Chapter 28 Martial Art: Piercing Kick

Just as Zhang Ze had predicted, the Qian family made their appearance immediately after the explosive news from Heyue City broke. The press conference was convened that very night at the Qian Family Tower in Mengyang County.

“Miss Qian, as a long-term partner of the Elixir Company, how do you view the manure-throwing incident in Heyue City?” a reporter asked as soon as Qian Xiaoyun entered the hall.

“First of all, we must acknowledge that the incident in Heyue City has brought a severely negative impact on our province’s Elixir Company,” Qian Xiaoyun replied, her words carefully chosen after prior discussion with her family.

“Moreover, through this incident, we must see that what these villagers threw was not just manure. It was also an expression of their long-standing anger and dissatisfaction with the conduct of the Elixir Company in our province. As a long-standing partner of the company, I must express my deep doubts regarding the current helmsman, Mr. Lin Wanli.”

No sooner had Qian Xiaoyun finished speaking than a young reporter stood up again.

His eyes shone with conviction, revealing an idealism within him. “Miss Qian, what are your thoughts on the fire in Chenjia Village? Some say this fire was the trigger for the manure-throwing incident in Heyue City.”

“Your question is sharp, but I must remind you that making groundless speculations before the relevant authorities have spoken comes with responsibility,” Qian Xiaoyun replied righteously, before her tone shifted.

“However, based on reports from journalists at the Heyue City incident scene, we cannot rule out that certain individuals may have been involved in the fire at Chenjia Village. We await further clarification from the authorities.”

Afterwards, intentionally or not, the journalists present began to link the manure-throwing incident in Heyue City with the fire in Chenjia Village. Though Qian Xiaoyun’s responses remained objective, her words were pointed, never shying away from implicating the Lin family.

After the conference.

In an office of the Qian Family Tower.

“Uncle Wen, settle the agreed compensation with them,” Qian Xiaoyun said softly, glancing at the journalists seated on either side.

“I understand, Miss,” Uncle Wen replied. Facing the journalists, he said quietly, “Please come with me.”

But one young reporter hesitated, taking only a couple of steps before turning back. “Miss Qian, though you invited us here to cover this matter, I cannot accept any compensation.”

His voice trembled with emotion as he spoke from the heart. “Reporting the truth is the sacred duty of us journalists. If those in power truly had a hand in the arson, no matter the pressure, I will not give up reporting. Likewise, my pen will never be used as a weapon for anyone.”

“Thank you.”

With those words, the young man turned and left.

“Wait, what’s your name?” Qian Xiaoyun called after him, her brows arching slightly.

“Huang Xu!” he replied, then hurried out of the office.

As soon as Uncle Wen left with the remaining journalists, Fifth Uncle entered.

“What did the people in Changping Village say?” Qian Xiaoyun asked urgently.

Fifth Uncle’s expression was grim. “Something isn’t right. After Chen Fugui and his group clashed with the Lin family, there’s no way cooperation could continue between them. But the response we’ve received is that Erlong, Li Fugui, and the others don’t seem interested in using our elixirs anymore. They’ve evaded us time and again.”

“Hmm?” Qian Xiaoyun frowned at this. “In all Anqing Province, who besides us could provide them with elixirs?”

Weekend.

After a night of tempering, Zhang Ze had made notable progress on the path of a First-Class Martial Artist.

Wealth: 746,000
Cell Strength: 199S
Cell Spirit: 39
Skills: Shield (11%), Probe
Meridians: Three (90%)

Having tempered three meridians, Zhang Ze’s cell strength had reached the peak of an ordinary First-Class Martial Artist. Yet, for him, having only just tempered the three lower limb meridians, he was still a considerable distance from the Second Class.

“This wealth depletes far too quickly!” Zhang Ze couldn’t help but sigh as he glanced at his system panel.

“After today’s training, it seems I must visit Erlong and the others in the countryside.” Muttering to himself, he got out of bed, tidied up, and prepared for a day of cultivation.

After breakfast, Zhang Ze made his way to his usual practice spot and assumed a horse stance.

As the students of the martial school arrived one after another, Ren Fan also appeared on the training grounds. He glanced at Zhang Ze and nodded.

“Zhang Ze, come here,” he called.

Zhang Ze hurried over. Ren Fan announced, “Today, I will teach a new martial technique.”

As he spoke, Zheng Li and Yan Long carried over a massive wooden stake.

“The technique I will demonstrate today is called ‘Piercing Kick.’” Ren Fan gestured to the wooden stake. “As always, I’ll demonstrate first—observe closely!”

Without hesitation, he launched into motion.

He crouched, tensed, exhaled lightly, and sprang forth.

In a single, fluid instant, he soared several meters through the air toward the stake.

A harsh clang resounded as his right foot drove half his instep deep into the wood.

Even knowing the destructive power of martial artists, Zhang Ze’s eyes widened in amazement. He was no fool; for a stake that required two martial artists to carry, its hardness was obvious. What’s more, Ren Fan had hardly used any buildup—this was simply a demonstration.

“If that kick landed on me, I’d be done for,” Zhang Ze thought, activating his probing skill. Ren Fan’s cell strength of 466 was displayed clearly.

“So, even with terrifying cell strength, if you can’t use it properly, it’s wasted,” he mused. Then he recalled that he himself had first tempered the six lower limb meridians—this ‘Piercing Kick’ was a perfect fit.

“Alright, practice the motion first. In the afternoon, we’ll strike the wooden stake,” Ren Fan instructed.

Zhang Ze was so fired up he could hardly resist trying out his strength on the stake right away. But on the other side, Liu Qianqian muttered, “Coach Ren, can I just stand in horse stance today?”

“Why?” Ren Fan asked, puzzled.

“Coach, I have athlete’s foot. This technique…” Qianqian replied.

Hearing her answer, Ren Fan was momentarily speechless, exasperated by her antics.

Luckily, Zhang Ze intervened in time. “Coach Ren, I’m not very strong. Could Liu Qianqian help me practice the moves? I’m not strong enough to hurt him, and he can get a feel for the technique as well.”

At this, Qianqian’s face turned green.