Chapter 174: The Art of Persuasion and a Peculiar Practice

“Speaking of which, those sect leaders and masters can use ‘spiritual cultivation’ to trick a large number of female devotees into sleeping with them. You, a true disciple of a righteous Xuanmen sect, can’t even manage a few students?” I asked, probing.

“Those people! They are nothing but heretical practitioners who use dark arts for their own selfish gain! How could I possibly stoop to such sordid deeds like them?” Yi Zhiqiu exclaimed, agitated.

It was confirmed. Indeed, most of those cult leaders and deceptive masters mentioned on television actually possessed some form of magic.

However, they either failed to use their abilities for righteous purposes or began cultivating dark arts from the very start.

“I never suggested you trick female students into bed. But if you want to gain their trust, you only need to subtly display your abilities.”

“You don’t need to tell them about anything supernatural. For instance, transmitting a wisp of Qi can energize someone for an entire day, or using Qi for healing. These things would surely win over the students.”

Yi Zhiqiu had previously mentioned that students only began seeking him out after he publicly saved a dispirited girl, which caused his reputation to spread.

Why was he so slow to grasp this? For students, merely receiving a trace of his true Qi could keep them refreshed, clear-headed, and energetic for a whole day.

Judging by how I saw him heal Cao Bao and replenish my own blood energy, treating minor injuries and ailments would be effortless for him.

These actions wouldn’t require revealing any supernatural elements at all. He could simply claim to possess some ancestral massage techniques, which would reasonably explain his abilities.

Many students would undoubtedly fall for this approach, and it wouldn’t even cost him much in terms of resources or money.

Upon hearing my suggestion, Yi Zhiqiu fell into contemplation. I continued to persuade him, “You’ll also need to perform exorcisms or dispel enchantments for students in the future, won’t you?”

“Rather than having to explain later why you’re touching students, it would be better to establish an image now that you’re skilled in massage and therapeutic manipulation. Things will be much easier then.”

“You have a point. That’s an excellent suggestion. I’ll do as you say. From now on, if I see students who are too tired or dispirited, I’ll help them this way to build rapport.” Yi Zhiqiu nodded, agreeing with my advice. This conversation benefited both of us.

Next, it was my turn. “I practiced Tai Chi again yesterday and can now complete the entire set without relying on the recording. Please take a look.”

With that, I eagerly adopted my stance and began. The sequence of movements flowed like clouds and water, each punch and swing powerful and forceful. Yet, Yi Zhiqiu’s brow furrowed as he watched.

As I reached the ‘Embrace the Tiger and Return to the Mountain’ posture, Yi Zhiqiu suddenly shouted, “Stop! Who taught you to fight like that?”

Just as my Qi and blood surged, Yi Zhiqiu’s abrupt halt, much like the old man’s applause interrupting my practice yesterday, caused an uncomfortable sensation in my chest.

However, I didn’t feel the same irritation or inability to control my fists as I had yesterday. I stopped my steps, slowly retracted my hands, pressed them down, exhaled, and recovered my breath.

Only then did I turn my head and ask, “No one taught me. This is how I practiced it myself.”

“You practiced it yourself? Your set of moves carries a heavy killing intent. Tai Chi is absolutely not like this; you’ve gone astray. Were you practicing when you were extremely angry or held a grudge?”

As Yi Zhiqiu spoke, he seemed puzzled himself. In his view, the young girl before him had been in excellent spirits these past few days, completely devoid of negative emotions like anger or hatred.

‘Killing intent in my practice? I don’t have that, do I? But if I’ve gone astray, oh, right. Last night, I suddenly had a breathing hitch while practicing, and before that, I felt those old men were practicing too slowly.’

I recounted the details of my practice last night to Yi Zhiqiu, including how I couldn’t control my elbow at the end and it shot out. ‘But I also feel something is off now.

‘Because currently, I don’t feel that impatience, anxiety, or even annoyance. Instead, I feel very calm.’

“You really only practiced with some old grandpas? Then how could you practice it like this? The shortness of breath and chest pain you felt last night were because your ‘fist intent’ clashed with the breathing technique I taught you,” Yi Zhiqiu explained.

After that, I had no choice but to relearn, starting my practice from scratch. Each time I moved with excessive force or impatience, Yi Zhiqiu would pause me, correct my movements, or even directly guide me.

At least my primary objective was achieved. Yi Zhiqiu’s vital essence was once again absorbed by my skin, and the unbearable itching ceased, at least temporarily.

After several repetitions, my Tai Chi returned to its state from two days prior. Completing a set left me feeling calm and composed. Yi Zhiqiu’s teaching certainly felt more orthodox.

Yet, it was strange how I had gone astray, especially since no one had taught me differently, and those old men were practicing pure Tai Chi for physical fitness.

After finishing my practice, I was once again drenched in sweat. I sat on the sofa in Yi Zhiqiu’s office, wiping myself with a towel. I even had to unfasten my tight school uniform, or I wouldn’t be able to wipe away the sweat from my body.

“Uh…” Yi Zhiqiu averted his gaze, speaking with some difficulty. “Couldn’t you, perhaps, not take off your clothes here? It’s easy for people to misunderstand.”

“What’s there to worry about? Haven’t you already closed the door?” I retorted, unbuttoning my clothes as I wiped away the sweat.

“But you are a girl, aren’t you? How can you just casually take off your clothes in my office?” Yi Zhiqiu said awkwardly.

‘Casually take off clothes?’ Yi Zhiqiu covered his face.

“But, that day, when you helped me dispel the evil, you saw my entire body, didn’t you? And you touched me all over,” I said with a smile.

“That was for treatment; it’s different from the current situation! And you were still wearing your underwear, so I didn’t see everything!” Yi Zhiqiu argued, rubbing his temples in exasperation.

“But, your office doesn’t have a changing room, Teacher Yi. You wouldn’t want to kick me out and make me take off my clothes to wipe sweat in public, would you?” I asked, smiling.

“Uh, of course not.” Yi Zhiqiu turned away resignedly, accepting the reality of me undressing and wiping sweat in his office.

“Hehe, actually, I only did this because I trust Teacher Yi. That day, I stripped down to just my underwear in front of you, and you were free to touch my body, yet you maintained propriety and committed no inappropriate actions. So, I am certain that Teacher Yi is a true gentleman.”

“Even a gentleman isn’t immune to all temptations, and you are simply too stunning, almost unfairly so. I wouldn’t dare claim how long I could resist,” Yi Zhiqiu replied earnestly, his back still to me.

“Then please, keep up the good work, Teacher Yi. You’ll get used to it,” I said, feeling a strange sense of pleasure. Teasing Yi Zhiqiu seemed quite amusing.

Having been a boy before, I knew how alluring Xia Yubing’s body was. For Yi Zhiqiu to resist the temptation in the face of my playful words, his self-control was truly extraordinary.

“I suggest you buy some training clothes for practicing Tai Chi in the future,” Yi Zhiqiu quickly changed the subject. “Practicing in a school uniform is uncomfortable, after all, and I can’t dry you off every time you sweat, can I?”

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