Xu Ze watched as the amber-brown tea leaves were poured into the teapot. Even before Old Tang added water, a refreshing, delicate aroma already wafted through the air—light, yet inexplicably clearing his mind in an instant.
“What excellent tea…” Xu Ze couldn’t help but smile and shake his head in admiration as Old Tang slowly poured a stream of hot water into the pot. The fragrance gradually intensified as the water filled the vessel.
Old Tang focused intently on the task, first filling the pot, then covering it and giving it a gentle swirl. After swiftly pouring out the initial rinse—part of the tea-washing ritual—he added fresh water once more.
Once the lid was back on, he waited only a short while before lifting the small teapot and tilting it with practiced ease, filling six tiny purple clay cups. With a smile, he gestured for Xu Ze to help himself.
Xu Ze, already entranced by the tea’s aroma, nodded gratefully. Picking up a cup with two fingers, he examined the deep golden liquor, then brought it to his nose for a deep inhale. The subtle fragrance filled his senses, and he could no longer resist—taking a sip, he let the scalding liquid glide over his tongue. The flavor was rich and mellow, a perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness. Even after swallowing, the lingering aftertaste of fragrant sweetness danced on his palate, drawing a satisfied sigh from him.
He hadn’t had many chances to enjoy truly fine tea. The Tieguanyin he’d once tasted at Sun Lingfei’s place had been the best he’d ever had—until today. Compared to this national-treasure-grade Da Hong Pao, the difference was…
Old Tang, too, had been lured by the tea’s allure. After observing the color and savoring the aroma, he finally took a sip. The look of bliss on his face mirrored Xu Ze’s perfectly—the two of them, old and young, were clearly kindred spirits.
“Magnificent tea…” Xu Ze murmured, half-lidded eyes exhaling a wisp of tea-scented breath as he remained immersed in the delicate fragrance.
Old Tang said nothing, merely nodding slowly as he savored the interplay of bitter and sweet on his tongue.
A single pot of tea, steeped three times, kept the two of them enthralled for over an hour.
After carefully draining the last cup and relishing every nuance, Old Tang finally sighed in contentment. Looking up at Xu Ze, he smiled. “I’ve always been curious—where did you learn such remarkable acupuncture techniques? I’ve had acupuncture before. The director of the National Acupuncture Research Institute has treated me multiple times, using everything from moxibustion to electroacupuncture. Even the exact point you needled the other day was tried on me, yet it had no effect whatsoever. So, naturally, I wondered.”
Xu Ze chuckled softly. He’d anticipated this question. Lifting his cup, he finished the last of his tea before answering. Just as he was about to speak, Old Tang waved a hand amiably. “If it’s something you’d rather not share, don’t worry. I understand these things can be… sensitive.”
“It’s nothing secret,” Xu Ze replied, setting down his cup with a calm smile. “As I mentioned before, I learned this technique from an ancient acupuncture manual. It’s… unique. It requires a special method to achieve its effects.”
“A special method?” Old Tang’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Tang Zhi mentioned your energy felt unusual. I see now he was right.”
“Hm?” Xu Ze raised an eyebrow.
“Tang Zhi suspected you might practice some form of internal martial arts, just like him. Is that how you enhance your acupuncture’s effects?” Old Tang’s knowing grin suggested he’d already pieced it together.
Xu Ze’s eyes flickered with surprise. His energy circulation exercises had evolved from traditional qigong. If Tang Zhi could detect that, then Old Tang’s bodyguard was clearly no ordinary man.
Nodding, Xu Ze admitted, “Tang Zhi is sharp. Yes, I’ve trained in internal arts—specifically to complement my acupuncture. That’s why ordinary techniques can’t compare.”
“No wonder!” Old Tang’s relief was palpable. “I couldn’t fathom how your treatments outperformed even veteran specialists with decades of experience.”
Earlier that day, Tang Zhi had discreetly reinvestigated Xu Ze’s background. The findings showed no unusual medical heritage in Xu Ze’s family—just conventional practices—and the clinic where he worked part-time, though reputable, held no secrets either.
But as someone from a martial arts lineage himself, Tang Zhi had sensed something different about Xu Ze’s energy. Old Tang, having fought alongside martial artists during the war, knew firsthand how their training granted extraordinary capabilities. If Xu Ze’s skills stemmed from such disciplines, his medical prowess made perfect sense.
Glancing at the clock—already 2 PM—Xu Ze smiled. “We should begin, Old Tang.”
“Right, you have work later. Let’s not delay.” With a nod, Old Tang led him to a quiet room.
Tang Zhi was already waiting inside. He greeted Xu Ze with a smile, then opened a case, revealing an array of acupuncture needles. “Will these work, or would you prefer your own?”
Xu Ze examined the meticulously arranged needles—varying lengths and styles—and nodded appreciatively. Tang Zhi’s thoroughness was understandable; given Old Tang’s status, caution was natural. “These are perfect,” he said, selecting a set.
Turning to Old Tang, he instructed, “Please remove your outer layers and lie down. We’ll start shortly.”
Old Tang complied, stripping down to his traditional undergarments before settling onto the narrow treatment table. “Ready when you are.”
Xu Ze disinfected his hands with alcohol, then picked up a cotton swab to sterilize the needle sites.
“Activate program.”
A faint glimmer passed through his glasses as the system scanned Old Tang’s body.
“Xinshu point.”
A red marker appeared on his lens, precisely highlighting the acupuncture point on Old Tang’s back—no need for manual palpation like that morning.
Without hesitation, Xu Ze swabbed the spot and inserted the first needle.
As it penetrated about 0.5 cm, he released it, leaving the silver filament in place. A second needle was already in his hand as he reached for Old Tang’s wrist.
“Neiguan.”
Another marker flashed on his display. Xu Ze’s movements were swift, precise—Xinshu, Neiguan, Daling, Shenmen, Ximen, Juque, Zhiyang… Each needle found its mark flawlessly.
Tang Zhi watched, awed. “He doesn’t even hesitate. I could locate these points too, but never this fast…”
Xu Ze’s skill was undeniable.
