In the courtyard of Jingwu Sports Association, the disciples stood in a neat formation, their eyes fixed straight ahead, standing solemnly. If they weren't wearing white shirts and black pants as their training uniforms, they would look like a well-trained army.

  Under the flagpole, the eldest brother of the sect was being punished by the family law, while Chen Zikong, who had started it all, stood silently beside him, watching the execution with an air of calmness that belied the turmoil brewing beneath.

  Compared to the romantic and easy life in Beijing, Chen Zikun experienced a baptism by fire on his first day at Jingwu Association. The bamboo stick hit his senior brother's body, which was even more unbearable than if it had hit him. As men who stood tall and proud, how could they let others suffer for them?

  The fifty lashes were over, Liu Zhen's wounds were numerous, but he could still stand. He ordered: "From today on, Chen Zhen will lead you in learning martial arts."

  Turning around with a smile, he said to Chen Zikun: "Fifth brother, you take everyone out for a morning run first, and then come back for breakfast."

  "Yes!" Chen Zikun immediately stood at the front of the team, leading everyone to run out of the gate. The team of dozens of people was neat and uniform, and their momentum was impressive when they ran. Liu Zhensheng smiled with relief.

  After a while, Nong Jinrui arrived and was shocked to see Liu Zhen's battered appearance: "Zhen, what happened?"

  Liu Zhensheng slowly explained the situation, and Nong Jiru sighed: "Zhensheng, you really are a good and kind-hearted person."

  "The drum sounds without needing a heavy hammer, Chen Zhen will certainly become the pillar of our Jingwu Association." Liu Zhengsheng said.

  Nong Jingxuan nodded in agreement and continued, "In a few more days, it will be the 9th anniversary of the founding of the Jingwu Association. I heard some good news, Zhen Sheng, don't get too excited."

  Liu Zhensheng said: "Isn't it because you've raised the funds?"

  Nong Jingxu said indifferently: "Although the matter of money is good news, it's not enough to get excited about."

  "What's that?"

  "I'm telling you, Mr. Sun Wen will be coming to our martial arts hall."

  "Ah!" Liu Zhen's voice was indeed extremely excited, his voice even trembling: "Will Mr. Sun Wen really come? Isn't he in Japan?"

  Nong Jingwu grasped Liu Zhen's hand and said, "It's absolutely true that Mr. Sun Yat-sen has been living in seclusion in Shanghai all along, rarely going out, writing books and compiling biographies. If it weren't for the ninth anniversary of the Jingwu Association, he wouldn't have appeared in public. At that time, we must ensure Mr. Sun's safety."

  Liu Zhensheng patted his chest and said: "As long as I, Liu Zhensheng, am here, those scoundrels will not dare to harm a single hair on Mr. Sun's head."

  Nong Jinrui nodded with a smile of relief, his hands on Liu Zhen's shoulders: "Good brother!"

  ……

  Chen Zikun led the Jingwu disciples to run several laps on Peking Road. Although it was still early morning, the streets of Shanghai were already bustling with activity. The speeding yellow taxis, office workers rushing to work, and housewives scrubbing toilets all cast admiring glances at the robust Jingwu disciples.

  After finishing the morning run, return to the dining hall of Jingwu Association for breakfast. The breakfast is simple, a bowl of porridge and two small buns. The disciples sit together in silence, eating their meal, the large dining hall is surprisingly quiet, discipline can be seen at a glance.

  Chen Zikong picked up a bowl of porridge and sat down, tilting his head to finish it in one gulp. He stuffed two small buns into his mouth, and they were gone too. Looking at others, they were still savoring their food slowly.

  Xiao Yan brought over a bowl of porridge, without saying a word, and poured it into Chen Zikun's bowl. She also gave him a steamed bun before returning to sit down.

  Chen Zikong didn't hesitate either, and with another toss of his head, he finished the porridge. He picked up a steamed bun just as he was about to take a bite, when he saw from afar that a shy-looking boy at another table poured the porridge from his own bowl into Xīao Yuán's, then silently walked away.

  "The sixth sister is still quite popular." Chen Zikong ate the steamed bun without any politeness.

  After breakfast, they took a short rest before starting their training. Chen Zikun led the group in practicing the exclusive and mysterious footwork of Jingwu Association's unique skill - Mizong Fist. Liu Zhensheng and Nong Jinying watched from afar, nodding their heads in praise: "Chen really has mastered the true skills passed down by his master."

  Nong Jingdao said: "I heard that something happened. The Japanese ronin Ogata Takeshi, who injured Dong Ge, died in the bathhouse yesterday."

  Liu Zhensheng said: "This man is guilty of death, and slow, Farmer Uncle, isn't this matter done by Chen Zhen?"

  Nong Jingdao said: "I'm not clear, I heard that the electrical wire in the bathroom was leaking electricity, and Okada Takehide was electrocuted to death."

  Liu Zhensheng said, "It's definitely not that simple. Since Chen Zhen was able to destroy the Hongkou dojo, he must be able to kill Ogata Takeshi as well. Alas, this child has too much evil energy and still needs to be tempered."

  Just then, Chen Zikun finished eating and came over to ask about Liu Zhensheng's injuries. Liu Zhensheng smiled and said: "A martial artist like me, this injury is nothing. By the way, tomorrow all members of the Jingwu Association will attend Guo Leshi's memorial service, you should prepare for it. The day after tomorrow is the 9th anniversary of the founding of the Jingwu Association, a big shot will come to attend, I plan to let you be in charge of the security mission on site."

  "Who's there?" Chen Zikong asked loudly.

  Liu Zhen said: "It's Mr. Sun Wen." After finishing, he deliberately paused for a moment, leaving time for Chen Zikun to exclaim in surprise.

  But Chen Zikun didn't show a very shocked expression, he just nodded and said: "I know."

  ……

  On May 31, the sky was overcast, and tens of thousands of people gathered near the horse racing hall. Everyone wore a white soft-brimmed hat, looking like a vast expanse of white clouds in the distance. Students from various universities in Shanghai, as well as social celebrities, all came to the meeting to mourn the martyrdom of Guo Chenguang, who died during the anti-Japanese demonstration in Beijing.

  The rumor has been clarified, and Guo Qinguang was not beaten to death by the police. Instead, he died from a relapse of his old illness due to over-excitement while worrying about the country. He made the ultimate sacrifice at the rally venue. According to eyewitnesses, Comrade Guo gave a passionate speech on stage, criticizing the corrupt Beiyang government for being weak against Japan. At the climax of his speech, he spat out blood and wept uncontrollably. Before losing consciousness, he shouted "Save the country!" three times.

  The audience below the platform listened, and everyone shed tears. Some waved their arms and shouted loudly: "Swear to fight to the death, return Qingdao to me! Firmly demand that the government punish the traitors!" Countless people responded from below, and the sound shook the sky.

  Chen Zikun led the Jingwu Association's disciples to attend the memorial service. He was initially puzzled as to why Guo Qinguang's cause of death kept changing, but after listening to the speeches from various representatives, he felt relieved. No matter how Guo Qinguang died, if his death could mobilize everyone's patriotic enthusiasm, then it was a worthy sacrifice. Why bother revealing the truth and spoiling the mood?

  Also met Jianbing at the scene, today Jianbing is dressed very simple and elegant, looking like a female college student, while Chen Zikong is also wearing plain clothes, the two standing together are quite matching.

  "Didn't Old Jiang say he was coming? Why can't I see him?" Chen Zikun looked around, but didn't see the figures of Jiang Zhicheng and Chen Guofu, however Li Yaoting had arrived, accompanying Jian Bing.

  "They, over thirty years old, have no passion left, just talking, where will they really come from? The stock business is busy and can't be opened. Today's participants are not young and vigorous students, but those who seek fame and fortune, as for the true patriots, there are only a few."

  "Is Miss Jianbing really a patriot?" Chen Zikong asked seriously.

  Jian Bing wore a black hat on her head, with a black veil hanging down, but her lovely face was still visible. She didn't answer directly, but smiled faintly: "What do you think?"

  Chen Zikong shrugged and stopped talking, while Li Yaoting chimed in with great enthusiasm: "We are definitely all true patriots. Da Kungzi is a hero who set fire to the Zhao family building. He was the one who injured Cao Rulin. If the police hadn't arrived so quickly, Cao would have died ten times over with Da Kungzi's skills."

  "You're going to die if you don't stop spouting nonsense!" Chen Zikun couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. He had only followed the procession to watch the excitement, but somehow he became a great hero by mistake. It seems that when the timing is right, every person has the blood of rumor-mongering and gossip in their bones.

  Li Yaoting's nonsense attracted the attention of many people nearby, and more eyes were cast over. Under the banner of St. John's University in the distance, a man with a similar tall figure and handsome appearance saw Chen Zikun standing out like a crane among chickens, seemingly unable to believe his eyes. He took off his gold-rimmed glasses, rubbed them hard, put them back on, and looked carefully before excitedly shouting: "Chen Zikun~~"

  Just then a shout rose, the memorial meeting ended, and the sound waves completely overwhelmed his voice. The crowd began to march towards the Chamber of Commerce to petition for a thorough boycott of Japanese goods. The crowd surged forward, and it was impossible to squeeze through, so they could only watch as Chen Zikun disappeared into the distance.

  "Murong Xuechang, what are you looking at?" a female student in white clothes and blue skirt asked with her head tilted to one side.

  "Oh, I see an old acquaintance." The man known as Murong Xuechang replied.

  "He seems to be ignoring the senior," said the female student.

  Murong Xuechang smiled wryly: "Maybe so, this guy has always been arrogant."

  The female student was indignant: "What's the big deal, our senior is the best in Saint John's grades, the tallest and most handsome guy, who does he think he is?"

  "I was always living in this person's shadow before he left school." Murong muttered to himself.

  "Is it that exaggerated?" The female student covered her mouth with her small hand, her eyes wide with wonder.

  "Qiū Líng, he is our senior Chen Zikun from St. John's University class of 1916, who graduated with first-class honors."

  ……

  The memorial service came to an end, and the students rushed to the Chamber of Commerce to demand a thorough boycott of Japanese goods. Chen Zikun also wanted to follow them, but considering that there was still an important task to be arranged for tomorrow, he took the Jingwu Tiyu Hui disciples away.

  The next day was the 9th anniversary of Jingwu Association, in the afternoon, all disciples stopped practicing martial arts and cleaned every corner of the gym. Chen Zizheng, Liu Zhenying and Nong Jinxing discussed security matters together, with Liu Zhenying selecting ten strongest disciples to follow Chen Zizheng for on-site security.

  Ten carefully selected disciples stood in front of him, Chen Zikun looked at them and found that the first one was the shy boy who poured porridge for Situ Xiaoyan, although his eyes were green, but his physique was not bad.

  "What's your name?" Chen Zikun asked.

  "Reporting to Fifth Master, I am Ouyang Kai!" The young man replied with his chest out.

  "Alright, I'll try your skills." Chen Zikong flew down from the stage and charged at him with a move.

  Under the overwhelming prestige of Master Wu, Ouyang Kai seemed to be under great pressure, but still stepped forward resolutely and exchanged moves with Chen Zikun. Without any suspense, he was knocked to the ground in less than five moves. Master Wu's blow was not light or heavy, causing his mouth corner to bleed.

  Chen Zikun was deeply moved and it's no wonder that the Hongkou dojo could sweep through the Jingwu Association, the master brother personally picked out a good hand at this level.

  Just as he was about to say something, Ou Yang Kai suddenly leaped up like a carp, wiped the fresh blood from his mouth, and charged again. Chen Zi Kun kicked him flying with one foot, but this time the force was controlled fairly well, without hurting his ribs.

  Ouyang Kai struggled to get up, still rushing over with a reckless abandon that left Chen Zikun somewhat perplexed. But when he turned his head back for a look, everything suddenly became clear.

  Actually, Si Tu Xiao Yan was standing beside him all along.