After breakfast, they paused for a brief moment before boarding the car to head towards the city center.
At this time, London wasn't as large as it is in the twenty-first century, but being an international metropolis, it was quietly expanding. Compared to the rapid urbanization of Chinese cities he remembered, London's development was quite gradual, and the newly expanded areas were far from residential neighborhoods, causing minimal disruption to people's everyday lives.
The streets here were lined with numerous commercial avenues, residential areas, parks, hospitals, and even schools and beautification zones. Once these were completed, they would be linked to the newly developed districts.
Their accommodation was situated somewhat far from the expansion zones but still within short reach of the city's denser areas. To venture out, they only needed to follow the pedestrian streets. If they grew tired, they would stop at nearby cafes or restaurants for a break. After breakfast, everyone was already quite familiar with the area and didn't feel exhausted, so there was no need to linger.
The location was near the commercial streets, where goods were abundant, especially antique items from all over London. The reason they chose to stay here was because of this market.
The distance from their temporary residence to this market was neither long nor short—just right. During the journey, they resumed their conversation from earlier.
"Allen, could you tell us more about Chinese martial arts?"
Angela, who grew up in Hong Kong, was influenced by martial arts films from a young age. Despite being a girl, she admired the martial arts skills of the heroines and heroes in those stories. After watching such films, she even sought out martial arts schools to learn, but the reality was disappointing. She wasn't able to learn any secret techniques, and eventually, she gave up.
Although she never mastered any legendary martial arts, she practiced a little, such as Wing Chun, which was popular in Hong Kong. She could still defend herself against a couple of street thugs. Years later, she still longed for the martial arts she had once dreamed of. Today, Zhao Lun's display reminded her of the legendary martial arts she had heard about, rekindling those old memories.
Nicole and Monica had also watched Hong Kong martial arts films and were intrigued by them, though they initially mistook them for oriental magic, caring little for their destructive power, focusing more on their beauty-preserving qualities. After breakfast, they wanted to ask about it too but hadn't had the chance, until Angela asked ahead of them. Both women eagerly perked up, curious to hear any insights.
"Chinese martial arts? I'm not too familiar with it myself, but if you're interested, I'll tell you a bit. Think of it as a story, and don't worry too much about it."
"A story? Brother, Maria loves stories! Brother, please tell us!"
"Alright, listen carefully."
The expectant looks of the women lifted his spirits, and he was happy to share a story with them.
"Martial arts, the ultimate form of defense. Chinese martial arts, the practice that strengthens individuals and ensures the prosperity and stability of a nation. In ancient times, Taoists practiced martial arts as part of their training: Chinese martial arts. It is also a respectful term for martial arts, highlighting its importance in safeguarding the nation. Another interpretation of Chinese martial arts is that it involves only killing enemies and not performing for show..."
Zhao Lun began his story based on a brief introduction from his memories. As for the rest, he kept much of it hidden, not letting others see the truth of the matter. He felt it was somewhat deceptive, so he chose not to dwell on it. The rest of the story was his own interpretation based on historical knowledge and his personal understanding.
Starting from the Song Dynasty, he spoke all the way through to the Republic of China. Except for Angela, the others were puzzled and couldn't grasp the meaning.
"Seems like you don't understand. When we return, you should read some history books about China. I've collected quite a few; maybe reading more will help you understand."
People who are not Chinese, who don't have the same cultural sentiment, cannot comprehend the deeper meaning behind its history.
Zhao Lun wasn't expecting them to fully understand, but he hoped they would at least gain some awareness.
"Ah? Is that not possible?" The women were somewhat disappointed.
"As for Chinese martial arts, not even I can truly learn it. It's just a fitness method, something that suits me. If you'd like to try, I can teach you, but whether you succeed depends on your own effort."
He had never personally practiced Chinese martial arts. Allen was too young, and his father had only taught him boxing, rarely discussing the history of martial arts.
As for martial arts, he couldn't meet the requirement of only killing enemies without performing for show. That was not the life he sought. He lived freely, aspiring to a beautiful life, following his feelings as they came. Regardless of whether Chinese martial arts was real, with the power of the "Divine Kingdom," Zhao Lun believed that, in time, he would naturally reach the pinnacle of martial arts practice.
"Brother, you're the best." Maria kissed Zhao Lun.
"Thank you, Boss." Nicole and Monica followed suit, and finally, the more reserved Angela hesitated for a moment before giving him a kiss as well.
"Don't steal my brother!" Seeing everyone kissing her brother, Maria became upset, feeling like they were trying to take him away. She immediately rushed forward, looking like an angry little hen ready to duel with her foes.
"Pfft!" Everyone burst into laughter.
"What are you laughing at? Brother is mine! You can't steal him!" Maria pouted, her violet eyes wide, and her small mouth puffed up in irritation.
"Hahaha…"
Soon, they arrived at London's antique market.
This market was a place for second-hand goods and antiques, where one could find all kinds of old items, and if lucky, even some valuable antiques. They came here specifically for Chinese items, so it was an obvious choice. As soon as they entered, the hustle and bustle was evident—this lively scene was reminiscent of the bustling markets in China. The sounds of bargaining were constant, and unlike other places, Zhao Lun felt a sense of familiarity here.
Hodar and his assistant led the way, while two seemingly grown dogs protected the three ladies, with Maria and Zhao Lun at the center.
Zhao Lun kept an eye out for valuable items. If he found something worth buying, he would let Monica and the others negotiate. Sometimes, Maria would join in, and the bargaining skills of the ladies were impressive—hardly anyone could stand against them. At this point, everything was cheap, and when they made purchases, it felt like they were buying vegetables at the market.
Soon, Hodar and his assistant had their hands full with items, and the three ladies had gathered plenty too. Eventually, when they had too many things to carry, Hodar's assistant and some hired help took the items back.
The Divine Kingdom could also store these items, but Zhao Lun wasn't willing to reveal that to others.
The more people who knew, the higher the risk for him. It wasn't just his secret; it was the same for those who knew it. Until he had the strength to protect himself, he would never share it with anyone—even Maria included.
Zhao Lun didn't really understand the history or significance of these antiques, but he could sense when something was an antique. The more valuable the item, the stronger the feeling. Of course, sometimes he would find something he liked, and if that happened, he would buy it.
The market was large, and by noon, they still hadn't finished exploring. They only managed to finish by afternoon.
Once outside the market, no one wanted to go back. First, there was nothing left that caught their interest. Second, it was incredibly noisy, and after all that bombardment on their ears, they briefly experienced a ringing in their ears. Most importantly, with all the purchases they had made, many of the vendors were raising their prices. They couldn't let their eagerness show.
At this point, everyone just wanted to go back, get some rest, enjoy a good meal, and take a long nap before heading out for some fun.
Zhao Lun, too, was tired and wanted to see his haul. He agreed to take a break. A day of rest would quickly restore their energy, and they'd be ready for another round—this time, learning from some of the treasure-hunting stories he had read about—specifically, searching through old houses.
There were plenty of old houses and buildings in need of renovation. These places had many old items up for sale, and they were cheap. Zhao Lun and the others would take a look and buy anything that caught their eye. Anything that felt interesting was worth spending on, just for fun. The truly valuable items were few, and they came here mainly for enjoyment, prioritizing fun over value.
When they were in the mood, they would ask Hodar to take pictures, or everyone would take photos together. It was more relaxed and enjoyable here compared to the antique market.
"Who would've thought that London would be undergoing urban renewal?"
Zhao Lun occasionally expressed his surprise. It turned out that urban redevelopment wasn't just a Chinese phenomenon.
"Boss…"
The women rolled their eyes. They thought their boss was quite clever, but when it came to basic knowledge, he often made silly mistakes. Today, they had to fill him in once again.
New things inevitably replace the old. When a city can no longer meet the needs of its inhabitants, it must upgrade. London's expansion was gradual, and the transformation of old buildings followed a gentle approach. These old houses, either outdated or no longer fulfilling the needs of the people, were naturally renovated by their owners.
The main purpose of coming to London was to buy some things, visit a few attractions, broaden their horizons, and fulfill their desire to take photos to commemorate the past.
Zhao Lun didn't feel much affection for this country, nor did he sense any friendliness. Although Maria grew up here, she had faced much hardship and, like Zhao Lun, was only curious to look around, simply broadening her horizons.
Nicole, Angela, Monica, and Hodar had all been here before, so the sights held little appeal for them.
After visiting several attractions, they went to a few large bookstores, ordered some books, and then visited a pet market, planning to buy some pets to take home.
Ivy and Greyshadow had been exceptional, and Zhao Lun was considering getting another dog, or perhaps some different birds of prey. If he found any, he was prepared to keep one.
With the right conditions, why not indulge a little?
If the opportunity arises, why not go all out?