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

As dusk settles, trams jingle and pass by on the streets of old Shanghai, their wheels clanging against the rails.

As the neon lights begin to illuminate the scene, they cast dappled shadows on the wet pavement, outlining the bustling and enchanting atmosphere of the Bund.

A black sedan slowly drove along Nanjing Road and finally came to a steady stop in front of the Hu Qing Yu Tang flagship store.

The antique-style pharmacy doors were wide open, and Hu Mingxuan and the others were already waiting there.

among the crowd.

With her slender figure and gentle, graceful eyes, Hu Tao immediately rushed over to greet Chen Feng and the others as soon as they got out of the car.

She affectionately linked arms with Aunt Lin and gently held Xiao Aqiao's hand with the other. The three of them walked side by side, laughing and chatting, and went straight into the banquet hall that had been prepared.

Chen Feng walked alongside Hu Mingxuan at the back, chatting quietly with a composed expression.

Stepping into the hall, the dazzling lights immediately greet you, illuminating the entire space in a magnificent golden glow.

The long table was laden with a dazzling array of delicacies, including shark fin, abalone, and ribbonfish, all of which were the finest dishes in Shanghai.

Everyone at Hu Qing Yu Tang was humble, polite, warm, and attentive, showing no sign of neglect.

Such an extremely grand reception left the usually low-key and unassuming Aunt Lin and Xiao Aqiao at a loss, their faces filled with flattery and unease as they followed Hu Tao to their seats.

After a hearty meal and drinks.

Hu Tao held Xiao A Qiao's hand, her voice soft and gentle, and invited her to sit in her boudoir.

The boudoir was elegantly and exquisitely decorated, filled with the delicate charm of a young woman.

Hu Tao took out a beautifully chosen dress from the wardrobe and handed it to Xiao A Qiao with her eyes full of love and tenderness.

Xiao Aqiao changed into her dress and came out, her figure even more charming and graceful, like a flower bud about to bloom, timidly approaching Chen Feng.

Chen Feng looked up, his eyes instantly softening, and he nodded repeatedly, "Beautiful! Beautiful!"

He leaned down and spoke softly to Xiao Aqiao, his tone filled with undisguised doting: "If you like them, I'll buy them all for you from now on!"

This scene was witnessed by Hu Tao, who was standing nearby.

Looking at the tender scene before her, a gentle smile played on her lips. She felt that Xiao Aqiao was so well-behaved that it broke her heart. She immediately stepped forward, gently straightened Xiao Aqiao's skirt, and softly praised her for being beautiful, her eyes full of genuine affection.

Take a short rest.

The group then headed to the City God Temple to attend the annual Lantern Festival.

To ensure the safety of the group and to conceal their tracks in the chaos, Chen Feng walked to a roadside stall, glanced at it, and casually picked out a trendy black Panama hat and a pair of black-rimmed glasses.

He pulled his hat brim down slightly, just enough to cover most of his face, revealing only his sharp jawline. Paired with his glasses, it added a touch of refined composure, yet couldn't hide his inherent competence and efficiency.

This disguise was neither ridiculous nor unsightly, and it effectively concealed his face. Seeing this, Wang Xiaoer eagerly followed suit, choosing a gray baseball cap to put on his head, deliberately pulling the brim down very low, patting his chest and shouting that he would follow in Brother Chen Feng's footsteps closely, which caused everyone to burst into laughter again.

The journey was only 800 meters, but the group chatted and laughed, and soon they arrived at the City God Temple.

Upon entering the lantern festival site, everyone was instantly overwhelmed by the magnificent sight of a sea of ​​people.

The lantern festival at the City God Temple in Shanghai in 1930 was bustling with people, shoulder to shoulder.

Various lanterns hang high in the streets: the rabbit lantern is cute and adorable, the lotus lantern is gentle and elegant, the dragon lantern is magnificent, and the couple lanterns are colorful and dazzling, making the night sky colorful.

The shouts of street vendors, the laughter of tourists, and the drumming of acrobats mingled together, while the aromas of sugar paintings, dough figurines, fried dough balls, and steamed buns wafted through the air.

The endless crowds vividly showcased the bustling and prosperous life of old Shanghai.

among the crowd.

Hu Sanzhen walked along, stopping frequently, his gaze always fixed on the tobacco and liquor stalls along the roadside, unable to move his feet, his eyes filled with longing.

Hu Mingxuan stayed close to Hu Tao, showing both the meticulous care of an elder and the respect and caution of a subordinate, always protecting her safety.

While walking.

While explaining the century-old traditions and origins of the City God Temple Lantern Festival to Chen Feng, Hu Mingxuan chuckled and mentioned, "The most lively and elaborate part of this festival is burning the first incense on New Year's Eve and releasing river lanterns on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Those are the most important events that everyone in Shanghai flocks to!"

As everyone listened intently, a deep, steady engine sound approached from afar.

Three black Ford sedans slowly drove up, their speed not fast, but they exuded a suffocating sense of oppression.

On both sides of the car, a group of thugs from the Green Gang, dressed in black, with fierce expressions and an imposing aura, surrounded the vehicle.

Anyone with a discerning eye could recognize them at a glance—the three most famous tycoons of Shanghai had arrived!

The door of the lead car slowly opened, and Huang Jinrong stepped out first.

He was slightly overweight, dressed in a dark silk robe and a top hat. His face was fleshy, and his eyes were cloudy yet sinister and hawk-like, revealing a cunning and ruthless nature.

The domineering and authoritative aura of someone who has long held a high position is overwhelming; every move he makes carries the imposing presence of the underground emperor of Shanghai.

The door of the second car opened, and Du Yuesheng stepped out slowly.

He was slender, wearing a light-colored long gown of fine fabric, his slicked-back hair was meticulously combed, and his face was refined with gentle features, making him look like a gentleman.

Yet, deep within his eyes lay an unfathomable cunning and ruthlessness. His gentle demeanor commanded respect, revealing the composure and ruthlessness of Shanghai's most powerful tycoon.

The third person to get out of the car was Zhang Xiaolin.

He was tall and burly, with a face full of scars and a fierce look in his eyes. Dressed in a short, tight-fitting jacket, he exuded a savage and bandit-like aura, violent and arrogant, like a ferocious tiger ready to pounce at any moment. Just standing there, he possessed a chilling ferocity that was a stark contrast to Huang Jinrong's domineering nature and Du Yuesheng's sinister ruthlessness.

Surrounded by a large number of thugs, the three tycoons walked straight up to the City God Temple.

Wherever it went, tourists gave way, not daring to even breathe loudly, and no one dared to approach and disturb it.

Chen Feng watched the three figures disappear into the distance, his gaze deep beneath his hat brim. He spoke softly, "They seem very different from what we see in the movies. The characters in movies are good-looking, but the presence of these three in real life is far beyond what actors can match!"

The voice just fell.

A man accompanying Du Yuesheng suddenly turned his head!

His gaze was as sharp as a hawk's, sweeping straight at Chen Feng and his group without shifting his gaze, and locking onto Xiao Aqiao!

The moment Xiao Aqiao met his gaze, her face turned deathly pale.

She had been holding Chen Feng's hand, but unconsciously she tightened her grip, her fingertips turning white, and her body trembled slightly uncontrollably.

Chen Feng instantly noticed her unusual behavior. His gaze suddenly turned cold and sharp as a knife. He slowly raised his head and followed Xiao Aqiao's gaze, staring fiercely at her.

The man was dressed in a neat short-sleeved outfit, with his sleeves rolled up high to reveal his strong, thick arms. His muscles were bulging, his lines were strong and iron-like, and his eyes were fierce and cruel, exuding a bloodthirsty aura. His intense and piercing killing intent was even more fierce than Qian Hu's!

On his arm was a hideous octopus tattooed on his arm!

The octopus's tentacles are bared and menacing, eerie and brutal. It looks like a Southeast Asian human trafficker who has been committing evil deeds at sea for many years and is even more ruthless than pirates!

Chen Feng stared at the octopus tattoo, feeling an overwhelming sense of familiarity, as countless fragments of memory flashed through his mind.

next second!

His pupils contracted sharply, a thunderclap exploded in his heart, and a chilling killing intent instantly swept over his entire body.

"It's an octopus!"

"It's this piece of trash!"