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

In an inconspicuous mansion in Chuansha Town, PD District.

Yu Ban was wrapped in several layers of gauze, and a splint was strapped to his ribs. He spread a white cloth on the table in front of him.

Above the rubbing are four large seal script characters: "By Imperial Decree".

Below are lines of small characters written in regular script, some of which are now blurred and illegible.

Yu Ban pointed to the last few words on the rubbing and said, "Here."

Holding a magnifying glass in one hand and adjusting his glasses with the other, Old Huang leaned close to the rubbing and read aloud, "Given by Heaven, it is equally enjoyed by the people..."

Shen Moyan followed Old Huang's gaze, pondered for a moment, nodded, and asked, "Is it true?"

"How did this imperial edict from the Qianqing Emperor end up with the Green Gang?" Su Yanqing asked softly.

Old Huang picked up a corner of the rubbing cloth and examined it closely in the light coming in from the window.

The paper has the texture of Chengxintang, the ink is old pine soot ink, and the seal with the inscription "Imperial Brush of the Qianqing Emperor" is elegant and grand.

"It's 90% true," Old Huang said.

"The Aisin Gioro clan... are not our enemies?" Su Yanqing laughed happily. "I told you long ago, we can trust Xuan Ye!"

"Thirty-four years into the previous dynasty, I personally witnessed a secret memorial," Old Huang said, stroking his long beard. "It was submitted by General Cheng Dequan, requesting the court to distribute the imperial estates in the Northeast to tenant farmers, charging only two qian of silver per mu. Emperor Qianqing replied with four words: 'Discussable before implementation.'"

His gaze fell on the rubbing on the table: "However, it would be too hasty to rely on this rubbing alone; at least the original manuscript of the edict should be available."

Zhang Yanxi's voice was a little hoarse, but still composed: "Let me take it back to Guangdong first, so that Mr. Sun and Emperor Xuan Ye can take a look, and then we can make a decision."

This was indeed the safest approach at the moment, and everyone fell silent.

"And another thing," Shen Mo said, "Yan Qing, Yu Ban, Chen Che's influence in Shanghai is growing, you must guide him carefully and not let him go astray."

"He'll find out sooner or later what he needs to know."

......

Three days later.

Chen Shi's injuries were not serious; five fingers had pierced his chest, each three inches deep, and the wounds scabbed over the next day.

However, simultaneously unleashing the "Hundred Burials" technique, which combines a hundred punches with triple force, results in a significant depletion of internal energy.

Even with specially prepared medicinal cuisine and steamed dishes, it really takes two or three days to fully recover.

Chen Che had no choice but to practice alone in the training room, sweating profusely.

With two sticks in hand, Chen Che was like a taut bow.

Without any initial momentum, the first strike is explosive.

The left-hand staff swept horizontally, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound that tore through the air, as if it were about to split the void in two.

As soon as the staff crossed the center line, the right hand wielded the staff like a venomous dragon emerging from its cave, thrusting straight out, then suddenly retracting, and thrusting again!

With each breath, thirteen thrusts were delivered, each strike accompanied by the wind, all landing in the same spot—the unseen enemy's throat.

Chen Che closed his eyes, his mind filled with Wang Jian's most primal and undisguised killing intent, like a crimson blood blade in the darkness.

Influenced by Wang Jian's murderous intent, Chen Che's own "intention" also became restless, and his breathing changed from "whoosh" to "hiss" like a wild beast.

Chen Shi has "Straight Fist - Hundred Burials", and Chen Che also needs his own exclusive ultimate move.

Wang Jian's figure appeared before him, his blood-red eyes staring at him defiantly.

Amidst the howling wind, Chen Che suddenly opened his eyes.

In that instant, Wang Jian's bloodshot eyes met his.

Chen Che did not avoid that gaze; instead, he met the illusory killing intent head-on, his arms trembling—

The left-hand stick suddenly changed direction from a horizontal sweep to a diagonal upward thrust; at the same time, the right-hand stick pressed down, drawing an opposite arc in the air.

The two sticks crossed, producing a clang like metal striking metal.

Chen Che's breath hitched for a moment.

He felt the "intention" within his body, drawn out by Wang Jian's killing intent, surging wildly, like a wild beast trapped in a cage, desperately searching for a way out.

"No," he muttered to himself.

Simply imitating Chen Shi's straight punch, or merely swinging the double sticks faster and harder, cannot enhance and maximize the release of one's "intention".

Without one's own martial arts style, even the fastest and fiercest staff is just a showy display.

"You little brat..."

A weak but smiling voice came from the doorway.

Chen Che put away his stick and turned around, only to see Chen Shi leaning against the door frame, his face still pale.

"Have you mastered something new?" Chen Shi asked.

Chen Che shook his head: "Not yet."

"Of course not." Chen Shi walked in, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "The real killing moves are not learned in the training room, but honed on the edge of life and death."

"Don't rush to practice this. You've faced Wang Jian twice, teetering on the brink of death. Try breaking through the 'Condensing Aperture' stage."

"Now?" Chen Che was taken aback.

"Now is the time." Chen Shi's smile faded. "The will has taken shape; if we don't act now, it will crumble. Sit down!"

Chen Che sat cross-legged, with two sticks placed horizontally on his lap.

Chen Shi placed one hand on his back, his palm radiating a burning heat: "Follow my 'will,' don't resist."

"But your injury..."

"Shut up!" Chen Shi interrupted Chen Che before he could finish speaking.

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Che felt an overwhelming force surge into his body. He groaned and the veins on his forehead bulged.

"Hold on!" Chen Shi hissed. "The key to condensing the energy channels lies in guiding the Qi with intention, and using the Qi to rush through the channels. The intention within your body is at its most active right now!"

Chen Che gritted his teeth, sensing the violent "intention" within his body.

It was like a trapped beast, rampaging through his meridians, searching for an exit.

The power Chen Shi channeled was guiding this violent intent, surging towards the acupoints that had not yet been opened.

The first acupoint is on the left shoulder.

When that force rushed in, Chen Che felt as if his entire left arm had been hit with a hammer, and the bones were about to shatter.

"Don't stop!" Chen Shi's voice seemed to come from a very far place.

The second location is on the right rib.

This time, it was an itch that went deep into his bones, like countless ants crawling in the cracks of his bones. Chen Che's breathing became rapid, and a suppressed roar came from his throat.

The third place, the fourth place...

The impact on each acupoint is accompanied by a completely different sensation. Some feel like being cut by a knife, some like being burned by fire, some like being frozen, and some like being gnawed by a thousand ants.

The "intention" within the body was like an enraged beast, roaring as it charged toward the eighth acupoint.

This time, it is "empty".

In that instant, he felt his body disappear, leaving only his consciousness floating in the boundless darkness.

"break!"

Chen Shi slapped him on the back.

"boom!"

Chen Che could neither hear nor see anything, and could not even feel his own body.

Only a mysterious perception spread through him; he could introspectively observe the flow of every meridian, every acupoint, and every drop of blood within himself.

Eight acupoints lit up simultaneously.

The will within the body is no longer a trapped beast, but has transformed into a long river, surging endlessly through the meridians.

"It's done."

Chen Shi's voice was weak but gratified as his hand slid down from Chen Che's back.

"Eight points of condensed energy..." Chen Shi leaned against the wall, forcing a smile on his pale face. "Two more than I did back then. You're a real monster, kid."