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

Shen Jinluan sat on a stone bench, polishing her short gun until it gleamed, reflecting the glow of the sunset.

Bai Yu'er squatted on the steps, cracking sunflower seeds, leaving the shells scattered all over the ground.

Su Wanning leaned against a pillar reading a book, dressed in a simple cloth dress, looking as quiet and peaceful as a painting.

Hearing footsteps, they all looked up.

"You're back." Shen Jinluan spoke first, engaging the safety on her gun and holstering it. "Did things go smoothly in the city?"

"That's about it." Lin Ji walked down from the courtyard, his gaze sweeping over the group:

"There's something I need to tell you. I'll be going to Mount Hua in the north in a few days, and it might take some time."

"Mount Hua?" Liu Qingzhu sheathed his sword, performed a flourish before returning it to its original sheath, and walked over, a few beads of sweat still clinging to his forehead. "What are you going there for?"

"There's a martial arts tournament between the North and South, let's go check it out." Lin Ji didn't go into too much detail, lest they worry:

"Come with me. You've been stuck at the Transcendent Realm for a while now. Meeting all sorts of experts will be good for your breakthrough. Besides, nobody in the north knows you, and your identity won't attract attention."

Liu Qingzhu's eyes lit up, and she nodded emphatically: "Okay."

She had long wanted to go out for a walk, but after practicing swordsmanship in seclusion in the courtyard every day, she always felt that she lacked the fierceness to face an enemy.

He was more than willing to go with Lin Ji to broaden his horizons.

Bai Yu'er, standing nearby, immediately objected, slamming the plate of melon seeds onto the stone table with a pout that could hang an oil bottle on its lips: "Why is she the only one being taken? I want to go too!"

"Stop messing around." Lin Ji frowned. "This trip isn't for sightseeing; it's for business. It's very dangerous. You stay in Jiangcheng and keep an eye on things in the city. Be good."

"No!" Bai Yu'er stood up, hands on her hips, her eyes slightly red.

"What's so dangerous about it? You always say that! Last time the ship was blown up, it was so dangerous, but we got through it safely, didn't we? I don't care, I'm going! If you don't take me, I'll sneak off by myself, and then I'll wander off and see what you do then!"

She has always been spoiled and stubborn, and she always does what she says.

Lin Ji looked at her, who seemed about to cry, and felt a headache coming on.

Just as she was struggling with this decision, Su Wanning gently closed her book and said softly, "Mr. Lin, if it's convenient, I'd like to go with you."

Lin Ji was taken aback: "You're going too?"

"Mmm." Su Wanning nodded, her voice soft yet firm.

"My father used to be an education commissioner in the north, and I know many of the wives and children of officials. When we get to the foot of Mount Hua, I can disguise myself as a lady or a member of the family to help gather information and take care of everyone's daily life. I also brought disguise ointment and a human skin mask so I can change my identity in a critical moment and no one will recognize me."

As she spoke, she patted the small camphor wood box next to her, which was neatly filled with bottles and jars, all of which were things she usually kept.

Lin Ji looked at her, then at Bai Yu'er's stubborn face, and sighed.

"Alright, go ahead." He waved his hand. "But it's settled then, follow all instructions on the way and don't act on your own, especially you, Bai Yu'er."

"Okay, okay!" Bai Yu'er immediately smiled, jumped up, ran over, grabbed his arm, and shook it: "I'm the most obedient!"

Shen Jinluan watched from the side, smiled, shook her head, and stood up, saying:

"I'm going to pack my luggage. I'll bring extra wound medicine and travel money. The road is not safe, so it's always good to have extra supplies."

"Thank you for your hard work." Lin Ji nodded.

With Shen Jinluan around, he never had to worry about these trivial matters.

The group then split up and began tidying up.

Bai Yu'er stuffed several packets of osmanthus cakes and beef jerky into her bundle, all of which were her favorite snacks. She also secretly hid a small jar of Daughter's Red wine, saying it would keep her warm on the road when it got cold.

Liu Qingzhu wrapped his sword manual in oiled paper again and again, and also brought three spare short swords, which he hid in the inner layer of his luggage.

Su Wanning's medicine box was the most complete, containing everything from wound medicine and detoxifying pills to calming powder, and even a lot of herbs to treat acclimatization problems.

Shen Jinluan counted the money and prepared two boxes of bullets for the pistol, carefully storing them in her leather pouch.

Just then, Li Shuwen's loud voice came from outside the courtyard gate. Before he even entered, his voice preceded him: "Mr. Lin! Look who I've brought!"

Lin Ji turned to look at the door.

Then Li Shuwen strode in, followed by a man.

The man looked to be in his early thirties, dressed in a black short-sleeved shirt with a bulging waistband, the contents of which were unclear.

He wore heavy, black iron gauntlets that covered his forearms.

He wasn't very tall, but his shoulders and back were extremely broad. Standing there, he looked like an iron tower. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, and when he swept over, they carried a fierce air about him.

Lin Ji raised an eyebrow at "Gu Xuan".

"Gu Xuanming appears to be at the peak of the Dark Force realm, just one step away from the Half-Step Transformation realm, but his family's hidden weapons and mechanisms are incredibly powerful. In a real fight, even a Half-Step Transformation realm cultivator wouldn't stand a chance. Hearing that we were going to Mount Hua, he came here specifically to seek refuge, hoping to accompany Mr. Lin and broaden his horizons."

Gu Xuan stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said in a hoarse voice, like sandpaper rubbing against wood, "Mr. Lin."

As he spoke, he slightly raised his right hand, and with a soft "click" from his sleeve, a short crossbow the size of a palm popped out. The crossbow bolt gleamed with a bluish light, clearly poisoned.

"This is my Gu family's hidden crossbow. It's incredibly accurate within thirty paces and can fire three shots in quick succession. If we encounter any fools on the road, it can lend a hand."

Lin Ji looked at the iron gauntlets in his hands and the exquisite short crossbow, and a slight thought crossed his mind.

He had heard of the Gu family's mechanical skills in his early years; they were known as "killing with a sliver of iron, impossible to guard against."

Having someone like that accompany you to Mount Hua will certainly be a great help.

"Brother Gu, you're too kind." Lin Ji cupped his hands in greeting. "Since you've come, let's travel together and look after each other on the way."

Gu Xuan nodded, said nothing more, and stood to the side. He spoke very little, but stood straight, like a javelin.

Li Shuwen pulled Lin Ji aside and lowered his voice:

"Don't worry about Jiangcheng. With Mr. Feng, Liang Yanqing, and I keeping an eye on things, there won't be any trouble. I'm also keeping an eye on Chen Tianze. He just joined, so he won't dare to play any tricks. And as for Jiang Yunhe, I've arranged for people to keep an eye on him. That guy is elusive. He left a map last time, so he might pop up again at any time. If he makes any moves, I'll write it down and deal with it when you get back."

"Okay." Lin Ji nodded. "Keep an eye on the navy too. Although Zhang Zhengting has gone south, there's no guarantee he won't have a backup plan. We can't let our guard down with He Ze either. After suffering such a huge loss, he'll definitely seek revenge. Tell the brothers to be extra careful."

"I know." Li Shuwen patted his chest. "Everything is arranged."

After finishing his business, Li Shuwen led Gu Xuan to the guest room to settle in.

The courtyard returned to silence, with several women busily packing their luggage, their footsteps light and soft as they went in and out.

Lin Ji stood in the middle of the courtyard, looking up towards the north.

Dusk was falling, and the clouds hung low, as if it were about to rain.