Republic of China era: A hundred-year-old still practicing martial arts? Is that right?

Chapter 101

The moment Lin Ji's fingertips touched the silk scroll, the martial bones in his sea of ​​consciousness trembled violently.

A clear stream, more abundant than ever before, spread throughout his body along his meridians. His initial Dark Force cultivation, which he had just broken through to, was now steadily condensed, and he was faintly touching the threshold of the middle Dark Force stage.

Lin Ji unfolded the silk scroll.

The vigorous small seal script leaps off the paper.

"Heaven and earth have constant principles, which give rise to all things; this is called the evolution of heaven."

"Breath does not reside in the lungs, but in the bones; vital energy does not reside in the dantian, but in the marrow..."

Lin Ji's brows furrowed suddenly. It was actually a method for refining breathing, and the breathing techniques described therein were far more profound than any other method Lin Ji had ever seen.

Lin Ji's martial bones trembled, and a clear stream flowed from his martial bones into his mind.

"Top Secret Realm! It's actually the breathing technique of the Top Secret Realm."

As Lin Ji turned the pages, the two words at the bottom of the book left him with endless suspense.

Volume 1 complete!

Lin Ji closed the silk scroll again. He glanced at the sumo wrestler's corpse on the ground and made a guess: "Could it be that the second volume has already fallen into the hands of the Sixth Prince of Japan, which is why he is in such a hurry to escort the first volume of the Heavenly Evolution Annotations?"

Lin Ji carefully placed Tianyan back into the wooden box, then flipped through the roster again, his expression gradually darkening.

The list is densely packed with more than twenty martial arts lineages within Guanghua, each marked with the grade of the technique and the strength of the guardian master.

There were different markings on the back.

Some were marked "confiscated", some "pending collection", and others "internal accomplice".

Lin Ji's gaze fell on the bottom of the list, and his eyes lit up.

Jiangcheng Martial Arts Hall!

The name of Jiangcheng Martial Arts Hall was prominently listed.

The label reads "Mastery of the technique, a traitor has been planted."

"Uncle Lin? What exactly is in here?"

Gu Yanqiu staggered over, and upon seeing the handwriting on the list in Lin Ji's hand, her heart sank. The words "The mole has been planted" pierced her eyes like needles.

"It is something that can determine the life and death of the entire Chinese martial arts world."

Lin Ji discarded the wooden box, wrapped the silk scroll and list with jade silk, and said in a deep voice:

"What the Japanese want isn't just a few plots of land, but our martial arts foundation!"

Gu Yanqiu was startled and was about to ask further questions when Lin Ji's ears twitched.

From the distant mountain road, came the sound of hurried footsteps, rapidly approaching.

"They're pursuers!"

Lin Ji's expression hardened slightly.

He had just killed Onitou Yuzo, and the backlash from the Hidden Dragon Abyss within him had begun to surface. At this moment, his qi and blood were extremely weak.

Gu Yanqiu was seriously injured and his combat strength was reduced by more than half. Neither of them had the strength to fight again in a short period of time.

"Let's go! Retreat into the mountains!"

Lin Ji grabbed Gu Yanqiu and turned to disappear into the dense forest behind them.

Less than half a minute after the two left, a group of Japanese samurai rushed up to the Buick.

The man in the lead was dressed in a black kimono, with a long scar across his left cheek that ran diagonally across his eyebrow.

When he saw Kito Yuzo's corpse and the empty passenger seat, his face instantly contorted into a ferocious grimace.

"Baka!"

Fujita Yuichi drew his katana and slashed it at the car, a look of fear creeping across his狰狞 (zhengning - ferocious/hideous) face.

"Chase him! Find him alive or dead!"

He was ordered to meet Kito Yuzo, but now not only has Kito Yuzo been killed, but even the treasure that the Prince of Rokuchin was determined to obtain has been stolen.

If Fujita Yuichi can't catch up, he won't even be able to save his life, let alone his future.

Twenty elite Ming Jin warriors responded to the call and moved in a fan shape to search the dense forest at great speed.

In the dense forest, Lin Ji helped Gu Yanqiu walk briskly.

Gu Yanqiu's injuries were too severe. He had just forced himself to launch a sneak attack, and now his blood and qi were churning inside him. His steps were getting slower and slower, and a trace of blood even spilled from the corner of his mouth.

"Uncle Lin... don't worry about me, you take the things and leave first. If these things fall back into the hands of the Japanese, the consequences will be unimaginable." Gu Yanqiu gritted his teeth, his voice weak but firm.

"Nonsense." Lin Ji continued walking, and tightened his grip on Gu Yanqiu's arm: "I've lived for a hundred years, and I lost my granddaughter fifty years ago. How could I possibly lose my great-granddaughter now?"

Lin Ji paused for a moment, then said, "Don't worry, they won't be able to catch up."

After running for more than a mile, a corner of a flying eaves suddenly appeared at the end of the dense forest ahead.

A dilapidated ancient temple is hidden deep in the mountains and forests. The temple gate is half closed, and the courtyard is covered with withered leaves, indicating that it has been abandoned for many years.

The footsteps behind them grew closer, and the shouts of the Japanese could be heard clearly; they had caught up to the foot of the mountain.

Lin Ji made a quick decision, helping Gu Yanqiu walk towards the ancient temple: "Let's go in and hide for a while, then leave when we have a chance."

The two pushed open the creaking temple door and stepped into the courtyard, when they heard a strong and clear sound of a wooden fish coming from the main hall.

Immediately afterwards, a calm and undisturbed voice slowly rang out, devoid of any warmth or malice, yet clearly reaching the ears of the two: "Esteemed benefactors, your karmic burdens are too heavy; please stop here."

Lin Ji felt a chill run down his spine.

Could someone be hiding in this dilapidated temple in the middle of nowhere?

Lin Ji suppressed his surprise and doubt, disregarded the instructions, and helped Gu Yanqiu slowly walk into the main hall.

Inside the hall was a mottled Buddha statue. An old monk in a gray robe sat on a prayer mat with his eyes closed and old scars at the corners of his eyes, indicating that he was blind.

He held prayer beads in his hand, tapping the wooden fish at a leisurely pace, seemingly unconcerned about the arrival of the two.

"Master..." Gu Yanqiu was about to express his gratitude when a violent kicking sound came from outside the temple gate.

"Old man! I know you're hiding in there! Hand over the Heavenly Evolution Record obediently, and I'll spare your life!"

The voices of the Japanese came from outside the courtyard, and twenty samurai had completely surrounded the ancient temple.

The blind old monk stopped striking the wooden fish, slowly stood up, and picked up the staff that was leaning against the altar.

As soon as he finished speaking, he walked slowly to the entrance of the hall and slammed his staff on the ground.

"Thump—"

With a muffled thud, the entire hall trembled slightly. The three warriors who were at the forefront of the courtyard gate were all thrown backward by the shock, spitting blood and falling to the ground, unable to get up.

Fujita Yuichi's expression changed drastically, and he abruptly raised his hand to stop everyone in their tracks.

He stared intently at the blind monk at the temple entrance, alarm bells ringing in his mind.

"Old monk! I advise you not to meddle in other people's business! These two are wanted criminals of the Japanese Imperial Family. If you insist on protecting them, you may bring disaster upon yourself!" Fujita Yuichi shouted fiercely but was actually cowardly, his right hand pressing deeply on the samurai sword at his waist.

The old monk chuckled softly and tapped his staff lightly on the threshold: "This is a sacred Buddhist sanctuary; we do not accept outsiders. Please leave, benefactor!"

Fujita Yuichi's temple throbbed with veins. He wanted to rush in, but the power of that staff strike that had repelled three people was unfathomable. If they really fought, he might not be a match for him.

But if he just left like that, he wouldn't be able to explain it to the Sixth Prince.

He gritted his teeth and glared fiercely into the hall: "Fine! I'll give the master face! Let's go!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone turned around and headed down the mountain. Fujita Yuichi whispered an order:

"Send a telegram to the Sixth Prince: the Heavenly Evolution Record has been lost and we urgently need expert assistance!"

Fujita Yuichi didn't actually retreat far; he simply led his men to the foot of the mountain and completely blocked the way down, intending to wait for them to come to him.

Once the Sixth Prince's support arrives, not only will those two die, but even this old monk will perish.

"Thank you for saving me, Master." Lin Ji cupped his hands in thanks, his tone solemn.

The old monk turned around, his blind eyes facing Lin Ji's direction, as if he could see, his gaze precisely landing on the jade and silk in Lin Ji's arms.

"Is the item in your possession the Heavenly Evolution Treatise?"