The Bian Que Divine Needle technique was obtained by the old man by chance. Because practicing it required considerable perseverance, he directly stored it away.
When Zhou Yu was young and playful, he stumbled upon this needle technique while rummaging through boxes and cabinets. The vivid illustrations of people on the scroll captivated him.
"If you like this Bian Que Divine Needle technique, you can take it to practice. But if you give up halfway, be careful your backside will get spanked!"
To this day, Zhou Yu still remembered the old man's words. At that time, he was young and unwilling to admit to being someone who gave up halfway. So, he immediately decided to learn the Bian Que Divine Needle.
As one can imagine, the more determined he was back then, the more he suffered later. Ancient needle techniques inherently emphasized practice makes perfect. Daily and nightly practice left Zhou Yu with almost no time for play. But, he persisted to the end!
Zhou Yu believed that Zhao Ruyue might not be able to grit her teeth and endure it as he had. For years, day in and day out, practicing the needle technique without interruption was something only someone with immense perseverance could achieve.
"I am not a martial artist. If I learn this needle technique, won't it tarnish its reputation?" Zhao Ruyue worried. She had no true energy within her. Only martial artists of the Postnatal Ming Jin stage could condense some true energy in their bodies. Body-forging martial artists had none at all! But Zhao Ruyue, at present, was not even a martial artist, let alone a body-forging one.
"Don't worry, even if you are not a martial artist and have no true energy, after learning this needle technique, you can still treat many difficult diseases. Besides, under normal circumstances, how many complicated illnesses would require you to use true energy? Right?"
Actually, the illness of Yunhai City's mayor could be slowly cured even without using the golden needle to guide energy, by the powerful impact of softening the golden needle as it coursed through the acupoints. The Bian Que Divine Needle was, after all, the Bian Que Divine Needle. If it had such great limitations, it would not deserve to be called a divine skill or an ancient needle technique. But at that time, Zhou Yu had to find a way to quickly cure the mayor of Yunhai City.
"In that case, I will definitely learn it!" Zhao Ruyue said earnestly. She had never imagined that this meal today would give her the opportunity to learn the Bian Que Divine Needle! Thus, Zhao Ruyue's gaze towards Zhou Yu held a different kind of sentiment. This man was outstanding! So outstanding that Zhao Ruyue couldn't bear to share him with any other woman! Moreover, he was her fiancé at this very moment!
"Alright, I will have someone send the diagram for the Bian Que Divine Needle technique tonight and give it to you," Zhou Yu promised. The needle technique was still in the Desolate Sea Heavy Prison, and he couldn't go back to retrieve it now. He could only have it sent to Yunhai City.
With a thought, Zhou Yu raised his eyebrows and suggested, "Why don't you formally acknowledge me as your master?"
"Not a chance! If I can't learn the Bian Que Divine Needle without becoming your disciple, then I won't learn it!" To Zhou Yu's surprise, Zhao Ruyue's emotions became instantly agitated upon hearing his proposal. Her delicate body trembled, her brows furrowed, and her arms crossed in front of her chest, looking as though she absolutely refused.
Zhou Yu rubbed his nose and had to let the idea go. His suggestion was ultimately a ploy to make Zhao Ruyue proactively propose breaking off the engagement. If this woman became his disciple, the significance of their marriage contract would be greatly diminished. Zhou Yu could then use this as an excuse to exaggerate the difficulties to the old man. That way, even if Zhao Ruyue didn't propose breaking off the engagement, he wouldn't worry about the old man getting angry.
"Cough, cough... If you don't want to become my disciple, then don't. Why get so angry?" Zhou Yu feigned picking up his cup and took a tactical sip of water. Zhao Ruyue leaned back in her chair, her beautiful eyes fixed on him. After a moment, she finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Hmph! Don't think I don't know what you're up to!" Zhao Ruyue, being extremely intelligent, quickly realized that Zhou Yu was trying to take advantage of the situation. Unfortunately for him, she wasn't foolish. Seeing that the man opposite her had fallen silent, Zhao Ruyue picked up her cutlery, ready to eat something to fill her stomach. She hadn't eaten yet! It had all been devoured by someone else.
"Eh? Aren't you not hungry?" Zhou Yu asked in surprise. Zhao Ruyue replied exasperatedly, "I invited you to dinner, and I'm not hungry? Then why did I invite you here, just to watch you eat?"
"..."
"You were enjoying yourself immensely just now, and didn't leave any for me."
"..."
"What's wrong? Can't speak?"
"You started eating before I did. I thought you weren't hungry."
Zhou Yu felt unjustly accused. He had eaten heartily, and Zhao Ruyue had endured it by his side. Didn't that prove the woman didn't want to eat? Who knew that she simply hadn't been in the mood yet.
"You were making so much noise while eating, as if someone was snatching food from you. How could I dare to pick up my chopsticks? You are a martial artist, and I am just a mere woman. If we were to fight, I wouldn't be your match," Zhao Ruyue teased. Zhou Yu's willingness to teach her the Bian Que Divine Needle made her feel much happier. The unpleasantness from before was also put aside.
"Fine! Whatever you say." Zhou Yu promptly stopped, not wanting to argue with her. Then, he rejoined the ranks of those enthusiastically eating.
"You're still not full?" Zhao Ruyue was astonished. How much could this guy eat? He had just eaten a pile of food, and his stomach could still hold more!
"It makes me uncomfortable to watch you eat!"
"If it makes you uncomfortable, then don't eat."
"No, you simply don't understand how astonishing a martial artist's appetite can be."
"Then you also don't understand women."
"That's true."
They bickered back and forth, slowly clearing away the remaining food.
...
After dinner, they naturally went their separate ways, each to their own homes and beds. Zhou Yu sat in the private room, waiting for Zhao Ruyue to return after settling the bill, so they could leave together. Just then, he heard a conversation outside. Listening carefully, he realized it seemed to be Zhao Ruyue talking to another man. Driven by curiosity, Zhou Yu tiptoed to the private room door and peeked outside. He saw a presentable-looking young man smiling broadly as he blocked Zhao Ruyue's path, then proceeded to shower her with attention.
"Looks like she's encountered a pursuer. Should I be a shield for her this time?" Zhou Yu mused. He could tell from Zhao Ruyue's expression that she was clearly unhappy. The pursuer didn't seem to be someone Dr. Zhao liked at all.
"Zhu Xiangjun, please move aside. Someone is waiting for me inside!" Zhao Ruyue frowned at the rich second-generation in front of her, trying to get past him to escape, but found herself blocked again. Fearing she might touch him, she could only retreat desperately.
"Ruyue, who are you trying to fool? I clearly saw you paying the bill just now. If someone was waiting for you inside, why would you come out to pay by yourself? I think you just paid and wanted to leave, but realized you forgot something, didn't you?" As Zhu Xiangjun spoke, he gradually moved closer, narrowing the distance between himself and Zhao Ruyue. With her retreating and him advancing, his sense of triumph grew.