14: Trading injury for life

The icy blade of the sword pierced Qin Feng's back without resistance, and a sharp pain instantly exploded, causing his vision to go dark. But the resilient will forged in the fires of his past life, combined with his current obsession with saving others, allowed him to burst forth with incredible strength!

"Ugh—!" Qin Feng let out a beast-like low growl. Instead of falling forward, he violently twisted his body, allowing the soft sword to cause even more horrific damage inside him. His arms clamped down like iron hoops, death-gripping the Flower Picking Bandit's sword-wielding right arm and part of the blade!

"You beast! Even if I die, I'm taking you with me!" Blood surged from his mouth, but his eyes were bloodshot as he gritted his teeth, pressing his entire weight and remaining strength onto the man, firmly pinning him down! The rusty dagger had already slipped from his hand during the impact; all he could use now was his own flesh and blood!

This was a fighting style intended for mutual destruction! The Flower Picking Bandit never expected this weak-looking youth to be so unafraid of death. With his arm locked tight, his sword momentum stalled.

In a flash, Xiao Chun, who had been stunned by this tragic scene, felt a surge of courage from nowhere. She grabbed a fist-sized stone from the ground and rushed forward with a scream, hurling it at the Flower Picking Bandit's head with all her might!

*Thud!* Although the stone contained no Internal Energy, it struck the caught-off-guard Flower Picking Bandit on the temple, making him dizzy and causing his movements to lag once more.

This precious moment, bought with a life, was enough for Doctor Chu!

"Die for this old man!!" Doctor Chu's beard and hair bristled with rage. All the remaining True Essence in his body circulated at an unprecedented speed, even at the cost of aggravating his old injuries. His figure moved like lightning, and the poisoned Willow Leaf Short Blade in his hand drew a tragic, beautiful blue light, moving faster than the eye could track!

Just as the Flower Picking Bandit shook off Xiao Chun and tried to break free from Qin Feng's restraint, he felt a cold sensation at his throat.

He widened his eyes in disbelief, wanting to say something, but could only make a wheezing sound. A thin line of blood rapidly spread across his neck, followed by blue toxic marks spreading like a spiderweb, instantly sealing off his life.

*Thud!* The Flower Picking Bandit's corpse slumped to the ground, his lecherous eyes still wide open, filled with shock and resentment.

Doctor Chu didn't even glance at the corpse as he stepped over to Qin Feng. Qin Feng had released his grip and was falling backward. Blood gushed from his back, staining a large patch of the ground red. His face was as pale as paper, and his lips had turned a strange greenish-black—the Flower Picking Bandit's sword was also poisoned!

"Brother Qin Feng!" Xiao Chun cried out as she rushed over.

"Quick! Search him, find the antidote!" Doctor Chu's voice was urgent. His fingers moved like the wind, tapping several major Acupoints on Qin Feng's back to temporarily slow the bleeding, but the wound was too deep and the toxin was spreading faster.

Xiao Chun suppressed her fear and disgust, hurriedly searching the Flower Picking Bandit's corpse. She soon found several small porcelain bottles. Doctor Chu grabbed them, quickly uncorked and sniffed them, then picked one out and poured out two crimson pills.

"I hope it's..." He pried open Qin Feng's mouth, stuffed the pills inside, and helped him swallow. Then, he looked at Xiao Chun with an extremely solemn expression: "He has lost too much blood and is heavily poisoned. There's no time to return to the clinic! We have to treat him here! Xiao Chun, help me!"

"Father! I will definitely save him! You must save him!" Xiao Chun knelt on the ground, watching Qin Feng's weakening breath. Her tears flowed freely, but her gaze was exceptionally determined.

Together, the father and daughter carefully carried the unconscious Qin Feng into the ruined Mountain Temple, finding a relatively clean corner sheltered from the wind and rain.

Doctor Chu tore open the clothes on Qin Feng's back, revealing the gruesome wound. He took a deep breath, his gaze becoming incredibly focused, as if he had returned to the time he performed surgeries in Medicine King Valley. From the medicine bag he carried, he took out silver needles, a small knife, cotton balls, and the best Golden Sore Ointment and Detoxification Powder.

"Light!" Although the moonlight was dim, Doctor Chu demanded perfection.

Xiao Chun immediately found some dry branches and lit them with a Fire Starter, creating a flickering but usable light source.

Doctor Chu's needles moved like lightning, sealing the Meridians and Acupoints around the wound to further stop the bleeding. Then, using a heated knife, he carefully cleaned the wound, cutting away the necrotic flesh eroded by the toxin. Every movement was precise and rapid, with fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Xiao Chun nervously assisted him, handing him tools and wiping away blood with fresh water, her movements clumsy but determined to keep up with her father's pace.

After applying the best Detoxification and Flesh-Regenerating Powder, he wrapped the wound tightly with clean cloth strips. Throughout the process, Qin Feng remained unconscious, with only occasional involuntary spasms from the intense pain proving he was still alive.

After finishing all this, Doctor Chu's face was pale, and his old injuries throbbed with pain. He placed his fingers on Qin Feng's pulse, his brow furrowed.

"The toxin is temporarily suppressed, and the wound has been treated. But he lost too much blood, and his internal organs are damaged..." Doctor Chu's voice was hoarse. "Now, it all depends on his own will... If he can survive the night, there is a chance for life."

Xiao Chun tightly held Qin Feng's cold hand, looking at his pale but resolute profile, and murmured, "Brother Qin Feng, you have to pull through... You must..."

Outside the ruined temple, the night wind wailed. Inside, the flickering firelight illuminated the figures of the three—the unconscious youth, the exhausted famous doctor, and the praying girl. Life and death hung by a thread.