Chapter 56

Chapter 55. Haha, what a distinguished guest we have here. (5)

"What in the world are you doing?!"

Huang Zongyi's voice thundered.

The startled disciples of Zhongnan stood speechless, staring blankly at Huang Zongyi.

What explanation could they give?

Cough. Cough, cough.

"......"

At a time like this, an excuse would be necessary, but the gushing blood from Qingming's mouth buried all their excuses.

Even if Zhuge Liang's grandfather were here, he wouldn't find an excuse in this situation.

Huang Zongyi, upon confirming that Qingming was lying on the ground, roared.

"Doctor! Bring a doctor immediately! There must still be a doctor in the outer courtyard who hasn't left! What are you all doing?!"

"Yes, Deputy Head!"

One of the servants who was accompanying Huang Zongyi rushed to the outer courtyard. Huang Zongyi strode over to Qingming, who was lying on the ground.

"......"

The disciples of Zhongnan reluctantly made way.

Huang Zongyi knelt down and examined Qingming, his face brimming with anger.

"Are you people who claim to be a prestigious school really this despicable?!"

Huang Zongyi's words darkened the faces of the Zhongnan disciples.

"Are you really going to use such lethal force on a child? I thought Zhongnan was a school of righteousness, but how can I understand such actions in front of my eyes?!"

Li Songbai's face turned pale.

Lethal force?

He had never used lethal force.

'Not to mention, I even withdrew my internal energy!'

Li Songbai still stood there, bewildered. But one thing was clear.

Judging from Huang Zongyi's expression and eyes, any excuse would be futile.

At that moment, the servant who had gone to the outer courtyard returned with a doctor. The doctor, upon seeing the situation, immediately rushed to Qingming and began taking his pulse.

"Ugh!"

The doctor's face stiffened.

"Quickly, move him inside! Hurry! His insides are a complete mess, so be very, very careful!"

The Zhongnan disciples hesitantly approached to lift Qingming.

"Step back!"

But Huang Zongyi did not allow them to touch Qingming. Glaring at them with a murderous look, he called the servants.

"What are you all doing! Didn't you hear what the doctor said?!"

"Apologies! Deputy Head!"

The servants rushed over and carefully lifted Qingming. Blood from his mouth soaked his chest and dripped onto the ground.

"Be careful! Be very careful!"

The doctor, sticking close to Qingming, headed for the inner chambers with the servants. Huang Zongyi and the Zhongnan disciples remained, watching as Qingming was carried away.

Once Qingming was out of sight, Huang Zongyi turned his head.

"I will not forget what happened today."

"Deputy Head!"

"Leave the guild."

Li Songbai's face turned pale.

The Galaxy Guild was important to Zhongnan. That's why a Zhongnan elder was personally present here.

If their mistake strained the relationship with the Galaxy Guild, the aftermath would be beyond their ability to handle.

Just as Li Songbai was about to say something, a clear voice rang out.

"What in the world is going on here?"

It was Jimo Sheng, his eyes filled with confusion.

"Deputy Head, what's going on? This blood...?"

Jimo Sheng suddenly clamped his mouth shut.

The blood-soaked ground and the broken wall gave a clear indication of what had happened.

'These fools!'

Jimo Sheng's gaze turned to the senior disciples. Seeing them avoid his eyes, he sighed deeply.

"Deputy Head, it seems there was some kind of accident..."

"Did you just say 'accident'?"

"......Deputy Head."

"The person treating your father was attacked by your disciples. Can this be called an accident? An accident is something that happens unintentionally, is it not?"

Jimo Sheng's gaze turned to Li Songbai.

The one who caused the incident was Li Songbai, so he should clean it up.

Understanding Jimo Sheng's intention, Li Songbai bit his lip and stepped forward.

"Deputy Head, there seems to be a misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding?"

Huang Zongyi let out a hollow laugh.

"Rather, call me a blind fool. I saw it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears. What misunderstanding are you talking about?"

"I never used excessive force. This must be some kind of mistake..."

"Listen here."

Huang Zongyi glared at Li Songbai with a cold, stern look.

"Is the problem just the excessive force? Why did you, a disciple of Zhongnan, attack a child from Huashan in the first place?"

"It was a fair duel."

"Duel?"

Huang Zongyi gritted his teeth.

"Though I may not be well-versed in the ways of the martial world, I've heard that a duel is a mutual exchange of martial arts between equals. Are you saying you had a duel with a child who is barely half your age? Is this the righteousness of Zhongnan?"

No one dared to speak.

If the duel had ended without incident, there might have been a way to cover it up. But with the result like this, there was no way to avoid responsibility.

"I won't say more. Take your disciples and leave the guild."

"Deputy, Deputy Head, just a moment, let me explain..."

"I said, leave."

"......"

Huang Zongyi glared at Jimo Sheng before speaking.

"Considering our long-standing relationship with Zhongnan, I will not make an issue of this. However, I do not wish to see any of your people's faces here today. Leave by tonight. This is the order of the Deputy Head of the Galaxy Guild and the acting Head."

Jimo Sheng, overwhelmed by the pressure, slowly nodded.

"I will do as you say. Deputy Head, though an unfortunate accident occurred, please remember that Zhongnan wishes for your father's recovery."

"Of course. I doubt anyone else does."

Huang Zongyi turned sharply and headed for the inner chambers, leaving a cold breeze in his wake. After watching him go for a while, Jimo Sheng slowly turned to Li Songbai.

"Elder, I..."

"I won't say more. As the saying goes, 'He who ties the knot must untie it.' You stay here and do whatever it takes to gain the Deputy Head's forgiveness and resolve the situation before returning to the main mountain. I will take the children back to the main mountain."

Li Songbai's face turned pale.

How could he possibly gain the Deputy Head's forgiveness in this situation?

This was more of a punishment than an order. But seeing Jimo Sheng's icy expression, he couldn't bring himself to say anything else.

"......I understand."

Jimo Sheng stared at Li Songbai for a long time before turning away.

"I'm leaving."

"Yes, Elder."

The senior disciples, glancing at Li Songbai, quickly followed Jimo Sheng.

Watching them leave, Li Songbai bit his lip.

* * *

"How is he?"

"......Not good."

"Ugh."

The Chief Manager's words darkened Huang Zongyi's face. The Chief Manager, noticing Huang Zongyi's expression, continued.

"The doctor says his qi and blood are completely disordered, making the situation dangerous. They are trying to regulate his qi and blood, but they can't guarantee a full recovery."

"Does that mean his life is not in danger?"

"It seems so."

"At least that's a relief."

Huang Zongyi let out a sigh of relief.

If a Huashan disciple were to die at the Galaxy Guild due to an attack by a Zhongnan disciple?

It was an unthinkable scenario.

Moreover, Qingming had come to the Galaxy Guild to treat Huang Zongyi's father. While the fault would clearly lie with Zhongnan, the Galaxy Guild would also face public criticism.

Furthermore, personally, Huang Zongyi could not tolerate this.

Qingming was the only one who had improved his father's condition so far. He might be the only hope to save his father.

To attack and render him unconscious... If there was any respect for the Galaxy Guild and the Huang family, this would never have happened.

'Zhongnan has become too arrogant and reckless.'

If it were just this incident, there might have been some room for understanding. But considering Zhongnan's attitude and Jimo Sheng's words over the years, it was difficult to trust them any longer.

Huang Zongyi, feeling uncomfortable, cleared his throat a few times before looking up at the Chief Manager.

"Then, when do you think he will regain consciousness?"

"At least a few days..."

"Ugh. I hope Father's condition doesn't worsen in the meantime."

Huang Zongyi sighed deeply.

Just when he thought he had found a way to treat his father, this absurd incident occurred. The heavens seemed indifferent.

The Chief Manager, glancing at Huang Zongyi's expression, cautiously spoke.

"However, Deputy Head."

"Ugh?"

"Can this child really cure the Head's illness? I have no confidence in that."

"There's no harm in believing, is there?"

"That's true, but..."

Huang Zongyi spoke firmly.

"None of the many doctors could diagnose Father's illness. But the young master of Huashan diagnosed it without even seeing Father. Moreover, Father showed improvement, which I could see with my own eyes."

"Yes."

"This is not baseless faith. It's divine assistance. In any case, you must ensure that the young master recovers without any setbacks. Provide any support he needs."

"I will keep that in mind. Then, I will take my leave."

"Very well."

The Chief Manager bowed deeply and stood up.

"Ugh."

Watching the Chief Manager leave, Huang Zongyi let out a low sigh.

* * *

Sigh.

Sigh.

A low, weak breath escaped from Qingming's lips as he lay on the bed. His pale, bloodless face showed how precarious his condition was.

His breathing was barely there, as if it could stop at any moment. It wouldn't be surprising if he stopped breathing right now.

Sigh.

The short, weak breaths filled the room. The eerie silence continued until...

Click.

The door opened slightly with a small sound.

For a long time, nothing happened.

After about an hour?

Creak.

The door began to open cautiously.

Soon, a person slipped in quietly. The movement was so cautious that it made no sound. The room was pitch black, making it impossible to see who had entered.

The person, like a cat stalking its prey, crept to the head of the bed and looked down at Qingming.

Sigh.

Sigh.

The pale, lifeless face of Qingming, barely breathing, came into view.

After a long moment, the person slowly raised a hand.

The tips of his fingers turned a deep black, as if dipped in ink.

"Nothing personal, but consider this the price for interfering with my plans."

The man muttered lowly and struck Qingming's neck with his blackened hand.

At that moment.

Thud!

Qingming, who had been unconscious, suddenly threw off the blanket and sprang up, grabbing the man's wrist.

"Huh!"

Qingming, who had been pale, suddenly opened his eyes wide.

"......"

After a moment, a strange smile appeared on Qingming's face. It was wicked and triumphant.

"Got you, you scoundrel!"