Chapter 196

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Faced with the overwhelming enthusiasm of the Piaomiao Sect disciples, Zhang Xiaohua could only retreat in disarray, fleeing the scene like a defeated soldier.

By the time he squeezed through the crowd and returned to Zhang Xiaohu’s residence, Zhang Xiaohua was out of breath. He muttered with lingering fear: “That was practically a battle. It was even more exhausting than the duel on the platform. I’d rather face those bald monks again.”

Nearby, He Tianshu, watching the spectacle with amusement, teased: “Don’t get too full of yourself. This was just the male disciples of our Piaomiao Sect. If it were the female disciples from Ming Cui Hall, would you still act this way?”

Zhang Xiaohua chuckled awkwardly without responding, but Zhang Xiaohu’s eyes lit up at the mention of Ming Cui Hall.

Earlier that day, Zhang Xiaohu had fought Yuan Xing to a draw. While it was less impressive compared to Zhang Xiaohua’s victory, it still brought some honor to the Piaomiao Sect, especially since the majority of the other disciples had lost their matches. His “remarkable achievement” would surely be known by the next day—if not sooner. He couldn’t help but wonder how certain people in Ming Cui Hall might reevaluate him upon hearing the news.

The three of them entered the small courtyard and sat around a stone table. Zhang Xiaohu brewed some tea while Zhang Xiaohua picked up a cup and drank four full servings before finally setting it down.

Letting out a long sigh, Zhang Xiaohua leaned back with a relaxed expression.

Zhang Xiaohu asked with concern: “Xiaohua, are you feeling tired? Is your body holding up?”

Zhang Xiaohua squinted his eyes and smiled. “I’m fine, Second Brother. I do feel a bit tired, but it’s nothing serious. I’ve never fought for such a long time before, though, so I’m just really thirsty.”

Hearing this, He Tianshu laughed and said: “Zhang Xiaohua, starting today—no, starting this morning—I have to see you in a new light.”

Zhang Xiaohua was taken aback and asked, confused: “Captain He, what’s with the sudden change? Is it just because I beat those Dalin Temple monks?”

He Tianshu said: “Of course. You’re now the hero of the Piaomiao Sect. If it weren’t for you, our sect’s reputation would’ve been completely trampled today. Just thinking about it makes me wish I were ten years younger so I could get up there and show off my skills too.”

Zhang Xiaohua waved his hand dismissively and said: “You’re exaggerating. You know my martial skills better than anyone else. I was just in the right place at the right time. Even if I hadn’t stepped up, someone else would’ve won those matches eventually.”

He Tianshu shook his head and said: “Not necessarily. Maybe you didn’t notice, but I was carefully observing from below. The group of monks from Dalin Temple clearly came prepared, specifically targeting our Piaomiao Sect. Do you remember the first monk you defeated? The fair-skinned one you kicked off the stage?”

Zhang Xiaohua grinned and said: “That was Yuan Liao. If he were a bit older, he’d look like a refined scholar, just short of holding a folding fan while standing at the edge of the platform. But Captain He, I’m really curious. That fair little monk tapped me dozens of times and then just stood there waiting for me to kick his behind. What was that all about?”

He Tianshu laughed and said: “That’s exactly what I wanted to mention. Yuan Liao may be young, but he’s mastered a true technique from Dalin Temple—the art of pressure-point manipulation. This skill is an absolute trump card among lower-ranked disciples.”

“Pressure-point manipulation?” Zhang Xiaohua blinked in confusion and asked: “What kind of martial art is that? Why don’t I know about it?”

He Tianshu explained: “Of course, you don’t know about it. You’ve only just started practicing martial arts and haven’t reached that level yet.”

Zhang Xiaohua’s eyes lit up, and he said eagerly: “Then, Captain He, can you tell me about it now?”

He Tianshu thought for a moment and replied: “I’ll give you a simple explanation, but keep in mind that acupuncture point manipulation is a very advanced martial art. Without internal energy training, you won’t even be able to attempt it.”

After sipping his tea and clearing his throat, He Tianshu looked at Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohu and began: “To talk about pressure-point manipulation, we first need to understand the body’s acupuncture points. The human body has hundreds of acupuncture points, large and small, scattered throughout. These points are closely connected to the body’s blood vessels and meridians. Martial artists have developed a technique where they concentrate their internal energy into a needle-like form and direct it into these points. This can block blood flow and meridian circulation, rendering the opponent unable to move or unable to utilize their internal energy. Do you understand?”

Zhang Xiaohua glanced at his Second Brother and said: “Captain He, I understand what you’re saying, but can you explain it in more detail? For example, what are the specific acupuncture points, and what does each one do?”

He Tianshu waved his hand dismissively. “First, your martial arts skills are still at a basic level, and explaining too much might just confuse you. Second, all of this information is recorded in the sect’s martial manuals. Why waste my breath? You can study it yourself when the time comes.”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded and asked: “So, you’re saying that monk Yuan Liao’s technique of striking me dozens of times is a very advanced skill?”

He Tianshu responded seriously: “Yes, extremely advanced. Especially for someone his age. He managed to strike thirty-six of your major acupuncture points in one go. For most people, they’d have collapsed on the spot. What’s strange is that nothing happened to you.”

At this, He Tianshu pinched his chin with two fingers and began eyeing Zhang Xiaohua up and down with a mischievous glint.

Zhang Xiaohua crossed his arms defensively and asked: “Captain He, what are you doing?”

He Tianshu smirked wickedly. “I’m thinking of trying out some acupuncture strikes on you to see what’s going on.”

Zhang Xiaohua shrugged and replied: “Who knows? Maybe he made a mistake.”

He Tianshu shook his head. “Impossible. His technique was too practiced. There’s no way he could have struck all thirty-six major points incorrectly. Even if he hit just one point accurately, you’d have been immobilized. That’s why he was so confident, standing casually at the edge of the platform, waiting for you to kick him. And let’s not forget that burly monk after him. Didn’t he also try striking your neck and foot acupuncture points? Those had no effect either. Instead, you injured his fingers when you kicked him. No, I have to try it myself to figure out what’s going on.”

Zhang Xiaohua, not wanting to be experimented on, quickly put some distance between himself and He Tianshu, saying: “Forget it, Captain He. I just finished my match, and I’m exhausted. Let’s save it for another time. By the way, you still haven’t explained why you said they were targeting us.”

He Tianshu nodded and continued: “Hmm, I may have digressed a bit earlier. I estimate that the monks of the Dalin Temple have already investigated our Piaomiao Sect. Among our disciples below the third rank of the Cloth Robe level, not a single one has mastered the acupoint striking technique. Even the most outstanding ones have only just reached the standard for cultivating internal energy, and none have yet learned the techniques of acupoint striking. Therefore, this Yuan Liao from the Dalin Temple is essentially an unstoppable force against our Cloth Robe third-rank disciples.”

After hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua said with envy: “Captain He, you’re really impressive. You spend all your time at Huanxi Villa, yet you know everything about the Young Eagle Hall as well?”

He Tianshu’s face lit up with pride as he replied: “Of course! Who am I? I’m one of the shining stars of the Piaomiao Sect. Naturally, I know more than most.”

Zhang Xiaohu, however, couldn’t resist rolling his eyes slightly and muttering under his breath: “Didn’t I just hear the Young Eagle Hall’s team leader mentioning all this earlier? Does that make me a shining star of the Piaomiao Sect too?”

Though his words were quiet, Zhang Xiaohua caught them clearly and chuckled mischievously.

Unfazed, He Tianshu continued: “Let’s leave Yuan Liao aside for now. That burly monk you defeated at the end—”

“Yuan Kong.” Zhang Xiaohua interjected.

“Yes, Yuan Kong.” He Tianshu nodded thoughtfully. “That monk is even more impressive. The technique he used against you, the Vajra Demon-Subduing Palm, is one of Dalin Temple’s secret martial arts. It’s incredibly famous in the martial world. For someone his age to have already reached the second level of this technique—he’s undoubtedly a genius among geniuses. Give it another ten years, and he’ll likely be one of Dalin Temple’s renowned masters.”

Zhang Xiaohua, intrigued, asked: “How can you tell his martial skill reached the second level?”

“Well…” He Tianshu hesitated.

Zhang Xiaohu chimed in: “The team leader of the Young Eagle Hall analyzed it. They have specialists who study the martial arts of other sects. But even so, the ‘second level’ is just an estimation. We don’t have access to their actual manuals.”

“Oh.” Zhang Xiaohua said, finally understanding.

He Tianshu continued: “The Vajra Demon-Subduing Palm is naturally more powerful than pressure-point manipulation. Sending Yuan Kong here was clearly a deliberate move to sweep through our Cloth Robe disciples of the fifth and sixth ranks.”

At this point, He Tianshu seemed to recall something amusing and burst into laughter, doubling over and laughing for a long while. Finally, clutching his chest, he looked at the utterly bewildered Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohu, pointed at Zhang Xiaohua, and said: “To think that such a deadly weapon like Yuan Kong—ha ha ha—ended up being so exhausted by you that he jumped off the platform himself! Ha ha ha!”

Hearing this analysis, Zhang Xiaohua suddenly understood. He hadn’t thought so deeply about any of this. He had only entered the third round of the martial competition to test his own skills. He had no idea that he would encounter Dalin Temple’s provocations. Yet somehow, through sheer coincidence, he had defeated two younger monks. Winning was one thing, but after hearing He Tianshu’s explanation, he realized these two monks were the top talents Dalin Temple had sent, and he had inadvertently disrupted the Law Enforcement Elder’s plans. Immediately, five ominous words flashed through Zhang Xiaohua’s mind: “Kill to silence the witness”.

Zhang Xiaohua’s eyes widened in panic. Could that stern-looking Monk Changgeng actually do such a thing?

Neither He Tianshu nor Zhang Xiaohu had any inkling of the wild thoughts running through Zhang Xiaohua’s mind.

When He Tianshu finally stopped laughing, he said: “But seriously, Zhang Xiaohua, not only do you have great strength, but you’re also pretty clever. You actually pretended to grow weaker the longer you fought, setting a trap for Yuan Kong. Don’t even deny it—you acted so well that we all believed it. We were sweating buckets for you down here.”

Zhang Xiaohu, hearing this, looked up at Zhang Xiaohua. He knew about Zhang Xiaohua’s previous bout where he had run out of strength and doubted his brother had deliberately laid a trap for Yuan Kong. However, he remembered that during this match, Zhang Xiaohua hadn’t rested like the others but had instead practiced his seemingly chaotic fist technique. How Zhang Xiaohua regained his strength remained a mystery to him. Yet, after some time, Zhang Xiaohua had indeed regained his energy.

This thought filled Zhang Xiaohu with a sense of unease. He couldn’t help but feel worried.