Chapter 198: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

A powerful blast of force roared across the high platform, the sharp palm strike landed directly on Ke Zhen'e's right chest, and in an instant blood spurted, splashing straight onto Qiu Chuji's face.

In the split second the hot blood sprayed, Qiu Chuji's eyes bulged wide, and the iron staff head in Ke Zhen'e's hand pierced straight through his lower abdomen.

Big brother!!

Han Baoju and his two siblings mourned.

Junior brother!!

Master!!

Senior brother Qiu!

The members of the Quanzhen Sect let out a burst of angry cries and swarmed onto the high platform. This time Su Lu Zhi, Yan Hongshou, and Jin Buhuan did not block them.

Hearing the commotion, Ouyang Feng and Hong Qi Gong's punch and palm clashed fiercely, then each leapt back five zhang.

The two had exchanged over a thousand moves; now both were flushed, breathing heavily, and mutually chose not to continue fighting.

On the high platform, streaks of scarlet blood slowly slid down Qiu Chuji's face, looking especially gruesome.

Ke Zhen'e's body fell back slowly, his forearms bulging with blue veins as he still clutched the iron staff; as he fell, the staff head that had pierced Qiu Chuji's lower abdomen was pulled out.

In an instant, fresh blood flooded the ground.

Bang!

Bang!

The two collapsed simultaneously into the arms of their own side.

Yin Zhiping scooped his master from the sect leader's arms, searched for a pulse for a long while but found none; recalling how Zhao Zhijing had oppressed him like a dog, he burst into bitter tears.

When he cried, the surrounding senior brothers, junior brothers and sisters all wept together.

A few people, inflamed with righteous anger, drew swords to seek revenge, but saw Han Baoju and Zhu Cong also clutching Ke Zhen'e and crying loudly.

Han Xiao Ying, seeing this, bit her lip tightly, feeling both regret and sorrow, a nameless guilt welling up inside her.

She deeply regretted why she had softened a moment ago and not stabbed Qiu Chuji's back heart directly; the more she thought, the more guilty she felt, and tears gradually blurred her jade-like face.

Finally, she could not help turning her tear‑filled eyes toward the crowned youth on the viewing platform.

Niu Dingtian, who had been calmly winning, wondered why the reckless Ke the Blind had turned things this way; after meeting the beautiful woman's sad, guilty gaze, his heart softened.

Perhaps there is still hope…

Thinking of this, Niu Dingtian turned his head toward Fen Tian and whispered, "You handle the next procedures; remember, no one may run wild here. I'm going to check the situation."

Having said so, he stepped forward, countless phantom images overlapped rapidly, and in the blink of an eye he appeared on the high platform twenty zhang away.

Seeing such a technique, the onlookers at the periphery who had been silent and watching the spectacle all inhaled sharply.

"No pulse when he fell?"

Niu Dingtian placed his hand on Ke Zhen'e's wound, infused Nine Yang True Qi to examine it, then frowned and asked,

Han Baoju, with a tear‑streaked chubby face, wiped her tears and choked out, "When I lifted him into my arms, I couldn't feel a pulse."

Niu Dingtian thought for a moment, quickly sealed several acupoints, pointed to the Doumu Palace behind the platform, and ordered, "Carry him to the side hall inside; first have Yan Fangyu try, and Zhu Erge, remember to prepare a bowl of warm water later."

The two promptly lifted Ke Zhen'e and left; Niu Dingtian pulled Han Xiao Ying close and gently said, "Do not blame yourself; I'll try again in a moment."

"Hmm~"

Han Xiao Ying's eyes were red as blossoming peaches; she bit her lower lip and let out a soft hum, yet tears kept streaming down.

Niu Dingtian brushed the beautiful woman's slender shoulder, said nothing more, and gazed at Qiu Chuji's lifeless body on the ground, sighing inwardly.

Originally he harbored a murderous hatred toward this man; fundamentally, he now finds it hard to articulate.

But that hatred has indeed lessened after receiving Sister Bao, otherwise how could he have waited to act indirectly through the Seven Freaks' grudges.

"The grudges are settled, life and death follow destiny; Ma Zhangjiao may go up to the stage and seek Master Deng for a try."

After leaving those words, Niu Dingtian pulled Han Xiao Ying and vaulted into the Doumu Palace.

The two arrived at the side hall; Yan Fangyu had already inserted many silver needles into Ke Zhen'e's body. Seeing Niu Dingtian enter, he shook his head and sighed lightly, "All the stimulating acupoints have been tried; without vitality, even the finest elixir is useless."

In other words, even a spirit‑spring water that augments essence would be useless.

"I'll give it a try."

Seeing Yan Fangyu about to withdraw the needles, Niu Dingtian thought briefly and quickly raised his hand to stop him.

According to his reasoning, since the silver needles stimulate vitality, adding the previously sealed acupoints could aid cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Indeed, it's cardiopulmonary resuscitation; as long as the heart pulse can restart, feeding a few small pills should gradually revive him.

He hadn't acted directly earlier because he feared taking responsibility.

After all, pressing hard on someone whose state was unknown could backfire; if he failed to save them, he'd be blamed: the Jiangnan Seven Freaks' hero Ke still had a breath left, only to be crushed to death by Grand Master Niu!

Thus, it's better to let Yan Fangyu try first; after all, the acupoints are sealed, and a moment or two won't matter.

While speaking, Niu Dingtian swiftly leapt onto the bed, channeling Nine Yang True Qi to protect the wound while performing standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation compressions.

"Is this... a rescue?"

Yan Fangyu stared dumbfounded; after all, the dead are revered, and he'd never seen a corpse treated so roughly.

Han Xiao Ying froze briefly, then stopped her tears; in her bright red eyes a hint of hesitation appeared, but she said nothing to stop it.

After thirty compressions, Niu Dingtian looked at Han Baoju and shouted, "Mouth‑to‑mouth breathing, moderate force, blow twice!"

"Mouth‑to‑mouth?" Han Baoju was stunned.

When she recovered, her chubby face began to struggle, hesitating, "Big brother is already dead; why keep tormenting him?"

She wasn't despising him; rather, if she could press a living person to death, how could she revive a dead one? She truly didn't want to keep fiddling with her brother's corpse.

Niu Dingtian glared, urging, "Hurry! If you can blow, blow; if you compress, there's a chance he'll live. If you don't, he'll be buried in seven days."

At that moment, he suddenly realized the initial procedure had already involved many extra compressions.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was only theory to him; he'd never practiced it in any life, so he didn't know whether to stop or continue now.

He couldn't help but rage, "I've already done ten extra compressions; if he can't be saved, it's your fault for delaying. Don't blame me later!"

Han Baoju, upon hearing, dared not delay; he hurried to the bedside and, following orders, pried open Ke Zhen'e's mouth and blew twice.

"What taste?" Han Baoju couldn't help but grimace; having gotten along with his elder brother day and night for so many years, he had never tasted this flavor at such close range.

"Zhu Erge, watch the pulse!"

Niu Dingtian looked at Zhu Chong and instructed; in the midst of speaking, thirty blows had already passed, and he shouted at Han Baoju, "Blow twice again!"

Han Baoju pinched his nose and blew twice again.

Thus, Niu Dingtian infused Nine Yang True Qi to nourish the lungs and viscera while performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

But after half an hour, Ke Zhen'e still showed no movement; gradually, Han Baoju and the two others had exhausted their last hope.

Yan Fangyu stood aside, watching and feeling somewhat unbear; he really couldn't imagine that one day, when he himself ran out of breath, this guy would torment him like this.

In the silent side hall, Zhu Chong's exclamation suddenly rang out; after confirming again, he exclaimed with a face of surprise and joy, "It jumped! It jumped! Elder brother's pulse jumped!"

"Really alive?" Yan Fangyu hurriedly felt Ke Zhen'e's wrist, then stared wide-eyed at the blind man on the bed, his face full of disbelief.

If it weren't for Han Xiao Ying, he wouldn't bother with this mess. Saving him is good; if he couldn't be saved, claiming these two brothers harbor no grudge would be a lie.

After getting off the bed, Niu Dingtian took out a porcelain bottle from his bosom, poured out two small pills and handed them to Han Baoju, smiling, "Dissolve them in warm water and pour into the mouth; if you can't swallow, blow mouth-to-mouth."

After saying that, Niu Dingtian smiled and patted Han Baoju's shoulder, exchanged a few pleasantries with Lao Taishan, then left the side hall.

Upon reaching the eaves, Niu Ben hurried over, clasped his fists, and said, "Sect Leader, Qiu Chuji is dead."

Niu Dingtian raised his sword eyebrows and asked, "Did you go see the One Lamp Grand Master?"

Niu Ben said, "I saw him; the One Lamp Grand Master had no solution, finally took out a pill to try, but Island Master Huang blocked it and gave two Nine Flower Jade Dew Pills, yet he couldn't be saved."

This actually matches the true character of the One Lamp Grand Master; among the Five Greats, he has the best relationship with Wang Chongyang, and they even exchanged the One Yang Finger and Innate Skill.

Today, a Quanzhen disciple came before him; he would likely not refuse, but he didn't expect to be willing to part with that thing.

"Let the vice sect leader take charge afterward; I won't show myself." Niu Dingtian glanced at the sun outside, pondered, and said.

"Also, keep an eye out for any strangers on the mountain; if a mysterious Taoist appears, immediately send out a warning signal."

After he left, Niu Dingtian went to the eaves of the upper level of the main hall, overlooking the situation below from a high place.

Not long after, light footsteps came from behind; shortly after, a pair of soft, warm objects pressed tightly against his back.

Niu Dingtian closed his eyes to enjoy a moment of warmth, then opened his mouth to tease, "Han Sister, you've become even more bountiful."

Just as he finished speaking, a white hand grabbed and pinched a spot on his body.

But it was only a symbolic reprimand; Han Xiao Ying then touched that spot and gently rubbed it, after tightly embracing him, her jade-like face pressed against his back, she cheerfully said, "Thank you."

Niu Dingtian raised his eyebrows and said, "Just having those three words isn't enough; shout 'husband' and let me hear."

"Husband~" Han Xiao Ying didn't hesitate, obediently shouting.

Compared to the two words "official person", "husband" carries a higher expectation and more intimacy; nowadays it has become the affectionate term most women use in private for their husbands.

After shouting, Han Xiao Ying paused, then softly said, "Elder brother has a bad temper and a sharp tongue; I know he previously offended husband in some ways; thank you, husband, for your magnanimity, not holding it against him."

"Magnanimity my ass; your husband's temper used to be just as foul."

Of course, Niu Dingtian couldn't possibly say that in front of the lovely lady; he had let Han Xiao Ying repeatedly call "husband" to the point of getting a bit carried away.

After turning around, Niu Dingtian pulled the lovely lady tightly into his embrace, his right hand boldly climbing onto the soft, warm spot; while playing with her two little sheep, he affectionately said, "My dear wife, saying that makes you sound distant."

"In the past, when I was young and hot-headed, I liked to confront people head-on; from now on I'll yield a bit, calling him Elder Brother Ke; however, my lady's broad-mindedness also requires you to yield to your husband."

Han Xiao Ying's cheeks gradually flushed from being teased by that hand, her beautiful eyes flickering with charm, enduring waves of tingling sensation, she pulled her hand away and whispered, "You are now the sect leader; henceforth you should prioritize your career, not indulge in women's chambers."

Niu Dingtian reached up again and retorted, "My lady, don't slander your husband; I haven't touched you in half a year, where would any indulgence come from?"

Han Xiao Ying gave him a sideways glance, could only let his claws mess around, and said angrily, "Don't underestimate a woman's eyes; you know full well what you've done this half day; your sister-in-law Chen Jin'er can keep me well restrained on you."

No one else was on the third floor of the main hall; Niu Dingtian was no longer satisfied with just a layer of cloth, his hands becoming increasingly bold.

Han Xiao Ying's words had just fallen when his right hand had already slipped into her clothing, touching the warm, soft, smooth spot; as the beauty's delicate form trembled slightly, he whispered, "You dare to probe our sect leader's movements—tell me, who leaked it?" (End of chapter)