Republic of China Era: Entering the Dao through Divine Strike.

The more turbulent the times, the more intense the determination to step up will become.

He never considers his own strength or weaknesses, or the advantages and disadvantages.

They only knew that their country and family came first.

In times of crisis, they stepped forward without hesitation.

This era has never lacked passionate people.

Amidst the turmoil in the court and among the people, everyone felt as if their hearts were being burned by fire, their spirits surging.

No one with any sense of justice would willingly cower and avoid trouble.

Even ordinary people and common folk still cherish their country and dare to uphold morality.

Moreover, Li Cheng had suffered hardship and poverty since childhood.

In times of chaos, they are willing to stand as shields and charge to the front.

As for whether he's capable enough, well, he's not very bright and didn't think that far ahead.

Is it really that dangerous?

Li Xin collected his thoughts, his gaze sharpened slightly, and he turned to look at Zhuang Hongxiu.

Xiaoyue is still young and can only see the surface of things and people, unable to discern the depths of the situation or the wickedness of human nature.

But Zhuang Hongxiu was different. She was in charge of the internal affairs of Li Garden, managed information from all sides, and was well-informed and meticulous.

They must be well aware of the situation inside and outside the capital, as well as the changes in the court and among the people.

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Hongxiu's gentle smile slowly faded, and she nodded solemnly.

"The situation is indeed not right; chaos has already begun to brew, but it has not yet fully erupted."

She paused slightly, sorting through the information she had gathered from various sources in recent days, and slowly began to speak: "The five city garrisons in the capital are now in complete chaos, and command has failed."

The commanders of the three battalions under its jurisdiction were successively involved in incidents, either being dismissed and investigated, or injured by rioters, leaving the city's patrol force virtually paralyzed.

"The court was in turmoil. The emperor was determined to reform and implement new policies. Recently, he appointed and dismissed officials in the court and demoted a large number of old officials, which greatly changed the court structure."

In particular, the old and new factions were locked in a fierce and irreconcilable conflict. This created widespread unease among officials and the general public.

"In addition, Wang Zhengyi, the chief镖头 (bodyguard) of Yuanshun镖局 (escort agency), personally visited us the day before yesterday."

They said they wanted to plot something important with the young master.

"event?"

Li Xin tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, pondering for a moment.

He closed his eyes for a moment, and memories of both lifetimes surged like a tide.

Beyond the dust of time, the changing political landscape of this era in the past is clearly reflected.

Countless fragmented pieces of information came together, and the chaotic threads instantly became clear.

How did the Hundred Days' Reform develop and come to an end...?

He slowly opened his eyes, a clear, cold light flashing in them, and murmured to himself, "Judging by the time, the new policy has been implemented for several months. It seems to be a grand and sweeping event in the capital, but in reality, it is already outwardly strong but inwardly weak, a mere empty fire spreading like wildfire."

During this period, he secluded himself to cultivate diligently, single-mindedly striving to break through the mysteries of martial arts.

The first two months were only for small-scale gathering of qi and blood, refining the foundation, and deducing the method of qi and blood condensing into elixir.

At that time, he could still sit in Li Garden and observe the external situation.

He was well aware of the turmoil in the capital and the movements of the court and the public, and was not afraid of any sudden changes.

But for a whole month, he was focused on breaking through the barrier between life and death and achieving the realm of true qi...

With focused intent on embracing the elixir and sitting upright, one gathers all the essence of blood, flesh, and life force into a single point, thus achieving rebirth from the brink of death.

He completely guarded his mind and spirit, ignoring all external affairs, almost completely isolated from the world.

It was this month of seclusion that allowed him to completely detach himself from the outside world's conflicts.

Someone took advantage of his seclusion and inability to attend to other matters to create momentum...

Or was it a deliberate test by various forces, trying to discern his stance as the newly crowned martial arts champion?

Zhuang Hongxiu was startled, her eyes filled with doubt, and she subconsciously asked, "The Hundred Days' Reform? Why exactly one hundred days?"

The moment the words left her lips, a thought flashed through her mind, and she suddenly realized the danger hidden in her words. A look of horror flashed across her eyes. "Young Master, do you mean... that this grand new policy will eventually change?"

Li Xin's lips curled into a cool, indifferent smile, his tone carrying a sense of detachment and melancholy as if he had seen through the ways of the world.

"Of course it will change."

"If reform and innovation were so easy and simple, how could the court have deteriorated to this state?"

He looked up at the dark sky outside the window and said, "Hongxiu, you must not be blinded by the current frenzy in the capital."

The people of the city spread the news and cheered for the reform...

They thought that once the new policy was introduced, it would bring about a complete transformation and save the nation from peril.

But if you look closely, what are the attitudes of those wealthy merchants, noble families, and former court officials?

"Then stepping outside the capital and looking across the country to the various prefectures and counties, one can see the powerful regional officials and local officials who hold sway over their respective territories."

How many people truly responded to the court's new policies? And how many places actually implemented the decrees to reduce official positions and establish schools, build railways, and increase commercial taxes?

Zhuang Hongxiu was slightly taken aback, then suddenly realized what was going on.

During this period, she read Beijing newspapers and listened to the gossip in the streets every day.

Everywhere you look, there's a vibrant wave of new policies and reforms; the whole city is filled with a fervent atmosphere of breaking down the old and establishing the new...

I almost truly believed that the world was about to be transformed and the landscape was about to change.

But after Li Xin gave him some pointers and he calmed down and thought about it carefully, he suddenly realized that something was amiss.

Newspapers were filled with arguments and debates between the old and new factions, with words flying everywhere.

However, there is no record of any actual achievements by local officials in implementing new policies and promoting reforms.

Throughout the nine provinces and regions of the land, most of the regional officials remained silent, observing and holding back their troops.

No one genuinely responded to the imperial edict.

The so-called new policies and reforms are nothing more than a spectacle in a corner of the capital.

It appears to be a scene of great fanfare and overwhelming momentum.

In reality, it has no foundation and no support.

"It turns out... it simply couldn't be implemented."

Zhuang Hongxiu murmured softly, a chill running through her heart.

"Throughout history, the implementation of new policies and the transformation of the world have never been smooth sailing, and there has never been anyone who succeeded without bloodshed."

Li Xin sighed softly, his tone distant and profound, carrying the vicissitudes of history: "Any reform that touches the interests of the powerful and breaks the century-old malpractices will inevitably be accompanied by strife, bloodshed, and sacrifice."

This reform movement, seemingly at its peak, was in fact doomed from the start.

His gaze shifted to Zhuang Hongxiu, and he asked in a deep voice, "Think back carefully, what was your expression like when Wang Zhengyi came to visit the other day? When he left, were you excited or dejected?"

Zhuang Hongxiu recalled the scene vividly, and suddenly everything became clear to her. A thin layer of sweat quietly seeped out from her back.

"Nunnu remembers!"

"When Chief Escort Wang arrived at the door that day, he was full of passion and excitement, and there was a hint of iron-blooded fierceness between his brows."

Clearly, he was driven by a sense of righteousness and determined to do something extraordinary.

Upon hearing that the young master was in seclusion, undergoing arduous cultivation and at a crucial moment of breakthrough, the light in his eyes instantly dimmed, and all his excitement turned into deep disappointment.

"Moreover, Mr. Cheng was also present at the time, and he was angry about it, directly rebuking him..."

She spoke slightly faster, finally fully understanding the other party's intention that day: "Old Master Cheng said that Wang Zhengyi, you have ideals and want to do great things, so you may go there on your own."

Do not impose your lifelong ideals on others. I have already confined Feiyan to the house and forbade her from getting involved in worldly disputes.

"You've turned around and come looking for my disciple again; this is forcing me into a difficult situation, and it's really inappropriate!"

"At the time, I was ignorant and didn't think deeply about it. Now that I think about it, it's unbelievable. Was he trying to overthrow the court from the root, to do the same thing as Jing Ke?"

Zhuang Hongxiu understood, and couldn't help but whisper, "If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have served such good tea that day! Some simple tea would have been enough!"

Seeing her annoyed and reproachful expression, Li Xin couldn't help but chuckle.

"There's no need to be so stingy."

"Although Wang Zhengyi is radical and takes risks, he is by no means a traitor or rebel."

He was a truly patriotic and compassionate man who genuinely cared for the people and the nation.

"In times of chaos, the court and the people are numb, the powerful and wealthy are complacent, and countless people only care about their own glory and ignore the suffering of the common people."

Only such passionate and chivalrous people dare to step forward and go against the tide.

Even if the road ahead is full of thorns, ruins one's reputation, or leads to execution, there is no fear.

While I do not agree with his radical methods, I genuinely admire his sincerity and integrity.

Li Xin slowly composed himself, saying, "Forget it. The world's affairs are difficult to predict, and personal choices are best left aside for now. What about Wang Erya? If she truly wanted to join forces with me, she would undoubtedly be the most suitable person. Why is she nowhere to be seen today?"

"Miss Wang left the city a month ago."

Zhuang Hongxiu composed herself. "The Red Lotus Cult has sprung up in the area around the Miaofeng Mountain Niangniang Temple, bewitching the villagers and causing trouble in the area. There are signs of chaos emerging. Miss Wang was worried that her aunt was in danger in the temple, so she led a group of people to go and help her."

Before she left, she specially left a birthday gift, a fine Xiangfei bamboo flute, and asked me to pass it on to the young master.

He said that due to the chaotic times and his inability to attend in person to celebrate his birthday, he was unable to do so.

At this point, Zhuang Hongxiu covered her lips and chuckled, a hint of amusement in her eyes: "It's strange, Senior Sister Feiyan also sent her congratulatory gift in advance, a zither with intertwined branches..."

It wasn't that she was preoccupied with trivial matters, but rather that Old Master Cheng had forcibly confined her to her quarters, specifically instructing her not to wander around, and even more so not to disturb the young master's meditation..."

"A zither and a flute?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xin shook his head, instantly understanding their intentions, and couldn't help but smile: "These two older sisters are quite thoughtful."

It is likely that the two men saw that he was too focused on killing and killing in his daily practice, and had lost his gentle and peaceful nature, so they presented him with elegant objects such as a zither and a flute.

The intention was to allow him to play the zither and flute in his spare time, so as to cleanse his mind and cultivate his character.

Use elegance to temper anger and cultivate a peaceful mind.

The two of them were constantly wielding swords and engaging in battles, yet they were still so concerned about his mental cultivation, which was truly interesting.

"Oh, right, there's one more important thing I haven't told you, young master."

Zhuang Hongxiu suddenly remembered something and quickly reported, "Some time ago, Miss You Rong also made a special trip to visit and brought rare congratulatory gifts. She has already set off for Guangping Prefecture, saying that she wants to open up overseas trade routes and do her best to collect rare overseas medicinal herbs and rare treasures."

"She heard that the young master has been working diligently on the creation of the [Great Nourishing Spirit Soup] recently, and urgently needs rare medicinal herbs to aid in its preparation. She specially left behind three thousand-year-old snow lotuses, which are of excellent quality and have rich medicinal properties. Would you like to take a look?"

"No rush."

Li Xin raised his hand to stop her movement, his eyes flickered slightly, and his tone was somewhat cautious: "You just said that Zhang Yourong went to Guangping Prefecture? Is that the Guangping Wang family, who occupies a place and monopolizes the salt transport?"

"It is indeed the Wang family, salt merchants from Guangping." Zhuang Hongxiu nodded in confirmation.

The moment the words left his mouth, Li Xin felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of unease and his emotions began to flutter.

His mind instantly sank into his brain, focusing intently on his complete attribute status bar.

Within sight, the progress of Nezha's third prince's divine will at the second level is still stuck at 16%, stagnating for a long time and unable to break through.

Some time ago, he made a special trip to various lakes in Beijing, trying to evoke divine will and trigger a ritual.

But nothing happened.

But at this moment, upon hearing about the Guangping Wang family and the overseas trade routes, his heart suddenly trembled slightly, as if an invisible force was quietly pulling him and resonating with him.

"Stirring up the sea..."

Li Xin's eyes suddenly lit up as he instantly caught a crucial clue, and his mind cleared up.

His cultivation level became increasingly profound, his spirit and soul became increasingly refined and clear, and his resonance with the energy of heaven and earth became increasingly acute and genuine.

Having cultivated to this level, one's own opportunities, tribulations, and future fortunes often receive early warnings through mental fluctuations and resonance of vital energy.

Previously, he had been unable to break through the divine will, always lacking the final opportunity.

Now, with my heart pounding and my energy flowing, it is surely the opportunity and calamity of the "Sea Disturbance" that will occur at the Guangping Prince's residence and on the distant sea route.