Chapter 14: The Art of Persuasion

Chapter 14: Deception

When Zhang Fang attempted to channel his “Eternal Sacred Qi” to break through the sealed acupuncture points, he was immediately repelled by an extraordinarily powerful force.

Zhang Fang understood at once—it was the domineering internal energy that Qiao Feng had injected into his body when he struck the acupuncture points.

This internal energy was incredibly tenacious; even compared to Zhang Fang’s “Eternal Sacred Qi,” it was hardly inferior.

This suggested that although Qiao Feng’s internal power might not have reached the innate realm, it was likely already at the pinnacle of the acquired realm, just one step away from breaking into the innate level!

Was this plausible?

If it was Qiao Feng, absolutely.

Familiar with the original story, Zhang Fang knew well that Qiao Feng was nothing like Duan Yu or Xu Zhu, who had trained in rare, extraordinary martial arts. Qiao Feng’s cultivation was based on the Shaolin sect’s internal energy methods and the direct teachings of Wang Jiantong. While not common street-level skills, they were still a considerable distance behind the peerless internal arts such as Beiming, Wuxiang, Yijin, or Shenzu.

To have brought such ordinary internal energy to a level not inferior to any senior master by his early thirties, only someone with Qiao Feng’s extraordinary talent could have achieved that.

Thankfully, ordinary internal energy remained ordinary internal energy; until it transformed into innate true qi, it was still just acquired internal power.

Though internal energy below the innate level was indeed difficult to shake, Zhang Fang’s “Eternal Sacred Qi” could still cause some damage.

Just as his previous attempt showed, even though his Eternal Sacred Qi was repelled, it partially dissipated the internal energy Qiao Feng had used to seal his acupuncture points.

Though this slight depletion was insufficient to reopen the points outright, it at least proved the method’s viability.

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Fang adjusted his approach. Slowly, he circulated his Eternal Sacred Qi from his dantian, inching closer to the sealed points. He then split a few strands, intertwining them to collide against the internal energy Qiao Feng had inserted.

Each collision caused a small portion of energy from both sides to dissipate.

But between the two, one had a fixed amount that gradually lessened with depletion, while the other possessed an incredibly rapid recovery ability, enabling an endless stalemate at low consumption.

With enough time, the outcome would become clear.

After about fifteen minutes, Zhang Fang finally dissipated all the internal energy Qiao Feng had injected, and the sealed acupuncture points gradually reopened.

Circulating his qi fully through a cycle, the numbness on his body vanished completely.

Only then did Zhang Fang open his eyes again, glancing at Qiao Feng, who was still cultivating and recuperating, and sighed softly.

“Ah... I suppose Miss A Zhu at the Gathering Virtue Manor wouldn’t have suffered the same sealed-point silence, unable to speak for herself, right?”

Chapter 14 (continued)

Zhang Fang’s sudden words startled Qiao Feng, who was still recovering and nearly disrupted his energy flow!

He abruptly opened his eyes, looking at Zhang Fang with shock.

Qiao Feng was confident in his martial arts and internal power. Although when he had previously subdued Zhang Fang, he had only casually struck a few acupuncture points without much seriousness, even such strikes would take top-tier masters like Shaolin’s Xuan Nan or Xuan Ji several hours to undo.

And yet, this man—clearly far from being a top-tier master—had reopened all the points in just over half an hour!

What on earth was this guy?

At that moment, Zhang Fang jumped down from the bed, stretching his limbs as he spoke, “Leader Qiao, our meeting is fate. Would you care for a chat with a nobody like me?”

Who has the patience to waste words on a despicable scoundrel like you?

Qiao Feng was tempted to strike his points again, even adding more this time. But recalling Zhang Fang’s first words after reopening the points, he refrained.

As Zhang Fang said, A Zhu wouldn’t have been subjected to acupuncture point sealing at the Gathering Virtue Manor.

Qiao Feng’s purpose in capturing Zhang Fang was to make the heroes hesitate to act rashly. Dr. Xue might not fully commit to treating A Zhu, but to ensure You Tanzhi’s safety, at least her wounds would be temporarily suppressed, so she wouldn’t perish before his return tomorrow.

In this way, the feud between him and You Tanzhi would be effectively neutralized.

Under such circumstances, he had no reason to personally inflict any further harm. Just as A Zhu wouldn’t be struck with acupuncture sealing at the manor, Qiao Feng had no reason to seal Zhang Fang’s points unnecessarily.

This clear-cut stance defined Qiao Feng’s character and bottom line, while Zhang Fang’s approach could be described as “a gentleman can be deceived with proper means.”

After a brief silence, Qiao Feng coldly said, “I am no longer the Beggar Sect leader. Do not call me ‘Leader Qiao’ again.”

“Understood!” Zhang Fang readily agreed, then sat down on a chair opposite Qiao Feng. With a thought, he summoned the Reincarnation Space interface, locking his usage target on Qiao Feng before confirming.

[“Single-Person Affection Amplification Card (Intermediate)” successfully used. For one hour, the affection you gain from Qiao Feng will be increased by 100%.]

Though this affection amplification card seemed ridiculously powerful, its effectiveness depended entirely on how the user operated it.

It could double one point of affection to two or ten to twenty, but if no affection was gained within the hour, the card’s benefit would be zero.

Upon hearing the card activation prompt, Zhang Fang’s smile grew broader, and he asked again, “Hero Qiao, do you still harbor resentment over my earlier arson?”

Qiao Feng twitched his eyelids, replying with a question instead: “Should I be thanking you?”

“I think so,” Zhang Fang answered brazenly. “If not for that fire today, you and the heroes inside the manor would have clashed already, fighting to the death, wouldn’t you?”

Qiao Feng was somewhat stunned but, upon reflection, the statement seemed entirely true.

In fact, Qiao Feng had already resolved to die before entering the manor but was unwilling to wait passively. After failed negotiations, he had intended to share a farewell drink with the others before causing a commotion to bring the matter to a conclusion.

Looking back, if not for that fortuitously timed fire, the outcome might indeed have been as Zhang Fang said.

[Qiao Feng’s hatred toward you has vanished; current hatred value is zero.]

Though his view of Zhang Fang had shifted, Qiao Feng still found Shanzheng’s earlier conjecture reasonable.

Shanzheng’s theory assumed You Tanzhi lacked a broad perspective and mistimed his actions, while Zhang Fang’s reasoning was based on You Tanzhi possessing ample foresight and clear thinking.

These two assumptions contradicted each other. Thus, to ascertain whether You Tanzhi’s arson was benevolent or malevolent, a test in this regard was necessary.

With this in mind, Qiao Feng calmly countered, “Before you set the fire, how did you know it would stop the heroes from battling me?”

Zhang Fang shrugged. “Actions speak louder than words.”

Qiao Feng insisted, “I want to hear your reasoning.”

(New author, new story, a tender sapling in need of care and nurture. I humbly ask for your bookmarks, recommendations, and monthly votes. Thank you!)

(End of chapter)