Chapter 118: The Burden of Expectations

The official invitation from the town magistrate hung proudly on the wall of the main hall, its golden seal catching the morning light. One thousand taels of silver. Absolute imperial protection.

For the Azure Swallow School, this was not merely a martial arts tournament; it was the definitive end to their desperate, clawing survival. With that kind of money, Lin Yuan could buy the dojo outright, repair the rotting roof, and ensure that his son, Lin Fan, would never again have to shiver through a winter fever or look at an empty rice bin. With imperial protection, thugs like the Black Tiger Gang would never dare step foot on their street again.

Because the stakes were nothing short of life and death, Lin Yuan transformed into a ruthless, unyielding taskmaster.