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

Chapter 245 Reunion with Yan Zhendong

Chen Wen smiled and waved his hand dismissively, "It's alright."

He glanced at Yuan Shikai, a hint of amusement in his eyes: "The Boxers were originally 'anti-Qing and anti-foreign' groups, so it's normal for them to deliberately humiliate you, a lackey of the Qing court."

Yuan Shikai almost choked.

"Brother Chen, whose side are you on?"

Chen Wen did not answer.

He suddenly stopped and his gaze fell on the sword at Yuan Shikai's waist.

"Brother Yuan, this sword is quite nice."

Yuan Shikai was taken aback.

Chen Wen gestured towards the scabbard and smiled, saying, "It's clearly a fine sword. Perfect for a hero. Where did you get it?"

Yuan Shikai's expression changed slightly.

This sword—was given to him by Prince Yi.

Before leaving the capital, Prince Yi summoned him, gave him some words of encouragement, and personally presented him with this sword, saying it was for self-defense.

Yuan Shikai understood the implied meaning in the words.

He was tasked with keeping an eye on Chen Wen and reporting any unusual activity immediately.

However, this matter was kept very secret, and even Tao An and the others did not know about it.

But now————

He looked up at Chen Wen, who was looking at him with a half-smile, his gaze as calm as a deep pool of water, revealing nothing.

Yuan Shikai's heart skipped a beat.

He quickly waved his hand, forcing a smile, "No, no! I just bought this from a random roadside vendor; it's not worth much. It can't compare to your knife, Brother Chen."

Chen Wen looked down at his knife, smiled and nodded: "Of course my knife is good. Fifth Brother's craftsmanship is unparalleled."

"If Brother Yuan wants one, he can ask Fifth Brother to help him get one. But I think—"

His gaze lingered on the sword for a moment, then he said meaningfully, "Now that you have this sword, you probably won't like knives anymore."

Yuan Shikai's heart skipped a beat.

What does that mean?

He chuckled dryly twice and quickly said, "Not at all! Of course I want Fifth Master's knife! It's just that I'm better at using a sword—"

Chen Wen didn't let him finish speaking, waving his hand: "Brother Yuan, you're too kind. It's just a sword, it doesn't mean anything. You can have either a knife or a sword, it's fine with me."

""

"However, in my opinion, although this sword is good, it is still not worthy of your status."

Yuan Shikai was stunned.

Not worthy of my status?

This sword was a gift from Prince Yi!

If even this is not worthy, then what kind of sword is worthy?

The words Chen Wen had said earlier flashed through his mind instantly.

Think boldly, act boldly! The future is beyond imagination!

At the time, he took it as just polite talk, a way to win people over.

But now————

He looked down at the sword at his waist, then looked up at Chen Wen.

Chen Wen had already turned around and followed Miao San Niang forward, his back view calm and composed, as if his words just now were just casual remarks.

Yuan Shikai stood there, his heart pounding faster and faster.

He suddenly felt a little afraid to think any further.

But I couldn't help but think further.

What if?

What if what Chen Wen said is true?

What if my future really does exceed my expectations?

Then Yuan Shikai—

"Brother Yuan?"

Chen Wen's voice came from the front.

Yuan Shikai suddenly came to his senses and found that Chen Wenzheng was looking back at him.

"Let's go."

Yuan Shikai took a deep breath, suppressed the turbulent thoughts in his heart, and quickly followed.

As for the Boxer Rebellion, he no longer had the mind to think about it.

The group followed Miao San Niang into the courtyard.

The courtyard looks mysterious enough from the outside, but once you step inside, it's even more of a hidden paradise.

The ground is paved with blue bricks, and the corridors are winding.

Miao Sanniang led the way, carrying a gun, turning left and right, passing through one courtyard after another.

As Yuan Shikai walked, he tried to memorize the route, but after going around in circles a few times, he became completely disoriented.

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the view suddenly opened up before us.

A spacious courtyard appeared before us.

A high platform stood in the center of the courtyard, surrounded by red flags that fluttered in the wind.

The air was filled with the smell of burning incense and candles, mixed with a faint sulfurous odor, creating an indescribably eerie atmosphere.

Just then.

A whooshing sound followed.

From every corner of the courtyard, from under the eaves, from behind the rockery, and from the shadows, one Boxer after another emerged.

Some held broadswords, some gripped red-tasseled spears, some were shirtless with red belts around their waists, and some wore Bagua Taoist robes.

They surrounded Chen Wen and his group from all directions, their steps synchronized and their eyes burning, trapping them in the center of the courtyard.

Immediately afterwards, shouts rang out.

At first, it was just one or two voices, but it quickly turned into a chorus of shouts, like waves crashing higher and higher: "Divine assistance! The Boxers! All because the Japanese devils are causing trouble in the Central Plains!"

"Advise those who follow the religion, have faith in Heaven, do not believe in gods, and forget their ancestral immortals!"

The sounds grew louder and more synchronized, carrying an air of fervor.

"No rain, the ground is scorched black, the sky is completely blocked by churches!"

"The gods are angry, the immortals are angry, let us descend the mountain together and spread the Dao!"

Among the crowd, a woman held a red lantern high, its red light flashing.

A burly man, shirtless, brandished his fists, punching the air with tremendous force.

Several young boxers tumbled and leaped with agility, drawing cheers from the crowd.

"Neither evil, nor a white lotus, but a mantra, a verse, and a proverb!"

"The immortals emerge from the cave, the gods descend from the mountain, possessing human bodies to pass on their martial arts!"

The shouts were deafening, and even the ground beneath their feet seemed to tremble slightly.

"Learn all the art of war, and wipe out those scoundrels and foreign devils!"

As the last word was uttered, everyone shouted in unison, creating a terrifying roar.

"Welcome, Holy Mother Huanglian!"

With this shout, all the women raised their red lanterns, and the light converged on the high platform in the center of the courtyard.

Immediately afterwards, a red figure descended from the sky!

It was a woman, dressed in a long red robe, wearing a golden crown, with a solemn and dignified expression.

With arms outstretched, her body slowly rotated in mid-air, her clothes fluttering, like a celestial maiden descending to earth.

He landed steadily on the lotus seat on the high platform, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes slightly.

A moment later, she opened her eyes, her gaze sharp as lightning, sweeping across the entire room.

"A red lantern hangs in the sky!"

Her voice was clear and resonant, with an exceptionally strong penetrating power; every word clearly reached the ears of everyone present: "We demand retribution for blood debts, we demand blood for blood, let the red lanterns shine brightly in all directions!"

As soon as the words were spoken, all the Boxers chanted in unison, "Holy Mother! Holy Mother! Holy Mother!"

Yuan Shikai's face paled, and he subconsciously moved closer to Chen Wen, lowering his voice to say, "Brother Chen, this is the legendary Holy Mother Huanglian—I've heard she possesses powerful and sinister magic! Be careful!"

Chen Wen glanced at him, smiled slightly, and said nothing.

Just then.

Suddenly, the Holy Mother Huanglian on the high platform stood up, turned around, clasped her hands in a fist and bowed, saying, "Welcome, Master!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a burst of rousing suona horn sounds rang out!

The sound was high-pitched and loud, soaring into the sky and making people's eardrums buzz.

Immediately afterwards, a figure leaped out from the backyard, flipped in mid-air, and landed steadily in the center of the altar.

The newcomer, dressed in a gray Taoist robe with long, flowing hair, stood on the altar, surveying the entire area from his elevated position. His imposing aura was like a mountain pressing down, making it impossible for anyone to look him directly in the eye.

Upon seeing this man, all the Boxers knelt down on one knee in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized and without the slightest hesitation.

"Greetings, Master Master!"

The shouts were like rolling thunder, echoing through the courtyard.

Yan Zhendong stood on the altar, his gaze slowly sweeping over the crowd.

His gaze passed over the kneeling Boxers and landed on Chen Wen and his group, who were surrounded in the middle.

His expression turned serious, and he asked in a deep voice, "Where are the Qing court's lackeys?"

39

"Bring it up!"