What does your family's business have to do with me?

Li Xingluo took out paper and a brush, wrote something down, and after a short while, handed the paper to Song Xue.

"Prepare everything listed here and bring it to me. Remember, it must pass through no hands but your own. If you don't want your father to remain in a wheelchair forever, do exactly as I say; otherwise, you will bear the consequences."

As Li Xingluo spoke, he kept his eyes fixed on Song Zhu. Song Xue was confused, but seeing the sincerity in Li Xingluo's expression, she turned to look at Song Ping.

Seeing Song Ping nod, Song Xue took the list, said a simple "Understood," and left the main hall.

"I will begin the acupuncture now. The first session will be extremely painful..."

"Rest assured, I can endure this much pain. Please, sir, proceed without hesitation."

Li Xingluo nodded slightly, spared a single glance for the resentful Song Zhu, and produced his silver needles.

Channeling his Dou Qi and executing his technique, he drove the silver needles precisely into Song Ping's knees. Song Ping gripped the sides of his wheelchair until his knuckles turned white.

Beads of sweat gathered on his forehead, sliding down his cheeks to drip onto his lapels, where they evaporated into wisps of white mist that drifted away.

Clusters of white mist surged out from his body, a grotesque sight that was truly terrifying to behold.

Time ticked away second by second. Song Xue returned with all the items Li Xingluo had requested, only to find Song Ping's face deathly pale, his fingers having carved deep grooves into the wooden arms of his wheelchair.

Li Xingluo had no time to notice Song Xue's expression; he continued to channel his Dou Qi, causing the silver needles to vibrate slightly.

Night had fallen by the time Li Xingluo finally circulated his Dou Qi to withdraw the needles.

Song Ping was utterly exhausted; had it not been for his immense willpower, he likely would have fainted from the pain long ago.

"Father, how do you feel?"

Song Xue rushed over immediately to check on Song Ping's condition.

Though Song Ping was drenched in sweat, pale, and physically drained, he shook his head with a faint smile to keep Song Xue from worrying.

"Rest easy, your father is fine. Let him get some proper rest now. As for the Old Master's illness..." Li Xingluo left the sentence unfinished.

"Xue'er, arrange for the gentleman to rest. It is not too late to look at my father's illness tomorrow." Song Ping looked at the darkened sky outside, well aware that Li Xingluo had spent many hours treating him and had expended a significant amount of Dou Qi. His own complexion was slowly regaining its color, though his body remained weak.

"Then I shall trouble you, Miss Song Xue."

Li Xingluo had not expected the consumption to be so massive; it seemed he had overestimated his own capabilities.

Song Xue led Li Xingluo out of the hall. The only person unhappy was one man who watched Li Xingluo's retreating back, his fists clenched tight and his eyes filled with hostility.

Along the way, Song Xue kept thanking Li Xingluo, but he seemed wary of forming any personal connection, insisting that he was doing all of this solely for the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid and for no other reason.

The next day, Song Xue prepared breakfast early. Fearing she might disturb Li Xingluo, she waited by the door, pacing back and forth repeatedly.

Perhaps he was truly exhausted, but Li Xingluo, who usually practiced his cultivation early, had actually slept in.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, Song Xue, who had fallen asleep leaning against a pillar, woke up, rubbed her eyes, and immediately stood up, shyly avoiding Li Xingluo's gaze.

"Did I disturb your rest?"

Li Xingluo glanced at the food to the side, and seeing this, Song Xue immediately picked it up with a bright smile.

After breakfast, Li Xingluo followed Song Xue's lead to the room of the Song Clan head.

Song Ping and Song Zhu were already waiting. The moment Song Zhu saw Li Xingluo, he spoke with a sarcastic tone.

"Oh, if it isn't our great benefactor of the Song Clan. Did you sleep well last night?"

Li Xingluo was no fool; he could naturally tell that Song Zhu was mocking him.

As he passed by Song Zhu, a wave of pressure instantly forced Song Zhu to hunch over, unable to stand straight.

Li Xingluo glared fiercely at Song Zhu and said sternly, "If not for the fact that you are Miss Song Xue's second uncle, I would not spare you. If you run your mouth again, I won't mind crippling you."

A single vicious look frightened Song Zhu into bowing his head. Song Ping, standing to the side, shook his head helplessly at the scene.

He quickly stepped in to smooth things over: "Sir, let us first look at my father's illness."

"Yes, Brother Luo Xing, looking at Grandfather's illness is what matters most."

Song Xue had never seen her second uncle treated this way by anyone. Ever since Li Xingluo arrived yesterday, Song Zhu had been targeting him; it was obvious to anyone with eyes.

Li Xingluo finally withdrew his pressure, let out a breath, and handed the pills he had refined the previous night to Song Ping.

"These are the pills to treat the toxins in your body. Take three a day."

"Many thanks, sir!" Song Ping accepted the pills and bowed deeply.

Li Xingluo had no time to deal with the resentful and hostile Song Zhu, walking straight to the bedside of Old Master Song.

A faint trace of black mist lingered around the Old Master's forehead. How could such an obvious symptom go unnoticed by everyone else?

Li Xingluo couldn't help but glance at Song Zhu; this Song Clan was truly interesting.

Compared to the time spent examining Song Ping, Li Xingluo's examination this time was very brief.

"Brother Luo Xing, how is my grandfather's illness?"

Seeing Li Xingluo stand up, Song Xue asked anxiously.

"Your grandfather is also poisoned, and the toxin is heavier and far more dangerous. If this had been delayed by another half-month, no one would have been able to save him."

Hearing this, Song Ping swallowed hard. The physicians they had invited not long ago had not said anything of the sort.

Even without any treatment, they had been told he still had a few years left. To think...

Song Xue gazed at her grandfather, now skin and bones and stripped of his former vitality, and tears once again streamed down her face uncontrollably.

"Brother Luo Xing, I beg you, you must save Grandfather. No matter the price, I am willing to pay it."

Li Xingluo swept a glance over Song Zhu and said coldly, "I truly wonder who told you that the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid could save Old Master Song. If you had truly let him ingest it, I fear he would have perished within moments."

Song Ping and his daughter, Song Xue, could not help but look toward Song Zhu; after all, the physician they had brought in previously was the one Song Zhu had recommended.

Song Zhu did not dare to meet the gaze of Song Ping and his daughter at this moment. He wanted to retort, but fearing Li Xingluo's strength, he could only lower his head deeply.

"Brother Luo Xing, then Grandfather's poison..."

"It can still be saved, though a full recovery will be difficult. After all, the poison he was afflicted with is quite severe."

"As long as Grandfather can be kept safe, that is enough."

"All of you, leave. From this moment on, no one is to approach without my command, or you will bear the consequences."

With that warning, even though Song Xue wished to stay, she had no choice but to retreat from the room.

The moment Song Zhu stepped out of the room, he began to stir up trouble: "Big Brother, do you really trust him?"

"Shut your mouth, Second Brother. Have you finished your business at the market?"

Seeing Song Ping act this way, Song Zhu left while grumbling curses. Watching Song Zhu's retreating back, Song Ping's expression turned grim, his eyes filled with a hint of sorrow.

For those waiting outside the room, the ordeal was agonizing. Three or four hours passed before the door finally opened.

Li Xingluo was drenched in sweat, his complexion appearing slightly pale.

"Brother Luo Xing, are you alright?" This was the first time Song Xue had seen Li Xingluo in such a state, and she asked with concern.

Li Xingluo shook his head to indicate he was fine and handed a list to Song Xue.

After repeating the same instructions, Song Xue looked at her grandfather lying on the bed, then took the list and turned to leave.

Song Ping pushed his wheelchair into the room and approached the bedside, clearly sensing that the breathing of the man lying there had become much steadier.

"Many thanks for your life-saving grace, Sir!"

"No need for formalities. There is nothing left to do here, so I shall go and rest. When Miss Song Xue returns, just have her deliver the medicinal herbs to my room."