Republic of China era: Actor? Please call me Martial Arts Master!

Chapter 30: The poor are scholars, the rich are warriors; they feast on bullfighting oxen daily.

"puff!"

Lu Cheng exhaled in one breath.

The tea in the teacup in his hand was abruptly blasted into a jet of water by the airflow, shooting straight into the spittoon next to him.

Absolutely precise, not a drop of water splashes.

Lu Cheng put down his teacup, his expression remaining calm.

"Steward Sun, go back and tell Old Master Lin."

"I'm announcing this engagement."

"But you can take this money back."

Lu Cheng gently pushed the silver note and the jade pendant in the shape of two fish back to him.

"I don't lack money."

"As for recommending martial arts schools..."

Lu Cheng stood up, and in that instant, an aura as powerful as a landslide and a tsunami swept over him, making it difficult for Steward Sun to even breathe.

"To put it bluntly, there aren't many martial arts schools in the world that are qualified to teach me, Lu Cheng."

"Since this jade pendant was a token from back then, it should be returned to its rightful owner in person."

"After the New Year, I will go to Tianjin if I have time."

"Then we'll have a proper discussion about what's just for show and what's... a killing technique!"

These are not empty words.

The [Toad-Catching Strength] and [Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound] are not things that ordinary martial arts schools can produce, let alone the rewards that follow.

Manager Sun left in a sorry state.

Carrying the returned silver note and covered in cold sweat, he fled the Lu family mansion as if escaping.

Even after he boarded the rickshaw to the train station, his heart was still pounding wildly.

"A monster...it's a monster."

"Who said he's an actor? He's clearly a murderer!"

"We need to go back and tell the master about this right away. This young man from the Lu family is no ordinary person!"

……

After driving away the noisy flies, the Lu family mansion returned to tranquility.

Lu Laogen looked at the jade pendant that had been pushed back onto the table, sighed, and wanted to say something, but swallowed his words.

"Dad, don't think about it anymore."

Lu Cheng patted his father on the shoulder, his tone gentle.

"Forced relationships are never sweet. Since they don't like us, we shouldn't try to win them over."

"I went to Tianjin not only to annul the engagement, but also to sever this karmic ties."

"Our Lu family's reputation doesn't need to be earned by claiming kinship."

Lu Laogen nodded, looking at his son who was becoming increasingly unfathomable to him, feeling both proud and somewhat awe.

"Okay, whatever you say. Dad just feels... we're living a good life right now, so let's not get into any more trouble."

Don't worry.

After comforting his father, Lu Cheng turned and went to the backyard.

The backyard was huge; it was originally the training ground that the brigade commander used for practicing shooting and horsemanship.

Now, this place has become Lu Cheng's training room.

In the corner, there was a small mountain of beef and mutton, as well as baskets of fresh vegetables and eggs.

The saying "the poor study literature, the rich study martial arts" is not without reason.

Since practicing the "Toad-Fishing Technique," Lu Cheng's appetite has become astonishing.

This skill is a domineering method that overdraws potential and accelerates metabolism.

To train your body into an inexhaustible furnace, you need plenty of fuel.

"Master Cheng, your medicinal cuisine is ready!"

Shunzi ran over carrying a huge clay pot, followed by Xiaodouzi, who was also carrying a bucket of rice.

In that casserole was a "highly nourishing soup" that had been simmered for three whole hours with ginseng, astragalus, angelica, a whole old hen, and five pounds of beef shank.

It has a wonderful aroma and a thick, milky white broth.

Lu Cheng didn't stand on ceremony, took the casserole, and devoured the soup and meat in a flash.

Five pounds of beef, a chicken, and a bucket of rice.

In just fifteen minutes, it was all gone.

If it were an ordinary person, eating like that would surely lead to them bursting at the seams.

But after Lu Cheng finished eating, his belly was only slightly swollen.

"Coo-quack-quack"

The invisible "golden toad" inside my body cried out again.

With this rhythmic vibration, the stomach churns wildly, its terrifying digestive power rapidly transforming food into a pure stream of heat, which is then transported to every part of the body.

Especially the arms.

The damaged fascia is being strengthened at an astonishing rate under the nourishment of this heat.

itch.

An itch that seeps into your bones.

That's because bone density is increasing, and muscle fibers are becoming stronger.

Lu Cheng stood up and walked to the large willow tree in the center of the courtyard, which was as thick as a person's embrace.

"call……"

He took a deep breath.

With this inhale, the surrounding fallen leaves were swirled up and gathered around him.

Sink your Qi to the Dantian and focus your mind on the spine.

At this moment, a faint red glow flowed under his skin, which was a sign that his blood and qi had reached their peak.

"Hi!"

Lu Cheng suddenly threw a punch.

He didn't use his full strength; it was just a simple "crushing punch."

boom!

The fist struck the tree trunk.

A crisp sound, like striking leather.

The bark cracked, sawdust flew everywhere, leaving a deep fist-shaped mark that penetrated deep into the wood.

But the leaves did not fall, and the trunk did not sway.

This is called Ming Jin (明劲).

He is fierce and unyielding, straightforward and direct.

Lu Cheng withdrew his fist, looked at the clear fist mark, and nodded slightly.

"Not enough."

He knew in his heart that he was now at the Lesser Mastery of the Ming Jin stage.

But it's still some distance from mastering internal strength.

Hidden strength is the result of cultivating power to a high level, containing it without releasing it, yet injuring the opponent's internal organs invisibly.

Although he can no longer strike from a distance, if his punch lands on someone, it will break bones and tendons; it's a powerful, head-on attack.

"If the foundation is not solid, the ground will shake."

Lu Cheng did not rush to pursue that elusive and ethereal inner strength.

He wanted to use this "fishing for the toad" technique to refine his internal strength until it was flawless and perfected to perfection.

Let's refine this body into something truly indestructible!

"Master Cheng, your kung fu... is terrifying."

Little Bean, standing nearby, stared wide-eyed, dropping his empty rice bucket on the ground.

Lu Cheng finished his practice, his breathing instantly returned to normal, the red glow on his face disappeared, and he transformed back into the gentle and refined young gentleman.

"What kind of superpower is this? This is science."

Lu Cheng smiled and patted Xiaodouzi's bald head.

"As long as you eat well, train correctly, and develop your body's physique, you can do it too."

"Really?" Little Bean's eyes lit up like light bulbs.

"real."

Lu Cheng glanced at Shunzi, who was still in a daze.

"Don't just stand there, go and invite Master Bing over."

"Today, we should take him to get his eyes treated."

……

Tongrentang, outside Qianmen.

This is a renowned pharmacy in Beijing, a place that supplied medicines to the imperial palace.

The two couplets at the entrance, which read "Although the preparation is complicated, we dare not skimp on labor; although the ingredients are expensive, we dare not reduce the quality," exude a sense of weight and history spanning hundreds of years.

Lu Cheng led Ah Bing into the lobby filled with the aroma of medicine.

In the past, blind performers like Ah Bing wouldn't even dare to enter the door, for fear of being kicked out by the staff.

But today.

Lu Cheng was wearing a moon-white silk robe, and A Bing had changed into a clean cotton robe, holding a gleaming erhu in his hand.

And there was that maroon rickshaw parked at the entrance to set the scene.

Upon seeing this, the waiter immediately came to greet them.

"Gentlemen, would you like to see a doctor or get medicine?"

"Please ask Mr. Le to see a doctor."

Lu Cheng called out names directly.

Mr. Le was a renowned doctor at Tongrentang, known as "Le the Half-Immortal." He was skilled in acupuncture, capable of bringing the dead back to life.

The shop assistant hesitated, "Well... Old Master Le rarely sees patients, unless..."

Without wasting words, Lu Cheng took out the jade thumb ring given to him by Master Tan from his sleeve and twirled it in his hand.

The guy knew his stuff; his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

A keepsake from the Tan family!

"Please...please wait a moment, I'll go and fetch them right away!"

The waiter bent over at a ninety-degree angle and dashed into the back room.

A short while later, an elderly man with white hair and beard, but who was in good spirits, came out.

It was none other than the immortal Le Banxian.

Mr. Le glanced at Lu Cheng, then at the thumb ring, and nodded.

"Since you have the favor of Master Tan, I will do my best."

He walked up to Ah Bing, reached out and lifted Ah Bing's eyelids, and carefully took his pulse.

a long time.

Mr. Le sighed.

"These eyes were damaged by the poisonous smoke years ago, which damaged their meridians. In addition, the blood and qi have been stagnant for the past twenty years, causing cataracts to grow in them and block out the light."

Ah Bing's hand trembled, and his originally straight back slumped slightly.

"Does the gentleman mean... there's no hope?"

"Disaster."

Mr. Le shook his head. "If it were ten years earlier, a few acupuncture treatments would have been enough to cure it. But this has dragged on for too long..."

"but."

The old man changed the subject and glanced at Lu Cheng beside him.

"If he could be nourished with precious medicinal herbs, and combined with the internal energy of a master of internal martial arts, and have his blood circulated through his meridians daily to clear blockages..."

"Perhaps, we can see a glimmer of light again."

"Precious medicinal herbs?"

Lu Cheng asked, "You just need to prescribe the medicine."

Mr. Le picked up his pen and wrote down a few names.

"Wild ginseng, it has to be a hundred years old. Snow lotus, it has to be from the Tianshan Mountains. And this bear bile, musk..."

"This one dose of medicine will cost at least three hundred silver dollars, and you'll have to take it for three months."

Three months, that's tens of thousands of dollars!

In the Republic of China era, that was a huge sum of money that could buy a county magistrate position.

Upon hearing this, Ah Bing immediately knelt down with a thud.

"Master Lu, you mustn't, you mustn't!"

"My old bones aren't worth that much money. I'm blind, so be it. I've gotten used to it over the years."

"Please don't do this for me..."

Lu Cheng pulled Ah Bing up.

He gripped Ah Bing's shoulder tightly, making it ache.

"Ah Bing".

Lu Cheng looked into those gray eyes, his voice not loud, but firm and resolute.

"Money is worthless, we can earn it back after we spend it."

"Your eyes went blind because of this country."

"What this world owes you, I, Lu Cheng, will repay on its behalf."

"Don't even mention tens of thousands of silver dollars, even if I have to sell this courtyard house, I'll make sure you see this newly bought house and the new plaque of our Qingyun Troupe!"

After saying that, Lu Cheng turned around and slammed a large wad of silver notes onto the counter.

"Get the medicine!"

"The best!"

In the lobby, everyone fell silent.

As Mr. Le watched this scene, he stroked his beard, his eyes full of admiration.

"What a righteous and chivalrous person!"

"Since Mr. Lu is so kind, I will waive every penny of your consultation fee!"