The Immortal Ascension

Chapter 73: Li Feiyu's Thoughts

As soon as Mrs. Li entered the room, she was hit by a foul, fishy stench. She then saw Master Ma and Elder Qian seated cross-legged on either side of the bed, their eyes closed as they regulated their breathing.

Between them on the floor was a basin of pitch-black blood water, the source of the revolting odor.

Their faces were somewhat pale, clearly indicating that they had expended a great deal of energy, just as Han Li had said.

Mrs. Li immediately felt a surge of gratitude toward them.

Though she had no martial skills, her years of exposure to the martial world had taught her not to disturb them at such a time. She quickly slowed her steps and tiptoed to the bedside to look at the person lying there.

Elder Li was sound asleep, his expression peaceful and free of the pain that had previously creased his brow. Though his complexion was still somewhat sallow, the dark Qi that had once shrouded his face had completely vanished. The poison spots on his body had faded to faint, barely visible marks, like water stains.

It seemed the poison had truly been completely neutralized. Overcome with joy, Mrs. Li couldn’t hold back her tears.

After a long while, she wiped the traces of tears from the corners of her eyes and remembered that she ought to return and properly thank Han Li. She quietly retreated to the main hall, but as soon as she stepped outside, she was immediately surrounded by a clamoring crowd, bombarding her with questions. Yet, among them, she didn’t see Han Li.

Surprised, she quickly asked Ma Rong and the others about him.

From their replies, she learned that Han Li had already taken his leave after prescribing a restorative tonic, departing without lingering even a moment longer.

Mrs. Li fell silent for a long while, but in her heart, she had already resolved that once Elder Li recovered, she and her husband would personally visit Han Li to express their profound gratitude with generous gifts for saving his life.

Unbeknownst to Mrs. Li, aside from the miraculous Doctor Han, there was one other person missing—Li Feiyu, who had previously been inseparable from Zhang Xiuer.

Beside a secluded path, under the shade of a lush tree, Han Li—who had just left Elder Li’s residence—lay sprawled on the grass, his hands behind his head as he idly counted the leaves on a branch.

By the time he reached nearly a thousand, a dark figure descended from above, swooping down on him like an eagle pouncing on a chick, his aura fierce as if harboring some deep-seated grudge.

"Hey! Cut it out. Why do you always want to throw hands the moment we meet? I’m not Zhang Xiuer, you know!"

At Han Li’s words, the figure twisted gracefully mid-air and landed lightly beside him in an elegant stance—none other than Li Feiyu, who had followed closely behind.

"Han Li, with that dull, dark face of yours, how dare you compare yourself to Miss Zhang Xiuer? Aren’t you just embarrassing her?"

Li Feiyu huffed, lifting his right foot to lightly kick Han Li’s backside as punishment.

Han Li rolled his eyes, then sprang up like a carp leaping out of water.

"Seems our Great Senior Brother Li has truly chosen beauty over friendship. What a terrible friend I’ve made!"

"Enough nonsense. Why did you call me here? Do you know how hard it was for me to find a chance to get close to Miss Zhang? And now you’ve made me waste it! If you don’t give me a good reason, you’re not getting off easy!" Li Feiyu grumbled, clearly resentful over Han Li’s inexplicable summons."Did I ask you to come out? I don’t recall saying anything like that," Han Li deliberately feigned surprise, his expression exaggeratedly dramatic.

"With all those winks and nods you gave when you left, anyone with eyes could tell. Stop beating around the bush—if there’s nothing important, I really need to go back." Li Feiyu turned to leave, his demeanor making it hard for Han Li to tell if he was serious or not.

Han Li decided to stop teasing him. His expression suddenly turned serious as he addressed Li Feiyu:

"Don’t blame me for prying, but as a friend, I have to ask—does Zhang Xiuer know about the Marrow Extraction Pill you’ve been taking and that you only have a few years left to live?"

At these words, Li Feiyu’s face instantly drained of color, turning deathly pale. He stood silent for a long moment.

Han Li sighed inwardly, knowing no further questions were needed—the other’s expression had already revealed everything.

"Why did you have to wake me up so cruelly?" Li Feiyu finally spoke, his voice thick with sorrow.

Instead of answering, Han Li gently patted his shoulder in consolation.

"You must have heard this before—the deeper you invest in emotions, the greater the pain you’ll suffer," Han Li said once Li Feiyu had calmed slightly, his words carrying a philosophical weight that left Li Feiyu momentarily stunned.

"I pulled you out before you sank too deep, all to spare you greater pain later," Han Li added softly.

Li Feiyu stared blankly at Han Li, his gaze oddly searching.

"What? Is something wrong?" Han Li grew uneasy under his scrutiny and quickly checked himself over.

"How old are you, kid? You talk like some jaded romantic who’s seen it all. Have you even experienced love between a man and a woman?" Li Feiyu suddenly asked.

"Of course not. I just read these things in books. They sounded reasonable, so I used them to console you."

"Oh! So that’s it. I was wondering—how could someone as dashing as me possibly lag behind you in matters of the heart, needing your profound insights? Turns out it’s all just armchair theorizing!" Li Feiyu exhaled in relief, patting his chest repeatedly as if he’d been badly startled.

Han Li was speechless. This guy’s mood swings were ridiculously fast—one moment he was heartbroken, the next he was grinning like a fool. What an emotional rollercoaster.

Still, Han Li pressed on, unwilling to let it go. "So you’ve really given up on Miss Zhang Xiuer? You wouldn’t care even if you saw her in someone else’s arms?"

Li Feiyu’s playful expression instantly turned icy. His voice dripped with killing intent as he said coldly, "If anyone dares lay a finger on Miss Zhang, I’ll chop off their hands!"

"What happens after I die is beyond my control. But while I’m alive, Zhang Xiuer belongs to me alone." His words carried a chill that could freeze a man’s blood.

(End of Chapter)