Chapter 588: Bruise

Yun Mengrou felt very guilty.

Her tears welled in her eyes, her lips trembled, and her voice shook.

"I'm sorry... it's all because of me... If I hadn't begged you to save my grandfather, you wouldn't have been targeted by these people."

Her voice grew softer and lower, like a child who had done wrong admitting fault.

The Mountain River Seal is such an important thing, bearing the fate of the land; even a burden like this would be hard for my grandfather, the top military official, to bear, let alone Jiang Feng, an outsider, who shouldn't have to bear it at all...

She clearly understood that Jiang Feng was taking on the responsibility that the Yun family should have borne.

Especially, the first time Jiang Feng met her was when he saved her from a sudden medical emergency at her concert.

By now, even the entire Yun family owes Jiang Feng a huge favor.

She really doesn't know how to repay Jiang Feng.

Seeing Yun Mengrou's current state, Jiang Feng could neither laugh nor cry.

He waved his hand and said indifferently.

"This matter has nothing to do with your family. You don't know, but my relationship with the National Teacher means that since he's involved, I will eventually be drawn in too. So it's not really related to you, and isn't this good? At least Yun Lao is still alive; as for those demons and monsters, to me they're just minor problems..."

His tone was relaxed, as if he were talking about something trivial.

Although he said that, Jiang Feng suddenly began coughing violently as he spoke.

Cough cough cough...

That cough was urgent and fierce, as if he wanted to cough up his lungs.

His face flushed red, veins bulged on his forehead, and his body trembled slightly.

Then he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

The blood was dark red with a hint of black, shocking to behold.

Lu Xiao saw this and immediately stepped forward, her face changing dramatically.

"Jiang Feng! Are you injured?"

Her voice was urgent as she reached out to support Jiang Feng.

Jiang Feng quickly waved his hand, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and forced out a smile.

"It's fine... just overexertion from cultivating, my heart and lungs have only minor injuries. I'll be fine after a few days of rest."

His tone was light, but Lu Xiao's gaze clearly wrote the words "don't believe it."

Jiang Feng didn't lie, but he also didn't tell the whole truth.

That's what he said, but inside Jiang Feng was still shocked.

His recovery ability far exceeds that of ordinary people, and with the restorative effect of the Great Void Nourishing Spirit Scripture, ordinary injuries are nothing to him.

But that mouthful of blood just now shows that his heart and lungs were indeed injured.

The two half-step Martial Ancestors' Boundary Force, although much weaker than Jun Wuji's, is still Boundary Force, a prototype of law.

Even after he broke it, the backlash's power still injured him.

Evidently, even a weakened version of Boundary Force could still cause him a slight injury!

If there were even stronger experts in the secret realm displaying a more complete Boundary Force, the damage they could inflict on him would likely be greater.

He must quickly increase his strength, otherwise next time he encounters a stronger opponent, he might not be so lucky.

Seeing Yun Mengrou still worried, her eyes red and lips pressed tight, Jiang Feng waved his hand, signaling her to rest.

"Really, I'm fine. You can't help here, so go to sleep."

Yun Mengrou also knew she couldn't help; staying here would only distract Jiang Feng.

She nodded, stood up, and said softly.

"Then get a good rest."

Then she went into the bedroom alone and closed the door.

The bedroom door closed softly, shutting out the light and sound inside.

At this moment, only Lu Xiao and Jiang Feng remained in the living room.

The living room fell silent, with only the ticking of the clock on the wall.

The wall lamp cast a dim yellow light, shining on the two of them and throwing faint shadows.

Lu Xiao, however, did not leave; she stood before Jiang Feng, looking at him with a solemn expression.

Her gaze was sharp, as if she wanted to see through him.

"Jiang Feng, tell me the truth—are you badly injured? Is this situation really serious?"

Her voice was low, but each word was clear. Her tone was serious, with no hint of joking.

Behind Lu Xiao, the Lu family, in Kyoto, is also considered a not weak power.

After all, Lu Lao is the Imperial Sword Ancestor, highly respected in the martial world.

Lu Xiao's father is also a core military figure, a Three-star General who commands heavy troops.

The Lu family's intelligence network spans the country; she has been exposed to it since childhood, giving her a keen intuition for danger.

She could tell that Jiang Feng's injury was not as light as he claimed.

Yun Mengrou left, and Jiang Feng no longer hid his condition.

His relaxed expression vanished, replaced by a solemn one.

He grimaced, leaning on the sofa, reaching up to rub his chest, his brows furrowed.

Then he took off his upper clothing.

In the light, a large bruise appeared on his chest.

The bruise was dark purple, spreading from his chest to his shoulders, about the size of a palm, with fine cracks along the edges, as if something had torn it.

At the center of the bruise was a clear handprint, five fingers distinct, palm lines visible, as if someone had slapped it.

The skin around the handprint slightly sank, and the muscle underneath was obviously injured.

Lu Xiao's pupils contracted sharply, and he drew in a breath of cold air.

Is this…… the fight of those two?

Jiang Feng shook his head, then nodded.

Not entirely. It's the backlash of their Boundary Force. I forcibly broke their Boundary Force, and part of the shattered Law Power rebounded onto me.

He lowered his head to glance at the bruise on his chest, and gave a bitter laugh.

It's a bit worse than I expected. But it's fine, it didn't hurt the foundation, just a flesh wound. It'll heal in a few days.

Lu Xiao's brows furrowed even tighter.

A few days? Are you certain? This isn't an ordinary bruise. I can sense that inside here lingers a very strange power. It's eroding your body.

Jiang Feng looked at Lu Xiao, somewhat surprised.

When did your perception become this strong?

Lu Xiao snorted.

Don't forget, I'm a member of the Dragon Group. Inside that handprint on your chest hides a very weak but stubborn power, not ordinary true qi, nor Law Power, but rather a kind of……

She paused, seeming to search for the right word.

It's like something indescribable.

Jiang Feng's brows furrowed slightly.

He lowered his head and carefully felt the bruise on his chest.

Indeed, at the deepest part of the bruise, there was an extremely weak power wriggling. That power was so faint, like a wisp of smoke, imperceptible to ordinary people.

But it certainly exists, and it is gradually eroding his meridians and muscles.

If it weren't for Lu Xiao's reminder, he might have taken a while to notice.

Jiang Feng's gaze turned solemn.

This should be the residue of their Boundary Force. Although the Boundary Force is shattered, the fragments of law remain. If not cleared away, these fragments will take root and sprout in my body like seeds, which will become trouble later.

Lu Xiao's expression changed.

What should we do? Can it be cleared?

Jiang Feng nodded.

Yes. But it needs time.

He put his clothes back on, leaned on the sofa, and closed his eyes.

Let's talk about it tomorrow. I'm too tired today.

Lu Xiao looked at him, wanted to speak but held back, and finally sighed.

Then rest well. I'll go out to keep watch.

She turned and walked out, took two steps, then suddenly stopped and turned back to look at Jiang Feng.

Jiang Feng, remember, you're not alone. If you have something, don't bear it alone— the Lu family…… owes you a favor.

Jiang Feng opened his eyes, glanced at her, and the corners of his mouth rose slightly.

Understood.

Lu Xiao snorted, turned and walked out of the living room, pulling the door shut.

Only Jiang Feng remained in the living room.

Jiang Feng closed his eyes, sat upright, and sat cross-legged.

He took a deep breath and began to circulate the Grand Void Nourishing Spirit Classic.

Spiritual energy from heaven and earth surged into his body, flowing through his meridians to every part.

Wherever the spiritual energy passed, the fragments of Boundary Force were gradually dissolved, turning into nothing.

The bruise on his chest faded at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Jiang Feng immersed himself in this cultivation, forgetting the time.