"!!"
The instant the thin ice shard entered his body, Xin Zhuoqing—the usually imposing and dignified head of the Boundless Sword Sect—shuddered as if struck by lightning. His leap toward the window, meant to abandon his disciples and escape alone, came to an abrupt halt.
His ruddy face turned paper-white, and beads of sweat began rolling down his forehead, soaking through his clothes in almost no time.
"Ghk—"
"Hah—"
His eyes flew open, filled with terror and pain. As the long sword slipped from his hand and clattered to the floor, he instinctively clutched his chest with both hands. Strange noises came from his throat, as if he were trying to force the rampant qi out of his body.
But there was no way he could do that!
So...
"AAAH!!!!"
In an instant, a heartrending scream rang out. Xin Zhuoqing crumpled to the inn floor like a kite with its string cut, without anyone even touching him.
"No—"
"Gaaaah!!!!"
As he let out one ghastly scream after another, everyone saw his body convulse uncontrollably. His limbs began to spasm and stiffen into bizarre shapes, as if some invisible force were rampaging through him and taking control, threatening to tear apart every bone and sinew in his body.
"!!"
"Head!"
"Master!"
"Ah!"
"Are you all right?"
"Senior Brother?"
At the sight, the Boundless Sword Sect disciples cried out and hurried over. They reached out to help, but the moment they got close, Xin Zhuoqing's agonized, twisted expression frightened them into pulling back.
His face was contorted beyond recognition. His bloodshot eyes bulged from their sockets, making him look like a demon from hell.
"Gaaaah!"
"Gaaaaah!!!"
Xin Zhuoqing could feel his qi churning into chaos inside him. The pain made him forget everything else; he had no idea what was happening around