Chapter 4: Breaking the Deadlock

Chapter 4: The Breaking Point Strategy

In the main hall of the Gathering of Worthies Manor, heroes from all directions had gathered together.

Zhang Fang originally knew none of these people, but after transforming into You Tanzhi, his mind had somehow been imbued with memories that were not originally his own.

These memories did not burst into his head with a painful "pop" as often depicted in novels, causing him unbearable agony or cries of distress. Instead, they quietly merged into his own memories, lying dormant without causing any disturbance.

The sensation was like connecting an external hard drive to a computer—when not in use, it seemed as if it didn’t exist, but when searching for certain information, it would be included in the results.

Related memories would automatically surface during these moments.

For instance, at this very moment, as Zhang Fang’s gaze fell upon the assembled heroes, information he had never known before naturally emerged in his mind. Those seated at the main table in the hall were You Ji, You Ju, Doctor Xue, and two venerable monks from Shaolin, Xuannan and Xuanji.

Wait a minute—shouldn’t Xuannan and Xuanji have arrived only after the heroes' assembly was convened, arriving one after another alongside Qiao Feng?

Why did You Tanzhi’s memories record that they had already arrived yesterday afternoon?

Looking at the others, Zhang Fang found some of their identities within You Tanzhi’s memories, but most information about the attendees was absent even from his recollections.

Zhang Fang knew that You Tanzhi’s current status was merely that of a pampered eldest young master of the You family. His standing at the Gathering of Worthies Manor naturally ranked just below the brothers You Ji and You Ju and their wives, comfortably the fifth in command. But at such a grand assembly of heroes, he was in no position to babble foolishly in the main hall.

Therefore, he did not embarrass himself but bypassed the crowd in the main hall and headed toward an outer round table that still had vacant seats.

As hosts, the You brothers were responsible for providing meals for the gathering. To broaden You Tanzhi’s horizons, You Ji insisted he dine alongside the assembled heroes.

Originally, You Tanzhi detested this idea, but for Zhang Fang, it was a perfect arrangement.

It offered a legitimate opportunity to discreetly gather intelligence about the assembly.

Regarding the Gathering of Worthies, Zhang Fang only held the limited information visible from a reader’s perspective; finer details were unknown. Likewise, You Tanzhi’s memories contained little of substance, as he never cared for such matters.

All the intelligence had to be collected by Zhang Fang himself.

The table was not fully occupied—only two of You Tanzhi’s acquaintances were present.

One was Tian Meng, a practitioner of the Arm-Extending Fist with some reputation in the martial world, a minor hero in his own right. The other was Wang Liu, a seemingly casual name, but he shared a certain friendship with Doctor Xue.

This was not self-aggrandizement.

You Tanzhi had heard from You Ji that Wang Liu had once sought medical treatment from Doctor Xue and, following the latter’s custom, imparted his mastery of the Panlong Staff Technique.

Upon practice, Doctor Xue discovered that this staff technique was highly compatible with his own internal energy cultivation, pushing his previously stagnant comprehensive combat abilities to new heights.

Given this, Doctor Xue naturally treated Wang Liu better than others, and since Wang Liu was also tactful, they gradually developed a modest friendship.

Zhang Fang had little interest in the backgrounds of these two minor characters. After greeting them and taking his seat, he immediately put on an inquisitive air and began probing them about the current heroes’ assembly.

The two men, having no pressing matters, were glad to make acquaintances with the You brothers’ younger generation and answered his questions candidly.

Within moments, Zhang Fang had extracted almost all the information he desired.

It turned out this heroes’ assembly had been in preparation for some time. Shortly after the news that Qiao Feng was a Khitan spread following the Apricot Forest Assembly, the You brothers, together with Doctor Xue, jointly extended invitations to martial heroes across the land. The assembly was scheduled to officially commence three days later.

Having confirmed the accuracy of this information, Zhang Fang ceased his inquiries and frowned in deep thought.

Since the assembly would only begin in three days, Qiao Feng would not immediately visit the manor. There was still ample time to maneuver.

After all, Qiao Feng’s primary purpose in visiting was to seek medical treatment for A’Zhu. The tragedy unfolded because Doctor Xue Mu Hua refused to treat her. Could it be that resolving this issue would prevent the conflict from erupting?

The key to solving the problem lay in empathy—considering both parties’ chips and their underlying interests.

Once these were sorted out, what seemed an intractable problem no longer appeared so troubling.

So, what exactly were their chips and interests?

Qiao Feng’s chip was his unparalleled martial prowess, and his interest was saving A’Zhu. Doctor Xue, possessing miraculous healing skills, did not primarily seek to kill Qiao Feng.

Not at all.

Being familiar with the original story, Zhang Fang knew that Doctor Xue Mu Hua was a scion of the Xiaoyao Sect and a disciple of Su Xinghe. Compared to Qiao Feng, he had a greater nemesis—the sinister Ding Chunqiu of the Xingxiu Sect.

Doctor Xue always followed a rule: when treating martial artists, he required them to teach him a secret martial technique. The purpose was to refine his own skills to eliminate Ding Chunqiu, his sect’s mortal enemy.

Looking at it this way, their chips and interests were perfectly complementary.

Following this logic, if they could be persuaded to cooperate—Doctor Xue helping Qiao Feng save A’Zhu, and Qiao Feng assisting Doctor Xue in avenging his enemy—it would be a win-win situation.

Of course, some issues remained.

For example, given the current tensions, how could Doctor Xue gracefully back down? Also, would Qiao Feng agree to such a deal?

But these were minor concerns.

With the general direction clear, the smaller problems could be solved one by one.

Having clarified the approach, Zhang Fang considered the concrete steps.

First, he needed to find an opportunity to meet Doctor Xue Mu Hua alone.

Second, he had to arrange to meet Qiao Feng before the latter’s visit to the manor.

Since their chips and interests were naturally complementary, if Zhang Fang could skillfully act as the intermediary, this “deadlock” could be effortlessly broken.

Given the current situation, meeting Doctor Xue alone before nightfall seemed impossible.

For safety reasons, Zhang Fang felt it best to leave the manor first and seek out Qiao Feng. Even delaying Qiao Feng’s visit would grant him more leeway in handling Doctor Xue.

The only problem was how to leave the Gathering of Worthies Manor without arousing suspicion.

During the heroes’ assembly, countless martial heroes were gathered, and the manor’s guards were far more vigilant than usual. Sneaking out unnoticed was unrealistic.

Even if he managed it, news of the disappearance of the eldest young master would quickly spread, causing unnecessary trouble and possibly derailing his plans.

He needed a legitimate excuse.

“Heroes all!”

Just as Zhang Fang pondered how to leave the manor with a proper reason, the You brothers, hosts of the assembly, stepped into the courtyard, and You Ji’s loud call drew everyone’s attention.

As the crowd turned to look, the You brothers clasped their fists in salute in all directions.

You Ji then spoke first: “Fellow heroes, after discussing with the Shaolin monks Xuannan and Xuanji, we all agree that since the heroes’ assembly officially begins in three days, it would be unproductive for everyone to just wait idly.”

You Ju quickly added, “We feel that before the assembly starts, we should dispatch a team of about ten men in different directions to gather intelligence on Qiao Feng. It would be ideal to track down the whereabouts of that Khitan villain.”

Taking up the thread again, You Ji continued, “By doing so, when the assembly convenes, we will have accurate first-hand intelligence to formulate a concrete plan to eliminate Qiao Feng once and for all!”

Pausing slightly, You Ji’s gaze swept the crowd: “Is there any hero willing to volunteer and make the first contribution to the Central Plains martial world?”

(End of chapter)