Eunuch, do you really know these martial arts?

In the following days, Jiang Nian clearly felt that the attention surrounding him had increased.

The newly assigned bodyguard team included several unfamiliar faces.

Although his credentials were complete and his background was clean, the occasional glint of shrewdness in his eyes was something that ordinary security personnel could not possess.

A technical consultant, supposedly recommended by Xinghan Capital, was quietly added to the production team to coordinate the arrival of the so-called new filming equipment.

The net woven by the other side is tightening silently.

Jiang Nian saw it all, but remained silent.

He strictly followed the requirements of the false medical report, and when he occasionally appeared in public, he always had a perfectly measured look of weariness on his face.

Jiang Nian was in the basement training room of the villa when his encrypted communicator vibrated; it was Ghost.

"Advisor Jiang, we've found some information."

The ghost's voice came through the encrypted channel, still concise and to the point.

"explain."

"The new technical advisor is ostensibly an engineer at a small technology company in Northern Europe, but he is actually linked to multiple money laundering organizations, and the funds ultimately flow to an offshore account controlled by Xinghan Capital."

"The two new recruits in the bodyguard team had perfect resumes, but we found their early activity records in the remnants of an international mercenary database. They were skilled in infiltration and close-range assassination."

"As for that rehabilitation expert, his background is even cleaner, but the largest anonymous donor to the medical group he works for is also related to Xinghan Capital."

The ghost paused, then added.

"In addition, we detected an increased frequency of communication between Charles and an encrypted communication node overseas. The content of the communication was undecipherable, but the last known location of the signal source was an ice sheet near the Arctic Circle."

Jiang Nian's eyes were slightly cold.

As expected.

The other side did not give up, but simply changed their strategy.

The attempt to lure him to the Arctic has turned into an active infiltration of his inner circle.

Monitor nearby and look for an opportunity!

"Understood. Have our men keep a close watch, but don't alert them."

Jiang Nian ordered, "Especially that technical consultant and the two bodyguards, find out what they're up to."

"clear."

After ending the communication, Jiang Nian slowly finished his practice.

The internal energy within the body flowed like a warm stream through the still somewhat fragile meridians, bringing a sense of nourishment and repair.

While still some distance from peak performance, it's more than enough to handle most situations.

He needs patience and needs to wait for the other party to make a mistake first.

The opportunity soon arrived.

Three days later, Wang Lei called personally, his tone a mixture of excitement and caution.

"Teacher Jiang, I have great news! Mr. Charles has contacted a national-level master of traditional Chinese medicine who is said to be skilled in using ancient acupuncture and moxibustion to regulate internal energy, and it is said to be remarkably effective in treating your chronic internal injuries!"

"That master usually travels around and is extremely difficult to invite. This time, he only agreed to make an exception and treat you because of Xinghan Capital and the project. Would you like to give it a try?"

A master of traditional Chinese medicine?

Ancient acupuncture techniques?

Jiang Nian sneered inwardly.

The organization's infiltration is truly ubiquitous; they've even come up with this method.

Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment inevitably involves physical contact and the guidance of Qi, which is an excellent opportunity to explore his true condition and even secretly manipulate things.

"Oh? A national champion?"

Jiang Nian's tone carried a suitable mix of surprise and anticipation, "Mr. Charles, you've really gone to great lengths. When would be a convenient time for this master to speak?"

"Master will arrive in Beijing the day after tomorrow and will only stay for one day. If you agree, Professor Jiang, I will make the arrangements immediately!" Wang Lei said hurriedly.

“Okay, then I’ll trouble Mr. Wang to make the arrangements.” Jiang Nian agreed. “I also hope to recover as soon as possible so as not to delay the production schedule.”

"Great! I'll go and make it happen right away!"

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Nian's eyes sharpened.

the day after tomorrow……

It seems the other party is impatient.

He immediately contacted Ghost.

"The target has taken the bait. A master of traditional Chinese medicine will be treating me the day after tomorrow. I need you to be prepared for both possibilities."

"First, we must ensure that this master and any tools he carries are under our close monitoring to identify any potential risks."

"Second, prepare a perfect performance plan."

"Understood, promise to complete the task."

The ghost responded crisply and decisively.

The appointed day arrived quickly.

The treatment was arranged in a VIP suite at a top-tier private hospital, a quiet and secure environment.

When Jiang Nian arrived accompanied by A-Jie and Xiao-Min, Charles and Wang Lei were already waiting in the living room.

"Mr. Jiang, I hope this will be of some help to you."

Charles stepped forward with a gentle smile, but a subtle, almost imperceptible scrutiny lurked in his eyes.

"I'm sorry to trouble you, Mr. Charles."

Jiang Nian nodded slightly, her face still a little pale.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, an elderly man dressed in a Chinese-style long gown, with a long beard and a somewhat otherworldly air, came out from the inner room accompanied by a young assistant.

His sharp eyes swept over Jiang Nian, and he nodded slightly: "This must be young friend Jiang, right? Your complexion is weak, and your internal energy seems to be stagnant. It seems that your old injury has not yet healed."

"Thank you for your trouble, Master." Jiang Nian said respectfully.

"Please come in." The master gestured for them to enter.

The consultation room was already prepared, with a faint scent of calming incense burning.

The master had Jiang Nianping lie down on the examination bed, extended three fingers and placed them on his wrist pulse, then closed his eyes and concentrated.

Charles, Wang Lei, and others waited quietly in the outer room.

Jiang Nian could clearly feel a gentle yet inquisitive inner energy carefully probing into his meridians along the master's fingers.

This internal energy was pure and concealed; if he hadn't possessed keen spiritual sense, he would have had almost no chance of detecting it.

He is indeed a master!

Moreover, its internal energy attribute is neutral and peaceful, which is completely different from the violent energy of the organization's modified warriors or scavengers.

It's more like some kind of ancient martial arts style with a long history.

The talents recruited by the organization are truly diverse.

Jiang Nian focused his mind and used the special method provided by Bai Yongxu to simulate the illusion of damaged meridians and sluggish internal energy circulation.

"Um……"

The master frowned slightly, and the fingers resting on Jiang Nian's wrist trembled slightly, as if he was carefully discerning the extremely complex changes in the energy.

Time ticked by. Outside, Charles appeared calm as he sipped his tea, but the occasional tapping of his fingertips on the armrest betrayed his inner turmoil.

Wang Lei was even more restless.

After a long while, the master finally opened his eyes slowly, loosened his fingers, and a solemn expression appeared on his face.

"Master, how is the situation?"

Jiang Nian spoke up at the right moment, her tone filled with concern.

After a moment of contemplation, the master slowly said, "Young friend Jiang's injuries are more complicated than I expected. It is not a single hidden injury, but an old ailment left over from many years ago, which is intertwined with new injuries caused by the recent forced exertion of internal energy, thus damaging the root of the problem."

He looked at Jiang Nian with regret in his eyes: "If it weren't for your profound foundation, young friend Jiang, you would probably already be... Alas. Now your internal energy is disordered, and many of your meridians are extremely fragile, like a piece of porcelain full of cracks. If you are not careful, it will collapse."

This statement almost perfectly matches Jiang Nian's false medical report and the image he wanted to project to the outside world!

"What should we do?"

Jiang Nian pressed for an answer.

"Difficult, difficult, difficult."

The master repeatedly said "difficult," and stroked his long beard. "Conventional herbal medicine is unlikely to be effective. Acupuncture might be worth a try, but it carries a great risk. If one is not careful, it may not only fail to relieve the blockage, but could also worsen the injury."

He looked at Jiang Nian with a deep gaze: "Young friend Jiang, this method is dangerous. Are you willing to give it a try?"

Jiang Nian sneered inwardly.

The true intentions have finally been revealed!
Is acupuncture and moxibustion a dangerous practice?
This is probably the perfect opportunity to make a move!
His face showed struggle and deliberation, which finally turned into a resolute look: "Master, I believe in your medical skills. Rather than prolonging this life and delaying the important matters of the film crew, let's take a gamble! Please, go ahead and do it!"

"it is good!"

A glint flashed in the master's eyes. "Since you are so determined, young friend, I will do my best! Assistant, prepare the golden needles!"

The young assistant immediately opened an antique wooden box, inside which were neatly arranged gold needles of varying lengths, gleaming with a cold light.

Just as the assistant picked up the golden needle, and the master was about to insert it—

"and many more!"

The door to the consultation room was suddenly pushed open, and the bodyguard captain, played by Ghost, rushed in anxiously.

"Boss! We just received an urgent message. Something happened to Madam, and we need you to go there immediately to handle it!"

The "wife" he was referring to was, of course, Yang Mi.

This is the pre-agreed emergency plan code name.

Jiang Nian's face immediately showed difficulty as he looked at the master: "Master, this..."

The master frowned, clearly displeased with the sudden interruption, but he couldn't forcefully stop him.

Charles and Wang Lei also came in after hearing the noise.

"Teacher Jiang, is something wrong at home?" Wang Lei asked with concern.

"It's a personal matter, but it's rather urgent." Jiang Nian looked apologetic. "Master, what do you think of this..."

The master pondered for a moment, then sighed, "The opportunity has not yet arrived, and it cannot be forced. Since that is the case, let's stop here for today. You may keep these gold needles for now. If you experience any discomfort, you can consult a regular Chinese medicine doctor for temporary relief by applying basic acupuncture points."

He pointed to the box of gold needles in his assistant's hand.

Leave behind the golden needles?

Alarm bells rang in Jiang Nian's mind.

This box of gold needles is probably the real killer move!
If he stays, he can completely shirk responsibility if he tampers with the equipment later.

"How can this be? Such a valuable item," Jiang Nian declined.

"It's alright, it's just a set of golden needles. If it can be of any help to your injuries, young friend, then it's making the best use of it." The master waved his hand, his attitude sincere.

Charles chimed in, "Mr. Jiang, since it's a token of the master's goodwill, please accept it. Your health is the most important thing."

Unable to refuse, Jiang Nian had no choice but to gratefully accept it.

After seeing off the master and Charles and the others, they returned to the villa.

Jiang Nian immediately handed the box of gold needles to Ling Que, who had been waiting for a long time, for testing.

The results come out quickly.

“The gold needles themselves are fine; they are made of the finest materials.” Lingque pointed to the data on the spectrometer. “However, a trace amount of an alkaloid was detected in the microporous structure of the needle. This alkaloid is harmless on its own and even has a certain analgesic effect.”

She paused, her tone grave: "However, if it combines with a certain ingredient in the auxiliary conditioning medicine prescribed on that fake medical report that you take daily, it will produce a neurotoxin in your body. The initial symptoms are similar to worsening injuries and sluggish internal energy flow, and in the later stages, it will lead to permanent damage to the meridians!"

Sure enough!

Jiang Nian's eyes were icy cold.

The organization's methods are truly insidious!

If he hadn't been prepared, the consequences of using the golden needles and taking those medications at the same time would have been unimaginable!

"What happened after Charles and that master left?" Jiang Nian asked.

The ghost reported: "Charles went straight back to the hotel. The master and his assistant used sophisticated counter-tracking techniques to shake off our first group after leaving the hospital, but at the transfer point, their signal was detected by our pre-selected second group."

"They eventually entered a private estate on the outskirts of the city, a property owned by Xinghan Capital. Our people are setting up surveillance around it."

"very good."

Jiang Nian nodded. "Keep a close eye on that area and see who else goes in and out. Also, spread the word through appropriate channels that we have successfully obtained the golden needles and that I am preparing to use them."

"You mean..." Ghost looked at Jiang Nian.

"They're using a trick on me, trying to harm me with these golden needles."

Jiang Nian's lips curled into a cold smile. "Then I will give him a taste of his own medicine."

"Find a way to send this box of tampered gold needles back to one of their important figures. For example... Mr. Charles himself, or his capable assistant."

The ghost instantly understood Jiang Nian's intention, a hint of admiration flashing in its eyes: "Understood! We will handle it properly and ensure the source is clean."

False information circulates through various channels.

The news reached Charles's ears.

The other party seemed to quiet down, as if observing or waiting for the toxin to slowly take effect.

Jiang Nian was happy to have some peace and quiet and seized every opportunity to recover.

Late that night, Jiang Nian was meditating when his encrypted communicator vibrated again.

It's Bai Yongxu.

"Jiang Nian, two pieces of news."

Bai Yongxu's voice carried a hint of weariness, but also a hint of excitement.

"First, we have made a major breakthrough in our in-depth investigation into Star Capital and Charles. We have tracked down Star Capital, which, through layers of disguise, has transferred more than 20 billion euros in funds and equipment to a secret research site located under the Greenland ice sheet over the past three years."

"That site is publicly claimed to be conducting ice core drilling and paleoclimate research, but the energy readings we captured show that an extremely high-intensity energy field experiment is being conducted there, and its pattern... is similar to some of the high-dimensional energy exploration experiments conducted by the Flint Research Institute in its early days!"

Energy experiments beneath the Greenland ice sheet?
Jiang Nian was startled.

The organization's reach has extended there!

What do they want to do?
"second,"

Bai Yongxu's tone turned serious. "Our people in the crew have noticed that Lin Wanxing has been behaving strangely lately. As a guest actress, she has repeatedly tried to get close to our undercover agents in the props department. She seems to have shown an unusual interest in some of the special props that the crew will be using, especially the devices that involve low temperature and energy simulation."

Lin Wanxing!
Has this venomous snake, which has been dormant for so long, finally begun to make its move?
Was it because Charles's plans were thwarted that her side was activated?

Or does she have her own independent mission? (End of Chapter)