Republic of China era: Actor? Please call me Martial Arts Master!

Chapter 170 Spreading the Word to the World

In the main hall of the Lu residence, the heavy cotton curtain was gently lifted by a hand with distinct knuckles.

"Father, Mother, your son is back."

This call was neither too loud nor too soft, neither hurried nor impatient.

It's as ordinary as going out to a tea stall at the street corner to listen to a storyteller and then buying two packs of Daoxiangcun peach shortbread on the way back.

But to Lu Laogen and Wang Shi, it sounded like thunder from the heavens.

"Clang!"

Lu Laogen smashed the brass pipe in his hand onto the rosewood table, sparks flying, but he didn't care about getting burned.

The old man suddenly stood up, and because he stood up so quickly, his body swayed, but a pair of hands that seemed to appear out of nowhere steadily supported his arms.

"Mako--My Mako."

Wang was already sobbing uncontrollably. She rushed forward and grabbed Lu Cheng's long robe sleeve, her withered fingers digging into the fabric.

He was terrified that if he let go, his son, who had just returned unscathed from the den of wolves and tigers in Tianjin, would vanish in a puff of smoke.

"Mother, it's alright now."

Lu Cheng reached out and wrapped his hand around his mother's slightly trembling hand.

He had already completed seventy percent of the marrow cleansing, and his body temperature was originally under his control. However, at this moment, he deliberately released a warm and cozy blood energy, which flowed into Wang's meridians, which were icy cold due to fear and anxiety, through his palm.

As soon as the warmth entered, Wang's rapid breathing immediately calmed down, and even her cough was suppressed.

"You child, the rumors outside are rampant, saying you've been poisoned by foreigners, saying you're going to abandon your parents—"

""

With red eyes, Lu Laogen looked Lu Cheng up and down.

Lu Cheng was dressed in a spotless moon-white robe, his face as smooth and radiant as the finest mutton-fat jade.

Those eyes showed no sign of weakness from recovering from a serious illness; instead, they shone with clarity.

Where is there even a trace of someone who is about to die?

"The lies outside were deliberately spread by my son to deceive others and frighten my parents."

Lu Cheng helped the two elders sit down again, his tone gentle.

"The opera in Tianjin has ended, and the accounts that needed to be settled have been settled."

"From now on, let's live a down-to-earth life in Beiping."

Just then, Shunzi and Lu Feng, along with a group of apprentices, carrying a tightly sealed opera box, tiptoed into the courtyard.

"Madam, Master."

Shunzi lowered his gruff voice and gently placed the heavy box weighing several hundred pounds on his shoulder onto the ground without even breaking a brick.

"Master was incredibly powerful in Tianjin; even foreign warships had to give way to us. You two can rest assured!"

"Go away, go away, what are you yelling about?"

Lu Cheng unfolded his folding fan and gently tapped Shunzi on the back of the head.

"It's the dead of night, everyone in the neighborhood is asleep. Put the boxes away and go back to your houses to sleep. Tomorrow morning, the homework will continue as usual."

.

Lu Feng followed behind; this wolf cub had rolled around in piles of corpses in Tianjin.

The murderous aura emanating from him hadn't completely dissipated; a blood-stained single-edged sword was tucked into his waistband, and his eyes were sharp.

But as soon as he returned to the bustling Lu residence, his tense back involuntarily relaxed.

"Squeak!"

Just then, the carved wooden door of the inner room of the main hall was pushed open a crack.

A small figure, wearing a pair of soft tiger-head shoes, a light green floral cotton-padded jacket, and two slightly crooked pigtails on her head, walked out rubbing her sleepy eyes.

It was Lu Feng's younger sister, Lu Yun, who had just turned five.

"Yun'er!"

Lu Feng's eyes, which had been gleaming with a wolf-like ferocity just a moment ago, lit up the instant he saw his sister.

This young killing god, who dared to fight to the death with a half-step master on stage and brandish his knife at the Japanese military police on the dock, now had a silly smile plastered on his weathered and bloodstained face.

He quickly hid the single-edged sword at his waist behind his back, afraid that the slight smell of blood would offend his sister.

He bent his knees, half-squatted on the ground, and opened his broad arms.

He was waiting for his precious little sister to fly into his arms like a swallow returning to its nest, so he could kiss and cuddle her sweetly.

"Brother's back! Come on, let brother give you a hug."

Lu Feng's voice was softer than a spring breeze.

The little girl put down her hands that had been rubbing her eyes, and her big, dark, grape-like eyes darted around the room.

She saw her older brother squatting on the ground, and she also saw Lu Cheng standing by the octagonal table, wearing a moon-white long robe and smiling.

"Master!"

Lu Yun called out in her sweet, childlike voice.

Then, under Lu Feng's delighted gaze, the little girl, like a small green whirlwind, directly—

He ignored his older brother, who was half-squatting on the ground with his arms outstretched.

She toddled past Lu Feng with her short legs, then plunged into Lu Cheng's arms, clinging tightly to his thighs with her little hands.

"Grandpa, you're finally back! Yun'er wants to eat the candied hawthorns you bought."

The little girl, her rosy cheeks tilted up, pouted and begged in her sweet, childish voice.

'

The wind stopped.

Lu Feng squatted on the ground, his arms still awkwardly outstretched, maintaining that "wanting a hug" posture, his whole body stiff as a weathered terracotta warrior.

He looked at his empty embrace, then at his younger sister who was clinging tightly to his master's leg, and felt a chill run through his heart like an autumn wind.

"puff"

Little Bean, standing behind, couldn't hold back any longer and covered his mouth, spitting out a mouthful of saliva.

Shunzi was also biting her lip tightly, her broad shoulders twitching as she tried to suppress her laughter, almost causing her internal injuries.

This scene is hilarious.

"Ha ha ha ha."

The anxiety that had been hanging over Lu Laogen and Wang Shi for the past few days finally subsided after witnessing this childlike scene, and they couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Lu Cheng smiled gently, bent down slightly, and easily lifted the little girl up with one hand, holding her steadily in his arms.

With his current terrifying strength, which is seventy percent of his marrow cleansing, he could lift a five-year-old child as lightly as carrying a feather, and not even the hem of his long robe swayed in the slightest.

"You heartless little brat."

Lu Cheng reached out and gently pinched Lu Yun's chubby little face, his eyes full of doting teasing. He deliberately looked at Lu Feng, who was frozen in place.

"Your own brother risked his life in Tianjin to protect our opera troupe, and he came all this way back. You, as his sister, won't even give him a second glance?"

Lu Yun nestled in Lu Cheng's arms, wrinkled her little nose, and waved her little hand disdainfully in Lu Feng's direction.

"My brother smells bad. He's covered in dust and has a pungent gunpowder smell."

"I smell good, I smell of sandalwood!"

Children's words are innocent and uninhibited, yet they are the most genuine.

Lu Feng had been through a hail of bullets these past few days, and his body was indeed covered in the indelible smell of gunpowder and blood.

Lu Cheng had already reached the state of restraining his vitality and returning to simplicity, his body exuding a unique fragrance, which was what Taoists called the "fragrance of true water".

.

Lu Feng raised his sleeve and smelled himself; sure enough, there was a sour smell of sweat and blood.

He scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed.

"Hehe—Yun'er, be good. I'll go take a shower now, and then I'll come and hug you when I'm all clean and smelly."

This wolf cub had absolutely no temper in front of his sister; all he could do was grin foolishly.

"You're covered in dirt, hurry up and take your junior brothers to the backyard to wash up."

Lu Cheng smiled and waved his folding fan.

"Alright!"

Shunzi and Lu Feng felt like they had been granted a pardon, and happily carried their opera boxes to the backyard.

Wang wiped away the tears of laughter from the corners of her eyes and said with heartache.

"Chengzi, are you hungry? You've been through so much these past few days. I'll make you a bowl of noodles with two eggs."

"Okay, add more chopped green onions and a couple of drops of sesame oil."

Lu Cheng sat down with Lu Yun in his arms, his eyes gentle.

Before long, a steaming bowl of clear soup noodles was served.

No sea cucumber or abalone, no shark fin or bird's nest, just clear soup noodles, topped with two golden poached eggs, sprinkled with a handful of fine green onions, and drizzled with a few drops of sesame oil.

Lu Cheng picked up a pair of worn-out bamboo chopsticks, scooped up a mouthful of noodles, and slowly slurped it into his mouth.

"Slurp"

The noodles are chewy, and the soup base is a clear broth made from bones, with an irresistible home-style flavor.

Lu Cheng ate very slowly and carefully, leaving not a single drop of soup.

A master of his caliber could digest a whole cow in one meal and remain energetic even after three days without food.

But he just happens to crave this taste the most.

The exquisite mind sees that the five aggregates are all empty.

What is "transforming strength" and what is "embracing the elixir"?

It's not about severing all emotions and desires to become a wooden immortal, but about having experienced the vicissitudes of life, having killed and seen blood, yet still being able to quietly finish a bowl of noodles made by my mother on this winter night.

This is what it truly means to be in the human world.

The next day, the sky brightened.

The sun in Beiping dispelled some of the spring chill.

The rumors that Lu Cheng had been assassinated and seriously injured were dispelled after the Qingyun Troupe quietly returned to the mansion last night.

However, the gates of the Qingyun Troupe were not opened to welcome guests as usual. Instead, a wooden sign was hung that read, "Closed to guests, focusing on rehearsals."

Everything remained the same in the training ground in the backyard.

"Slap, slap, slap."

Lu Feng, shirtless, continued practicing his internal energy cultivation on the thousand-layered paper on the old elm tree.

In just one night, the force in his fists seemed to have become even stronger, and each punch carried a hidden, unyielding courage.

"His steps were unsteady."

Lu Cheng had already sat on the armchair under the eaves at some point, holding a purple clay teapot in his hands, with a two-cent-a-ounce pot of liquor brewing in it.

He was wearing an old, bluish-gray overcoat, without even a folding fan, looking like a leisurely old man sunbathing at the entrance of an alley.

But as soon as he raised his eyelids, Lu Feng felt a tightness all over his body.

"The footwork in Bajiquan isn't about pushing off with your legs, but about the downward thrust of your spine." If you're still thinking about the killings in Tianjin, your mind is agitated, and your power won't settle down.

Lu Cheng took a sip of tea and said calmly.

"Go, stand in the Yin-Yang stance with a sandbag on your head for two hours. You can start practicing your punches again when the sand in the sandbag stops shaking."

"Yes, Master!"

Lu Feng dared not utter a single word of rebuttal, obediently shouldering the five-pound sandbag and adopting a horse stance.

Lu Cheng's gaze shifted to the other side.

Lu Ling, the newly accepted apprentice, is hanging from the roof beam, practicing her bone-shrinking technique.

His body was so muscular it seemed alive; he was curled up into a ball of flesh, moving through the ropes.

"Master Suo," Lu Cheng called out.

Old Suo, who was smoking a pipe nearby, quickly ran over, bowing and scraping.

"Master Lu, what are your orders?"

"This child has naturally soft bones, like a 'long arm'."

"His Bone-Contraction Skill is almost complete. Starting tomorrow, teach him the Swallow Sect's 'Gecko Wall-Climbing' and 'Wall-Running' techniques. I have a set of 'Light Body and Qi-Boosting Techniques' here; I'll write it down for you later, and you can guide him in practicing them."

Old Suo's eyes lit up when he heard this.

That's the supreme method of internal energy cultivation; Master Lu is truly nurturing this beggar child as a top talent.

"Don't worry, Mr. Lu. Leave this little rascal to me. In less than three years, I guarantee he'll be able to walk on flat ground right next to the city walls of Beijing."

Just as he was instructing his apprentice, a very light footstep came from the front yard.

"Brother Lu, you have quite the leisurely and refined taste."

A hearty laugh rang out.

Accompanied by Yang Chengfu and Cheng Tinghua, Mr. Liu Wenhua lifted the curtain of the moon gate and walked in.

These three grandmasters were drawn in by Lu Cheng's half-step into the Dan realm on the ship yesterday, and they also imparted all their life's skills to him.

Not only did it resolve his inner conflict, but it also restored about 70-80% of the internal energy that had been damaged by the muscle-softening powder.

He had changed into a respectable long robe and mandarin jacket. Although he still looked a bit thin, the imposing and dignified air of a martial arts master had returned to him.

"Brother Liu, Old Yang, Old Cheng."

Lu Cheng stood up, smiled, and clasped his hands in greeting.

"You seniors just arrived in Beiping last night. Why didn't you stay at your residence for a few more days? Why did you come so early?"

"I can't rest."

Mr. Yang Chengfu stroked his white beard, his plump face full of emotion.

He looked at the seemingly ordinary backyard, but felt that the aura in the yard was smooth and flawless, with a faint Taoist charm that inspired awe.

"Last night, Senior Brother Shang Yunxiang and Brother Gong Yu came to our place overnight. They were prepared to die and carry out a decapitation operation in Tianjin."

Liu Wenhua took over the conversation, a hint of lingering fear flashing in his eyes.

"Upon hearing that you single-handedly pacified Dengyinglou and even beat that old monster Funakoshi Kazuo to death on the stage..."

"Senior Brother Shang was so excited that he downed three bowls of strong liquor in a row, exclaiming that if Lu Cheng hadn't been born, martial arts would be like a long, dark night!"

"It's just an empty reputation. Please, seniors, have a seat." Lu Cheng instructed Shunzi to serve tea.

The four sat around a stone table in the courtyard.

"Brother Lu, let's speak frankly."

Mr. Cheng Tinghua, a man of straightforward character, lowered his voice and became serious.

"The commotion you caused in Tianjin this time was too great; not only the Japanese, but even the Nanjing government is keeping an eye on you."

"I heard from my inside sources that Song Peilun went back in a rage. His son, Song Ziqi, was hit by your 'severing the pulse and killing off the family line' technique and is now emaciated. Western doctors say he won't live more than three months."

"Back in Nanjing, someone has proposed labeling you a rebel who is undermining diplomatic relations, and they've issued an arrest warrant for you."

Hearing such a threat that could cost him his head, Lu Cheng didn't even flinch.

He picked up the purple clay teapot and poured himself a cup of tea. The tea was clear, reflecting his calm and unwavering eyes.

"You've issued a warrant for my arrest?"

Lu Cheng chuckled softly.

"They might dare to print it, but someone has to dare to arrest them first."

"In this city of Beijing, General Ma's tens of thousands of troops are protecting me. In Tianjin, Master Yuan's Green Gang and Hongmen owe me a debt of gratitude. Moreover—"

Lu Cheng put down his teacup.

"If Song Peilun really dares to break off relations, he's welcome to give it a try."

"If a Grandmaster of Internal Energy wants to kill someone, even if he hides in the Presidential Palace, I can still take his head off like picking a melon."

This statement, though made casually, exudes an air of domineering arrogance.

The three grandmasters felt a tremor in their hearts upon hearing this, followed by a surge of pleasure.

Yes!

For Lu Cheng, who had reached the level of a half-step immortal, worldly power, law, and the military had become a joke.

If you anger him, it will be a one-sided massacre targeting the top leadership without restraint.

Unless Song Peilun is stupid, he would never dare to push Lu Cheng to the brink.

"That's true, but it's easier to dodge a spear in the open than to guard against an arrow in the dark." Liu Wenhua was still somewhat worried.

"Don't worry, Brother Liu, I know what I'm doing."

Lu Cheng changed the subject and looked at the three old masters.

"The reason why all of you seniors have come together today is probably not just to warn me to be careful of Nanjing, is it?"

The three old men exchanged a glance, and Liu Wenhua took a deep breath and stood up.

He pulled out a slightly yellowed, gold-embossed invitation from his pocket and handed it to Lu Cheng with both hands.

The invitation was of extremely high quality, with no fancy patterns on it, only a large character written in pure gold powder.

[Martial Arts]!

"Brother Lu, this is a joint post from the Beiping Martial Arts Association."

Liu Wenhua said solemnly.

"After a night of discussion by Senior Brother Shang, Brother Gong, and a few of us old guys, all the leaders of the thirty-six schools and seventy-two sects in the entire North China martial arts community unanimously agreed."

"Ten days later, which is the spring equinox."

"We will reopen the martial arts tournament at the Temple of Heaven Square."

"At that time, in front of all martial arts practitioners and prominent figures from all walks of life, we will formally recognize you, Lu Cheng, as—"

Liu Wenhua spoke each word slowly and deliberately, as if striking with a heavy hammer.

"Leader of the Martial Arts Alliance in North China!"

"To hold the reins of martial arts in the world!"

Upon hearing this, the entire backyard fell into a deathly silence.

Lu Feng, who was practicing standing meditation, slipped and almost fell on his backside.

Shunzi's broom fell to the ground with a clatter onto the blue bricks.

Martial Arts Alliance Leader!

This isn't something made up in a novel. During this special period, the leader of the martial arts alliance represents the spiritual leader of millions of martial arts practitioners and a huge grassroots force that can command a large following.

If Lu Cheng were to actually take this position, he would truly become a regional warlord, receiving the kind of treatment that even the Chairman would have to send a congratulatory telegram with utmost courtesy.

However, faced with such immense wealth and unparalleled honor...

Lu Cheng did not reach out to take the invitation.

He remained seated in the armchair, without changing his posture in the slightest.

"Brother Liu."

Lu Cheng looked at Liu Wenhua's expectant eyes and shook his head slightly.

"I cannot accept this post."

"Why?!"

Yang Chengfu and Cheng Tinghua were greatly alarmed.

"Brother Lu, in terms of martial arts, you are at the half-step Dan realm, the best in the world. In terms of prestige, you cleaved the Sword Saint with your blade and turned the tide."

"Who else besides you is qualified to sit in this position of martial arts alliance leader, and who dares to sit in it?"

Lu Cheng stood up, walked into the courtyard, and looked up at the few gray cranes that occasionally flew by in the sky.

"Esteemed seniors, do you believe the root of Chinese martial arts lies in its sects, its leader, or in this elusive and intangible status within the martial arts world?"

Lu Cheng turned around.

With his "exquisite mind," he saw through the limitations of this era, illuminating the five aggregates.

"Neither."

"Times have changed. Firearms are now dominant, and the nation is facing a crisis."

"Today you've appointed me as the leader of the martial arts alliance, placing all the glory on me alone. What will my young disciples think?"

"They'll feel that as long as Grandmaster Lu is around, he'll hold up the sky if it falls. They'll place their hopes on a 'god,' not on their own fists."

Lu Cheng stretched out his hand and pointed to Lu Feng and Shunzi, who were standing there dumbfounded.

"Our national martial arts are called national martial arts because they are not only techniques for killing, but also the backbone of a strong nation and a strong race."

""

"The strength of a nation cannot rely on a single deity."

"We need to rely on millions of ordinary people like them who dare to draw their swords and fight to the death with foreigners."

Lu Cheng's words, like a morning bell and an evening drum, struck the hearts of the three old masters.

"If I become the leader of this alliance, it will be the same as suppressing the fire in their hearts."

Lu Cheng walked back to the table, picked up the gold-embossed invitation himself, and gently pushed it back into Liu Wenhua's hands.

"Therefore, I cannot become the leader of this alliance."

"Not only can I not be one, but the martial arts world of North China also doesn't need a high and mighty god."

"Brother Lu————"

Liu Wenhua's eyes welled up with tears. Looking at the young man in front of him, he felt ashamed of himself.

These old fogies are still clinging to the rules of the martial arts world and the prestige of their sects, wanting to establish a reputation.

But Lu Cheng's vision had long surpassed that of the martial world; he had seen through the rise and fall of the nation and its people.

"Then—will our martial arts tournament still proceed?" Mr. Yang Chengfu sighed.

"Yes, of course we should open it."

A glint of light flashed in Lu Cheng's eyes.

"However, it's not about choosing a leader."

"I have something to do at this martial arts tournament."

"What is it?" the three elders asked in unison.

A faint smile appeared on Lu Cheng's lips.

That smile concealed a wild and unrestrained spirit that broke with convention.

"I want to preach."

"I want to share my martial arts insights from the past six months, the methods I used to break through to the Transformation Realm and approach the Core Formation stage, and—"

Lu Cheng paused, then his tone became resolute.

"And all those closely guarded secrets of various schools and sects, those things they'd rather keep to themselves than pass on," will all be revealed!

"boom."

This news is a hundred times more shocking than the "Martial Arts Alliance Leader" news we just heard.

"No, that won't do."

Mr. Cheng Tinghua was greatly alarmed.

"Brother Lu, this is a major taboo that violates the rules set by our ancestors."

"The Dharma should not be lightly passed on, nor should the Way be sold cheaply. If these top-secret methods were made public, wouldn't the world descend into chaos? And if they fell into the hands of those with wicked intentions—"

"rule?"

Lu Cheng sneered, instantly releasing the pressure of a Grandmaster of Internal Energy.

Although it wasn't directed at anyone in particular, the aura of looking down on all living beings still made the three old men catch their breath.

"Old Cheng, rules are made by people, and they are also broken by people."

"Keeping it hidden, afraid others would learn it, but what was the result?"

"The result is that each generation is worse than the last. How much of the true knowledge passed down from our ancestors has been lost because of these damned rules?"

"Why do the Japanese dare to hog us? Because of the Meiji Restoration, which popularized Western gun technology among the general public. And because they opened schools and accepted students in judo and karate regardless of social status."

"What about us?"

Lu Cheng pointed outside.

"We're still clinging to those outdated, outdated rules of passing down knowledge only to sons and keeping a secret."

"The country is about to perish, and you're still clinging to those tattered boxing manuals like treasures?"

"I, Lu Cheng, am going to break these rules today."

He turned around, his eyes blazing.

"Ten days later, at the Temple of Heaven Square."

"I, Lu Cheng, will publicly demonstrate martial arts and preach the Dao."

"As long as you are a descendant of Yan and Huang, as long as you sincerely seek martial arts to fight against enemies, regardless of your sect or wealth."

"Anyone is welcome to listen!"

"I want to set off a prairie fire in this city of Beiping, and burn the spines of these millions of people straight."

These words swept through the hearts of the three grandmasters like a hurricane.

They stood there, speechless for a long time.

Break down barriers and reveal martial arts secrets.

What a broad mind this is, and what a crazy act this is!

But this is also the only way for Chinese martial arts to be reborn in this degenerate age.

"well!"

With tears in his eyes, Liu Wenhua clasped his hands together and bowed deeply to Lu Cheng.

"Master Lu's righteousness is beyond my comprehension."

"Our Xingyi School is willing to be the first to take the plunge. At the Temple of Heaven Assembly in ten days, I will bring all the secret manuals of Xingyi School and reveal them to the public."

"Our Tai Chi School second that proposal."

"Even my old face, the Bagua Sect, is willing to swallow its pride and go crazy with Master Lu."

The three grandmasters were filled with excitement and turned to leave.

They were going to contact all parties to prepare for this "martial arts evangelism" that would shake the entire Chinese nation.

Watching the three old men leave, Lu Cheng picked up the tea that had gone cold on the table and drank it all in one gulp.

"Master————"

Lu Feng stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with fanaticism.

"Are you going to perform martial arts at the Temple of Heaven Assembly in ten days?"

"What, you want to see?" Lu Cheng smiled slightly.

"Yes, not only do I want to see it, but everyone in Beiping, young and old, wants to see it."

Lu Feng clenched his fists excitedly.

"You had a good time killing in Tianjin, but our fellow citizens in Beiping didn't get to see it. They all hope you can show them what you're capable of and shut up those foreigners and compradors who are still making sarcastic remarks."

Lu Cheng pondered for a moment, then turned his gaze to the corner of the courtyard where several opera boxes were tightly locked.

"Since it's about preaching, just talking is ultimately a inferior approach."

"Martial arts, in the end, is the art of killing. Opera, in the end, is about portraying human joys and sorrows."

E