Behind the Conspiracy

Li Xingluo's expression sank slightly, his eyes flashing with a sharp, piercing light.

Following the sound, a man dressed in flamboyant attire stepped out, walking with an arrogant, swaggering gait.

He walked up to Song Ping, first shot a glare at Li Xingluo, and then leaned in to whisper—loud enough for both Song Ping and Li Xingluo to hear.

As he spoke, he didn't forget to size Li Xingluo up from time to time.

"Big Brother, even a Second-Grade Alchemist can do nothing about Father's illness. If we want to save him, we need the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid. Now that Xue'er has brought it back, we should use it—isn't that perfect? Why listen to the words of a wandering con artist?"

Li Xingluo swept a cold gaze over him and asked indifferently, "Who is this person? Is he the one who calls the shots in the Song Clan?"

Li Xingluo's cold, biting words infuriated Song Zhu; no one had ever dared to treat him like this within the Song Clan.

Instantly incensed, Song Zhu struck a pose, ready to teach Li Xingluo a lesson.

Li Xingluo clearly sensed the hostility radiating from Song Zhu and did not retreat in the slightest, an invisible Dou Qi surging from within him.

Song Zhu clearly felt the strain; his original arrogance was replaced by a sudden, internal sense of alarm.

What is this man's background? I am a Half-Step Dou Ling, yet I feel an invisible pressure from him. Just what level of strength has he reached?

Seeing the two men at daggers drawn, on the verge of a major confrontation, Song Ping grew anxious.

Song Xue saw that the situation was turning dire. Although 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 budge, and spoke up: "Second Uncle, Brother Luo Xing is someone I invited to treat Grandfather. What are you doing?"

Song Ping had naturally sensed from Li Xingluo that if a fight truly broke out, his second brother might not be his opponent. Initially, he hadn't been entirely convinced that the man Song Xue called "Brother Luo Xing" had the ability to treat Old Master Song's illness.

After this commotion, however, Song Ping felt it was worth a try.

"Second Brother, do not be rude. This Lord Luo Xing saved Xue'er's life. For that alone, you should not treat him this way. Will you not stop?"

Seeing that Song Zhu still refused to let it go, Song Ping glared at him fiercely, and only then did Song Zhu reluctantly retract his Dou Qi.

A strange, enigmatic smile curled the corners of Li Xingluo's lips.

"It seems I am not welcome in the Song Clan, so I shall take my leave. However, let this Humble One offer you a piece of advice: if Old Master Song consumes the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid, he will surely die."

Li Xingluo dropped these words and turned to leave, showing no intention of stopping.

A look of triumphant joy appeared on Song Zhu's face, his expression smug and arrogant.

Song Xue hurriedly chased after him, grabbing the departing Li Xingluo, and turned back to plead with Song Ping.

"Father..."

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

Song Zhu continued to fan the flames, wishing he could drive Li Xingluo out immediately.

Song Ping pushed his wheelchair forward, speaking in a gentle and conciliatory tone: "Lord Luo Xing, my second brother's temper has always been this way. Please, do not take offense."

Song Xue also chimed in from the side: "Brother Luo Xing, please, have mercy. Don't go—save my grandfather."

Song Xue looked aggrieved and pitiful, shaking Li Xingluo's arm.

Seeing the father and daughter act this way, Song Zhu was deeply dissatisfied and barked, "Let him go! I don't believe he's any better than a Second-Grade Alchemist."

"Second Brother!" Song Ping's anger flared—a rare occurrence, his voice heavy with indignation.

Song Zhu was stunned; in all these years, this was the first time Song Ping had ever been angry with him, and all for the sake of an outsider.

"Big Brother..."

"Second Brother, Xue'er went to great lengths to invite someone to treat Father. Why must you act like this?"

"Big Brother, I'm just afraid that Xue'er is young and naive, and has been deceived. There are con artists everywhere in the world these days. Who knows if what he says is true or false? He's likely just trying to swindle the Song Clan's wealth."

Song Zhu remained relentless, refusing to admit his mistake, his arrogance unabated.

Song Ping had doted on his younger brother since childhood, especially after he became crippled years ago, as Song Zhu had handled many of the Song Clan's affairs.

Song Zhu had been diligent and hardworking while managing the clan, allowing the Song Clan to continue to rival the Su Clan in Ink Cloud City; that contribution could not be forgotten.

"Second Brother..."

"Big Brother..." Seeing Song Ping's stubbornness, Song Zhu was furious, his eyes fixed on Li Xingluo with intense hatred.

"If he truly has the strength, I will acknowledge it. But if he fails, that is Father we are talking about—Father cannot withstand such reckless treatment."

What Song Zhu said was a fact, and Song Ping's expression dimmed accordingly. Song Xue slowly loosened her grip on Li Xingluo's arm.

Seeing that his words had struck a chord, Song Zhu grew emboldened.

"Big Brother, what if he is..." Song Zhu even leaned in to whisper something into Song Ping's ear. Although it was very quiet, Li Xingluo could still hear it clearly.

If he had been accused of coveting the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid, he might have let it slide, but being accused of being an agent planted by the Su Clan was something Li Xingluo could not tolerate.

He turned around and snapped sharply: "I have shown you restraint because you are Song Xue's second uncle, yet you dare to slander me. There is a saying: patience has its limits. If I wanted to harm your Song Clan, why would I have saved Song Xue? Do you really think a mere Half-Step Dou Ling like you could defend the Song Clan against me?"