Civil combat and martial arts (3)

Miss Xiao was also surprised, but recalling Lin San's words from earlier, her rapidly beating heart gradually stabilized. However, she couldn't help giving him a glance and thought, "You could at least have informed me in advance. Being with you, I'm afraid of being bullied to death, but now, I might be scared to death."

She hummed disdainfully, but saw Lin Wanrong still holding the large diamond gifted by the Westerner. A hint of envy flashed in Miss Xiao's eyes. She temporarily dismissed her earlier suspicions and asked Lin Wanrong in a soft voice, "Lin San, what did you say to the Westerner? Why did he gift you such a beautiful diamond?"

Lin Wanrong smiled mysteriously, "Secrets."

Miss Xiao turned her head and hummed, "Secrets? Is that supposed to be impressive? I'm not interested!"

Miss Xiao participating in the next round? Lin Wanrong's move caught everyone off guard. After the intellectual debate, the expectation was for a vigorous physical clash with Lin San, but unexpectedly, it was Miss Xiao from the Xiao family who stepped forward for the trial.

This unforeseen move disrupted Tao Dongcheng's plan. With Miss Xiao participating, the original strategy against Lin San became futile. Wanying couldn't take the stage; otherwise, the spectacle of two women fighting in public would tarnish her reputation, making it impossible for her to marry. But this Lin San seemed oblivious to the consequences, disregarding even Miss Xiao's reputation?

"Well then, let me accompany my wise sister for a little play." Tao Dongcheng smirked.

Miss Xiao blushed, angrily saying, "Shameless."

Lin Wanrong remained unfazed. He had anticipated that Tao Dongcheng would personally take the stage. Sneering a few times, he didn't bother engaging in verbal sparring with the Tao guy.

The martial challenge was set by the Xiao family. People were puzzled, unsure of what martial arts they would employ to secure Miss Xiao's victory against Tao Gongzi.

Xu Wei asked, "Lin San, what kind of martial challenge is this?"

Lin Wanrong smiled, "My martial challenge is quite simple, with a popular and easily understood name: 'Hands in the Boiling Oil.'"

The name, "Hands in the Boiling Oil," sounded intimidating. Initially regretful for missing a physical confrontation, hearing this martial challenge made the situation much more exciting and stimulating. Moreover, there was the presence of the charming Miss Xiao.

Seeing Tao Dongcheng's changing expression, Lin Wanrong chuckled, thinking, "You think you can handle a surprise attack? Your ancestors, I'm the originator of this."

Xu Wei exclaimed, "Hands in the Boiling Oil? But Miss Xiao is a woman; how can she participate?"

Lin Wanrong laughed, "This is to make Tao Gongzi acknowledge defeat. Tao Gongzi, dare you?"

Tao Dongcheng's face turned pale. Plunging one's hands into boiling oil was no joking matter. One dip, and that hand would be rendered useless.

Lin Wanrong didn't wait for Tao Dongcheng's response. He directly addressed Xu Wei, "Lord Xu, please instruct the inn to prepare some firewood oil and a large pot. Or perhaps, I'll go myself. Just wait a moment; I'll be back soon."

Xu Wei asked Tao Dongcheng, "Do you have any objections, Gongzi Tao?" Tao Dongcheng's face looked unsightly, and he glared fiercely at Lin Wanrong but didn't speak.

Lin Wanrong went downstairs to instruct the inn staff. After a short while, a few attendants came up carrying a large oil pot filled with vegetable oil, emitting a faint scent of vinegar. Other attendants carried a basin stove.

This was getting serious. People in the hall began discussing. Xu Wei glanced at Lin Wanrong and Miss Xiao. Lin San was elusive, and they had no idea what he was up to. In the hall, everyone felt that Lin San had some trick up his sleeve, but they couldn't discern where it was. This only fueled their curiosity.

Lin Wanrong directed the attendants to set up the stove and oil pot. All eyes were now focused on their movements.

Lin Wanrong smiled slightly, "To ensure the fairness of this competition, Lord Xu, please light this fire."

Xu Wei nodded, took a torch from one of the attendants, and threw it beneath the stove. Hidden beneath the stove was dry straw, which quickly ignited, and the fire roared to life.

"Lord Xu, please check the oil." Lin Wanrong said.

Xu Wei took a spoon from an attendant, scooped out some oil, and poured it onto the fire. The flames surged, confirming that the pot indeed contained oil.

Lin Wanrong took a few pieces of alkaline (lime) and tossed them into the pot.

In the gaze of the onlookers, soon, sparks danced, and the oil pot boiled vigorously.

Lin Wanrong said, "Lord Xu, please grant me five copper coins."

Xu Wei took out five coins and handed them to Lin Wanrong. Lin Wanrong casually dropped them into the boiling oil.

The oil continued to heat up, rolling and emitting strands of blue smoke. Lin Wanrong looked at Tao Dongcheng and said, "Tao Gongzi, these five copper coins need to be taken out one by one. Would you please retrieve them?"

Seeing the boiling oil pot, Tao Dongcheng's face turned ashen. Plunging one's hand into boiling oil to retrieve coins was no trivial matter. However, if he refused, not only would he lose face, but Tao's cloth workshop would also be handed over to the Xiao family. He stared at the boiling pot, contemplating, "As long as Dad doesn't fall, the cloth workshop can be restarted. But if this hand is

 ruined, it won't be able to produce anything anymore."

Tao Dongcheng gritted his teeth, took a few steps back, distanced himself from the boiling oil pot, and said, "I can't retrieve them. But if Miss Xiao also can't, it shouldn't be considered my loss."

Had I known that you, young sir, possessed such a skill, Lin Wanrong's calculation would have been precise. He looked at Xu Wei and said, "Sir, this is what Young Master Tao mentioned. If Miss can retrieve them, then the second round will be our victory."

Xu Wei nodded, "Indeed, it should be so."

Miss Xiao's complexion turned a bit pale. Confronted with the boiling and rolling oil pot, it would be false to claim that she, a delicate woman, was not afraid. However, her mental fortitude surpassed that of Tao Dongcheng. For the sake of the Xiao family, she could disregard anything.

Lin Wanrong, smiling at her, said, "Do not be afraid; trust me. You just need to quickly retrieve those copper coins, and I assure you'll be unharmed. I am, after all, the second most talented individual in the world."

Miss Xiao acknowledged with a soft sound. Slowly, she walked towards the oil pot. In the hall, including Tao's siblings and Xu Wei, everyone held their breath. It was the most critical moment. Could Miss Xiao, a delicate beauty, truly endure such harm to her hands and feet? That would be a great pity.

Miss Xiao stood by the oil pot, and the steaming water vapor reddened her face. She faintly sensed a mild sour scent in the air, the aroma of aged vinegar. However, at this highly tense moment, she had no time to worry about such details.

She had only one thought in her mind: trust Lin San; he wouldn't be wrong. Even so, the thumping sound of her heart was audible, even to herself.

Lin Wanrong stood by the oil pot as well. He knew what Miss Xiao was thinking and said, "Don't forget, after we win, you have to help me wash my clothes for a year."

Miss Xiao hummed, feeling much calmer. Lin Wanrong glanced at the oil pot, saw the bubbles churning at the bottom, and a faint smile appeared on his face. He said to Miss Xiao, "Listen to me, act quickly, retrieve the five silver coins promptly, and do not delay."

Miss Xiao nodded. Her heart was about to leap out, and the onlookers below anxiously watched every move of Xiao Yuruo. Xu Wei looked at Lin Wanrong and said, "Lin San, make sure not to harm Miss Xiao."

Lin Wanrong nodded slowly and uttered, "Miss, quickly retrieve the money."

Miss Xiao, seeing his resolute and confident expression, affirmed in her heart. Biting her silver teeth, her jade-like hand slowly reached into the oil pot.

"Ah—" Numerous people in the audience exclaimed. Even Tao Wanying covered her eyes with both hands, unable to watch any longer. Even the experienced Xu Wei couldn't help but turn his head away.

Contrary to the expected painful scream or outcry, there was no sound at all, not even a whimper. Everyone hastily looked, only to see astonishment, then amazement, and finally joy on Miss Xiao's face.

As soon as Miss Xiao's hand entered the oil pot, contrary to expectations, there was no scalding heat. Instead, it felt like the temperature of water used for washing the face. Although it was a bit warm, it was not much hotter than face-washing water. She could hardly believe it. Was this really an oil pot? It felt almost like water for washing the face.

Lin Wanrong smiled slightly and said, "Don't bother washing your hands; quickly grab the money."

Miss Xiao joyfully agreed with a sound. With swift movements, she retrieved one copper coin after another from the oil pot. The exclamations from the onlookers had not yet subsided, and Miss Xiao, in a burst of enthusiasm, successfully fished out all five copper coins from the boiling oil pot.

She felt pure joy, and there was not a trace of pain on her face. Looking at her jade-like hand, there was not a single mark of scalding. It was still as pure and flawless as ever.

Incredible! The audience stood up in astonishment. If they hadn't witnessed this scene with their own eyes, who would believe that Miss Xiao, a delicate woman, could retrieve five copper coins consecutively from boiling oil without any harm? Apart from the magical, there were no words to describe it.

"How is this possible? How is this possible?" Tao Dongcheng collapsed into a chair, muttering.

"The stone statue grows, the oil pot washes hands; this world is vast, mysterious, and incomprehensible. Lin brother, I truly admire you." Xu Wei sighed in admiration for Lin Wanrong.