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

inside the house.

The dim yellow oil lamplight flickered, casting a long shadow of Lin Ji on the wall.

Lin Ji stood at the bedside, his back bent in a horse stance.

"It's going to be a success tonight!"

After becoming familiar with the bone-refining method taught by Zhao Qiaosheng, Lin Ji relied on the potent medicinal power of the Qi and Blood Pill to complete the tempering of his entire skeleton in just seven days, with only his skull remaining the most difficult to refine.

Zhao Qiaosheng's repeated admonitions still echo in my ears:

"The skull is connected to the brain, and the slightest carelessness can damage one's mind. In mild cases, one's martial arts will stagnate, and in severe cases, one will be like a three-year-old mentally challenged child."

"Furthermore, given your advanced age, there is even less room for rashness."

Lin Ji kept the instructions in mind and spent a full seven days tempering his skull. As of today, of the 206 bones in his body, only the cranial sutures at the top of his skull have not yet been tempered, and he is within reach of mastering the Ming Jin (a type of internal strength).

A glint of light flashed in Lin Ji's eyes, and a rare look of excitement appeared on his face:

"As Brother Zhao once said, those who are born with a natural affinity for qi can generate internal strength by tempering their bones and muscles, and then directly enter the realm of clear strength."

"The temperature is just right tonight, the moon is bright and the stars are few, and it's also the time to turn a page of the 'Book of Reversing Fate,' making it a perfect time for a breakthrough."

Lin Ji reached into his robes, took out a white porcelain bottle, held the last three Qi-replenishing pills in his palm, tilted his head back, and poured them all into his mouth.

The pill entered his abdomen, and its medicinal power transformed into a warm current that flowed into Lin Ji's stomach, rushing straight to the top of his head along with his blood and qi.

Lin Ji lowered his waist, firmly planted his stance, and used the bone-refining method taught by Zhao Qiaosheng to raise his hand and press it on the top of his head, slowly grinding and pressing along the remaining bone seams of his skull.

An intense, piercing soreness and stinging pain instantly struck, as if countless fine needles were burrowing into Lin Ji's brain through the sutures of his skull.

Lin Ji's temples throbbed, and his ears rang. He gritted his teeth, his face contorted in pain, and large beads of sweat rolled down his temples to the ground.

He didn't loosen his grip at all, following the bone-refining method, gradually grinding the medicinal power into the bone crevices.

time flies.

The moonlight outside the window is setting in the west.

Suddenly.

The last trace of stagnation on Lin Ji's head suddenly dissipated, and the warm, moist energy flowed smoothly into his body through the Baihui acupoint on the top of his head.

"Ding!"

A crisp sound rang out! Gradually, a second, a third... Lin Ji's bones all emitted a soft hum.

The Qi flowed freely among the 208 bones in Lin Ji's body, subtly forming a cycle.

Lin Ji sensed the changes within his body, slowly adopted a Tai Chi stance, lowered his waist and dismounted, and suddenly threw a punch forward.

"Snap—"

A strong wind blew, and a crisp sound suddenly exploded in the room as the fist slashed through the air, producing an airburst.

"A single sound is worth a thousand pieces of gold!"

Lin Ji's eyes narrowed, but his expression remained calm and composed, neither surprised nor pleased.

His bone-refining was finally complete, and his internal energy was inexhaustible. He had finally stepped into the realm of Ming Jin!

The lonely moon slants westward outside the window, and the faint sound of three watchmen's drums echoes from outside the high walls of the martial arts hall:

"Bang bang bang!"

"In the dead of night, I rested and fell asleep."

It is midnight.

Lin Ji focused his mind and calmed himself, a thought forming in his head.

A burst of golden light shone in my mind, and a corner of the heavy book was slowly turned up.

A brand new line of handwriting is slowly appearing on the paper.

In Lin Ji's mind, the "Book of Reversing Fate," which had been dormant for a month, suddenly flipped through the pages, revealing the third page.

Golden light swirled, and two lines of ancient seal script emerged. The brushstrokes were sharp as knives, carrying a chilling, murderous aura.

The Book of Reversing Fate, Volume One, Chapter Two: The Art of Slaughter! Read on!

"The Killing Technique: Hidden Dragon Abyss"

Martial arts practitioners are divided into training methods, fighting methods, and killing methods. Killing methods are particularly powerful and are used as a last resort for fighting to the death!

"Looking back on a decade of youth!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a rich and powerful vitality suddenly burst forth from Lin Ji's limbs and bones.

He felt his meridians swell with warmth, his previously loose and sagging skin slowly tightened, and the deep wrinkles on his face faded and smoothed out at a visible speed.

I felt a tingling and heavy sensation in the gums of my molars, and the teeth that had been lost for many years were starting to sprout again.

Lin Ji took out the polished bronze mirror from his sleeve and brought it close to his eyes.

The person in the mirror has long lost the air of old age that they once had.

Having rejuvenated his youth three times and aged considerably, he looks no more than seventy. At this moment, his eyes are clear as a deep pool, and he is full of energy. Even the stubble on his chin has become much thicker.

Lin Ji rubbed his chin, feeling both annoyed and amused:

"This has added to the trouble; from now on, I'll have to look older when I go out."

Putting away the bronze mirror, Lin Ji focused his mind and immersed himself in his sea of ​​consciousness.

The three large characters "Hidden Dragon Abyss" shone brightly in gold, and the entire secret technique flowed into my mind continuously along with my thoughts.

Ordinary killing techniques, once activated, will leave one weak for half a day at best, and collapse from exhaustion at worst. However, Hidden Dragon Abyss is a superior killing technique, with a sinister and cunning approach. It is a killing skill honed from the battlefields and alleyway battles of chaotic times.

What's even more remarkable is that the side effects are extremely mild. Even after activating it at full power, one only experiences slight exhaustion and can recover completely within half an hour, making it ideal for the current chaotic situation where both open and covert attacks are raging.

Lin Ji mentally reviewed the structure of the cultivation technique, then lightly tapped the edge of the table with his fingertips.

Now, having broken through to the Ming Jin level, and with secret techniques as a foundation, he is ready to go.

Now, if the Sea Dragon Gang comes knocking again, he feels even more confident.

Lin Ji slowly withdrew his stance, and his aura returned to its usual calm.

The sky outside the window was still dark, and I fell into a deep sleep under the cover of night.

South of the city.

Inside a large warehouse that has been converted.

Smoke mingled with the scent of expensive rouge, filling the gang leader's room.

Wearing a red brocade cheongsam, Shen Jinluan slammed her hand on the table in front of her, her peach-blossom eyebrows furrowed, her beautiful face filled with irritation.

"Say it again?"

Zhou Hu stood by the table, his tone somber:

"Boss, in the past two weeks, our opium dens, gambling dens and other businesses have been harassed by others one after another. Our territory has shrunk by almost half, our turnover has dropped by more than 60%, and even the brothers' bonuses have been cut a lot."

Zhou Hu paused, glanced at Shen Jinluan's furrowed brows, and said cautiously:

"The Gelaohui recently issued a statement, telling all the gangs, big and small, in the underworld to be smart and obediently submit, or they will be wiped out one by one."

"They've been expanding extremely aggressively lately, seizing territory after territory, and they're starting to overshadow the Green Robe Gang and the Hongmen Gang. Rumors are circulating in the underworld that their confidence stems from foreigners backing and directing them."

"A few days ago, they announced that all the gangs in Jiangcheng had better submit to them, or else... or else they would be wiped out."

"The Gelaohui? What a spineless bunch!" Shen Jinluan leaned back in his armchair, took a deep drag on his jade pipe, and exhaled a thick cloud of smoke.

"What benefits have the foreigners given them that they'd risk their lives for them like this? These people have no shame whatsoever!"

Shen Jinluan brought the pipe to her lips again, the mouthpiece between her teeth, her voice cold: "How's it going with the Green Robe Gang? Still no reply?"

"Yes."

Zhou Hu lowered his eyes, his tone becoming more somber:

"They haven't been having an easy time lately either. Their docks and warehouses have been repeatedly harassed, and foreigners are relentlessly targeting their canal transport routes. They're busy negotiating with their superiors and can't spare any manpower to come to their aid."

"They only sent word that we should hold our ground and weather this storm. Once they've stabilized, they'll have their own plan."

Shen Jinluan exhaled a deep puff of smoke, resting the pipe against her forehead, a hint of weariness appearing on her face: "Alright!"

The Haijiao Gang, which was riding high just a month ago, is now completely trapped in a dead end.

"Let's keep watch for now." Shen Jinluan's voice was low, her eyes darting around, lost in thought. After a while, she finally looked up at Zhou Hu again.

"Tell the brothers below to keep a close watch on all the venues, not to cause trouble, and not to tarnish the reputation of our Haijiao Gang in Jiangcheng."

Zhou Hu lowered his eyes, his tone puzzled and slightly confused: "Boss, actually the conditions offered by the Brotherhood are much better than those offered by the Green Robe Gang. Why should we put all our eggs in one basket?"

"What did you say?"

Shen Jinluan suddenly looked up, her peach blossom eyes flashing with a sharp light, and slammed her pipe heavily against the edge of the table.

"Zhou Hu, you've followed me for so many years, and you've lost even this basic principle?"

"Yes, we are just small fry in the underworld, fighting for territory and making money all day long. But to surrender to the Western devils, to sell out our country and become traitors is a despicable thing that desecrates our ancestors' graves. How can you say such a thing?"

Zhou Hu trembled and quickly lowered his head: "Yes, yes, I misspoke. I saw that all the brothers were badly injured, and I was confused for a moment!"

"Get out!"

Zhou Hu lowered his head and bowed as he retreated to the doorway, placed his hand on the doorknob, and closed the door.

When only a crack remained in the door, he glanced around the room, his gaze fixed on Shen Jinluan's crossed, snow-white thighs, his eyes swirling with lust and malice.

With a soft click, the door to the gang leader's room closed completely, shutting out Zhou Hu's unfriendly gaze.