Republic of China: From Street Performer to War God in a Chaotic Era

Standing beside Su Ruoxue was Zhao Linchuan, who was wearing a dark blue cotton-padded jacket.

The true disciple of the Liuhe Martial Arts School no longer looked down on Lu Guan with the same condescending gaze he had when they first met.

The corpses scattered all over the courtyard of the Fuju Opera Troupe a few nights ago made it clear to him that this seemingly poor and down-on-his-luck young master held a ruthless trump card that could kill even a master of Ming Jin.

Even if one's future progress stops at the level of internal strength, becoming a coach would be sufficient.

In this cutthroat world, a person with real skills, even if they come from the lowest rungs of society, deserves his respect.

"Brother Lu is a man of great talent; I was mistaken about him before."

Zhao Linchuan bowed slightly, his tone polite.

"I originally thought you wouldn't be able to scrape together the ten silver dollars for the insurance premium, but I never expected you to actually get in touch with Ji Yi Ke."

"However, the arena at Changqing Temple is not easy to fight on, and the duties at the Governor's Mansion are even more life-threatening. Although your secret technique for risking your life is powerful, it will eventually damage your essence. If you encounter a tough opponent on the training ground, do not act rashly."

Zhao Linchuan's words were indeed well-intentioned.

Lu Guan remained calm and composed, returning the greeting with a nonchalant air.

"Thank you for your guidance, Brother Zhao. I understand."

Su Ruoxue looked at Senior Brother Zhao, who acted one way in public and another in private. Then she glanced at Lu Guan's nonchalant demeanor and couldn't help but sigh softly.

"Lu Guan, Senior Brother Zhao is right."

"Since you've just entered the Ming Jin stage, if your Qi and blood aren't stable, you're very prone to developing hidden injuries. If you're short of money and can't buy good medicine to regulate your body, don't push yourself."

"Come find me later. I can still put in a good word for you at the pharmacies in Nanshi. I can get you a few genuine old ginseng roots from outside the Great Wall at the lowest price."

Lu Guan's heart stirred slightly, and he nodded: "I will remember Miss Su's kindness."

"Master is calling us from over there, Ruoxue, let's go over first. Brother Lu, I wish you a successful start today."

Seeing that things were going well, Zhao Linchuan politely said goodbye and led Su Ruoxue toward the Liuhe Martial Arts School's camp.

Watching the two figures walk away, the martial arts disciples who had witnessed Lu Guan blast the water monkey away with a single punch on the frozen Haihe River last night approached with beaming smiles, like cats drawn to the scent of fish.

"Oh my, Master Lu. Last night at the Haihe River, the power of your punch truly stunned us martial arts practitioners!"

The martial artist carrying the nine-ringed saber rubbed his hands together, his face contorted into a wide grin, showing no trace of the disrespect he had displayed the night before.

"Yes, yes, Master Lu's move was brutal and domineering. Among the younger generation of Tianjin guards, who dares to challenge his prowess?"

The group chatted amongst themselves, building rapport as if Lu Guan were their long-lost brother.

Lu Guan coldly observed this group of opportunistic martial arts practitioners, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

As the saying goes in shadow puppetry, "On stage are emperors and generals, below are puppets on strings."

These people may seem to have mastered the art of integrated strength and clear power, but deep down they are still just puppets who drift with the tide. They have no will to fight to the death for the cause of martial arts.

However, Lu Guan did not react, but simply gave a few perfunctory replies.

Tianjin is a treacherous place, full of scoundrels. It's never a bad thing to listen to the gossip of these江湖混子 (jianghu hunzi, meaning hooligans and scoundrels).

Sure enough, the nine-ringed swordsman leaned very close, lowered his voice, gestured towards Su Ruoxue's back, and said mysteriously.

"Mr. Lu, you seem to have a good relationship with Senior Sister Su from the Liuhe Martial Arts School, don't you?"

"Do you know why she was able to cultivate Ming Jin to such a high level at such a young age?"

Lu Guan raised an eyebrow slightly.

"The Six Harmonies Divine Spear has been passed down for a hundred years. Miss Su is exceptionally talented, so her progress is naturally rapid."

"Hey, talent is one thing, money is another!"

The nine-ringed swordsman lowered his voice, afraid that others would overhear.

"You understand the principle of 'the poor study literature, the rich study martial arts.' Senior Sister Su is not only a true disciple of the Six Harmonies Sect, but she also has the renowned 'Su's Pharmacy' behind her!"

"A large portion of the wild ginseng, black tiger bone, and deer antler glue from the entire Tianjin area, and even most of the northern regions, came in via the Su family's waterways!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Guan's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.

That's it!

No wonder Su Ruoxue could tell at a glance that I was deficient in qi and blood at Juyinglou that day, and she patiently advised me to use tiger bone wine and deer antler blood to replenish my qi and blood.

No wonder she, a teenage girl, could casually toss out three silver dollars as a reward.

In 1925, when one silver dollar could buy thirty catties of good flour, controlling the supply of medicinal herbs was tantamount to controlling the lifeline of the martial arts world in Tianjin.

Thinking of this, a thoughtful look flashed in Lu Guan's eyes.

With eighteen small yellow croakers and over three hundred silver dollars in his pocket, he was worried about not being able to find truly clean, pure, top-grade old medicine to break through to the Mingjin Dacheng stage.

Since the Su family is the leader in this industry, perhaps they can use Su Ruoxue as a connection to avoid the fox sect's evil cultivators' schemes and obtain the real century-old medicine.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

Just as Lu Guan's mind was racing.

In the center of the Changqing Temple drill ground, a bronze bell, as tall as half a person, was struck heavily, its deep sound instantly silencing the clamor of the entire area.

The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw that the command platform of the Governor's Mansion, directly in front of the drill ground, was now filled with a row of officers wearing yellow woolen overcoats and epaulets.

Dozens of Hanyang rifles with bayonets fixed stood coldly upright all around the stage.

More than a hundred heavily armed soldiers from the Governor's Mansion surrounded the entire drill ground.

This is no martial arts arena; it's clearly an execution ground where life and death are decided!

An examiner with the rank of captain walked to the front of the stage, holding a large tin megaphone, and the sound was deafening.

"By order of the Military Affairs Department of the Governor's Office, the annual examination officially begins today."

In Tianjin's martial arts world, fists are the best weapon.

"What our Armaments Department needs are swift swords capable of slaying demons and monsters, not fancy but useless dough!"

The captain, the examiner, swept his hawk-like gaze across the hundreds of martial arts students below the stage and coldly read out the rules.

The annual examinations are divided into three rounds!

"The first test is strength. Those who have just entered the Ming Jin stage must lift a 300-jin stone lock with one arm and walk three steps to pass!"

"Second round, let's exchange blows. Disciples from each family sign a life-or-death agreement before entering the arena. 'Stop when we've just touched each other' is utter nonsense; here, only bloodshed counts! Anyone knocked off the stage is eliminated!"

"Three rounds to test courage."

"After the first two waves, the Bureau of Mysteries will release a few living corpses recently captured from the mass graves. Anyone who can withstand them for the duration of an incense stick burning will be rewarded with ten silver dollars!"

"Whoever can behead the ringleader will be issued a black iron waist token from the Military Equipment Department and receive a salary from the imperial court!"

Upon hearing this, a collective gasp rippled through the audience.

In previous years, the annual examinations were merely exchanges between martial arts schools, stopping short of serious skirmishes.

This year, they actually have to sign a life-or-death contract, and even use the living corpses from mass graves to test your courage?

This is clearly using human lives to fill the vacancies of the warlord's office!

Many young martial artists who had just entered the Ming Jin realm and had come with their masters to broaden their horizons turned pale instantly, and their legs couldn't help but tremble.

"Dear examiner!"

Zhao Linchuan stepped forward and, relying on the strength of the Liuhe Martial Arts School, asked loudly.

"In previous years, martial artists who had achieved the Great Perfection of Ming Jin (明劲) in the annual examinations were exempt from the first and second rounds and were directly selected. I wonder if the rules have changed this year?"

The captain glanced at him and nodded.

"The rules remain the same. Those who have achieved the Great Perfection of Ming Jin have qi and blood as strong as a furnace and are already rare talents. They can directly join the Special Formation and are exempt from the selection of the first two formations."

"Everyone, show your true colors!"

As soon as the examiner gave the order, the atmosphere on the training ground instantly became extremely tense.

Those martial artists who had endured years of hardship to finally reach the threshold of Ming Jin lined up to walk towards the 300-pound bluestone lock.

The sounds of bones breaking and screams of agony soon echoed across the training ground.

The threshold of this governor's mansion was paved with blood and flesh.

Lu Guan tucked his hands into his sleeves and watched the scene quietly. In his mind, the shadow puppet of the [Eight Extremes Grandmaster] on the stage of creation seemed to be roaring like a tiger.

Three hundred catties of stone lock?

For someone with his exceptional "dragon tendons and tiger bones" physique, it was as easy as carrying a vegetable basket.

But he didn't rush forward. He knew that the nail that sticks out gets hammered down. In this cutthroat world, the best course of action was to lie low, assess the situation, and then strike decisively.

Just as the first wave of the battle was in full swing, with screams echoing everywhere, a heavy thud of military boots came from behind the reviewing stand.

"Inspector Feng has arrived!"

With a loud shout, Feng Changshan, dressed in a general's overcoat and sporting a short, steel-needle mustache, strode onto the command platform.

He carried his "Iron Palms," which emanated a dark, sinister purplish-red aura, behind his back.

Upon his appearance, an invisible pressure weighed down on the hearts of all the martial artists present, like a mountain.

The audience was silent.

The aura of a master of internal strength was absolute dominance on this training ground filled with martial artists of external strength.

Feng Changshan's hawk-like gaze swept across the audience.

Finally, the image focuses on Lu Guan, who is standing in the corner wearing a faded and tattered cotton-padded jacket.

Thinking of Director Shen's death order last night, and the irreconcilable blood feud between Lu Guan and the Fox Clan outside the pass, Feng Changshan's lips curled up slightly as he spoke.

"stop!"

Feng Changshan suddenly waved his hand, his voice booming like thunder across the training ground, directly interrupting the ongoing strength test.

All eyes were focused on this Dark Force Supervisor.

Feng Changshan strode to the front of the stage, pointed to Lu Guan at the back of the crowd, and his booming voice made people's eardrums hurt.

"That Lu Guan guy, get out here!"

The martial arts students below the stage were both surprised and delighted, and they quickly dispersed to make way for them.

Some martial arts school disciples, unaware of the reason, were overjoyed and thought to themselves.

This kid must have tricked the Bureau of Investigation and Exorcism with some unorthodox and evil magic last night. Now that Inspector Feng has realized what's going on, he's going to skin him alive in public!

Su Ruoxue's heart tightened, and her hand unconsciously pressed on the hilt of the willow-leaf knife at her waist.

Lu Guan walked expressionlessly across the snow-covered ground to the front of the stage.

He did not kneel or salute, but simply cupped his hands slightly, his figure as upright as a spear piercing through the wind and snow.

"Supervisor Feng."

Feng Changshan stared intently at him, then suddenly burst into laughter.

"Good lad, you've got some tough bones!"

Feng Changshan abruptly changed the subject, his voice rising sharply and echoing throughout the Changqing Temple drill ground.

"You don't need to take the test on these first and second rounds of pretend play!"

The entire audience was stunned by these words.

No more exams? Does this mean they're being eliminated outright, or...?

Before anyone could react, Feng Changshan's voice rang out again.

"The path of Ming Jin (manifest strength) involves training the skin, flesh, tendons, and bones—that's the kind of grueling work for ordinary people! In this chaotic world where life is as worthless as grass, killing and slaying the wicked relies on an unwavering will to advance without retreat, on 'fist intent'!"

Feng Changshan reached out and pointed sharply at Lu Guan.

"This kid, although he has only recently entered the Ming Jin realm, has already cultivated a trace of the fierce tiger fist intent in life-and-death battles."

"Once the intent of the fist is unleashed, within the realm of Ming Jin (manifested strength), it is virtually invincible!"

"Pass on my orders!"

"By virtue and skill, you have been granted exemption from all ordinary examinations by the Military Equipment Department's Special Examination Certificate. You will be treated as a master of Ming Jin (a martial arts style), and will directly be seated in the elite formation!"

boom!

These words were like a bombshell, detonating directly over the training ground.

The entire Changqing Temple drill ground instantly erupted into chaos, falling into an unprecedented uproar.

"What?! Fist intent?!"

"How old is he? How could he possibly comprehend the fist intent that only a Grandmaster of Internal Energy can touch?!" A white-haired martial arts instructor was so shocked that he tore off his beard.

"Exempt from assessment? Directly enlisting in the Ming Jin Grand Master formation? This... this is practically a meteoric rise! The Governor's Mansion has essentially handed him the black iron token!"

"My God, who exactly is this young actor? Was that punch he threw last night by the Haihe River really that terrifying?"

Those Iron Sand Sect disciples who had previously mocked Lu Guan for not being able to afford the free exam were now ashen-faced, their legs weak, and they were almost collapsing to the ground.

They actually mocked a peerless prodigy who had grasped the essence of boxing and was personally recommended by the Grand Supervisor of Dark Force.

Among the crowd, Zhao Linchuan's expression was beyond ugly.

The essence of boxing?

It's actually fist intent! How is that possible?!

He prided himself on being the best of the younger generation in Nanshi. He had toiled for nearly ten years, consuming countless medicinal herbs, before finally achieving the Great Perfection of Mingjin. He had hoped to shine brightly in the annual examination today.

But what is he now? A low-class actor who can't even afford a decent meal, covered in patches, has somehow bypassed his ten years of hard work and directly touched upon the "fist intent" that even his master kept secret?!

Su Ruoxue looked at the tall figure standing in the wind and snow, bearing the awe-inspiring gazes of hundreds of people in the audience, her beautiful eyes sparkling with admiration.

She knew Lu Guan was no ordinary man, but she never expected his dragon roar to be so deafening.

Despite the shock of the entire audience, Lu Guan's eyes remained eerily calm.

"Thank you, Inspector Feng."

Then, under the watchful eyes of the hundreds of martial artists, Lu Guan took a step forward.

One step, two steps, three steps.

The crowd that was originally crowding in front hurriedly retreated to both sides like Moses parting the sea, making way for him.

Those Iron Sand Sect disciples who had been shouting earlier kept their heads down, not daring to even breathe loudly, for fear that this evil star would give them another glance.

Lu Guan walked straight toward the "Ming Jin Da Cheng Special Grade Formation," which represented the highest combat strength of the younger generation of martial arts practitioners in Tianjin.

Stand still.

On the reviewing stand, Feng Changshan looked at Lu Guan's calm and composed demeanor, and his admiration deepened.

"What composure! If he can weather this storm today, he'll surely have a place among the hidden elite bodyguards of the warlord's mansion!"

Feng Changshan turned around, strode back to the armchair and sat down, waving to the captain examiner next to him.

"First and second rounds, speed things up! Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, filter out all the useless trash. I want to see the third round!"

"yes!"

The captain, sweating profusely, immediately blew his whistle.