Chapter 2

(Listening (New book, all kinds of support needed!!))

Standing at the entrance of the classroom, Luo Tai took a deep breath and tightly held the envelope containing the secret letter given to him by his mother. "Do more good deeds to accumulate virtue!" He pondered the meaning of these words and then looked at the nearby Jingwu Hall, a plan forming in his mind.

Luo Tai exhaled, calming his mind. He had no more room for retreat and could only fight with all his might. After all, he couldn't match that immortal, and to avoid becoming an eighty-year-old woman, he had to move forward. Perhaps he could really return to reality.

Moreover, if he had to stay here for half a year, would he be considered missing in reality for half a year? In that case, he would have no job to return to... But it was pointless to think about these things now. He needed to solve the immediate problem first.

He straightened his clothes, patted the dust off his buttocks, and then strode towards the Jingwu Hall. From this moment on, Luo Tai, a 21st-century otaku, began his journey in the movie world...

"Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock..." Luo Tai walked to the front of the martial arts hall and forcefully knocked on the tightly closed iron gate. The sound was quite loud.

Soon, the gate creaked open. A young man poked his head out, sized up Luo Tai, and asked, "Who are you? What brings you to the Jingwu Hall?"

"Uh... My name is Luo Tai," Luo Tai thought for a moment. He couldn't be sure what part of the movie this was, so he said, "I want to see Mr. Huo Ting'en."

The young man looked at Luo Tai and said, "What do you need from the hall master? We are not accepting new disciples at the moment."

Luo Tai replied, "I have something very important... It's about the Jingwu Hall. Please let me see the hall master."

Seeing Luo Tai's sincere words, the young man thought for a moment and then said, "I'll inform him, but I can't guarantee he'll see you. Please wait here."

"Thank you," Luo Tai nodded.

The young man gently closed the door.

Luo Tai, of course, wasn't there to challenge Huo Ting'en directly. With his current skills, he wouldn't stand a chance even against the least skilled disciple in the Jingwu Hall.

Hmm? Luo Tai suddenly realized a problem. What if he got injured or died in the movie world? Would he really die? He touched his chest, remembering that he had come in both body and soul... This was a big issue, and he would have to ask the AV-loving immortal later.

After a while, the iron gate opened again. The young man stepped aside and said to Luo Tai, "Sir, please come in. The hall master is waiting for you in the main hall."

Luo Tai happily replied, "Great." With that, he stepped into the Jingwu Hall.

After entering the gate, he walked a few steps and saw an open training ground. Inside, dozens of disciples were practicing in white shirts, with someone slowly correcting their stances. Luo Tai hadn't seen this person in the movie.

Various weapons were placed around the training ground, and a flower bed with lush greenery and elegant flowers was in full bloom. After passing the training ground and two corridors, Luo Tai, led by the young man, entered the main hall.

The main hall was square, with a portrait of Huo Yuanjia placed in the center. In front was an altar with a burning incense stick. On both sides of the portrait were rows of redwood chairs. The first person on the right was a young man with a sharp brow and narrow eyes, wearing a blue shirt, black pants, and white socks. Luo Tai naturally knew this was Huo Ting'en, played by Hong Kong actor Chin Siu-hou in the movie.

Opposite him sat Nong Jinsun, played by Kwan Pai. Around them stood some disciples and servants.

Luo Tai first respectfully bowed before Huo Yuanjia's portrait and lit an incense stick. He didn't see Chen Zhen, so he wasn't sure if Chen Zhen was in Japan or had returned and been driven away by Huo Ting'en.

"Brother, I heard from Zhao Si that you have something to discuss with me, and it's about the Jingwu Hall?" Huo Ting'en, seeing this young man he didn't recognize, got up and asked after he finished lighting the incense.

Luo Tai formally saluted Huo Ting'en and said, "Hall Master Huo, I am a patriotic youth who has always admired the martial arts and character of Master Huo. I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing. His lifelong wish was to promote the Jingwu Hall and strengthen the Chinese people through martial arts. To fulfill this wish, I want to contribute my humble efforts as a patriot."

Huo Ting'en and Uncle Nong looked at Luo Tai again, impressed by his height and build, which stood out in the early 20th century. His attire was also different from the others. Huo Ting'en, puzzled, asked, "Brother, what do you mean by..."

Without hesitation, Luo Tai took out a gold bar from his pocket and placed it on a small wooden table next to the chair. "This gold bar, I want to donate to the Jingwu Hall to support its development and help more Chinese people strengthen their bodies."

This action stunned everyone in the room. The golden bar on the table caught even the wealthy Uncle Nong's attention.

Huo Ting'en picked up the gold bar, weighed it in his hand, and knew it was pure gold. He pushed it back to Luo Tai and said, "Brother, we have never met. How can the Jingwu Hall accept such a generous gift? We appreciate your intention, but the gold is too valuable for us to accept."

Luo Tai didn't take out all five bars at once. He just wanted to see if donating gold to the Jingwu Hall counted as a good deed and if the system would award virtue points. So, he tried with one bar first.

"No, no, Mr. Huo, you must accept it. If you don't, you will truly hurt my sincere heart. Money is just an external thing. Now that the Japanese are bullying China, it's better to use this money to help the Chinese people. In my heart, the Jingwu Hall is a place where Chinese people can learn martial arts and strengthen themselves, and eventually bring glory to our country." Luo Tai recited his prepared speech, determined to make Huo Ting'en accept the gold.

Seeing Luo Tai's generosity and sincerity, Huo Ting'en walked up and patted his shoulder, saying, "Brother, your generosity is overwhelming. May I ask your name?"

"My name is Luo Tai. I am a... a student who has returned from abroad, with some savings. Hall Master Huo, please accept my sincere contribution," Luo Tai said.

Huo Ting'en hesitated and looked at Uncle Nong. To be honest, the Jingwu Hall had always relied on Uncle Nong's financial support. Now, with Uncle Nong's business not doing well and his father's sudden death, the hall was indeed facing financial difficulties. This young man's gold bar was a timely gift.

Uncle Nong nodded and said, "Ting'en, I think this young brother is sincere. Don't refuse him. We should thank him together."

Huo Ting'en nodded and said to Luo Tai, "I will follow your advice, Brother Luo. On behalf of the disciples of the Jingwu Hall, I thank you for your generous donation." He saluted Luo Tai respectfully.

As soon as Huo Ting'en finished speaking, Luo Tai's watch vibrated.

Luo Tai saluted and said, "No need to thank me. I'm just doing my part. Uh... Hall Master Huo, please wait a moment." He ignored the others' gazes, left the hall, and found a secluded corner to check his watch.

Everyone in the hall looked at him in confusion...

Luo Tai saw the message on his watch: "Donating one gold bar, gained 20 virtue points."

Luo Tai frowned, thinking, "One gold bar is worth 20 points. So, five bars would be 100 points? That's enough for one draw. It seems that giving away all my wealth can indeed accumulate virtue."

With this thought, Luo Tai decided to go all in. He returned to the hall and said to Huo Ting'en, "Hall Master Huo, I feel that one gold bar is not enough to express my admiration for Master Huo Yuanjia, so..."

He took out all the gold bars from his pocket and placed them on the table, saying, "I have decided to donate all my wealth to help the Jingwu Hall grow and develop."

Everyone in the room was stunned...

Luo Tai must be incredibly wealthy. Did he create more gold in just a few minutes? Huo Ting'en, Uncle Nong, and the disciples and servants were speechless.

Luo Tai continued, "Please accept them... Um... But I have two small requests."

Huo Ting'en shook his head, looked at the gold bars, and said incredulously, "Brother, you... What are your requests?"

"First, the gold bars must be used for the development of the Jingwu Hall. Second, um... I am now penniless and would like to stay at the Jingwu Hall. If possible, I would also like to learn martial arts with everyone. Will Hall Master Huo agree?"

Compared to the five gold bars, these two requests were insignificant. First, the gold bars were meant for the hall's development. Second, even without the gold, a patriotic youth like Luo Tai would be a good fit for the hall. Seeing Luo Tai's tall and strong build, he was clearly suitable for martial arts.

Huo Ting'en said to Luo Tai, "Brother Luo, we welcome patriotic youth like you to join the Jingwu Hall, but you don't have to donate all your wealth. Five gold bars... This gift is too heavy for us to accept."

Before Huo Ting'en could finish, Luo Tai waved his hands and said, "What I give, I will not take back. If you don't accept, I won't leave this hall."

Luo Tai's tone was firm. He thought to himself, "Just accept it. These gold bars are from the draw, and I want to draw again soon."

Finally, Huo Ting'en looked at Luo Tai with admiration and said slowly, "Meeting Brother Luo today has truly shown me what it means to treat money as dirt! Fine! I will accept this generous gift. Brother Luo, you can move into the hall today and practice martial arts here. Together, we will work to promote the Jingwu Hall!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Luo Tai's watch vibrated.

He happily saluted and said, "Thank you, Hall Master Huo. Uh... I'll go pack my things and come back soon."

Huo Ting'en smiled and nodded, thinking, "This young brother is a benefactor. He must not have experienced much hardship." After a moment, he said, "Brother Luo, I will have a servant prepare a room for you. You can stay there."

Luo Tai was naturally pleased. He wasn't afraid of living with others, but with his secret watch, it was better to be alone. He nodded and said, "Thank you, Hall Master Huo. I'll leave now and return soon."

With that, he left the hall.

After Luo Tai left, Uncle Nong came to the dazed Huo Ting'en and said, "Is the Jingwu Hall about to have good luck?"

(End of page, AD starts)

(End of page, AD ends)