"What in the world is going on here!" Huang Zhongyi's voice rang out loudly.

The flustered disciples of Zhongnan could only stare blankly at Huang Zhongyi, unable to utter a word.

What explanation could they possibly give? Cough.

Cough, cough.

"......"

At such a moment, an excuse would be necessary, but the fountain of blood gushing from Qingming's mouth drowned out any justifications they might have had.

In this situation, even Zhuge Liang's grandfather would struggle to find a reason.

Huang Zhongyi, upon confirming that Qingming lay collapsed on the ground, let out a roar.

"Physician! Bring a physician at once! There must still be a physician who hasn't left the outer courtyard! What are you all doing!"

"Yes! Lord Shodanjoo!" One of the servants accompanying Huang Zhongyi hurriedly dashed toward the outer courtyard.

Huang Zhongyi strode directly toward the collapsed Qingming.

"......"

The disciples of Zhongnan hesitated and made way.

Kneeling on the ground, Huang Zhongyi examined Qingming's condition, and an overwhelming fury surged in his face.

"Yet you claim to be a prestigious sect!" At Huang Zhongyi's words, the faces of Zhongnan's disciples darkened sharply.

"To use such lethal force against a mere child? I had thought of Zhongnan as a place of reason, yet how am I to understand those who commit such acts before my very eyes!"

Li Songbaek's face turned pale.

Lethal force.

He had never used lethal force. 'Even my inner energy has been retracted!' Li Songbaek stood there, still bewildered.

One thing was certain.

Judging by Huang Zhongyi's expression and gaze, no excuse would be accepted.

At that moment, the servant who had gone to the outer courtyard returned with a physician.

Without asking a single question, the physician rushed to Qingming and began to check his pulse.

"Ugh!" The physician's face stiffened.

"Quickly, move him inside! Hurry! His internal condition is completely in disarray; we must be careful, very careful!"

Hearing this, the disciples of Zhongnan awkwardly approached to lift Qingming.

"Step back!" Huang Zhongyi did not permit them to touch Qingming's body.

With a murderous glare in his eyes, he called to the servants.

"What are you doing! Did you not hear what the physician said!"

"We're sorry! Lord Shodanjoo!" The servants rushed over and carefully lifted Qingming.

Blood flowed from his mouth, soaking his chest and dripping onto the floor.

"Be careful! Be careful!" The physician stayed close to Qingming as they headed toward the inner chamber.

Only Huang Zhongyi and the disciples of Zhongnan remained, watching as Qingming was carried away.

Once Qingming's figure had completely disappeared, Huang Zhongyi turned his head.

"I will not forget what happened today."

"Lord Shodanjoo!"

"Leave the sect at once."

The faces of Li Songbaek and the others turned pale.

The Silver River Sect was an important place even for Zhongnan.

That was why an elder from Zhongnan had come down here personally.

If their mistake caused a rift with the Silver River Sect, the backlash would be beyond what they could bear.

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

"What in the world is going on here?"

It was Gi Moksung.

A look of confusion was evident in his eyes.

"Lord Shodanjoo, what is happening? That blood is..."

Gi Moksung, who was about to say more, suddenly closed his mouth.

The pool of blood on the ground and the broken wall hinted at what had transpired here.

'These foolish people!' Gi Moksung's gaze shifted to the disciples of the Great Master.

Seeing them unable to meet his eyes, he let out a heavy sigh.

"Lord Shodanjoo, it seems something has gone wrong..."

"Did you just say something went wrong?"

"...... Lord Shodanjoo."

"The one treating my father was murdered by the disciples of your sect. Can this be called an accident? An accident refers to something that happens unintentionally. Is that not so?"

Gi Moksung turned his gaze to Li Songbaek.

Since Li Songbaek was the one who caused the incident, it meant he should handle the aftermath himself.

Understanding Gi Moksung's intent, Li Songbaek bit his lip and stepped forward.

"Lord Shodanjoo, there seems to be a misunderstanding."

"A misunderstanding?" Huang Zhongyi let out a hollow laugh.

"You might as well call me a blind fool. I saw it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears; what misunderstanding could there possibly be?"

"I did not use excessive force. There must be some mistake..."

"Listen here."

Huang Zhongyi glared at Li Songbaek with a chilling gaze.

"Is the only problem that you used excessive force? Why did you, a disciple of Zhongnan, wield your sword against a child from Huashan in the first place?"

"That was a legitimate spar."

"A spar?" Huang Zhongyi ground his teeth.

"Though I am not well-versed in the ways of the martial world, I have heard that a spar is meant to be a mutual exchange between equals. Are you saying you sparred with a child who has barely lived half your life? Is that the agreement of Zhongnan?"

No one dared to speak.

If the spar had ended without incident, there might have been a way to excuse themselves.

But with the outcome being what it was, there was no way to evade responsibility with any words.

"I will not speak further. Take your disciples and leave the sect."

"Lord Shodanjoo, please let me explain..."

"I said leave."

"......"

Huang Zhongyi glared at Gi Moksung and spoke.

"Considering the relationship we have maintained with Zhongnan, I will not pursue this matter. However, at this moment, I do not wish to see the faces of your sect's people. Leave this place by the end of today. This is a command from the acting leader of the Silver River Sect."

Gi Moksung, ultimately overwhelmed by the pressure, could say nothing and slowly nodded his head.

"I will do so. Lord Shodanjoo, though an unfortunate incident has occurred, please remember that Zhongnan wishes for the swift recovery of Lord Huang."

"Indeed. Though it seems otherwise."

Huang Zhongyi turned sharply and headed toward the inner chamber, a cold wind following him.

After watching his retreating figure for a while, Gi Moksung slowly turned to glare at Li Songbaek.

"Elder, I..."

"I will not speak further. As the saying goes, 'the one who ties the knot must untie it.' You will remain here and find some way to seek Lord Shodanjoo's forgiveness and resolve this situation before returning to the main sect. I will take the children back to the main sect."

Li Songbaek's face turned pale.

How could he possibly seek Lord Shodanjoo's forgiveness in this situation? This was more of a punishment than a command.

Yet, seeing Gi Moksung's icy expression, he could not utter another word.

"...... Understood."

Gi Moksung stared at Li Songbaek for a long moment before turning away.

"I will return."

"Yes, Elder."

The disciples of the Great Master exchanged glances with Li Songbaek before quickly following Gi Moksung.

Watching them leave, Li Songbaek bit his lip.

"What is his condition?"

"...... Not very good."

"Ugh."

Huang Zhongyi's face darkened at the words of the chief officer.

The chief officer glanced at Huang Zhongyi's expression and continued speaking.

"The physician says the vital energy is completely disrupted, and the situation is dangerous. For now, we are trying to stabilize the vital energy, but I cannot guarantee a full recovery."

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

"It seems so."

"That is a relief."

Huang Zhongyi let out a sigh of relief.

It would be unthinkable for a disciple of Huashan to die at the hands of a disciple of Zhongnan.

He couldn't even bear to imagine it.

Moreover, Qingming had come to the Silver River Sect to treat Lord Huang.

While the fault lay with Zhongnan, the Silver River Sect would not escape the finger-pointing of the world.

Additionally, on a personal level, this was something Huang Zhongyi could not tolerate.

Qingming was the only one who had managed to improve Lord Huang's condition thus far.

He might have been the only hope for saving Lord Huang.

To attack someone like that and leave them unconscious...

If there was any respect for the Silver River Sect and Huang's medicine, such an act would never have occurred.

'Zhongnan has become far too arrogant.'

If it were only this incident, there might have been some room for understanding.

However, recalling Zhongnan's previous attitudes and Gi Moksung's words and actions, it was hard to trust them any longer.

Clearing his throat several times with a displeased expression, Huang Zhongyi raised his head to look at the chief officer.

"So when do you think he will regain consciousness?"

"At least two or three days..."

"Ugh. I hope my father's condition does not worsen during that time."

Huang Zhongyi sighed deeply.

Just when he thought he had finally found a way to heal his father, such an absurd incident occurred.

The heavens truly had no mercy.

The chief officer, glancing at Huang Zhongyi's expression, cautiously spoke.

"However, Lord Shodanjoo..."

"Uhm?"

"Can that child really cure the illness of the Lord? I have my doubts."

"Is there any harm in believing?"

"That may be true, but..."

Huang Zhongyi spoke firmly.

"Among countless renowned physicians, none have been able to determine the nature of my father's illness. Yet, the Huashan disciple was able to discern it without even seeing my father. Moreover, did my father not show signs of improvement that I could see with my own eyes?"

"Yes."

"This is not a baseless, vague belief. It is the heavens lending a hand. In any case, you must ensure that the Huashan disciple can recover without any hindrance. Spare no effort in your support."

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

"Indeed."

The chief officer bowed deeply and rose from his seat.

"Uhm."

Huang Zhongyi let out a low sigh as he watched the chief officer leave the room.

Sae-ae-aeak.

A low, weak breath escaped from Qingming's lips as he lay on the bed.

His face was pale, devoid of any color, revealing just how precarious his condition was.

His breathing was so faint it seemed it might stop at any moment.

It felt as if he could pass away at any second.

Sae-ae-aeak.

Only the short, low breaths filled the room.

A strange silence lingered until...

Click.

The door creaked open slightly with a small sound.

For a while, nothing happened.

Perhaps a meal's worth of time passed?

Creeeak.

The door began to open cautiously.

Soon, a figure stealthily walked in.

The movements were so careful that not even a sound could be heard.

The room was shrouded in complete darkness, making it impossible to discern who had entered.

Like a cat stalking its prey, the figure quietly approached and looked down at Qingming from beside the bed.

Sae-ae-aeak.

The sight of Qingming, pale and barely breathing, caught the figure's eye.

After staring at Qingming's face for a while, the figure slowly raised his hand.

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

"I bear no grudge, but consider this the price for interfering with my affairs."

The man muttered softly as he brought his darkened hand down toward Qingming's neck.

In that moment.

Snap!

The unconscious Qingming suddenly threw off the blanket and leaped up, grabbing the man's wrist.

"Ugh!"

Qingming, whose face had been pale, opened his eyes wide.

"......"

Then, a strange smile appeared on Qingming's lips.

It was a wicked and triumphant smile.

"I got you, you bastard!"