Eunuch, do you really know these martial arts?

Inside the meeting room, Jiang Nian's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable weight.

"I agree with General Zhao's opinion."

“Passive waiting will only allow the organization to become more and more prepared. Since my marker activity is increasing and irreversible, we should take advantage of this window of opportunity to proactively create opportunities.”

Bai Yongxu looked at Jiang Nian with a complicated expression.

"Have you thought this through? This means you'll be taking on greater risks. The organization's warriors are quite powerful!"

"I have seen."

Jiang Nian interrupted him, "In Greenland, their warriors are indeed very strong, but they are not invincible."

He stood up and walked to the center of the conference room: "Moreover, if we keep hiding in the base, we will never truly understand our opponent."

"Only through confrontation can their weaknesses be revealed."

General Zhao slammed his hand on the table.

"Okay! It's settled then! Two lines running in parallel!"

"I immediately set about developing an infiltration and reconnaissance plan, and at the same time arranged for continuous monitoring of the South China Sea base."

Bai Yongxu looked at him and said, "You need to cooperate with Elder Qin's training and master the basic control of the marker activity as soon as possible. At the same time, you can't be absent from the film crew for too long, so you need to maintain normal social activities."

"clear."

Jiang Nian nodded, "I'll return to the film crew tomorrow."

"No," Old Qin shook his head. "Your scan data hasn't been fully analyzed yet. Besides, the first active control training must be conducted at the base; we need to monitor it in real time."

Bai Yongxu pondered for a moment: "Jiang Nian, you stay at the base for the next two days to assist with training. As for the film crew, have Su Qing continue to use the excuse of her old injury recurring."

"Yes."

After the meeting.

Su Qing has already brought his script and related materials.

"Teacher Jiang, this is the revised shooting schedule for the next three days."

She handed over the tablet, saying, "Director Zhang has moved your scenes to the back, but the rooftop flashback scene the day after tomorrow is very important. He said he hopes you can get into the right mindset."

Jiang Nian took the tablet and quickly browsed through it.

"Tell Director Zhang that I will definitely be there the day after tomorrow," Jiang Nian said.

"Okay," Su Qing wrote down.

"In addition, the martial arts instructor at the base would like to talk to you. He said it was arranged by Chief Bai, about the key points of tactics for dealing with grandmaster-level martial artists."

Jiang Nian raised an eyebrow: "Now?"

"If you're not tired, he'll be waiting for you in training room number three."

"lead the way."

Training Room No. 3 is located on the fifth basement level and is a completely enclosed space made entirely of special alloys.

When Jiang Nian walked in, a middle-aged man wearing a black training uniform was standing in the center of the field with his eyes closed.

The man was about fifty years old, not very tall, and even somewhat thin.

But standing there, it gives people a sense of mountain-like stability.

He opened his eyes when he heard footsteps.

Those eyes were ordinary, but Jiang Nian could feel that the other person's gaze was almost tangible, carrying a sharp scrutinizing quality as it swept over him.

"Consultant Jiang, it's a pleasure to meet you."

The man spoke, his voice deep, "My surname is Yang, and my given name is Zhan. I'm in charge of the ancient martial arts training for the base's special operations personnel."

“Instructor Yang.” Jiang Nian nodded slightly.

Yang Zhan sized him up and nodded: "Your aura is deep and your foundation is solid; you are indeed at the Grandmaster level. Chief Bai said you fought against the organization's people in Greenland and on the Poseidon?"

“I’ve dealt with them a few times,” Jiang Nian answered truthfully. “Their martial arts techniques are ruthless, their internal energy is cold and sinister, they are good at teamwork, and their individual combat strength is not weak.”

"The chilling internal energy..." Yang Zhan pondered, "Is it the style of the Northern lineage, or a variant transmitted from overseas?"

"It's hard to say," Jiang Nian shook his head, "but that kind of coldness has a strong corrosive effect and can interfere with the opponent's internal energy circulation."

Yang Zhan walked to the edge of the arena, took an unsharpened longsword from the weapon rack, and casually twirled it.

"Come on, let's exchange a few moves."

He said, "No need for internal energy, just techniques. Let me see your style."

Jiang Nian did not refuse and also took a long sword.

The two stood facing each other in the center of the field.

There was no referee, no commands.

Almost at the same moment, the two moved simultaneously!
Yang Zhan's sword was so fast that it left only a blur, and it pierced straight for Jiang Nian's throat!

Instead of retreating, Jiang Nian advanced, his longsword slashing diagonally to precisely parry the thrust. At the same time, he flipped his wrist, the blade sweeping towards Yang Zhan's wrist!
"Ding!"

The two swords clashed, producing a crisp metallic clang.

A hint of appreciation flashed in Yang Zhan's eyes. His footwork changed, and his figure circled around to Jiang Nian's side like a ghost. His sword moves changed, turning into dozens of sword shadows that enveloped Jiang Nian's major acupoints!

Jiang Nian sat astride his horse with a slender waist, his longsword drawing a perfect arc in front of him.

"Ding ding ding ding!"

The sounds of rapid collisions blended together.

The two moved nimbly and darted within a small space, their sword moves flowing like clouds and water, their offense and defense switching in the blink of an eye.

Ten minutes later, Yang Zhan was the first to sheathe his sword and retreat.

"Excellent swordsmanship." He exhaled. "The style is very orthodox, it is authentic internal swordsmanship, but it incorporates the ruthlessness of battlefield combat."

“Your swordsmanship is fine, and your foundation is fine too.” He walked to the bench by the field and sat down. “But you have two weaknesses.”

Jiang Nian sat down opposite him: "Please give me your guidance."

"First, you're too upright."

Yang Zhan bluntly stated, "Every move you make emphasizes uprightness and using brute force to overcome skill. That's true, but it's not enough to deal with the organization's martial artists."

"Their moves are unpredictable, and they excel at attacking from unexpected angles. Your straightforward fighting style makes it easy for them to find weaknesses."

“Second,” Yang Zhan paused, “you lack the will to kill.”

Jiang Nian frowned: "Killing intent?"

"It's not a heart that wants to kill indiscriminately, but a heart that is determined to make a clean break."

Yang Zhan looked at him and said, "When you sparred with me just now, you held back three-tenths of your strength with every strike. You always leave yourself a way out before you exhaust your moves."

"This is a habit of martial arts competitions, not a habit of life-or-death battles."

"In a true life-or-death struggle, every move is a gamble with your life. There is no way out, no room for retreat."

Jiang Nian remained silent for a moment.

Yang Zhan is right.

Despite having faced numerous dangers, he still retains the restraint of a modern person deep down.

He certainly lacked that kind of resolute determination to put himself in a desperate situation and fight for his life.

"How do I practice?" he asked.

“There’s no way to practice it,” Yang Zhan shook his head. “You can only comprehend it. Either you comprehend it in the face of life and death, or…”

He looked at Jiang Nian: "Do you have something you must protect? Something so important that you'd be willing to give up your life for it?"

“Yes,” he said.

“Then remember them.” Yang Zhan stood up. “Next time you fight the organization, think about what you’re protecting. Killing intent isn’t hatred; it’s the extreme of protecting.”

He walked to the weapons rack and took down a pair of short blades.

"Your swordsmanship is excellent, but a longsword is inconvenient to use in confined spaces. I'll teach you a few techniques with short weapons, which will be useful in close combat."

Over the next two hours, Yang Zhan taught him more than a dozen short-blade killing techniques without reservation.

Every move is ruthless and cunning, targeting vital points of the human body, without any fancy moves, aiming only for a fatal blow.

Jiang Nian learned very quickly.

His master-level body control and learning ability allow him to quickly grasp the essentials of the moves.

"Techniques are static, but people are dynamic."

Yang Zhan concluded, "When facing the enemy, adapt to the situation. Remember, the organization's martial artists don't follow rules; they only care about results." "I understand," Jiang Nian sheathed his dagger. "Thank you, Instructor Yang."

"It's my duty." Yang Zhan patted him on the shoulder. "Chief Bai instructed that the base will fully cooperate in providing any training resources you need these next few days. Prepare well; the organization won't be waiting for long."

It was already 9 p.m. when I left the training room.

When Jiang Nian returned to the room, Su Qing was organizing documents.

"Professor Jiang, Professor Qin's team has completed the analysis of your scan data for today."

She handed over a briefing: "The increasing trend of marker activity is confirmed, with the cycle stabilizing at once every three minutes and the amplitude increasing by an average of three per thousand per hour."

Looking at the data curve, Jiang Nian asked, "How is the shielding technology of Elder Qin's team progressing?"

"There has been a breakthrough, but it's not enough."

Su Qing pulled up another report: "They designed an anti-phase interference field that can reduce label activity fluctuations by 45% in a laboratory simulation environment. But to achieve complete shielding, at least another week of optimization is needed."

“One week,” Jiang Nian murmured.

not enough time.

"In addition," Su Qing lowered her voice, "General Zhao's initial draft of the infiltration and reconnaissance plan has been completed. The plan is to send two six-person teams to approach the perimeter of the South China Sea base from different directions to deploy long-term surveillance equipment, while also trying to detect patterns in the vehicles entering and leaving the base."

"When to act?"

"Tomorrow night."

Jiang Nian nodded.

Everything is accelerating.

The next day, Jiang Nian spent a busy but fulfilling day at the base.

This morning, I conducted my first active regulation training session with Mr. Qin's team.

The process was more difficult than expected.

Those labeled activities are like a group of disobedient children, and Jiang Nian needs to spend a lot of effort to barely guide them to flow along a specific path.

After training, he had a splitting headache and it took him two hours to recover.

"it `s just normal."

In his communication, Qin Lao said, "The nervous system is adapting to the new regulatory pattern. With continued training, tolerance will gradually increase."

In the afternoon, Jiang Nian continued his sparring practice with Yang Zhan.

This time, Yang Zhan simulated the attack patterns of the organization's martial artists, and his moves were even more insidious and cunning, almost causing Jiang Nian to be hit several times.

"Not fast enough!"

Yang Zhan shouted, "Your reaction was a beat slower than your thought process! In the face of life and death, that one beat can mean the difference between life and death!"

The practice session continued until evening.

Jiang Nian was covered in sweat and had several bruises on his body, but his eyes were getting brighter and brighter.

He could feel himself adapting to the intense pressure of real combat.

At 7 p.m., Jiang Nian had just finished taking a shower when the encrypted communication suddenly came through.

It's Bai Yongxu.

“Jiang Nian, the situation has changed.” Bai Yongxu’s voice was unusually urgent. “We’ve detected an abnormal signal. It’s not from the South China Sea, it’s from the land direction.”

Jiang Nian's heart skipped a beat: "The exact location?"

"The Yangtze River Delta region is less than 200 kilometers away from the film and television base."

"A martial artist from the organization?" Jiang Nian immediately realized.

“It’s highly likely,” Bai Yongxu said in a deep voice. “The signal only lasted for less than five seconds before it disappeared. When our people arrived, they only found an abandoned factory with signs of a brief struggle, but no bodies or bloodstains.”

What are they looking for?

"I don't know."

Bai Yongxu shook his head, "But the location where the signal appeared is too close to the film and television base. We can't rule out the possibility that they're targeting you."

Jiang Nian remained silent for a few seconds.

“I need to go back,” he said.

“That’s what I mean too.” Bai Yongxu nodded. “If you were at the base, they might launch a probing attack directly on the base, which would be much riskier.”

“If you’re on set, they’re more likely to operate covertly, which gives us a chance to track them down.”

"But your safety..."

"I am prepared."

Jiang Nian said calmly, "Besides, I also want to meet them."

Two and a half hours later, Jiang Nian returned to the hotel at the film and television base.

Everything seems to be business as usual.

Chen Meng waited for her in the garage, while Su Qing returned to her room beforehand to make arrangements.

"We have thoroughly checked the area around the hotel and found nothing unusual."

Chen Meng reported, "But just to be on the safe side, Su Qing and I will work in shifts around the clock, and the surveillance system in your room has been upgraded to the highest level."

"In addition," Su Qing handed over a device about the size of a watch, "this is a portable suppressor that Qin Lao's team urgently modified. Please wear it with you at all times."

Jiang Nian took the device and put it on her left wrist.

The moment the device was activated, he felt the faint fluctuations within his body lessen considerably.

"Okay." He nodded. "Go to the set as usual tomorrow. What's meant to happen will happen, we'll wait."

……

The following morning, at the film and television base.

Director Zhang Yi breathed a sigh of relief upon Jiang Nian's return: "Jiang Nian, how are you feeling? That rooftop flashback scene is very important. If you're not in good shape, we can make some adjustments."

“No problem, Director.” Jiang Nian smiled. “I’m ready.”

"That's good." Zhang Yi patted him on the shoulder. "We'll shoot a few transition scenes this morning to get a feel for the action, and then we'll tackle the rooftop scene this afternoon."

Filming proceeded as planned.

Jiang Nian is in great condition, even more composed than before her injury.

In front of the camera, Lu Chenxi appears more grounded and resilient after experiencing setbacks.

"Okay! This one's approved!"

Zhang Yi was very satisfied. "Twenty-minute break, then prepare for the next match!"

Jiang Nian walked to the rest area, where Su Qing handed him warm water.

“Everything is normal,” she said softly. “No new abnormal signals have been detected at the base.”

"Hmm." Jiang Nian took a sip of water and glanced across the film set.

The staff were busy, the actors were rehearsing their lines, and everything seemed normal.

But he could sense a faint tension in the air.

That's a martial artist's intuition about danger.

At 2 PM, the rooftop flashback scene was about to begin filming.

This scene required Jiang Nian to deliver a long monologue and emotional performance alone on the rooftop, which was extremely difficult.

"All departments, prepare!" Zhang Yi shouted through a megaphone. "Actors, take your positions!"

Jiang Nian walked to the center of the rooftop.

This is the tallest building in the film and television base; from here you can overlook most of the base.

A breeze blew by, carrying the coolness of early autumn.

All the staff on site fell silent.

at this time--

Jiang Nian suddenly turned her head!

This wasn't a scripted action!
His gaze was sharp as a knife, shooting towards the distant building!

"Who?!" (End of Chapter)