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

"Your Highness is indeed very straightforward!"

Zack extended his hand and shook hands with Jingmei, who was equally spirited.

"In September, the new regulations for the concessions will be implemented. Our two sides will enforce the law together, and most of the martial arts in Jiangcheng will be wiped out. The day when Jiangcheng collapses will be just around the corner."

Jingmei couldn't suppress a smile: "Da Ying has some good methods. Opium ruins these people's bodies. Don't be so arbitrary in judging their character."

"Your country is no less impressive, collecting martial arts techniques and developing medicine and pharmacy. Isn't that also a good thing for future generations?"

"Hahaha!"

"Hahaha--"

The two exchanged a knowing smile, each harboring their own secrets.

Both of them knew the truth.

If things continue like this, China's centuries-old heritage may be completely severed on this land.

The handover between the two parties is complete.

Zack led his large group away triumphantly.

Jingmei did not return to the consulate, but went straight to the concession stronghold in the east of the city.

Inside the compound of the stronghold.

Beneath the row of two-story buildings, even the bright white lights failed to fully illuminate the passageway.

Down the passageway.

They were small, dark, and damp dungeons, where more than a dozen martial arts school owners and family heads who had been captured from the restaurant the previous night were imprisoned.

The group was disheveled, wearing handcuffs and shackles, their faces filled with anxiety.

Hearing footsteps, everyone looked towards the approaching person in the dim light of the passageway.

Jingmei walked slowly to the front of the cage, toying with a short samurai sword in her hand, and spoke slowly:

"You are all prominent figures in Jiangcheng, so I will not make things difficult for you. Each family will pay a ransom of 100,000 silver dollars, and your people can leave immediately."

A commotion broke out in the crowd.

One hundred thousand silver dollars is no small sum, but it's a matter of life and death, and many people have already considered it.

"dream!"

A burly martial arts school owner suddenly stood up, his eyes wide with anger:

"My Iron Fist Sect has been established in Jiangcheng for thirty years. Why should we pay money to you Japanese? If you have the guts, let me go, and let's settle this with our fists!"

Jingmei glanced at him, a sinister smile creeping onto her lips:

"Oh? A tough nut to crack?"

"Perfect! My experiment is just a few more test subjects needed."

He waved his hand, and two Japanese samurai immediately opened the cell door and dragged the master out.

The man cursed and struggled violently.

"snort!"

Jingmei snorted coldly, raised her leg and kicked the Iron Fist Sect leader in the chest, knocking him to the ground.

Two soldiers then pinned him down and injected a blackish-purple medicine directly into his neck.

"ah--!"

A piercing scream echoed through the dungeon; the Iron Fist Sect leader's veins bulged, and his muscles contorted wildly.

"Take it away and start the experiment immediately." Jingmei wiped her hands with disgust and said indifferently, "The physique of a Ming Jin martial artist is more suitable for modification."

His gaze swept over the remaining people, his tone so calm it was as if nothing had just happened:

"You are all experts at least at the Ming Jin level. If you are unwilling to pay, then stay and contribute to my potion testing."

As everyone watched the Iron Fist Sect leader being dragged away in the distance, and recalled the mindless assassins who had been running around the streets recently, their faces fell.

Someone spoke first, their voice trembling:

"I...I'll pay! I'll write home right now and have the money sent!"

Once there was a first, there was a second. Everyone lowered their heads, afraid that if they were a step too late, they would be dragged out to be experimented on.

Jingmei smiled with satisfaction.

He didn't care about money; what he wanted was to make the Jiangcheng martial arts community fear the Japanese to the core.

Within the British Concession in the southern part of the city.

Zheng Changsheng followed behind Zack, his face full of doubt:

"Colonel, the Green Robe Gang was at its weakest last night. Why didn't we take advantage of the situation and wipe them out?"

Zack stopped and glanced back at him, a mocking glint in his deep blue eyes:

"Chief Zheng, when hunting, you can't kill the prey all at once. You have to tease it slowly to lure the beasts hiding in the shadows out on their own."

He patted Zheng Changsheng on the shoulder:

"Go spread the word that on the day the new regulations for the concessions take effect, the British Council will personally drive the entire Green Cops gang out of the southern part of the city."

Zheng Changsheng was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized what was going on and quickly bowed:

"Understood! I'll take care of it right away!"

Watching Zheng Changsheng's hurried departure, Zack's smile gradually turned into a sinister grin.

He rubbed his knuckles and chuckled softly, "Old man, let's see if you'll fall into this trap."

At this moment, Lin Ji returned to the Martial Arts Hall.

On the training ground, Gu Yanqiu was leading his students in practicing boxing, his moves were sharp and his heroic spirit undiminished.

Lin Yueru, who was standing to the side handing out water and wiping away sweat, saw Lin Ji approaching and her eyes lit up as she quickly waved:

"Grandpa Lin!"

Gu Yanqiu also withdrew his fist and quickly stepped forward, a hint of urgency in his eyes:

"Uncle Lin, I heard about what happened at the restaurant last night. Are you alright?"

"It's alright."

Lin Ji nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the arena. He saw that although the disciples looked anxious, they still persisted in practicing their fist techniques, and he nodded to himself.

"I have something to ask you. Are there any trustworthy blacksmiths in Jiangcheng? I want to reforge that monk's staff that I brought back last time into a more suitable weapon."

Gu Yanqiu thought for a moment and immediately said:

"The Green Robe Gang has a blacksmith shop under its wing. The master craftsman's surname is Lu. His ancestors were government-run weapons craftsmen. He is extremely skilled and tight-lipped. If Qingzhu intervenes, it will definitely be successful."

Lin Ji nodded, understanding the situation.

Once we contact Liu Qingzhu again, the matter of the heavy gun can be put on the agenda.

He didn't linger at the martial arts hall. After bidding farewell to the two men, he headed straight for Gouwei Alley in the east of the city.

The old locust tree at the alley entrance is still lush and leafy, and when the wind blows, locust blossoms fall all over the ground.

Lin Ji reached out and folded a locust tree branch of suitable thickness, weighed it in his hand, and walked into his small courtyard.

The courtyard gate creaked open, revealing a thin layer of dust in the yard. The shadow puppet box in the corner leaned quietly against the wall, its wood covered in dust.

"Old buddy, long time no see."

Lin Ji walked over, his fingertips gently brushing across the surface of the box, a hint of emotion flashing in his eyes.

Back then, I relied on this box to travel from street to street; decades have passed in the blink of an eye.

He went into the room, opened the old wooden box under the bed, and rummaged through the items left behind by the old opera troupe.

A few masks, disguise paint, and a few ordinary clothes.

These things come in handy now.

After carefully putting away his disguise, Lin Ji walked to the center of the courtyard, held a locust tree branch in his hand, and slowly closed his eyes.

Within his sea of ​​consciousness, the diagram of the Mountain and River Stabilizing Spear slowly unfolded, causing his martial bones to tremble slightly as he resonated with it.

The next moment, he flicked his wrist, and the locust tree branch shot out like a spear.

It had no sharp, piercing sound, yet it possessed a profound and weighty aura.

Every move he made was as imposing as mountains and rivers, and as flowing as a river, with the intent of the spear never ceasing.

With a solid foundation in martial arts and a profound understanding of martial arts, he mastered the essentials of spear techniques in less than half an incense stick's time.

Just as his moves were getting better and better, the martial bones in his sea of ​​consciousness suddenly became slightly hot.

The scene before Lin Ji suddenly changed. On the cloud-shrouded mountain peak, a figure in a green robe stood with a spear on his back, the tip of the spear pointing to the sky, his aura merging with the heavens and earth.