Chapter 7: Brothers, Grab Your Gear, Follow Me
Several days passed.
During this period, Lin Fan’s daily routine was very steady. Every day, he got up to practice Staff Technique for an hour, filled his stomach, then went to Qingfang Private School to study the Law. Upon returning to the wharf, he had people swing clubs to help him cultivate Beginner Body Refining.
In the warehouse.
Dull thumping sounds continued nonstop.
Lin Fan was bare-chested, revealing his muscular upper body. He stood in a horse stance, gritted his teeth, and let two subordinates swing clubs at his body.
The subordinates were long accustomed to this.
They had gone from initial shock to current admiration, all after witnessing it firsthand. At the same time, their admiration for their own leader ran deep to their core.
Who among normal people could endure such beatings.
If it were them, they would have been beaten unable to get out of bed long ago.
But Brother Lin, on the contrary, grew more spirited with each hit, like a terrifying beast that knew no pain.
Whenever they faced Brother Lin, they always felt a sense of oppression.
Thus, their attitude toward Lin Fan gradually evolved from envy to the current awe.
At this moment, outside the warehouse, a subordinate in gang attire brought an old man to the entrance. The subordinate took several deep breaths, as if having made some decision, then walked toward the warehouse.
“Second Uncle, I don’t know if this matter can succeed, but once inside, don’t speak carelessly.”
“Got it, Second Uncle got it.”
The old man was hunched over, carrying a bamboo basket covered with a layer of cloth. He nodded repeatedly at his nephew’s words. As a fisherman living on a fishing boat, he made a living catching fish and selling to fishmongers. Though he didn’t earn much, he could get by.
But who could have thought his only son would suddenly fall ill, like a living dead. In that moment, the pillar of the family collapsed.
The only son needed medicine to stay alive.
The grandson was young and still needed raising.
Pressure like a great mountain weighed on him.
Knowing his nephew was at Loyalty Hall’s Jili Wharf, he hoped his nephew could lend a hand and help him secure a fishing stall position at the wharf.
After all, selling fish to fishmongers earned far too little.
Entering the warehouse, the old man was so nervous his breathing grew labored, while his nephew beside him was also cautious, visibly tense, looking like he didn’t dare make such a request.
After all, Second Uncle had no money to rent a fishing stall and was hoping for a few months’ leeway to pay back slowly.
To be honest, even he felt this request was excessive.
This was Loyalty Hall’s turf, not a charity hall.
Seeing Brother Lin was busy, he kept his head low, standing motionless and waiting. He knew this was something Brother Lin did every day.
He was used to it, but for Second Uncle, it was the first time seeing it.
Only now did the old man clearly see what his nephew’s leader looked like: a sturdy, imposing body full of explosive power. The two swinging clubs had ferocious expressions, each swing landing solidly on the other’s body. When lifting the clubs, faint traces of blood could be seen splattering in the air.
Half of the warehouse was bright, half shady.
Light and shadow divided like a cutting line, delineating Lin Fan.
In the old man’s eyes, it was more like a ferocious beast.
The old man felt chills in his heart, his legs trembling with the urge to flee, but thinking of the situation at home, he steeled himself and waited.
Suddenly.
An angry shout accompanied by a cracking sound echoed through the warehouse.
Two wooden sticks snapped in response, one broken section rolling with a gurgle to the old man’s feet.
The old man looked down at it. This wooden stick was as thick as an arm, yet it had been broken, filling the old man with utter dread.
【Beginner Body Refining（Beginner1/300）】
At this moment, a smile appeared on Lin Fan’s lips. After days of effort, he had finally reached Beginner.
He felt the surge of warm current in his body, an indescribable refreshment in his limbs and bones. He could clearly sense his power strengthening, and his flesh body intensity greatly improving.
The two subordinates beside him immediately brought towels.
“Thanks.”
Lin Fan took the towel and wiped the sweat from his face, while the two subordinates wiped the bloodstains from his body. To these two subordinates, the Brother Lin before them was truly too terrifying.
Enduring arm-thick wooden sticks without a single grunt.
He was even smiling now.
They had tried it before too, but after one hit, they completely gave up the idea.
It hurt like hell.
After wiping his face, a subordinate respectfully took the towel. At this time, Lin Fan looked toward the door. “Qian Tao, something wrong?”
Qian Tao immediately stepped forward reverently. “Brother Lin, this is my Second Uncle. He has a small matter hoping Brother Lin can agree to.”
Second Uncle?
Lin Fan looked at the somewhat timid old man and smiled. “Old Man, what is it? Speak up.”
“Master Lin, this lowly one wants to rent a fishing stall on your turf.” The old man said shakily.
“Fishing stall, hmm, sure.”
Lin Fan could tell at a glance that this old man made a living fishing, weathered by sun and rain, skin dark as ink. As for renting a fishing stall, it was surely because he didn’t want to sell to fishmongers, hoping to earn more.
Qian Tao said, “Brother Lin, something happened in my Second Uncle’s family, so he doesn’t have stall fees for now. Could we have two months’ leeway? He’ll make it up then for sure.”
Lin Fan smiled. “No problem, we’re all brothers here. Two months’ leeway is no big deal.”
Seeing Brother Lin agree so readily, Qian Tao’s eyes reddened with gratitude.
He truly hadn’t expected Brother Lin to be so straightforward.
“Brother Lin, thank you so much.”
Lin Fan patted his shoulder. “No need, brothers saying thanks is being a stranger. Besides, I’ve seen how diligently you work at the wharf. Keep it up.”
“Yes.”
At this time, the old man hurriedly offered the bamboo basket, but before he could speak, Lin Fan cut him off.
“Old Man, take the things back. Qian Tao is my brother, and you’re his Second Uncle, so no need to be so formal.”
“This…”
The old man looked to his nephew for help. Master Lin wouldn’t accept it—what now?
“Brother Lin, you see…” Qian Tao wanted Brother Lin to accept it to ease Second Uncle’s mind, but seeing Brother Lin’s firm refusal, he nodded and had Second Uncle take it back.
Moments later, Qian Tao led his Second Uncle away.
Lin Fan watched their departing figures, sighing inwardly. At this moment, he deeply realized that for some people, a casual agreement could affect an entire family.
His actions just now deeply moved the surrounding subordinates.
They realized Brother Lin was truly righteous.
Working under such a man, they were willing from the heart.
Seeming to notice his subordinates’ gazes, Lin Fan nodded to them, as if to say: work hard, follow me, and I won’t hog the glory.
And what you need to give is.
Loyalty!
Outside the warehouse.
The old man grabbed his nephew’s hand. “Nephew, you’ve made it big.”
Qian Tao patted Second Uncle’s hand without saying much. When he first joined Loyalty Hall, his family had opposed it, and even relatives around had gossiped behind his back.
Always thinking he was doing something wicked outside.
Now that they needed his help, he knew after this, his family and surrounding relatives’ attitudes toward him would surely change.
But he understood this was given by Brother Lin.
It gave him the right to stand tall before his family.
……
The sun set in the west.
In the warehouse, Lin Fan stopped his actions and put the wooden stick back in place. These days’ efforts had been very effective.
【Beginner Staff Technique（Great Accomplishment452/1000）】
【Beginner Body Refining（Beginner1/300）】
Clenching his fist tightly, he felt like he could now punch a cow to death with one hit.
An illusion?
Probably not.
The effects of Beginner Body Refining exceeded imagination.
But he never grew complacent. These were just crude techniques gained through hard work, far inferior to true martial arts.
Though so far, even the Public Security Bureau constables knew nothing of martial arts’ existence, which undoubtedly increased the difficulty of acquiring it.
But there were also benefits.
That was, in Yong’an City, he could use his current abilities to stand firm faster.
Once he joined the Public Security Bureau as a constable, he would spare no effort to accumulate merit and climb up. His current goal was crystal clear.
Join the Public Security Bureau, climb up.
Ultimately contact the martial arts ordinary people cannot reach.
Just as he was packing up to head back, Wu Yong came running in, face bruised and swollen, looking panicked.
“Brother Lin, trouble.”
Seeing Wu Yong, Lin Fan’s expression changed slightly. All day, Wu Yong had been grabbed by the Hall Master for grunt work, apparently because the Hall Master’s concubine loved shopping and had lots to carry.
But now Wu Yong returned in such a sorry state, meaning the Hall Master had run into trouble.
Without much thought.
“Lead the way, talk while walking.”
Listening first would waste time.
Hearing it on the road made perfect use of time.
Out of the warehouse.
“Fuck, brothers, grab your weapons, follow me.”
With one angry roar, they responded in droves. Subordinates preparing to head home gathered neatly.
