Chapter 379: Should Just Be a Nobody

At the Qi Heavenly Provincial Capital, hundreds of ships of all sizes were docked at the harbor, with members of the Water Transport Guild managing the area in an orderly fashion.

Fishing vessels used a separate small wharf and were not permitted to enter the waters used by cargo ships.

A salty, fishy wind swept across their faces.

"Seawater flows into this river, so the river water carries some saltwater elements."

"The fishing industry here seems highly developed. There are dedicated people at that small wharf purchasing fish products."

Yang Ling's Spirit, which had reached a staggering 280 points, granted him a pair of eyes rivaling an eagle's.

Even from two or three li away, he could clearly see the systematic fish-buying operation at the fishing wharf.

As for the cargo wharf, goods moved in and out with great frequency, carrying everything imaginable, including a fair amount of ore and medicinal herbs.

"Senior Brother Yang, we're almost there. Are you absolutely certain the Ironclad Divine Armor Sutra we discussed a few days ago is on you?"

Lin Zhen's tone carried eager anticipation.

He had only cultivated one Internal Technique so far, partly to ensure his resources were put where they're sharpest.

On the other hand, he couldn't get his hands on another second-rate internal technique, and he refused to settle for a third-rate one.

"If I could have two second-rate Internal Technique Methods, I'd only need a few more years of improvement before I could unleash combat power at least one full tier higher!"

"As for needing more Foundation Consolidation Pills, with the Lin family's wealth, I can easily sustain myself."

At this thought, Lin Zhen's heart couldn't help but thump wildly.

He never imagined that this Palace Master's personal disciple before him would have a spare second-rate internal technique method.

Internal techniques of this grade ought to be the treasured heirlooms of second-rate sects! They would never be casually passed around!

"Don't worry. Everything I'm using to trade for your Lin family's Crimson Ghost Ginseng is on me."

Yang Ling said with a faint smile.

Lin Zhen breathed a sigh of relief, his mind already drifting away from the troubles currently plaguing the Lin family.

Instead, he was imagining what kind of combat power he'd unleash after cultivating a second-rate internal technique.

"Coincidentally, the Foundation Consolidation Pills he's trading are things I can use too..."

"With this, the Lin family loses nothing at all. The Crimson Ghost Ginseng ranks only slightly above the Vital Qi Age Defying among sacred martial medicines..."

With that thought, Lin Zhen couldn't help but curl his lips upward.

As soon as the fast boat docked, Lin Zhen led Yang Ling toward the Lin residence.

Over the past few days, Yang Ling had learned about the Lin family's business scope from Lin Zhen.

Rumor had it that the Lin family's ancestors were miners by trade.

Later, they accumulated a fortune and, seizing an opportunity, secured a Fire Crystal Rock Mine from the Rong State.

From that point on, the Lin family soared to prosperity.

Managing the business through generations, the Lin family became prominent wealthy merchants in the Qi Heavenly Provincial Capital.

Currently, they owned seven mine veins of various types alone.

They also had over thirty weapon shops of varying sizes, covering every prefecture and city in the Qi Heavenly Provincial Capital.

These were the Lin family's core businesses, but the sidelines handled by other branches covered even more ground.

For instance, they dabbled in small-scale medicine shops, restaurants, and even tea houses.

Yang Ling judged that the Lin family's foundation was stronger than a third-rate sect, but nowhere near that of a second-rate sect.

"Even the Mountain and River Sect, being a third-rate sect, has a few mine veins, but their business hasn't reached the Lin family's level."

"Sect Master Liang Yue struggles just to get a few Foundation Consolidation Pills, let alone acquire something as precious as Crimson Ghost Ginseng."

"Senior Brother Yang, that's the Lin residence!"

Lin Zhen pointed at an imposing mansion in the distance.

Yang Ling gave a slight nod, eagerly anticipating the Crimson Ghost Ginseng.

"The Lin family's disciple at Devour Heaven Palace is already the Chief Disciple of Flying Dragon Mountain. They've sent a message to Devour Heaven Palace now. Let's first see what their stance is."

"If Devour Heaven Palace doesn't plan to get involved, we can take the opportunity to pressure the Lin family into handing over the Crimson Ghost Ginseng."

"Instructor Wang, one Crimson Ghost Ginseng should be more than enough to make up for your disciple's injuries, right?"

"Military Officer Mo, I'd appreciate your help in making the connections. As long as the Lin family offers compensation, I won't pursue the matter of their disciple injuring people."

"You're too kind. As long as you follow through on what you've promised me, that's all that matters. My son was born to be a scholar. If he can study at the Star Observation Academy, I can handle any matters in the Qi Heavenly Provincial Capital for you all in the future."

...

Yang Ling glanced out of the corner of his eye toward a tea house in the distance.

Several figures sat by the window over there, their conversation carrying clearly for hundreds of meters, heard perfectly by Yang Ling.

"So it's about the Crimson Ghost Ginseng... So the Lin family's clash with the Star Observation Academy wasn't just a random accident."

A look of understanding dawned in Yang Ling's mind.

Suddenly, a large group of people emerged from the Lin residence, led by a middle-aged elder. He led the crowd in quick steps toward Lin Zhen and Yang Ling.

"Honored personal disciple Yang! I am Lin Baoshan. I heard from Zhen'er that you've made a special trip down from the mountain to help our Lin family in our time of need. I am deeply grateful!"

Lin Baoshan approached and gave a cupped fist salute.

His wife stood right beside him, first casting a gratified look at Lin Zhen, then smiling warmly at Yang Ling.

The rest of the Lin family looked on with a mixture of awe and curiosity.

After all, this person before them was the Palace Master's personal disciple of Devour Heaven Palace.

The personal disciple of a Fourth-Rank Grandmaster!

In the future, he would likely inherit Devour Heaven Palace and become a Fourth-Rank Grandmaster himself!

Someone of this caliber was beyond the reach of even the Lin family in their daily lives.

The highest they could ever interact with was someone like the Flying Dragon Mountain Chief, a Lesser Master and local power!

"Uncle Lin, you're too kind. Senior Brother Lin Zhen's matters are my matters."

Yang Ling clasped his fists and said solemnly, "Since someone is causing trouble for the Lin family this time, of course I must step in and look into it."

Someone was causing trouble for the Lin family?

The Lin family members were briefly stunned, their expressions turning somewhat peculiar.

A young man who had been avoiding eye contact the entire time, face full of guilt, bearing a resemblance to Lin Zhen, suddenly looked up with shining eyes at Yang Ling.

"Honored personal disciple Yang, let's go inside and talk!"

Lin Baoshan instinctively glanced around, then warmly invited Yang Ling into the residence.

Not far away, several pairs of eyes watched the entire scene from beginning to end.

"That young man is Lin Zhen, Lin Baoshan's son. I hear he's already an Upper Sixth-Rank expert."

A rough-looking middle-aged man said with a grave expression.

"Military Officer Mo, who's the other one?"

Across from him sat a Confucian Scholar, around forty or fifty years of age.

"That I wouldn't know. Should just be a nobody.

But since Lin Zhen is back, I think we can head over to the Lin residence and discuss the matter of compensation."

Military Officer Mo said with a smile.

Though an Upper Sixth-Rank expert might be superior to him in martial arts,

he was a military officer of the prefectural yamen of the Qi Heavenly Provincial Capital, holding the official rank of Sixth-Rank.

Under his command were five thousand elite soldiers.

As long as he didn't run into a Lesser Master, a mere Upper Sixth-Rank expert wasn't worth worrying about.

Even a Lesser Master could be ground down! It would just cost a bit more.

"Then I'll trouble Military Officer Mo to lead the way."

The Confucian Scholar said with a smile, cupping his hands.

"You're too kind! A small matter like this isn't worth mentioning!"

Military Officer Mo drained his tea in one gulp, radiating bold heroism.