Seeking Martial Dao in All Reborn Lives
Chapter 167 - 166: Effect
"Alright. Since you’re willing to trust me, I will give it my all. At the very least, I’ll ensure there are no lingering complications. I swear this on my family’s name."
Zhang Hongyun nodded and said to Zhao Xuanqi.
"Don’t worry. I trust you."
Zhao Xuanqi’s expression was calm.
He had already understood Zhang Hongyun’s character from the events of that night. Moreover, now that they once again addressed each other as martial brothers, their positions were aligned. The man had no reason to harm him.
"I need you to make some preparations. Once you’re ready, we can begin immediately,"
Zhang Hongyun said to Zhao Xuanqi.
「The next day at noon.」
Zhang Hongyun and Zhao Xuanqi stood in the courtyard. Several thick chains had been added, linking the courtyard walls to the pillars of the house.
Besides the two of them, two other figures stood in the courtyard.
Shi Huai’an and Fan Shiyan.
They had received Zhao Xuanqi’s request yesterday and had prepared and delivered the necessary supplies today.
They were both a little surprised to see a stranger with Zhao Xuanqi.
"This is Zhang Hongyun, my senior martial brother, and the heir to the Southern Heaven Su Family’s Doumu Primordial Soul Needle."
Zhao Xuanqi directly revealed Zhang Hongyun’s true identity, causing Zhang Hongyun’s expression to twitch slightly.
"These two are Shi Huai’an, heir to the Black Tortoise Sect, and Fan Shiyan, heir to the White Tiger Sect, both from the Four Saints Sect. Oh, right, I forgot to tell you—I have another title now. I’m the Honored Guest Elder for both the Black Tortoise and White Tiger Sects. So, we’re all on the same side."
Zhao Xuanqi’s introduction of the two men left a look of sheer astonishment on Zhang Hongyun’s face.
’Heirs of the White Tiger and Black Tortoise Sects of the Four Saints Sect?’
’He’d asked Zhao Xuanqi to find a few trustworthy experts to stand guard if possible, just to prevent any accidents. He never expected him to invite *these* two.’
’And Zhao Xuanqi is actually the Honored Guest Elder for both sects?!’
’When did my junior martial brother pick up a title like that?!’
’Right, the style he uses seems to be some kind of Beast Form Fist, which means...’
A flurry of thoughts flashed through Zhang Hongyun’s mind, and he instantly understood Zhao Xuanqi’s intentions.
’He’s building connections for me.’
’If I want to restore the Su Family’s legacy, I definitely can’t do it alone. But with my connection as Zhao Xuanqi’s senior martial brother, I’ll at least have the patronage of the White Tiger and Black Tortoise Sects.’
’Heir to the Su Family’s Doumu Primordial Soul Needle?’
Shi Huai’an and Fan Shiyan were taken aback for a moment. They understood this "senior martial brother" wasn’t from the Holy Beast Fist lineage, as they had reviewed Zhao Xuanqi’s background.
"A pleasure."
The parties exchanged salutes with cupped fists. Zhao Xuanqi then quickly explained to Shi Huai’an and Fan Shiyan why he had asked them to come.
"Understood, Elder Zhao. We will follow Mr. Zhang’s arrangements."
Shi Huai’an and Fan Shiyan nodded.
At Zhang Hongyun’s direction, the two men helped bind Zhao Xuanqi’s entire body, first tightly wrapping him in special elastic ropes using a specific technique, then securing him with heavy iron chains.
In truth, Zhang Hongyun could have used his Acupuncture Technique to completely immobilize Zhao Xuanqi, but that would mean interfering with his acupoints and the flow of his Qi and Blood, which would compromise the treatment to follow.
"Brace yourself and relax completely. Under the effects of my Acupuncture Technique, you may enter a frenzied state. Don’t fight it. Surrender to it. Don’t hold anything back; let your Spirit be completely unleashed. Only then can we fully expose the underlying problem."
"And to the two from the Black Tortoise and White Tiger Sects: if he starts acting erratically, please help me restrain him."
Zhang Hongyun said gravely.
Zhao Xuanqi, Shi Huai’an, and Fan Shiyan all nodded in acknowledgment.
"Alright then, I’m starting."
Zhang Hongyun took a deep breath and pulled out a needle pouch, spreading it open on the ground. It contained Silver Needles of various shapes and sizes. The most terrifying needle was as thick as a thumb.
Next, Zhang Hongyun pulled a vial of Elixir Pills from his pocket, opened it, and downed the entire contents.
He was supposed to be treating someone, yet before he’d even begun, he was already taking pills himself. This gave both Shi Huai’an and Fan Shiyan a sense of the immense danger involved.
Then,
WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH!!
Zhang Hongyun’s hands became a blur, leaving afterimages in the air as he began inserting needles all over Zhao Xuanqi’s body. In a flash, countless Silver Needles dotted his frame.
THUMP-THUMP! THUMP-THUMP!!
His heart began to pound violently. The Qi and Blood in his body surged wildly, causing his frame to swell uncontrollably. He had naturally entered the state of Qi Surge Blood Essence. The ropes binding him strained to their breaking point. A terrifying aura slowly radiated from him, swirling around his body like smoke.
But this was far from enough.
For a Martial Artist, the body is the bridge through which their Spirit and presence manifest. To push that spiritual presence to its absolute limit, the body must first reach its own peak state.
Zhang Hongyun’s expression was incredibly grave. His own body had unconsciously entered a state of Qi Surge. He swiftly drew more Silver Needles from the pouch and inserted them into his own flesh.
Southern Dipper Longevity Nail, activate!
Immense Vitality surged from within him. He manipulated his muscles to stimulate his own acupoints, directing a massive flow of Qi and Blood toward his Mud Ball Palace.
A vast amount of Qi and Blood rushed to his brain. Then, Zhang Hongyun drove several more Silver Needles into his own head, instantly heightening his Spirit to its absolute peak.
Doumu Primordial Soul, open!
In that instant, every aspect of Zhang Hongyun’s perception was heightened to the absolute extreme. He could detect every minute detail: the slight ripple of muscle and blood vessel on Zhao Xuanqi’s skin, the sound of his every breath, the rumbling of his organs—nothing escaped his notice.