Chapter 176 : Can't Take It
Chapter 176: Can't Take It
In a serene courtyard, there was a peculiar-style attic located in the rear residence.
The attic’s door was tightly shut, with a pretty maid standing guard outside. Early in the morning, a graceful noblewoman entered from outside.
The maid quickly saluted, "Greetings, Madam."
The one who arrived was none other than Madam Yu. She asked with concern, "Well, has the food been delivered?"
Ju’er quietly replied, "It has, but she didn’t eat much."
Though in seclusion, food and drink were still necessities and were delivered at fixed times daily.
Yu Haitang hadn’t eaten much these past few days. Although with her level of cultivation, not eating for half a month wouldn’t be an issue, such a state still naturally caused worry.
Madam Yu said worriedly, "This child, she really can’t let anyone rest easy."
Pan Zhiyuan’s warning still echoed in her ears. As the Inspector of a prefecture, if he wanted to make it so her niece couldn’t stay in Jiangzhou, he could absolutely do it.
Even though her husband was the Sect Master of the Cangyue Sect, he couldn’t oppose Pan Zhiyuan just for her. The Cangyue Sect wasn’t something he alone could dictate.
If expelled from Jiangzhou, would she have to wander like before?
She was no longer the carefree woman she had been more than a decade ago. She now had a husband and children. It was no longer possible to cast aside everything for this pitiful niece like she once did.
All Madam Yu hoped was that her niece would understand and not really take that step...
Just as she was thinking, a sudden boom shook the entire attic.
Startled, she sensed an unusual fluctuation coming from within.
"Xiao’e?"
Madam Yu shouted urgently and suddenly crashed through the door.
That specially reinforced door was like paper in front of her; it shattered completely with a single hit.
Inside the attic, Yu Haitang, dressed in white training attire, was lying on the ground, her face pale as gold paper, barely breathing.
"Xiao’e, how are you?"
Madam Yu rushed forward, scooped her up, and checked her pulse. Her expression darkened. The pulse was intermittent, as if it could stop at any moment.
"Xiao’e, hang in there."
Anxious, she carried her niece out of the attic, soared into the sky, and rushed at full speed toward the Cangyue Sect’s headquarters.
...
The Cangyue Sect was located more than ten li outside Jiangzhou City, at a place called Cangyue Mountain.
Madam Yu was surrounded by a white aura of Gang Qi, sparing no Gang Origin. She flew like the wind, barely touching the ground, directly charging into the mountain gate of the Cangyue Sect.
Soon after, she found her husband, Ling Qiyang, the Sect Master of the Cangyue Sect.
The moment Ling Qiyang saw Yu Haitang in her arms, he realized the seriousness of the matter and personally summoned the elder with the highest medical skills in the sect.
After checking Yu Haitang’s pulse, the old man concluded her Gang Qi had gone berserk, her meridians were completely severed, and medicine was useless. If not for her unique True Qi protecting her heart meridian, she would have died long ago.
"This old man is powerless. Sect Master, please seek someone more capable," the elder said, ignoring their pleas and leaving.
Unwilling to give up, Madam Yu had her husband bring in the most skilled physicians from Jiangzhou City.
After checking her pulse, each of these renowned doctors also claimed they could do nothing.
One of them did mention a possible solution—certain rare heavenly treasures and a miraculous elixir from a particular sect.
However, those things were extremely rare. As for the miraculous elixir, it was too far away; distant water couldn't put out a nearby fire.
In the end, it amounted to nothing.
Ling Qiyang, gritting his teeth, went to request aid from the sect’s old ancestor.
Alas, even that powerful elder had no solution, only transferring a sliver of vitality to wake the unconscious Yu Haitang.
"This sliver of vitality can protect her heart meridian for three days. Take her to the Capital and find that divine physician. There may be a slim chance."
Left with no other choice, Ling Qiyang took his wife and Yu Haitang out of the secluded residence.
Madam Yu was already in despair. Going to the Capital was like walking into a trap. The Yu Family was in the Capital.
She hugged her niece and burst into tears.
Seeing his wife crying uncontrollably, Ling Qiyang steeled himself and said, "Let’s go to the Capital. No matter what, we must try. We can’t just wait here for death."
"Yes, to the Capital!"
Madam Yu wasn’t the type to remain weak. Hearing her husband’s words, she wiped her tears and pulled herself together.
At that moment, Yu Haitang spoke weakly but firmly, "I’m not going."
"E’er-niang, this isn’t the time to be stubborn," Madam Yu persuaded earnestly.
"I know someone who can save me. He’s in Jiangzhou City... Changqing Hall... Ji Qianxing knows..." Yu Haitang said too much in one breath and nearly choked.
...
An hour later, Madam Yu brought her niece to Changqing Hall and met with Doctor Sun. She politely said, "Senior Sun, please take a look at my niece."
Doctor Sun was visibly stunned upon seeing Yu Haitang and gave a strange look. "This is..."
Yu Haitang regained consciousness and mustered her spirit. She gave a bitter smile. "I regret not heeding your advice and ended up suffering Qi Deviation. Please save me."
Doctor Sun stepped forward and took her pulse.
Madam Yu stood by nervously. After a moment, Doctor Sun spoke, "With injuries like yours, not dying on the spot is already a miracle. Your True Qi is quite special to have lasted this long. And someone helped you stabilize the injury—only then did you have the chance to see me."
Madam Yu, seeing his insight, quickly asked, "Divine physician, please save her."
Doctor Sun shook his head. "I cannot save her."
Her heart sank.
Then Doctor Sun added, "But I do know someone who might be able to. However..."
Madam Yu was overjoyed. "Who? Please, Senior, tell us."
Doctor Sun said, "Someone who shares the same origin of True Qi might be able to help repair her damaged meridians. But that person may not be able to help right now."
Yu Haitang, hearing this, said with a dazed look, "In this world, I might be the only one left practicing this cultivation method."
Was this karma?
In that valley, all the members of the Mu Family had perished by her hands. Who would’ve thought that today, when she needed someone with the same cultivation to save her life, no such person could be found?
Doctor Sun said, "That might not be the case. Think carefully, have you ever taught this method to anyone?"
Yu Haitang was startled. "You mean... him? That’s impossible."
...
Inside a room, Chen Ming had one hand pressed against Su Zhi Ning’s back while snacking on pastries. Suddenly, the “Mingfeng Sword” beside him let out a clear ringing sound.
It was a warning signal!
Chen Ming put down the pastries and grabbed the increasingly vibrating “Mingfeng Sword”.
At this moment, Su Zhi Ning opened her eyes and said, "The one coming is a Third Grade. Let go. If you run now, they might not catch you."
Chen Ming grinned. "Back in my hometown, we say—better to live like a feather and die like Mount Tai. Dying with you is worth it."
"Didn’t you say that after I die, you’ll find someone even more beautiful? Are you really ready to die like this?"
He looked toward the door and declared loudly, "Su Zhi Ning, you were willing to risk your life for me. How could I, Chen Ming, leave you behind at such a time? At most, it’s just death. Today, let us be a pair of tragic lovers."
"A fine pair of tragic lovers indeed!"
A hoarse voice came from outside the door, filled with regret. "In this world, men as deeply affectionate and fearless as Young Master Chen are rare as phoenix feathers. I had no wish to kill you, but in the martial world, one cannot act freely..."
"Enough talk, come at me!"
Chen Ming glanced at Su Zhi Ning on the bed. The scabbard of the “Mingfeng Sword” flew out on its own. With the sword in hand, his mind was clear.
Several moments passed—but nothing happened.
What was going on?
Did they run away?
Or...
Chen Ming felt uneasy and couldn’t help but speculate.
Could it be that Doctor Sun finally couldn’t bear it and scared them off?
At that moment, a woman’s voice rang out. "Young Master Chen, please don’t take offense. I intruded out of desperation. Just now, seeing a villain at your doorstep, I took action and subdued him. Please deal with him as you see fit."
What?
A Third Grade, subdued so silently?
Who was this woman? What kind of strength must she possess?
Second Grade, or First Grade?
A flurry of questions rushed through Chen Ming’s mind. He politely said, "I was unaware of your visit, dear guest. Forgive my lack of welcome. Please come in."
The door creaked open.
A noblewoman stepped in, carrying someone in her arms. On the ground knelt an elderly man, hair white, unmoving—clearly the Third Grade who had come to kill him.
At this moment, this Third Grade was kneeling with a humiliated expression, body paralyzed, unable to speak.
Without hesitation, Chen Ming’s “Mingfeng Sword” flew out, piercing the old man’s chest like lightning.
Just like that, a Third Grade expert was slain on the spot.
The elder’s eyes were wide with rage, dying with grievance.
【You killed an LV74 enemy, gained 400,000 experience points】
Seeing the system prompt, Chen Ming was elated.
This experience was practically a freebie.
If he could kill another Third Grade, he’d have enough experience to break through to Third Grade himself.
Madam Yu, though finding his sudden act of killing slightly ruthless, didn’t dwell on it.
"Miss Yu?"
Only then did Chen Ming recognize the one in the noblewoman’s arms—Yu Haitang. He immediately realized who this woman must be. "So it’s Madam Yu. Forgive my rudeness."
Madam Yu looked around the room. Even though Doctor Sun had described the situation earlier, she was still stunned. This white-robed woman’s beauty was not beneath that of her own niece.
She got straight to the point. "E’er-niang’s cultivation went awry and damaged her meridians. Her life hangs by a thread. Doctor Sun said only you can save her. I had no choice but to come here thick-skinned."
What the hell?
Chen Ming couldn’t help but glance at Su Zhi Ning on the bed, then at Yu Haitang in Madam Yu’s arms. His expression turned bitter. Both of them at once? He truly couldn’t take it.