Chapter 24: Su Zhenglong is in Critical Condition

Tossing the corpse carelessly onto the ground, Sikong Jing's eyes remained cold and indifferent.

It was one thing for Liu Neng and his wife to refuse to lend money, and it was another for them to insult his mother-in-law to the point of death, but their ultimate sin was targeting Su Yuexi—and even worse, trying to anger his father-in-law to death just to curry favor with Su Zhengtao.

Therefore, they deserved nothing but death.

Upon returning to the Su family residence, Sikong Jing happened to see Mei Xiaofang sitting in the main hall, staring blankly into space.

A surge of emotion welled up in Sikong Jing's heart.

Even if Mei Xiaofang was only refusing to let herself be driven to suicide for the sake of Su Yuexi, he would still deeply remember this sentiment.

"Mother-in-law..." Sikong Jing stepped forward.

Startled by his voice, Mei Xiaofang immediately glared at him and said irritably, "Don't call me that. You're going to commit suicide tomorrow if you can't produce the money, and I don't want to have nightmares because of you."

Had this been earlier, Sikong Jing might have felt uncomfortable despite not taking it to heart.

However, what he had witnessed outside the Liu family compound had allowed him to see through his mother-in-law completely; she was a classic example of someone who was harsh on the outside but soft on the inside. Sikong Jing chose not to expose her.

It was precisely because he understood her character that he had intentionally avoided appearing in person while at the Liu compound.

"Mother-in-law, I just went out to earn some money. While passing by the Liu compound, I heard that Liu Neng and his wife are dead," Sikong Jing said casually, narrowing his eyes.

*Thud!*

Mei Xiaofang stood up instinctively and asked in disbelief, "What did you say? Liu Neng and his wife are dead? How did they die?"

She had only just returned from the Liu compound, and Madam Liu had been perfectly fine then.

"I heard a Gold Crystal Coin was left in the courtyard. Someone must have bought their lives," Sikong Jing replied nonchalantly.

Hearing this, Mei Xiaofang stood frozen in place, her expression shifting constantly.

Suddenly, a burst of manic laughter erupted from her: "Good! They deserved it! This is retribution! This is retribution!"

As she laughed, tears began to fall. It was one thing to be oppressed by the Su family, but now even those who had once received help from Su Zhenglong were bullying her.

She had spent the last two days wearing out her voice begging for money, only to be met with indifference and ridicule. Life was simply too bitter.

Suddenly, Mei Xiaofang shuddered and stared at Sikong Jing. "It couldn't have been you, could it?"

Sikong Jing froze for a moment, but without changing his expression, he shook his head. "Why would I kill them?"

He had no intention of admitting it—partly because he didn't want to embarrass Mei Xiaofang by exposing her soft heart, and partly to prevent her from worrying about potential retaliation or consequences.

"True, it couldn't be you. Where would you get a Gold Crystal Coin?" Mei Xiaofang nodded heavily, feeling she had overthought it.

Sikong Jing, who was just about to produce ninety-nine Gold Crystal Coins to surprise his mother-in-law, froze mid-motion.

For a moment, he was bewildered. Should he actually take them out?

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Just as Sikong Jing was hesitating, a violent coughing fit erupted from Su Zhenglong's room.

Mei Xiaofang's expression changed drastically as she rushed inside. "Master! Master! Yuexi's father... please don't scare me!"

Sikong Jing's entire body jolted, and he rushed into the room without delay.

At first glance, he saw Su Zhenglong half-collapsed on the floor, with Mei Xiaofang struggling to support him. Su Zhenglong's coughing intensified until, with a wet sound, he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Sikong Jing hurried over to help his mother-in-law lift him up.

At this moment, Su Zhenglong regained a bit of clarity. His face was as pale as paper as he said, "Xiaofang, I'm afraid I won't make it."

*Buzz!*

Mei Xiaofang's face turned deathly pale. Tears streamed down her face as she cried, "No, that's impossible! I'll go find a doctor right now. You won't die!"

As she spoke, she shouted at Sikong Jing, "Take care of your father-in-law! If he dies, I'll have your life!"

Despite her threats, Mei Xiaofang ran out like a madwoman to find a doctor.

Sikong Jing quickly moved Su Zhenglong to the bed and swiftly checked his pulse...

Although Sikong Jing was not a doctor, he had once been a peak Transcendent martial artist. While he couldn't diagnose illnesses, he could use True Qi to heal wounds.

Su Zhenglong wasn't sick; he had been severely injured.

However, the pulse reading left Sikong Jing with an extremely grim expression. Su Zhenglong's internal organs were all ravaged. The noble young master who had injured him years ago had left a trace of True Qi inside his body, which continued to destroy his physical form.

If not for his dantian and True Qi still being intact, Su Zhenglong would have died long ago.

To heal his injuries, he had to force that noble young master's True Qi out of his body and then slowly nurture his internal organs.

In the past, Sikong Jing could have handled this with ease.

But that True Qi had reached the Earth Realm. With his current Sixth Level of the Bright Realm, he was far from sufficient. No matter how powerful the *Emperor-Slaying Prison-Breaking Art* was, it would be impossible.

"Yuexian, Father is useless. Where are you? Are you still alive?"

At this moment, Su Zhenglong drifted in and out of consciousness, muttering deliriously in a raspy voice.

Su Yuexian—the elder sister who had been taken away by the noble young master in place of Su Yuexi—had been missing for ten years.

"Yuexi, do not blame yourself."

"Father has never blamed you. Father knows you became ugly because of the poison Yuexian gave you."

Su Zhenglong's voice trembled...

Sikong Jing was shaken once more. As expected, it was the Crimson Spider Poison that Su Yuexian had used to ensure her sister wouldn't be taken away. But how could the young Su Yuexian have possessed such a poison back then?

Unfortunately, Su Zhenglong had now fallen into a complete coma and could no longer speak.

Sikong Jing took a deep breath and used his experience to employ various life-sustaining methods for Su Zhenglong, only stopping when Mei Xiaofang finally brought a doctor.

The doctor was a white-haired elderly man. He quickly checked Su Zhenglong's pulse and, after a long silence, replied, "Madam Su, given Master Su's current state, we must use very strong medicine."

"Doctor Sun, then use it!" Mei Xiaofang said without hesitation.

However, Doctor Sun's expression turned slightly grim. "I have the medicine, but I have heard a bit about your family's situation. This prescription will cost at least three Gold Crystal Coins. I wonder if Madam Su can pay me a portion in advance?"

With her mouth agape, Mei Xiaofang's face instantly soured. Where was she supposed to find three Gold Crystal Coins?

Suddenly biting her lip, Mei Xiaofang said, "Doctor Sun, please write the prescription first. I will go beg the Old Master right now."

There was no other way. Su Xuefeng couldn't just watch his eldest son die, could he?

Of course, he would likely have to pay a heavy price.

"This..."

Doctor Sun looked conflicted. He had been treating Su Zhenglong's condition for a long time and knew the family's situation too well.

Even if Mei Xiaofang went to beg, she might not be able to get the money.

To Doctor Sun, three Gold Crystal Coins was not a small sum; he couldn't simply waive it.

At this moment, Sikong Jing naturally had no intention of hesitating and was about to produce the money...

But before he could move, Su Zhenglong's door was pushed open heavily. Su Yuexi rushed in, saying, "I have the money! Here are three Gold Crystal Coins. Doctor Sun, please, I beg you, save my father!"

With that, Su Yuexi quickly handed the three Gold Crystal Coins to Doctor Sun.