Chapter 578 - 593: A Unique Performance

In the banquet hall, thunderous applause and rhythmic chanting erupted. All eyes converged on An Ning’s table, specifically on the two conspicuously black-haired Eastern women.

"What are they trying to do?"

Zhao Xin discreetly gripped the dinner knife on the table. An Ning patted the back of her hand, then picked up a napkin with her other hand and elegantly dabbed her lips.

"It’s nothing. Just someone looking to be taught a lesson."

Having said that, An Ning stood up, a glass of red wine in hand. Her standard, yet relaxed, French gradually quieted the boisterous crowd.

"I have two questions. First, who told you that we from Huaxia were going to perform for you? Why is this news to us?"

"Second, Huaxia has been a nation of etiquette since ancient times. If any of you were to visit our country, we would naturally make arrangements for you. This is the first time I’ve ever heard of a great nation requiring its invited guests to put on a performance. The world is certainly full of surprises, and I suppose I’ve learned something new today."

"Then again, I suppose I can understand. A tiny speck of a country is always short on talent. I can’t be too hard on you, since you clearly haven’t seen the world."

The moment An Ning finished speaking, several people shot to their feet, glaring at her furiously.

Holding her wine glass, An Ning walked toward the man who had invited her for a drink earlier. Though it was a distance of less than five meters, she walked with the air of a queen ascending her throne.

"It was you, wasn’t it? Since you’re so eager to have a drink with me, why don’t I treat you to one?"

SPLASH—

A glass of red wine was accurately splashed across the man’s face. It trickled down, staining his white suit red. The man roared in fury, "You bitch!"

"You certainly got your drink. If that wasn’t enough, I have several more prepared for you."

An Ning had switched to Chinese. To the foreigners who didn’t understand the language, it sounded like a torrent of profanity, but they couldn’t make out a single word. The man was left fuming, with no idea how she was insulting him.

"You—"

The man pointed a finger at An Ning. Her eyes flashed fiercely as she smacked his hand away. The man’s arm flew back uncontrollably—an utter humiliation.

"I’m going to kill you!"

The man, no longer caring about his image, threw a punch at An Ning’s face. An Ning blocked with her left hand, made a fist with her right, and sent an uppercut into his face, which immediately began to swell and turn red.

Next, using the most eloquent language, An Ning introduced the ancient Huaxian martial arts culture to the guests.

"First, a punch, then the fist becomes a finger strike. The force has to be precise, or it won’t hurt."

"For a kick, the ankle and joint areas are quite fragile and make good targets. Like this."

...

After her little demonstration, An Ning took three steps back, swept her gaze across the room, and said, "My thanks to this gentleman for his cooperation. I wonder if you all enjoyed our martial arts demonstration? If you’re not satisfied, I can cooperate with him for another segment."

"Would anyone else like to be the next lucky volunteer?"

Everyone subconsciously shook their heads.

In that moment, An Ning left some of the foreigners with the impression that everyone in Huaxia knew kung fu, and the even deeper impression that Huaxian women were terrifying.

An Ning turned gracefully and extended a hand to the man on the floor.

"Thank you for your cooperation, sir. Right?"

The man on the floor, feeling the pain in every joint and the stares of everyone in the room, obediently extended his own hand.

"Thank you all for enjoying our surprise performance."

An incident was thus reframed as a "surprise performance." Everyone played along with the tacit understanding, and the matter was laid to rest.

An Ning returned to her seat, picked up her knife, and resumed eating as if nothing had happened.

Zhao Xin secretly gave her a thumbs-up. ’You’re a badass!’

After the banquet ended, the group didn’t dare to relax until they were back in their hotel room.

"An Ning, you were incredible!"

"Did you see that guy’s face? I think he was purple with rage."

"That was so satisfying! A bunch of self-righteous, bullshit gentlemen."

Zhao Xin and Xu Cheng were discussing it heatedly. Yu the Elder wore an expression that said ’my master is always right,’ while only Wang Qiang looked at An Ning unhappily.

"An Ning, I don’t think your actions today were appropriate. You should have chosen a safer approach."

"Such as?"

An Ning retorted.

"You could have just danced."

An Ning stood up and met Wang Qiang’s gaze.

"We’re not just representing ourselves. We have a whole country behind us. Why should I entertain them?"

"What do you think our predecessors fought for? Why do you think they risked death just to win some dignity? Do you know how many people had their families torn apart and their bodies broken in the process?"

Wang Qiang understood, but he stood firm in his conviction. "I may not know the specifics, but that doesn’t stop me from understanding the significance. I want to see our motherland strong more than you do. That’s why I’m here, willing to give my life to protect you."

"An Ning, I know you have pride, but please remember, that pride only means something if you make it back to Huaxia alive."

Wang Qiang’s words silenced the room.

"Wang Qiang, I’m sorry," An Ning said. "I apologize for my attitude toward you, but I still don’t believe I was wrong in how I handled things today."

"I understand what you’re saying, and I’m grateful for your dedication. But please know that I’m not an impulsive person. I am confident that I will return to Huaxia alive, no matter the situation. I don’t gamble with my life. Please, trust that I have the ability to ensure that."

With that, An Ning turned and left Yu the Elder’s room. Zhao Xin immediately followed, pausing at the door to say to Wang Qiang, "Don’t forget, she’s a Mystic Master."

Zhao Xin had personally witnessed An Ning’s abilities, so she was genuinely less worried, but she understood Wang Qiang’s perspective.

Back in her room, An Ning washed up, changed into comfortable pajamas, and stood silently, leaning against the window.

DING—

A message came in.

An Ning opened her phone and smiled as she saw a text message that had traveled across the ocean. She tapped it open.

Her fingertips moved, and she sent a message back.

’Jiang Xia, how come I didn’t know I had international roaming?’

’Duh! Who else would it be? I paid for it! Only Young Master Jiang is this good to you.’

The two texted back and forth. An Ning told Jiang Xia what had happened today and asked if she had been too impulsive.

DING. A reply came through, and An Ning opened it.

’No way. Who are you? You’re An Ning! The one and only, confident and powerful An Ning. The key word is powerful. The fact that you dared to do it means you were certain you would win.’

Jiang Xia’s response, which mirrored her own thoughts, eased a little of An Ning’s guilt.

She knew Wang Qiang wasn’t wrong, which made her feel a bit bad for him.

"An Ning?"

Zhao Xin called her name. An Ning put down her phone and turned her head, waiting for Zhao Xin to speak.

"It’s nothing, I just wanted to say... just do your best. Don’t carry all the pressure on your own shoulders."

Zhao Xin sat down next to An Ning and said with understanding, "Honestly, I know that our presence here is, to some extent, a burden on you. Don’t change who you are because of us. You deserve the best."