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

Liu Qingzhu's brows were cool and aloof, but she frowned slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Shen Jinluan can practice it, but Gu Yanqiu can't?

A flicker of doubt crossed her mind.

Could it be related to Uncle Lin?

She hesitated for a moment, then said, "Yanqiu, would it be convenient for me to take a look at the Tianyan Zhu?"

Gu Yanqiu did not hide anything and replied, "Tianyan is focused on Uncle Lin, but it seems that Uncle Lin has not appeared since he returned to Jiangcheng yesterday."

Liu Qingzhu raised her eyebrows slightly, and her face flushed as she recalled Shen Jinluan's words from last night.

Could it be that he's been entangled with that woman, Shen Jinluan?

She looked up at Gu Yanqiu and said firmly, "I know where he is. I'm going to find him."

Gu Yanqiu looked surprised.

Just as she was about to speak, a figure hurriedly darted into the martial arts hall from afar.

Liu Qingzhu followed her gaze.

At the entrance of the martial arts hall, Lin Ji, dressed in a long robe, looked travel-worn.

"Uncle Lin is back."

Upon seeing Lin Ji return, Gu Yanqiu grabbed Liu Qingzhu's sleeve and pulled her toward Lin Ji.

"I'll take you to inquire about the Heavenly Evolution Notes."

Liu Qingzhu was very observant and immediately noticed that Lin Ji was somewhat different.

"Uncle Lin," Liu Qingzhu called out from afar.

Lin Ji, who was about to slip into the small martial arts hall, suddenly stopped and turned his head. He saw Liu Qingzhu and exclaimed in surprise:

"Miss Liu?"

"Is Lin Ji surprised that I'm here?" Upon hearing Lin Ji's tone, Liu Qingzhu's voice also revealed a hint of doubt.

"Hmm." Lin Ji nodded heavily. "The Green Robe Gang is in trouble. Has Chief Du not received the news?"

Even someone as aloof as Liu Qingzhu couldn't help but be startled: "Please tell me in detail."

"Last night I visited the Tongmenghui late at night and had a chat with Zhao Qiaosheng. He admitted that they were responsible for the bombing, and he also told me some very important news."

"The sixth prince of Japan seized opium worth 30 million silver dollars from the Westerners at the East Wharf of the city, and wanted to exchange that area of ​​land in the east of the city for a concession with the Westerners."

Lin Ji paused slightly, then turned his head to look at Gu Yanqiu:

"What we're exchanging is a third of the city's southern territory, including the Martial Arts Hall."

Gu Yanqiu's heart skipped a beat. She had seen the list of those targeted in the martial arts purge, and the Martial Hall was right there on it.

Prince Jingmei, this is from Chongwu Hall.

Moreover, the Green Robe Gang's numerous businesses happen to be located within this area.

The southern part of Jiangcheng is several times wealthier than the eastern part, with various businesses and chambers of commerce lining the streets.

If this concession were really changed.

Japan has killed three birds with one stone this time.

"Uncle Lin, is Zhao Qiaosheng's statement credible?" Liu Qingzhu's expression immediately turned cold; she naturally knew the pros and cons involved.

"It's reliable. Although I don't know how Brother Zhao obtains this confidential information each time, there has never been any problem with him on these important matters, and..."

Lin Ji paused for a moment.

"Moreover... he also vaguely hinted to me that the military governor of Guanghua Province would most likely not stop Jingmei from doing anything in Jiangcheng."

Liu Qingzhu frowned slightly, recalling Du Qingyi's speculation about the source of the Tongmenghui's gunpowder last night. She pondered, "Perhaps the leader knows the key?"

She paused slightly, then bowed gently: "Qingzhu thanks Uncle Lin for revealing such secrets."

Lin Ji nodded slightly and looked at Gu Yanqiu: "Is Principal Xiao in the martial arts hall?"

Gu Yanqiu frowned and shook his head slightly: "Principal Xiao has not returned since he left the Martial Arts Hall last time."

Lin Ji nodded slightly. After a moment's thought, he asked, "Is the Martial Hall now under your control, or is someone else in charge?"

Gu Yanqiu was slightly taken aback, not understanding why Lin Ji asked this, but still answered:

"I am in charge of the martial arts students' training and classes, while Vice Principal Zhou is in charge of internal affairs."

"Vice Principal Zhou?" Lin Ji asked in confusion. He had been at the Martial Arts Academy for over a month and had never heard of this Principal Zhou.

"Principal Zhou doesn't usually participate in martial arts training; he generally works indoors. It's normal that you haven't met him, Grandpa Lin," Gu Yanqiu explained. "Zhou..."

Lin Ji raised his hand to stop Gu Yanqiu from continuing his explanation:

"The list of those to be eliminated marks the Martial Hall with 'insiders already planted.' To seize the Martial Hall's legacy, besides Principal Xiao, I estimate only the two of you could coordinate from the inside out."

Lin Ji paused slightly, his brows furrowing deeply: "This inside man is definitely not you, so it can only be him."

Gu Yanqiu frowned. This Vice Principal Zhou usually kept to himself and rarely went out. Even she had only met him a few times, and she knew nothing about his background.

Based on the list of those to be investigated, Grandpa Lin's guess is not without merit.

"I understand what you mean." A look of certainty flashed across Gu Yanqiu's handsome brows.

She twisted her wrist and turned to walk towards the training ground: "All instructors of the Martial Arts Hall, assemble at the training ground."

The martial arts instructors were divided into two groups.

A group of people, led by Li Jingzhi, stood neatly dressed in their training uniforms on the training ground.

Another group, larger in number, followed Wang Meng's lead. The group was poorly dressed, with not-so-expensive silk peeking out from under their training clothes.

Although it was supposed to be a rest day at the martial arts academy, many diligent students still stayed behind due to the impending ban on martial arts, gathering scattered around the training ground.

Gu Yanqiu glanced at Wang Meng and his group, then looked away and spoke in a deep voice:

"You all heard about the explosion in the south of the city last night. The Japanese suffered heavy losses as a result, and they will inevitably retaliate and cause trouble. The Martial Arts Hall may also be affected."

Gu Yanqiu's gaze swept across the crowd, noticing the changes in the expressions of the many instructors. He spoke again:

"If the Martial Arts Academy suffers a severe blow as a result, the only hope for the thousands of students inside will be us instructors. To prevent any unforeseen circumstances, I, as the head instructor of the Martial Arts Academy, have decided to close the gates of the Martial Arts Academy immediately. During the period when the gates are closed, no one may enter or leave except for students who come to class."

Gu Yanqiu had just finished speaking.

The training ground erupted in uproar.

Most of those who spoke up were the instructors behind Wang Meng.

"The gates of the Fengwu Hall?" Wang Meng stepped forward first, his aura imposing.

"Gu Yanqiu! The Martial Arts School has been around for over thirty years. Look through the school's history and see when it has ever closed its doors to visitors."

"Yes, even when the Taiping Army entered the city, the martial arts school's doors were still wide open to welcome guests from all directions. Instructor Gu, are you trying to destroy the foundation of the martial arts school or extinguish its fortune?" Behind Wang Meng was an old man with white hair and eyebrows, who was trembling with anger.

"Yes, Instructor Wang Meng is right! Gu Yanqiu, you are only temporarily acting as head instructor; the real head instructor is still Instructor Wang Meng!"

"Yes! We'll listen to Instructor Wang! Let Instructor Wang Meng make the decision."

The crowd behind Wang Meng echoed his sentiments.

Hearing so much support, Wang Meng felt even more confident, and a smile spread across his face:

"Did you hear that, Instructor Gu?"

A heroic glint flashed across Gu Yanqiu's brows, and he suddenly raised his hand, a cold glint in his eyes.

During her trip to Xincheng, the murderous aura she had honed from killing more than a dozen Japanese soldiers suddenly emanated from her body.

Most instructors in the martial arts school are merely theoretical; at most, they have engaged in hand-to-hand combat, and very few have actually shed blood.

As soon as Gu Yanqiu unleashed his imposing aura, everyone fell silent.

"bass!"

A cold glint flashed by.

Wang Meng felt a sudden pain in his cheek.

A streak of blood suddenly seeped out.

Wang Meng was shocked and furious, but dared not speak out.

Just then.

A voice rang out from behind the group:

"Instructor Gu is so impressive!"