Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 173: Chapter 173 Fire Poison Outbreak

Ye Qingchen activated his Dual Pupil Martial Soul. Although he couldn’t see through Qin Zhantian’s true strength, his injuries were laid bare. The Fire Poison had already eroded into his very marrow, and his life was in danger at any moment. However, Ye Qingchen possessed the Fen Tian Earth Fire. Perhaps I can try absorbing this Fire Poison.

At that moment, a confident Cheng Zhibin glanced at Ye Qingchen with disdain. ”A mere Third-Rank Alchemist dares to emulate others by saving lives? Truly, the ignorant are fearless. But do you realize that an alchemist attempting to treat a patient they can’t guarantee they can cure is no different from murder for profit?”

Ye Qingchen had not expected to provoke Cheng Zhibin, yet the man ridiculed him so openly. Given his temperament, however, Ye Qingchen didn’t take Cheng Zhibin’s words to heart. He simply smiled, shook his head, and paid him no mind.

But Qin Yue, standing beside Ye Qingchen, refused to let it go. After all, she had invited Ye Qingchen to treat her grandfather, and he hadn’t asked for any payment. Even if Cheng Zhibin was a Fourth-Rank Alchemist, there was no need for him to be so mocking. Thinking this, she said irritably, ”Master Cheng, saving the dying and healing the injured is a healer’s duty. Ye Qingchen came to treat my grandfather without guaranteeing a cure. Why must you say such humiliating things?”

Although Cheng Zhibin’s words angered her, she knew he was a Fourth-Rank Alchemist and that her grandfather’s recovery might still depend on him. Thus, despite her harsh tone, her words were carefully measured.

Unexpectedly, Qin Xi, who was standing nearby, seemed to have found an angle to use against her sister. She said sarcastically, ”Qin Yue, you knew full well he’s only a Third-Rank Alchemist, yet you dared bring him to treat Grandfather. I think you’re deliberately trying to delay Grandfather’s treatment to plot something sinister, aren’t you?”

”Qin Xi, what nonsense are you spouting?” Qin Yue, far less polite with her sister, immediately began to clash with her.

At this, Qin Zhantian, who was lying in bed, began to cough. Hearing his two granddaughters argue agitated him, worsening his already severe injuries.

”Qin Yue, look how you’ve angered Grandfather!” Qin Xi snapped, naturally not missing an opportunity to belittle her sister.

Qin Yue rushed to the bedside to wipe away the fresh blood that had spilled from his cough.

Qin Xi watched her every move with disdain and sneered, ”Such a hypocrite. All you know is how to put on a show.”

After her remark, she turned and gave Cheng Zhibin a deep curtsy, saying in a simpering voice, ”We must trouble Master Cheng to treat my grandfather’s injuries.”

Cheng Zhibin smiled slightly and returned a gentlemanly gesture. ”Miss Qin, rest assured. With my skill in alchemy, I will have Old Master Qin’s ailment cured in no time!”

As he spoke, Cheng Zhibin walked toward Qin Zhantian’s sickbed. Qin Xi turned and snapped at Qin Yue, ”Get out of the way! If you delay Grandfather’s treatment, I’ll hold you responsible!”

Qin Yue knew that Cheng Zhibin was about to begin the treatment, so she didn’t talk back. Instead, she retreated to Ye Qingchen’s side, her face etched with anxiety.

Ye Qingchen kept his Dual Pupil Martial Soul activated, observing Cheng Zhibin’s every move. He saw a series of hand seals form in Cheng Zhibin’s hands before striking various vital points on Qin Zhantian’s body.

As Cheng Zhibin continued, Qin Zhantian’s complexion began to regain its rosy color, and his breathing stabilized significantly. Joyful expressions appeared on the faces of both Qin Yue and Qin Xi.

Qin Yue’s joy stemmed from her grandfather’s improving condition, while Qin Xi’s happiness came from finally seizing an opportunity to one-up her sister. Most importantly, if their grandfather was cured, it would be a great achievement, securing her a boundless future in the Rising Sun Pavilion.

Among everyone present, only Ye Qingchen was frowning. Through his Dual Pupil Martial Soul, he could clearly see the flow of Fire Poison within Qin Zhantian’s body. Cheng Zhibin’s technique was indeed drawing out the poison, but his approach was too aggressive and aimed for quick results. While it seemed effective on the surface, Cheng Zhibin’s power was insufficient to control such a large amount of Fire Poison. There could only be one outcome: the Fire Poison would rebound, causing even more severe injuries.

On the surface, however, Qin Zhantian’s condition appeared to have improved. Seeing the deep concern in Qin Yue’s eyes, Ye Qingchen felt it was his duty as a friend to warn her. ”Qin Yue, tell Cheng Zhibin to stop immediately. If he continues, the Fire Poison will erupt completely, and your grandfather will be in grave danger!”

Qin Yue’s brow furrowed. Grandfather is clearly getting much better, yet Ye Qingchen is saying he’s in danger? Although she was confused, she knew Ye Qingchen was not one to make baseless claims. He must have discovered something to be warning her so earnestly.

Before Qin Yue could speak, Qin Xi let out a cold laugh and shot Ye Qingchen a disdainful look. ”Grandfather in danger? Utter nonsense! I think you’re just afraid that Master Cheng, the alchemist *I* invited, will cure Grandfather and steal your thunder!”

”Hmph! To make yourself look good, you’d rather Grandfather remain ill than let Master Cheng cure him. As an alchemist, you lack the most basic professional integrity. I really don’t know how Qin Yue found someone like you!” With that, Qin Xi turned her head away, refusing to spare Ye Qingchen another glance.

Qin Yue wanted to retort but feared an argument would affect her grandfather’s treatment, so she suppressed her anger. She gave Ye Qingchen an apologetic smile and was about to offer a word of comfort, but he simply smiled and waved his hand, indicating it was no matter. The truth required no debate; it would soon reveal itself.

Hearing Qin Xi scolding Ye Qingchen, Cheng Zhibin couldn’t help but smirk. A mere Third-Rank Alchemist dares to question the abilities of a Fourth-Rank Alchemist like me? Truly, the ignorant are fearless! How absurd! Just wait. Once I cure Old Master Qin of his Fire Poison, we’ll see if he still has the gall to stand here!

With that, Cheng Zhibin focused even more intently on purging the poison from Qin Zhantian.

About twenty minutes later, Cheng Zhibin finally stopped. By then, Qin Zhantian’s complexion had returned to normal, and his breathing was perfectly steady. Taking a deep breath, Cheng Zhibin said to Qin Xi, ”Miss Qin, I have succeeded.”

Seeing Qin Zhantian’s rosy face, Qin Xi was overjoyed, believing the Fire Poison had been completely eradicated by the alchemist she had brought. With this great deed to my name, won’t my status in the Qin Family soar?

Thinking this, she turned to Qin Yue and taunted, ”See that, Qin Yue? Master Cheng’s medical skills are superb; he saved Grandfather. If not for Master Cheng and I arriving in time today, your sinister plot might have already succeeded!”

Qin Yue could also see her grandfather’s improvement and was filled with joy. She paid little attention to Qin Xi’s mockery and happily ran toward the bed to check on his condition.

But just then, Qin Zhantian, whose breathing had been stable, suddenly began to cough violently. His face turned a waxy yellow as he spewed mouthful after mouthful of blood.

”How can this be? Wasn’t Grandfather better? Why does he look even worse now! Master Cheng, you have to save my grandfather!” Seeing this sudden turn of events, Qin Xi became frantic and immediately pleaded with Cheng Zhibin.

She was anxious because Qin Zhantian had only been treated by Cheng Zhibin—the man *she* had brought. If anything were to happen to her grandfather, she would surely be unable to escape responsibility.

Cheng Zhibin rushed to the bedside to examine Qin Zhantian’s condition. His expression changed drastically. The Fire Poison inside Qin Zhantian had erupted with a violent force far beyond his ability to control.

”Miss Qin, there seems to be another, far more potent Fire Poison hidden within your grandfather’s body. It is not something I can fight at my current level. I am truly helpless!” Cheng Zhibin stood up and shook his head at Qin Xi, feigning powerlessness.

He knew the eruption was caused by his own treatment but concocted an excuse to absolve himself of blame. After all, Qin Xi and Qin Yue knew nothing of these matters and were easy to deceive.

”Ah! He can’t be treated!” Qin Xi collapsed to the floor, her face deathly pale. If Qin Zhantian died, she feared she would not escape with her life.

Qin Yue knelt by the bed, continuously wiping the blood from her grandfather’s lips as tears streamed down her face.

Seeing that things had reached this point, Ye Qingchen sighed and walked toward Qin Zhantian.

Only then did Qin Yue remember that Ye Qingchen had yet to act. Overwhelmed with anxiety, she clutched at this last straw and cried out, ”Ye Qingchen, please, save my grandfather!”

”No!” Before Ye Qingchen could answer, Qin Xi, still slumped on the floor, seemed to have an idea. A flash of malice crossed her face as she shouted forcefully.