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

The crowd that had gathered in front of the Gu residence, seeing that there was no more excitement to watch, began to chatter about the exciting part of the event and gradually dispersed to the surrounding streets and alleys.

"Who is that peddler? Is he really the Gu family's retainer? He's incredibly powerful; he almost killed Yan Songshan."

"You know what, it was so close. I suspect he threw that pebble too."

"I don't think the Gu family would dare. If Yan Songshan dies, those ten cannons will finally get their first taste of fire today."

"Who knows... Let's all go."

Only the Gu family members and Lin Ji remained at the door.

"Sir, please come in and have a seat." Gu Feng stepped aside to open the door and gestured for him to enter.

Lin Ji didn't refuse and followed him inside, gun in hand.

The dilapidated door slowly closed behind them, completely blocking any outside gazes that might try to peer inside.

The group entered the living room, where the butler served them tea.

Gu Feng sat in the main seat, holding a teacup, his fingertips lightly tapping the rim of the cup: "I will remember your help today, sir. But I don't know why you helped me when we are complete strangers."

"Master Gu, there's no need to ask any more questions." Lin Ji put down his teacup and interrupted him, "I was just doing some business along the way. I happened to be there and couldn't stand those people's behavior, so I offered my help."

Gu Feng was interrupted, but he wasn't annoyed. He just gave Lin Ji a deep look.

Without asking any further questions, he turned and had the butler fetch two hundred silver dollars, which he placed on the table and pushed towards him: "A small token of my appreciation, sir, please don't think it's too little."

Lin Ji did not refuse and accepted the silver note.

He didn't have much money on him; if he were to head north to the capital, he would have many other expenses.

After resting for less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, Lin Ji got up to take his leave.

"I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now. Patriarch Gu, please remember that He Ze has ill intentions, so please be careful in your household."

Gu Feng didn't try to stop him, and personally saw him to the door: "Take care, sir. If you ever need anything from the Gu family in the future, just let us know."

Lin Ji nodded, and his figure quickly disappeared into the streets and alleys.

After leaving the Gu family's residence, Lin Ji arrived at a shabby alley in the south of the city.

Lin Ji determined the direction and walked deeper into the alley.

The south side of the city was a poor area, with winding alleys and vegetable and grocery stalls along the roadside.

A peddler carrying a load walked by, calling out his wares, while dirty children ran and played in the alley.

The deeper you go, the fewer people there are, and there are piles of garbage at the base of the walls, emitting a foul stench.

He followed the address given by Li Shuwen to the end of the alley and sure enough, he saw a makeshift opera troupe.

The tent was made of tattered canvas, the characters for "opera" on the banners were faded, and the banner poles were crooked.

In the middle of the stage, an old man with gray hair and beard squatted on a wooden box, repairing gongs and drums, while two middle-aged men next to him were tidying up swords and spears.

Two women were mending tattered costumes, and a teenager was squatting on the ground playing in the mud under the stage.

They look like a family who make a living by traveling around.

Lin Ji walked over, put down the wooden box, and said, "Boss, would you like to have a performance? It's my grandmother's birthday, so we want something lively."

The old man banging the gong looked up at him, his mallet still clapping: "Entertainment performances are expensive; a deposit is required upfront. Which performance would you like, sir?"

"Changban Slope," Lin Ji said, "the part where he single-handedly rescued the lord."

The old man paused, looked him up and down, glanced around, and seeing that no one was paying attention, slowly stood up:

"The customer told me backstage that the script is all inside."

Lin Ji nodded and followed the old man into the dilapidated shed backstage.

The costumes and props were neatly arranged in the shed, and several large wooden boxes were placed in the corner, their lids clean as if they were regularly cleaned.

These people look like a real opera troupe performing.

The old man made sure no one was outside before lowering his voice: "What is it? Who sent you?"

Lin Ji took out an armor wrapped in oilcloth from his pocket and handed it over: "There's something from the foreigners. 'Iron Spear' sent me."

"Iron Spear? Is he still alive?" The old man took it, his fingers paused, and asked the question before opening the oilcloth to take a look. He ran his rough fingers over the scales of the armor, and his expression changed slightly.

He quickly wrapped the oilcloth, stuffed it into the bottom wooden box, and placed several thick theatrical costumes on top of it.

"He's alive. He was captured by the Japanese, but the young master of the Gu family and I rescued him," Lin Ji briefly explained the situation.

"It's good that you're alive." The old man lowered his voice even further: "We'll leave tonight, send the things north, and you go back and tell Li Shuwen that Guanghua is in chaos, tell him to hurry north and not linger here."

"Any other news?" Lin Ji asked.

"Seven days from now." The old man held up seven fingers: "The He Ze family, the Jiang and Yan families, and the Japanese ronin are joining forces to raid the Gu family. After that, there will be a city-wide manhunt. You'd better leave as soon as possible."

Lin Ji nodded and made a mental note of it.

He didn't linger. He turned around, crawled out of the dilapidated shed, picked up his wooden box, and walked back along the alley.

As soon as he rounded the corner, Lin Ji paused slightly.

Someone is watching us.

Two men in plain clothes, pretending to be strolling around, hung at a distance behind.

Are they He Ze's men?

Or was he a spy from Japan?

Lin Ji remained calm and continued walking forward at a moderate pace.

Reaching a fork in the road, he suddenly quickened his pace and turned into a side alley.

Seeing this, the two people behind quickly followed.

When they reached the alley entrance, the alley was empty; there wasn't a soul in sight.

The two were stunned for a moment, and just as they were about to walk inside, a sudden numbness appeared on the back of their necks, their vision went black, and they both fell to the ground.

Lin Ji jumped down from the rooftop at the alley entrance and dusted off his hands.

He didn't kill them, he just knocked them unconscious. We still don't know what He Ze is thinking; we'll capture a couple alive and question them to find out.

He glanced at the attire of the two men on the ground; they were soldiers from the governor's mansion.

He Ze had indeed set his sights on him.

Lin Ji didn't linger and took a detour towards the city gate.

Upon reaching the city gate, the checks remained very strict.

The soldiers guarding the city compared the portraits one by one. The portraits showed Lin Ji's original appearance, with sharp eyebrows and eyes, and an imposing heroic air.

Lin Ji kept his head down, his straw hat pulled low, and his face had the mediocre appearance of a middle-aged peddler. The city guard glanced at him and impatiently waved him through.

Once outside the city, Lin Ji quickened his pace, heading towards the mountain valley along the mountain path.

As the sun slanted westward, the horizon turned a vibrant orange-red.

A mountain breeze carrying the scent of grass and trees blew over, with a hint of coolness.

The bronze ritual vessel in Lin Ji's arms was pressed against his heart, feeling cool to the touch.

His mind was racing with today's news.

Seven days later, the three parties joined forces to raid the Gu family's residence, followed by a city-wide manhunt. Time was tighter than expected.

We need to hurry back and discuss countermeasures with Li Shuwen and Gu Yanzhao.

If we don't make preparations now, we'll really be trapped in Guanghua.

In the distance, flickering lights could be seen in the direction of the mountain valley, shining brightly in the twilight.

I wonder what will happen in seven days?

Lin Ji walked in the twilight.

The tip of my ear suddenly twitched slightly.

He sensed a presence slowly entering the provincial government from the other side of the city.