[Zhen Family’s Private Courtyard – Sealed Medical Chamber]
The air was thick with a heavy mix of herbs, incense, and spiritual wards. Ye Hann stepped into the chamber with Ruoqi by his side, his sleeves rolled, and his gaze focused.
In the center of the room lay Zhen Liang
Ye Hann (examining the body):
He’s already in Phase Two…
The qi in his meridians is reversing direction every three cycles. No wonder he's fading.
Ruoqi (softly):
Can he be saved?
Ye Hann:
If I were anyone else, probably not.
He placed his fingers lightly on Zhen Liang’s wrist, channeling a tiny thread of spiritual force. The boy’s body twitched violently.
Ye Hann (muttering):
This isn’t just a syndrome…
Someone’s forcefully embedded a spiritual toxin his cultivation flow. Like a hidden brand.
He narrowed his eyes. This was no accident.
Ye Hann (aloud):
Whoever diagnosed him before… either they were blind—or involved.
[Confrontation Outside the Chamber]
He exited the room to find Lord Zhen
Ye Hann:
You didn’t tell me someone else had already tried to ‘treat’ him.
Lord Zhen (frowning):
There were attempts. Some from the Inner Court’s alchemic division. None succeeded.
Ye Hann:
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They didn’t fail. They sabotaged him.
Lord Zhen (eyes darkening):
What?
Ye Hann (firm):
Someone embedded a spiritual backlash sigil in his dantian. It flares every time he tries to circulate energy.
This isn’t sickness—it’s a slow execution.
Ruoqi (shocked):
Who would do that to their own clan?
Ye Hann:
Someone with something to gain if Zhen Liang dies and doesn’t inherit anything.
[Lord Zhen fell silent. But his clenched fists spoke volumes.]
[Preparation – That Night]
Back in the chamber, Ye Hann began setting up an advanced eight-point detox array
Ruoqi:
How do you all of this?
Ye Hann (smirking slightly):
I used to live a life where knowing wasn’t a choice—it was survival.
Ruoqi:
You're more than a healer, Ye Hann.
Ye Hann:
Good. Because this boy doesn’t just need a healer.
He needs someone willing to challenge fate.
[The Extraction Ritual – Midnight]
The room pulsed with power. Zhen Liang convulsed on the bed as Ye Hann hovered a glowing talisman over his chest.
Ye Hann (focused):
Ruoqi! Stabilize his lower meridians—now!
Ruoqi (activating the second array):
Done!
Ye Hann:
I’m going in.
He pressed both hands over the boy’s heart. A flash of black qi burst upward—but Ye Hann’s sealing talisman absorbed it mid-air.
Ye Hann (gritting teeth):
Not today, parasite.
A final pulse of qi exploded from the boy's chest—then, silence.
The candles flickered. The boy’s eyes fluttered… and opened.
Zhen Liang (weakly):
Wh… who…?
Ye Hann (grinning):
You can thank me later. Right now, don’t die again.
[Aftermath – Courtyard Balcony]
Lord Zhen stood overlooking the city, back to Ye Hann.
Lord Zhen:
You saved my nephew… and possibly exposed a traitor in my court.
How do you want to be rewarded?
Ye Hann:
I want nothing official. No favor that comes with a leash.
Lord Zhen (nodding):
Then I’ll give you this instead: information.
There's an underground faction moving rare spiritual ingredients…
One of them is searching for a boy with ‘unnatural talent’ in medicine and alchemy.’
Ye Hann (expression darkening slightly):
They’ve started already.
Lord Zhen:
They don’t know who you are.
But they . Soon.
As Ye Hann walked back through the quiet streets beside Ruoqi, his mind was no longer on the present.
Someone out there still remembered who he to be.
And this time, he wouldn’t wait for them to find him.
Ye Hann (lowly):
Let them come.
I’ve already died once.
