Chapter 23. You Can Schedule Acupoint Sealing?
Lord Hou turned his gaze to his two younger brothers.
“It seems you were entertaining Lady Ban with some interesting stories?”
“Brother, Lady Ban was merely being modest. The true scholar here is her. She was telling us about acupoint sealing, and we were too captivated to do anything but listen.”
Lady Ban waved her hand with a laugh.
“My, such flattery! I was just rambling aimlessly.”
“Aimless? By the way, elder brother. Do you know what weapon the Qingyue Sect Leader uses? Take a guess.”
Bumong abruptly posed the question.
Sect Leader Ban Guang had arrived without carrying any visible weapon – a deliberate gesture to prevent misunderstandings.
Yet Lord Hou had already discerned the answer from the calluses on Ban Guang’s right thumb and forefinger during their meeting.
A brush.
Truthfully, this was unexpected.
Given Ban Guang’s appearance, one would assume a hammer suited him best. With his thunderous laughter echoing like molten lava being gulped, a physique tailor-made for wielding hammers, and a voice that could shake mountains, he seemed born to stand beside the Green Forest King with a warhammer. Yet his weapon was an iron brush.
Then again, even the delicate Nine Heavens Heroine wielded an iron staff that earned her the nickname “Iron Witch,” proving appearances deceive.
“Hmm.”
“They say he uses an Iron Brush! A brush forged from metal. Imagine sealing acupoints with such a weapon – how extraordinary!”
“So the Sect Leader is a master of acupoint techniques?”
“Indeed! Elder brother, I might join Qingyue Sect to learn these secrets myself.”
Laughter blossomed at Bumong’s jest.
Meanwhile, Lady Ban’s inner puzzlement grew.
She’d sensed it during their last meeting, but today confirmed it – the Grand Lord of Tianhua Pavilion bore no trace of gloom. Despite being their second meeting, his complexion glowed with health, his mannerisms radiating natural charm without pretense. He commanded attention without ostentation, his presence undeniable.
Most astonishing was his subtle control of conversations. He spoke sparingly, yet through well-timed interjections, meaningful glances, and expressive reactions, he effortlessly steered discussions. His brothers’ camaraderie only amplified this effect.
What were those rumors about?
“My lady? Lady Ban?”
“...Yes?”
Lost in thought, she responded belatedly. Young Lord Yun of Tianhua Pavilion had addressed her.
“Haha! It seems I’ve asked something awkward.”
“Well...”
As Lady Ban hesitated, Lord Hou intervened sharply:
“You fool! How could acupoint sealing be scheduled like parcel collection? Expecting delayed effects is absurd!”
“Heh, true enough.”
Yun scratched his head, chiding himself for overimagination.
Ah, so that was the question – delayed acupoint effects?
Understanding dawned on Lady Ban through Lord Hou’s rebuke. A smile returned.
“It’s not entirely impossible. Though rare beyond legends.”
“It can be done?!”
The brothers’ eyes widened.
“Father once mentioned the legendary Delayed Acupoint Technique. Like setting a hidden trigger that activates hours later – as if reserving the effect.”
“Marvelous!”
“Elder brother? The lady says it’s possible!”
“Hohoho!”
Lady Ban’s laughter rang out as Lord Hou coughed conspicuously, feigning displeasure. She quickly mediated:
“But the Grand Lord isn’t wrong. The Delayed Technique remains mythical – none can confirm its actual use.”
“Legends stem from reality! You agree, don’t you brother?”
“Ahem!”
Lord Hou’s exaggerated cough escalated. He theatrically scolded his brothers:
“Have you developed a taste for mocking me? Begone, both of you!”
Recognizing their brother’s ploy to be alone with Lady Ban, the young lords retreated.
“We’ll take our leave! Come, Bumong.”
Alone now, Lady Ban smiled coyly.
“What does the Grand Lord wish to ask?”
Impressed by her perceptiveness, Lord Hou chuckled.
“I seek information about the Ximen Clan. Their direct lineage, allied factions in northern Anhui, hostile forces – anything to resolve current disputes peacefully. My seclusion leaves me uninformed.”
“Another long journey awaits.”
Lord Hou bid farewell at the mountain gate, flanked by Yun, Bumong, and guards.
“Kekeke! Visit Qingyue Sect after your affairs conclude, Grand Lord!”
“Though an uninvited guest, I’m grateful for your hospitality. Until we meet again.”
As the Bans departed, Sect Leader Ban Guang mused to his daughter:
“Jiaoren.”
“Yes?”
“That lord... isn’t he strange?”
“How so?”
“Kekekeke! Laughing like bubbling tar yet unaware of it. Peculiar.”
“......”
Ban Jiaoren stared silently at her father.
“Kekeke! Why that face?”
“Father.”
“Kekeke! So troubled!”
“......”
“Kekeke! Sweat beads forming-”
“Let’s hurry.”
“Kekekeke! Walk together! Did something happen?”
‘Qingyue Sect handled. Now only Ximen remains.’
Pacing midnight courtyards, Lord Hou strategized.
The Ximen Clan’s century-old influence couldn’t be underestimated. In Jianghu, truth bowed to power and reputation. Public pleas for justice became pitiful whimpers; seeking the Martial Alliance’s help, a joke.
Cold analysis suggested no conventional way to oppose them.
Yet...
‘Their arrogance creates cracks.’
Paradoxically, their invincibility complex was their weakness. With proper leverage – living witnesses, Ximen’s hubris, Tianhua’s mystical formations, Fan Heng’s genius, and a former Alliance Leader’s experience – the impossible became plausible.
‘I need external allies to complete this tapestry.’
Every thread must align perfectly. So engrossed was he that he failed to notice three shadows trailing him.
“Bumong, elder brother seems entranced.”
“Since Lady Ban left, he’s been distracted.”
“By whom?”
Songhua interjected, earning twin stares.
“Self-proclaimed shadow, yet blind? Clearly Lady Ban!”
Songhua regarded them pityingly.
“That pathetic look – why?”
“Forgive me, young masters... but have you ever courted anyone?”
“W-well...”
Their stuttering answered. Songhua smirked.
“If enchanted, it’s her. The Grand Lord shows no such interest.”
“How would you know?!”
“Women know. Had you any experience, you’d recognize it.”
The brothers paled. Songhua relented:
“No mockery intended. But if not love, why his gravity?”
“Simple.”
Female intuition indeed. While the brothers fumbled, Songhua pierced the truth – making Lord Hou’s ears perk up.
‘Not just any shadow.’
“The Grand Lord’s no ordinary man. He likely planned Ximen’s downfall, then hit a wall – leading to different concerns.”
“What concerns?”
“Late-night snacks.”
“Snacks?!”
“He always says snacks solve deadlocks. Now he’s probably agonizing over which snack to choose.”
Her confidence left the brothers speechless. Lord Hou froze.
‘Why did I trust a shadow...?’
Recovering, he marched to his quarters and summoned Yun.
“Expand our outer defenses beyond the cliffs within two days.”
“May I ask why?”
“Precaution. I’ll be meditating.”
“...Understood.”
