Chapter 135

Chapter 135: Matter of Minutes

“I didn’t know that master was trying to offer me guidance and acted inappropriately before you. I seek your forgiveness!”

Upon entering and noticing Zhang Xuan who was seated at the center of the room, Ling Tianyu felt slightly apprehensive.

His attitude towards this master teacher yesterday was indeed inhospitable, even doubting the goodwill the master demonstrated. It was already a blessing that the other party was willing to allow him entry.

“There’s nothing for me to forgive!” Zhang Xuan waved his hands. “I’m not that petty!”

Sun Qiang’s eyes widened.

You left the other party outside for an entire night to be drenched in dew, only allowing him entry after consuming your breakfast slowly. You call that not being petty?

“Yes, yes!” Ling Tiangyu’s face flushed. He was about to continue speaking when Zhang Xuan extended out his palm and looked at him calmly. “Do you know why I had you wait outside for an entire night?”

“I…”

Awkwardness showed on Ling Tianyu’s face.

Isn’t it because you feel that I had slighted you, so you wanted to put me in my place?

I admit my mistake, alright?

“Do you think that I am purposely making things difficult for you?” Zhang Xuan looked over.

“No, of course not!” Ling Tianyu shook his head hurriedly.

“There’s no need for you to deny it. It is normal that you would think so!” Zhang Xuan didn’t seem to be angry. Instead, he said earnestly, “Actually, it is for your own good that I had you wait outside for an entire night!”

“For my own good?”

This time, not only was Ling Tianyu perplexed by his words, a bizarre expression had also emerged on Sun Qiang’s face.

Making someone wait at the door was for his own good?

What kind of theory is this?

“If I’m not wrong, your wife should be severely ill and is on the verge of death, and the reason why you are looking for me is for me to save her.” Zhang Xuan gazed at Ling Tianyu.

“Yes!”

Upon hearing the other party mention his motives, Ling Tianyu jolted.

“If you want me to save her, you would have to bring her over to me. However, you had come into contact with the Southern Blood Jade yesterday and the vitality-consuming aura was still lingering in your body. If I were to agree and you had come into contact with her once more, she probably would have died before you managed to get her here.”

Zhang Xuan sighed and continued on, “Thus, I had you wait outside for an entire night so that you can cleanse yourself of that aura. At the same time, you wouldn’t hurry home, thus preventing a catastrophe from happening. Of course, if you refused to listen to my words and left, your wife would have died and you wouldn’t have to come back. Even a master teacher didn’t possess the ability to resurrect the dead.”

After hearing these words, Ling Tianyu’s expression changed and he began to ooze cold sweat.

In actual fact, he was raging within as a result of the other party’s actions of making him wait outside for the entire night. Even though he didn’t dare to speak of it, he had felt great displeasure.

A master teacher wasn’t just about the strength he holds and his ability to guide others, he should be magnanimous as well.

In his view, this master teacher was trying to humiliate him on purpose.

After hearing those words did he realize that… He was truly mistaken. The other party truly had his intentions at heart.

Despite treating the other party so insolently, he still paid such careful heed to his matter…

Truly the disposition of a master teacher, impressive!

He felt like a hypocrite for doubting the intentions of a gentleman.

While he felt gratitude toward the other party, relief surged through him as well.

It was fortunate that he had managed to hold on yesterday. Otherwise, if he had returned back home, he would have truly regretted his actions for life.

Sun Qiang, who was still standing by the side, had his eyes opened wide with astonishment.

As expected of a master teacher, every single move of the old master was profound.

He thought that the old master was intentionally trying to humiliate the other party. Only now did he realize that the thoughts of the old master weren’t something a person like him could fathom.

“Thank you, master!”

Ling Tianyu bowed deeply.

“Send someone to bring her over to me so that I can take a look. If she is too ill, even I might be unable to do anything about it.” Zhang Xuan said.

“Yes!” Ling Tianyu’s eyes reddened in agitation. He hurriedly took his leave alongside Master Cheng Yuan.

After the two of them left, Zhang Xuan turned to look at Sun Qiang.

“Xiao Qiang, I have promised you to help you to help you break into Fighter 4-dan and I do not renege on my words. Execute a punching routine so that I can see your condition!”

“Yes, old master!”

Hearing that the old master was going to help him break through, Sun Qiang nodded his head in excitement.

Soon, he completed the entire punching routine. However, not only wasn’t Sun Qiang pleased by it, he was even slightly embarrassed. “Old master, I was injured yesterday… My body has been weakened significantly and I might not be in the condition to break into Pigu realm today…”

To achieve a breakthrough in realm, one would have to be in tip-top condition. Yesterday, Sun Qiang was beaten up and he sustained quite a few injuries on his body. No matter how incredible the old master was, it was unlikely for him to break through his current realm in such a state.

He hadn’t really noticed it before, but the moment he started executing his punching routine, he felt an aching pain all over his body and his zhenqi didn’t flow as fluidly as it usually did.

“Don’t worry!” Zhang Xuan interrupted him with a smile. “The reason why you have been stuck at the Zhenqi realm for so long was because the zhenqi you had cultivated was too impure. As such, it was unable to pass through your meridians to nourish your body. In such a state, one’s zhenqi might even stagnate. Putting aside being unable to achieve a breakthrough, one’s strength might even deteriorate.”

“Yes!” Sun Qiang nodded his head.

In the past two years, he felt that his stamina had been on a decline and that his realm was slowly deteriorating as well. If not for him persistently cultivating to remain at his current realm, he might have even fallen to Zhenqi primary stage.

“At Fighter 4-dan Pigu realm, one’s zhenqi would surge through one’s body and nourish one’s flesh and bones. Usually, it would be difficult for your impure zhenqi to surge through your entire body. However, the current situation is different. After yesterday’s beating, your body was damaged, causing the stagnated zhenqi from before to be jolted back into action. At the same time, the blocked passageways of your meridians had been cleared significantly…”

“Old master… had others beat me up… for my own good?”

Before Zhang Xuan could finish his words, Sun Qiang’s body shuddered due to intense emotions and tears of gratitude streamed down his face.

Old master had Ling Tianyu wait at his doorstep for his own good. Initially, I thought that it was a mistake on his part that I was beaten up but… To think that it was for my own good as well!

Yet, I mistook his kind intentions…

“Huh?”

Seeing tears streaming down the face of his plump butler, Zhang Xuan was confused.

I just wanted to say that your injury does not affect your training, why… What were you thinking of? Did you brain spasm…

However, this is good as well. All the more, this can help to build my prestige as a master teacher…

“Cough cough!” Zhang Xuan coughed and said, “Indeed. At the very least, my efforts weren’t in vain since you were able to understand them. Alright, put these aside, if I’m not wrong, Ling Tianyu should have given you medicine to cure your wounds!”

“I…” Sun Qiang’s face flushed.

For my sake, old master was even willing to be misunderstood. Yet, I shamelessly took the other party’s medicine…

I am truly unable to compare to him…

“It’s not a big deal. As long as you work for me loyally, it isn’t really a big deal for you to take some things.” Seemingly guessing the thoughts in his mind, Zhang Xuan interrupted. “Take the medicine out. Prepare yourself, you will try to break into Fighter 4-dan now.”

“Right now?” Sun Qiang didn’t expect things to progress so quickly. “Old master, is there no need to look for a quiet chamber? Also, if I were to try breaking through now, I’m afraid that Lord Ling would return before I can even succeed. If so, I would delay your affairs…”

“There’s no need for it. It is just a matter of minutes, why would you need a quiet chamber?” Zhang Xuan waved away his concerns.

“Matter of minutes? Break through… in such a short time?”

Sun Qiang was taken aback. Looking at the old master, his eyes widened in disbelief.

Chapter 136: Master Teacher Yang Xuan

Although Fighter 3-dan wasn’t considered an advanced cultivation realm, it wasn’t a low one either. Despite more than a decade of effort, Sun Qiang was still unable to break through, the difficulty clear to see here.

Initially, Sun Qiang had thought that it would take at least half a day or even a full day of effort. Yet, the old master said that… it was just a matter of minutes?

Brother, do you think that it is eating or drinking?

Sun Qiang felt that his outlook of the world was collapsing and was about to go mad.

That amount of time isn’t enough for zhenqi to surge through his body!

“Why? You don’t wish to break through?” Seeing his daze, Zhang Xuan frowned.

“No, that’s not it… Old master, what do I need to do…”

Suppressing his agitation, Sun Qiang quickly replied.

“Consume the pill first, then use all your strength to propel the zhenqi through your meridians. As for the rest, leave it up to me.” Zhang Xuan said.

“Alright!”

Those were very simple instructions. Without any hesitation, Sun Qiang took out a pill and swallowed it.

As expected of a pill forged by an official apothecary, it was indeed good stuff. The moment he consumed it, he felt his entire body growing warm and energy surged through his body.

Zhang Xuan approached him, took out a few silver needles and pierced them at several locations where his meridians were blocked.

After his experiences in helping Zhao Yanfeng break through and solving Wang Ying’s leg disability, he realized that it was likely that he would need to use them often. As such, he specially prepared and kept a box of silver needles in his storage ring.

In order to locate the blockages, others would need to infuse their zhenqi into the other party’s body to probe meticulously. However, Zhang Xuan was different. As long as the other party executed a battle technique, the Library of Heaven’s Path would compile a book with all of their flaws in it. All he had to do was to insert the silver needles at the correct location and use his pure zhenqi to clean away the residue.

Zhang Xuan infused his zhenqi into the silver needle. Just as though a clear stream flowing into a murky river, turning the the entire river clear, the zhenqi which had stagnated started to merge into the flow once again.

The accumulated effort that Sun Qiang spent on training over the decade was fearsome. Under the nourishment of the pure zhenqi, the stagnated zhenqi started to circulate through his body once more, causing power in his body to increase explosively. In less than a minute, his zhenqi had already circulated through his entire body once!

Boom!

He broke through Fighter 3-dan Zhenqi realm immediately. But, the improvement in cultivation realm didn’t just stop there; it continued to rise steadily.

Hu!

Finally, after an unknown period of time, it stopped.

“My cultivation…”

Picking himself up, Sun Qiang examined his strength and a look of disbelief appeared on his face.

He thought that being able to break through Pigu realm would already be an incredible feat. To think that he would reach Pigu realm advanced stage right away!

“Barely… five minutes have passed?”

However, what left him even more surprised was how accurate his old master’s words were. It was truly a matter of minutes…

The heck, when did breaking through become such an easy feat?

If it were that easy, why did my cultivation realm remain stuck at the same level for more than a decade? Am I really cultivating or am I eating crap…

Sun Qiang felt as though he was dreaming, and that he was on the verge of fainting.

“Alright, all you have to do afterward is to fortify your cultivation!”

Ignoring Sun Qiang’s dazed expression, Zhang Xuan retrieved his silver needles and returned to his seat.

Actually, the reason why the other party broke through so quickly was because of the party’s consistent effort throughout the years, as well as the pure zhenqi Zhang Xuan possessed. It was impossible for it to be as fast if any of the factors weren’t present.

The pure zhenqi had dredged up those stagnated zhenqi which he had accumulated from before. It was as though clear water melting cubes of ice; naturally, the volume of water increased significantly. As such, breaking into Fighter 4-dan became an easy task.

Otherwise, if he could help Zhao Ya and the others break through just by using his needles, he wouldn’t have to go through so much effort to earn money for the pills.

Of course, more importantly, Zhang Xuan didn’t want to leave the impression that they could achieve something without working for it. There was still a long road ahead of them; if they were to cultivate such a mindset, their achievements would definitely be limited.

“Thank you, old master!”

After recovering from his shock, he immediately kneeled to the ground and bowed with great sincerely in gratitude to the old master. He knew that the only reason why he could achieve such a rapid improvement was because of the old master.

If not for him, he wouldn’t have been able to receive respect from a figure like Ling Tianyu and enjoy such a grand treatment. He would be stuck in Zhenqi realm for his entire life, never to break through.

He would have never felt the sensation in his body right now!

“I must make sure to work diligently in the future. I must not screw up this opportunity given to me…”

Sun Qiang made up his mind.

“Ling Tianyu should be arriving soon. Go out and welcome him!”

After he was done helping him break through, Zhang Xuan did not dawdle and casually gestured with his hands.

“Yes!”

Sun Qiang took his leave.

……………………

“Who could the one living in this mansion be? To be able to transform Sun Qiang’s status completely, to the point that even Ling Tianyu had to treat him respectfully, addressing him as Brother Sun…”

Outside the mansion, Du Yuan got increasingly confused. Only after a long period of time did he finally understand that it was due to the owner of the mansion that Lord Ling, who was of equal standing to his grandfather, treated Sun Qiang with such respect.

However, he fell into contemplation once more. He couldn’t think of any nobles in Tianxuan Royal City that had such standing to make a billionaire wait outside willingly for an entire night, and furthermore, to be so delighted when the gates opened for him.

Jiyaaa! These doubts were running through his mind when the gates opened and Ling Tianyu and Master Cheng Yuan walked out.

“They are leaving just like that? No one… is sending them off?”

Du Yuan blinked his eyes, unable to believe what he saw.

Initially, there was, at the very least, still a butler who came to welcome the two in. But now that they were leaving, there wasn’t any company… No matter how incredible the master was, the butler should have at least walked the guests out!

No matter what, Ling Tianyu was a true billionaire, a person of exceptional standing. Even his grandfather would have to welcome him and walk him out of the hall if he were to visit the Du Clan. Then, his father or the elders would accompany him to the gates as a sign of respect.

Yet, when Ling Tianyu walked out of the mansion, he had to push open the gates personally; even the guards at the doors were putting on such airs…

Who the heck could it be?

Du Yuan was overwhelmed by curiosity.

A moment later, just as he was about to step forward to ask the guards, ‘jiyaa!’, the gates opened once more. Sun Qiang walked out with his hands by his back.

“This…”

Upon seeing the acquaintance, Du Yuan decided to step forward for an inquiry, when he staggered out of a sudden. His eyes widened to the point that they were about to pop out of his sockets.

Can anyone tell me what is going on?

Previously, when this fellow came out, he was only Zhenqi realm pinnacle. How is he suddenly in… Pigu realm advanced stage?

It had just been ten minutes or so, and his cultivation realm had improved by an entire realm…

Are my eyes playing tricks on me?

Du Yuan’s entire body shuddered.

“Oh? Isn’t this Du Yuan gongzi? What kind of wind brought you here?”

Just when he was about to go into a frenzy from the ridiculousness of the situation, he heard Sun Qiang’s voice. Lifting his head, he realized that the other party was already standing right before him.

“Oh, I just happened to pass by…” Suppressing the astonishment in his mind, Du Yuan asked prudently. “Weren’t you working in the market? Why did you…”

“I’m currently serving as the butler of this residence, following my old master!” Confidence exuded from Sun Qiang’s eyes.

Previously, when speaking to the sons of prominent families, he would have to speak prudently, afraid that he might get beaten up for no reason. But now that even Ling Tianyu had to lower his head before him, there was no reason why he should fear a mere junior.

“Your old master is…” Du Yuan asked hurriedly.

“You don’t know our old master?”

With his hands behind his back, Sun Qiang lifted his head. Admiration and excitement could be seen on his face.

“Master Teacher Yang Xuan!”

Chapter 137: Touching Your Wife

“Ma, ma… Master teacher?”

Du Yuan shivered.

Everyone knew as a fact that Tianxuan Kingdom was one of the weakest kingdoms and had no master teacher to assume command. When did one arrive? Furthermore, one that allowed this fellow to become his butler?

No wonder Ling Tianyu was willing to wait for an entire night and had acted so prudently around Sun Qiang…

Even if it were just a lowest level, 1-star master teacher in the mansion, it would nevertheless be an existence Emperor Shen Zhui dare not to underestimate.

For such a man, not to mention a single night, even if Ling Tianyu had to wait for half a year, he wouldn’t dare to have a single word of complaint.

In fact, if his grandfather knew, he would definitely rush here to pay respect to him as well.

A master teacher can raise or destroy an entire country and his words are akin to gold.

This was his status!

If his father could receive the guidance of a master teacher, the trauma he had sustained might be able to be dispelled and perhaps, he might even revert to the genius he was previously.

In that instant, Du Yuan was filled with envy for the man before him.

Sun Qiang used to be just a lowly figure in the commercial city. He had to bow respectfully whenever he saw Du Yuan, afraid to offend him. Yet now… Du Yuan was the one who had to speak carefully so as to not get on the other party’s nerves.

Otherwise, even without the master teacher making a move himself, a single word of Sun Qiang’s could send countless experts, who were looking for an opportunity to fawn over him, to teach him a lesson.

“Yang shi… When did he arrive in the kingdom? Why hadn’t I heard of him?”

Suppressing the astonishment within, Du Yuan asked.

If a master teacher were to really visit Tianxuan Kingdom, the entire capital would have shaken in an uproar and everyone would have been aware. But why was it that he hadn’t heard of such a matter?

“The old master likes to keep a low profile, so he doesn’t want others to know of it. It is enough that you know of it, don’t go spreading the word. Alright, I still have things to attend to. If Du gongzi doesn’t have anything on, it would be best for you not to loiter around here. Otherwise, if the old master were to see it, it might cause unnecessary misunderstandings. It would be troublesome then.”

After the incident with Ling Tianyu, Sun Qiang had regained his confidence. As a result, an air of superiority started to grow around him, and his tone reflected so.

“Yes, yes!”

Du Yuan nodded his head hastily.

After finishing his piece, Sun Qiang turned around and went back to the gates. Not long later, a carriage arrived and Ling Tianyu stepped down from it. Two guards entered the mansion and fetched a palanquin.

“Lord Ling, please enter!” Sun Qiang welcomed him.

“Thank you, Brother Sun!”

Ling Tianyu clasped his hands to return the greetings. Then, the few of them entered the mansion together.

“I’ve heard that Ling Tianyu’s wife is sick. It seems like he knows that there is a master teacher here, that’s why he stood here for an entire night to plead with him to save her…”

Instantaneously, Du Yuan managed to fill in the gaps of the story.

Master teachers were not only capable of guiding one’s cultivation. Pill forging, medicinal skills… There wasn’t a single occupation that they weren’t adept at. That’s also the reason why they were able to stand at the peak, above all other occupations.

It wasn’t a secret among the upper echelons of Tianxuan Kingdom that Ling Tianyu’s wife was sick. Du Yuan had also heard of it and according to the rumors, even Master Yuanyu was unable to do anything about it. Upon hearing that a master teacher had arrived at the capital, it was natural that he would want rush forward at first minute’s notice.

“If this master can treat an illness that even Master Yuanyu was helpless about, then doesn’t that mean that there is a hope for my father as well?”

Du Yuan’s eyes lit up instantaneously.

The moment such a thought occurred to him, all thoughts of leaving vanished from Du Yuan’s mind immediately. After a moment of hesitation, he walked toward the tea stand opposite of the mansion.

I’ll drink tea there. After all, I can’t possibly offend a master teacher!

……………………………………………………

“This is my wife, Yu Rou. I beseech Yang shi to save her!”

In the room, the guards left right after placing the palanquin down. Ling Tianyu kneeled onto the floor to plead with Zhang Xuan.

The man and his wife together had been through thick and thin and they had an extremely close relationship. As long as he was able to save her, no amount was too great a price!

Clearly, he had heard of Zhang Xuan’s ‘name’ from Sun Qiang’s mouth.

“Un!” Zhang Xuan stood up. Upon seeing the lady on the palanquin, he frowned.

The lady seemed to be around Ling Tianyu’s age, but time didn’t seem to have left many scars on her face. Even though she wasn’t exceptionally beautiful, she exuded a natural disposition that induced trust and tranquility in others.

However, such a blessed woman was lying motionless on the palanquin with her eyes tightly shut.

“Her condition seems to be worse than I have expected!”

Zhang Xuan’s face darkened.

He had only come into contact with the Southern Blood Jade and from it, he knew that the object could cause nearly irreversible damage to ordinary humans. Initially, he thought that as long as he destroyed the blood jade and nourished the body of the patient, she should recover swiftly. However, upon catching sight of the lady, he knew that he had underestimated the severity of the matter.

It was clear that the other party had fallen into a coma. If she didn’t receive treatment soon, even Zhang Xuan might find himself powerless to save her.

“I was still thinking that… If she was awake, I could ask her to execute a punching routine so that I can compile a book, find the flaws and treat her. But now… What should I do?”

Zhang Xuan was in distress.

He had thought the matter out too simply previously. If the other party was awake, he could have her execute a battle technique and the Library of Heaven’s Path would compile a book, from which, he would be able to learn how he should treat her!

This way, even if he wasn’t able to find a clear remedy for the matter, he would still be able to say some things about her condition and perhaps, come up with some solution to alleviate her condition.

However… her lying there was no different from being a corpse, how could he go around doing it?

It was impossible to get her to execute a punching routine…

Sigh, it sure isn’t easy acting as an expert! It is getting harder and harder to make a living nowadays!

“Yang shi, can my wife be treated?”

Seeing that the other person had walked several rounds around Yu Rou, Ling Tianyu’s frown deepened and anxiety was displayed clearly on his face.

“Don’t be so anxious, I’m still observing her condition!”

Zhang Xuan was already feeling extremely stressed. Now, upon being questioned by the other party, he felt even more dispirited.

He had already boasted about his abilities. It would be embarrassing to fail at such a crucial moment.

If he were to fail with the very first customer, not only would all of his preparations be in vain, his reputation would also be shattered. His prestige as a master teacher would be shaken.

By then, it would truly be a dream to earn twenty million gold coins in nine days.

“Oh…”

Upon hearing that the other party mention that he was still observing the situation and not that there was no cure for his wife, Ling Tianyu heaved a sigh of relief. Even so, he couldn’t help but rub his hands together nervously by the corner.

“Flaws… flaws! Why won’t you come out…”

Circling another two rounds, he kept shouting such words in his mind. Yet, the Library of Heaven’s Path was totally unreactive, as though it was dead. Zhang Xuan felt so depressed that he could have spat a mouthful of blood.

It looked like… Just like how it was the many other times before, the library could only compile a book of weaknesses when a person was executing a battle technique. He circled around the person, shouted in his mind, gritted his teeth and scratched his head furiously…

But… As expected, it was all useless…

“Looks like I have really failed at such a crucial timing…”

He circled a few more rounds and confirmed that there was truly no movements in the library at all. Just as Zhang Xuan was about to helplessly declare to the other party that he was unable to cure her, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

He stopped and lifted his head to look at Ling Tianyu with a look of excitement.

“Yang shi…”

Seeing his movements come to a halt, Ling Tianyu’s nervousness surged once more. He understood that the other party had arrived at a conclusion and intended to tell him about it.

Life or death, his wife’s fate hinged on this moment!

“There’s no need to worry. The situation isn’t that bad yet!” Upon seeing his nervousness, Zhang Xuan consoled him.

“Yang shi, you can just speak the truth. I can bear the truth, no matter what it is…”

Ling Tianyu gritted his teeth.

“There’s nothing much I can tell you now. How about this, you lift your wife up so that I can touch her!”

Zhang Xuan said.

“Touch… my wife?”

In an instant, Ling Tianyu’s face became as dark as ink.

-laoshi is an address for normal teachers whereas -shi is an address of master teachers.

Chapter 138: Treatable

You want to touch my wife before me? Furthermore, I am to lift her for you…

Even though you are a master teacher, you can’t humiliate me like that!

Ling Tianyu clenched his fists tightly and the sound of him grinding teeth resounded in the room. He was on the verge of going on mad.

Hearing those words, Sun Qiang, who was watching the situation by the side, nearly fainted as well.

As expected of the old master, he sure is domineering!

To have the husband help up his own wife for you to touch…

As a master teacher, he could have all the women he wanted. Yet, to think that he would have such an interest. Looks like I have to hide my wife from him in the future…

Of course, I have to find a wife first…

“Forget it, it is better not to lift her up, given her condition. I will go over and touch her myself!”

As Zhang Xuan’s sight was fixated on the lady lying on the floor, who was dressed in elaborate palace attire, he was oblivious to the two’s expressions. After seeing no one move into action after saying those words, he gestured with his hands to renounce his previous order.

Given the lady’s situation, it was best not to lift her up. If she were to die from the movement, Zhang Xuan would be in trouble.

“You will go over and touch her yourself?”

Ling Tianyu felt that the other party was trampling on his dignity mercilessly.

Since I won’t help you, you are going to help yourself?

To not even spare a lady who is in a coma, you are unbefitting of the title of a master teacher. You are a beast!

As he was on the verge of losing control of his temper and about to enter a rage, the other party was already before Yu Rou and had stretched out his hands toward her wrist.

“Ah?”

Even if it would spell his death, he was unwilling to allow anyone to defile his wife’s dignity. But just when he was about to get violent, such a scene unfolded before him. Ling Tianyu was stupefied.

The heck, what is going on?

Didn’t you say that you are going to touch’ her?

Could it be that the touch’ you spoke of refers to feeling her pulse? There are acupoints on one’s wrist and a teacher would often come into contact with a student’s wrist when guiding them on their cultivation. However, that is what you call touch too?

Do you need to act so darned misleading?

Brother, let me tell you. If not for your identity as a master teacher, you will be beaten to death if you speak in such a manner outside…

Sun Qiang’s mouth was also twitching.

Old master’s ability in linguistics is really… atrocious!

Everyone thought that he had vile intentions in mind when he said that he was going to ‘touch’ Ling Tianyu’s wife. Yet… To actually mean this…

Why did you have to make such a proper and upright matter sound so wretched…

To make me misunderstand your intentions as well…

Feeling one’s pulse was also called touching one’s pulse. Zhang Xuan spoke casually and he didn’t think that his words would cause such a huge misunderstanding. He was also oblivious to the fact that the physicians in this world did not ‘feel one’s pulse’ while diagnosing the patient. Rather, they operated just like the Western doctors in his previous life, conducting all kinds of test to analyzing the patient’s condition instead.

Thus, when Ling Tianyu heard him say touch, it was impossible for him to fathom that he meant touching his wife’s pulse, as there wasn’t such a practice in this world. This was also the reason why such a misunderstanding was generated.

……

…

Zhang Xuan didn’t know that their minds had gone through a roller coaster ride. Rather, he was pondering over the idea that had emerged in his mind just a moment ago.

The Library of Heaven’s Path other ability —— Appraising Treasures!

Back then, when he competed with Master Mo Yang, he had used such an ability. As long as it was a tangible object, he could compile a manual on its weakness just by touching it. Right now, this lady was deep in a coma and her condition was not much different from a dead person. As such, it was impossible for her to execute a punching routine…

Was it possible for a book on her to be compiled by touching her?

That was the reason why he wanted to touch the other party. Of course, in his mind, he simply thought of this lady as a tangible object.

If Ling Tianyu were to know of his true thoughts, he would probably vomit blood.

His wife wasn’t dead yet… And to be treated as an object…

“Indeed!”

The moment his finger came into contact with the other party’s wrist, the Library of Heaven’s Path, which had remained inert for quite some time now, jolted and a book appeared before him. Zhang Xuan almost leaped into the air due to intense joy.

It was only a conjecture on his part. To think that it would truly work!

He turned his attention to the book hurriedly and the words ‘Yu Rou’ was written on the cover.

Flipping over, the details of the other party’s life and her flaws were written within.

“Yu Rou, 43 years of age, a citizen of Tianxuan Royal City, the wife of Tianyu Merchant Firm’s boss, Ling Tianyu, Fighter 2-dan primary stage…”

“Flaws: No.1, the meridians within her body are weak, making it impossible for her to practice profound cultivation techniques to generate zhenqi! No.2, her talent toward cultivation is lacking, her ability to sense spiritual energy in the air is too weak… No.8, the body had been corroded by the aura of the Southern Blood Jade, causing her Eight Extraordinary Meridians to be blocked. The specific locations where the eight meridians are blocked are…”

Several pages of the book were densely filled with such information.

All of Yu Rou’s flaws were detailed within.

“Looks like it is only a problem of blockages in her meridians. This is easy…”

After reading the book, Zhang Xuan heaved a sigh of relief.

Initially, he was still worried that he would not be able to find a remedy if her illness turned out to be difficult to cure. If that happened, he would just explain the problem to Ling Tianyu and send him away. At the very least, he was able to account the situation to the other party. However, since it was only a blockage of her meridians, things became so much simpler.

It was similar to the problems that Liu Yang, Wang Ying and Zhao Yan faced and it wasn’t complicated to resolve.

Of course, that was only to him. Anyone else, even if it were a Fighter 8-dan Zongshi expert, would also find it unfathomable to solve such problems.

The meridians of a human’s body are inherently weak. Once it becomes blocked, one could only try to penetrate through the blockage through consistent effort over long periods of time.

However, Zhang Xuan was different.

As he cultivated the Heaven’s Path Divine Art, his zhenqi was completely pure and free from contaminants. With as such a zhenqi infused into one’s body, any kinds of blockages, even if it were due to a thin and narrow meridian, could be broken through immediately. There was no problem whatsoever.

This was also the basis for why he was able to help Zhao Yanfeng and Sun Qiang break through so quickly and resolve Wang Ying’s problem so easily.

“Yang shi, how is it?”

Upon seeing him done feeling his wife’s pulse, Ling Tianyu’s anxiety started to surge once more.

“It is not a difficult matter to solve your wife’s illness!”

Zhang Xuan returned to his seat and gestured majestically.

“Not a difficult matter?”

Ling Tianyu’s eyes narrowed. His tightly clenched fists finally loosened and he kneeled to the floor in agitation, “Yang shi, I beg of you to save my wife!”

He had gone through all means to save Yu Rou, but even the number one physician in Tianxuan Kingdom, Master Yuanyu, was helpless before her illness. He thought that it was all hopeless, but the heavens had left a path for him. This Yang shi was able to treat her!

The exhilaration he felt at this moment was clear to see.

“Death is abhorred by the heavens. If I did not intend to help you, I wouldn’t have interfered in your affairs ar Tianyu Merchant Firm!” Zhang Xuan waved his hands and had him stand up. However, a frown soon appeared on his face, “But…”

Even though it wasn’t difficult for him to treat her, if he were to make a move so easily, wouldn’t all of the efforts he made before be in vain?

“Regardless of what that is needed, as long as it is something Yang shi speaks of, I will definitely fulfill the requests even if it means my bankruptcy!”

Ling Tianyu said.

Seeing how cooperative the other party was, Zhang Xuan nodded his head in satisfaction.

Indeed, a businessman’s instincts are sharp! Just a single word and the other party understood what he was hinting at!

“Your wife’s body had been corroded by the aura for an extremely long time. It is not very possible for her to be completely treated within a short period of time. It will probably take ten days… nine days. Furthermore, you will have to spend quite a sum of money to purchase expensive medicinal herbs for her treatment every day!”

Initially, Zhang Xuan wanted to say ten days but recalling that one day had already passed, he immediately changed his words.

Actually, given his pure zhenqi, it would only take a moment for him to treat her completely. As for the reason why he said that it would take nine days… Of course, it was to make more money.

Facing a lack of money, he had no choice. Even though her treatment was dragged out, at the very least, she would be saved. This was much better than watching her die!

“Yang shi, what medicinal herbs do you need? I will go and buy them now!”

After hearing that Yang shi could treat his wife, Ling Tianyu had already regarded him as a deity. He wouldn’t fuss over how long it would take and how expensive the medicinal herbs were.

However, the moment he said those words, the calm Yang shi suddenly looked over with a darkened face and a cold glare.

Chapter 139: Great Loss

It was no wonder why Zhang Xuan wasn’t happy. Even though he had said expensive medicinal herbs, it was actually an excuse. Given how his pure zhenqi was more than sufficient to open up her blocked meridians, why would he need medicinal herbs?

If the other party were to buy it himself, how could he earn his money?

Just as he was thinking about how he could get the other party to fork out the money obediently, Ling Tianyu slapped his forehead suddenly and grinned, “Yang shi, actually, I am not really knowledgeable about medicinal herbs. I’m afraid that you would have to buy the required herbs yourself!”

After which, he presented a stack of bills.

It was not that he understood the meaning behind Zhang Xuan’s actions. Rather, all fighters had their own secrets. Since this master teacher is able to treat his wife when even Master Yuanyu found himself helpless before her, he must have his own exclusive secret treatment formula.

Wouldn’t he be exposing the other party’s secret treatment formula if he were to buy the medicinal herbs?

It was no wonder he was displeased!

As such, he immediately changed his words.

“Un!” Just by reflecting briefly, Zhang Xuan understood the reason by the changes in Ling Tianyu’s actions as well. Without explaining in the least, he gestured for Sun Qiang to accept the stack of bills.

How could a master teacher personally grab that stack of money personally? It is unbefitting of his position!

“Alright, I will begin her treatment now!”

After successfully laying his hands of the gold bills, Zhang Xuan didn’t dawdle any further. He walked over to Yu Rou, whipped out his silver needles, and inserted it at the points where her meridians were blocked.

Simultaneously, zhenqi was infused into the other party’s body.

Tzzzzzzzz!

The pure zhenqi swept through her body and all the shackles in her body disappeared instantaneously.

Ying ning! The unconscious Yu Rou slowly opened her eyes.

“This…”

Ling Tianyu and the others present in the room were astounded.

Didn’t you say that it would be difficult to treat her… That it will take nine days of effort along with an exorbitant sum?

Yet, in a few moments, she was already awake. Furthermore, it looked as though he had merely placed a few needles on her…

“Crap, I made a blunder…”

Clearly, Zhang Xuan didn’t expect that the other party would awaken so quickly as well. Zhang Xuan nearly threw up blood.

If she woke up so quickly, how could he continue to suck money off Ling Tianyu?

The Library of Heaven’s Path only detailed flaws on a person’s body. It didn’t record what would happen once those flaws were resolved and as such, Zhang Xuan wouldn’t have known the unblocking of which specific meridian would help her regain her conscious. Initially, he had intended to spread the workload over nine days, clearing a few areas of meridian blockage every single day. This way, he would be able to drag out the treatment and earn a greater sum from Ling Tianyu. Yet, he didn’t expect that just by clearing a few points, she would awaken.

Cough cough.

She woke up too quickly… It felt as though there was no difficulty in his treatment at all. How could he dupe the other party’s money like that?

Zhang Xuan felt dismal.

“Incredible, Yang shi!”

After the initial astonishment, Ling Tianyu felt completely impressed by the other party’s means.

Even though it looked like he had just placed a few needles on the other party’s body, it was actually an extremely profound art. It contained secrets that outsiders would find hard to comprehend. Otherwise, why wasn’t Master Yuanyu able to do the same? On the other hand, this Yang shi was able to cure his wife in an instant through this art.

Clearly, this was the disparity between their capabilities!

“Er?”

Initially, Zhang Xuan thought that the other party would feel as though he had wasted his money for naught. Contrary to his expectations, the admiration in the other party’s gaze simply deepened. Zhang Xuan heaved a sigh of relief, waved his hands casually and said, “The first day of treatment only helps her regain her consciousness. I will look for some special herbs to help her nourish her strength. After I’m done, I will send someone to bring it over.”

“Alright!”

Ling Tianyu hurriedly nodded his head.

“Un!” After which, Zhang Xuan didn’t speak any longer.

“Then, we shall not disturb Yang shi any longer…”

After which, he gestured for his subordinate to lift the palanquin and prepared to leave.

“Tianyu…”

Before the two subordinates could even lift the palanquin, the lady on the palanquin spoke and slowly stood up.

“Your body is still weak. Quickly, lie down…”

Seeing her stand up, Ling Tianyu hurriedly walked over.

“There’s no need for that. My entire body has gone numb after lying for half a year. I want to walk about…”

Under the support of her husband, even though Yu Rou’s body was still weak, walking did not pose a big problem.

“This is Yang shi. He’s the one who treated you.”

Ling Tianyu quickly introduced.

“Yang shi? Master teacher?”

Yu Rou’s eyes narrowed and she quickly bowed down, “Yu Rou thank Yang shi for saving my life…”

“It’s just a small thing.”

Zhang Xuan was weeping within, but on the surface, he maintained an indifferent and casual expression.

Witnessing his attitude, Ling Tianyu and the others felt even more impressed.

This is a true master teacher!

After solving a major problem, he didn’t bother vying for compliments or demand rewards. His attitude was truly admirable.

It was laughable that they misunderstood him just now… To think that they evaluated such a gentleman by their standards.

Soon, Ling Tianyu brought his wife out of the courtyard. After which, Sun Qiang immediately presented the gold bills in his palms.

Taking a casual glance, Zhang Xuan was astonished within.

There were ten notes of a hundred thousand each in there. In total, it added up to a million.

Yang Mo had to dupe innumerable people in order to earn that much money. Yet, a master teacher was able to receive that much in just a single treatment session… It was truly frightening.

However… After the initial astonishment, Zhang Xuan’s head hurt once more.

A million may seem like a huge sum but to his current situation… It was an insufficient and meager sum.

He wanted to stall the treatment for an additional few more days to earn a little bit more money. Yet… Not only did the other party regain her consciousness, she even walked out of his mansion herself. It wasn’t wise for him to drag it out under such a situation.

“The condition of Lord Ling’s wife was something that had left the entire Tianxuan City stumped. Yet, with a moment of effort, old master was able to get her to regain her consciousness. In fact, she even became well enough to walk. Incredible…”

Sun Qiang muttered under his breath excitedly. His admiration for the old master overflowed from within and appeared in his words and expression.

However, hearing those words, Zhang Xuan felt even more depressed.

It wasn’t easy for him to ensnare a billionaire. Yet, due to his lack of knowledge on the treatment’s effectiveness, he failed to grab a huge sum from the other party. Just the thought of it caused sadness to well up within him.

“Forget it, a million is still money anyway!”

Since he was unable to drag it out, he might as well get it over and done with. Zhang Xuan passed Sun Qiang a gold bill, wrote a list and had him go out to buy some herbs.

As a person who became an apothecary through Pill Debate, Zhang Xuan was unable to forge pills. Even so, prescribing some medicinal powder to nourish one’s body was still a simple task to him.

Let’s just treat these medicinal powder as expensive ‘precious medicinal herbs’!

The other party wouldn’t check on it for fear of incurring his wrath anyway.

……………………………………

“Boss, another pot of tea!”

Du Yuan found a table to occupy at the tea stand and casually threw a gold coin over.

“Coming!”

The boss was a fifty-year-old or so elderly. He brought a pot over to Du Yuan’s table with a wide smile.

“Boss, I have something to ask you…”

Seeing that the tea stand was directly opposite the mansion, Du Yuan couldn’t help but ask him.

“Customer, feel free to voice any queries that you have…”

Upon seeing the gold coin in Du Yuan’s hand, the boss’s eyes immediately lit up.

“I would like to ask about the opposite…”

As he spoke, Du Yuan pointed to the opposite mansion, but his words stopped abruptly when he saw the gates to the mansion opening slowly.

“Hm? Sun Qiang is coming out again?”

Initially, he thought that it was Sun Qiang who come out to settle some affairs. However, he soon realized that he was wrong when he saw Ling Tianyu, who had just entered a moment ago, supporting another person out.

“Is this… Ling Tianyu’s wife?”

Du Yuan shuddered. His heart almost stopped from astonishment.

He had met Ling Tianyu’s wife twice and as such, he was able to recognize her. It was just a moment ago that she was carried in on a palanquin…

And she is already on her own feet?

Must it be so exaggerated?

Could I be seeing things…

If he didn’t know for a fact that Ling Tianyu’s wife was truly ill, he would have thought that the other party was just acting…

The heck, this was an illness which even Master Yuanyu was helpless about. It hadn’t even been ten minutes since she was carried in… And she was walking about …

Du Yuan didn’t know whether something was wrong with his eyes or instead, something was wrong with the world.

Chapter 140: News Spreads

Tianxuan Royal City, in the interiors of the Du Clan Residence.

A middle-aged man walked out of a room that overlooked a tranquil pond, carrying a pot of cooling tea.

Every day after lunch, he had a habit he engaged in and that was… drinking cooling tea!

This was the time when he would be the most relaxed. He had already ordered for no one to interrupt him, even if it were his own son.

He was once a radiant genius of Tianxuan Kingdom’s Du Clan, a serious contender for the position of clan head. However, he is only an ordinary elder now.

Du Miaoxuan, Du Yuan’s father!

Even though his cultivation had fallen tremendously after a severe bout of illness and his faction had already weakened after the years of oppression, his presence nevertheless commanded respect. No one dared to disobey his orders. No one would dare to interrupt his moment of tranquility.

“Right now, I still wield a certain level of control over the situation. However, when I die, my successor will surely be expelled. If it comes down to that… I should have Yuan-er leave the clan first! Otherwise, there could be complications!”

Lying on the reclining chair, his eyes were gently shut.

At this point, his words seemed to still hold some weight. That was because the other party did not consider him as a threat for the clan head position and allowed him to be. However, if he were to die or if the old clan head above him were to retire, his faction would definitely be unable to hold on and hence, collapse without fail.

The outsiders only saw the glory and prestige of being in a powerful clan, but they failed to see the schemes and underhanded fights that occurred within. The intensity was in no way inferior to the struggle for power within the royal palace; a single moment of carelessness could result in being crippled and damned for all eternity.

“Father, father…”

Just when his mind had quietened and he began to muse over the future, a panicked voice rang. Then, he saw his profligate son charging in with an agitated look.

“Didn’t I say to not interrupt me at such times?”

Du Miaoxuan’s face darkened.

“Father…”

Du Yuan froze for a moment. Only now did he recall that it was his father’s personal resting time.

“Get out!”

“Oh…”

Witnessing his father’s rage, Du Yuan’s swallowed his words and walked back out.

“Wait a moment, for you to come looking for me so anxiously, is there something wrong?” After taking a sip of cooling tea, Du Miaoxuan’s anger subsided. Lying horizontally on the chair, his eyes were half-closed.

“A… A master teacher had arrived in the city and he cured Ling Tianyu’s wife’s illness. I was thinking that… isn’t father injured as well? Perhaps, we could pay him a visit so that he can take a look…”

With a lowered head, he uttered the news which he had just gathered. However, before he could finish his words, he sensed a peculiarity in the atmosphere. Upon lifting his head his head to take a look, he almost fell to the ground.

Unknowingly, his father, who was lying on the chair a moment ago, was already standing right in front of him. His eyes were as round as a gong and his body quivered uncontrollably. Even though the cup of cooling tea that he held in his hands had spilled onto the ground, he seemed to be totally unaware.

“Father…” Du Yuan stared at his father with a shocked expression.

“Father what father, repeat what you just said. A master teacher had arrived in the city?”

Grabbing his son’s shoulder suddenly, Du Miaoxuan lost all traces of serenity that was seen on mere second ago.

“It was witnessed personally, so it is definitely true…”

Du Yuan quickly spoke of everything he had learned.

Actually, he knew about his father’s condition. His meridians were blocked as a result of that severe illness and everyday, when afternoon came, his zhenqi would flow erratically and he would behave embarrassingly.

Because he was afraid of others discovering it, he cultivated the habit of drinking cooling tea.

It served as a front for concealment.

“Father, this master teacher possesses extraordinary means. Shall we pay him a visit…”

After recounting what he had seen, Du Yuan asked. But before he could finish his words, he noticed that his father, usually a calm man, was already 10 meters ahead of him, shouting, “Why are you in a daze? Hurry up! Let’s pay the master teacher a visit…”

“…” It took Du Yuan a long moment to regain his senses. “Father, your shoes…”

Previously, his father had removed his shoes to lie on the chair and he hadn’t put them on yet. Furthermore, his clothes were still in a mess… yet, he wanted to leave like that… One must know that he is an extremely austere man. One of the things he hated the most was a messy outer appearance.

“Oh…”

Hearing his son’s words, Du Miaoxuan came to a realization. He tidied up his appearance quickly and proceeded with big strides. It was after he left the residence that he realized something, “Right, son. Where does that master teacher you spoke of live?”

“…”

Du Yuan.

…

“What did you say? A master teacher has appeared in the city? He treated Ling Tianyu’s wife within ten minutes?”

“How is that possible? It must be a fake rumor. Even Master Yuanyu was helpless before her illness. No matter how incredible master teachers can be, their medical capabilities can’t possibly exceed that of a true physician!”

“I also think that it might be an exaggeration. After all, such things only happen in one’s dream.”

“I heard that the person is called Yang Xuan. Of the nine great kingdoms around Tianxuan Kingdom, there are only a few master teachers and I have never heard of this name!”

“Perhaps he might just be an incredible physician, and the rumors simply went out of hand. If he were a true master physician, how could it be possible for Emperor Shen Zhui to not know of it?”

“Emperor Shen Zhui had been looking forward to having a master teacher in our empire more than the rest of us. I heard that he had specially sent quite a few invitations to them. If one had arrived in the capital, how could it be possible for him to be unaware?

“Regardless of the truth, we just have to send some people to look into it to know the truth…”

The same situation appeared in countless great clans and powers.

Ling Tianyu could be considered as one of the more prestigious figures in the entire Tianxuan Kingdom. How could anyone not doubt after hearing that he had camped outside a mansion overnight?

The moment their investigations revealed that a master teacher was involved, news started spreading like wildfire.

Even so, no one really believed the rumors.

Even the lowest 1-star master teacher had to be welcomed with a state ceremony, so how could one just appear in such a humble mansion so abruptly without the slightest bit of news?

…

Such heated debates had broken out everywhere, but the person-in-question, Zhang Xuan, was oblivious. At this moment, he was looking at Sun Qiang with a deep frown on his face.

“That’s weird, why does it not appear when I touch him?”

After Ling Tianyu left, he couldn’t help but experiment generating books by touching others upon recalling the incident.

Eventually, he touched every single part of Sun Qiang’s body, but nothing happened.

“Xiao Qiang, lie down.” Zhang Xuan ordered.

“Lie down?” Sun Qiang’s mouth twitched and he was on the verge of tears.

Going by logic, no matter what the old master wanted him to do, he was willing to cooperate fully. But… touching his body as he pleased… he felt as though he was about to go mad.

Previously, he was alarmed when he heard the old master say that he wanted to touch Ling Tianyu’s wife; he thought that the old master had a unique interest in such things. In the end, when the misunderstandings cleared up, he heaved a sigh of relief.

In the end, it seemed like his interest wasn’t in females, but in males…

Even more so… He wasn’t satisfied with just touching, he wanted him to lie down…

My innocence… My chastity…

“Old master…”

“Hurry up!” Zhang Xuan frowned in displeasure. He was unhappy about Sun Qiang’s protest, especially when all he wanted him to do was to lie down.

“Yes!” With tears welling up in his eyes, Sun Qiang lied down and waited for old master’s ‘beastly assault’. However, all the old master did was to touch his wrist and the other parts of his body. With a perplexed voice, the old master said, “That’s weird, why isn’t there any reaction?”

“Reaction? Old master, what… what kind of reaction do you want?” Sun Qiang shuddered.

To be fondling his body, could it be that… He wanted him to be aroused first?

After so long, it turned out that he was a ‘bottom’?

When that thought emerged in his mind, Sun Qiang shivered in disgust.

“No reaction at all… Ah, correct!” Just as his mind began to run wild, the ‘old master’ slapped his forehead, seemingly thought of something. The old master lowered his head to look at him, “Xiao Qiang, don’t move. I will try knocking you unconscious…”

“…” Sun Qiang felt his head spinning.

What is going on?

Old master, what do you want to do…

Could it be that… You feel embarrassed because I’m conscious?

Chapter 141: You’re a Beast

Finally overcoming Sun Qiang’s attempts to struggle, Zhang Xuan managed to knock him unconscious.

Upon contact with the unconscious Sun Qiang, a book immediately appeared in Zhang Xuan’s mind.

Only then did Zhang Xuan understand how it worked.

For those who were conscious, executing a movement, even if it wasn’t a battle technique, would cause the compilation of a book on them. As time went by, the contents detailed inside would also change automatically. After all, humans were beings with learning capabilities and as such, their flaws would constantly change.

On the other hand, those who are unconscious are treated as objects. A book would be compiled upon coming into contact with them.

The two scenarios do not conflict and the difference was clear and simple. It was a matter of whether the person in question was conscious or not.

Knowing that the library had such an ability, Zhang Xuan heaved a sigh of relief.

If he were to meet with another case like Ling Tianyu’s wife, he just had to touch them. He wouldn’t panic as he did this round.

“Old master, an elder from Du Clan, Du Miaoxuan, requests an audience!”

After waking up, Sun Qiang examined his body and after confirming that he hadn’t been assaulted, heaved a sigh of relief. He took his leave hurriedly, but after a moment, came back to report.

“An elder from Du Clan? Have him come in!”

Zhang Xuan waved his hands and returned to his seat.

Looks like the news regarding Ling Tianyu had spread rather quickly. Someone is already here to pay a visit.

…

“You say that you witnessed it yourself? Sun Qiang himself claimed that a master teacher resides in here?”

Outside, Du Miaoxuan turned to look at his son doubtfully.

Due to his illness, his cultivation fell tremendously. As such, when he heard that a master teacher had come to visit, he lost his decorum immediately. But on his way here, he gradually calmed down and noticed suspicious points.

Why would a master teacher suddenly appear here without any news? Furthermore, how could he be staying in such a small mansion?

Also, a true master teacher has countless disciples and followers. There was no need for a master teacher to hire the boss of a realtor store as his butler.

There were too many illogical parts to the story.

“Sun Qiang said it himself. Also, I witnessed the happenings with Ling Tianyu’s wife personally!” Du Yuan explained.

“Un!” Du Miaoxuan nodded his head.

Regardless of whether the other party was a true master teacher or not, this was a chance. If he turned out to be a fraud, he could choose to leave at any moment.

Jiyaaaa!

The doors to the courtyard opened and Sun Qiang emerged. “The old master happens to be free, please enter!”

Du Miaoxuan and Du Yuan exchanged a glance before entering the mansion.

The mansion was decorated in the manner similar to how a philistine merchant would and there was nothing outstanding about it to him. The further Du Miaoxuan proceeded, the more he thought that the other party could be a fraud.

Soon, they arrived at the main hall.

“Old master, this is Elder Du Miaoxuan and his son, Du Yuan!” Sun Qiang said.

“Un!” Zhang Xuan turned around and invited, “Please be seated!”

“Yes!” Du Miaoxuan and his son sat on the guests’ seats. At the same time, they secretly assessed the ‘master teacher’ before them.

He looked to be in his forties, but his skin was smooth, so it was likely for him to be younger than he appeared to be.

Gedeng, Du Miaoxuan’s heart skipped a beat.

The man had concealed his appearance.

When he was younger, he once left to accumulate worldly experience and had opened his eyes to many different things. He had once seen such a face-changing technique.

If he were a real master teacher, why would he change his appearance?

Clearly, he was a fake!

Perhaps, he might be working together with Ling Tianyu, and this inexperienced son of his took it for real!

As such, his heart chilled and his face darkened.

Noticing his expression, Zhang Xuan felt a little dismal.

Didn’t this fellow come over after hearing how he helped Ling Tianyu?

Why was he displaying such an attitude to a master teacher?

He remained silent, and Du Miaoxuan didn’t speak either. As such, the air in the main hall stilled and the atmosphere grew awkward.

“It’s like that, my father had once fallen severely ill and it caused a great fall in his cultivation. After hearing that Yang shi is here, we came over hoping that Yang shi could take a look to see if there’s possible a remedy for his problem…”

Seeing that his father remained silent, Du Yuan hurriedly spoke up, full of anxiety.

Wasn’t father very excited on the way here? Why isn’t he speaking now that he had arrived? It would be terrible if we offend Yang shi because of this.

“Am I a physician?”

Zhang Xuan lifted his eyebrows in displeasure.

Since he was feigning as a master teacher, he had to carry the prestige of one. Given how the other party clearly doubted his identity, if he were to anxiously go straight into treating the other party, wouldn’t that be unbefitting of his status?

“No… That’s not it!”

Du Yuan was taken aback. He tugged on his father’s sleeves immediately, “Father…”

“Oh! My son didn’t put his words properly, please forgive him!”

Upon confirming that the fellow before him was a fraud, Du Miaoxuan no longer maintained the respectful attitude he held just before. Even so, he maintained basic courtesy, “I met with some problems on my cultivation and upon hearing of Yang shi’s arrival, I could not help but make a visit hoping to learn from you. I hope that Yang shi would be so generous as to guide me along!”

“Problems with your cultivation?”

Taking in the other party’s words, Zhang Xuan was affirmative that the other party was suspicious of his identity. He frowned in puzzlement.

Considering both his disposition and background, there shouldn’t have been any problems at all. Why would the other party doubt him?

It was no wonder that he wasn’t able to realize his mistakes. He was a mere librarian and a true-blue shut-in in his previous life. The reason why he was able to convince Ling Tianyu was because the man did not possess much experience in the pugilistic world, and as such, he was blind to the flaws in his disguise. However, his camouflage was indeed insufficient to fool experienced and streetwise veterans such as Du Miaoxuan.

“Father…”

Detecting the lack of respect in his father’s voice, Du Yuan started to panic.

Father had always been a calm and prudent person, why is he acting so recklessly today?

The other party was a master teacher! Even Ling Tianyu had to kneel outside for an entire night before he could pay him a visit. It was already a blessing that we were allowed to enter immediately, so we should make full use of the opportunity. But why…

“Oh? What do you want to learn?”

Even though he was curious why the other party doubted his identity, Zhang Xuan wasn’t worried in the least. Instead, he looked at him with interest.

Even though he was pretending to be a master teacher, he wasn’t truly deceiving his customers. With the Library of Heaven’s Path, even a true master teacher would be unable to match his abilities in identifying one’s problems. So… You doubt me?

I will make you not dare to doubt me.

“I have just learned a new battle technique and found it hard to grasp. I hope that Yang shi can correct me!”

Immediately after finishing his sentence, Du Miaoxuan stood up.

From what he sees, the person before him is definitely a fraud. Since you want to play off as a master teacher, I will execute a punching routine before you. When you find yourself stumped, I will tear off your disguise!

Wuuu!

Before Zhang Xuan could reply, Du Miaoxuan clenched his fists and started moving around the room.

As expected of an ex-genius, his fists were forceful and it brought an intense pressure to the audiences. His techniques and moves were also profound.

Du Miaoxuan was a Pixue realm expert. Due to the severe illness, he plunged to Dingli realm. Even so, his strength didn’t fall much in comparison. With his current strength, he would be able to match with even Pixue realm intermediate stage experts!

It was no wonder that he was able to remain as an elder in Du Clan despite being in just Dingli realm. He had true strength indeed.

Hu!

After finishing his punching routine, he retracted his fists.

“Please offer me your guidance!” Du Miaoxuan clasped his fists as he stared at Zhang Xuan with piercing eyes. He wanted to hear what would that fraud had to say.

“You want me to offer you my guidance?”

Aware of his thoughts, Zhang Xuan looked at him impassively.

“Yes!” Du Miaoxuan replied calmly.

“Your Fleeting Fist is indeed incredible, you should have reached 3-dan for it already. However… You seem to be unable to control your strength effectively. If I’m not wrong…”

At this point, Zhang Xuan opened his eyes and a playful smile crept onto his lips.

“You are a beast!”

Chapter 142: Kneeling Outside

“What?”

Hearing those words, Sun Qiang and the others present in the room froze.

Especially Du Yuan, his complexion turned awful immediately.

Even if there were problems with his father’s punching routine, how could an upright master teacher humiliate someone so casually and call him a beast?

That was a personal attack!

“Yang shi, even if my father has offended you, there shouldn’t be a need for you to insult him in such a manner…”

Gritting his teeth in anger, Du Yuan protested.

“Insult?” Zhang Xuan shook his head. “Ask your father whether I am insulting him or not.”

“Father…”

Du Yuan turned around to look at Du Miaoxuan. With a single glance, he was astonished. His father’s body was trembling uncontrollably, and the calm that he possessed a moment ago had disappeared without a trace.

“I beg for Yang shi to save me…”

Putong!

Just as doubts sped through his mind, he saw his father exclaim and kneel to the floor.

“Ah?”

Du Yuan was taken aback.

A confused expression had also appeared on Sun Qiang’s face.

Is Du Miaoxuan mentally impaired? Or is he a masochist?

His tone was so forceful a moment ago, but when he failed to perform as an expert, even getting insulted by the old master at that, he immediately kneeled down?

“Xiao Qiang, send our guests off!”

Ignoring Du Miaoxuan was kneeling on the floor, Zhang Xuan waved them away.

What a joke, what do you take me for? You doubted my identity and even tried to test me, and now you expect me to save you?

“Yes!” Sun Qiang drew closer. “Please leave!”

“Please forgive me for being blind, I beg of you to give me a second chance…”

Upon hearing that Zhang Xuan was evicting them, Du Miaoxuan was horror-struck. He kowtowed immediately while feeling intense regret over his actions.

If only he had listened to his son, such a situation wouldn’t have occurred.

Doubting the identity of a master teacher was equivalent to challenging his authority and prestige, it was no wonder that he was displeased.

Witnessing an influential elder of the Du Clan kowtowing over and again, Sun Qiang was at a loss. He hurriedly shot a gaze at the old master.

“Why? Does my words not matter anymore?”

Zhang Xuan frowned. Even though there was no anger in his voice, his voice was authoritative.

“Yes…”

Sun Qiang shuddered and gestured the other guards in hurriedly, “Men, send Elder Du out.”

Hearing the commands, a few guard quickly walked over.

“Elder Du, please!”

The few guards stepped forward.

“Father…”

Du Yuan was still unable to comprehend the situation. Why did his father not feel anger upon being insulted as a beast by Yang shi, and instead, kneeled down and begged to be saved?

“I was too rash and I admit my fault. I will wait at the gates to beg for Yang shi’s forgiveness.”

Du Miaoxuan kowtowed once more and walked out of his own accord. Du Yuan hurriedly followed behind him.

The moment he passed the gates, he dropped to his knees in the middle of the street facing the mansion, motionless.

“Father…” Du Yuan was about to go insane.

No matter what, his father used to be a strong contender for the position of the clan head. Even if he is now an ordinary elder, his continues to hold a distinguished position as compared to the other elders. For him to kneel in the middle of the street… Why?

Was it because the other party called him a… beast?

Could it be that… Father is truly a masochist?

“You kneel down as well!”

Before he could fully understand the situation, he heard Du Miaoxuan’s cold voice sounding from beside him.

“Father…” Du Yuan gritted his teeth. “I don’t understand…”

“That Yang shi is a true master teacher. I had spoken inappropriately earlier and offended him. Thus… I have to apologize to him! A master teacher is someone that cannot be insulted, even in the slightest.”

“Kneel down! We can only hope that he would forgive us because… he is a true master teacher. Only he is capable of curing my illness.”

“He can cure you?”

Du Yuan was confused.

He didn’t recall Yang shi mention anything related before!

All he did was to insult him ‘You are a beast’. Could that be the reason why father became so certain?

The more he pondered, the more confused he got.

…

“Old master, Elder Du and his son are kneeling before the gates!”

Hearing the subordinate’s report, Sun Qiang looked at the old master with a strange expression.

Is the old master capable of casting magic?

Initially, Du Miaoxuan wasn’t respectful at all and his tone wasn’t polite either. Yet, after an insult, the other party was frightened out of his wits and kneeled down immediately. In fact, he even refused to be chased out…

If he hadn’t seen it for himself, he would have thought that it was nonsense.

But the facts were laid clearly before him, he has no choice but to believe it!

“Is your family doing well? Touch your wife… You are a beast… Looks like master teachers like to speak in such a manner…”

Sun Qiang concluded based on his experience with the old master.

Putting aside this Du Miaoxuan, Ling Tianyu seemed to be the same as well. Back then, when he broke the jade lion, the billionaire was filled with rage. In the end, the old master simply asked ‘is your family doing well?’ before going ahead to request to touch the other party’s wife…

Looks like master teachers don’t like to go about doing things the normal way. Instead, they preferred to beat around the bush and exaggerate matters.

Yet, this method seemed to be extremely useful.

“Looks like these merchants and elders have to be dealt with the stick instead of the carrot. Un, maybe I should give it a try in the future?”

Sun Qiang’s eyes lit up.

In his view, the reason why Du Miaoxuan switched his attitude so quickly was because the old master got angry. Seems that in future, when he meets such people, he shouldn’t act subserviently. Instead, he should speak imposingly and authoritatively.

Only through this way can he instill respect in the other party.

After all, wasn’t Elder Du frightened to the point of kneeling down?

Sun Qiang’s thoughts became increasingly fertile.

“Next time, when the old master isn’t around, I should give it a try… If it really works, the old master’s impression of me might improve…” Sun Qiang thought excitedly.

“Let them kneel!”

Not aware of what his butler had come up with in the blink of an eye, Zhang Xuan casually gestured.

“Old master, what do we do now?” Sun Qiang asked.

Zhang Xuan frowned.

That was also what he was thinking.

He couldn’t just rely on the money others present to him in gratitude!

Taking Ling Tianyu as an example, even though he gave a million in a single go, Zhang Xuan is still a long way off from reaching twenty million. But if he were to open his mouth to request for money, it would be unbefitting of his identity as a master teacher. Others would simply label him as a fraud.

If he refused money and simply waited for others to thank him, how much could he earn?

What if the other party thought that he, as a master teacher, cared not for material wealth but instead valued relationships heavily, wouldn’t he cry himself to death?

After contemplating for some time, Zhang Xuan spoke, “I will be going out for a moment. There’s no need for you to follow me. Instead, you need to do something for me.”

At which, Zhang Xuan explained his plan in detail to him.

“This… This…”

Hearing his words, the butler widened his eyes in shock.

This works too?

“Go!” Zhang Xuan explained no further and urged him along.

“Yes!”

After the previous few incidents, he understood that the old master has his reasons for doing things. Thus, he didn’t ask excessively and turned around to leave. A short while later, he returned again.

Clearly, he had arranged everything that Zhang Xuan delegated him.

“If anyone comes knocking, have them wait at the door.” After instructing so, Zhang Xuan walked out of the mansion.

At the gates, he didn’t even spare a glance at the kneeling Du Miaoxuan before walking away.

“Father…”

Seeing that Yang shi had no intentions of bothering himself with them, Du Yuan panicked and called his father.

Since the other party had already left, what use was it for him to be kneeling here?

“I am not doing this just to show Yang shi. This is also to display my determination on this matter and my reflection on my mistakes. If I were to leave now, I would probably be left stuck with my problem for life.” Knowing what his son was thinking of, Du Miaoxuan explained.

“I got it…”

Du Yuan lowered his head in depression.

For an elder of the Du Clan, an ex-contender for the clan head position to be kneeling in the middle of a street… What is this…