Chapter 2

In fact, this is not the main material plane known as the continent of Azeroth, where swords and magic reign supreme,

— Welcome to the [Heroic Space].

...

...

"Senior Guobang, how did you find the chicken's Zhongshan point?"

Alpha held the acupuncture chart, lightly tapping the Zhongshan point marked with the words "all over numb, unable to move," and asked the middle-aged man who was wiping the white powder off his face with a cloth soaked in vegetable oil.

That was quicklime, a despicable method used in street fights to blind the enemy and significantly reduce their combat effectiveness. After being hit with quicklime, one cannot wash it off with water; only oil can be used, as quicklime reacts with water to release a large amount of heat. Washing with water could cause severe burns, leading to temporary blindness or even permanent blindness and disability. Therefore, the middle-aged man used a cloth soaked in vegetable oil.

Strangely, although his face was covered in quicklime, his eyes were completely clean.

Yes, this middle-aged man, whom Alpha called Li Guobang, is the same Li Guobang who is the senior disciple of Miaocuihua, Fang Shiyu's mother, and is renowned for his unparalleled acupuncture skills.

— Of course, this was during the time when Fang Shiyu was rampant in the late Qing Dynasty. In the high-martial era a few hundred years ago, when various profound internal skills were common, a few breaths could have dispelled the effects of acupuncture.

According to the normal plot, this skilled man, who always emphasized "safety first," should have died at the hands of the Red Flower Society traitor Yu Zhenhai and his lackeys while covering the severely injured Fang Shiyu's retreat.

Those familiar with this story know that Li Guobang was killed after being blinded by quicklime while successfully subduing a group of henchmen, including an old hen, and the situation seemed favorable.

However, Li Guobang is now alive and well.

As we can see, Li Guobang's face is covered in quicklime except for his eyes, clearly indicating that he defended against this despicable "chemical attack."

Li Guobang wiped off the last bit of quicklime, shook his head, and said, somewhat off-topic:

"Alas, I, Li Guobang, have wandered the江湖 (jianghu) for many years, but I have become increasingly dull. Fortunately, the young hero saved my life, and I am deeply grateful...

Alas, in the江湖 (jianghu), safety first, safety first."

While repeatedly chanting his classic catchphrase "safety first," Li Guobang bowed to Alpha with a grateful expression.

Alpha had just saved Li Guobang and fought alongside him to ensure their safe retreat, allowing this tragic hero to protect Fang Shiyu and his mother without meeting a tragic end.

Protecting Fang Shiyu and his mother and saving Li Guobang's life was Alpha's task to obtain the martial art [Blood Pointing and Pulse Cutting], which he received after upgrading the basic unarmed skill [Acupoint Hand] to level 9.

Strangely, Alpha remembered that Li Guobang was skilled in a technique called the Great Acupoint Skill of Heaven and Earth, but the skill listed in his martial arts selection was clearly [Blood Pointing and Pulse Cutting].

— Isn't [Blood Pointing and Pulse Cutting] the skill that Du Sha taught Xiao Yuer?

But there was no time to worry about that; he needed to complete the task and learn the skill.

Although it was only a second-tier martial art acquisition task, the requirements were quite strict.

If either Fang Shiyu and his mother or Li Guobang were to die, the task named [Red Flower Plunder] would fail.

Fortunately, Alpha remembered this part clearly and knew about the quicklime. At the critical moment when Yu Zhenhai's henchmen were about to throw the quicklime, Alpha threw a cloth as a projectile, which covered Li Guobang's eyes and blocked the quicklime, changing the course of the battle.

Li Guobang bowed in gratitude, and Alpha hurriedly smiled and returned the bow, but he was thinking to himself:

"He hasn't taught me the martial art yet..."

Alpha had not yet learned [Blood Pointing and Pulse Cutting] and needed Li Guobang to explain the principles clearly before he could learn it.

This was not Alpha's first time completing a martial art upgrade task in the [Heroic Space]. He knew the drill.

— The last time, after upgrading the light skill [Swift Shadow] to level 9, he received a task to protect Zhong Ling in Dali from being violated by Yun Zhonghe. During the struggle, he observed Yun Zhonghe's steps and mastered the second-tier light skill [Crane Dance on White Sand].

Noticing Alpha's distracted expression, Li Guobang remembered Alpha's earlier question:

"Oh, right. The Zhongshan point of a chicken, well, chickens don't actually have a Zhongshan point, hehe."

Li Guobang gave a lecherous smile, losing the heroic aura he had just moments ago and reverting to a sly, rule-bending veteran of the Red Flower Society.

"Little hero, you must know that the Zhongshan point in humans is the hub of the blood circulation in the limbs.

The concept of acupuncture is to disrupt the flow of blood with finger force, thereby defeating the enemy. The same applies to chickens, targeting the hub of their blood circulation."

Li Guobang paused and made a slashing motion across his neck:

"When slaughtering a chicken, a cut to the neck causes a gush of blood. By striking the neck, you disrupt the blood flow, making the chicken 'numb and unable to move.'"

Disrupting the blood flow by attacking the blood hub is similar to striking the carotid artery to cause unconsciousness. Li Guobang's explanation seemed correct.

While thinking, Alpha gathered two fingers and made a few stabbing motions in the air, but his movements were far from the "swift as the wind, swift as lightning" level Li Guobang had demonstrated.

"Acupuncture relies on the projection of internal energy, penetrating even metal and stone. It's not about brute strength or having fingers as hard as iron."

Li Guobang, seeing that Alpha wanted to learn, became serious:

"But in martial arts, the foundation is crucial. Diligent practice is essential.

Little hero, you should know that I practiced the finger strength for my eighteen routes of the Great Acupoint Skill of Heaven and Earth for twenty years."

Li Guobang extended his thick, short middle finger, scarred and calloused, with abnormally raised knuckles, clearly indicating past fractures and reconnections.

Alpha took a deep breath, moved to the side to avoid the unintentional obscene gesture from the acupuncture master, and replied awkwardly:

"I know, I know, thank you, thank you."

"Martial arts require gradual progress and perseverance. Impatience is not a good thing. If you're not careful, you might suffer from a mental breakdown...

...sigh, in the江湖 (jianghu), safety first, safety first."

Li Guobang shook his head and muttered, much to Alpha's frustration. He wanted Li Guobang to teach him the martial art.

"But I see that your projectile skills are quite good, and your finger techniques show some foundation, which is quite rare for someone your age."

Li Guobang nodded in satisfaction, and Alpha thought to himself, "How fresh, this is level 10 [Sleeve Arrow]. A single projectile from me can almost match a 2nd-level spell [Ice Blade]."

Seeing Alpha's slight pride, Li Guobang changed the subject:

"But relying solely on these skills to learn the Great Acupoint Skill of Heaven and Earth is like a dreamer's fantasy."

This was typical Dungeons & Dragons style, where NPCs are perceptive. In this game, NPCs are not traditional robots but rather special players who never log off. Alpha cooperated, making a slightly embarrassed expression and adding some anxiety about not learning the martial art to show his sincerity.

Sure enough, the acupuncture master squinted and smiled, his face full of mischief...

"Hehe, but I can teach you a simpler and more efficient entry-level acupuncture skill,

— [Blood Pointing and Pulse Cutting]!

Using finger force to strike the enemy's blood flow to subdue them. Although it's basic, with your foundation, you should learn it quickly. With good aptitude, you could grasp the basics in half an hour.

Acupuncture is about skill over strength, so there aren't many bottlenecks."

Indeed, it was [Blood Pointing and Pulse Cutting], not the Great Acupoint Skill of Heaven and Earth.

Although Alpha had expected this, he still feigned surprise, his eyes brightening as he leaned in, carefully avoiding Li Guobang's still extended middle finger, and asked excitedly:

"Senior Guobang, can I learn [Blood Pointing and Pulse Cutting]?"

Li Guobang said seriously:

"[Blood Pointing and Pulse Cutting] may not be a supreme martial art, but if learned by a villain, it could cause trouble. Therefore, character is the only requirement for learning it.

— You, a stranger, risked your life to save me, showing that you are a righteous person. Teaching you [Blood Pointing and Pulse Cutting] is not a problem."

Alpha was immediately excited, but Li Guobang continued:

"But you seem a bit impatient and eager for quick results, which is a major taboo in martial arts.

Teaching you too much could backfire and harm you...

Therefore, I will only teach you [Blood Pointing and Pulse Cutting]. Don't covet the Great Acupoint Skill of Heaven and Earth. [Blood Pointing and Pulse Cutting] is enough to subdue enemies and protect yourself in critical moments!

Young man, remember, in the江湖 (jianghu), safety first, safety first..."

Li Guobang's words made Alpha sigh with relief.

He thought, [Blood Pointing and Pulse Cutting] is enough; what more could I want?

Seeing Alpha's eagerness, Li Guobang extended his index finger, aligning it with his middle finger, pointed to a distant wall, and said to Alpha:

"Go, stab!"

Yes, learning [Blood Pointing and Pulse Cutting] was actually very simple, with only one word:

— Stab!

"Like the wind... like lightning... don't hesitate when you strike. The intention comes from the heart, the force from the finger. Exhale to release, inhale to retract.

Yes, very good!"

Li Guobang praised, and after an hour of practice, Alpha's fingers ached, but he finally made a crisp sound, indicating that his finger strength and angle were up to standard.

— He used his finger to strike a hollow bamboo board nailed to the wall, and Li Guobang judged the force and angle by the sound it made.

After an hour, Alpha finally met the standard!

At the same time, Alpha's martial arts list flashed, and a new skill appeared:

[Blood Pointing and Pulse Cutting (Level 1): 2nd-tier unarmed skill. Passive effect, improves with use. When used with other finger techniques to strike the enemy's blood flow to joints and specific acupoints, it increases the success rate and effect.

Acupoint success rate increased by 30%, damage and effect of acupoint strikes increased by 50%.

No attack time, no attack range, no internal energy consumption, no special requirements.]

"Done!!!"

Alpha excitedly clenched his fist, and then he suddenly disappeared.

The task was completed, and Alpha was naturally teleported out of the [Heroic Space]. Li Guobang, still standing there, confused, raised his thick, short middle finger and shouted:

"Little hero? Little hero? Leaving without a word? What's your name? Where do you live?

Be careful on your journey, in the江湖 (jianghu), safety first, safety first..."

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