunt pulled Lin Hui's sleeve, but Lin Hui remained unmoved.

Lin Chen understood why Second Aunt pulled Lin Hui's sleeve; she was afraid that he still had grievances against his grandfather and was afraid that Lin Hui's behavior would make him dissatisfied.

"Okay, then let the three brothers stay."

Scanning his eldest brother's expression, Lin Chen knew that his eldest brother would probably not go to sleep tonight either.

"Village Chief, I have to delay you for some time in the middle of the night."

Lin Chen looked at the old Village Chief. Zhao Canghu was not surprised. From the villagers, he learned that Lin Chen was back, and he knew that Lin Chen would definitely want to talk to him tonight.

Although all the villagers saw what happened at the entrance of the village, the Lin family did not understand the inside story. He had also gone to inquire about some information these past two days, although not much, but it could let Lin Chen study it.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 154 =====