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

Shen Jinluan threw herself into Lin Ji's arms.

This vast country of China.

The number of overtly perceived states of enlightenment can be counted on one hand.

Now... the old man has broken through.

With this identity, even with a large army pressing in, one has a golden guarantee to save their life.

"That's great, hehe." Shen Jinluan smiled faintly, a captivating smile curving her lips: "I knew it, you always surprise people."

……

Day two.

October has arrived in the Gregorian calendar.

Even though the city of Jiangcheng was oppressed by the impending war, the streets were bustling with activity as people bought new clothes and visited relatives and friends.

This day is the Mid-Autumn Festival in China.

The warm autumn sun shone down, casting a golden glow across the courtyard.

On the stone table were mooncakes, pomegranates, roasted chestnuts, and a large bowl of steaming braised pork.

A group of people sat around the table, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

Lin Yueru sat at the head of the table, and Gu Yanqiu sat next to her, quietly peeling a pomegranate.

Shen Jinluan and Liu Qingzhu sat on either side of Lin Ji, while Bai Yu'er huddled next to Su Wanning, chattering away.

Li Shuwen and Jiang Yunhe sat at the lower end, each with a bowl of wine in front of them.

"Why didn't Wan Ning go back to the Su family for the festival?" Shen Jinluan asked with a smile, holding her teacup. Her voice was clear and bright. "Your sister sent someone to deliver a piece of Shu brocade a few days ago. The patterns are exquisite. Didn't she ask you to go back?"

Su Wanning blushed slightly, twirled a chestnut in her hand, and whispered:

"I'm not going back. The city is in chaos lately, with many refugees. My sister is busy with her shop and can't take care of me. I'll stay here and learn from Sister Shen's business acumen."

"Wow, you're so capable?" Shen Jinluan teased her, deliberately drawing out her words.

"I'll tell you about a good family tomorrow. There's a young man in the Gu family who I think is quite good. He's honest, upright, and well-educated. I guarantee he'll make sure you're well-fed and clothed, no worse than staying in the Su family."

"Sister Shen!" Su Wanning's face flushed red, and she almost buried her head under the table. Her fingers gripped the hem of her skirt, and she couldn't speak for a long time. The tips of her ears were bright red.

Everyone laughed.

Jiang Yunhe, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, flicked off the ash and joked with a smile:

"Chief Shen, please don't play matchmaker. Miss Su has high standards; she wouldn't even look at an ordinary person."

He then looked at Su Wanning: "Miss Su, do you have someone in your heart?"

Upon hearing this, Su Wan Ning lowered her head even further.

Gu Yanqiu glanced around and saw a room full of women surrounding Lin Ji, his brows twitching slightly.

She felt a little awkward, thinking that it was improper for Grandpa Lin, who was so old, to be surrounded by so many women.

She leaned close to Lin Yueru's ear and whispered, "Mom, look... Grandpa Lin... has so many people around him..."

"What are you looking at?" Lin Yueru smiled faintly. "I'm just a junior, I can't control that much."

Gu Yanqiu shrugged, looking helpless, then silently picked up the pomegranate and continued peeling it.

Lin Ji smiled, picked up his wine glass, and took a sip.

The wine swirled around the rim of the glass, like a wave rising within it.

Since midnight yesterday, he has been familiarizing himself with his new abilities.

Li Shuwen, who was standing next to him, caught a glimpse of Lin Ji's hand movements out of the corner of his eye. He gave him a deep look, said nothing, and simply picked up his wine bowl and took another big gulp.

This old man has probably really reached that threshold.

The meal lasted for most of the day, and several rounds of drinks were consumed.

As the sun gradually set in the west, the shadows of the trees stretched long.

Jiang Yunhe was the first to rise and take his leave. He tucked his pipe into his waistband, dusted off the ash from his clothes, and bowed slightly to Lin Ji and Li Shuwen.

"Uncle Lin, Brother Li, I'm leaving Jiangcheng today. Whether we'll meet again is entirely up to luck. Maybe next time we meet, we'll be at each other's throats."

He walked to the door, then stopped and looked back at Lin Ji.

His eyes no longer held their usual carefree attitude, but instead held a hint of melancholy and an inexplicable worry.

His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he only said one sentence:

"Uncle Lin, things are chaotic in the city lately, with all sorts of people around. Be careful."

Lin Ji was slightly taken aback. Just as he was about to ask what was going on, Jiang Yunhe had already turned and left. His figure quickly disappeared into the sunlight at the alley entrance. He walked very fast, as if someone was chasing him.

The lively atmosphere in the courtyard suddenly became somewhat subdued.

Lin Ji and Li Shuwen exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of doubt in each other's eyes.

Jiang Yunhe, who is usually so carefree and jovial, is suddenly so serious today; something extraordinary must be going on.

"What's Old Chiang up to?" Li Shuwen frowned and muttered, "He's acting all mysterious."

Lin Ji didn't speak, his gaze fixed on the direction where Jiang Yunhe had disappeared at the courtyard gate, and he lightly tapped the table with his fingers.

He always felt that something was brewing in the shadows.

……

The next morning, just as dawn broke.

The streets and alleys in the south of the city have returned to their former quietness.

Most of the shops that were open on the street opened late.

There were more refugees squatting at the base of the wall than ever before.

Each of them carried a tattered bundle, their clothes ragged, and stared blankly at the passersby, begging listlessly.

Occasionally, a few teenagers would rush into the sparse crowd, snatch steamed buns from the breakfast shops on the street, and run away.

The boss grumbled and chased after the child for a couple of steps, but could only watch helplessly as the child ran away.

Lin Ji and Li Shuwen sat in the Haijiao Gang's main hall, with a map of Jiangcheng spread out on the table in front of them.

"Has Jiang Yunhe been in contact with people in the city these past few days?" Lin Ji asked Li Shuwen, who lived in the same courtyard as Jiang Yunhe, guessing.

"No." Li Shuwen tapped his fingers on the table, his brows furrowed.

"Given the magnitude of the incident in the provincial capital, with the authorities' vanguard completely wiped out, given his personality, he should have already taken action. But these past few days he's remained indoors, not even stepping out of his courtyard."

As the two were talking, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall, mixed with the sound of thugs trying to stop them.

"Get out of the way! Urgent military intelligence! Can you afford to delay this crucial mission?!"

The heavy curtain was flung open with a "whoosh," and an adjutant from the governor's mansion rushed in.

His military uniform hat was askew, his collar was open, and he was covered in sweat in the bleak autumn day, with sweat dripping down his chin.

Upon seeing Lin Ji and Li Shuwen, he paused for a moment, forgetting all formalities, and hurriedly said:

"Mr. Lin, Senior Li...? Commander Chen sent me with news! He Ze has dispatched a naval force eastward along the river, under the guise of 'assisting in the suppression of the rebellion,' to occupy Jiangcheng Port! The vanguard of three gunboats has already reached the middle of the river!"

"Assist in defense?" Li Shuwen suddenly stood up, his murderous aura instantly overflowing, causing the teacup on the table to shake slightly.

His brows furrowed, and he said coldly:

"He's trying to use Jiangcheng as a springboard to join forces with the people in the south! That way, he'll control the port, and the southern troops can flow in continuously from here."

Upon arrival, they blocked the government's southward advance right at the entrance!

Lin Ji also stood up, his face darkening. His gaze fell on the port location on the map, and he pointed heavily with his finger:

"Let's go check out the port."