Behind the Conspiracy

Li Xingluo's expression darkened slightly, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

Following the sound, a man dressed in splendid clothes strode out, walking with a swagger that said he didn't care who he offended.

He came up beside Song Ping and first gave Li Xingluo a look. Then he leaned down to speak—not only for Song Ping to hear, but for Li Xingluo as well.

As he spoke, he didn't forget to size Li Xingluo up every now and then.

"Big Brother, even a Second-Rank Alchemist couldn't do anything about Father's illness. The only way to save him is with the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid. Now that Xue'er has brought one back, we can put it to use. Isn't that perfect? Why listen to some wandering charlatan?"

Li Xingluo swept him with a cold glance and asked icily, "Who is this man? Is he the one who makes the decisions in the Song Clan?"

Song Zhu was furious at Li Xingluo's cold words. No one had ever dared treat him like this in the Song Clan.

Song Zhu's temper flared at once. He squared up, ready to teach Li Xingluo a lesson.

Li Xingluo could clearly sense the hostility coming from Song Zhu. He didn't back down in the slightest, and an invisible surge of Dou Qi radiated from within him.

Song Zhu clearly felt the pressure. His arrogance remained on the surface, but other thoughts were churning inside him.

Who exactly is this man? I'm already half a Dou Ling, yet I feel an invisible pressure from him. Just what level of strength does he have?

Seeing the two of them on the verge of a fight, Song Ping realized they were about to come to blows.

Song Xue saw that things were going badly. Though she had absolute confidence in Li Xingluo's strength, she still stepped forward and stood in front of him.

She spread her arms, refusing to yield, and said, "Second Uncle, Big Brother Luo Xing is the one I invited to treat Grandfather. What are you doing?"

Song Ping had also sensed that, if they really fought, his second brother might not be a match for Li Xingluo. At first, he hadn't quite believed Song Xue when she said that Big Brother Luo Xing could treat Old Master Song's illness.

After this commotion, Song Ping felt they might as well give it a try.

"Second Brother, don't be rude. This is Lord Luo Xing, who saved Xue'er's life. That alone means you shouldn't treat him this way. Stand down!"

Song Ping saw that Song Zhu still refused to back off, so he could only glare at him. Only then did Song Zhu reluctantly withdraw his Dou Qi.

A strange smile tugged at the corner of Li Xingluo's mouth.

"It looks like your Song Clan doesn't welcome me. I may as well leave. But let me offer you a word of warning: if Old Master Song takes the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid, he'll surely die."

Li Xingluo tossed out those words, turned, and walked away without the slightest intention of stopping.

A victorious smile appeared at the corner of Song Zhu's mouth, and arrogance and smugness were written all over his face.

Song Xue hurried after Li Xingluo and grabbed him just as he was about to leave. Turning back, she called to Song Ping in a pleading voice.

"Father..."

"Xue'er, let go of him. Let him leave. I refuse to believe a Second-Rank Alchemist could be wrong."

Song Zhu kept fanning the flames, wishing he could drive Li Xingluo out that very moment.

Song Ping, however, wheeled himself over and said gently, with a warm smile, "Lord Luo Xing, my second brother has always had a temper. Please don't take offense."

Song Xue joined in, pleading, "Big Brother Luo Xing, please, be kind. Don't go. Save Grandfather."

Song Xue looked utterly aggrieved and pitiful as she shook Li Xingluo's arm.

Seeing Song Ping and his daughter act this way, Song Zhu was deeply displeased. He snapped, "Let him go. I refuse to believe he's better than a Second-Rank Alchemist."

"Second Brother!" Song Ping rarely lost his temper, and the anger in his voice was unmistakable.

Song Zhu was dumbfounded. In all these years, this was the first time Song Ping had ever gotten angry with him—and over an outsider, no less.

"Big Brother..."

"Second Brother, Xue'er went to great trouble to bring someone back to treat Father. Why are you acting like this?"

"Big Brother, I'm just worried that Xue'er is young and inexperienced and has been taken in. There are swindlers everywhere these days. Who knows if what he says is true, or if he's just trying to cheat the Song Clan out of money?"

Song Zhu still refused to let the matter go or admit he was wrong. He remained arrogant and overbearing.

Song Ping had always doted on his younger brother, especially since becoming disabled a few years ago. Song Zhu had taken care of many of the Song Clan's affairs.

While Song Zhu managed the Song Clan, he had put in a great deal of effort, allowing them to continue holding their own against the Su Clan in Ink Cloud City. That contribution could not be forgotten.

"Second Brother..."

"Big Brother..." Seeing that Song Ping was stubbornly refusing to listen, Song Zhu was furious. He glared at Li Xingluo with deep hatred.

"If he really has the ability, I'll admit it. But if he can't do it, we're talking about Father. Father can't afford to be put through any more trouble."

What Song Zhu said was true. Song Ping's expression dimmed, and Song Xue slowly released Li Xingluo's arm.

Seeing that his words had struck a chord with them, Song Zhu seized the moment.

"Big Brother, what if he's..." Song Zhu even leaned down to whisper something in Song Ping's ear. Though he spoke very quietly, Li Xingluo could still hear him.

It would have been one thing if they accused him of coveting the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid. But to claim that he had been sent by the Su Clan? That was something Li Xingluo couldn't tolerate.

He turned and scolded him sharply, "I've been putting up with you because you're Song Xue's second uncle, but now you dare slander me. There's a limit to what anyone can endure. If I wanted to harm your Song Clan, why would I have saved Song Xue? Could someone who's only half a Dou Ling like you really protect the Song Clan?"