redvbooks Chapter 8: Cutting off my sign-in is worse than killing my parents!
Chapter 8: Cutting off my sign-in is worse than killing my parents!
Grandpa Wang's shout was like a stone thrown into a calm pond, instantly shattering the solidified atmosphere in the courtyard.
Li Zhenguo remained in a 90-degree bowing posture, his body stiff as a stone sculpture.
A surge of color rushed to his weathered old face, turning it red from his ears to his neck, almost as if blood was about to drip from it.
Li Zhenguo, a grandmaster of martial arts and a leading figure in Beijing's martial arts world, had never been so humiliated in his life.
Lin Fan also felt a headache coming on.
What he fears most is that if the neighbors witness this scene, they will embellish it and create countless versions of the story.
"Uncle Wang, taking a stroll?"
Lin Fan stepped forward, seemingly casually placing his hand on Li Zhenguo's back, and with a skillful movement, straightened him up. At the same time, he smiled at Grandpa Wang and said, "A distant relative of mine has poor eyesight. He dropped something on the ground and is looking for it now."
"Looking for something? Oh, oh, oh." Grandpa Wang had an "I understand" look on his face. Without looking into it further, he carried the birdcage and stepped into the courtyard, sitting down at the stone table as if he knew the way well.
"Xiao Fan, quick, pour the old man a glass of water. His throat is parched from walking around like this."
Li Zhenguo stood there, unsure whether to leave or stay, not knowing what to do with his hands.
Fang Qingxue, standing behind him, watched this dramatic scene, wanting to laugh but daring not to, her facial expressions almost out of control.
One second he was a peerless master who could turn the world upside down with a flick of his wrist, and who made even the most powerful martial arts masters bow down in reverence.
The next second, you have to smile apologetically at the old neighbor and pour him water, and rack your brains to help smooth things over.
The sense of disconnect is just too intense.
"Li... Old Li, right?" Lin Fan poured Grandpa Wang a full glass of cold water, then turned and winked at Li Zhenguo.
"Did you find the things? If you did, hurry back home, your family must be getting worried."
Li Zhenguo was a man of great stature, and he immediately understood Lin Fan's meaning.
This is to get him to cooperate in the act, and then get out of here as soon as possible.
He felt so frustrated he wanted to vomit blood, but he had to force a smile like a chrysanthemum: "Ah, yes, yes, I found it, I found it. Well... Xiao Fan, I'll go back now, I'll come see you another day."
The way he called out "Xiao Fan" made his teeth ache and gave him goosebumps all over.
After saying that, he nodded heavily to Lin Fan, his eyes full of assurance that "Senior, don't worry, I know the rules." Then he turned around and almost fled, taking Fang Qingxue and his waiting subordinates outside, and quickly disappeared at the end of the alley.
Watching the disheveled figures of Li Zhenguo and his group, Grandpa Wang smacked his lips as he held his teacup.
"Your relative, you seem to have quite the airs, but why do you walk so hurriedly?"
"People get old and their memory gets worse," Lin Fan replied casually, thinking that he could finally have some peace and quiet.
But he clearly underestimated Grandpa Wang's love of gossip.
After taking a sip of hot tea to moisten his throat, Grandpa Wang immediately lowered his voice, leaned closer, and his face was full of mystery.
"Xiao Fan, I have something important to tell you."
"Do you remember the 'Eight Directions Martial Arts School' I mentioned to you?"
Lin Fan paused slightly in his teapot and nodded: "I remember, the one whose signboard was smashed a while ago."
"That's right!" Old Wang slapped his thigh, his voice rising eight octaves. "The martial arts school owner, Chen Kaishan, was a brother I used to practice boxing with when we were young, even when we were naked! His Eight Directions Fist is a well-known name in the southern part of the city!"
At this point, an uncontrollable anger welled up on Grandpa Wang's face.
"A few days ago, a bunch of foreign devils came, under the guise of 'martial arts exchange,' and they were incredibly ruthless! They came to challenge us, and in just a few punches and kicks, they crippled Old Chen's leg! He's still in the hospital!"
"So ruthless?" Lin Fan frowned.
Martial arts exchanges should be limited to a few points.
Using such a deadly method is destroying someone's livelihood and cutting off their lineage; it has crossed the line.
"Exactly!" Old Wang's beard trembled with anger. "What's worse is that these bastards injured someone and then refused to leave the martial arts school! They said Old Chen's skills were inferior, so they should take over the school! Now it's just Old Chen's daughter, Chen Xue, in her early twenties, holding on with a few old disciples. Tell me, how can a young girl withstand those wolves?"
Grandpa Wang sighed deeply, his face full of worry.
"It would be pointless for me to go up there with my old bones. I went to the martial arts association, but they just tried to smooth things over, saying it was a 'compliant' challenge and they couldn't intervene. What the hell does 'compliant' mean? Breaking someone's leg is compliant? They're taking advantage of the fact that Chinese martial arts are hopeless!"
Lin Fan listened quietly, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
He instantly connected the dots.
This group of foreigners, the group that came to his courtyard today, and even the Iron Tiger Martial Arts School, are probably all backed by the same force.
This was a premeditated attack aimed at strangling the traditional martial arts community in Beijing.
The official body represented by Li Zhenguo was constrained by certain rules and so-called international influence.
"Xiao Fan," Grandpa Wang suddenly stared at Lin Fan, his eyes revealing a hint of probing and expectation, "you look quite robust, have you learned a few martial arts moves?"
Last time Lin Fan dealt with those thugs from the Iron Tiger Martial Arts School, nothing stays hidden forever, and Old Master Wang heard some of it.
Alarm bells rang in Lin Fan's mind.
"Uncle Wang, please don't flatter me." He immediately waved his hand, revealing a simple and honest smile. "I don't know any kung fu. I'm just a little stronger than others. It's all just haphazard practice, nothing special."
"Hey, you little rascal, trying to play tricks on me, your grandpa." Grandpa Wang pursed his lips, clearly not believing him, but he didn't press the matter further.
He picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp. He stood up, picked up the birdcage, and walked outside listlessly.
"Alright, I was just venting to you. The Chen family's situation is hopeless. It's a real shame about the nearly century-old 'Eight Directions Martial Arts School' brand..."
As Lin Fan watched Grandpa Wang's desolate figure disappear through the doorway, the smile on his face slowly faded.
He hates trouble.
I didn't want to meddle in other people's business.
But Grandpa Wang's last words were like a needle, piercing his heart precisely.
"They think we've lost all our Chinese martial arts!"
The words were buzzing in his mind.
Xingyi, Bagua, Taiji... everything he signed in with was a quintessential example of traditional Chinese martial arts passed down for thousands of years on this land.
These things are no longer just skills, but a part of his soul.
He can be indifferent to world affairs and ignore worldly disturbances.
But he could not tolerate the dignity of these things being trampled underfoot.
Because slapping these traditional martial arts practitioners in the face is slapping Lin Fan in the face.
More importantly, his system is called "Qi Yun Si He Yuan" (氣运四合院).
The rewards for signing in are closely related to the "luck" of this courtyard, and even the entire martial arts scene in the capital.
These outsiders are acting recklessly in the capital, suppressing and annexing traditional martial arts schools, which is weakening the martial arts spirit of this land.
If this continues, the quality of the rewards for your own sign-in will inevitably decline!
Upon realizing this, Lin Fan's expression completely changed.
This is no longer a trivial matter.
This directly relates to his fundamental plan of comfortably "getting stronger while lying down"!
Cutting off my source of income is like killing my parents.
Stopped me from signing in...
This is even worse than killing my parents!
Lin Fan stroked his chin, a cold, calculating glint in his eyes.
This matter absolutely must be addressed.
Moreover, it must be managed well.
Should we just storm their door and cripple them all? That would be too much of a commotion, and that old man Li Zhenguo would come running over to nag again. What a hassle.
To strike in secret, one by one, by surprise? That's too petty, unbecoming of someone of your status.
Have it.
A glint flashed in Lin Fan's eyes, and a playful smile appeared on his lips.
He found a good way to solve the problem, keep things under control, and establish his authority.
He picked up the phone on the stone table, found the number Li Zhenguo had left behind, and sent a text message.
Where is Bafang Martial Arts Academy located?
The text message was sent in less than three seconds.
The call came back immediately; it was Li Zhenguo, his voice trembling with excitement.
"Former...Mr. Lin! You intend to...?"
"Address." Lin Fan interrupted directly, his voice devoid of any emotion.
"Yes, yes, yes! No. 17, Luomashi Street, Nancheng! Mr. Lin, you want to take action personally? What kind of cooperation do you need from us? We can clear the area immediately..."
"unnecessary."
"Keep your people in check, don't let them get in the way."
After saying that, Lin Fan hung up the phone.
He got up and went back inside, took off his T-shirt and shorts, and changed into a clean and neat pure white training uniform.
When he stepped out of the courtyard house again, the setting sun at the entrance of the alley was as intense as blood.
The orange-red light cast his shadow long and narrow on the bluestone slab.
It's time to get out and stretch our muscles.