Chapter 11

This punch, swift as the wind, fierce as fire!

It was the sixth move of the Marching Fist technique—Fires of War.

Luting was very familiar with this move, having used it more than once before. However, when he saw Lin Xun deliver this punch, he suddenly sensed a completely different flavor.

The punch was so intensely fierce, like a raging wildfire on a barren plain, overwhelming and unstoppable!

Is this also Fires of War?

A thought flashed through Luting's mind.

Bang~

The two fists collided, the air emitting a dull explosion, and a sharp, piercing sound suddenly scattered.

Thud, thud, thud!

Luting felt as if his fingers were about to break, a sharp pain piercing his heart. His entire body was violently thrown back, and he couldn't help but let out a muffled groan.

If he hadn't used his full strength in time, this single blow could have seriously injured him!

How can this kid be so strong in combat?

Luting was shocked. He had thought that dealing with a frail, twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy would be easy, but who would have thought that this seemingly weak youth was actually a formidable opponent.

"Good kid! I'll settle the score with you next time!"

Luting realized the situation was not good. As soon as he steadied himself, he vanished into the night, disappearing in a few breaths.

Lin Xun didn't chase after him. Watching his opponent flee, he secretly let out a sigh of relief, only then feeling a burning pain throughout his body.

Although that punch successfully repelled Luting, it had consumed nearly half of Lin Xun's spiritual energy. This wasn't the main issue; the key was that Lin Xun's meridians, which had been damaged since childhood, were extremely fragile and couldn't withstand such intense spiritual energy flow.

The Marching Fist, though a basic technique widely used in the empire's military, had its unique method of energy circulation.

This technique was expansive and powerful, swift as thunder and lightning. When performing it, one needed to fully mobilize one's spiritual energy, circulating it through the meridians and acupoints, gathering it in the palms and fingers.

If the meridians were too fragile, they couldn't withstand such intense energy circulation.

Given Lin Xun's current physical condition, using the full power of "Fires of War" was already pushing his limits.

The last two moves of the Marching Fist, "Raging Sea Crushing Mountains" and "Bloody Battle in All Directions," were even more fierce and powerful. If Lin Xun were to force himself to use them, he would only harm himself, making it a losing proposition.

Sigh~

Standing in the courtyard, which was in disarray, Lin Xun exhaled a long breath, reflecting on the events of the night.

"It seems the village guard leader, Lian Rufeng, and others are clearly unwelcoming of my arrival. Why are they doing this?"

Lin Xun couldn't figure it out.

"Lin Xun, can I come in?" The voice of the village chief, Xiao Tianren, came from outside the door.

"Uncle Xiao, please come in quickly. I have something urgent to discuss with you." Lin Xun collected his thoughts and hurriedly opened the door to welcome Xiao Tianren.

"Earlier..."

Lin Xun opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Xiao Tianren, who sighed and waved his hand. "I already know. This isn't your fault."

Lin Xun frowned. "Uncle Xiao, I just arrived and don't understand the village's situation. The events of tonight were quite unexpected. Could you give me some guidance?"

Xiao Tianren stood in the courtyard, looking at the aftermath of the battle, his expression filled with regret. After a long pause, he said, "I didn't expect Lian Rufeng to attack you, a stranger. It seems he has decided to fully align with the Qingyang Tribe."

Lin Xun pondered, Qingyang Tribe? He had heard of this place. The villagers of Fiyun Village needed to exchange spirit grains for daily necessities at the Qingyang Tribe.

Lian Rufeng, the head of the village guards, was responsible for this task, leading a group of guards to transport goods between the Qingyang Tribe and Fiyun Village.

"Lian Rufeng is the most powerful cultivator in the village and has high prestige. He wasn't always like this. Ever since his son, Lian Fei, was sent to Donglin City for cultivation, he has changed."

Xiao Tianren continued, "Lian Fei is a very intelligent child and the most talented in cultivation in the village. To help him advance further, Lian Rufeng, as a father, paid a great price, asking the chief of the Qingyang Tribe to help send Lian Fei to Donglin City to join a famous martial arts school."

Lin Xun listened quietly, knowing the situation was more complex than it seemed.

Sure enough, Xiao Tianren soon revealed the truth: "For a child from a poor village, cultivation is not easy. The daily expenses are a significant amount of wealth. To ensure his son could focus on cultivation, Lian Rufeng began to take advantage of the village."

"You know, as the head of the village guards, Lian Rufeng is responsible for transporting the village's spirit grains to the Qingyang Tribe to exchange for supplies. In the past, each exchange was worth about 300 imperial copper coins, but in recent years, the amount of supplies he brings back has gradually decreased, and sometimes he returns empty-handed."

Xiao Tianren's voice carried a hint of anger. "If it were for Lian Fei's cultivation, we could understand and tolerate some private deductions. However, he has become more and more excessive, bringing back fewer supplies, which is now threatening the villagers' livelihood. This is unacceptable!"

Lin Xun suddenly remembered that when he saw Lian Rufeng earlier, the man was wearing a pendant made of "Purple Sandalwood Cloud Fragrance Wood," worth ten imperial silver coins, equivalent to 1,000 copper coins.

Moreover, Lian Rufeng was wearing a pair of "Spirit Pattern Long Boots," even more expensive than the pendant.

Lin Xun had been puzzled at the time. A villager from a poor village in the mountains, even with a cultivation level of the fourth stage of the "Opening the Mansion" realm, could not possibly afford such expensive items.

Now, Lin Xun understood. Over the years, Lian Rufeng must have taken advantage of his position to embezzle a large amount of wealth.

Xiao Tianren sighed. "I've warned Lian Rufeng multiple times to be more restrained. As long as he doesn't threaten the villagers' livelihood, I wouldn't interfere. Unfortunately, he has been blinded by wealth and cannot return to his former self."

Lin Xun asked, "Was the argument in the ancestral hall today about this issue?"

Xiao Tianren nodded. "Yes, this time he brought back the least supplies in recent years, severely affecting the villagers' lives. In the future, everyone will have to live frugally to get through the hard times."

His aged face was filled with sorrow and anger.

"Indeed, it's too much."

Lin Xun frowned but didn't say more.

"What can we do? He is the most powerful cultivator in the village and the only one familiar with the route and connections to the Qingyang Tribe. Without him, the villagers' survival would become even more difficult."

Xiao Tianren sighed helplessly.

Lin Xun pondered for a moment. "So, Lian Rufeng is taking advantage of the village's dependence on him, which is why he acts so recklessly."

Xiao Tianren nodded with a grim expression.

Lin Xun thought for a long time. "But why did he send people to attack me tonight? Could it be related to his alignment with the Qingyang Tribe?"

"This is what worries me."

Xiao Tianren said anxiously, "I have a feeling that Lian Rufeng is secretly plotting something detrimental to Fiyun Village. If he succeeds, all the villagers will suffer."

Lin Xun's suspicions were confirmed. "So, my sudden arrival might have made Lian Rufeng suspicious, leading him to send people to investigate me to prevent any interference with his plans?"

"Your guess is likely correct."

Xiao Tianren looked at Lin Xun with surprise, impressed by the young man's sharp insight.

"That makes sense."

Lin Xun's pale face showed a hint of relief. "Now that I understand the reason, I don't need to worry anymore."

"Aren't you afraid Lian Rufeng will send more people to attack you?"

Xiao Tianren couldn't help but ask.

"Since I know this, I will take the necessary precautions. As long as they can't kill me, I will make them pay a price they can't bear."

Lin Xun said casually, his eyes clear and calm, a smile on his lips, but his words carried a chilling ruthlessness.

This was Lin Xun. Beneath his frail and harmless appearance lay a decisiveness and ruthlessness that few could imagine. Otherwise, he wouldn't have survived the dark and hopeless mine prison.

Mr. Lu had taught him the means to survive and a heart that never gives up, like the warmth of the sun. The guards and prisoners in the mine prison had made Lin Xun realize the true darkness and cruelty of the world.

Xiao Tianren gazed at Lin Xun for a long time. "You don't seem like a twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy."

Lin Xun smiled and shrugged. "But I am only thirteen this year."

Xiao Tianren waved his hand, changing the subject. "Lin Xun, now that you know the village's situation, do you still want to stay? Think carefully. Staying means you might face many dangers."

Lin Xun replied without hesitation. "Stay! Why not? This is my first place to live in the Ziyao Empire. I won't leave until I'm ready to move on."

Seeing this, Xiao Tianren didn't say more. He patted Lin Xun's shoulder. "You are different from other young people. I won't try to persuade you. Since you've decided to stay, you are a part of Fiyun Village. I may not have much power, but I will do my best to protect you."

With that, Xiao Tianren turned and left.

Lin Xun watched the old man leave, then stretched lazily, muttering, "Being afraid of trouble isn't my character..."

That night, Lin Xun didn't meditate as usual. Instead, he sat alone in the darkness, deep in thought. Finally, he got up and, under the dim light of the moon, opened an old wooden box.

He then placed the "Yellowed Scroll" and the mysterious "Dark Gray Seal Pen" on his desk, took a deep breath, and sat up straight.

After Luting fled from Lin Xun's house, he hurriedly left Fiyun Village and arrived at a small hill several miles away.