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

When asked this question, Lin Ji remained expressionless, but grinned, deliberately showing his few remaining teeth.

"Miss Liu is joking. I'm a hundred years old and I can barely walk straight. How could I possibly know any martial arts?"

"I learned a few fancy moves from street performers when I was young, but after so many years, I've completely forgotten them."

Deliberately hunching his back and coughing softly twice, Lin Ji patted his thin arm and said, "It seems the old man who pulls the shadow puppet show has the interest in martial arts. If Miss Liu has any connections, why not introduce him to the old man?"

Not far away, Bai Xiaonian glanced at the hunched Lin Ji and frowned slightly. "This old man asks everyone he meets about martial arts. With his physique, even if we introduce him to someone, he won't be able to learn."

On second thought, martial arts are most difficult to master late in life. After the age of thirty, one's physique is already set. This old man is already a hundred years old, how can he still practice martial arts?

"Forget it! Maybe he just got lucky last time!"

Bai Xiaonian muttered to himself, got into position, and continued practicing his stance.

Liu Qingzhu frowned slightly as she looked at Lin Ji's aged face and hunched back.

A centenarian embarking on the path of martial arts?

Unheard of!

Shaking his head, Liu Qingzhu withdrew his probing gaze. "Grandpa is joking. Let's get started with the shadow puppet show."

Lin Ji sighed inwardly, set out the box for showing off his wares, and said, "Alright, alright, kids, today we're going to tell you a new story called 'Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit: The Seven Swordsmen'!"

"Yay!" the children cheered. "We've got a new story to hear!"

Little Fatty Liu Yuanbao looked displeased. "Old Man Lin, aren't you going to tell us about Sun Wukong today?"

Lin Ji grinned and chuckled, "Listen to this first. This is something the old man carefully prepared. It looks good too. You can try it today if you don't believe me."

Seeing Lin Ji's confident assurance, Liu Yuanbao reluctantly agreed.

Lin Ji pulled the handle on the box of shadow puppets, his aged voice rising and falling in a rhythmic cadence.

"In a faraway land, there stood the Jade Toad Palace. Its mistress, Lan Tu, was a woman of exceptional martial arts skills and breathtaking beauty. One day, the Demonic Sect leader, Black Heart Tiger, led his men to attack, seeking to seize the Qilin and dominate the martial world..."

The children listened intently, barely daring to breathe.

Originally reluctant, Liu Yuanbao nervously clenched his little fists.

Even the usually aloof Liu Qingzhu was distracted by the conversation.

"Rainbow Cat was seriously injured while saving Blue Rabbit, and only managed to fight his way out of the encirclement with all his might..."

Liu Yuanbao's lips twitched upon hearing this, and she whispered, "Poor Rainbow Cat Brother."

Seeing this, Liu Qingzhu gently patted Liu Yuanbao's back, but when she heard the climax of the story, her slender little hand on Liu Yuanbao's back tightened involuntarily.

An hour passed quickly. Lin Ji stopped shaking the handle and, keeping everyone in suspense, said, "To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the next installment."

The children blinked, reluctant to leave, watching the shadow puppet box slowly dispersing.

Liu Yuanbao tugged at Liu Qingzhu's sleeve and said coquettishly, "Sister, let's come again tomorrow. I want to hear if Brother Hongmao is feeling better."

Liu Qingzhu smiled gently, "Aren't you listening to Sun Wukong anymore?"

"Listen! We'll listen to it later, but first, let's listen to Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit!" Liu Yuanbao pouted and chuckled.

Liu Qingzhu smiled, but his eyes turned cold the moment he looked up. He took out two silver dollars and handed them to Lin Ji: "You speak well, sir. We'll come again tomorrow."

Lin Ji chuckled and accepted the silver dollar. "Alright!"

After putting down the silver dollar, Liu Qingzhu took Liu Yuanbao's hand and walked out of the alley, chatting and laughing.

After packing his things, Lin Ji noticed that Bai Xiaonian was still in a horse stance.

This kid has perseverance.

However, upon closer inspection, Lin Ji noticed something amiss as his eyes gleamed and the meridians on Bai Xiaonian's legs became visible. As he passed by Bai Xiaonian carrying his things, Lin Ji casually remarked, "Left foot outward by half an inch, center of gravity in the dantian, shoulders down."

Bai Xiaonian frowned and looked up.

The old man even started giving pointers to himself, a proper student of the martial arts academy.

"What do you know? This is the orthodox stance training method of the Martial Arts Hall!"

Lin Ji grinned and said nothing more.

Bai Xiaonian had some doubts in his heart. After hesitating for a long time, he secretly moved his left foot slightly.

Instantly!

He felt something was different.

Holy crap?

What's going on?

My previously tense body immediately relaxed, and my muscles were activated.

Bai Xiaonian stared wide-eyed at Lin Ji, who hadn't gone far, and asked, "Who...who exactly are you?"

Lin Ji turned around, smiled at him, and said, "Who are you? A reclusive master! Have you ever heard of the old man at the foot of the cliff?"

"Little New Year, time to come home for dinner!"

At this moment, Bai Yu'er came out carrying a food box and patted Bai Xiaohou on the back of the head.

"Have you gone mad from practicing martial arts? Don't you know to come home for dinner?"

Bai Xiaonian pursed her lips, glanced at Lin Ji again, and ran home with her head down.

Bai Yu'er swayed her hips as she walked towards Lin Ji, stuffed the food box into his hands, wrapped one arm around his arm, and said sweetly, "Old Lin, I just made braised pork for you for lunch."

As the soft touch came, Lin Ji felt his blood rush to his head and coughed twice as if he were in pain.

"What's wrong?" Bai Yu'er blinked and laughed, "You just tasted it yesterday, and you're craving it again today?"

"How dare you!" Lin Ji blushed and said seriously, "You want to talk about the symposium, right? I haven't forgotten."

Bai Yu'er's face lit up slightly, and she blinked her eyelashes playfully: "Just remember that. If you still want to wait until Xiao Nian leaves, I'll keep you company again."

After saying that, she released Lin Ji and headed home. After running a few steps, she turned back and glanced at Lin Ji's departing figure. Her eyebrows lifted slightly, and she said, "Why does this old man Lin suddenly seem so manly?"

Back home, Bai Yu'er told Bai Xiaonian about the symposium tomorrow.

Bai Xiaonian listened to his sister's instructions, then lowered his head and picked at the few pieces of meat in his bowl.

Carrying the meat box, Lin Ji turned out of the alley and stopped in front of Zhang the butcher's stall, before he could even open his mouth.

Butcher Zhang was the first to speak:

"Hey, Old Lin, here to weigh meat again?"

"Still two jin today?"

"Back then, I'd only buy one pound every six months. Now you can't? Have you struck it rich? You're eating two pounds of meat a day!"

A vegetable vendor nearby joked, "Yeah, you look so radiant lately, you look at least ten years younger!"

Lin Ji was startled. "The change is too drastic?"

Upon examining myself, I realized that I now stand up straight and walk without swaying.

"A wise man keeps his sword hidden until the right time to strike," Lin Ji thought to himself. "It seems that before mastering martial arts, I still need to put on a show and not be too ostentatious."

He quickly hunched over, feigning old age, and said in a hoarse voice, "What fortune? I'm already a hundred years old. If I don't eat now, there won't be any left to eat!"

After paying, Lin Ji carried the meat and, as usual, strolled leisurely home.

Deep within the market.

The two men grimaced and muttered curses under their breath.

One of them was bald, and that was Bald Liu San.

"The gang leader is such a coward! Just because of that woman? He kicked us two brothers out of the gang?"

"Damn it! Don't give me a chance, I'll definitely get my revenge."

And just then...

Carrying meat and humming a tune, Lin Ji passed by in a great mood.

In the corner, the two men's eyes lit up when they saw Lin Ji, and a sinister sneer immediately appeared on their faces.