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

Chapter 255 Prince Yi's Backyard Catches Fire

The Boxers responded and carried the foreigner deeper into the secret room.

That was Chen Wen's alchemy workshop.

During this time, the Boxer brothers practiced their martial arts while hunting foreigners.

The captured foreigners were sent to the imperial court to be exchanged for money, one hundred taels each, fair and square.

Once the money is in hand, we can use it to buy medicinal herbs and supplies to strengthen ourselves.

As for those foreigners—after exchanging their money, they would be sent back to the altar and handed over to Chen Wen to refine medicine.

Transferring money from one hand to the other, getting something for nothing.

The imperial court was fully aware of the situation, but said nothing.

Because Chen Wen really produced a miracle drug.

Prince Yi's residence sent people to urge them every few days, and even complained that they were too slow.

Later, they simply sent Manchu bannermen to help hunt foreigners and, incidentally, test the strength of the newly trained strongmen.

I am very satisfied with the result.

Those strong men who had been injected with drugs could fight dozens of men at once, and were invincible on the battlefield.

Prince Yi became increasingly convinced that this deal was a worthwhile one.

Meanwhile, the new policies were being implemented vigorously by the imperial court.

With the assistance of Tan Sitong, Kang Youwei, and others, Emperor Guangxu issued edict after edict: abolishing the eight-legged essay, reforming the imperial examination system, establishing schools, and training a new army.

The radical policy caused a huge uproar.

Conservative officials complained bitterly, gentry in various places resisted, and rumors spread like wildfire among the people.

Some said the emperor had gone mad, some said the reforms would squander the ancestral legacy, and others said that if things continued this way, the world would descend into chaos.

Chaos is beginning to emerge, and undercurrents are stirring.

And at this moment when a storm is brewing.

Wang Wu stood in the courtyard of the Qiangwu Academy, watching his dozen or so disciples finish their last round of boxing practice, feeling exceptionally pleased.

Everything went smoothly during this period.

The task assigned by the master was completed very well, and all the disciples were capable. The reputation of the Strong Martial Arts Association gradually spread throughout the capital.

Occasionally, genuine young men from the capital would come to him seeking apprenticeship, and he would accept a few of them, teaching them kung fu in a serious manner.

Life is fulfilling, and I am full of expectations for the future.

That day, after finishing his martial arts practice, Wang Wu went for a walk by the lake alone, thinking about how to arrange the next task his master had instructed him to do.

Suddenly, the sound of a zither came from the lake.

Wang Wu paused, tilting his head to listen.

The music was melodious and gentle, yet it concealed an unconcealable sorrow. At times it was low and plaintive, like weeping and lamenting; at other times it was poignant and heartbreaking, tearing at the heartstrings.

Wang Wu listened intently and unknowingly walked closer to the lake.

The music seemed to have a magical power, stirring up his emotions.

With a soft bang, the music stopped abruptly.

Immediately afterwards, a soft exclamation came from inside the cabin: "Oh dear!"

The woman's voice was clear and crisp, yet carried a hint of fragility.

Wang Wu was startled. Without thinking, he lightly lifted himself up, stepping on a few floating duckweeds on the lake, and landed on the bow of the painted boat in the blink of an eye.

"Who goes there?!"

A panicked shout came from inside the cabin.

Wang Wu quickly clasped his hands in apology, his tone sincere: "I'm sorry, I am Wang Wu, I was impetuous."

After saying that, he turned to leave.

"Wait a minute!"

A woman's voice came from inside the cabin.

Wang Wu paused in his steps.

The curtain was lifted, and a young woman leaned out. She had gentle eyes and a dignified demeanor, but there was a faint trace of blood seeping from the tip of her right finger, indicating that she had indeed been cut by the strings of a zither.

She looked at Wang Wu with a hint of curiosity in her eyes: "You can tell there's a hidden sorrow in my music?"

Wang Wu looked at the bloodstains on her fingertips and nodded: "I just sensed a hidden sorrow in your music."

The woman smiled slightly, raised her hand to look at it, and said softly, "A true friend is hard to find. I never expected to meet someone who understands my music on this lake."

"I do have my reasons."

Wang Wu was silent for a moment, then said softly, "In this life, how much can we truly do as we please?"

The woman looked at him, her eyes flickering slightly: "Fifth Master, are you also a heartbroken man?"

Wang Wu raised his head, gazing at the darkening horizon in the distance, and slowly said, "In this land of China today, how many people with a conscience are not heartbroken?"

"But though my heart has been wounded, it has never died!"

The woman stared at him blankly, a strange light flashing in her eyes, and said softly, "I can tell. Fifth Master seems to have—found his way."

She smiled slightly, a smile tinged with envy and relief: "That's wonderful. Then I'll play another piece for Fifth Master to celebrate that he has found his direction!"

After saying that, she sat down again, her slender fingers lightly plucking the strings, and the music began again.

This time, the music was devoid of the previous sorrow, instead carrying a touch of clarity and hope, echoing across the lake in the twilight.

Wang Wu stood at the bow of the boat, listening quietly.

Only after the music ended did he clasp his hands in farewell, his figure leaping up and disappearing into the twilight.

The next day, just as dawn was breaking.

Wang Wu came to the lakeside again. He didn't know why he came; he just kept walking and ended up there.

Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared ahead.

Ao Bai!

Wang Wu frowned and went to meet him.

The two spoke at the same time: "What are you doing here?"

Ao Bai's expression changed slightly, and he thought to himself that something was wrong. Wang Wu was Chen Wen's man and had too many entanglements with him. He should never have appeared on this ship!

Just then, footsteps sounded behind them.

Yan Xi stepped off a boat and was slightly taken aback when she saw the two people.

Ao Bai quickly turned around and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Wang Wu's expression changed instantly.

Princess Consort? Princess Consort of Prince Yi?

He stared blankly at Yan Xi, his mind completely blank.

Yan Xi seemed oblivious to his unease, smiled slightly, took a red umbrella from the maid, and handed it to Wang Wu: "Fifth Master, it's going to rain, take this with you."

Wang Wu took the umbrella blankly, speechless.

Yan Xi glanced at him and turned to leave.

Ao Bai gave Wang Wu a cold look and lowered his voice, saying, "You'd better pretend last night's events never happened. It's better for everyone!"

After saying that, he flicked his sleeve and strode away.

Wang Wu stood there, holding the red umbrella, motionless for a long time.

Dark clouds were gathering on the horizon; it was really going to rain.

Wang Wu stood motionless by the lake, watching Yan Xi's figure gradually disappear into the distance, until the painted boat vanished into the morning mist.

He looked down at the red umbrella in his hand, and after a long while, he let out a long sigh and turned to walk back.

He returned to the Martial Arts Academy, where the gate was ajar. He pushed it open and went inside, still looking somewhat dazed.

"Master!"

Zong Sheng's voice suddenly rang out, startling Wang Wu.

"Master, look who's here!"

Wang Wu looked up and froze on the spot.

In the courtyard, three people were standing there, looking at him with smiles.

Tan Sitong, dressed in a blue robe, was refined and gentle.

Yuan Shikai, dressed in his official robes, looked radiant.

There was also Chen Wen, with long hair and a Taoist robe!

"Brother Tan? Brother Yuan? Brother Chen?!"

Wang Wu's face instantly lit up with surprise, and he strode forward to greet them, asking, "When did you get back?!"

Chen Wen smiled and stepped forward, patting him on the shoulder: "I arrived last night and have been looking for you all night, but you're nowhere to be found."

Tan Sitong also laughed and said, "Fifth Brother, you're not being a proper host."

Yuan Shikai quipped, "That's right! We've come all this way, and you've made us wait here all night."

Wang Wu's face stiffened, and he became somewhat embarrassed as he recalled his whereabouts last night.

"This—I—"

He stammered, unsure how to explain.

Just then, Zong Sheng, with his sharp eyes, spotted the umbrella in Wang Wu's hand.

"Master, where did you get this umbrella? And it's red!"