Chinese martial arts: From human punching bags to martial arts mastery

The midday sun hung in the hazy sky.

The perpetual coal smoke from the Gun Di Long area, mixed with the smell of stale leftover rice, drifted through the narrow alleyways, choking people and making their throats tight.

The alleyway at Yanziwo was quiet until suddenly, a deep, powerful engine sound came from afar.

It wasn't the jingling of the rickshaw's bell, nor the creaking of the cart's wheels over stones.

The voice was deep and powerful, exuding a noble air that the poor had never heard up close before.

next second.

A jet-black Ford sedan, its body gleaming, slowly rolled over the bumpy dirt road, its wheels kicking up fine dust, and came to a steady stop at the entrance of this shantytown, the lowest rung of Shanghai.

The entire alleyway seemed to be gripped by an invisible hand, remaining deathly silent for a full half second.

Then, with a loud bang, everything exploded!

"My goodness! That, that's a car?!"

"We're so poor we can't even afford chaff, when have we ever seen such precious things?!"

"This is a car only Shanghai tycoons and warlords are allowed to ride in! How did it end up in our slums like this!"

The neighbors poked their dusty heads out from behind the dilapidated houses, kitchens, and doors. Their eyes, worn down and dulled by years of life's hardships, and which bowed their heads to the powerful and wealthy, were now wide open, their pupils almost glued to the car.

In their entire lives, they had at most caught glimpses of foreigners and big shots speeding by in such cars on the outskirts of the concessions. They didn't even dare to get close, and they never dreamed that such a car would be parked in front of their own door.

Amidst gasps of surprise, the car door slowly opened.

A hand with distinct knuckles first rested on the car door, and then a tall, upright figure stepped down and landed steadily on the muddy ground.

His simple blue robe accentuated his slender figure, his demeanor was as calm and composed as a deep pool, and his eyes, though not angry, exuded an air of authority, concealing a sharp and decisive edge, yet also carrying a unique gentleness and compassion.

It was Chen Feng!

The alleyway, which was just a moment ago noisy and bustling with chatter, suddenly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone froze on the spot, as if they had been frozen in place. They even subconsciously breathed softly, afraid that if they breathed too heavily, they would disturb the man in front of them who had crawled out of the mud pit and was now glowing all over.

Chen Feng glanced up and swept his eyes across the depths of the alley.

Several burly, imposing men stood guard at each corner, their eyes sharp as eagles, their posture impeccable.

He felt a warmth in his heart—he knew this was a secret arrangement by his master, Yan Tieqiao, to protect his family.

Before he could get close...

The bald man and his men had already run up to greet them, bowing low and beaming with smiles, their respect beyond belief.

"Master Chen! You're finally back!"

"With us brothers guarding the area 24/7, not even a fly can get in. We guarantee absolute safety!"

Chen Feng nodded slightly, his tone calm: "Thank you for your hard work!"

He casually took out a heavy wad of silver dollars and handed it over, saying, "It's the Lantern Festival today. Take this and buy some food and drinks. Share it with the brothers!"

The bald man took it with both hands, his fingertips trembling.

His men were so excited their faces turned red, and they bowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you, Master Chen! Thank you, Master Chen!"

Chen Feng said no more and strode towards the familiar wooden house.

Push open the creaking wooden door.

Inside the house, Lin Sao was weaving a straw hat. When she saw Chen Feng, her hand suddenly stopped, and she froze.

At the table, Xiao Aqiao's eyes were already red, tears welling up in her eyes, ready to fall at any moment.

These days, while Chen Feng is out there risking his life, stirring up trouble in Shanghai, fighting with foreigners, gangsters, and thugs, she is at home in constant fear and sleepless nights, her heart always in her throat.

A thousand words were stuck in my throat; worry, longing, grievance, and fear were all intertwined, and I couldn't utter a single one.

As Chen Feng approached step by step, his warm aura enveloped him.

Xiao Aqiao could no longer suppress her emotions. Like a lost bird finally returning to its nest, she suddenly threw herself into Chen Feng's arms and burst into tears.

The sobs were soft and gentle, yet they carried a deep sense of grievance and longing that had been suppressed for too long, making one's heart ache.

Chen Feng gently patted her back, his voice so tender it could melt ice and snow.

"Don't cry, it's the Lantern Festival today, I'll take you to see the lantern festival!"

"Let's pack up and head to Hu Qing Yu Tang to celebrate the festival!"

Aunt Lin wiped away her tears, waving her hands repeatedly, her voice hurried and uneasy: "No, no, we still have food at home, don't trouble them... We're of low status, we don't want to cause you gossip or trouble!"

She lived her entire life at the very bottom of society, accustomed to bowing her head, accustomed to being humble, accustomed to not causing trouble!

Little Aqiao raised her tear-streaked face, and upon hearing the words "watch the lantern festival," her eyes instantly lit up like stars in the night sky.

But that joy was fleeting, and then faded away.

She gripped Chen Feng's sleeve tightly, her voice as soft as a feather, filled with cautious worry: "Brother Feng, you've made too many enemies now, it's too dangerous outside... I'm not going. As long as you're safe and sound, that's all that matters!"

Chen Feng lowered his head, leaned close to her ear, and whispered something in a voice only the two of them could hear.

Xiao Aqiao was taken aback at first, then her cheeks flushed, and she burst into laughter through her tears. Her laughter was sweet and soft, and the worry and unease in her eyes vanished instantly.

Let's go!

Chen Feng steadily supported Lin Sao with one hand and gently held Xiao A Qiao's hand with the other, and stepped out of the house.

But what they saw outside the door stunned them all.

Crowds of people.

The rolling dragons below the embankment, the swallows' nests above the embankment, the dirt road at the entrance, and the corners of the walls along the alley—all were teeming with people.

Rolling Dragon's old neighbors, unfortunate child laborers, long-time oppressed neighbors, acquaintances who had once suffered hunger and cold with his family... They were packed tightly together, yet there was not a trace of chaos; everyone watched them quietly.

next second.

A deafening roar suddenly erupted!

"Chen Feng!"

"Chen Feng!"

"Master Chen—!"

One shout after another, from the initial tentative steps to the later uniformity, and finally to the hoarse screams, echoed throughout the entire shantytown.

This is not sycophancy or bowing down in fear of power.

It is the cry of those who have suffered their whole lives, who have been trampled in the mud their whole lives, finally seeing their own people standing up.

It was the Chinese people, who had been oppressed by foreigners and bullies their whole lives, who were finally seeing someone stand up for them and their blood boiled with excitement.

I don't know who started it.

That folk song, which has been sung for generations in the rolling alley and contains countless tears and resentments, was sung by countless people at this moment. The song was desolate and tragic, yet it also carried the passion of a do-or-die spirit, making the whole alley tremble slightly.

"Rolling dragon, rolling dragon, roll out the true dragon to destroy the ocean dragon!"

"Rolling dragon, rolling dragon, roll out the true dragon to destroy the ocean..."

Standing on the steps, looking at the scene before her, where everyone admired and supported her, Lin Sao, a woman who had spent her whole life swallowing her anger, being trampled underfoot, and not daring to even speak loudly, could no longer hold back her tears, which rolled down her wrinkled cheeks.

Her lips trembled as she murmured repeatedly, "Mom isn't sad...Mom is happy..."

Xiao Aqiao held Lin Sao tightly, tears silently streaming down her face, but a proud and happy smile graced her lips, her eyes filled with the man beside her.

Standing in the center of the crowd, Chen Feng looked at his fellow villagers who had once suffered the same fate and struggles as him. His heart was in turmoil, and a thousand emotions surged in his chest.

He slowly raised his hand and waved gently to the crowd.

This wave.

The cheers grew even louder, almost lifting the sky above them.

Protecting his mother and holding Xiao Aqiao's hand, Chen Feng walked step by step towards the entrance of the alley.

Along the way, neighbors automatically parted to make way for a wide path. Everyone stopped, bowed, waved, and whispered blessings, their eyes full of sincerity.

Those who once watched with indifference now look at him with admiration; those who once mocked his family now cower in the back of the crowd, not daring to even raise their heads.

Wu Xiaomei's family squeezed to the front, waving frantically and smiling broadly; Old Man Wu's hair was gray and his body was still thin, but he looked much more energetic—he had really listened to Chen Feng and given up gambling.

Chen Feng glanced over and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Old Wu was so excited that he trembled all over, tears streaming down his face, and he repeatedly bowed to Chen Feng.

Finally, we reached the entrance of the alley, which was already completely surrounded by people.

The elderly men and women looked at Lin Sao with envy and huddled together whispering.

"What a blessing! After a lifetime of hardship, she raised such a successful son!"

"We've finally made it through! We've finally made it through!"

The young women's eyes were fixed on Xiao Aqiao, filled with envy, jealousy, but mostly admiration—this girl dared to risk everything to gamble on tomorrow with her beloved!

The young men looked at Chen Feng with nothing but awe, admiration, and passion. They shouted in unison, their voices strong and clear, echoing throughout the shantytown.

"hero!"

"Master Chen! A hero!"

This cry of heroism is not for the heavens, nor for the government; it is for themselves, and for this land that has suffered so much.

Chen Feng gently opened the car door, carefully helped Lin Sao to sit down, and then escorted Xiao A Qiao into the car.

Until then.

Everyone suddenly realized that there was no one in the driver's seat of this luxury car, not even a driver!

The entire audience erupted in uproar, with whispers and murmurs filling the air, all expressing shock.

"My God! How come such an expensive car doesn't have a driver?"

"No driver? Then who will drive?"

"Does Master Chen need to hire someone at the last minute?"

Under the bewildered and confused gazes of everyone, Chen Feng walked around to the other side of the car and slowly opened the driver's side door.

Quiet.

A deathly silence.

Everyone stared wide-eyed, mouths agape, unable to believe what they were seeing.

Many bigwigs in Shanghai were always surrounded by a retinue of people, with drivers and bodyguards in droves.

But this Mr. Chen, who stirs up the winds and waves in Shanghai and is a force to be reckoned with in Wusong, actually wants to drive himself.

Aunt Lin was also stunned, and murmured, "Ah Feng, you..."

Little Aqiao also called out softly, "Brother Feng..."

The two hadn't finished speaking.

There was a "buzzing" sound.