infodatos Chapter 61 It's easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his underlings.
Chapter 61 It's easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his underlings.
As we left Fengzeyuan, the sun was already setting, casting a long shadow over the Qianmen Tower.
Master Li was a decisive man; having latched onto this powerful patron, he dared not delay for even a moment.
The two didn't take a car; they just strolled along, one after the other, towards the west of the city.
The Simin Martial Arts Club is located near Taiping Bridge in Xicheng District.
This place is quiet, not as noisy as the overpass.
Before even entering the alley, one could hear a unified "humph" and "ha" sound coming from inside, the sound shaking the tiles and exuding the air of a prestigious and upright family.
On the way, Third Master Li gave Lu Cheng a brief introduction.
This Four People Martial Arts Association is no ordinary organization. It was established during the Boxer Rebellion with the aim of "strengthening the country and the race." The instructors there have all seen the world and are not comparable to those who make a living by performing martial arts on the streets.
Back then, Grandmaster Liu Dekuan of Xingyi Quan was a man who was on friendly terms with Dong Haichuan of Baguazhang and Yang Luchan of Taijiquan.
The current president of the society, Liu Wenhua, is the old man's nephew and the true successor of the family business.
We arrived at the door.
Two large black doors were wide open. There were no fancy signs hanging at the entrance, just two black wooden plaques. One read "Strengthen the Race and Protect the Country," and the other read "Martial Spirit."
Above the door, there is a mottled plaque... [Simin Martial Arts Club].
This place is considered the "ancestral home" in the martial arts world of Beiping.
The principle was to educate all without discrimination, and that people from all walks of life, including scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, could learn martial arts, hence the name "Four Classes of People".
On the steps stood two young men dressed in short blue cloth shirts, their backs ramrod straight like javelins, their eyes sharp.
"Uncle-Master Li?"
One of the young men recognized Master Li and cupped his hands in greeting, but did not move his body; instead, his eyes fell on Lu Cheng behind Master Li.
Lu Cheng was dressed casually today, in a moon-white long robe, without a gun in his hand. He looked like a gentle and refined young master from a wealthy family, or even a bit like a schoolteacher.
"And this is..." The young man frowned, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.
This Four People Martial Arts Association is the headquarters of Xingyi School, and its members are all renowned martial arts masters or military and political figures.
Bringing a "pretty boy" along, what's going on here?
"This is Lu Cheng, Grandmaster Lu," Third Master Li quickly introduced, his tone respectful. "I specially invited him to see President Liu."
Even though Master Li was the head of a brothel, he still had to put on a smiling face in front of these two young men.
"Lu Cheng?"
The young man was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly realized what he meant, and a playful smile appeared on his lips.
"Oh—that's the guy who recently became famous for performing opera on Tianqiao, and I heard he also knows some kung fu?"
"I heard there was quite a commotion at Guanghe Restaurant yesterday? They crippled Zhang Xiaolin?"
That's a sarcastic remark.
Although the battle at Guanghe Tower was shrouded in legend, these disciples of orthodox martial arts schools considered most of the outside rumors to be exaggerated. Dodging bullets? That's just a storyteller's tale!
In their eyes, actors are just actors. Even if they know some kung fu, it's all just fancy moves. How can they compare to the true inheritors of traditional skills who train hard in the coldest and hottest winters?
"Since they're performing opera, I won't stop them."
The young man stepped aside, but his foot remained across the threshold, a half-smile playing on his lips.
"However, our martial arts club has its rules."
"Scholars use the side door, while warriors pass by the crossbeam."
"Since Boss Lu is a 'Grandmaster,' his leg skills must be exceptional. Why don't you show us a move? From here..."
He pointed to the lintel, which was over two meters high.
"Turn it over?"
This isn't a test; it's clearly a provocation, a blatant show of force.
This has always been the old rule in the martial arts world. These self-proclaimed orthodox successors have always rejected unorthodox methods like Lu Cheng from the bottom of their hearts.
Just as the saying goes, "It's easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his underlings," these arrogant disciples wanted to use this as an excuse to deflate the arrogance of this "wildcat" who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Master Li's expression changed, and he was about to lose his temper.
Lu Cheng reached out and stopped him.
Lu Cheng looked at the young man with his legs crossed and a mocking expression. There was no anger on his face, but rather a faint smile.
"Turn it over?"
Lu Cheng shook his head.
"That's something monkeys do."
"When I, Lu Cheng, walk the path, I always take the main road and the front door."
Before he could finish speaking...
Lu Cheng took a step.
He walked very slowly, as if he were strolling in his own backyard.
But with each step he took, his aura grew stronger.
When he walked to within three feet of the young man.
boom!
An invisible, mountain-like aura instantly pressed down.
That wasn't just physical strength; it was the combined pressure of loyalty and courage with the aura of a ruthless warlord, plus the natural suppression of ordinary people's energy and blood after entering the realm of internal strength!
The young man's smile froze on his face.
He felt as if he were being watched by an ancient beast; the hairs on his body stood on end, and cold sweat instantly soaked his back.
He wanted to move, to pull his foot back.
But my legs wouldn't obey me!
That leg felt like it was filled with lead, or as if it were frozen, and it was trembling violently.
Lu Cheng didn't even glance at him and walked straight past him.
Just as Lu Cheng's hem was about to touch the leg blocking his way...
"Thump."
The young man finally couldn't withstand the terrifying mental pressure, his knees buckled, and he knelt down straight down!
He knelt down in front of Lu Cheng!
With that kneel, his knee slammed onto the bluestone slab with a dull thud that sounded painful.
Lu Cheng didn't stop walking, and his clothes weren't even ruffled. He stepped over the high threshold and walked through the gate.
Only a single, fleeting sentence lingered at the doorway.
"Unstable lower body, restless and agitated."
"I need to go back and practice this stance for another ten years."
At the entrance, another gatekeeper was already terrified.
He watched helplessly as his usually arrogant senior brother was forced to kneel down with just a glance, not daring to utter a single word.
What... what kind of sorcery is this?!
Following behind, Master Li watched this scene with immense satisfaction, but also with even greater awe.
This is what a master is.
Subduing the enemy without fighting!
That's like killing someone by breaking their spirit!
Upon entering the second gate, one finds a spacious training ground.
Compared to the Lu family's renovated backyard, this is the real training ground for martial arts.
The ground was covered with yellow earth, pressed down firmly. Stone locks, stone supports, and plum blossom stakes were placed on both sides.
Dozens of disciples dressed in white coats were practicing their boxing, their shouts rising and falling.
On the north side of the training ground, a middle-aged man in a long gown sat on a grand chair.
His face was like a full moon, with a short beard under his chin. He held a purple clay teapot in his hand, and his eyes were like lightning as he stared at the disciples in the arena.
This is President Liu, the president of the Simin Martial Arts Club and a renowned master of Xingyi School.
That's the expert who witnessed Lu Cheng dodging bullets in the private room on the second floor of Guanghe Restaurant that day.
"President Liu!"
Master Li hurried a few steps and shouted loudly.
President Liu looked up at the sound, his gaze passing over Third Master Li and landing directly on Lu Cheng.
In that instant, their eyes met in mid-air.
There were no sparks flying.
President Liu put down the teapot, and a rare smile appeared on his usually serious face, as if he had seen a long-lost brother.
He stood up and strode down to meet him.
"Brother Lu!"
"After we parted at Guanghe Restaurant that day, I couldn't sleep all night, wondering when I would visit you. I didn't expect you to come first!"