Chapter 2: Stealing the Master (Part 1)

  Cangzhou is located in North China, known as the "land of water and drought" since ancient times. The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal runs through the entire territory, and the people of Cangzhou have always been known for their simplicity, straightforwardness, diligence, and bravery.

  Because Cangzhou is an important place in the capital, it has been a must-contend place for military families throughout history. In ancient times, there was the saying "distant evil county and state", during the Ming dynasty, it had the nickname "small Liangshan". Along the Bohai Sea, within a radius of over 100 miles, all are reed marshes and desolate beaches, with sparse population. It is both a place where offenders are exiled and a good place for rebellious generals to hide.

  Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, some rebellious generals who were wanted by the imperial court sought refuge in Cangzhou, where the people were known for their bravery and martial prowess. These individuals hid their identities, disguised themselves as monks or Taoist priests, and made a living by passing on their skills. The reputation of Cangzhou as a center of martial arts also originated from this time.

  Although in that changing decade, some martial artists were affected for certain reasons, many boxing spectrums and historical relics were destroyed, and the development of Cangzhou Wushu was temporarily hindered.

  But the martial arts craze in Cangzhou never dissipated, and from the 1980s onwards, various martial arts schools sprouted up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. It's not an exaggeration to say that every household practiced martial arts, even Old Hu who sold roasted flatbread had some skills in his hands.

  At this time, Qin Feng was crouching outside the back wall of a house belonging to the Liu family, who were considered a wealthy household in Cangzhou, with over ten tile-roofed rooms.

  More than a decade ago, the Liu family suffered a huge blow when their house was confiscated. It wasn't until the early 1980s that the government returned the house to the Liu family. Now four generations of the family live here together.

  Unlike the average family's backyard, Liu's backyard was very spacious and had been converted into a martial arts training ground. Along the edges of the field stood two rows of weapon racks, filled with eighteen types of weapons including knives, guns, swords, and spears.

  This was happening in the middle of the courtyard, where seven or eight children around ten years old were setting up a puppet show. An elderly man over eighty sat at the edge of the scene, his eyes half-closed as he leisurely savored the hot tea on the table in front of him.

  But as soon as any of the children in the field relaxed, an old man with a long, peeled willow branch would immediately lash out at that child like a venomous snake.

  "Once you enter the training room, it's either punching or leaning against the wall. If you want to practice Bajiquan, first stand up straight for me!"

  Looking at those who had been standing for nearly half a day, with sweat dripping down their faces like water, the old man stood up and his eyes intentionally or unintentionally swept towards the outer wall.

  "Has Grandpa Liu discovered me?"

  Qin Feng, who was hiding outside the wall and peeking in through a hole, hastily withdrew his head.

  In Cangzhou, it's a place where martial arts are popular and the inheritance of schools is extremely emphasized. His actions belong to stealing from his master, if he gets caught, at best, he'll be crippled by having his tendons cut, at worst, he might even lose his life.

  However, Qin Feng's eyes were exceptionally firm, with his feet in a boxing stance like the children in the courtyard, although his two calves were trembling continuously, he still gritted his teeth and persisted.

  Just as Qin Feng thought the old man had discovered him, a child in the yard suddenly spoke up and said: "Master Grandpa, how long do you have to stand before it counts as having kung fu?"

  "How long will we stand? We'll stand for our whole lives!"

  The old man saw the confusion on the children's faces, shook his head and said: "Your ancestors used to roam the four seas, fight all over the rivers and lakes with no rival hands, this is just basic skills..."

  The old man glanced at the time and waved his hand, saying: "You all take a break now. If you want to learn real skills, you must be able to endure hardship. Otherwise, it's better for everyone to go home early!"

  "Master Grandfather, tell us a story about our ancestors."

  After hearing the old man's words, the children cheered and surrounded him one by one, except when practicing, the old man was still very kind at other times.

  Qin Feng outside the wall also perked up his ears, he had been stealing skills here for several years, but every time he heard the story of that "Divine Gun Li Shuwen", he still got hot-blooded.

  "Alright, I'll tell you a story about Master's adventure of fighting against the Japanese with his spear back in the days... That was even before your Shifu (Master) was born..."

  As people get older, they fear loneliness. Although this old man has practiced the Eight Extremities Fist to perfection and is one of the few domestic martial arts masters and boxing masters, he also has a common problem for the elderly, that is, he likes to reminisce about the past.

  However, as the only surviving disciple of "Divine Gun" Li Shuwen, the old man undoubtedly has the most say in this matter, and what he says is true.

  That was in 1895, when Yuan Shikai was training troops at a small station in the southern suburbs of Tianjin. He used various means and relationships to recruit martial arts masters and hired Japanese karate experts and German military instructors to train his elite troops.

  Li Shuwen's master Huang Shi Hai received an invitation from Yuan Shikai, but due to his advanced age, he recommended his disciple Li Shuwen to take the position.

  Li Shuwen arrived at the barracks, holding Huang Zongxiang's letter of introduction. A soldier naturally led him to the drill hall to meet Yuan Shikai. Yuan and the other instructors saw that he was unimpressive in appearance, thin and small, carrying a large spear, and mistakenly thought he was a servant or personal attendant of Big Spear Wong.

  When they found out, they knew Li Shuwen was coming to take the place of his master as the instructor, everyone burst into loud laughter.

  Ito Taro, the martial arts instructor of Yuan Shikai's guard, contemptuously said to Li Shuwen: "The big sick man of East Asia." And with a small hand, he continuously pointed downwards.

  Li Shuwen's temperament was fierce and he couldn't tolerate this kind of insult. With a loud shout, the spearhead pointed directly at Ito, challenging him to a duel.

  Ito felt his face being swept, and in a fit of rage, he swung the Japanese long knife with the momentum of Mount Tai, fiercely chopping down towards Li Shuwen's head. However, Li Shuwen shook his spear, sending the knife flying, and then followed up with a spear thrust "mud eel turning flower", piercing Ito's throat. With another flick of his spear, he sent the corpse flying out of the martial arts hall.

  This sudden turn of events left everyone stunned.

  Japanese martial arts instructors Akino, Inoue and Noda see their companions being stabbed to death by Li Shuwen. They charge at Li with a fierce cry, brandishing their swords. But Li moves in and out like lightning, retreats like an arrow, his spear shakes like a dragon emerging from the water, thrusting left and right, instantly blood and flesh fly everywhere.

  In an instant, the bodies of the three Japanese martial arts masters were all thrown out of the performance hall. Li Shuwen's spear was thrust forward, striking a fly on the pillar, and the fly fell but left no mark on the pillar.

  A moment later, the hall immediately burst into thunderous applause, and Yuan Shikai repeatedly exclaimed: "Divine gun! Divine gun! It's really a divine gun!" From then on, "Divine Gun Li Shuwen" became famous throughout the land, known to all.

  "Ancestor is really awesome!"

  Although they had already heard the story countless times, a group of young people still listened with bated breath, their legs no longer sore, each staring wide-eyed, as if they would have liked to take up guns against the Japanese themselves.

  Qin Feng's fists were also clenched tightly, and a gleam of hatred shot out from his eyes. If he had Li Shuwen's skills, the tragedy that occurred in his home five years ago would not have happened.

  At the thought of past events, Qin Feng's eyes were bloodshot, his fingernails digging into his flesh. If not for a thread of sanity holding him together, he would have probably let out a loud wail by now.

  "Dad, why aren't you resting at home? What are you doing here?"

  At the time when Qin Feng was unable to control himself, a fifty-four or five-year-old old man walked into the backyard, glanced at those children with an unpleasant expression and said: "All of you go practice, what are you doing entwining Master?"

  "Second elder brother, it's stuffy at home, better be with the kids and feel comfortable."

  The old man waved his hand to stop his son from speaking, saying: "Although I haven't reached the level of my master, I also know that my lifespan is limited and there are only a few years left for me to live well. Being able to leave something behind is also good."

  "Dad, look at what you're saying. You'll definitely live to be a hundred years old." After hearing his father's words, the old man became somewhat anxious.

  "My master lived for seventy-two years, and I'm already over eighty now, so I've long been content."

  The old man smiled and said: "Old two, I'm not in good health, this eight extremes form can't be performed anymore. You teach the young ones a lesson, let them see the benefits of stake work."

  "Dad, these kids haven't even mastered the basics, is it suitable?"

  The old man hesitated, Chinese martial arts and Western skills are different, emphasizing gradual progress, there is no shortcut, practicing in front of these young people will inevitably bring them a bad influence.

  The old man suddenly smiled at his son and nodded towards a corner of the wall, saying: "What's not suitable? The phrase 'Literary has Tai Chi to bring peace to the world, Martial has Eight Extremes to stabilize the universe' wasn't said in vain. Let these young whippersnappers see what it means!"

  "Yes, Father!"

  Seeing the father's smile, the old man seemed to understand something and suddenly became serious. He walked forward and only spoke when he reached under the wall: "Let you see the use of this station!"

  The old man didn't take off his clothes either. His whole body was loose and sloppy, with his two feet unevenly propped against the wall to stand still.

  Suddenly, the old man's body shrunk, and his shoulders fiercely leaned against the wall behind him. A loud "boom" was heard, and the nearly two-meter-high wall was forcefully broken through by him.

  "Huh, you hid pretty quickly!"

  The old man, after making his move, immediately turned his body and looked towards a clump of grass outside the gap, shouting: "Youngster, come out! If you can run ten meters away from here, I'll write my name 'Liu' upside down!"

  "Master Liu, it's... me..."

  A voice came from the grass, it was Qin Feng. He had just been blinded by hatred until Liu Jia Er walked to the wall and discovered that at the moment Liu Lao Er used his move "Tie Shan Kao", a lazy donkey rolled over and dodged.

  However, Qin Feng's face was still scratched by the flying sand and stones. He knew that it was a taboo to secretly learn from his master, so he didn't dare to wipe it off. He slowly walked out of the grass thicket with a lingering fear.

  "Huh? How is it you, young one?" Seeing Qin Feng's face covered in blood, the old man was taken aback, and instinctively turned his head to look at the father in the courtyard, a questioning expression in his eyes.

  It's been years since Qin Feng stole the technique, and they had already discovered it, but at that time, an old man suppressed it with one sentence. Now, for some reason, he wants to expose Qin Feng?