Quickly conquer the martial arts world, and let your fists dominate the heavens!

Chapter 271 The 47th Year of the Wanli Emperor
The events happening at Mount Fuji and even in Tokyo have caused too much of a stir.

The Japanese could not hide it; tens of thousands of Tokyo residents witnessed the deafening artillery fire that night, a scene resembling the end of the world.

The outside world is unaware of what methods Chen Zhan used.

The military will certainly maintain strict control.

But the reality is there: how can the ruins of the military headquarters and the Imperial Palace, and the commotion last night be concealed?

Even the entire Tianhuang residence, the Akasaka Palace, was engulfed in flames.

On the ruins of the Akasaka Imperial Palace in Tokyo, the Japanese army dug for seven days and seven nights, only to find two dull blades among the charred ruins. These were Chen Zhan's Tang Hengdao and Xiuchundao.

The blade was blackened by the gunfire, and dried blood still clung to the edge, but Chen Zhan's remains were nowhere to be found.

These two knives returned to the hands of the Japanese.

"Baka! I want to see them alive or dead! Keep digging!" The military minister stood in front of the ruins, his hair disheveled and his eyes bloodshot.

Despite the Japanese army searching every rubble and even draining the nearby pond, they could not find a single trace of Chen Zhan's remains.

Ultimately, it can only be concluded that Chen Zhan vanished into thin air.

This failed encirclement and suppression became a great disgrace to Japanese militarism.

The martial arts world was wiped out, the divine palace was destroyed, key figures in the military suffered heavy casualties, and even Tianhuang was forced to relocate.

Panic spread among the people, rumors grew like weeds, no one dared to go out alone at night, and the military's recruitment notices were deserted.

A person who could single-handedly disrupt Tokyo caused countless people who had been brainwashed by war propaganda to begin to fear the power of China.

This incident dealt a fatal blow to the confidence of Japanese militarism.

The Japanese army could only swallow this humiliation, while strictly blocking any news of Chen Zhan's possible survival, and urgently training new ninjas and samurai in an attempt to fill the void left by the destruction of the martial arts world.

However, without the legacy of top masters like Yamamoto Sai, the Japanese martial arts world has already suffered a severe blow and is finding it difficult to regain its former glory.

Those two knives were enshrined in the military headquarters' shrine, becoming a "symbol of shame" for the Japanese army.

The Japanese have a strong fondness for making offerings to such things. When they lose a war, they will make offerings to war criminals, weapons, and even various strange monster totems.

One month later, in August of 1931.

Chen Zhan's deeds in Tokyo finally crossed the East China Sea and reached China.

In a teahouse in Tianjin, a storyteller, striking his gavel, recounted the tale of "Chen Zhan single-handedly storming Tokyo, massacring the martial arts world, and destroying the Divine Palace," while the audience below listened with fervor and thunderous applause.

"Good! Well done! Let those little devils taste the power of Chinese martial arts!"

A burly man slammed his fist on the table and shouted, and everyone in the room echoed his words.

But some people frowned and whispered among themselves, "Mr. Chen is impressive, but isn't this too much of a waste? They're going to destroy everything, and he won't even be able to come back."

"Yes, our China is now militarily strong, with the Northeast Army, the Central Army, and various local warlords. They have guns and cannons, and they may not be able to defeat the Japanese. Why should Mr. Chen risk his life alone and end up with no remains?"

Another bespectacled scholar sighed, his tone full of regret.

When the news reached the military camp, the soldiers were even more outraged.

Some were heartbroken, some admired, and some didn't understand.

Some even blamed Chen Zhan for starting the war.

Such actions will inevitably lead to retaliation from the Japanese.

Hong Kong.

Located in the bustling city, the sound of hammering nails and renovating a wooden building can be heard outside.

The Chinese Alliance continues to operate and teach in Hong Kong.

Ruan Zhi and Li Qingsu stood outside the door, their expressions solemn.

They had traveled a long and arduous journey, expecting to find a heartbroken Ye Ningzhen, but when they opened the door, they found the courtyard completely quiet.

Ye Ningzhen, dressed in plain clothes, was practicing her boxing in the courtyard.

Her movements were graceful and fluid, a fusion of Tai Chi and Xingyi techniques left by Chen Zhan. Her Qi and blood flowed slowly throughout her body, not as powerful as Chen Zhan's, but steady and solid.

On the stone table to the side, the little fox squatted in a three-body pose, its round eyes wide open, watching Ye Ningzhen's movements and occasionally imitating them.

Although the little fox is only twelve years old, he is already very sensible. The news of Chen Zhan has spread to Hong Kong and is circulating in martial arts schools throughout the island, so he naturally knows about it.

But he dared not disobey Ye Ningzhen's words, and despite feeling distressed, he persisted in practicing his skills.

Moreover, Chen Zhan had instructed him before he left that no matter what happened in the future, he must not neglect his training, for high skill is more important than anything else, otherwise he would be unable to accomplish anything.

"Sister."

Ruan Zhi spoke softly, her voice tinged with a sob.

"Well, you're here. Don't go out anymore. The inland is not peaceful. The Japanese won't let this go easily," Ye Ningzhen said calmly, turning around and waving her palm, the wind whistling through the air.

Li Qingsu also came in and saw the situation in the room, feeling somewhat puzzled.

The three sisters knew each other very well, and the two sisters could tell that Ye Ningzhen was not pretending to be calm, but was genuinely unperturbed.

But it's really hard to understand how Ye Ningzhen could be so calm.
The person who shared life and death with her, with whom she had a deep and unwavering bond, is now gone without a trace, yet she is still able to practice her martial arts and teach her students with equanimity.
Ye Ningzhen stopped her fist, turned around, and showed no trace of sorrow on her face, but rather a faint smile: "Come in and sit down."

Ruan Zhi couldn't help but say, "But... Sister."

Ye Ningzhen had almost entered the house when she stopped, turned her head and said, "I know what you want to say, but you don't need to say it. Just do what he told you to do."

Ruan Zhi and Li Qingsu exchanged a glance, unsure of what to say.

At night.

Ye Ningzhen took out the book left by Chen Zhan and studied it carefully.

Over the years, she became the person who understood Chen Zhan the most, without exception.

She knew that Chen Zhan was neither crazy nor ignorant. Although he seemed reckless, he always acted with a plan. Even when faced with an unexpected event in Fengtian, he would think of a follow-up plan before taking action.

So from the moment she heard the news, Ye Ningzhen felt something was wrong.

She oversaw all communication and knew that although Fengtian was in danger, the entire country was certainly not facing a life-or-death crisis.

Chen Zhan wouldn't resort to such a suicidal attack; he must have some trump card up his sleeve.

Ye Ningzhen read the book carefully, turning to the last page and looking at the end.

This book, "The Essentials of Martial Arts," is written as being opened by Ye Ningzhen herself, but its contents are all explanations of the key points of martial arts, and it is indeed very applicable to her.

But the last page has nothing to do with martial arts.

It is a poem.

Two poems by my nephew Pu, urging him to drink wine while enjoying the roses.

Flowers may bloom again, and people may reunite.

When we meet and get drunk, why must we need fresh and fragrant food?

Ye Ningzhen keenly sensed that something seemed off about the poem.

She stared blankly at the phrase, "Flowers may bloom again, and people may meet again."
-

1619 years.

The 47th year of the Wanli reign.

In the late Wanli period, the Ming Dynasty was corrupt. Emperor Wanli, Zhu Yijun, did not attend court for decades, and factional strife caused chaos. The military equipment in Liaodong was in a terrible state.

But at this time, a formidable figure emerged from the Jurchen tribe: Nurhaci!

He unified the various Jurchen tribes and established the Later Jin dynasty in 1616. In 1618, he swore an oath with the "Seven Grievances" and burned down the Ming dynasty's Fushun city.

The imperial court urgently mobilized 110,000 troops, though it claimed to be 470,000, and appointed Yang Hao, the Liaodong military commissioner, as commander-in-chief. They divided the army into four routes to encircle Hetu Ala, the capital of the Later Jin dynasty, intending to swallow Nurhaci whole.

The four armies were separated by high mountains and long distances, and communication was difficult, which caused their well-prepared forces to be scattered and fragmented.

Nurhaci uttered a famous line that has been passed down through the ages: "No matter how many routes you come from, I will only go one way back!"

Leading 60,000 Later Jin cavalry, they first charged towards the most reckless western route army, led by Du Song.

In a fierce battle at the foot of Sarhu Mountain, the Ming army's main camp was overthrown, Du Song was killed in battle, and the entire western route army was wiped out! They then turned to attack the northern route army of Ma Lin, whose army was thrown into chaos and was slaughtered, with corpses strewn all over the battlefield.

They turned back to confront Liu Ting on the eastern route, but the Jin soldiers disguised themselves as Ming troops to lure the enemy and set up an ambush at Abudaligang. Liu Ting fought bravely but died, and the eastern route army was also wiped out.

Finally, Li Rubai of the Southern Route, upon hearing that all three routes had been defeated, fled in terror overnight, trampling each other on the road, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries.

In just five days, the Ming Dynasty's 110,000-strong army lost 45,000 men, and all its food and weapons were gone!
In this battle, the Ming Dynasty completely lost the initiative in Liaodong, turning from offense to a defensive posture.

Historically known as the Battle of Sarhu!

After the defeat at the Battle of Sarhu, the Ming capital was plunged into a crisis of internal and external troubles and widespread panic.

All forces were caught in the chain reaction, and the ruling order was on the verge of collapse.

The nights in the capital have recently lost their former prosperity, with only the sound of patrolling horses' hooves breaking the silence, and lanterns casting dappled shadows on the bluestone slabs.

Three days ago, Zhou Xian, the Vice Minister of Revenue, was murdered at home. The gate of his residence was intact, but the inner hall was covered in blood. Zhou Xian had been stabbed through the heart, and three black stones were still embedded in his chest. Shortly afterward, Wang Yan, the Censor in charge of the Grand Canal transport, and Li Song, the Military Supplies Supervisor of Liaodong, died suddenly in succession.

The manner of their deaths was exactly the same: a single sword to the throat, and three black pebbles scattered around their bodies.

For a time, high-ranking officials in the capital were all in a state of panic.

These dead were either trusted henchmen of the Donglin Party or pawns planted in key departments by the Qi-Chu-Zhe Party. Anyone with eyes could see that this was not a simple gangland feud.

Killing a high-ranking official of the imperial court would result in the extermination of nine generations of his family.

However, Blackstone doesn't care about any of that.

Just kill.

It is the most renowned assassin organization in the martial arts world; no one dares to kill them, but you have to be able to afford the price.

But what made the imperial court even more uneasy was that a type of silk painting was quietly circulating in the market.

The painting does not depict magnificent mountains and rivers, but only a blood-red setting sun, crumbling city walls, and a group of ragged refugees gazing at the dark clouds on the horizon, beneath which the silhouettes of Jurchen cavalry can be vaguely seen.

The corner of the painting bears the inscription of four lines of poetry: "Snow covers the red walls, swallows leave their nests; the Liao River weeps, bones still unburied. The vast land will eventually have an owner, not belonging to the Zhu family or your ilk."

Anti-poetry!

Without any attempt to conceal it, he declared, "This vast land will eventually have its master, and it does not belong to the Zhu family or your ilk."

Killing a few court officials is a provocation.

If these poems and paintings were to circulate, it would be a direct slap in the face—a slap in the face of the Zhu family, the emperor, and the entire court.

The factional strife in the Ming Dynasty was severe. At most, any faction wanted to seize power and profit, but never dared to think about 'replacing the emperor's power'!
When the news reached the Forbidden City, Emperor Wanli was bedridden and coughing terribly.

His withered fingers gripped the painting so tightly that his nails almost dug into the silk, and his cloudy eyes were filled with rage and helplessness.

"Investigate! Investigate thoroughly for me!" The old emperor's voice was hoarse as a broken gong.
"The Northern and Southern Garrison Commanders and the Embroidered Uniform Guards, even if it means digging three feet into the ground, must find the painter, the person who transmitted the painting, and all the traitors of Black Stone!"

With the imperial decree issued, the capital city instantly became the domain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The Imperial Guards of the Northern and Southern Garrison Commands came out in full force, their embroidered spring knives flashing coldly when drawn, and the chains at their waists clanging loudly. Figures dressed in flying fish robes could be seen everywhere in the streets and alleys.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard only needed suspicion to arrest people, not evidence.

Inside the main hall of the Zhenfu Division, instruments of torture were laid out menacingly, and branding irons glowed red-hot. The cries of the arrested suspects rose and fell.

"Commander Ling, we've found it!" A junior officer rushed in and handed over a secret report.

Ling Yunkai took the secret report, glanced at it, and remained silent for a long while.

"Crack~"

He slammed his hand on the table. “Let’s go, Miaofeng Mountain, Baoguo Temple.”
-

Miaofeng Mountain is located in the western suburbs of Beijing and belongs to the Taihang Mountains. It is famous for its "ancient temples, unique pines, strange rocks, and exotic flowers".

Half a month ago.

A strange event also occurred in the western suburbs of Beijing: a strange star fell in the middle of the night and landed on Miaofeng Mountain.

It caused a slight earthquake, which some people noticed and reported to the imperial court.

The Imperial Observatory was responsible for celestial observation, calendar formulation, solar term calculation, and interpreting the relationship between celestial phenomena and national fortune.

The falling of a meteorite is a major event in itself.

However, because the disturbance was too small and there were no natural phenomena, it did not cause an earthquake, and it was located in the western suburbs, too far from the imperial city.

The Imperial Astronomical Bureau officials came to investigate the next day, but found nothing unusual, so the matter was dropped.

The capital city is now shrouded in the shadow of defeat, and the Imperial Observatory hastily closed the case without even finding the fallen 'meteorite'.

Zhou Miaoyun lived in the bamboo forest in Miaofeng Mountain. She naturally felt the tremors in the mountains the night before, but she didn't pay attention to it, not wanting to get into trouble. The strange phenomena were handled by the Imperial Observatory.

Several days ago, she went down the mountain to buy household items.

Returning home, the bamboo fence was half-closed, and the bluestone slabs were still covered with dew condensed from the mountain mist. Zhou Miaoyun pushed open the door with her medicine basket on her shoulder and entered. Her fingertips had just touched the copper ring of the bamboo door when she stopped in her tracks.

The room was filled with a burnt smell, mixed with a faint stench of blood, a stark contrast to the usual elegant atmosphere of ink and bamboo fragrance.

She frowned slightly, raised her hand and pulled out half of the short dagger from her waist. The handle was engraved with the words "Shou Zhuo" (meaning "to guard one's simplicity"). Although it was not a sharp weapon, it could embolden one.

The bamboo house was small, with one bright room and two dark rooms. The outer room was furnished with a painting table and bookshelves, but the bed was now mostly occupied by a dark shadow.

The creature was curled up in the corner, its body charred black as if it had been pulled out of a fire. It had many small pieces of metal embedded in its body, some with sharp edges, and others deeply embedded in its carbonized flesh, making it a horrifying sight.

Zhou Miaoyun gasped, took a half step back, and her heart pounded.

This thing looked like a human, but it was thicker and stronger than a normal person. Its limbs were twisted, and its clothes were burned beyond recognition, with only a few charred pieces of cloth hanging on its body.

Even more bizarrely, it was enveloped in a terrifying heat.

It's late autumn now, and it's even cooler in the mountains, but the bamboo house is filled with warmth, with the temperature rising by more than ten degrees.

'Is it...is it a mountain spirit? Or a wild beast?'

She muttered to herself, gripping the short dagger tightly.

Although Miaofeng Mountain is serene and elegant, wild animals often roam there, but she had never seen such a charred and strange appearance before.

Recalling the strange star that fell the other day, could this thing be... a monster that fell from the sky?

Zhou Miaoyun composed herself and recalled the medical skills her father had taught her. A doctor should have a benevolent heart, and even if it was a demon, if it still had a chance of survival, it should be investigated.

So she picked up a dry bamboo branch from the corner of the wall, carefully reached over, and gently poked the dark figure's shoulder.

"Boom" sound.

The bamboo stick struck something hard, like hitting a metal plate, making her fingertips go numb.

The dark figure didn't move, not even a hint of struggle.

Zhou Miaoyun mustered her courage again, turned around a few steps, and circled around to her front. She was so shocked that she took three steps back, and the short dagger fell to the ground with a "clatter".

It was a human face!
However, his face was already unrecognizable. Half of his cheek was carbonized and blackened, while the other half still had a faint outline. His brow bone was high and straight, his nose was straight, and his lips were dry and chapped, but he exuded an indescribable heroic spirit.

At this moment, its eyes were tightly closed, and its eyelids were covered with black ash, making it lifeless.

'It's actually a person.'

Zhou Miaoyun covered her mouth, her heart pounding.

Such injuries, with the body charred black and studded with metal fragments, would have killed an ordinary person long ago.

But upon closer inspection, she saw that the charred chest was rising and falling very slowly.

Then it stopped.
After waiting for a long time, there were no further fluctuations.

'No way? He died as soon as he arrived?!'

Zhou Miaoyun's heart pounded wildly. She thought, "What a coincidence? I just got back and he's already dead???"

But she wasn't disappointed. After a quarter of an hour, her chest rose and fell again, very slowly, but there was definitely movement.
Every fifteen minutes, it's so slow it feels like it's about to stop, but it's definitely breathing!
Zhou Miaoyun rubbed her eyes, wondering if she was seeing things. She had some medical skills, but she never imagined that someone could breathe once every fifteen minutes.
Fifteen minutes later...

The man's chest rose and fell again as he breathed.

Now it's confirmed, I wasn't mistaken, he's still alive!

She had never seen anything so bizarre.

An ordinary person's breathing rate would not be this slow. If someone is seriously injured and unconscious, their breathing would be more rapid due to bodily damage.

She crouched down, her hand trembling as she reached out, about to touch his carotid artery.

"Hi!~"

The fingertips jerked back from the heat, a sharp pain shooting through them, and blisters immediately formed on both fingers.

Zhou Miaoyun was terrified; it felt like she had just touched burning coals.

Although she did not practice martial arts, she had heard rumors in the martial arts world that only top martial arts masters had internal energy to protect their bodies, but that was impossible.
She leaned closer again to examine the metal fragments more closely.

The fragments gleamed with a cold light, their material hard, clearly not iron or bronze artifacts from the Ming Dynasty. Their edges were smooth and regular, resembling the remains of some kind of object she had never seen before.

Considering the alien crash the day before, an absurd thought arose in her mind: Could this person be human? Or not human from the Ming Dynasty?
Zhou Miaoyun wanted to report it to the authorities, but the charred figure suddenly moved and let out a very soft groan, like the low growl of a dying beast.

She was startled and pulled her hand back, but saw that he didn't open his eyes. His chest was just rising and falling a little faster, and faster and faster.

"Huhuhu~"

The figure even made heavy breathing sounds, but its mouth was not open; the sound came from its lungs.

"Dong Dong Dong~"

Zhou Miaoyun took a few steps back. She had a premonition that the person in front of her was about to wake up.

He turned to run.

But then he heard someone behind him say, "I'm a human being, there's nothing to be afraid of."
-

P.S.: (This is a fusion of worldviews, without considering the original novel or TV series' direction.)
(End of this chapter)