Chapter 0026: Seven Stars Acupuncture Technique

“My young friend, your anger has been vented. Are you satisfied?” Lin Haonan smiled lightly as he looked at Zhang Xiaofan.

“More than satisfied,” Zhang Xiaofan replied, grinning. This was far more gratifying than if he’d taken matters into his own hands.

“That little rascal—not only lustful but full of wicked schemes,” Lin Siyu muttered inwardly from the side.

“Now, let me take a look. This affliction has robbed me of sleep and torments my body like needles piercing my flesh,” Lin Haonan said.

“General, this isn’t an illness,” Zhang Xiaofan replied.

“Then what is it?” Lin Haonan asked, puzzled.

“It’s a curse,” Zhang Xiaofan spoke with seriousness.

Sorcery, an ancient tradition in China, is elusive—difficult to define or explain. There are powerful spells, like the Seven Word Mantra, spells that summon wind and thunder, and even sinister curses that bring harm. Lin Haonan, unfortunately, had fallen victim to one of the evil curses.

“A curse?” Lin Haonan’s expression darkened. He had heard rumors about such things, but wasn’t this supposed to be extinct?

“Is there any hope?” he asked.

Spells are said to be mysterious—so much so that only the caster can break them. Upon learning that he was cursed, Lin Haonan felt a cold despair, though a sliver of hope remained. This young man before him had seen through the crux of the matter at a glance; perhaps he truly had a way.

“I’ve only read about it in books, but the curse afflicting you appears to be the lowest tier—the blood curse. I can try,” Zhang Xiaofan said.

“Very well, I’ll arrange a quiet room immediately.” Lin Haonan’s face lit up with excitement.

“No need. One needle will suffice.”

With that, Zhang Xiaofan produced an ancient cloth pouch and casually drew out a needle. He infused it with spiritual energy, causing it to vibrate with a faint hum.

He stepped forward and, without hesitation, thrust the needle toward Lin Haonan’s chest.

“Young man, what are you doing!”

The guards were instantly alarmed, rushing forward to stop Zhang Xiaofan, some even drawing their weapons.

“Stand down!” Lin Haonan barked.

By then, Zhang Xiaofan’s needle had already pierced Lin Haonan’s chest, hitting the acupoint with pinpoint accuracy despite the clothing. After the needle, he pressed his fingers swiftly around the heart, sealing major acupoints.

He was sealing the acupoints with energy.

Lin Haonan immediately recognized this as a technique from ancient martial arts, his interest in the young man deepening.

At that moment, the silver needle began to tremble violently, as if it might be ejected at any moment.

“Break!” Zhang Xiaofan commanded softly. With two fingers, he grasped the needle and channeled spiritual power into it, stabilizing the needle against the fierce resistance.

The curse was connected to the caster’s will, and now, clearly, the caster was resisting.

Blood curse spells use a drop of vital blood to curse, entering the bloodstream through various means—direct contact with skin, insect bites, or even mixed into objects. There are countless ways to enact it.

That drop of blood settles beneath the heart, the center of the circulatory system. Zhang Xiaofan’s needle locked it in place, sealing the surrounding acupoints so the cursed blood couldn’t escape under the caster’s control. If it did, even Zhang Xiaofan would struggle to locate it.

If that happened, Lin Haonan would truly be doomed.

With Zhang Xiaofan’s low command, the spiritual energy surged through the needle like a blender, shattering the cursed blood.

A dark room elsewhere—at that very moment, a figure spat blood, face pale with shock. Clearly, he never expected someone in Jinghai could break the blood curse.

Zhang Xiaofan swiftly withdrew the needle, and immediately, a jet of blood shot out from the puncture, carrying the shattered cursed blood.

“Glad I did not fail.”

Zhang Xiaofan’s silver needle was no ordinary tool; a regular needle would never withstand the spiritual energy. Now, spotless, it glowed with a deep, mysterious luster.

“My young friend, your abilities are truly extraordinary. I feel much better already,” Lin Haonan said, sensing the changes in his body—the pain was gone.

“Divine Healer Zhang, you’ve amazed me again today. That acupoint technique just now, was it the Seven Star Acupoint method from traditional medical texts?” Gao Zhipeng, sharp-eyed, had noticed Zhang Xiaofan’s technique matched the seven-star points.

Indeed, it was the Seven Star Acupoint method.

Though not as famed as the Ghost Hand Divine Needle, which could revive the dead, the Seven Star Acupoint method was a major skill in Chinese medicine, requiring spiritual power for support. Inner force could also be used, though its effect was inferior to spiritual power.

It could be said that anyone with profound mastery in ancient medical arts was a master among masters. This was why so many ancient techniques have been lost.

Zhang Xiaofan nodded, without denying it.

“I’d love to teach you, but at your age, you cannot cultivate or refine energy. These skills of mine, you cannot now learn,” he said, seeing the fervor in the eyes of the veteran doctors.

Gao Zhipeng and the others were visibly disappointed.

“General, since you are well, I should take my leave,” Zhang Xiaofan said.

“My young friend, if possible, could you leave your contact information?”

Lin Haonan was not the sort to easily request contact details; in Jinghai, no one could command such respect, not for any other reason but for Zhang Xiaofan’s unfathomable abilities.

“Lin Sister, how about using your phone to record my number?” Zhang Xiaofan turned to Lin Siyu, who was still in awe of his mystical skills.

“Mm... alright.”

She agreed without thinking.

Zhang Xiaofan accepted the phone, and as he did, brushed her soft, fair fingers—so delicate, so smooth.

Only then did Lin Siyu realize he’d taken advantage, and that her number had been tricked out of her by this little rogue.

But it was already too late.

“All set.”

Once the call connected, Zhang Xiaofan handed the phone back to Lin Siyu.

“Heh, if I disturb you in the future, I hope you won’t mind, young friend,” Lin Haonan said with a smile. “You’ve saved my life—this debt I’ll remember. If ever you need me, come to me directly.”

“How much do you require as a reward?” Lin Haonan asked plainly. Payment for treatment was only right.

“No need for payment. I’d rather kiss Lin Sister—I’ve never kissed such a beautiful sister,” Zhang Xiaofan said, turning to Lin Siyu. She was simply too enchanting.

The more he looked, the more he liked; her face made him want to kiss her.

Lin Haonan didn’t get angry, instead chuckling, “Young friend, you’re teasing my granddaughter—aren’t you afraid I’ll turn on you?”

“You little rascal, don’t even think about it!” Lin Siyu said firmly, her cheeks flushed.

“General Lin, I’m not even twenty yet; how can it be considered teasing? And Lin Sister, how am I a rascal? You’re so beautiful, I only want a kiss. Besides, I just spent quite some effort—surely, as General Lin’s granddaughter, you ought to compensate me a little.”

Zhang Xiaofan spoke earnestly, “Just think of it as a younger brother kissing his older sister. Unless, Lin Sister, you’re thinking something else?”

“You...” Lin Siyu was speechless with fury—this little wolf was so shameless!

“Well, since Lin Sister isn’t willing, let’s forget it,” Zhang Xiaofan said with a smile, then bid farewell to Lin Haonan. The pressure here was considerable; best to leave early.

“I won’t keep you, young friend. Enjoy yourself tonight,” Lin Haonan said.

Zhang Xiaofan nodded and left. This grand ball was worth exploring—he’d spotted fine wines, legendary 1982 Lafite, and even Maotai reserved for agents. Not to drink would be a waste.

Those inside knew Zhang Xiaofan was brought by Old Master Ye, so despite his ordinary attire and youth, many greeted him proactively.

Zhang Xiaofan nodded in acknowledgment, saying little, and finally reached the dining area.

He grabbed a bottle of Lafite, a bottle of Maotai, filled his plate with delicacies, and found a spot to eat.

“Damn, life among the wealthy is truly something. Maotai is far superior to Erguotou, and this Lafite beats those ten-yuan red wines sold on the hillside,” Zhang Xiaofan muttered, drinking and gnawing on a chicken leg, thoroughly at ease.

“Didn’t expect to see you here, Brother Zhang.”

Just as he was enjoying himself, a voice called out. He looked up at the overly pale face—none other than Nangong Haotian from his school. Such a domineering name felt wasted on him.

“There are plenty of things you wouldn’t expect,” Zhang Xiaofan glanced at him and replied coolly.

“Nangong, who’s this country bumpkin?” Beside Nangong Haotian stood a stunning beauty—almost as gorgeous as Ye Qingcheng, evidently a college student.

“Luo’er, seems you don’t follow campus news. Brother Zhang is the newly crowned one of the Four Great Kings,” Nangong Haotian said calmly.

She was none other than Yang Luo’er, ranked among the top ten beauties of the university district.

“Oh, I hear they’re all just brutes. Nothing worth paying attention to. Let’s go elsewhere; this bumpkin eats like a starving ghost. Born but not raised, no manners at all. Being seen with him is embarrassing,” Yang Luo’er sneered at Zhang Xiaofan, not bothering with a second glance.

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaofan paused mid-toast. Though he disliked arguing with women, her words were venomous.

Did I provoke you?

Is my drinking and eating any business of yours?

You’re the one without manners—your whole family lacks manners.

So you’re pretty? Proud of it? I’ll show you.

Without a word, he dashed a glass of white liquor in her face.

“Say one more word and I’ll slap your mouth. Get lost.”

Zhang Xiaofan was furious. Call him a rascal, call him shameless—but never say he lacks manners.

“You bastard! How dare you splash me!” she shrieked, her beauty turning vixenish in anger.

Nangong Haotian frowned slightly, clearly caught off guard by Zhang Xiaofan’s action. He silently cursed the girl—why provoke him?

Nangong Haotian weighed whether to turn against Zhang Xiaofan for Yang Luo’er’s sake; after all, she was his companion, and Zhang Xiaofan’s move had humiliated him.