Chapter 288: Luo Sister is so pitiful

Lu Qi suddenly withdrew his hand: "This is not an ordinary injury!"

Xiao Er nodded: "This is a Hidden Vein Needle! Jiangzhou Prefecture actually has such an expert!"

Luo Hongli hurriedly asked: "What is a Hidden Vein Needle?"

Lu Qi's face grew solemn: "The Hidden Vein Needle is a concealed weapon secretly made from underwater cold crystal; its body is as fine as a cow's hair, and once inside the body it is extremely hard to detect!"

"This needle seals the acupoints, preventing qi and blood from rising to the head, which is why the Old Chief has fallen unconscious."

He looked at Tuan Tuan, eyes deep: "This needle is extremely concealed; even someone with profound internal energy would hardly find it unless they knew its exact location beforehand."

Xiao Er nodded: "If it weren't for my lady's keen perception, able to detect and discern this subtle difference with her fingertips, unless the attacker is present, it would be utterly impossible to know!"

Luo Hongli heard this, her whole body shuddered, voice trembling: "Now that we've found the source, then, my father..."

Lu Qi nodded: "We must use pure yang internal energy to dispel its coldness, then use skillful force to draw it out."

He glanced at Xiao Er, who gave a slight nod: "I will join forces with Brother Lu; we can give it a try."

Xiao Ningxun decided instantly: "Young Chief Luo, if you trust us, let Lu Qi and Xiao Er treat the Old Chief's injury right away."

Luo Hongli wiped a tear from the corner of her eye: "I have nothing to worry about; the two of you have acted righteously, I am deeply grateful."

Xiao Er pondered a moment: "Young Chief, we will administer treatment right here."

"But there is a precondition: the Hidden Vein Needle is insidiously yin; once we begin drawing it out, our internal energy will clash with the needle's yin cold, like sailing against the current—we can only advance, not retreat, and cannot suffer the slightest disturbance."

"If there is the slightest mistake, internal energy will rebound, the yin cold will surge into the heart meridian, and even immortals could not save him."

Luo Hongli's face turned pale as she looked at her father on the bed.

After a moment, she suddenly lifted her head: "All right! I will personally guard—no mosquito can get in! I entrust this to you two!"

She scooped up the bewildered Tuan Tuan in one embrace and kissed her cheek: "Little one, you truly are my lucky star!"

Tuan Tuan looked at her: "Luo Sister, these two uncles of mine are formidable; rest assured, they will surely cure Grandfather!"

Luo Hongli nodded firmly, gently set her down, walked to the door, glanced at everyone: "Thank you for your trouble."

Lu Qi and Xiao Er sat cross-legged on the left and right sides of the bed, simultaneously extending their palms to press the vital points on Luo Zhenyue's chest and back, sending thick yet gentle internal energy slowly into his body.

Everyone else held their breath; even a falling pin could be heard in the room.

Suddenly, Lu Qi's fingers struck like wind, tapping several times on a spot at the back of Luo Zhenyue's neck, and his palm released internal energy.

"A hiss!" A needle as fine as a cow's hair, flashing with a dark luster, was forced out by an invisible force from the Shoulder Well acupoint, embedding itself in the bedpost and emitting a wisp of icy white vapor.

"The first." Xiao Er whispered.

Luo Hongli clutched her mouth tightly, her eyes flashing with astonishment.

Then, one after another, the second, third, and fourth needles were forced out from different acupoints.

With each needle that emerged, Luo Zhenyue's complexion visibly reddened a bit.

However, when Lu Qi's hand moved to the area above the Old Chief's throat, his motion noticeably stalled, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Xiao Er's palms trembled slightly: "The last one."

Lu Qi's voice heavy: "Right here, where it meets the heart meridian."

He said no more; simultaneously with Xiao Er, he mobilized internal energy, both exerting their utmost, and a faint white vapor rose above their heads.

But that final needle, as if it had taken root in flesh and blood, remained utterly motionless.

Moreover, under the continual impact of their internal energy, the skin around that needle gradually showed a small patch of heavy bluish-black.

At its edge, faint lines spread outward, emitting an even more piercing chill.

"Not possible!" Lu Qi gritted his teeth: "This needle has already linked with the heart meridian; its yin cold is several times stronger than the previous ones—forcing it will surely cause severe injury!"

The two exchanged a glance, transforming their internal energy into a fine, continuous stream that enveloped it.

But that yin cold remained elusive and stubborn, tightly wrapping the needle and deadlocking with their internal energy.

Time trickled by; Lu Qi and Xiao Er's faces gradually turned pale, their internal energy consumption enormous, and they could barely sustain it.

Meanwhile, that bluish-black hue slowly spread outward another layer.

Luo Hongli was anxious beyond measure, tightly staring at that bluish-black patch.

Suddenly, a thread of blood seeped from the corner of Lu Qi's lips.

Xiao Er let out a muffled groan, his shoulders slightly slumping; it was clear both were nearing their limits.

Lu Qi strained to speak: "If this continues, you and I and the Old Chief..."

He did not finish the sentence, but everyone understood.

Failure.

All our efforts and hopes came to an abrupt halt just one step from success.

Luo Hongli stared blankly at her father, then at the two ashen-faced men, her body trembling uncontrollably.

A pair of hands gently supported her shoulders.

She turned her head and saw it was Xiao Ran.

He said nothing, merely standing behind her, steadily supporting her.

Luo Hongli suddenly turned, threw herself into his embrace, clutching the back of his clothes tightly, weeping silently; her tears quickly soaked Xiao Ran's chest.

Xiao Ran stiffened all over, hesitated for a moment, then slowly raised his hands and awkwardly patted her back.

Xiao Ningxun held Tuan Tuan close, his feelings complex.

Tuan Tuan lifted her head to glance at Luo Sister weeping in Xiao Ran's arms, then at Lu Qi and Xiao Er, whose foreheads bulged with veins, mouths bloody yet still struggling desperately.

"That damned needle won't come out; it will kill Second Uncle and Seventh Uncle!"

"Grandfather."

"Grandfather is Luo Sister's father; Luo Sister is so pitiful."

"No, we must get it out!"

"I will definitely save them!"

She pursed her lips, broke free from Xiao Ningxun's embrace, and slid to the ground.

"Tuan Tuan?" Xiao Ningxun called her softly.

Tuan Tuan walked straight to the bedside and carefully examined the bluish-black patch on Luo Zhenyue's throat.

She tiptoed, stretched out her little hand, and lightly placed it on that bluish-black skin.

A faint white light rose from her hand, gradually strengthening, growing brighter and brighter.

Everyone watched her, not daring to make a sound.

Tuan Tuan stared unblinkingly at Luo Zhenyue's face.

Bad thing! Come out quickly!

Luo Zhenyue's face grew redder and redder, sweat beads gradually seeping out of his forehead.

The ones closest to her, Lu Qi and Xiao Er, suddenly shuddered all over!

They could clearly feel that the yin chill, which was fiercely opposing their internal energy, was growing weaker and weaker.

Like hard ice, it melted silently under the spring sunshine.

"Come!" Lu Qi shouted loudly, and he and Xiao Er exerted force simultaneously.