A Life of Attributes Starting as a Nobleman in the Republic of China Era

The Shanghai martial arts community is filled with numerous schools and sects, each with its own territory and rules. While things are generally peaceful, conflicts of interest inevitably lead to open and covert struggles. As an "outsider," the Central Martial Arts Academy needs more than just official support to establish itself; it must win the recognition of the local martial arts community.

And this arena is the perfect opportunity.

"What else did Director Li say?" Chen Che asked.

Chen Shi hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice: "Director Li asked me to pass on a message—'I know something about what's happening in Zhabei. Some things can't be borne by one person alone; everyone has to bear them together.'"

The courtyard fell silent.

Chen Che was shocked. He thought he had kept the matter of the Zhabei cave a secret, but he didn't expect that Li Jinglin, who was far away in Nanjing, had already heard about it. What surprised him even more was that Li Jinglin did not ask questions or interfere, but instead told him in this way that some secrets can become a bond, not a burden.

"I understand what Director Li means." Sun Congzhou put down his teacup, stood up, and said, "The Chen family will fully cooperate with this matter."

Chen Shi's face lit up with joy, and he stood up, clasping his hands in a fist salute: "With Uncle Sun's words, I can rest assured."

He turned to Chen Che: "Junior brother, Director Li has assigned you a task."

"What kind of job?"

"Running errands," Chen Shi said with a smile. "These martial arts families always need someone to deliver invitations and pay visits. Master Li said that you are young and have a low seniority, so it's perfect for you to visit each family."

Chen Che was taken aback for a moment, then gave a wry smile: "Senior brother, are you asking me to act as a persuader?"

"I'm not going to be a lobbyist, I'm going to get acquainted with the community." Chen Shi patted him on the shoulder. "Your Chen family has spent all these years in Zhabei teaching martial arts, and you haven't interacted with the outside world much. Director Li said that young people should get out and about more, and get to know fellow martial arts practitioners in Shanghai. When the National Martial Arts Academy is established in the future, you can't be completely ignorant of everyone, can you?"

Chen Che turned to look at Sun Congzhou. Sun Congzhou nodded slightly: "Go ahead. Take Chen San with you, just don't embarrass yourself."

Chen Che took a deep breath, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes."

Chen Shi nodded in satisfaction, gave a few more instructions to each household, and then got up to take his leave. As he was leaving, he stopped at the doorway, glanced back at the tactical baton standing in the yard, and couldn't help but ask, "Junior brother, that baton of yours…?"

"It was a gift from a friend," Chen Che said with a smile.

Chen Shi gave a thoughtful "Oh," then walked away without asking any more questions.

After seeing Chen Shi off, Chen Che returned to the training room. Chen San had already returned from outside and, upon hearing about the martial arts competition and recruitment, his eyes lit up with excitement: "Young Master, can I go on stage too?"

"You should practice your Qi Condensation Techniques first." Sun Congzhou glanced at him. "Go on stage? You'll embarrass yourself."

Chen San shrank back, not daring to utter another sound.

Chen Che watched from the side and couldn't help but smile. He knew that although his master was stern, he was actually very happy. The Central Martial Arts Academy's invitation to martial arts families from all over Shanghai to participate in this competition meant what? It meant that martial arts were no longer the privilege of a few, and that children from impoverished backgrounds in the shantytowns also had the opportunity to enter the doors of the martial arts academy.

This was precisely the dream that Sun Congzhou pursued throughout his life.

"Master," Chen Che suddenly spoke, "do you think those martial arts schools and families will come?"

Sun Congzhou leaned against the wall, his eyes half-closed, and said in a calm tone: "Whether you come or not depends on your sincerity, whether you stay or not depends on your ability."

He paused, then added, "But there's one thing you can rest assured about—as long as Li Jinglin is on stage, no one will dare not come."

Chen Che was slightly taken aback, then understood his master's meaning.

Li Jinglin, hailed as the "Number One Master in the North and South," was proficient in Tai Chi, Bagua, and Xingyi. He once single-handedly quelled a large-scale brawl at the Luanzhou Martial Arts Tournament. His name itself was a symbol of prestige. For the martial arts community of Shanghai, his presence at the arena was both a sign of respect and a test—to come was to show respect; not to come was to be disrespectful.

"Go ahead," Sun Congzhou waved his hand. "Starting tomorrow, visit them one by one. Bring invitations, bring sincerity, and bring your stick too."

"Yes," Chen Che replied, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

Outside the window, night deepened. In the distance, the lights of the construction site in Zhabei stretched out, casting a faint glow on half the sky. Chen Che stood by the window, holding the list in his hand, his gaze sweeping over each line—

Jingwu Athletic Association, Cai Family Boxing School, Liu Family Baguazhang, Zhao Family Xingyiquan, Yang Family Tai Chi Family...

Thirty-six martial arts schools and seven prestigious families. Some of these people were on good terms with the Chen family, some had no dealings with them at all, and some even had old grudges. But starting tomorrow, he would visit each of them in person, present them with invitations, and convey Li Jinglin's message.

This was no easy task. But he knew in his heart that this was an opportunity given to him by Li Jinglin—an opportunity for him to make a name for himself in the Shanghai martial arts world, and also an opportunity for the Shanghai martial arts world to get to know him.

Chen Che closed the list and turned to look at the tactical baton in the training room. The baton was pitch black, gleaming faintly under the light.

Next month on the 15th, Shanghai Public Stadium.

Martial arts families from all over Shanghai gathered together to exchange skills and make friends.

Just imagining this scene is enough to stir one's heart.

The next morning, before dawn, Chen Che got up.

Chen San was already waiting in the courtyard, dressed in a clean gray outfit, his hair neatly combed, looking much more energetic. However, his eyes still couldn't hide his excitement, and as soon as he saw Chen Che, he approached, "Young Master, which restaurant should we go to first?"

Chen Che unfolded the list and looked at it again in the morning light.

"We'll put the Jingwu Association last." He thought for a moment, then tapped the list with his finger. "Let's start with the smaller ones. The Cai Family Martial Arts School is in Hongkou, the closest to us."

"The Cai family?" Chen San scratched his head. "Is that the small martial arts school that makes a living by 'Cai Family Boxing'? I heard that their family has passed it down for three generations, but it's gotten worse and worse. Now they just teach kids horse stance."

"Don't underestimate them." Chen Che folded the list and put it in his pocket. "They've been able to establish themselves in Shanghai for three generations; there must be a reason for that."

Sun Congzhou came out of the house, carrying a cloth bag, and handed it to Chen Che: "Take this."

Chen Che took the package, opened it, and found several packets of fine tea and two bottles of Shaoxing wine. The items weren't particularly valuable, but they were presentable.

"Master, what is this...?"

"It's unacceptable to show up empty-handed," Sun Congzhou said calmly. "Although your Chen family isn't a particularly prominent one, you still need to observe proper etiquette."

Chen Che nodded, handed the items to Chen San, and went back into the house to retrieve the tactical baton.

Sun Congzhou glanced at it but didn't say anything.

The two went out and walked along the small road in Zhabei towards Hongkou. The morning wind in December felt like a knife against their faces. There weren't many pedestrians on the road, and smoke was already rising from the shantytowns on both sides, with the smell of coal stoves and porridge in the air.