The Skull and Bones Society and the Yan Dao Tang have lived in peace for more than sixty years. Since the end of World War II, both sides have been secretly developing their power. Although there have been life-and-death battles in several small countries in Africa and Southeast Asia during this period, it has never developed to the point of full-scale confrontation.
In the early 1990s, the Skull and Bones Society planned a large-scale campaign in the Middle East, hoping to seize the initiative in the 21st century by controlling the Middle East, the heart of the world's energy.
Yan Dao Tang would naturally not let the Skull and Bones Society succeed, and their forces also poured into the Middle East in large numbers. Unlike the Skull and Bones Society, which relied on force to promote plunder, Yan Dao Tang very cleverly took the upper-level route and won over the leaders of several countries to jointly fight against the invasion of the Skull and Bones Society. The two sides have been fighting openly and covertly in the Middle East for more than ten years, and it is finally time to show their cards.
The trigger was the theft of a suitcase containing uranium-5.
Uranium 5 is an important material for making atomic bombs. Yandaotang has been supporting a certain country in its atomic bomb experiments, either openly or secretly. The Skull and Bones Society will certainly not let it go, and has repeatedly tried to provoke war. The shadow of war is like a sword hanging over the heads of the people in the Middle East, making people feel anxious all day long.
In fact, both the Yandaotang and the Skull and Bones Society knew very well that they could not start a war. Once the war started, both sides would fight to the death, and both sides would suffer losses. Because although the strings of both sides were tense, no one dared to take the first step.
At this very sensitive time, a batch of uranium 5 used for enrichment was stolen from a certain country's laboratory. An army colonel named Abdullah disappeared along with the uranium 5. According to the investigation, Abdullah had a mistress named Fiorina, who was actually a spy for the Skull and Bones Society.
For the Yandaotang, this box of uranium 5 is irrefutable evidence that they support a certain country in conducting atomic bomb research. Once it is made public, that country will lose international trust. At that time, the Skull and Bones Society can take advantage of the opportunity to add fuel to the flames, use the influence of the international community to insert forces, and even carry out a coup to overthrow the regime of a certain country.
In order to preserve the base that had been built over the years in the Middle East, the Elders' Council of Yandao Hall held a meeting for eighteen consecutive hours before deciding to fight the Skull and Bones Society to the end at all costs.
As for the Skull and Bones Society, it was a bit unfair, because although Fiorina was their spy, she did not bring Abdullah and uranium 5 to the Skull and Bones Society, but disappeared instead. No one was found alive, no body was found dead, and the Yandaotang was aggressive. The Skull and Bones Society had no choice but to hastily think of a countermeasure.
Both sides believed that the other side was behind the incident and frequently mobilized their forces. The two major forces finally showed their true colors this time. They exerted a huge influence, causing all major countries to split into two factions. Some people with good intentions have already smelled the scent of World War III from this chaotic clue.
Compared to the turbulent international situation, Jinghai was unusually calm. After the Yipintang mage army was annihilated, everyone from Li Zongwei to the followers disappeared overnight. If it weren't for the Yipintang Foundation plaque at the door of the store on Financial Street, their existence would have seemed like a dream.
Zheng Yubai did not relax his vigilance at all, because he knew that Warner and his people were still in a corner of Jinghai, and they might show their ruthless fangs at any time.
In the special ward of Jinghai Hospital, Hannibal took a sip of wine, let out a long breath, and gave Zheng Yubai a thumbs up.
"It's the best red wine. Where did you get it?" Hannibal blushed slightly. This old man likes wine very much, but unfortunately his alcohol tolerance is just average. On the first night in Jinghai, Zheng Yubai knocked him out with two bottles of Erguotou. From then on, he never dared to drink Chinese strong liquor again.
"Two hundred thousand a bottle... As long as you have money, you can buy anything good." Zheng Yubai said helplessly. Hannibal had drunk a full five hundred thousand yuan worth of wine in just one week in Jinghai. Fortunately, Yang Feiyun was also a rich man. As long as he could cure Yang Huting, he would not be stingy at all.
"It's so expensive." After hearing the price, Hannibal immediately unscrewed the bottle cap and took another big gulp.
"It's all yours, don't be so anxious. Don't drink too much, you'll have surgery soon." Zheng Yubai said a little worriedly when he saw how greedy he was.
Hannibal showed an expression that said "How dare you doubt me?" and said disdainfully: "It's just a minor operation to repair the internal organs. It's a very difficult thing for Zhang Daosheng, but it's a piece of cake for me."
Zheng Yubai looked at him helplessly, scratched his head, and finally said what he had been holding back in his heart: "During the operation, don't steal anything!"
"Don't worry, I'm a doctor with professional ethics." Hannibal smiled slightly, put down the bottle, straightened his collar, put on a serious expression, and said to Zheng Yubai: "Let's go!"
Outside the special ward, brother and sister Yang Feiyun and Yang Feiyan were a little anxious. From time to time, they glanced at the door of the operating room with a red light on, and were very worried about their grandfather's condition.
"Don't worry, Hannibal is an excellent doctor, he will be fine." Zheng Yubai comforted Yang Feiyan.
Yu Luo, Susu and Ding Beibei, who were accompanying Yang Feiyan, also comforted her softly, which made the little girl feel much better.
"Yubai, how are things going recently?" Zheng Yubai saw the girls chatting, so he went back to sit next to Yang Feiyun. As soon as his butt touched the chair, Yang Feiyun said.
"Not so good." Zheng Yubai scratched his head and said, "The matter has become serious, and Uncle Leng is under a lot of pressure."
The last time Yipintang was so vicious and crazy, it caused a big trouble. Although Lengtie tried his best to hide the truth, the upper echelons still learned some details. After all, there were spies from the Skull and Bones Society and Yandaotang in some state institutions. With their instigation, this riot became an opportunity for both sides to take advantage of the opportunity to attack their opponents.
The Skull and Bones Society fanned the flames and pushed the responsibility onto the Yan Dao Tang; the Yan Dao Tang was not to be outdone and spread the news that the Skull and Bones Society had previously disrupted the economy of Jinghai. Both sides were not clean, and they were blaming each other, and both were embarrassed, and no one got the upper hand.
In fact, the upper echelons of Jinghai are very smart. Although the existence of Yandaotang and the Skull and Bones Society is not a public thing, most people are very clear about it. Under the influence of the two giants, the smartest thing to do is to be impartial. The international situation is changing, and it is hard to say who will win or lose, so the riots were suppressed.
Once one side gains power, the limelight will naturally follow it, and the other side can't blame the old saying of "beating a drowning dog with a stick".
Yan Dao Tang and the Skull and Bones Society are also aware of this truth, so they are secretly accumulating strength to deal with this life-and-death struggle.
"You should be more careful recently. Although Yipintang has disappeared, I don't think things will end so easily." Yang Feiyun said. Compared with Zheng Yubai, Yang Feiyun has a longer-term vision and thinks more.
Zheng Yubai nodded. He still remembered how powerful Lee Chong Wei's hypnosis was. The hatred between the two sides had reached a point where it could not be resolved. It was impossible to make peace. In this case, sooner or later, Lee Chong Wei would emerge from the shadows and show his fangs viciously. Zheng Yubai felt overwhelmed when he thought about having to be cautious and guard against Yipintang's sneak attacks every day.
As the two were chatting, the red light on the door of the operating room went out. Everyone's heart suddenly rose to their throats, and they stood up and gathered in front of the door.
As soon as the door opened, Hannibal came out in a nonchalant manner. Zheng Yubai raised his eyes and saw that he was chewing something.
With a buzzing sound in his head, Zheng Yubai rushed over and asked nervously: "Hannibal, you... you didn't do anything excessive, did you?"
Hannibal stared at Zheng Yubai's face with his cunning eyes. Seeing this cute and honest boy with a nervous look on his face, he couldn't help laughing. He spit out a piece of chewing gum and pointed at the door behind him and said, "The person is awake."
Zheng Yubai then breathed a sigh of relief, scratched his head embarrassedly, and walked into the operating room with Yang Feiyun.
On the bed in the operating room, Yang Huting, who had been unconscious, actually sat up. His upper body was naked, his originally white hair was now bald, and there was a very obvious scar on the back of his head.
"Grandpa." Yang Feiyun and Yang Feiyan shouted happily. They rushed over and each of them grabbed one of Yang Huting's arms and started asking him about his life.
Yang Huting's memory still lingers on the night of the attack. After listening to his two grandchildren's stories, he learned that he had been in a coma for several months. He touched his bald head and said self-deprecatingly, "I have been a man of many talents all my life, but I have suffered such a loss in my old age. It is really embarrassing."
"How can it be embarrassing? Grandpa fought against so many aliens alone and won a lot of honor for us in the martial arts world." Yang Feiyan wiped away her tears of joy and flattered her grandfather.
Yang Huting looked at his granddaughter lovingly and said with a smile, "You are the one with a sharp tongue." Then he said to Zheng Yubai, "Yubai, thanks to your help this time. Where is Mr. Hannibal? I want to thank him in person."
Zheng Yubai went to find Hannibal, who was drinking wine. Zheng Yubai was so amused that he took him to meet Yang Huting. The Yang family thanked Hannibal profusely and said they wanted to thank him. Hannibal was not polite and extorted a sum of money that made Zheng Yubai feel a little painful.
Fortunately, the Yang family had a martial arts school and was relatively wealthy, so they readily agreed to Hannibal's request. Hannibal was probably in a good mood, and after accepting the check from Yang Feiyun, he said, "I forgot to tell you that although the patient has woken up and has no physical problems, if you want to use martial arts, it will take at least half a year."
"Half a year later?" Yang Feiyun was stunned and his expression became a little gloomy.
"If strenuous activity causes brain hemorrhage again within six months, even if God intervenes, I'm afraid there will be no way to save you." Hannibal's words were eight parts warning and two parts intimidation.
Zheng Yubai knew what Yang Feiyun was thinking. The election for the Secretary General of the Wushu Association would be held in two weeks. Yang Huting was one of the most popular candidates, and his main opponent was Sun Yunqing. Everyone was very disdainful of Sun Yunqing's character, but Sun Yunqing was sanctimonious on the surface, and most people in the martial arts world didn't know his true colors. If there was no respected senior like Yang Huting to compete, even if Luo Hengyang came out, he would not be able to shake Sun Yunqing's throne.
Yang Huting certainly knew what his grandson was thinking. He laughed out loud and said, "Don't worry, Feiyun. The election of the Secretary-General is only about words, not fistfights. It doesn't matter if you can't fight."
Yang Feiyun whispered, "Don't be afraid of ten thousand, just be prepared for the worst. Sun Yunqing knows that you are unconscious, I'm afraid he will have some conspiracy by then."
"If the enemy comes, we will fight him with our generals; if the water comes, we will block it with earth. If he plays tricks, would I, Yang Huting, be a good man?" Yang Huting stroked his beard and smiled. This startled Zheng Yubai, who had always regarded him as a loyal old man, and then he smiled knowingly.
In fact, everyone has a side that is bound by conscience and morality. Good people are not necessarily not cruel, they just disdain to do so. Once pushed into a corner, the rabbit will bite the wolf to death.
Two weeks later, the entrance of the Jinghai Sun Family Xingyi Boxing Gym became bustling. Following the "unsatisfactory" conclusion of the previous Xingyi Conference, Sun Yunqing's territory once again welcomed the martial arts world's once-in-five-years grand event.
In the past ten years, Sun Yunqing has been very successful. As a representative of the martial arts world, he has not only gained a great reputation and become a master, but also earned countless money. Because of his success, many martial arts people who were not interested in the position of secretary-general have also coveted it.
In addition to Sun Yunqing, who is aiming to continue his term, there are three other very powerful candidates. One of them is Yang Huting, a master of Tai Chi. It was unexpected for this old man to participate in the election at the age of over 70. However, some people who know the details have already made their plans and are waiting to see the good show of Xingyiquan and Tai Chi fighting.
There are two other candidates, one is Master Rubei of Shaolin Temple. Although Master Rubei is not the abbot of Shaolin Temple, he is the chief of Bodhidharma Hall and can be said to be the best master in Shaolin Temple. Shaolin Temple has the reputation of "all martial arts in the world come from Shaolin Temple". As soon as he came out, he immediately received a lot of responses.
The fourth candidate is Du Ruohong, the head of Bajiquan, who is also Wang Bao's uncle. Zheng Yubai once fought with Wang Bao and knew that he was a real master of kung fu. Du Ruohong, as the top master of Bajiquan in the Republic of China, is the disciple of Li Shuwen, the top master of Bajiquan and the grandmaster of the generation. His Bajiquan kung fu is said to have reached the highest level, not inferior to the master of the year. In addition, it is said that his Pi Gua Zhang kung fu is also very good. He once fought Luo Hengyang for a hundred rounds without using Bajiquan.
Although the trial moves between masters are different from real competitions and are more of a learning competition, the power of Luo Hengyang's Baguazhang is extraordinary. Being able to "learn" hundreds of moves with him is also a remarkable achievement.
Because of these rumors, Du Ruohong became a dark horse, making the already chaotic situation even more confusing.
There were hundreds of representatives from various major sects who came to participate in this election. The elders of the major sects, such as Songshan Shaolin, Putian Nan Shaolin, Wudang, and Qingcheng, all had immortal appearances and youthful faces, showing the style of a master from the outside world. The masters of Xingyiquan, Taijiquan, Baguazhang, and Bajiquan were all heroic and vigorous. Some were like Sun Yunqing, who had the style of a master and was reserved; some were like Du Ruohong, who was unparalleled in strength and had unique skills. These top figures in the martial arts world gathered together, which surprised Zheng Yubai, who followed Yang Huting to attend the meeting.
When he was still in the mountain village, Zheng Yubai had never thought that the world of martial arts would be so vast. Even after coming to Jinghai and starting to make a name for himself, Zheng Yubai, like Yang Feiyun, was not optimistic about the future of martial arts. However, it seems that the martial arts world still has hidden talents and great potential.
In fact, Zheng Yubai also knows that he and Yang Feiyun have different perspectives on things. Zheng Yubai, who came from a mountain village, thinks about things more with passion. He loves martial arts, which has accompanied him since childhood, and thinks that martial arts can strengthen the body and improve the physical fitness of the people, so he hopes to carry forward martial arts.
Yang Feiyun is different. As the grandson of Yang Huting and the next generation leader of Tai Chi, he thinks about the long-term. His revitalization of martial arts is more strategic, with the unique vigor and determination of young people. He firmly believes that if he wants to revitalize the martial arts, he must keep up with the ever-changing situation, sweep away the old traditions and rules, and establish a modern martial arts society.
Of course, except Zheng Yubai, no one knew about Yang Feiyun's bold idea, and even Yang Huting only vaguely knew a thing or two. Otherwise, the old man would definitely be shocked by his grandson's rebellious idea.
Each candidate could bring two assistants, and Yang Huting brought Zheng Yubai and Yang Feiyun. These two young talents had long been famous in the martial arts world. When they appeared, they immediately won more attention than Yang Huting. Many people who knew about the internal strife within Xingyiquan pointed fingers at Zheng Yubai, and some people who were more informed cast awe-inspiring eyes on him.
Yang Huting was highly respected and was one of the members of the Wushu Association, so he naturally had to sit on the rostrum. In addition to him, Shaolin Master Rubei and Wudang Taoist Master Feiyuan also sat on the rostrum. As for the current Secretary-General Sun Yunqing, he performed his duties for the last time and presided over the meeting.
After Sun Yunqing's boring opening speech, the conference officially began. The Wushu Association has some official background, and many daily activities are carried out with official funding. So this time, there were also people sent by the government to speak at the meeting. These bureaucrats study how to complicate simple things every day. Their speeches are as long and boring as an old woman's foot binding, making everyone sleepy. After they finish speaking, when they think about it carefully, it seems that they have said nothing.
Several boring people kept talking about boring things. All the people who came to participate in the meeting were martial artists. Although the times were different and everyone was educated, they were all martial artists after all, and their tempers were relatively impatient. These people were impatient and fell asleep one after another. Some even snored loudly. For a while, the venue was in a mess and it was hilarious.
When it was Sun Yunqing's turn to speak, the audience was already snoring. The faces of the bigwigs who had spoken were a little grim, but Sun Yunqing was the only one who remained calm. He gave a brief and concise speech and then announced the start of the election.
The election was presided over by Wudang Taoist Priest Fei Yuan, who was in his fifties, had been famous for a long time, and had a high reputation in the martial arts world. All parties had great trust in him to preside over this election.
"Everyone, please be quiet. The four candidates are on the stage. I believe you all know them. Everyone has a ballot in their hands, with the names of the four candidates on it. If there is one person you want to choose as the next secretary-general, please tick that person's name and then cast the ballot in the ballot box in front of the rostrum. This vote is completely anonymous, so don't worry." Taoist Priest Fei Yuan said loudly. As soon as his voice came out, the huge room was faintly reverberated and echoed, which showed that his internal strength had been cultivated to a superb level.
Zheng Yubai couldn't help but be secretly surprised when he heard this. He knew that there are always people better than you. Just from this one move, he could tell that there were indeed some masters in the martial arts world who did not show off their abilities but possessed terrifying strength.
Everyone present was knowledgeable. After hearing the words of Taoist Master Fei Yuan, which were full of inner strength, they immediately quieted down. Some people who had just woken up also wiped their eye mucus and saliva and sat up straight. There is one very good thing about people in the martial arts world, that is, they all admire people with ability. As the saying goes, an expert can tell whether there is any with just one hand. The skill shown by Taoist Master Fei Yuan deserves everyone's respect.
An organizer has already sent a sealed voting card to those who are eligible to vote. There are actually not many so-called eligible people, only 28 people in total. They are either the leaders of a school or respected seniors in the martial arts world. They are considered to be the most influential people in this circle.
After receiving the sealed cards, everyone pondered over it, as if they were not electing a new secretary-general, but solving a mathematical problem that has troubled mankind. Someone quickly made a choice, ticked a name with a pen, and cast it into the ballot box in front.
The ballot box was sealed, and all the election procedures were formal and looked serious. The four candidates sat on the podium, looking at the people below who were preparing to vote, calculating their chances of winning.
Sun Yunqing was very confident. Before the meeting, he had won over the leaders of at least ten sects. Taking into account the votes of others who favored him and the split of the votes of the other three, Sun Yunqing felt that the position of secretary-general was almost certain.
Zheng Yubai and Yang Feiyun were watching the people voting on the stage. Luo Hengyang was whispering with the three masters of Shandong Mantis Boxing, Southern Hung Gar, and Five Ancestors Boxing. Soon, they all made their choices and cast their votes.
"I don't know if Mr. Yang can be elected." Zheng Yubai knew that Sun Yunqing was deeply rooted, and it might not be easy to remove him.
Soon the voting was over. Under the chairmanship of Taoist Priest Fei Yuan, the sealed boxes were opened and the anonymous voting cards were taken out. Taoist Priest Fei Yuan opened them one by one and read out the names inside, while someone else drew the word "positive" on a blackboard to count the votes.
The new secretary general of the Wushu Association is about to be announced. (To be continued)