You Might Have Made a Profit, But I Definitely Won't Lose

When Feng Xue first received the "[This Thing is Carcinogenic]" Phantom Object, he was quite excited. He had considered filling in statements like "Do Not Believe Feng Xue is Carcinogenic," "Do Not Practice Martial Arts and Get Cancer," and "Do Not Understand Scales and Get Cancer." He figured that if he went through Jessica's channels and submitted a manuscript to The Lancet or * The New Victoria Medical Journal *, wouldn't he instantly become famous?

But after thinking about it carefully, he realized that this thing wasn't as powerful as he had imagined, because its function was to make people instinctively reject certain things, but this rejection did not include understanding.

For example, you might say that lunar soil causes cancer, but most people will never see lunar soil in their lifetime, so there's no reason for them to develop any aversion to it.

Similarly, even if he wrote something like "Do Not Believe Feng Xue is Carcinogenic," it wouldn't have any effect on people who don't know who he is.

Therefore, this item can only achieve its desired effect on things that are "widely recognized".

Secondly, things like martial arts, which are inherently beneficial and harmless, will be learned by everyone if given the opportunity, without being forced. If the opportunity is not available, even if you force them, they will not learn. In this case, adding a subconscious incentive that "not learning will cause cancer" is unlikely to be of any positive significance and may instead trigger an overreaction from the authorities.

Finally, there's the issue of intensity. Ultimately, it just makes people feel that "this stuff causes cancer," leading to a "subconscious aversion." But cigarettes cause cancer, yet people still smoke them less. People subconsciously reject dirty and messy environments, but there are still plenty of people who don't clean their rooms for months.

So unless Feng Xue wants to do something truly inhumane, the power this thing can unleash is quite limited.

After much deliberation, Feng Xue realized that the real value of this thing was actually to give it to the authorities.

First of all, having this item in the hands of the authorities is like a reassurance, allowing one to express goodwill towards them.

Secondly, the authorities wouldn't use this thing carelessly, just like the person holding a nuclear bomb is the one least willing to use it.

Most importantly, Feng Xue is not afraid even if the official statement includes something like "martial arts causes cancer".

Because if the authorities dare to do this, martial arts practice will become a "plague," and Feng Xue, who can Mindless Divine Power, can become Demon King spreads "plague" even if she doesn't follow the Martial Arts Ancestor.

Even when someone forced to practice martial arts discovers they don't have cancer, they can still reap the benefits of being a "Martial Way Spreader."

As for why he didn't do it directly, firstly, the value of the Source of Martial Arts is higher than that of the Plague Demon King, and secondly, it was to divert attention from the conflict.

Simply put, if he orchestrates the spread of the plague and causes widespread panic, then the governments of various countries will definitely unite against him. In this case, Feng Xue will be fighting against one, or even multiple, united national machines.

Conversely, if he maintains goodwill and the fuse is lit by an individual or small group, the outcome will be completely different. First, the hawks and doves that were already likely to exist will start arguing amongst themselves, and the other major powers will not let the opportunity pass. In this way, the conflict will be divided, and Feng Xue will only face a small amount of pressure, which will give him ample time to develop.

It's like robbing a bank; the police will definitely come and arrest you. But if you rob a manager who embezzled bank funds, that's a completely different story.

First, he won't easily expose his embezzlement of public funds. Second, if things go wrong, he'll be dealt with first before you can be traced. During this time, you'll have ample time to react, whether it's money laundering and disposal of stolen goods, withdrawing the money and running away, or even setting up a detective account to outsmart yourself and profit from both sides. You'll have many more options, and you might even be able to steal more money than if you robbed a bank directly.

It could be said that his purpose in coming to Yan Kingdom was to deliver this paper to the authorities; as for Take a Disciple? That was merely to prolong the time before his arrival.

As for showing off one's divine power in public...

Compared to the overall benefits of the plan, that's just a drop in the ocean!

At least for now, Feng Xue has another legitimate opportunity to demonstrate her divine power.

Don't underestimate the importance of legality; the effects are completely different.

If the organization doesn't allow it, even if you cut through a mountain with a single sword strike, they can organize an artillery exercise that very night, turning the place you carved into ruins. They don't even need to issue a denial; they can just let it go, then check the tax records of a few celebrities, and publicly criticize some pretty-boy entertainers. See if anyone remembers you a week later.

However, it must be said that despite its many shortcomings, this thing is ultimately a treasure that can directly affect the entire human civilization. Two hours after the phone call ended, three low-key Volkswagen arrived at the archway next to the Luzhou Yangtze River Bridge.

Liu Qi, who was spending the night under a bridge for the first time, was still pondering whether his master's phone call during the day was a joke or not, when he saw more than a dozen people emerge from the three cars one after another.

Although he had only been practicing martial arts for a week, Liu Qi, who had already successfully Entering Stillness, could clearly sense the aura of these people, especially those carrying safes, who gave him an invincible feeling. However, the sense of crisis that made him tremble all over vanished instantly with a soft yawn, replaced by a relaxed feeling as if he had taken a nap after staying up all night in his university dormitory.

"You arrived pretty quickly." Feng Xue lazily picked at her ear, looking like she hadn't woken up yet, but the slight hint of Killing Intent Fluctuation she intentionally revealed made the "experts" who had learned the Golden Bell Shield instinctively take a defensive stance.

"Mr. Feng?" The man at the head of the group was a middle-aged man who looked to be around forty years old. He wasn't particularly robust, but he had a very distinctive air about him. Feng Xue nodded slightly, lifted the blanket, stood up, and smiled as she said:

"It's only been half a year, and someone has already reached the sixth level. That's truly remarkable!"

The person who received Feng Xue's smile remained silent, maintaining a wary posture. The middle-aged man, however, offered a polite but firm reminder:

"Mr. Feng, I'm here to pick up that item."

"How boring." Feng Xue casually pulled a stack of papers from her pocket and handed them to the other man. Seeing Feng Xue's casual manner, the middle-aged man became slightly nervous and said:

Please wait a moment.

Feng Xue shrugged, indicating that he could do as he pleased. The middle-aged man immediately took out a small box from his inner pocket. As the box was opened, Feng Xue immediately saw the brightly colored writing on it.

Name: Phantom Object: The Pawnshop Owner's Magnifying Glass

Elements: [Appraisal], [Rare], [Item]

Synopsis: An exquisite Magnifying Glass, belonging to the owner of a bankrupt, long-established pawnshop, can accurately determine the function, origin, and value of an item. It's the pawnshop owner's favorite possession. But how will it be appraised when it's pawned?

Note: Missing edges, damaged paint and color, insect damage and rodent bites, in a dilapidated state...

Many people simply haven't grasped the true value of the Weird Tale of "martial arts".

Why are Weird Tale so prevalent in the East? Because they have a culture of Weird Tale; Weird Tale are an integral part of their civilization.

Similarly, martial arts culture is something deeply rooted in the culture of the Yan Kingdom. Of course, the Yan Kingdom has a long history and also has supernatural tales and other supernatural phenomena, but these lack widespread popularity.

The Weird Tale "Yan Country People Know Martial Arts" is a national Weird Tale that no other cultural Weird Tale can surpass.

You absolutely cannot find any other foundation that can compare to the level of a nationwide martial arts movement.

In other words, for the protagonist, the Yan Kingdom is an absolute base that cannot be lost, because no other country would have such a good opportunity again.

Libra is quite widespread, isn't it? But at its core, it's just an organization. Its existence is based on the gap between law and morality. As time goes by, with the improvement of laws and the advancement of technology, its space for survival will inevitably be squeezed.

However, the Martial Arts Ancestor will not. As long as this Weird Tale is completed, it will continue to exist as long as the Yan Kingdom does not perish.

There's a quote I wrote in one of my earlier books that's quite fitting here too.

Technology from thousands of years ago may be outdated today, as may beliefs from thousands of years ago, but culture from thousands of years ago remains culture today.

No foundation is more solid than culture, because it never goes out of style; it only becomes more solid over time.

In conclusion, this is a vast treasure trove worth the protagonist's considerable effort, compromises, and gradual acquisition. To risk obtaining this treasure for a small gain is not just a matter of losing the big picture for a small reward.