Chinese martial arts: From being shot and killed by the armed police during a mountain search to bec

Chen Hongwu and Lu Xiaojia were talking by the edge of the training ground when a servant trotted in and whispered a few words in Lu Xiaojia's ear.

Lu Xiaojia raised an eyebrow and turned to Chen Hongwu, saying, "Master Chen, the police are here. They've probably made progress on yesterday's case. Let's go take a look."

Chen Hongwu nodded, and the two went to the front yard.

In the lobby, a detective in a black woolen uniform was sitting uneasily. Seeing Lu Xiaojia come out, he quickly stood up and bowed: "Young Master Lu. We investigated the shooting case on Rue Edward in the French Concession last night all night and have results."

Lu Xiaojia glanced at him sideways: "Speak."

The detective swallowed hard: "The two gunmen who assassinated the young master last night were sent by the Japanese."

We followed the trail of the black car that caused the accident and found the way back in front of a warehouse run by Japanese residents in Hongkou.

The vehicle was registered under the warehouse's name, and the license plates had long been removed. Before dawn today, people from the Japanese consulate came directly and took the two bodies back. They were extremely arrogant and refused to sign any paperwork.

Lu Xiaojia's face turned ashen, and he cursed angrily, "Damn it, they've dared to bully me!"

He was about to smash the cup when he suddenly realized something and looked sharply at Chen Hongwu.

Chen Hongwu remained calm, as if he had expected this.

"They're not here for you."

Lu Xiaojia was taken aback at first, then realized what was going on and gasped, "Damn it, what a vicious plan. If I die, regardless of whether you did it or not, my father will hold you responsible."

The Japanese themselves couldn't kill you, so they had to borrow my father's knife to deal with you.

As he spoke, he slammed his fist on the table again: "These Japanese bastards, do they really think Shanghai is their backyard!"

Lu Xiaojia waved for the detective to leave, instructing him to send more men to secretly investigate the Japanese strongholds. Then he turned to Chen Hongwu and said, "Don't worry, Master Chen, this is not over. I, Lu Xiaojia, hate being used as a pawn more than anything else in my life."

From this day forward, I have a grudge against the Japanese, and I will make them pay sooner or later.

Chen Hongwu simply said, "They won't be able to cause trouble for more than a few days."

As the two were talking, a servant came to report: "Young master, the general requests Master Chen's presence."

Lu Xiaojia's eyes lit up: "My dad must have made a decision. Come on, I'll go with you."

Chen Hongwu nodded and followed the servants through the corridor, re-entering the main hall.

Lu Yongxiang was already standing at the door to greet him, a smile even wider than yesterday. He stretched out his hand from afar: "Master Chen, did you sleep well last night? The conditions at the station are simple, are you getting used to it?"

Chen Hongwu shook hands with him: "Thank you for your concern, General. I slept well."

Lu Yongxiang laughed heartily and ushered him into the hall.

The tea has been brewed, filling the room with its delicate fragrance.

After everyone was seated, Lu Yongxiang picked up his teacup first: "Master Chen, please. This is newly arrived Longjing tea from Zhejiang. Please have a taste."

Chen Hongwu picked up the cup, took a sip, and praised, "Excellent tea, clear and bright in color, with a lingering sweet aftertaste."

Lu Yongxiang nodded in satisfaction, then sighed and put down his teacup: "Master Chen, I didn't sleep a wink all night about what you mentioned yesterday."

He pointed to his dark circles under his eyes: "I personally drafted the telegram, which took a full three hours to send. I went back and forth between Longhua and Beiping, arguing my case with reason, and my lips were almost worn out."

Do you know that those old guys in the north turn green at the mere mention of the word "Central Government"?

They absolutely refused, saying it would undermine the national system and that they were challenging the government's legitimacy.

Chen Hongwu sat upright and listened attentively to what was to come.

Lu Yongxiang paused for a moment, a hint of smugness gradually appearing on his face: "Later, I argued with them on reason and pleaded for a long time, and finally they relented."

He lowered his head and took a sip of tea before slowly saying, "They are ultimately afraid of your reputation as the world's number one assassin. This morning, the Beiyang government sent a telegram saying that they do not acknowledge this matter and will not endorse it."

No approval, no filing. But there's no explicit prohibition either. In short, do whatever you want, we'll just pretend we didn't see it.

After listening, Chen Hongwu cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, General Lu, for mediating this."

Chen Hongwu was not surprised.

To not acknowledge or endorse something is tantamount to tacit approval.

Lu Yongxiang waved his hand: "No need for thanks. Master Chen, just do whatever you want to do."

As long as I don't cause a major disaster, I, Lu Yongxiang, can still handle it.

Chen Hongwu rose to take his leave.

Lu Yongxiang also made a symbolic attempt to persuade him to stay: "Master Chen, why don't you stay a few more days so I can show you some hospitality?"

"Even if it's not convenient, you can go back after dinner. I'm a great cook, I can make excellent Huaiyang cuisine."

Chen Hongwu declined, citing the preparations for the martial arts school, so Lu Yongxiang did not insist on keeping him.

Lu Yongxiang looked at Lu Xiaojia and said, "Later, pick a few clever guys from the guard company and temporarily lend them to the Jingwu Association as gatekeepers. I think there are still quite a few clueless people outside."

Lu Xiaojia quickly replied, "Don't worry, Father, I'll deliver it myself."

Lu Yongxiang nodded, then clasped his hands in a fist salute to Chen Hongwu and said, "Take care, Master Chen. Let's talk again another day."

Lu Xiaojia drove himself, with several cars escorting him from the front and back, to take Chen Hongwu and his party back to the Jingwu Association.

As soon as the car came to a stop, Chen Gongzhe, Chen Hongwen, Li Yi, and Chen Shi, who had received the news, came out to greet them.

Chen Hongwen rushed forward, grabbed Chen Hongwu's arm, and asked in a trembling voice, "Brother, are you alright? Did Lu Yongxiang give you any trouble?"

Chen Hongwu patted him on the shoulder: "No."

Chen Gongzhe stepped forward and, seeing that Lu Yongxiang's expression was normal, breathed a sigh of relief: "So? What did Lu Yongxiang say about the Central Martial Arts Academy?"

Chen Hongwu then briefly recounted his conversation with Lu Yongxiang: the Beiyang government neither recognized, endorsed, nor prohibited it.

Upon hearing this, Chen Gongzhe said "good" three times.

He paced back and forth at the doorway twice, his eyes gleaming: "This is already a huge convenience. As long as they don't cause trouble, we can go all out."

Chen Hongwu added, "There is one more thing. Hu Baoyi is being held in the French Concession prison on Rue Fanlang. Lu Xiaojia has agreed to take care of it."

Chen Gongzhe was taken aback at first, then overjoyed: "This is an unexpected surprise! If we can rescue Bao Yi, your martial arts school's prestige will increase by three points. He is a man of both literary and martial talents, and his connections and experience in Shanghai are even stronger than mine."

Chen Hongwen, standing to the side, was also scratching his head with delight, but couldn't get a word in edgewise. Li Yi, standing behind, had a slight smile on his lips, seemingly relieved as well.

"By the way, Master Chen. I've been looking at four or five locations for martial arts schools these past few days. There are old factories in Zhabei and Western-style buildings in the concession area. When do you have some free time, let's go and take a look at them together. We need to choose a good place; it needs to be spacious, sunny, and have a commanding presence," Chen Gongzhe added.

Chen Hongwu glanced at the sky and nodded: "Let's go today."

After he finished speaking, he turned and walked into the courtyard.

Chen Gongzhe quickly followed, and Chen Hongwen, Li Yi, and Chen Shi also gathered around.

As Chen Gongzhe walked, he pulled a neatly folded piece of paper from his sleeve, on which several addresses were densely written. Just as he was about to unfold it, Chen Hongwu suddenly said, "Let's eat first."

Chen Gongzhe was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Right, let's eat first! Nothing is more important than our stomachs."