Chapter 66: Courtesy Demands Reciprocity

"What are you crying for? In a bit, my boys here will take good care of you—you'll be in so much ecstasy, it'll be like paradise." With that, Ma Chao and his gang of blond ruffians burst into raucous laughter, nearly doubling over. Before them, the three stood like helpless prey upon the chopping block, their fate merely a matter of time.

Yet, hiding off to the side, Tong Wei's thoughts ran in another direction. "Damn it, I haven't even held that girl's hand, and now Ma Chao is about to take all the advantage. Still, seeing Zhang Shen get his comeuppance—maybe it's worth it."

"Big guy, I don't quite understand what you're saying," Zhang Shen retorted coolly. "Those two will find someone to truly care for them one day. You'd best mind your own business."

Ma Chao, insulted by Zhang Shen's words, ordered his lackeys to "teach him a lesson." The gang immediately closed in on Zhang Shen and his companions. But as the three blond thugs encircled him, something inexplicable happened: they suddenly burst out laughing, all aggression lost.

This turn of events caught Ma Chao off guard; what he thought would be an effortless capture now had taken an unexpected twist. The same surprise registered on Ye Qiong and Wang Ying's faces. Truth be told, they hadn't placed much hope in Zhang Shen—the scholarly, frail-looking man before them. Yet now, they hadn't the luxury to reflect.

Sensing something was off, Ma Chao strode forward and barked at his downed men, "What the hell are you doing? I told you to beat them up, not play sick!" He hadn't realized Zhang Shen had already "set his trap." Annoyed, Ma Chao landed two kicks on one of his men, but the thug simply continued to giggle foolishly, showing no intention of resisting.

Enraged and humiliated, Ma Chao clenched his fists and swung at Zhang Shen. As the gang leader, his moves were swift and fierce—the punch whistled straight for Zhang Shen's face. Yet, just as Ma Chao's fist was a hair's breadth from its mark, his arm froze in midair. A few seconds later, he too broke into uncontrollable laughter, just like his men.

No one had noticed the tiny silver needle in Zhang Shen's hand. As soon as Ma Chao and his thugs had made their move, Zhang Shen prepared his hidden weapon. This "needle up the sleeve" was his real trump card.

Ye Qiong and Wang Ying, who had been terrified moments before, quickly realized they were out of danger. Still, the ordeal had left these two sheltered girls deeply shaken.

"I bet this was all Tong Wei's doing!" Ye Qiong whispered to Zhang Shen.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shen seemed to understand. He swiftly jabbed Ma Chao in a pressure point with his silver needle. Instantly, the laughter stopped, and Ma Chao's expression crumpled in pain.

"Ouch! Ahhh!" Ma Chao howled, writhing on the ground in agony. After about five minutes, Zhang Shen withdrew the needle and asked, "Now speak—who put you up to this? Was it Tong Wei?"

Ma Chao's face grew tense at the mention of the mastermind. But, unwilling to confess, he could only grit his teeth and resist.

"Tong Wei? Hell, I don't even know any Tong Wei!" he spat.

Seeing Ma Chao's defiance, Zhang Shen remained calm. He had plenty of tricks up his sleeve. "A stubborn mouth will only bring you more suffering. I advise you to come clean, or things will get much worse."

Ma Chao sneered despite the pain, still unable to stand. "You think you can scare me? I run this area. You've crossed me today, and I'll tear you to pieces tomorrow!"

"Ignorant fool," Zhang Shen muttered, shaking his head at Ma Chao's obstinacy. "Since you insist, I'll grant your wish. Consider this a favor, helping you become a better man."

With that, Zhang Shen plunged the needle into a different pressure point—this time, the one that induced itching.

Within seconds, Ma Chao broke out in swollen welts all over his body. His hands clawed at his skin, producing a sharp, squeaking sound as he scratched furiously, soon drawing bloody marks on his arms.

Unable to bear the sight, Ye Qiong and Wang Ying turned away. "Please, stop him! It's too awful!"

Hearing the girls' pleas, Zhang Shen relented. He withdrew the needle from Ma Chao's itching point and said, "Laughter, pain, itching—you've sampled all three. Now, perhaps I'll let you try—"

Before Zhang Shen could finish, a half-conscious Ma Chao threw himself at Zhang Shen's legs, clutching them desperately. After everything he'd just endured, he knew better than to resist further.

"Please, brother, I'll talk! I'll tell you everything!"

"Good. Since you're willing to be honest, I won't make you suffer anymore."

"Thank you, brother!"

"Then speak up," Zhang Shen demanded, eager to confirm whether Ye Qiong's suspicions about Tong Wei were correct.

"Brother, could you please save my men first? They're only following my orders, but now—"

Zhang Shen could tell from Ma Chao's hesitation that he wanted his help to restore his men to normal. "That's not difficult," Zhang Shen replied, "but I can't risk you trying anything. So I'll have to take precautions."

He jabbed each of the three thugs in the neck with his needle. "Your men's lives are now in your hands. You'd better answer truthfully."

He waved the needle before Ma Chao's eyes.

"I will! I swear, I'll tell you everything. Ask whatever you want!"

"Who sent you after me?"

"Tong Wei?"

The name alone was enough to enrage Zhang Shen. So it really was Tong Wei—the words of a petty schemer are never to be trusted.

"If he told you to come, you just obeyed? Do you have no mind of your own?"

"That's only because..."