Three-Way Power Struggle

Time crawled by, marked by the intermittent gnawing of pain and the drug-induced haze. Lin Xiao was confined to this high-tech, yet cold as a prison, medical room. Each breath brought a dull ache to his chest and a phantom burning sensation from the [-1.5] faint glow in his mind. The "Viper's Kiss" core deep within his right leg, like a dormant venomous snake, was temporarily subdued by potent inhibitors, but the bone-deep chill was a constant reminder of the bomb planted within him.

Ye Qingyan's promised "limited resources" had yet to materialize. Only the emotionless nursing staff, whose expressions were as precise as instruments, delivered bland nutritional supplements and painkillers at regular intervals. Lin Xiao could feel it – the Ye family was stringing him along, keeping him alive with basic necessities, treating him like a hawk they were training, trying to break any independent thoughts and make him more "obedient."

He closed his eyes, appearing to rest, but his mind was like a trapped beast, desperately trying to claw even a sliver of strength from the barren desert of his soul. He couldn't even manage to sense the fluctuations of the three Energy Stones in the brocade box he clutched. This utter weakness and dependence made the ruthlessness in his heart grow like wild grass.

Suddenly, faint, hurried footsteps, different from the regular pace of the nursing staff, echoed from outside the medical room. Muffled voices engaged in low conversation seemed to accompany them.

Lin Xiao's eyes snapped open, a flicker of vigilance flashing in his pupils.

Soon, the voices became clearer, seemingly stopping right outside the medical room.

A cold, undeniably authoritative female voice cut through the soundproof door. Though muffled, Lin Xiao instantly recognized it – Qin Bing!

"...Special Operations Ninth Division investigating! This is a search warrant! We received intel that the primary suspect and victim of last night's violent martial artist attack in the old city back alley may be receiving illegal treatment here! Cooperate with the investigation immediately!"

The Ye family guard's voice was calm and restrained, "Apologies, Officer. This is private property of Huanyu Group, protected by federal privacy laws. We are unaware of any suspects or victims you mention. Without authorization from group executives, you cannot enter."

"Executive authorization? I now suspect your Huanyu Group of harboring suspects and obstructing law enforcement! Move aside!" Qin Bing's voice suddenly rose, carrying undeniable pressure.

Just then, another voice, slightly cool but with a hint of urgency, interjected. It wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear, "I am Su Qingxue, from the Su family. The person inside is my friend, and I'm just here to check on his injuries. This doesn't violate any regulations, does it?"

Su Qingxue? She was here too?

Lin Xiao's heart sank. He had anticipated Qin Bing tracking him down, but Su Qingxue's appearance made the situation far more complex and delicate. Was she fulfilling a "friend's" obligation? Or was it related to their "three days of research" agreement? Or... perhaps both?

The standoff outside the door had clearly escalated. Qin Bing's official status, Su Qingxue's influential family background, against the Ye family guard's unyielding stance. Three forces, because of this small medical room, were colliding in such a dramatic fashion for the first time.

After about a minute of stalemate.

The medical room door finally slid open silently to the side.

The first to come into view were two Ye family guards, dressed in black suits, exuding a sharp aura. They stepped aside, their faces maintaining professional calm, but their eyes were sharp.

Next, Qin Bing, in a crisp Special Operations uniform with an icy expression, strode in. Her gaze was like a searchlight, instantly locking onto Lin Xiao on the sickbed. Seeing him heavily bandaged, pale, and weak, her cold pupils contracted almost imperceptibly, but were quickly replaced by deeper scrutiny and suspicion.

Almost simultaneously, Su Qingxue's figure appeared at the doorway. She was still in her usual cool, moon-white training attire, but with a light-colored windbreaker over it for warmth. Her gaze quickly swept over Lin Xiao. Upon seeing his miserable state, a fleeting, almost imperceptible ripple crossed her clear, spring-like eyes, but she quickly regained her composure, though a complex emotion seemed suppressed beneath the calm. In her hand, she carried a delicate insulated food container.

Finally, Ye Qingyan.

She seemed to arrive unhurriedly from another direction, still in her sharp, dark blue suit, holding a slim tablet. Her expression was neutral, her gaze merely drifting over Qin Bing and Su Qingxue who had barged in, before finally settling on Lin Xiao. A faint, inscrutable curve touched her lips.

"Captain Qin, Miss Su, what a rare visit," Ye Qingyan's voice was calm and unruffled, carrying the composure of a host. "Why are you all gathered outside my humble medical room? Is there some misunderstanding?"

The small medical room was instantly filled by the three parties, the air seeming to thicken and grow heavy.

Qin Bing ignored Ye Qingyan's pleasantries, her sharp gaze fixed on Lin Xiao. "Lin Xiao! Last night in the old city back alley, multiple Blood Wolf Gang members were killed, with clear signs of intense combat and explosion residue! Were you involved? Who attacked you? Was it an internal conflict within the Blood Wolf Gang? What is your connection to Scorpion's death? Answer me immediately!" Her tone was aggressive, carrying the pressure characteristic of a detective, each question hitting the core.

Lin Xiao, lying on the sickbed, began to cough violently, his face flushing an unhealthy red from the exertion. He appeared extremely weak, his voice hoarse, "Officer Qin... Officer Qin... What are you talking about... Blood Wolf Gang? I... I don't know... I just... I tripped and fell..." His eyes were "blank" and filled with "pain," perfectly playing the role of a severely injured, confused, and ignorant victim.

"Tripped and fell?" Qin Bing let out a disbelieving laugh, pointing at the obvious wounds on Lin Xiao's body, clearly caused by sharp objects and explosions. "These are the injuries you got from falling? Lin Xiao, I'm warning you, cooperating with the investigation is your only way out! Otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?" Ye Qingyan interrupted Qin Bing calmly, stepping forward to shield the sickbed. Though not as tall as Qin Bing, her innate aura of authority was equally formidable. "Captain Qin, in my establishment, you threaten my people? Even if he is a suspect, he is currently a severely injured patient who needs treatment, not interrogation. If you have evidence, present an arrest warrant. If not, please leave."

"Your people?" Qin Bing snorted, her sharp gaze turning to Ye Qingyan. "Miss Ye, since when did he become one of your Huanyu Group's people? As far as I know, he's just a street thug! Your protection of him makes it hard not to suspect the Huanyu Group has some unsavory ties to last night's attack, or even the Blood Wolf Gang!"

"Captain Qin, please mind your words," Ye Qingyan's expression turned cold. "Huanyu Group operates legally, how dare you slander us so casually? Mr. Lin Xiao is a potential business partner we are currently evaluating. After he was unfortunately attacked, we provided medical assistance based on humanitarian grounds, what is wrong with that? Has the Special Operations Ninth Division become so overbearing that it can interfere with legitimate corporate business cooperation and charitable acts?"

The two women, one representing official authority, the other representing a corporate giant, met each other's gazes, igniting unseen sparks. The atmosphere instantly became tense and charged.

Su Qingxue stood to the side, observing the scene, her brow furrowing almost imperceptibly. She placed the food container on a nearby instrument table and spoke in a cool voice, breaking the deadlock, "Officer Qin, Miss Ye, arguing about this now is pointless. Lin Xiao's injuries are severe and he needs rest. I am merely here as a friend to visit him and bring him something."

Her gaze turned to Lin Xiao, her eyes complex. "Are you... alright?"

Lin Xiao's thoughts raced, but he managed to force a weak smile of gratitude onto his face, a hint of his usual swagger returning. "Still... still not dead... Thank you... Miss Campus Belle Su for your concern..." He deliberately acted as if they were just ordinary friends, trying to avoid provoking the other two.

Qin Bing looked at Su Qingxue, then at Ye Qingyan, and finally her gaze returned to Lin Xiao's face, which was plastered with "innocence" and "weakness." She gritted her teeth. She knew that with Ye Qingyan blocking her forcefully today, and with Su Qingxue, a member of the Su family, present, it would be impossible to forcibly take Lin Xiao or extract any information.

"Fine, very fine," Qin Bing took a deep breath, suppressing her anger. Her icy gaze swept over Lin Xiao like knives. "Lin Xiao, you'd better continue to be this 'lucky.' The Special Operations Ninth Division is on your case! Let's go!"

She turned abruptly, radiating a chill, and strode out of the medical room.

With Qin Bing gone, the pressure in the room seemed to halve.

Ye Qingyan looked at Su Qingxue, her tone softening slightly, but still maintaining a distance. "Miss Su is very thoughtful. However, Mr. Lin currently needs professional treatment and absolute rest. Your visit should not be too long." Her words clearly conveyed a hint of dismissal.

Su Qingxue understood perfectly. She glanced at the "weak" Lin Xiao on the sickbed, then at the calm but unyielding Ye Qingyan, and bit her lower lip lightly.

"I understand," she nodded, taking a small jade bottle from her pocket and placing it beside the food container. "This is the 'Ice Heart Pill,' a secret formula from the Su family. It has some benefits for internal injuries and stabilizing Blood Essence. Farewell."

She said no more, gave a slight nod to Ye Qingyan, and turned to leave. Her moon-white figure disappeared through the doorway, leaving behind a trace of subtle loneliness and worry.

In the medical room, only Lin Xiao, Ye Qingyan, and the nursing staff, who remained like a backdrop, were left.

Ye Qingyan walked to the bedside, picked up the jade bottle, opened it, sniffed it, and then put it down, her gaze returning to Lin Xiao.

"It seems quite a few people are concerned about you," her tone was unreadable. "Recover well, Lin Xiao. Remember whose person you are now. Your 'value' needs to be demonstrated soon."

After saying this with a hidden meaning, she also turned and left.

The door silently closed again.

Lin Xiao lay alone on the sickbed, looking at the ceiling, slowly exhaling a breath that carried the faint scent of blood.

In his mind, the [-1.5] faint glow remained cold.

Deep within his right leg, the dark green tumor seemed to stir, almost imperceptibly, when Su Qingxue had placed the "Ice Heart Pill" down.

With the three forces clashing, his sinking ship seemed to have, for the moment, not capsized.

But the waters were getting deeper.