Martial Arts Across the Heavens: Becoming a Martial God Starting from the Big Boss in Tangshan

Chapter 242 A Long Road Ahead, Soaring High

a few days later.

Outside the gates of the capital.

As dawn broke, the city gates were already bustling with activity.

Vegetable vendors carrying loads entered the city, caravans driving mules and horses left, and soldiers guarding the city leaned against the city wall, casually checking their travel permits.

The sound of horses' hooves could be heard in the distance.

A group of more than ten riders slowly approached and reined in their horses outside the city gate.

The two riders stood side by side.

Yuan Shikai, dressed in brand-new official robes with a sword at his waist, looked radiant.

Chen Wen was still dressed in a Western-style suit, but as time went by, his short hair had grown longer and longer, and he had casually tied it into a bun.

The imperial court strictly prohibited Han Chinese clothing and customs, and even issued a terrifying decree that forfeited one's head if one kept their hair.

Chen Wen's outfit is enough to make his entire family play a game of elimination.

But no one dared to say a word.

Even Prince Yi frowned upon seeing this, but didn't say anything more.

There's nothing we can do; this guy is arrogant and conceited, but he really is capable.

The first thing the Empress Dowager does every morning when she wakes up is to inquire about the progress of the elixir of immortality. Who would dare to interfere with it because of some trivial matters?

And to some extent.

Chen Wen was not a citizen of the Qing Dynasty. Prince Yi specifically sent people to investigate, but they could not find any household registration information for Chen Wen.

But this guy actually has a real Union Jack title.

No matter how sharp the imperial court's sword was, it dared not cut down foreigners.

That's what made him so arrogant.

Apart from Yuan Shikai and Chen Wen.

Tao An and Liang Kuan each held the reins of a packhorse, with simple luggage tied to its back.

Inside the city gate, another group of people had been waiting for a long time.

Upon seeing the group, Tan Sitong and Wang Wuyi quickly stepped forward to greet them.

"Brother Chen! Brother Yuan!"

Yuan Shikai jumped off his horse with a smile, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Brother Fusheng, how could I trouble you to come and see me off in person? The new policies in the court are in full swing, and you are such a busy man—"

Tan Sitong waved his hand, but his gaze passed over him and landed on Chen Wen.

"No matter how busy you are, you have to come. The capital will be so deserted once you leave."

Chen Wen dismounted and looked up at the tall city gate.

With its blue bricks and gray tiles, deep and secluded doorways, it is a place where people come and go.

He suddenly laughed.

"I remember when we first came to Beijing, we also came in through this gate."

One sentence evoked memories for everyone.

Tan Sitong followed his gaze, his expression somewhat dazed.

"Yes—I still remember that day. We were standing outside the city gate. Brother Yuan said it was a milestone, and I said it was a monument to the beginning of a new era."

Hearing this, Wang Wu chimed in, making a rare joke.

"But I say it's a tombstone."

Everyone laughed when he said that.

Yuan Shikai laughed the loudest: "Fifth Master has a good memory!"

"We haven't been in the capital for long, but we've all become incredibly successful, so I must be right?"

That's the truth.

In a short period of time, Tan Sitong became a favorite of the emperor, and his new policies were implemented with great enthusiasm.

Yuan Shikai, an unknown figure, rose to become the superintendent of the newly established army.

Even Wang Wu has established himself in the capital, and the sign for the Strong Martial Arts Association has been put up.

Only Chen Wen —

Tan Sitong looked at Chen Wen with a complicated expression.

This is the only person he understands less and less.

Chen Wen seemed to notice his gaze, turned around, and smiled, "Brother Tan, don't look at me like that. The small station isn't far from the capital. If anything happens, I can ride a fast horse and get there in two days. It's not like we're facing a life-or-death separation, is it?"

Tan Sitong gave a wry smile.

"Two days isn't a long time, but everyone will be busy after that, and it will probably be difficult to sit together and chat like before."

He looked at Chen Wen.

Chen Wen was also smiling.

But no matter how Tan Sitong looked at that smile, he felt it was very meaningful.

Soaring to great heights?

Was it truly a meteoric rise for Chen Wen?

Tan Sitong felt a heavy weight in his heart.

During this time, he became increasingly convinced of his guess.

Chen Wen is a traitor, a member of the Blood Flag Army, and—he is plotting something big.

He didn't know what that big event was, but he knew that once it happened, it would be earth-shattering.

He didn't want to see that day.

It wasn't because he was a royalist, nor because he was loyal to the Qing Dynasty.

It was because he was afraid.

They feared chaos in the world, the loss of countless lives, and that those already suffering people would suffer another catastrophe.

But Chen Wen's words that day made it impossible for him to deny them.

A self-deceiving stability—aren't the people suffering now? No destruction, no construction!

Tan Sitong remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.

"Brother Chen."

Chen Wen looked at him.

"If—" Tan Sitong carefully chose his words, "if the national reform succeeds and the new policies are implemented, the people can truly live and work in peace and contentment!"

"By then, will we still be able to sit together and drink tea like before?"

A gust of wind blew in from the city gate, stirring up a cloud of dust.

Chen Wen looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

For the country and for the people.

Tan Sitong took those four words seriously.

He was truly trying his best to save the country and its people in his own way.

Unfortunately, they were working in the wrong direction.

The court he wanted to save was not worth his effort at all.

Chen Wen simply smiled and said softly, "If that day ever comes—"

He paused, his gaze drifting to the distant horizon: "I want to be a schoolteacher."

Tan Sitong's eyes lit up.

But Chen Wen didn't finish speaking.

"pity----"

He shook his head and didn't continue.

It was a pity, and everyone present could tell.

Unfortunately, that day will never come.

Unfortunately, your expectations for that court were ultimately in vain.

Tan Sitong grew anxious and stepped forward: "Brother Chen! The Emperor has begun to give important positions to me, Mr. Kang, Brother Liang, and others!"

"New edicts are being issued one after another; these are all real changes! As long as we persevere, it's not impossible—"

"Brother Tan."

Chen Wen interrupted him.

His voice wasn't loud, but it brought Tan Sitong to an abrupt halt.

"I'm going to be away for a while now."

"I'll come back to see what you've accomplished."

Tan Sitong was taken aback.

Then he understood.

This is the time Chen Wen gave him.

It's also giving him a chance.

Chen Wen did not force himself to take sides or give up on reform; instead, he supported him to do it, to try it, and to prove it.

If the reforms could really succeed, if the court really was worth saving.

Perhaps Chen Wen will truly let go of his hatred.

But if that doesn't work, then we've already done everything we could.

Tan Sitong's lips moved slightly, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him.

He knew Chen Wen's capabilities and his stance. If Chen Wen really wanted to do something, given his methods, he wouldn't be able to stop him at all.

But Chen Wen did not.

He gave himself time, which was more than enough.

Tan Sitong took a deep breath and nodded solemnly.

"I will work hard! Brother Chen, I will prove it to you!"

Chen Wen looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and finally couldn't help but say, "Brother Tan, what you're doing is difficult! You're destined to offend many people!"

Even the person you think you have as a supporter may not be a supporter! The person you think you have as a friend may not be a friend.

"The person who wants to kill you is beyond your imagination!"

Tan Sitong smiled calmly upon hearing this.

There was not a trace of fear in that smile; instead, it exuded an air of dignified authority.

"To accomplish great things, one must not give up until death."

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