It seemed that Master Ma had noticed the tension between the two men. Instead of being concerned, he actually wore a faint smile, as if he were enjoying the unfolding drama.
"Though Han Xiaodafu is young, his medical skills are nothing short of extraordinary," he suddenly praised Han Li, causing everyone in the room to turn their attention to the young doctor.
"Really?" Elder Zhao, whose temper was known to be volatile, immediately spoke up, a tone of disbelief in his voice. "Such a young boy has such impressive medical skills? Is it possible that he's better than Doctor Mo?"
At these words, the atmosphere in the room became awkward. The family members and associates gathered there were unsure of how to respond. They couldn't directly agree with Zhao Elder, as they were hoping Han Li would be able to cure the elder. Yet, it was equally inappropriate to argue, especially since Zhao Elder was not only an elder but also a close friend of the patient.
"Ha, Elder Zhao, you may not know this, but Han Xiaodafu is actually Doctor Mo's proud disciple. His medical skills have surpassed his master's and are far superior to Doctor Mo's." Master Ma added fuel to the fire, a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes as he spoke.
"Is that so?" Zhao Elder shook his head vigorously, still unconvinced. "A mere child who has just begun learning—how high can his medical skills really be? I'll only believe it when I see it with my own eyes."
The room was struck silent as the verbal duel continued. Han Li, standing to the side, rolled his eyes in irritation. Does my medical skill really need you to prove it? he thought, frustrated by the childish game that Master Ma was playing. It was obvious to him that Master Ma had deliberately goaded Elder Zhao into questioning Han Li's abilities.
It was clear that Zhao Elder and Master Ma were from different factions and harbored some animosity toward each other.
Master Ma, sensing the tension, smoothly transitioned the conversation. "Elder Zhao's 'Mixed Circle Hand' is certainly masterful, and its power is unmatched!" he said, a seemingly casual remark, but one that clearly had a hidden meaning.
"Ha! It's nothing compared to Master Ma's 'Profound Yin Finger,' which is far more refined." Zhao Elder, not missing the subtle jab, shot back immediately, his voice carrying an unmistakable sting of sarcasm.
"Ha, Elder Zhao, you're too kind," Master Ma responded, his smile unshaken. It was clear that he was used to this kind of verbal sparring and was more than willing to engage in it with the elder. He had no intention of backing down.
Zhao Elder, though aware of the insult, decided to ignore it. He was no stranger to Master Ma's tactics and didn't want to waste time engaging with someone he considered beneath him. He fell silent, though inwardly, he was still puzzled by the sudden and strange remarks from Master Ma. He was used to the occasional rivalry, but this was the first time Master Ma had publicly exposed such internal factional discord. What is he trying to achieve? Zhao Elder thought, feeling a sense of unease.
Han Li, meanwhile, did his best to maintain his composure. He appeared calm and oblivious to the underlying conflict, even though he understood perfectly well what was going on. Master Ma's trying to drive a wedge between me and the other high-ranking members of the sect, Han Li mused inwardly, a small smile playing on his lips. Ever since our first meeting, he's been subtly hinting that I should join his faction. But I'm not interested in the petty power struggles within the Seven Xuan Sect.
To Han Li, these power games were no different from the bickering of children. His experiences with people like Mo Dafu and Yu Zitong, along with his recent acquisition of magical powers, had opened his eyes to the larger world. The internal conflicts of a small sect like the Seven Xuan Sect seemed petty and insignificant in comparison.
While Han Li wasn't interested in getting involved in any factional struggles, he also didn't want to openly antagonize Master Ma. So, he had been playing a delicate game, avoiding giving a clear answer to his invitations to join his faction. This delay was starting to irritate Master Ma, who seemed desperate to secure Han Li's allegiance.
Now, Master Ma, frustrated by Han Li's lack of a clear response, was once again trying to manipulate the situation. Han Li knew it was likely that Zhao Elder would be left with a bad impression of him, but the young doctor wasn't too concerned. He had no intention of aligning himself with Master Ma, and if the elder misunderstood him, so be it.
Ma Rong, sensing the growing tension, quickly shifted the topic of conversation. He began introducing the other people in the room, hoping to defuse the situation.
"This is my mistress, Li Shi," Ma Rong said, gesturing toward a middle-aged woman who bore a striking resemblance to the young girl who had caught Han Li's attention earlier.
As the introductions continued, Han Li's attention was drawn to the girl once more. Her name was Zhang Xiu'er, and she was Li Changlao's niece. This revelation surprised Han Li. So, she's a relative of the elder, he thought.
Finally, they reached the introductions of the others in the room, and when it came to Li Feiyu, Han Li noticed something unusual. Li Feiyu deliberately acted like he didn't recognize Han Li, adopting a cold and aloof demeanor. This caused Ma Rong, who had intended to introduce them, to become slightly embarrassed.
"Don't mind him," Ma Rong whispered to Han Li, clearly uncomfortable. "Li Feiyu is like this with everyone. He's not singling you out, Han Dafu. Please don't take it personally."
Han Li smiled lightly, understanding the situation. He knew that Li Feiyu was trying to avoid drawing attention to their previous interactions. It's fine, Han Li thought. I won't stoop to his level.
"Not a problem. I won't waste my time with people like him. Let's focus on Elder Li's condition. That's what really matters," Han Li said, his voice calm but pointed.
As the group moved toward the inner room where Elder Li lay, Han Li couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. He had a bad feeling about the elder's condition.
Once inside, the sight that greeted him made his heart skip a beat. Elder Li, who had once been a kind and approachable figure, now lay unconscious on the bed. From his face to his hands and feet, there were large, coin-sized poison spots, each in a different color. The vibrant, unnaturally bright spots made Han Li's stomach turn.
What was even more troubling was the layer of black aura around the elder's lips, indicating that the poison had reached a critical stage. The situation was dire, and Han Li knew that saving the elder would be no easy task.