Chapter 1679: 1679: What Do You Want

Chapter 1679: Chapter 1679: What Do You Want

“As people who delve into traditional medicine, we must share a common interest in this treasure,” Xu Chongzhi said with a smile. “Actually, I don’t need to explain specifically; Mr. Luo has already guessed what this Copper Man is, right?”

“Acupuncture bronze man,” Luo Ziling took a deep breath, his face serious as he looked at the Copper Man sealed within the glass cover. “I didn’t expect the legendary acupuncture bronze man to end up in Old Mr. Xu’s hands.”

“Mr. Luo is correct,” Xu Chongzhi grinned. “It is indeed the acupuncture bronze man, and it’s not a replica but an authentic artifact from the Song Dynasty.”

Luo Ziling moved closer to the Copper Man and carefully inspected it, finding no difference from the one he had preserved. He exclaimed, “The value of this copper man alone is enough for an ordinary person to live comfortably for several generations, isn’t it?”

“Actually, this is Huaxia’s artifact,” Xu Chongzhi said softly, standing next to Luo Ziling.

“Since it’s a Huaxia artifact, why did it end up in Mr. Xu’s possession?”

“Without the protection of our Xu Family, this Copper Man would have disappeared long ago,” Xu Chongzhi laughed heartily. “Our ancestors came from Liaodong and traveled to the Central Plains during the chaos at the end of the Song Dynasty, inadvertently discovering this Copper Man. They brought it back and protected it. In other words, our Xu family has preserved this Copper Man for centuries. Without our protection, this Copper Man would not exist anymore.”

“I really must thank Mr. Xu’s family for their protection of this precious artifact,” Luo Ziling didn’t doubt the sincerity of Xu Chongzhi’s words, and respectfully bowed to him.

Xu Chongzhi accepted the gesture comfortably, then smiled and asked, “Why does Mr. Luo not believe this is just a replica? After hearing me, you acknowledged that this is a Song Dynasty acupuncture bronze man?”

Luo Ziling shook his head, “I trust Old Mr. Xu’s words; you wouldn’t deceive me over such matters.”

“What if my ancestors were wrong?”

“I trust Mr. Xu’s character; if you had doubts, you would have mentioned them first.”

Xu Chongzhi laughed heartily, “Mr. Luo is a straightforward person. I enjoy associating with people like you.”

Luo Ziling returned a smile, continued observing the acupuncture bronze man, studied for a moment, and said, “The copper color and acupoint markings are identical to those recorded in ancient books. Even if you claimed it was fake, I would consider it genuine.”

“What would you think if I gifted this acupuncture bronze man to Mr. Luo?”

Xu Chongzhi’s words left Luo Ziling utterly shocked.

Xu Qinglang, standing to the side, was also taken aback, but he knew his father wouldn’t speak such words without reason and thus remained silent.

“What do you require in exchange?” Luo Ziling quickly recovered from his shock, recalling what Ishihara Tarou said to him during their meeting a couple of days ago.

He was aware these old foxes would never give love without a cause, nor would they generously gift without a purpose; they have their reasons.

Xu Chongzhi laughed even more heartily, “Indeed, I wish to exchange a few items with Mr. Luo.”

“What things?”

“I know you possess a recipe for a medicine called Life-saving Elixir that can bring the dying back to life. I also know you have mastered the Taiyi Divine Needle technique. I want both these items, and if Mr. Luo is willing to give them, I will gift this Copper Man in return.”

Luo Ziling did not respond immediately. Instead, he stared intently at Xu Chongzhi before shifting his gaze to the acupuncture bronze man within the glass cover.

After a moment, he said, “This Copper Man has been frequently used; I see substantial wear at the acupoint places.”

“An adept physician, even when practicing acupuncture on the Copper Man, generally won’t cause damage. If the acupoints are accurately identified, the copper wall won’t be touched.”

Xu Chongzhi’s seemingly unrelated response startled Luo Ziling for a moment, then he quickly understood.

He turned his head to Xu Chongzhi, “Alright, I agree to your request; our exchange is settled.”

“Mr. Luo is indeed a straightforward person,” Xu Chongzhi laughed heartily, “As long as Mr. Luo teaches our Xu family the Taiyi Divine Needle technique and shares the Life-saving Elixir recipe with us, then this Copper Man is yours.”

Luo Ziling swiftly noticed a pitfall in Xu Chongzhi’s words, “The underlying implication is, after your Xu family entirely masters the Taiyi Divine Needle technique, then the Copper Man is mine? If one person doesn’t grasp it, then the Copper Man won’t belong to me?”

Xu Chongzhi didn’t deny that implication but offered an explanation, “Not all Xu family members, just us three generations.”

“If one of you deliberately doesn’t master it, wouldn’t I never obtain the Copper Man?” Luo Ziling was slightly annoyed, “I can clearly tell you, Old Mr. Xu, you certainly won’t master the Taiyi Divine Needle technique because you can’t use the Qi Cyclone Needle, which is essential for the Taiyi Divine Needle.”

“What makes you say that?” Xu Chongzhi was slightly irked, “If others can master it, why can’t I?”

“Actually, your exchange condition is purely wishful thinking,” Luo Ziling chuckled, “Teaching the Taiyi Divine Needle technique is simple, but whether one can learn it depends on personal comprehension and aptitude. Additionally, it’s not an overnight achievement; at least five years of study is required to potentially master it. Old Mr. Xu, do you think I am a fool?”

“You’re very smart; among your peers, few are as clever as you,” Xu Chongzhi’s laughter ceased. “Are you unwilling to agree?”

“I will exchange the technique and recipe for your Copper Man; if you agree, we will conclude immediately; if you don’t, then I apologize, I’d rather forgo the Copper Man,” Luo Ziling fixed his gaze on Xu Chongzhi, almost speaking one word at a time. “Additionally, to be candid, I already possess one acupuncture bronze man; in terms of learning acupuncture techniques, whether I acquire yours or not, it’s not crucial.”

“Another Copper Man is with you?” Xu Chongzhi was extremely surprised, “How can there be another acupuncture bronze man?”

“Originally, there was a pair of acupuncture bronze men, but they were lost during wartime,” Luo Ziling pulled out his phone, found the photo of the acupuncture bronze man he took, and enlarged it for Xu Chongzhi and Xu Qinglang to see. “I trust you can discern whether it’s a replica or genuine.”

After recognizing the Copper Man in Luo Ziling’s photo, Xu Chongzhi’s complexion slightly changed, and Xu Qinglang was visibly shocked as well.

Xu Chongzhi understood that Luo Ziling was absolutely right.

Even if he had another Copper Man, the value of this Copper Man would greatly decrease.

Using this to threaten Luo Ziling would evidently lose much of its power.