021. Nine Grades of Martial Arts

Xiao Qiang’s tone was even more solemn than when he had spoken to Lin Shan earlier. He gestured for two people to enter the great hall.

There were two men.

The first appeared to be in his forties, with a sturdy build, a square face, and a dignified countenance. He wore a black martial arts suit.

The other man looked to be about twenty, with reasonably handsome features. He was dressed in a white martial arts suit, though it was embroidered with numerous patterns that made it look somewhat gaudy.

Upon entering, both men studied Lin Shan. The middle-aged man nodded at him with a look of genuine goodwill, while the younger man observed him with a scrutinizing gaze.

"Come, Lin Shan, let me introduce you."

Xiao Qiang first pointed to the middle-aged man. "This is Ge Yan, our honored retainer. He has been with the Xiao family for twenty years, and every time we have faced a crisis, it was thanks to him that we emerged unscathed."

Xiao Qiang’s tone was filled with emotion and sincere gratitude.

Ge Yan smiled slightly. "Brother Xiao, you are too kind."

Xiao Qiang chuckled, then gestured toward the young man. "This is Lin Ping. As it happens, you share the same surname. Retainer Lin has only been with our Xiao family for three years."

Lin Ping lifted his chin slightly, appearing somewhat arrogant.

It was evident that Xiao Qiang’s tone when speaking to Lin Ping was not as relaxed as it had been earlier. After the introductions, Xiao Qiang invited them, "Come, come, join me at the table."

Once seated, Ge Yan took the initiative. "Brother Lin, I heard that it was you who rescued Xiao Xiao. Thank you very much."

Lin Shan replied indifferently, "It was a mere trifle."

Seeing Lin Shan so composed, Lin Ping chuckled and said, "I had assumed that an expert of the Xiantian realm had cleansed Xiao Xiao’s marrow, but I never expected your medicine to be so miraculous."

Lin Shan’s heart stirred. A Xiantian realm expert?

Xiao Xiao, noticing Lin Shan’s confusion, spoke up: "Brother Lin, martial arts are divided into nine grades: Blood-Moving, Bone-Forging, Xiantian, Transcendent, Soaring Dragon, Perfected Being, Saintly, Earth-Shattering, and Heaven-Reaching. Each major realm is further divided into low, middle, and high levels."

"I see..."

Lin Shan nodded to Xiao Xiao in acknowledgment.

Just then, Lin Ping spoke again: "I heard that you are interested in learning martial arts, Brother Lin, and that Master Xiao even purchased a manual for you. Is that really true?"

Lin Shan frowned; he could sense that Lin Ping’s tone was directed at him.

The expressions of Ge Yan and Xiao Qiang also shifted slightly. Both men knew the reason: Lin Ping had long harbored feelings for Xiao Xiao. Now that he had met Lin Shan and learned that he had saved her life, he feared that Xiao Xiao might develop feelings for him, leading to his hostile tone.

Lin Shan maintained his composure and nodded. "I have some interest, just practicing for leisure."

Lin Ping wore an expression that said, "I knew it." He coldly added, "It is best if that is truly the case. Brother Lin, I suggest you focus your energy on your medical studies. Forgive my bluntness, but at your age, I fear that even after ten years of practice, you would struggle to even enter the Blood-Moving realm. It would be better to save your strength."

This remark was quite excessive. A flash of displeasure crossed Xiao Qiang’s eyes. Regardless of the circumstances, Lin Shan was his guest, and Lin Ping’s words showed no regard for his host’s face.

Seeing the atmosphere turn stagnant, Ge Yan gave a light cough and said, "Haha, there is nothing wrong with training to strengthen the body. With Brother Lin’s profound medical skills, why would he need to live a life of blade-licking danger like us martial artists?"

At that moment, the silent Xiao Xiao suddenly interjected: "Don't underestimate Brother Lin! He has already cultivated true energy and entered the Blood-Moving realm!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Xiao Qiang, Ge Yan, and Lin Ping were all struck with shock.

However, after the shock, each man reacted differently.

Xiao Qiang’s eyes darted around as he thought, "How could this be? How long has it been since Lu Yun passed on his teachings? It took Xiao Xiao a full year just to draw energy into her body. She wouldn't lie to me... could it be that besides his medical brilliance, Lin Shan is also a martial arts genius?" He knew that although his daughter could be willful, she would never lie about such matters.

Ge Yan, meanwhile, scrutinized Lin Shan without saying a word.

Lin Ping, after the initial shock, wore a look of deep disdain. He glared at Lin Shan and said, "Don't be ridiculous, Xiao Xiao. You actually believe such a lie?"

"Hey, kid, martial arts aren't something any stray dog can just pick up. I don't know what your motives are for deceiving Xiao Xiao, but stop playing these tricks in front of us. Hmph!"

He felt deeply insulted. It had taken him two full years to draw energy into his body, yet this kid claimed to have done it in just over ten days. By comparison, he would be the lowest of the low. He refused to believe it.

Lin Shan took in the reactions of the three men. He crossed his arms and said with a calm expression, "It is what it is. I, Lin Shan, have no reason to lie about such things. What benefit would it bring me to deceive you?"

Lin Ping, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, flew into a rage. "What benefit?"

"Isn't it obvious? You want to join the Xiao family as a retainer. Everyone knows Master Xiao is generous with his retainers. You want to claim you're a martial artist to swindle more money. Master Xiao isn't a martial artist, so perhaps he was fooled, but don't think you can pull the wool over our eyes!"

Seeing that he had to intervene, Xiao Qiang said sternly, "Retainer Lin, even if Brother Lin were not a martial artist, I would still honor him as a retainer of the Xiao family!"

While this statement stood by Lin Shan, it also gave Lin Ping enough face; Master Xiao’s shrewdness was on full display.

Ge Yan also tried to mediate. "Hahaha, perhaps Brother Lin simply developed a sense of 'qi' and mistook it for successfully drawing energy into the body. That is a common occurrence."

Lin Ping huffed, "Hmph, that’s likely it. A country bumpkin with no experience, fumbling through some trash manual. Do you really think you can train yourself into something?"

Seeing this, Xiao Xiao suddenly regretted revealing that Lin Shan had cultivated true energy. She began to wonder herself if Lin Shan had perhaps mistaken a simple sensation of energy for the real thing.

Lin Shan, however, did not care about their opinions at all. He had already read the situation at the banquet: Ge Yan was relatively warmhearted, and if he asked for advice later, he would likely not refuse out of respect for Xiao Qiang. As for Lin Ping’s hostility, he had already guessed the cause, but there was nothing to be done about it.

Aren't men just such creatures?

Not wanting to entangle himself further with Lin Ping, Lin Shan smiled and said, "Perhaps that is indeed the case..."

Seeing that Lin Shan wanted to brush it off, Lin Ping was naturally unwilling. He had made up his mind today to thoroughly humiliate Lin Shan in front of Xiao Xiao.

"However," Lin Ping said, "perhaps Brother Lin is indeed a heaven-sent genius who has already drawn energy into his body. Why not let me test you?"

When he said "heaven-sent genius," he emphasized the words with heavy sarcasm.

Ge Yan, not wanting the two to continue their conflict, said, "Brother Lin, why don't you let me examine your meridians?"