Martial Arts Across the Heavens: Becoming a Martial God Starting from the Big Boss in Tangshan

Chapter 140 If we succeed, that success won't just belong to us.

The group entered the private room, where a table of exquisite dishes had already been laid out.

After taking their seats, Chen Wen pointed to Xie Si and introduced him, "Brother Huang, this is Brother Xie Si, who is now a member of our Blood Flag Army."

Wong Fei-hung immediately stood up, cupped his hands to Xie Si, and said, "So it's Brother Xie! I've heard of you before, and it's great to finally meet you today!"

Xie Si was startled and quickly stood up to return the greeting, somewhat at a loss for words: "Master Huang, you flatter me! I—I am just a nobody, how can I be worthy of your long-standing reputation?"

You are the truly famous one, who doesn't know you?

Huang Feihong replied solemnly, "Brother Xie is too modest. In that land where corrupt officials, unscrupulous merchants, and tyrants run rampant, you were still able to secretly protect the people and handle things smoothly. This is truly a great act of righteousness."

"Later, he was even more courageous, able to distinguish right from wrong, and joined my Blood Flag Army to raise the banner of righteousness together—that's truly commendable!"

"We're family, no need to be so polite."

Xie Si was completely stunned.

He originally thought Huang Feihong was just being polite, but he didn't expect that the other party actually knew about his affairs.

And it was explained so clearly.

He looked at Chen Wen, then at Huang Feihong, unsure of what to say.

Chen Wen smiled and explained, "Although Brother Huang is not in the army, he has always been the chief instructor of our Blood Flag Army, and also the liaison for all parties."

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: ①⓪①ⓚⓚⓢ.ⓒⓞⓜ]

"Although we are separated by mountains and seas, we keep in regular contact by telegram. Brother Huang is naturally aware of military affairs."

Xie Si suddenly realized what was happening, and his shock deepened.

He previously only knew that Lin Shirong and Toothbrush Su were Huang Feihong's disciples, and he thought it was just a coincidence or someone with the same name.

Unexpectedly, this Master Huang Feihong, who was famous throughout Guangdong and Guangxi and could be called the flag bearer of Foshan martial arts, was actually a martial arts master.

They're also from the Blood Flag Army!

Moreover, he was the head instructor with an extremely high position!

The Blood Flag Army's foundation was far deeper than he had imagined!

He excitedly clasped his hands in greeting again: "Xie Si of the Blood Flag Army greets Instructor Huang!"

Wong Fei-hung waved his hand gently: "Sit down, sit down. We're all brothers, no need for such formalities. Come, let's eat first."

The group had just started eating.

A light knock came from outside the door; the Blood Flag Army soldiers who had been sent out earlier had returned.

He solemnly reported to Chen Wen, "Captain, we've found out. The White Lotus Sect has a secret altar in the west of the city, and those people did indeed return there."

Upon hearing the name of the White Lotus Sect, Aunt Thirteen immediately pouted, her voice filled with lingering fear and indignation: "It was them! They almost ruined me, and then they called me a foreign devil!"

Her eyes lit up as she looked at Chen Wen.

"Mr. Chen, are you... are you going to find them and help me get revenge?"

Chen Wen smiled and said, "I guess so. But it's not just for you."

Wong Fei-hung put down his chopsticks and sighed, "Alas, when the world is in chaos, all sorts of demons and monsters emerge."

"The White Lotus Sect's intention to rebel against foreigners and express dissatisfaction with the imperial court was good from the start."

"But they are playing tricks, inciting the ignorant masses, and failing to distinguish friend from foe. They even persecute someone like Aunt Thirteen, who is just wearing Western clothes and using a camera. This is absolutely wrong!"

Chen Wen slowly chewed his food, and after Huang Feihong finished speaking, he calmly said, "Most people in the world are ignorant, and there's nothing we can do about it."

"For over two hundred years, with queues dragging on and literary inquisitions suppressing the people, how many could actually read?"

"You can't expect people who have been oppressed and enslaved for generations to suddenly have a high level of awareness."

Wong Fei-hung frowned: "Even so, we must not believe in those evil gods and heretics, and commit such foolish and tyrannical acts!"

"Because we had no other choice." Chen Wen put down his chopsticks, his gaze becoming somewhat distant.

"The vast majority of ordinary people have been driven to the brink of despair."

"I want to rebel, but I don't know how, or whom to rebel against?"

"With nowhere to place his anger and despair, he could only entrust them to a vague and ethereal god."

"If there had been any other way, if there had been even a sliver of real hope, they wouldn't have done this."

Aunt Thirteen seemed a little confused and blinked, "Mr. Chen, from what you're saying, does that mean they're not wrong?"

Chen Wen shook his head, his tone resolute: "No, they are wrong! There's no need to whitewash that!"

He paused, then changed the subject: "But the reason for this ignorance and backwardness is the queue (traditional Manchu hairstyle) that's been in place for over two hundred years, the literary inquisition, and the maggots' strategy of keeping the people ignorant!"

He looked at Xie Si and suddenly asked a seemingly unrelated question: "Xie Si, how many bowls of rice do you need to eat to feel full in one meal?"

Xie Si was taken aback. Although he found it strange, he still answered honestly, "About three bowls. If I'm tired from work one day, I need five bowls to feel full."

Chen Wen then asked, "If I only give you the fifth bowl of rice, will you be full?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Si couldn't help but shake his head and laugh, "Of course not! If I only eat the fifth bowl, then I'll only have one bowl left, right? I'm not stupid—"

Huang Feihong's eyes suddenly lit up, and he blurted out, "I understand!"

Xie Si and Aunt Thirteen were still completely bewildered, not understanding what the meal had to do with what was happening in front of them.

Chen Wen looked at Huang Feihong and knew that the other party understood, which made him very happy.

He continued explaining to the crowd, "That's right. It's because of those who came before us, one after another, who stood up!"

Even if we use the wrong methods, even if we fail, even if we bleed profusely, we still manage to leave behind a spark, a little bit of experience and lessons.

"These sparks and experiences, accumulated and passed down from generation to generation, have led to who we are today."

"The act of resistance itself, regardless of whether the method is right or wrong, is already a great spirit."

"If we succeed in the future, that success won't just belong to us!"

"Therefore, whether it's the White Lotus Sect or anyone else, we shouldn't just criticize and attack them, but rather help them get onto the right path."

The impact of these words caused a moment of silence at the table.

Aside from the gleam in Wong Fei-hung's eyes, he was clearly deeply moved.

Although Xie Si, Aunt Thirteen, and several other Blood Flag Army soldiers found the reasoning shocking, not everyone could immediately grasp it thoroughly.

Chen Wen did not insist.

He knew that these ideas were beyond the comprehension of most people in this era.

Even he himself was merely standing on the shoulders of giants, combining the wisdom of countless people to be able to say these things.

The words have been spoken, and everyone has heard them; they will continue to spread.

Perhaps many people don't understand, but it's enough if just one person does.

Chen Wen turned to the Blood Flag Army soldiers and asked, "Besides the White Lotus Sect, what's the situation in the city now? Tell me in detail."

The soldier composed himself and began to report: "Captain, the provincial capital is now a mixed bag."

"Foreigners' shops, churches, and military camps are operating as usual, but it seems that security has been tightened."

"On the imperial side, the governor's office and the garrison appear calm on the surface, but in reality, undercurrents are surging."

"Local gangs, such as the various branches of the Hung Society and some remnants of the Small Knife Society, are also more active than usual."

"Most importantly, the Nine Gates Admiral you mentioned has already arrived, and he has brought with him a lot of elite personal guards."

""

Upon hearing this, Huang Feihong immediately tensed up: "The Nine Gates Admiral has arrived so quickly? Does the imperial court already know that Brother Chen has come to the provincial capital?"

He immediately shook his head in denial.

"No, Brother Chen's identity is top secret. The outside world only knows about the Blood Flag Army, but no one knows who its leader is."

"Even if Brother Chen walked right up to the Governor's Office, they wouldn't recognize him. So what brings the Nine Gates Commander here with such a large force?"

Chen Wen slowly said, "I know some of the reasons. In the provincial capital, besides us, there is another group of people who are also secretly preparing to start a rebellion."

"What?!" Everyone was shocked.

"Is there another rebellion?"

"Right in the provincial capital? Which force is so audacious?"