Slapping Faces Requires Weight

Seeing Li Xingluo's affirmative response, Song Xue could not have been happier.

Over the years, the Song Clan had sought out many physicians and Alchemists, yet none of them could do anything about Song Ping's legs.

Seeing Li Xingluo so confident this time, Song Xue was so happy she nearly jumped for joy; had there not been so many people present, she might have even given Li Xingluo a hug.

Song Ping was naturally very happy as well; he had not expected that he might still be able to stand again in his remaining days.

Song Zhu's heart skipped a beat, his expression darkening slightly. Though shocked by Li Xingluo's strength, he still refused to give up.

"Kid, if you truly have the ability, why not examine my big brother now instead of just running your mouth? Anyone can talk big, can't they?"

Li Xingluo didn't even need time to think, stating bluntly: "Fine! Miss Song Xue, push your father into the house so I can examine the senior's legs."

Li Xingluo spoke with such sincerity, and since Song Xue already relied on him heavily, she pushed Song Ping toward the main hall with a face full of smiles.

As Li Xingluo passed by Song Zhu, he glanced at the man's furious expression—the look of someone who wanted to kill him but couldn't—and felt quite satisfied.

"Brother Luo Xing, hurry up!" Song Xue called back.

Li Xingluo rolled his eyes at Song Zhu, which left the man fuming in place. It wasn't until Li Xingluo and the others had disappeared that Song Zhu muttered some harsh threats and gave chase.

Upon arriving at the main hall, Song Xue was impatient, though Song Ping seemed less anxious and even told her not to worry.

Due to long-term disuse, the lower legs had begun to wither, appearing shriveled and devoid of any color.

Li Xingluo examined them without making any moves, and Song Zhu, who had followed them in, seized the chance to mock him again.

"Yo, and here I thought you were actually some kind of expert?"

Facing Song Zhu's cold sarcasm, Li Xingluo didn't care; he didn't even take the man seriously.

He continued his examination with great focus, though perhaps because it was taking too long, Song Xue began to look anxious.

"Brother Luo Xing, how is it? My father's legs..."

"Xue'er, do not disturb the gentleman's diagnosis."

"Yes, Father!"

Song Zhu sat to the side, sipping tea while watching the show, an arrogant smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"The senior has been poisoned, which is what led to the paralysis of his legs."

Li Xingluo stood up and stated the conclusion of his diagnosis in a leisurely manner.

But the moment the word "poison" was mentioned, Song Zhu spat out a mouthful of tea, his eyes darting around; not a single subtle change in his demeanor escaped Li Xingluo's notice.

Song Zhu stood up and barked: "Kid, what kind of nonsense are you spouting? My brother's legs were clearly injured years ago when he went out to hunt magical beasts. You actually claim it's poison? Hmph, I knew you didn't have the ability."

Song Xue was also stunned; what Song Zhu said was indeed the truth, so how could it be poison?

"Brother Luo Xing, you... did you see wrong? Father was..."

"There is no mistake. If you don't believe me, I can provide proof right here."

Song Ping was astonished and exchanged a look with Song Xue. For a moment, Song Xue was also bewildered—how had it become a matter of poison?

Ignoring the shocked expressions of the three, Li Xingluo raised his hand, and a stream of red battle energy slowly flowed from his palm, pressing directly against Song Ping's knee.

Before long, a silver needle as thin as a hair appeared in Li Xingluo's hand. As soon as it was extracted, a wisp of green smoke drifted out from the tiny hole, rising up like a strand of hair.

Song Xue was so shocked by the sight that she couldn't speak, her eyes fixed intently on the spot, her mouth slightly agape.

With a flick of his wrist, Li Xingluo sent the silver needle whistling past Song Zhu's cheek, pinning it into a pillar.

He extracted an identical silver needle from the other leg and shot it out in the same fashion.

"Well?" Li Xingluo stared at Song Zhu provocatively.

"Since the gentleman knows it is poison, I wonder if you have a way to treat it?"

Song Ping was the first to recover from his shock, his eyes flickering between dimness and flashes of hope.

"The reason I didn't remove the needles immediately was to determine what kind of poison had caused the state of your legs. Now I have a general understanding. Rest assured, I have a way to heal your legs."

Hearing this, Song Ping cupped his hands and bowed to Li Xingluo.

"Then I shall trouble you, sir. But I wonder what the Song Clan must pay?"

After all, they had sought out physicians and Alchemists before, and the required compensation was never low, yet they had failed to cure him.

Now that he had received a definitive answer, the reward would likely be substantial.

Li Xingluo pondered for a moment, while Song Xue, standing to the side, grew impatient; she would never be negligent when it came to her family.

"Brother Luo Xing, if you can heal Father's legs, I... I am willing to..."

Li Xingluo looked at the delicate, shy Song Xue, her face flushed with a rosy hue. What kind of medicine had this girl taken?

Song Ping naturally understood his daughter's feelings, but to be like this after only their first meeting?

"Xue'er..."

Li Xingluo naturally had no such thoughts and immediately rejected the notion: "The reward I want is the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid in Miss Song Xue's possession."

As soon as these words were spoken, Song Zhu was the first to jump out in opposition.

"Hmph, the kid's fox tail is finally showing. You came here specifically for the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid."

"Big brother, you mustn't! The Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid is the holy medicine that will save Father. If you give it to him, Father will lose his life!"

Song Zhu stood upon the moral high ground, whispering slanderous words to his brother while feeling quite pleased with himself.

He had clearly forgotten the two times he had been humbled by Li Xingluo; one had to admit, some people truly were thick-headed.

Seeing Song Ping lower his head in contemplation, Li Xingluo burst into laughter.

"Boy, what are you laughing at? Did I hit a nerve, leaving you speechless?" Song Zhu's self-righteous nature remained unchanged.

"I'm laughing because some people are just too stupid. Forget it. Although the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid is indeed useful to me, I have no desire to carry a bad reputation. In that case, This Humble One will take his leave."

Li Xingluo turned around and walked toward the exit of the main hall without looking back.

Watching him leave with such firm, unhesitating steps, Song Xue felt a wave of panic.

"Brother Luo Xing!"

Song Xue chased after him, blocking Li Xingluo's path.

Song Zhu continued to add fuel to the fire from the sidelines: "Xue'er, let him go. He's nothing but a wandering con artist. I suspect he's just trying to trick you out of the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid."

Whether it was Song Zhu's words that finally made Song Xue see reason, her next statement was certainly correct.

"Father, if Brother Luo Xing wanted the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid, he could have simply taken it back then. Why would he save me, and why would he follow me back to the Song Clan?"

Song Xue recounted the events of how she had been in danger and how Li Xingluo had helped her escape before returning the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid to the Song Clan.

"Perhaps he... he has other motives."

"Second Uncle, what motives could Brother Luo Xing possibly have?"

"He... he, how would I know? I am not him." Song Zhu found himself unable to come up with a rebuttal.

Hearing the sound of a wheelchair rolling, Li Xingluo did not turn back.

Song Ping bowed his head toward Li Xingluo, offering an apology.

"Sir, it is my fault for being momentarily unobservant and nearly doubting your intentions in providing treatment. I offer you my sincerest apologies."

"As Miss Song Xue said, if I had wanted the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid, I wouldn't have needed to save her back then. With the orchid in hand, those Sand Bandits at Tiger Mountain wouldn't have been able to stop me. I am treating you only because of Miss Song Xue's filial piety, and as for the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid, that is the payment for curing the Old Master."

The magnanimity and poise Li Xingluo displayed at this moment left Song Ping thoroughly convinced.

Song Ping bowed once more: "Many thanks, Sir. From this day forward, should you ever have need of the Song Clan, you need only say the word."