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

"Grandpa Lin is amazing!"

The students clenched their fists, their faces flushed, and released all the pent-up frustration and fear in their hearts at that moment.

Many people had red eyes, crying and laughing at the same time.

A collective sigh rippled through the group of instructors. Some gazed in the direction where the foreigner's body had been carried away and murmured:

"Kane is dead... He severely injured Lee Jinsi in the ring, leaving him bedridden. Today, he's finally gotten his just deserts!"

"Yes! How long has this foreigner been running rampant in Jiangcheng, relying on his exotic blood potion! Good riddance, it's a great relief!"

A single sentence evoked memories for everyone, recalling Li Jinsi's crushing defeat and the foreigners' dejected departure today. Everyone felt a surge of satisfaction, as if a heavy weight had finally been lifted from their hearts.

Gu Yanqiu and Liu Qingzhu rushed to Lin Ji's side and supported his arms on either side.

"Grandpa Lin, are you alright? Is anything bothering you?"

Gu Yanqiu's eyes reddened, and her fingertips trembled slightly.

The scene from just now was still vivid in her mind; her heart was still pounding, and she was filled with lingering fear.

Even Liu Qingzhu's usually cool and aloof expression was filled with concern. She placed her hand on Lin Ji's wrist, focused intently for a moment, and then let out a slight sigh of relief.

"There is a slight surging of qi and blood, but the meridians are unobstructed, so there's nothing seriously wrong."

Lin Ji had now withdrawn the Hidden Dragon Abyss Secret Technique, and the overwhelming and stagnant aura around him receded like the tide, his sharp, knife-like eyes becoming gentle and murky again.

He smiled, his voice returning to its usual hoarse and amiable tone.

"It's nothing, it's nothing. I'm just an old man, it's just a bit of exercise, nothing serious."

His back was slightly hunched again, and he looked no different from the old Lin who used to sweep the floor and guard the gate, except that he looked much younger.

"Well done, Grandpa Lin!"

The students looked at him with eyes full of respect and gratitude.

Someone shouted first, and then cheers rose and fell, making the roof tiles tremble slightly.

Lin Ji waved his hand and smiled somewhat embarrassedly.

Xiao Jinglan walked slowly into the courtyard, raised his hand and gently pressed down, instantly silencing the noise.

She stood in the center of the training ground, her gaze sweeping over every face present. Some were relieved to have survived a calamity, some were delighted to have avenged their great grudge, and some were uncertain about the future.

"Today's matter is temporarily over."

Xiao Jinglan's voice was steady and clear, carrying throughout the entire venue:

"But there are a few things I want to clarify in public today, and to give everyone a definite answer."

She first looked at Zhou Xun and Wang Meng, her eyes turning cold:

"Zhou Xun, as the vice principal of the Martial Arts Academy, was trusted by me to manage the academy's teaching and internal affairs, yet he colluded with foreign enemies and corrupted the academy's atmosphere. His crimes are unforgivable."

"Wang Meng, as an instructor, aided and abetted the wicked, accepted bribes, incited people, and acted as an accomplice to evil."

"Today, you two are expelled from the Martial Arts Hall."

As soon as he finished speaking, two instructors stepped forward and shoved the two men to the ground.

Zhou Xun's face was ashen, his body limp, his cultivation destroyed, and his life was completely ruined.

Wang Meng was so frightened that he trembled and didn't even dare to beg for mercy loudly. He scrambled and crawled towards the door, leaving behind a crowd of contemptuous and disdainful gazes.

After dealing with the ringleader, Xiao Jinglan turned his gaze to the group of instructors.

Those instructors who had followed Zhou Xun, privately taught the children of aristocratic families on the side, and received benefits all lowered their heads, their faces pale, and dared not meet her gaze.

Everyone thought that there would be a great purge today, and that countless people would be expelled from the martial arts hall and lose their livelihoods.

But Xiao Jinglan simply said, "As for the tutors who teach part-time outside and have accepted money or gifts, I know them all."

One sentence made several people tremble and lower their heads even further.

"But Xiao Jinglan is not an unapproachable person."

She changed the subject, her tone softening somewhat:

"In chaotic times, rice is as precious as firewood, and everyone has to make a living. If someone occasionally resorts to unorthodox methods, I can forgive and forget about it."

"But remember, this is a one-time thing. If you ever dare to accept bribes, corrupt the teachings, or collude with outsiders again, this is what will happen to Zhou Xun and Wang Meng."

"After returning, each of you should report to the Hall of Affairs, return all the money and valuables you received, and make up for the missed lessons. Then this matter will be considered closed."

Upon hearing this, all the instructors breathed a sigh of relief, their faces filled with shame and relief, and they all bowed and clasped their hands in greeting.

"Thank you for your magnanimity, Principal! We will certainly abide by our duties and teach diligently from now on, and will never repeat this mistake!"

An internal strife that could have shaken the foundations of the martial arts academy was gently quelled by her combination of kindness and severity, both intimidating the people and preserving the academy's faculty and vitality.

After the disciples dispersed to clean up the training ground and the instructors returned to their halls to rest, only Xiao Jinglan, Lin Ji, Gu Yanqiu, and Liu Qingzhu remained in the courtyard.

The setting sun slanted into the courtyard, casting long shadows of the group.

Xiao Jinglan sighed, a serious expression on his face.

"Although we forced Jingmei and Zack to retreat today, these two are ruthless people. They will not let this go after suffering such a great loss."

"If they can't get away with it at the martial arts hall, they'll definitely seek revenge elsewhere. The city is unlikely to be peaceful for the next few days."

Gu Yanqiu frowned slightly upon hearing this, his cool voice tinged with worry: "Principal, I will keep a close eye on the Martial Arts Hall."

Liu Qingzhu stood aside, deep in thought. Du Qingyi had mentioned yesterday that Westerners had always wanted to get involved in gangs. Today, Zack had lost Kane and suffered heavy losses, so he would definitely find a place to assert his authority and vent his anger.

Among the gangs in Jiangcheng, the Green Robe Gang is the most powerful, controlling the business at the South Wharf. They are probably the first to be affected.

Her expression became more serious.

Although Chief Du was skilled in scheming, he was ultimately a man of the underworld, and his combat strength was no match for that of foreign guns and cannons.

We need to hurry back and give them a heads-up, reminding the gang to be extra careful and not to be caught off guard by the foreigners.

Lin Ji, standing to the side, also felt a sudden sinking feeling in his heart.

Shen Jinluan has been having a lot of trouble lately due to the Gelaohui. Now that the Japanese and Westerners have been humiliated at the martial arts hall, they dare not confront them head-on again. They might take action against the gangs in the city as a warning to others.

The Sea Dragon Gang and the Green Robe Gang are on good terms. If they were to be targeted by the Japanese or foreigners, the consequences would be unimaginable.

I need to hurry back and check on Shen Jinluan.

Don't let the Sea Dragon Gang cause any trouble.

He looked up and gazed out of the courtyard. Dusk had fallen heavily, and the setting sun on the horizon was like blood, casting a dark shadow over the streets and rooftops of Jiangcheng.

A cool breeze swept in from outside the vermilion gate, raising fine dust as it swept across the messy training ground.

The surface turmoil has temporarily subsided, but the real undercurrents are only just beginning to surge beneath the surface of this city.

Lin Ji clenched his fist. It seemed that the world in Jiangcheng was about to change completely.

Lin Ji and Liu Qingzhu spoke at the same time:

"Principal Xiao!"

The two looked at each other.

Liu Qingzhu spoke first: "I'll go back to the gang first."

Lin Ji then said, "I need to ask for another day off, Principal Xiao."