This Martial Saint is Too Cautious
Chapter 21 - 16: Tiger, Bear, Deer, Snake, Fish: Eat Them If You’re Rich

Chapter 21: Chapter 16: Tiger, Bear, Deer, Snake, Fish: Eat Them If You’re Rich

Lü Qianfan and the others’ attitude toward Lin Yan had cooled. After exchanging a few words, they left. Li An, however, was as enthusiastic as ever, explaining some of the details about the Second-Time Skin Smoothing to Lin Yan.

"There are four stages to Skin Smoothing. The first is conditioning the skin, the second is forging the flesh. Without Secret Medicine, it’s impossible to break through by relying on hard training alone."

"The Martial Arts Hall’s Muscle Strengthening Ointment costs twenty taels of silver per jar. It’s a bit more expensive than what you’d find in outside apothecaries, but if you, Junior Brother, aren’t familiar with medicinal ingredients, it’s best to buy it from the hall. The efficacy is guaranteed, while the quality of Muscle Strengthening Ointment from outside shops is inconsistent."

"Furthermore, your diet is also important. Ordinary poultry can barely maintain your Qi Blood and prevent it from declining. If you want to nourish and increase your Qi Blood, you need to eat other Treasure Meats."

"Tiger, bear, deer, snake, and fish—these are the five most common types of Treasure Meat consumed by us Skin Smoothing Martial Artists. The first four are self-explanatory. As for the last one, fish, it doesn’t refer to ordinary fish, but mutated ones. Take the gizzard shad, for example. Gizzard shad don’t have whiskers, but a gizzard shad with whiskers is a mutated fish, and it’s a great tonic for Qi Blood."

"If you’re short on silver coins, prioritize your diet to keep your Qi Blood from declining. And before you have Secret Medicines like the Muscle Strengthening Ointment to apply, try to minimize your Cultivation."

...

Lin Yan did a rough calculation. With the silver coins he had on him, if he followed the standard regimen, he could only last for four months.

"Junior Brother Lin, do you know a saying that circulates in the Martial Arts Community?"

Lin Yan shook his head. Li An chuckled. "Skin Smoothing... that ’smoothing’ part says it all. It’s a slow grind, like water wearing down a stone. You have to consider the cost of failing to break through. The more you rush, the more likely you are to get stuck."

"Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother. I will remember your words."

Nodding in agreement, Lin Yan glanced at the other senior brothers present and asked curiously, "Senior Brother Li, is Senior Brother Zhang the only one in our Martial Arts Hall who has reached Second-Time Skin Smoothing?"

"Of course not." Li An counted on his fingers. "There are seven senior brothers at the Second-Time Skin Smoothing level, and three at the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing. Those three don’t stay at the Martial Arts Hall; they hold positions outside. After all, practicing martial arts is incredibly expensive. You have to find ways to make money."

"Even with just Single-Time Skin Smoothing, you can find a position. Merchant caravans, Escort Agencies, apothecaries, grain stores, shipping companies... there’s plenty of work. The pay varies, and you can choose for yourself, Junior Brother Lin. But remember one thing: Master forbids us from getting involved with gangs. No matter how much they offer you, don’t agree."

"Thank you for the warning, Senior Brother. I’ll remember that." Lin Yan nodded, then asked, "So, how do I find one of these positions?"

"Wait!"

"Wait?"

"Our Martial Arts Hall has good relationships with a few merchant houses, but they aren’t looking for Martial Artists at the moment. So you can only wait for a vacancy, or wait for someone who needs help to come to the hall. Of course, you can also look for a job yourself, but if you do, the pay will be lower."

Hearing Senior Brother Li An’s words, Lin Yan understood the reasoning.

He understood why. An employer who comes to you will offer better pay than one you have to chase down.

He frowned. ’If I have to wait, there’s no telling how long it will be.’

"Junior Brother Lin, you’ve only just achieved Single-Time Skin Smoothing. There’s no rush to find a position. First, go to the general affairs room and get your new disciple uniform. When you have free time, wear the uniform and take a stroll around East City and South City."

Seeing Senior Brother Li An wink at him, Lin Yan was a bit confused. But after he went to the general affairs room and received his new disciple uniform, he understood what Senior Brother Li An meant.

The new disciple uniform had a star embroidered on the chest, representing his current number of Skin Smoothing completions.

A disciple of the Yang Family Martial Arts Hall with Single-Time Skin Smoothing.

’Senior Brother Li told me to walk around East City and South City in my uniform because anyone in the know would be able to tell my status just by looking at my clothes.’

’As for why East City and South City, it’s because those are the most prosperous areas in the entire county town, with the most wealthy people.’

After changing into his new uniform, Lin Yan spent another twenty taels of silver on a jar of Muscle Strengthening Ointment and left the Martial Arts Hall.

He didn’t rush to East or South City to show his face; instead, he headed straight for home.

Achieving Single-Time Skin Smoothing meant he had officially entered the ranks of Martial Artists.

This good news, of course, had to be shared with his aunt immediately.

However, just as he turned onto his street, he saw a crowd gathered ahead, and the faint sound of a commotion reached him.

Lin Yan’s brow furrowed, and he quickened his pace. This street wasn’t far from his home, and he was afraid something might have happened to his aunt and younger brother.

"Xu Ping, out of respect for you being a disciple of the Zhou Family Martial Arts Hall, we’ve already waived your family’s protection money. That’s giving you enough face. Do you really think you’re the only one with a Single-Time Skin Smoothing?"

In the middle of the crowd, a burly man, flanked by several others, glared coldly at the young man before him.

Lin Yan recognized the young man. It was Xu Ping of the Xu Family. He had entered a Martial Arts Hall to study martial arts two years before Lin Yan. Seeing the single star embroidered on his chest, Lin Yan knew he had also achieved Single-Time Skin Smoothing.

"Gang Leader Cao, for years in this county town, all the major gangs have only ever collected protection money from merchants. There’s no precedent for going door-to-door to collect from residents."

"Just because it didn’t happen before doesn’t mean it can’t happen now. In short, starting this month, every household must pay two hundred wen in protection money. Not a single copper plate less."

Xu Ping’s expression was grim. He had successfully achieved Single-Time Skin Smoothing and had come home today to celebrate. His family had invited many neighbors over, but he never expected the Qingshui Gang to show up at this very moment.

Just moments before at the banquet, he had been showered with praise by his neighbors. Naturally, he had to stand up and speak for them now.

The Qingshui Gang wasn’t a major gang, and Cao Peng was only a Single-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artist. However, Cao Peng had achieved that level a year ago. Against him and his men, Xu Ping knew he wasn’t a match on his own.

Just as Xu Ping was feeling stuck in a difficult situation, his gaze swept across the crowd. When he spotted Lin Yan, his eyes lit up and he called out, "Lin Yan, you’ve achieved Single-Time Skin Smoothing too?"

He knew from his father that Lin Yan of the Lin Family had gone to the Yang Family Martial Arts Hall to practice martial arts. In his opinion, however, it should have been impossible for Lin Yan to succeed in Skin Smoothing without at least three to five years of training.

After all, the Lin Family’s financial situation was far worse than his own. Only those who truly practiced martial arts understood how crucial silver coins were to the path of Martial Arts.

He never thought Lin Yan would achieve Single-Time Skin Smoothing so quickly.

A Martial Arts Hall disciple’s uniform couldn’t be faked. Although he was shocked that Lin Yan had completed his Skin Smoothing so fast, Xu Ping was mostly overjoyed. He couldn’t intimidate Cao Peng alone, but with Lin Yan added to the mix, it would be enough.

Two Single-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artists, backed by their respective Martial Arts Halls—Cao Peng would have to think twice.

As Xu Ping spoke, everyone’s gaze followed his line of sight to Lin Yan. When Cao Peng saw the star on Lin Yan’s chest, his expression shifted. He cupped his fist toward Lin Yan and said, "Impressive, little brother. To achieve Single-Time Skin Smoothing at such a young age. My Qingshui Gang can waive the protection money for your family."

Lin Yan didn’t reply. He simply walked to Xu Ping’s side, his actions speaking for him.

From his personal standpoint, it would have been best not to get involved.

But when he saw his aunt and younger brother in the crowd, along with the expectant faces of his familiar neighbors, Lin Yan ultimately decided to join forces with Xu Ping and apply pressure.

He still had some affection for the neighbors he had lived alongside for so many years.

Cao Peng stared at Xu Ping and Lin Yan, his expression wavering between anger and uncertainty. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "Fine! Willow Lane is truly a place of exceptional people, to have two Martial Artists. The Qingshui Gang will give up on the protection money for Willow Lane. We’re leaving!"

Although he had entered the Skin Smoothing Realm a year before either of them, his chances of winning a one-on-two fight were slim.

However, having lost face in front of so many people, he made a mental note of this grudge. He would find an opportunity for revenge.

"Gang Leader Cao, wait a moment."

Cao Peng paused and turned to look at Lin Yan, who was walking toward him, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.

Seeing Lin Yan extend a hand with a smile, Cao Peng, though not understanding why, extended his own hand in return.

’So many people are watching. How could I, the dignified Gang Leader of the Qingshui Gang, show any fear?’

The two shook hands. Lin Yan then withdrew his hand and said, "This is called a handshake to make peace. Thank you for giving me face, Gang Leader Cao."

Cao Peng retracted his hand and left with his men. Xu Ping then turned to the crowd and said, "The Qingshui Gang won’t be coming to collect protection money anymore. Everyone can disperse."

"Lin Yan, why don’t you come over to my place for a bit?"

"An invitation from Brother Xu? How could I refuse?"

Lin Yan said a quick word to his aunt and younger brother, then followed Xu Ping to the Xu Family’s home.

Once at the Xu Family’s home, the two naturally exchanged some pleasantries.

After the courtesies were done, Lin Yan asked curiously, "Brother Xu, why did the Qingshui Gang suddenly come to our neighborhood to collect protection money?"

"The county town is only going to get more chaotic. The newly emerged Four Seas Gang is very powerful and is close to unifying West City. Many of West City’s gangs have been forced to relocate here to North City, and the Qingshui Gang is one of them. Now that these gangs have lost their territory, their only option is to collect protection money from commoners like us. We may have scared off the Qingshui Gang this time, but I’m afraid other gangs will follow."

Xu Ping sighed. If it hadn’t been for the celebratory mood of the day, he wouldn’t have stepped forward.

’He and I can handle the Qingshui Gang together,’ he thought, ’but what if a stronger gang comes along?’

"We’ll take it one step at a time. Maybe the Inspection Bureau will intervene."

"The Inspection Bureau is only responsible for maintaining order in South City and East City. As for our area..."

Xu Ping snorted softly. Seeing Lin Yan’s confused expression, he explained, "You can’t get rid of the gangs. The big ones have Powerhouses who have completed the Third-Time or even Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing. The Inspection Bureau isn’t willing to provoke them for no reason. As long as they don’t start slaughtering the common folk wholesale, the Inspection Bureau won’t get involved."

"If it really comes down to it, we’ll just have to pay the protection money."

"I’m just afraid the Qingshui Gang won’t be satisfied with just protection money." Xu Ping gave a bitter smile. "Even though the Qingshui Gang isn’t that strong, they were notorious back in West City. You could say they’ve done every evil deed imaginable. Forcing women into prostitution, seizing property, extortion, kidnapping—they did it all. Many of the common people in their territory in West City were driven to ruin, their families broken. I’m afraid that once they establish a foothold here, they’ll go back to their wicked ways."

Lin Yan fell silent, not offering a reply.

...

A quarter of an hour later, Lin Yan left the Xu Family’s home, a pensive look on his face.

From Xu Ping’s words, he now had a deeper understanding of the situation in Guangping County Town.

West City had a gate, and outside it were several towns. It was a hub for trading mountain goods and medicinal herbs, so gangs could make a lot of money by controlling it. North City, on the other hand, had no gate, fewer merchants, and thus less profit to be made. Most gangs looked down on it, which in turn had made it a peaceful place for ordinary people to live.

But the sudden rise of the Four Seas Gang changed everything.

The Four Seas Gang was powerful. On their own, they had wiped out several long-standing gangs in West City. The other gangs had a choice: merge with the Four Seas Gang or leave West City to find their fortunes elsewhere.

The Qingshui Gang was a case in point. But both Lin Yan and Xu Ping knew that the Qingshui Gang would not be the last.

"Xiaoyan is back."

"What Xiaoyan? He’s Lord Lin now."

Returning to his courtyard gate, Lin Yan saw many neighbors standing in the yard, gathered around his aunt and talking.

"Aunt Wang, Aunt Liu..."

Lin Yan greeted the neighbors. Taking the hint, they all began to leave after he returned.

But before they left, they couldn’t resist offering his aunt a few words of praise, saying that with Lin Yan being so promising, she would have a blessed life ahead of her.

"Xiaoyan, will today’s events cause trouble for you?"

After the neighbors left, his aunt’s face filled with worry. In her eyes, a Gang Leader was a monumental figure.

No matter how skilled Lin Yan became in martial arts, in her subconscious, he was still just a child.

"Don’t worry, Aunt. I’ve made a name for myself now, and I’m a disciple of the Yang Family Martial Arts Hall. The Qingshui Gang wouldn’t dare to move against me."

Lin Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly. He recalled his handshake with Cao Peng earlier. In his mind, he had seen that Cao Peng’s Martial Arts Tree was only an inch taller than his own. Furthermore, the leaf for the Stone-Cracking Claw Cultivation Technique was incomplete, indicating that the technique hadn’t even reached the Master Level.