Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 118: Chapter 20: Lin Chen - Big Bro, Remember, You Saw Nothing

Detention House!

In the dimly lit room filled with torture instruments, several fishermen-dressed commoners stood trembling in the corner.

The commoners, naturally fearful of government officials.

Especially in the villages and towns below, the times they deal with officials in their lifetime can be counted on one hand.

A constable walked in, glanced at the fishermen standing against the wall: ”State your household registration names.”

The constable held a pen and paper, glanced at them, with a look that couldn’t be described as fierce, but also lacked a smile.

”Lord Official, I’m Zhang Quan from Liu Village.”

”I’m Cai Wu from Cai Family Village.”

...

”Lin Liang from Linhu Village.”

The constable taking notes heard this and looked up: ”Linhu Village?”

The name Linhu Village resounded throughout Poyang County more than ten years ago, but that was in the past. Just last month, Linhu Village became famous again, often mentioned by townsfolk.

There is Scholar Jiang, as well as the top student from the martial arts hall last month, Lin Chen, who also came from Linhu Village.

Although Lin Chen’s skills can’t compare to Scholar Jiang’s, the impact of the first and second events is different.

Now there is a prevailing opinion among the townsfolk that Linhu Village is a feng shui treasure land, and many want to move their ancestral graves there.

”Lord Official, Lin Chen is my real brother.”

Lin Liang, although honest, was not stupid. He didn’t know what crime he had committed, but at that moment, he had to mention his brother.

Brother Chen seriously instructed him when leaving the village that if anything happens in the future, he should mention his name immediately and not be afraid of causing trouble.

As Brother Chen jokingly said, he now has some fame in Poyang County, and mentioning his name in case of trouble might earn him some leeway.

Otherwise, even if he could settle the matter afterward, the losses would already have been suffered.

Ordinary commoners without power or influence had no choice, but having a backing and not mentioning it is not clever but foolish.

Brother Chen said this very seriously, and Lin Liang kept it in mind.

He spent most of his time in the village, and it goes without saying, Brother Chen was accomplished, and now everyone in the village admired Brother Chen, and they treated him warmly.

As for going out to the lake to fish, the neighboring fishermen were all familiar acquaintances, and they were eager to curry favor with him.

Lin Liang thought he would never encounter a situation where he needed to mention his brother’s name.

But when he went fishing today, the shocking scene he saw and the arrival of the officers made him realize that this matter was big.

If he didn’t mention his brother’s name, he might indeed be just a fool, as his brother said.

”Lin Chen from Linhu Village?” The constable was taken aback and pressed, ”From Jingshui Martial Arts Hall?”

”Yes, that’s my brother.”

Upon hearing Lin Liang’s confirmation, a faint smile appeared on the constable’s face. After recording the names of the other fishermen, he left the room.

Outside.

Two men stood. The constable quickly approached one of them and said, ”Mr. Li, Mr. You, I’ve confirmed the identities of these fishermen; they are from the villages around Poyang Lake, but one of them has a somewhat special identity.”

”In what way special?”

”Mr. Li, one of them is from Linhu Village and is the brother of Lin Chen.”

Li Shuang and You Siqi exchanged a glance, a peculiar look in their eyes. Being Lin Chen’s brother, this matter was getting tricky.

”Junior Brother Li, since this concerns Lin Chen’s brother, we can’t handle this matter simply.”

You Siqi spoke. Just two hours ago, dozens of corpses suddenly appeared on Poyang Lake, causing an uproar in the entire government office.

However, when they rushed to Poyang Lake, the military had already appeared and sealed off that area, and then the county government ordered them to fully cooperate with the military.

”You may withdraw for now.”

Li Shuang waved his hand for his subordinate to leave, leaving just him and You Siqi in the courtyard.

”Senior Brother You, now that there are no outsiders, feel free to speak your mind.”

You Siqi’s face darkened: ”Junior Brother, having been in the government office for a long time, you should know about the events that happened on Poyang Lake seven years ago.”

”Seven years ago?”

Li Shuang’s pupils contracted sharply. Seven years ago, he was just a constable, not a chief constable. A mysterious event had occurred on Poyang Lake back then, and similarly, a Hundred Households from the military had intervened, and a dozen fishermen were taken away afterward.

The military claimed they were recruiting labor and compensated each of these fishermen’s families with thirty taels of silver.

”Junior Brother Li, although those fishermen sent letters and remittances every year, none of them ever returned.”

There was a bright light in You Siqi’s eyes. He was just a constable back then but helped the military take away the fishermen.

Dozens of deaths should have been a big deal, yet the news never spread in the county town, as if an invisible hand was suppressing it.

As for the fishermen, their expressions were panicked, as if they’d seen something unimaginable.

At the time, he thought they were just frightened by the corpses, but the more he thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong.

The most crucial point was that these fishermen couldn’t possibly be fierce beasts. He didn’t understand why the military took them away.

Needing labor to build a military camp wouldn’t require recruiting from Poyang County.

Thirty taels of recruitment fee, it’s too high!

”Senior Brother You, do you mean that this group of fishermen will also be taken away?”

”Quite possibly.”

You Siqi nodded, ”This group of fishermen was brought by the two of us. If they are finally taken away by the military camp, I’m afraid they will never come back, and Lin Chen couldn’t possibly find the military camp; eventually, this debt will surely fall on our heads.”

Thirty taels of recruitment fee is already very high for ordinary people, but for a genius student like Lin Chen, it’s not a big deal.

Li Shuang also hesitated a bit, ”So, according to Senior Brother You, should we secretly release Lin Liang?”

”Just releasing Lin Liang won’t do. The other fishermen might speak out. If we release them, release them all together.”

You Siqi decided resolutely, as long as he explained clearly to his subordinates, the people from the military camp wouldn’t find out a few fishermen were missing.

”Senior Brother You, let’s do as you say. After all, they’re just a few fishermen, not murderers.”

Li Shuang, being a decisive person, agreed deeply. The people coming from the army won’t stay long in Poyang County, but Lin Chen is a native of Poyang County, and he doesn’t want to offend such a talented martial artist.

As Li Shuang and You Siqi made their decision, a constable hurriedly entered from outside the courtyard.

”You, Young Master Lin from Jingshui Martial Arts Hall is here to see you.”

You Siqi and Li Shuang exchanged a glance. It seems Lin Chen has a very close relationship with his big brother, coming to the government office so quickly.

”Junior Brother Li, I leave this to you to finish up. Ensure those fishermen keep their mouths shut and don’t talk nonsense after leaving.”

”I know how to handle it.”

”Then I’ll take Lin Liang to see Lin Chen.”

...

...

Lin Liang stayed in the house for a while, feeling somewhat uneasy. When he saw the door open and a familiar figure walked in, he felt a sense of relief.

He had seen this person before, Chief Constable You from the government office.

”Lin Liang, come with me.”

You Siqi saw Lin Liang immediately, left these words, and turned to leave.

Lin Liang didn’t hesitate and followed, while the other fishermen in the room looked at him enviously. This is the benefit of having a powerful martial artist brother.

Out of the courtyard, Lin Liang was about to speak, but You Siqi cut him off, ”Your brother is in the main hall, someone will take you to him.”

If it were any other time, You Siqi would naturally meet Lin Chen.

But the current situation is unusual; he doesn’t want to offend Lin Chen, nor does he want to be too involved in this matter.

In the reception hall of the constable’s office, several constables were smiling warmly, complimenting Lin Chen. Most of these constables were in the realm of opening three to six acupuncture points.

To them, Lin Chen not only had high potential, but his current strength also far surpassed their own.

Lin Chen wasn’t putting on airs, chit-chatting with the constables here and there. When he heard footsteps, he immediately looked towards the main hall entrance.

”Big Brother!”

Seeing his big brother following behind the constables, Lin Chen stood up from his chair.

”Young Master Lin, Chief Constable You said there was a murder case on Poyang Lake, and the constable office was ordered to investigate all suspicious persons, but your big brother isn’t a suspect, it’s just a misunderstanding.”

The leading constable smiled, explaining to Lin Chen, and continued, ”With the murder case happening, Chief Constable You is busy with solving it and can’t come over, we ask for your understanding.”

”Chief Constable You is busy with official duties; I wouldn’t dare disturb him. Please convey my thanks to him.”

The moment Lin Chen heard that Chief Constable You wouldn’t show up, a thoughtful look appeared in his eyes. Under normal circumstances, no matter how busy Chief Constable You was, he could have spared the time to meet with him once.

From a certain perspective, the government office wrongfully detaining his big brother offended them first. If Chief Constable You didn’t want to create enmity, he should have personally explained.

Lin Chen looked at his big brother. Judging by his appearance, his brother didn’t seem to have suffered any grievances, yet years of brotherhood allowed him to see fear in his brother’s eyes.

”I won’t bother you any further with your work, farewell.”

Lin Chen left the constable’s office with his big brother. Once outside the main hall, Lin Liang couldn’t help but say, ”Brother Chen, I... I saw a giant fish’s corpse while fishing, its head was larger than...”

”Big Brother, you were seeing things.”

Lin Chen interrupted his brother. His brother’s words were like a flash of lightning, resolving his inner doubts.

There was a murder case on Poyang Lake; under normal circumstances, catching his fishing brother wouldn’t make sense.

So, it was because of the big fish that his brother just mentioned...

Lin Liang was stunned, not expecting his brother to say that. He clearly saw the fish’s corpse, as big as a fishing boat.

At the time, he was frightened and rowed back, only to be seized by the officials before even reaching the shore.

”Big Brother, you didn’t see any big fish’s corpse; you were fishing as usual and then inexplicably captured by the constables, and you know nothing else.”

Lin Chen stopped walking, looking serious. Although Lin Liang didn’t understand why his brother wanted him to say this, he knew that if Brother Chen wanted him to say so, there must be a reason, so he nodded emphatically.

”Hmm, the village chief also came. When you see him, say the same thing.”

Seeing his brother agreeing, Lin Chen smiled again, but deep down, a shadow lingered.

There’s a big fish in Poyang Lake. His brother has fished there for a long time, and seeing a fish as long as a person isn’t unusual, but if it frightened his brother, how big must this fish be?

So, there’s a scene unknown to him in this world.

Demon... or monster?