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

The provincial capital, the military governor's mansion.

Night had completely fallen.

The dial-up phone in He Ze's study suddenly rang.

"So late...who could it be?" He stood up, picked up the receiver, and frowned as he asked, "Feeding?"

The voice in the receiver was neither hurried nor slow:

"He Ze!"

"Who?" He Ze asked in a low voice.

The other party did not explain, but said firmly, "Three things."

"First, the ban on martial arts will be implemented ahead of schedule in Guanghua. From now on, all martial arts schools in Guanghua will be closed. Those who privately teach martial arts will be treated as rebels."

He Ze's heart sank.

As expected, they didn't let Guanghua off the hook after all.

"Secondly, the martial arts ban competition will be implemented ahead of schedule. On the day of the Spring Festival next year, a martial arts ban competition will be held in Beijing. The competition rules will be the same as before. Consuls from various countries and representatives from newspapers in the north and south will be present to watch the event."

Is the competition being moved up?

He Ze gripped the receiver tighter.

It was called a grand competition, but in reality, it was a way to establish authority.

Is this because they're afraid Chinese martial arts will use this year as an opportunity to grow stronger? Do they want to trample the last bit of face of Chinese martial arts into the ground in front of the whole world?

He Ze hesitated for a moment, then asked again, "And you are?"

The other party still did not answer, and their voice was three degrees colder than before:

"The third thing is to issue an arrest warrant for Lin Ji from Jiangcheng. We need to see him alive or dead."

He Ze's heart skipped a beat again.

He knew the whole story of Jiangcheng better than anyone else.

Even he, a warlord who had risen through the ranks of the dead, couldn't sleep a wink all night after seeing those photos from the Japanese dungeons.

Nowadays, the foreign concessions have become more restrained, and the foreign police no longer dare to patrol the streets and alleys as arrogantly as before.

Even the once arrogant and domineering Japanese have completely cowered.

Everyone in the world thought those photos were taken by reporters hired by the Governor's Mansion to capture evidence of the Japanese people's crimes. But He Ze knew in his heart that only the people of Jiangcheng understood that it was that old man surnamed Lin who, carrying a gun, protected them.

"My lord," He Ze said cautiously, "Lin Ji enjoys extremely high prestige among the people of Jiangcheng. Issuing a warrant for his arrest so hastily might incite public resentment..."

"Public resentment?" A cold laugh came from the other end of the phone.

"The authorities have communicated with the Queen of Great Britain. They demanded that Great Britain put the matter of Jiangcheng behind them, that the concessions not be re-established, and that the previous murder case be wiped clean. Great Britain agreed! He Ze! This is a level of respect that the authorities haven't been able to achieve in decades!"

"But is this dignity given away for free?" The person on the other end of the phone paused, their sneer fading. "The Queen only wants an explanation! Trading an old man like Lin Ji for peace in Jiangcheng, for peace at the river ports—tell me, is this a worthwhile deal?"

He Ze remained silent.

Whether it's worth it or not is not up to him to decide.

All he knew was that this time, the authorities had shown unusual backbone and withstood the British's continued pressure on Jiangcheng.

But the price of this tough stance is that the person who was truly tough is pushed out to take the blame.

"Oh, right." The person on the other end of the phone seemed to remember something, and their tone became more casual: "You don't need to worry about Li Shuwen and Huo Feihong's affairs, and you're not allowed to inquire about them. Those two are working for the authorities, and the capital will take care of the arrangements."

He Ze was taken aback.

Working for the authorities?

He suddenly remembered how Edmonton had fled in terror after Huo Feihong had only given his name in the reception hall that day.

This pool of water is so deep that you can't see the bottom.

"Yes, I understand."

After hanging up the phone, He Ze sat in his study for a long time.

The night outside the window was deep and dark.

He picked up his pen, then put it down again.

In the end, he signed the official document sent to Jiangcheng.

……

Jiangcheng, the Governor's Mansion.

Chen Tianze held the official document, his expression changing repeatedly.

Official documents are written in black and white.

The warrant for arrest was issued for Lin Ji, a military outlaw, on charges of breaking into the British Consulate at night and killing British personnel.

The Japanese consulate and the dungeon massacre were not mentioned at all.

Chen Tianze forced out a few words through gritted teeth: "You just sold him out like that? And you even incurred such a huge favor?"

He stood up, paced back and forth in the hall a few times, and then suddenly stopped:

"Someone, bring Ziyi here, immediately!"

Before long, Chen Ziyi rushed over.

Chen Tianze dismissed his attendants and handed over the official document:

"The official document won't be issued until tomorrow at the earliest. Go and tell Mr. Lin about this."

Chen Ziyi's hand, holding the official document, trembled slightly.

"Father, Uncle Lin saved the entire Jiangcheng..."

"I know." Chen Tianze closed his eyes, his voice weary. "This is all I can do as your father."

He paused, then summoned his trusted advisor and, in a low voice, gave the instructions:

"Tell everyone below to rest tonight. The paste for posting official documents... isn't ready yet. Let the craftsmen mix it slowly; there's no need to rush."

The advisor was taken aback, then understood and bowed as he withdrew.

Let's prolong this as long as we can.

……

Sea Dragon Gang stronghold.

When Chen Ziyi slammed the official document on the table, the room erupted in chaos.

"Wanted?" Bai Yu'er jumped to her feet, her voice trembling. "He saved the entire city, and now he's a bandit?"

"What a fine regime!" Shen Jinluan gripped the jade pipe between her fingers, her knuckles cracking, and a cold glint appeared in her peach blossom eyes: "When they need it, they use his name to stabilize public sentiment; when they don't, they use it to exchange for the respectability given by foreigners."

Butcher Zhang slammed his fist on the table, making the teacups bounce around.

"Old Lin, we can't leave! The people of Jiangcheng won't stand for it. If they dare to arrest us, we'll fight them to the death!"

"Yes! Let's give it our all!"

The members of the Haijiao Gang were filled with indignation.

Lin Ji sat in the armchair, remaining silent.

After everyone had finished arguing, he slowly picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"Are you done arguing?"

The room fell silent.

"Sit down, everyone." Lin Ji put down his teacup, his tone as indifferent as if he were talking about something trivial: "They want me, not Jiang Cheng."

"As long as I'm in Jiangcheng, Jiangcheng is a target. When I leave, this fire will go with me."

He glanced at the crowd:

"The concessions have been taken back, the foreigners have toned down, and the people have just enjoyed a few days of peace. This situation cannot be ruined again because of me alone."

"But..." Bai Yu'er's eyes reddened, "I'll go with you! I'm a Bone Refiner now, ordinary thugs can't get close to me, I can take care of myself!"

"Nonsense." Lin Ji rarely put on a stern face. "If you leave, what will happen to Xiao Nian? Will Jin Luan be left all alone in the gang?"

Bai Yu'er pouted, still wanting to argue, but Shen Jinluan pressed her back into the chair.

"Uncle Lin is right."

Liu Qingzhu, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke, her voice clear and crisp:

"Now that countries are wary of what's in the newspapers, no one dares to touch Jiangcheng anymore. With Uncle Lin gone, Jiangcheng is finally at peace."

Zhao Qiaosheng sighed, stood up, and clasped his hands in greeting:

"Don't worry, sir. Now that you're gone, we'll be there to protect Jiangcheng. Things won't get out of control."

"There's nothing to worry about," Lin Ji smiled. "Anyway, this old man was going to leave anyway."

……

After everyone left, Lin Ji sat alone under the lamp.

He tapped his fingertips on the table, his mind preoccupied with another matter that Chen Ziyi had casually mentioned.

Martial arts competition (banned)

Next Chinese New Year, ten people will face off against ten people in front of consuls from various countries.

What a brilliant, open scheme!

If we win, the foreigners will say it was an unfair victory.

Having lost, Chinese martial arts became a laughing stock worldwide, and the ban on martial arts faced no further resistance.

Lin Ji stared at the flickering candlelight, his gaze gradually darkening.

The matter in Jiangcheng is settled.

But it seems that things in China have only just begun.