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

The two colors, blue and red, vie for attention.

At the summit, the man thrust out with his spear.

The spear tip gleamed coldly, its surging energy seemingly capable of stirring up the winds and clouds of heaven and earth.

"I see……"

Lin Ji suddenly opened his eyes.

He gently shook the locust branch in his hand, and the dust piled up on the ground was suddenly stirred up. As Lin Ji swung the branch, the dust rose up violently.

"Bang!"

Dust splashed out.

The firewood stake that Lin Ji had previously split in two was suddenly knocked away.

Lin Ji looked down at the locust tree branch in his hand, a slight smile playing on his lips. After his perfect union with Liu Qingzhu, his strength had improved even further.

With the return of his martial arts prowess and his ability to read qi and assess situations, and his mastery of the Mountain and River Stabilizing Spear technique, Lin Ji has gained another trump card in this chaotic world.

Lin Ji put away the branches.

He turned and took one last look at the courtyard, gently closed the wooden door, and turned to walk towards the west of the city.

Walk to the east pier of the city.

Lin Ji's ears trembled as he listened intently.

The distant hum of engines was clearly audible, even though it was two streets away.

Lin Ji proceeded cautiously, gazing into the distance. He saw countless trucks lined up at the dock, continuously shipping goods to the south of the city.

Lin narrowed his eyes slightly.

Another plan arose in my mind.

……

By the time they returned to the Sea Dragon Gang's stronghold in the west of the city, it was already getting dark.

Lin Ji had just stepped into the stronghold when he suddenly stopped.

Two figures stood in the hall, one on the left and one on the right, with very different styles, yet equally eye-catching.

On the left, Shen Jinluan wore a red brocade cheongsam with a slit that went all the way up to her thigh.

She has a slender waist, long legs, and a graceful figure.

She glanced sideways at Lin Ji with her peach blossom eyes, her gaze sparkling with a captivating and alluring charm.

On the right, Liu Qingzhu wore a moon-blue cheongsam with a neatly tailored stand-up collar, revealing only her swan-like neck.

The hem of the cheongsam was slit very low, revealing only a section of slender, fair ankles.

She stood tall and straight, with cool and aloof eyes, exuding a sense of detachment and reserve.

However, when she looked at Lin Ji, her ears turned slightly red.

The two, one in red and one in green, one alluring and one aloof, seemed to outshine even the setting sun outside the hall.

Shen Jinluan greeted Lin Ji with a smile, naturally taking his arm in hers, her voice so soft it could melt water:

"You're finally back! We've been waiting for you for so long."

"Such a big thing happened yesterday, and the concession is going to establish new regulations today. These things are all waiting for your decision."

Liu Qingzhu paused for a moment before following, her voice soft: "Uncle Lin."

Lin Ji glanced at the two of them, his heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously looked at Shen Jinluan.

Shen Jinluan smiled, looking smug. It was clear that the subtle changes in Liu Qingzhu's attire and demeanor were all her doing.

Just like with Bai Yu'er, in just one night, Liu Qingzhu, who was usually aloof and reserved, lost some of his unapproachable aloofness and gained a touch of warmth and humanity.

Lin Ji chuckled and shook his head, but didn't say anything more.

Shen Jinluan took his arm and led him into the hall, saying solemnly as they walked:

"I have two things to tell you. None of the martial arts school owners and family heads who were arrested last night have been released. The Japanese have said that each family will be charged a ransom of 100,000 silver dollars, and they won't release anyone for a penny less."

Liu Qingzhu followed closely behind, her voice cold and clear:

"There are also members of the Gelaohui spreading rumors that on the day the new regulations for the concessions take effect in September, the Westerners will personally take action to drive all the Qingyi Gang members out of the south of the city."

Lin Ji's eyes darkened slightly: "This is fishing."

His brow furrowed slightly, and he spoke softly:

"Zack has a good plan. This news kills two birds with one stone. Either he wants to lure me into action, or he wants to draw out the members of the Alliance."

"No matter who takes the bait, it will eliminate a formidable enemy for them."

Upon hearing this, Liu Qingzhu and Gu Yanqiu both turned serious.

Lin Ji turned to look at Liu Qingzhu, took out a folded sheet of paper from his pocket, and pushed it towards her:

"Miss Liu, there's something I need your help with."

"Don't call me Miss Liu anymore, call me Qingzhu." Shen Jinluan rolled her eyes at Lin Ji and took the blueprints to open them.

Lin Ji glanced at the blueprints and explained, "Yanqiu said that there is a master craftsman surnamed Lu under the Green Robe Gang who is skilled in forging weapons and has reliable craftsmanship. I want to forge a suitable weapon based on these blueprints. Do you think you can help me?"

Liu Qingzhu picked up the blueprints, and after just one glance, her eyes widened suddenly.

The spear on the drawing was uniquely shaped, with a hidden mechanism in the shaft and intricate patterns on the tip. It was unlike any weapon she had ever seen, and its exquisite design was simply unbelievable.

"This..." she hesitated for a moment, "I have never seen such an exquisitely designed weapon before. It is true that Master Lu can make weapons, but most of them are standard-issue, hundred-forged equipment for the gang. I cannot guarantee whether he can make this gun. I can only ask him to do his best."

"Okay." Lin Ji nodded slightly.

As they were talking, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.

Haijiao Gang's henchman rushed over to report:

"Chief, Chief Du of the Green Robe Gang has come to visit."

Lin Ji exchanged a glance with the two women and stood up to greet them.

Du Qingyi was dressed in a black silk robe, and compared to his usual extraordinary demeanor, his face looked much more haggard.

His steps appeared steady, but his shoulders were slightly tilted, and his breathing was weaker than usual.

He was taken aback when he saw Liu Qingzhu dressed in a cheongsam, then turned to look at Lin Ji.

He had heard about Lin Ji's rescue yesterday. It wasn't surprising that Liu Qingzhu was in the Haijiao Gang, but his brows furrowed slightly for a moment when he looked at Liu Qingzhu.

"Mr. Lin," Du Qingyi cupped her hands in greeting, her voice tinged with weariness, "I apologize for disturbing you so late at night."

"You're too kind, Chief Du." Lin Ji stepped aside to invite him to sit down, his gaze sweeping over his left shoulder without saying anything.

Du Qingyi didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point:

"Mr. Lin must have heard about the new decree in the concession."

"The foreigners say on the surface that it will be implemented in September, but in reality they have already taken action. The three branches of the Green Robe Gang in the south of the city were ambushed last night, and many of the brothers were killed or injured. All the martial arts schools and families that are still in the south of the city are in a state of panic and can no longer unite. If this continues, the martial arts in Jiangcheng will fall apart before the new order is issued."

He looked up at Lin Ji with earnest eyes: "Today, I, Du, would like to ask Mr. Lin to lend a helping hand when the Green Robe Gang is in trouble."

He paused, then turned to Liu Qingzhu: "Master, things aren't peaceful in the city. Didn't your family move to the south of the city last time? Why don't you take some time to go home and visit? If not, have your family stay with you temporarily in the gang."

Lin Ji's heart skipped a beat.

Speaking of Liu Qingzhu, he suddenly thought of Bai Yu'er.

Bai Yu'er still lives alone in a small courtyard in the south of the city.

If things really get chaotic, Western soldiers and Japanese samurai will surely run rampant everywhere, and if something unexpected happens...

A sudden surge of anxiety rose within him.

"Don't worry, Chief Du." Lin Ji suppressed his emotions and spoke slowly:

"The Jiangcheng martial arts lineage will not allow foreigners to trample on it. I'll help with this."