Chapter 309: Tenacity
She was trembling uncontrollably, but a look of fierce determination flashed in her eyes.
Lin Feng frowned. The frigid energy inside Murong Qian's body had begun to roil once more!
The sensation was so bone-chilling that even with his formidable willpower, Lin Feng couldn't help but shiver. He didn't give up, however. Instead, he channeled even more of his Inner Strength into Murong Qian's body.
'Hmph. This is more trouble than I thought.'
Gritting his teeth, Lin Feng exerted immense willpower to control his Inner Strength. With a touch that was both gentle and firm, he guided the rampaging frigid energy through her body and back into her right palm.
For Murong Qian, the experience was a fate worse than death.
She could clearly feel a terrifying, malevolent power raging inside her, as if it were trying to tear apart her muscles, her flesh, even the marrow in her bones.
Fine cracks had already appeared on the surface of her skin. Blood seeped out, soaking a large patch of her clothes.
Overwhelmed by the pain, Murong Qian squeezed her eyes shut.
RUMBLE!
However, just as she was about to lose consciousness, a tremor coursed through her. Immediately after, she felt her right hand turn incomparably cold, as if it had transformed into a solid block of ice.
In that instant, the rampaging frigid energy seemed to find an outlet, surging wildly toward her right hand.
PFFT!
As the last wisp of frigid energy vanished, crimson blood trickled from the corner of Murong Qian's mouth. She felt completely drained.
"It's done."
Lin Feng withdrew his palm and pulled out the Golden Needles, which were now completely encased in ice. He let out a long sigh of relief.
The frigid energy in Murong Qian's body was finally gone. With this latest flare-up suppressed, the affliction was essentially cured. All that remained was for her to recuperate.
She sat limply on the bed and opened her eyes. As she looked at Lin Feng's young, handsome face, a deep blush spread across her cheeks.
Under her gaze, Lin Feng's eyes seemed to grow deeper, as vast and profound as a starry night sky.
"Th-thank you!"
Murong Qian said, mustering her courage.
The words sounded feeble, completely inadequate for the situation.
But her gaze was exceptionally earnest. She wanted to say more, but in the end, no words came out.
She couldn't find the words to describe the complex emotions swirling within her, nor did she know how to express what was on her mind.
'After all, my behavior just now was so embarrassing and forward,' she thought. 'Even though it was because I couldn't bear the pain, anyone would feel awkward about it, right?'
Lin Feng gave a calm smile. "Don't worry about it. It was part of my job."
"We agreed before the treatment. I cure your ailment, and the price is the frigid energy from your body."
"And now, I've received my payment."
As he spoke, Lin Feng held up the Golden Needle, now a shard of solid ice. "We both got what we wanted," he said flatly.
"So..." Lin Feng paused before continuing, "There's no need to be so formal, Miss Murong. We're even."
With that, Lin Feng turned to leave.
'After all, I have all the ingredients I need now,' he thought. 'The Red Flame Fruit has been sitting around for a while. I have to start the Alchemy as soon as possible. It would be a huge waste if its medicinal properties faded.'
"Wait!" Murong Qian called out urgently.
Lin Feng stopped. "Yes? Is there something else, Miss Murong?"
"Mr. Lin, I wish to apologize to you for my previous actions."
In the time it took for him to turn back, Murong Qian had reverted to her usual ice-cold demeanor, though a blush that wouldn't fade still colored her cheeks.
"Apologize? What does Miss Murong have to apologize for?"
Hearing this, Lin Feng's brow furrowed slightly. He couldn't make sense of her cryptic words.
"We knew about it when Miss Su was kidnapped."
"But my Murong Family, as one of the auction's organizers, had to remain neutral. So... we did not intervene to rescue her." Murong Qian said with a solemn expression, "I hope you can understand, Mr. Lin!"
Hearing this, Lin Feng understood what she meant.
'So she was worried I'd blame her for that?'
Lin Feng shook his head. "You're overthinking it, Miss Murong. I understand the difficult position you were in. I never held it against you."
"So you don't blame me, Mr. Lin?" A look of clear relief appeared on Murong Qian's cold face.
She had just been cured by Lin Feng. If he held a grudge over this, it would be difficult to build a relationship with him in the future.
After all, in terms of both strength and medical skill, Lin Feng was the most powerful person she had ever met. Being on good terms with an Ancient Martial Artist like him would be of great benefit to the Murong Family!
"Heh, why would I blame you?"
Lin Feng said with a shrug and a smile.
"If I remember correctly, you're a direct member of the Murong Clan, aren't you, Miss Murong? In that case, you naturally have to protect the Murong Family's reputation. I understand that much."
Murong Qian was stunned. She hadn't expected him to say something like that. It wasn't the kind of sentiment you'd expect from a Mortal Martial Artist.
It was exactly as Lin Feng said. Her presence at this event represented not just herself, but the honor of the Murong Clan!
So, even though she had wanted to intervene, she had been forced to stay her hand for the sake of the Murong Clan.
Only after Lin Feng had resolved the situation could she send two of her subordinates to make a token appearance.
His words gave her a measure of understanding. She sighed. "You are truly magnanimous, Mr. Lin. I misunderstood you."
Lin Feng waved his hand. "Let's not dwell on it, Miss Murong. Although the frigid poison in your body has been cleansed, I suggest you get some rest. As for the formula for the Spirit Medicine Liquid, I'll give it to you later."
"One more thing... I must remind you, the potency of this frigid poison is beyond your imagination. Please take care of your health from now on."
With that, Lin Feng walked slowly out of the room.
Leaving Murong Qian alone in the room, she fell silent for a moment. She looked up at the sunlight streaming through the window, her heart a tangle of complex emotions.
Everything that had happened today was beyond her imagination.
The bone-deep chill that had plagued her for over twenty years was completely gone. In its place, a warmth she had never known before slowly spread from within.
These were sensations she had never experienced in her life.
"Lin Feng... A talent like him... the Murong Family absolutely must befriend him," Murong Qian murmured to herself.
...
「Meanwhile.」
Back in his room, Lin Feng slowly exhaled a long breath, a smile spreading across his face.