"I—… why did I draw my sword?" she whispered, stunned. Her voice sounded foreign even to herself.
Xiao Fang gently lowered her weapon, freeing it from his fingers.
"You didn't choose to," he said calmly. "I compelled you."
Xun Wei stared at him, disbelief shaking through her usually unreadable expression.
"A technique… that can force someone to act against their will?" she whispered. "Does something like that truly exist?"
Her disbelief wasn't unwarranted.
In truth, the technique shouldn't have worked like that — not so quickly, not so cleanly. [ Subtle Suggestion ] wasn't meant to override instinct or rational thought. At most, it should gently influence someone toward an action they were already inclined to take. Some, like Yin Fei, would offer something in return, even though the exchange is heavily not in their favor. (Chapter 392)
Only a true master of the art — someone vastly stronger than their target — could compel behavior so directly.
