Linhu Village.
The entire village was in an uproar!
Lin Chen defeated Zhou Fei from Liu Village, and the news spread rapidly throughout the village.
It even started to spread to other villages.
"Our village's Lin Chen is impressive. That Zhou Fei studied at the martial arts hall for two years, yet Lin Chen defeated him in just two moves."
"Of course, Lin Chen is the top of the Martial Hall. What is that Zhou Fei anyway? He only developed Essence Qi after two years of training, not even on the same level."
"Our village chief is smart. Back then, some people grumbled when he asked us to pool money, but now we see how much benefit Lin Chen brings to our village."
As the elder village chief, Zhao Canghe had high prestige in the village, able to mobilize the villagers. However, asking them for money still left a small group reluctant.
But after today, these villagers had no more complaints!
The villagers of Linhu were excited, discussing the matter at length, and eventually someone brought it back to a familiar topic.
"Lin Chaoyang was indeed muddleheaded!"
...
...
Lin Family Ancestral Residence.
Since the family's split, the ancestral residence had lost its former liveliness.
Lin Chaoyang sat in the courtyard, basking in the sun, the age spots on his face clearly visible.
From the past year to now, his aging was visibly apparent.
"Eldest brother, what's happening in the village? I heard quite the commotion from outside just now."
Uncle Lin Hai, hearing his father's inquiry, chuckled, "Dad, people from Liu Village got into a fight with our village. That Liu Village's chief's grandson Zhou Fei had been training at the martial arts hall for a year. Relying on being a martial artist, he attacked our village but got taken down by Chen in two moves. It was so satisfying!"
Lin Hai had been there at the time, and now he vividly described the scene.
"That Zhou Fei, talked up as so talented by Liu, couldn't compare to Chen at all."
"Stop calling him Chen; even if you recognize him as a nephew, he may not recognize you as an uncle."
Sneering, the Auntie added, which made Lin Chaoyang and Lin Hai both look a bit embarrassed.
The courtyard fell silent instantly.
"You woman, what nonsense are you talking!"
Seeing his father silent, Lin Hai glared at his wife.
"I'm not talking nonsense. This is what the whole village says now; they all say Dad is muddleheaded."
The Auntie no longer had her former respect for her father-in-law, Lin Chaoyang, who glanced at his eldest daughter-in-law, he understood it too.
In the past, this eldest daughter-in-law had served him earnestly and spoke sweetly because he had value in her eyes.
Now that the Lin family had split, lost their lands, he could no longer provide money, and his daughter-in-law dropped the facade.
Only the third family would visit around holidays, bring some food. As for the second, though not pushed to separate like the third back then, held grievances, Xi'Er and Hui'Er seldom visited the ancestral residence anymore.
There's no one else to blame, only himself.
Truly muddleheaded, hedged the wrong bets on Lin's promising child.
"Can you say a little less?"
"Would it help if I said less? Could Chen recognize you as uncle or his grandfather again? Now all we can rely on is Ming'Er."
"I tell you, woman..."
Lin Chaoyang's vision blurred a bit, no longer cared for his elder son's and daughter-in-law's arguments.
Regret crept in!
...
...
Linhu Village, Ancestral Hall.
Elder village chief Zhao Canghe brought Lin Chen for worship again.
Lin Chen didn't quite know what to say, feeling as if he had won a battle against a neighboring country's general by defeating a neighbor's martial artist.
"Fighting against neighbors is no different from a general on an expedition. First, pay respects to the ancestors of our village."
The elder village chief understood Lin Chen's thoughts, lit incense and handed it to him, who after offering, placed it in the censer.
"Village chief, will there be any follow-up to this?" After the ceremony, Lin Chen asked with concern.
He couldn't stay in the village for long, worrying Liu Village might cause further troubles.
"No aftermath. You've made a stand today, scared Liu Village thoroughly; they won't dare trouble us again."
Zhao Canghe squinted his old eyes: "On the contrary, we can expand our fishing zone a bit more."
"You discuss this matter with the villagers. I fully support your stance."
Lin Chen was very satisfied with the village chief's approach. That's exactly how it should be. Liu Village was the first to extend their hand, and one cannot simply chop off that hand to resolve it.
If they dare to provoke, they must pay the price.
"I'll handle the village matters, don't worry. Liu Village wouldn't dare do anything to your family, but just to be safe, let others from the village accompany your father and brother when they go fishing on the lake."
Zhao Canghe looked at Lin Chen with concern and said, "But won't the county's martial arts hall give you trouble?"
"No."
For martial artists, it's all about strength. Zhou Fei had opened four acupoints but was defeated by me with three. The Mantis Martial Arts Hall wouldn't stand up for Zhou Fei.
The Mantis Martial Arts Hall cannot afford to lose face like this!
"I figure, once our village occupies Liu Village's fishing area, Zhou Quan will go to the town to lodge a complaint, but our argument stands. They were the ones who started it. There's no fear of him lodging a complaint."
"Leave the matters in the town to you, village chief."
"What do you mean, hard work? If it weren't for you, our village would actually suffer a loss. Train well, and if you encounter any difficulties, write back. These old bones of mine can still come up with some solutions for you."
Zhao Canghe patted Lin Chen's shoulder. Lin Chen understood the chief's intention, if he ran out of money, the chief would find a way to gather some more for him.
"This time Liu Qiong compensated us with twenty-one taels. Seven injured among Luo Si's group, each gets to keep one tael, and the remaining two taels are for you to take to the martial hall."
"Village chief, won't that be inappropriate?" Lin Chen hesitated.
"Without your intervention, they wouldn't have gotten a penny of compensation. I checked, the injuries aren't severe, resting for ten days should be enough, even earning one tael is a profit."
Zhao Canghe laughed and continued, "I've already talked it over with them. Everyone has no objections, so that's how we'll handle it."
"I'll listen to you, village chief." Lin Chen smiled faintly and no longer refused.
...
...
Liu Village.
"Dad, Lin Chen was too ruthless. The doctor said Fei'Er can't get out of bed for three months. Should we tell the Mantis Martial Arts Hall instructor, so they can stand up for Fei'Er?"
"Foolish!"
Zhou Quan looked at his son impatiently and said, "Lin Chen joined the martial hall this year, and Xiao Fei has been there for a year, yet Xiao Fei still lost to Lin Chen. Do you think the Mantis Martial Arts Hall will stand up for Xiao Fei? If the word gets out, the instructors at the Mantis Martial Arts Hall will only be displeased with Xiao Fei!"
"So that's it?"
"What else do you want?" Zhou Quan glared at his son, "You go take revenge on Lin Chen. I won't stop you."
Zhou Quan's son looked disheartened, knowing he dared not seek revenge on Lin Chen.
"That old Zhao Canghe is not easy to deal with. This time Linhu Village got the upper hand. I'm afraid they'll occupy some of our water territories as well."
"Ah, what should we do?"
"We can only ask the town mayor to resolve it, get the mayor to persuade that old Zhao Canghe."
Zhou Quan's old face showed a pained expression, knowing visiting the mayor would mean giving gifts and spending money. But if they didn't spend this money, and if Linhu Village encroached on Liu Village's fishing areas, the villagers would blame the Zhou Family, harboring resentment against them. Then, it will be difficult for the eldest and the second to continue as village chiefs of Liu Village.
...
...
Three days later!
It was still that pine forest.
But Lin Chen's figure was no longer weaving through the woods; instead, he was gliding on the top of the pine forest, his figure like a swallow stepping on the pine branches.
Standing atop the tree, Lin Chen's peripheral vision caught the village chief walking towards him. He gently tapped his right foot, and with a 'Swallow's Nest', he landed steadily on the ground, waiting for the village chief to arrive.
"Chen, are you done training?"
"I knew you were coming, village chief, so I waited for you."
Zhao Canghe chuckled at this, "Stop being witty. Here's the good news for you. That old Zhou Quan really went to the mayor, saying our village encroached on Liu Village's fishing areas, but the mayor kicked him out, gift in hand, without even accepting the offerings."
"Why is that?"
Lin Chen was somewhat surprised. According to logic, even if the mayor in Kaohe Town wasn't pleased with Liu Village's provocation, he shouldn't have shunned them outright.
Was he giving Zhou Quan a warning?
"I found out that the matters in our village were spread to the town the same day. Several prominent families in town expressed their stance, saying Liu Village brought it upon themselves."
"The owner of Cheng's Cloth Shop, the owner of Zhao's Tavern, the owner of Lu Family Pharmacy... and even the Xu and Yan Families..."
Hearing the village chief's words, Lin Chen instantly understood what was happening.
The families of his fellow disciples supported him.
In the network of the Martial Path, he had established his connections in Kaohe Town.
Zhou Fei was no match for him in strength, nor in network connections.