Quickly conquer the martial arts world, and let your fists dominate the heavens!

Ye Ning knew she couldn't leave.

The passageway is a narrow alleyway leading out from the small building on the east side, with load-bearing walls made of blue bricks on both sides. A dim lamp hangs overhead, casting only a yellowish glow on the ground.

Two men, one on the left and one on the right, blocked the entrance to the passage, sealing off the only exit completely.

Their breaths overlapped, like two walls pressing down from both sides.

The man on the left glanced at her, his gaze landing on her left shoulder. A dark red stain had seeped into the shoulder of her military uniform, running down from the collar and staining a large area. The edges were blackened and scabbed over, while the center was still wet.

The person on the right saw it too, and their lips twitched slightly, as if they had breathed a sigh of relief.

A wounded martial arts expert, a woman, was accompanied by a scholar who could barely walk.

Neither of them changed their stance; their hands remained behind their backs, and they didn't even bother to strike a pose.

Ye Ningzhen saw all of this.

Her grip on the dagger loosened and then tightened. The wound on her shoulder had only been hastily treated once since the night she assassinated Zheng Yumin. These past few days, running around had caused her blood and qi to circulate, which only aggravated the wound, preventing it from healing and instead making it worse day by day.

The dagger was in her right hand, but she didn't make a move immediately.

She lowered her head slightly, her breathing became more rapid, and her shoulders slumped down by half an inch, making her look as if her injuries were flaring up and she was about to collapse.

The person on the left took half a step forward.

We've been waiting for this half-step.

Ye Ningzhen acted instantly.

The dagger flew out of his hand, its tip aimed straight at the face of the man on the right.

The man on the right turned his head to dodge, and the dagger flew past his ear, embedding itself in the brick wall behind him with a "thud," the hilt still vibrating.

The instant he turned his head, Ye Ningzhen had already lunged forward, her target the person on his left.

He chopped out with his right hand.

This palm strike is not a technique for neutralizing internal force.

The palm strikes down from the top of the head in an arc, with the palm root leading the force, the forearm leading the upper arm, the upper arm leading the shoulder and back, the shoulder and back leading the waist and hips, and the waist and hips settling down to the heel. The entire force flows up from the sole of the foot, passes through the body first, and then converges at the palm root.

The Great Monument Smashing Hand.

The heaviest and most powerful palm strike in Baguazhang.

This was taught to her by Chen Zhan, step by step.

Back in Foshan, Chen Zhan held her wrist and guided her along this path again and again, letting her use her body to remember where the force originated, where it went, and where it was released.

She wasn't skilled enough to unleash the full power of that palm strike, but it was already her trump card.

The moment the force emanated from the base of his palm, the air in front of his palm was compressed, producing a muffled sound, and even the lamplight flickered.

Every move is a killing blow.

A hare fights an eagle with all its might.

Qin Heng's expression changed on the left.

He hadn't expected that a wounded cultivator could unleash such powerful force. Before the palm strike even arrived, the pressure had already reached his face.

This palm strike was powerful and sustained, far exceeding the level one would expect from neutralizing force.

He dared not be careless, so he raised his right arm horizontally, lowered his shoulder and elbow, and took the blow head-on.

"boom!"

The two forces collided, creating a dull thud, like two stones colliding.

Qin Heng's foot slipped half a step on the ground, the sole of his shoe scraping against the bluestone slab with a screeching sound, and a line of dust fell from the brick wall.

Half a step.

One who had just reached the Dan stage was forced back half a step by the one who had reached the Hua Jin stage.

But it was only half a step.

Ye Ningzhen's left shoulder couldn't withstand the recoil from the force of the palm strike the moment it landed, and the wound reopened completely. Blood gushed out from her collar and flowed down her collarbone into her clothes.

The force is released at 80% and then stops; the remaining 20% ​​cannot be used.

The Great Stele-Smashing Hand technique emphasizes a seamless, continuous execution; if the force is broken, everything else is rendered useless.

Qin Heng steadied himself, flipped his right hand, and grabbed her wrist along her forearm, feeling confident of victory—with just one palm strike, he could pin this injured woman to the spot.

At that moment, Qin Zhun on the right suddenly changed his expression and cried out in alarm, "Watch out!!!"

"Bang! Bang!"

Two gunshots rang out, and the flames shot out from under Ye Ningzhen's right elbow. The gun was pressed against her ribs, blocked by her body and the angle of Qin Heng's wrist. Qin Heng was so close that he had no time to dodge.

Fortunately, Qin Zhun was standing behind her and saw the direction of the gun barrel half a breath in advance. Before he could finish speaking, he had already moved.

He took a step that covered several meters and slapped Ye Ningzhen's left forearm with the heel of his palm.

The blow was barely applied; it was just a light touch that caused her already injured arm to sway, and the gun barrel to deflect.

"hiss--!"

Qin Heng gasped.

Both shots hit him.

Fortunately, Qin Zhun's shot missed a vital spot. One bullet pierced his shoulder, while the other grazed his arm, causing blood to gush out and stain half of his uniform red.

Ye Ningzhen had already reached the Transformation Realm more than ten years ago, but she hadn't been able to advance to the Core Formation Realm for over a decade, not because she lacked talent.

Because guns are much more effective than fists.

For example, at this moment.

Using the force of Qin Zhun's slap, Ye Ningzhen pulled back and slapped her right hand to her waist, where another gun was in her hand.

But the two who had reached the elixir stage reacted extremely quickly.

"Boom! Boom!"

Two loud bangs followed. Instead of retreating, the two brothers advanced, crashing through the brick wall beside them and tumbling into the inner room, avoiding her gun barrel. At the same time, they shouted, "Peak of the Transformation Realm, and a top-tier gunman too! Watch out!"

There are many people in the Military Intelligence Bureau who are skilled in both marksmanship and hand-to-hand combat, but none are like Ye Ningzhen—she possesses the skill of a master of internal energy and her marksmanship is also superb.

Human energy is ultimately limited, and it is difficult to master two completely different skills.

But Ye Ningzhen did it.

The Qin brothers, Qin Heng and Qin Zhun, quickly found cover and hid. Ye Ningzhen was not idle either. With two guns in hand, she fired and retreated. With each shot, someone outside would fall to the ground.

Gunshots rang out in the alley, echoes rolling back and forth against the brick walls, and layers of choking smoke piled up.

"Can you walk? You go first, don't worry about me..." the bluebird said weakly from the side.

As Ye Ningzhen retreated, she also grabbed him.

The Military Intelligence Bureau was indeed prepared. Ye Ningzhen knew that she most likely wouldn't be able to leave through this door. "Whether I take you or not, I can't leave. Killing one would be enough."

Gunfire rang out again, but quickly ceased as the bullets ran out.

Qin Zhun emerged from the shadows, crept up behind her, and pressed a palm against the Jiaji acupoint on her back. The force seeped into the acupoint, sealing off the flow of qi and blood in her upper body.

Ye Ningzhen groaned, her knees braced for two breaths before she finally knelt down, her two guns falling to the ground.

Qin Zhun removed her gun, glanced down at her, and asked, "Who taught you this palm strike?"

Ye Ningzhen did not answer.

Qin Heng tied her arms behind her back from behind.

The bluebird was only two steps away when the soldiers who rushed in pressed it to the ground.

The two were taken away separately.

Ye Ningzhen was taken to interrogation room number two in the basement of the small building on the east side, which was next to the room where Qingniao used to be.

They tied her up with ropes, searched her body, and took away Zhou Shuning's pass and keys.

He was handcuffed to an iron chair.

Her shoulder wound was still bleeding, and no one was tending to it. Blood dripped down her sleeve, pooling on the armrest of the iron chair, a dark red and sticky substance. There was only one lamp in the room, hanging overhead, illuminating the four gray walls, the plaster damp and moldy, with water stains in the corners.

The iron gate was locked from the outside, and footsteps could be heard coming and going outside, with people speaking in hushed voices.

Ye Ningzhen closed her eyes and regulated her breathing.

Then she removed the disguise of the Bone-Changing Technique.

There was no need to keep wearing Zhou Shuning's face. With his inner strength gradually activated, the bones in his face slowly returned to their original positions, his cheekbones rose, his jawline became more defined, and his brow bones and eye sockets were moved back to their original shapes.

As the bones shifted, a very faint "clunking" sound came from under her skin, which only she could hear.

A few breaths later, the person sitting in the iron chair was no longer the female lieutenant from the communications department.

He was in his early thirties, with a cool and aloof face, a sharp look between his brows and eyes, and his lips pressed into a straight line.

She opened her eyes and looked at the gray wall opposite her. Even though she was covered in blood and handcuffed to a chair, her expression remained as calm as a stagnant pool.

There was a moment of silence outside the door.

Then footsteps approached, and the iron gate was opened.

Chen Zuyan walked in. He was in his early forties, dressed in a neat military uniform with the rank insignia of a colonel. He had a dignified appearance, with some gray hairs at his temples.

He stood at the door for two seconds, looking at the woman on the iron chair.

"Miss Ye..."

Ye Ningzhen raised her eyes and glanced at him.

"Long time no see, Director Chen."

His tone was flat, as if he had bumped into an old acquaintance on the street and casually greeted him.

Chen Zuyan stared at her for a few moments, as if to confirm that she hadn't mistaken her for someone else.

Then he moved a chair over, placed it two steps away from her, and sat down.

"Still as charming as ever, sigh."

Ye Ningzhen didn't respond.

Chen Zuyan took out a cigarette case from his pocket, lit one, and the flame flickered, illuminating half of his face. His expression didn't look like he was interrogating a criminal, but rather like he was catching up with an old friend he hadn't seen for many years.

"The first time we met was in Beijing, in 1920, do you remember?"

Ye Ningzhen looked at him, smiled, and didn't say anything.

Chen Zuyan continued, "That year I was working for the Qingyi Society, and you came to Beijing with Chen Zhan. At that time, Chen Zhan was still recognized by the Nationalist government as the number one martial arts expert in the world. The Military Commission wanted to ask him to train the people of the Special Service Department, but he refused."

He took a drag of his cigarette, and the smoke spread under the light, slowly climbing up the gray wall.

Chen Zuyan flicked her cigarette ash onto the ground: "Back then, we were still on the same side."

“Yes,” Ye Ningzhen said, “not anymore.”

There was a few moments of silence.

Chen Zuyan's tone snapped out of her reverie and became businesslike: "Were you in charge of all the assassinations in Shanghai these past few months?"

Ye Ningzhen nodded.

“You killed Zheng Yumin with your own hands.”

This is not a question; that single shot from the gun has already confirmed it for him.

Chen Zuyan took another drag of her cigarette: "A few years ago in Nanjing, Boss Dai said you were a genius, and if you were willing to join the Military Intelligence Bureau, it would be like adding wings to a tiger, it's just a pity..."

Ye Ningzhen's lips twitched slightly: "Boss Dai, you flatter me."

Chen Zuyan stubbed out his cigarette on the armrest of the iron chair and leaned forward: "It's not too late for you to join now. The great cause of the Party and the country is about to be accomplished, and the foreign invaders have been driven out. As long as we can maintain internal stability, China will definitely develop rapidly."

Ye Ningzhen's expression remained unchanged; instead, she curled the corners of her lips into a smile: "Heh, is the great undertaking about to succeed? I'm afraid not."

Chen Zuyan wasn't annoyed. She sighed and said, "I didn't want to see this situation either. I'll stop beating around the bush. Tell me about your network, online and offline connections, safe houses, and communication methods in Shanghai now, and I'll save your life. I still keep my word with the Military Intelligence Bureau. You're a valuable person; living is more useful than dying."

Ye Ningzhen looked at him and remained silent for a few moments.

"Director Chen, how many years have you known me? Do you think I would say that?"

Chen Zuyan stared at her for a while, then slowly composed herself.

“Then you can stay here.” Chen Zuyan stood up. “I’ll give you two days to think it over. After two days, I won’t be the one coming to chat with you anymore.”

He walked to the door, placed his hand on the doorframe, paused, glanced back at her, and then seemed to remember something:
"By the way, there's something I wanted to ask you."

Ye Ningzhen looked at him.

"Were the people who died on the Suzhou River a couple of days ago, members of the Green Gang, killed by your men?"

Ye Ningzhen shook her head.

She genuinely didn't know about this, and there was no need for her to lie.

“A few days earlier, something happened in Hong Kong too. The faxed portrait only showed half a face, but you could tell it was a man.”

He stared into Ye Ningzhen's eyes: "Do you know this person?"

The photo was handed to Ye Ningzhen.

Her eyes flickered, her pupils contracted slightly, as if something had been gently touched from the deepest part of her heart.

She will never forget, she will never forget.

But... he quickly guessed Chen Zuyan's intention: "This kind of trick is a bit low-level, Director Chen."

Chen Zuyan pursed his lips. He could tell that Ye Ningzhen's expression changed for a moment because she was completely unaware of what was happening and believed that this was a trick he was using to deceive her.

Since she doesn't know, it means... I'm overthinking it.

That's right. How could it really be him...?

Chen Zuyan didn't ask any further questions and turned to leave.

The iron gate closed behind me, the latch clicked shut, and the footsteps outside faded into the distance.

As they reached the end of the alley, a man approached and asked, "Chief, should I use torture? She'll confess within an hour."

Chen Zuyan turned to look at him, a barely suppressed fire igniting in her eyes—

"Snapped--!"

He slapped the man so hard his face turned halfway to the side. "Torture her? You fucking dare to even think about it? Go find a doctor and heal the wound on her shoulder."

"Yes Yes Yes."

Chen Zuyan left the basement and went up to the first floor.

The fire in the courtyard had been extinguished, but the smoke on the second floor had not yet dissipated. The smell of burning mixed with moisture weighed heavily on the night. Puddles of black water flowed at the base of the wall, poured down to put out the fire. Several soldiers were scrambling to clean up the broken tiles scattered on the ground.

Qin Heng stood at the entrance of the building waiting for him, his hands behind his back. The wound on his shoulder had been bandaged, and a little blood was seeping out.

Chen Zuyan walked over, and the two walked side by side toward the office building, the broken glass under their feet crunching underfoot.

"What did they find out?" Qin Heng asked.

She won't speak.

Qin Heng did not press further.

After taking a few steps, Chen Zuyan suddenly spoke up: "What do you think of the palm strike she delivered during your fight just now?"

Qin Heng was silent for a moment: "The Great Stone-Smashing Hand is a Bagua Palm technique, with extremely orthodox power. Her skill level is insufficient to unleash the full power that palm strike should have."

Who taught her?

"There aren't many people who can teach the Great Monument-Shattering Hand technique to this extent." Qin Heng paused for a moment. "You can train your skill level yourself, but you need someone to guide you step by step and correct your technique again and again. The person who taught her this palm technique must be at least at the Core Formation stage."

Chen Zuyan slowed her pace slightly, but she knew exactly what was going on.

Baguazhang, Baodan...

To be honest, that person never formally accepted any disciples; only two women received the most guidance from him. (End of Chapter)