C14 Testing

The room was charged with their presence, their auras clashing, causing the air itself to ripple with tension.

"You must be a practitioner of Ancient Martial Arts, to have discerned my injuries so quickly. Are you an emissary of the Lee family? If you have a bone to pick, pick it with me. Leave Ye Chenxi out of this," Ye Qingmei said, her voice icy as her aura intensified.

"I'm not affiliated with the Lee family," Chu Qing replied.

He shrugged nonchalantly, though sweat beaded on his forehead. Ye Qingmei's strength was overwhelming; he couldn't hope to match her, especially not in the realm of aura.

But internally, Chu Qing bolstered his resolve: 'Just a little more time, and I'll fear no one.'

"You're not with the Lee family?" Ye Qingmei's brow creased. She sensed no deceit in Chu Qing's words, yet that didn't mean he wasn't concealing something.

"What's your intention with Ye Chenxi?" she probed.

"It's her intentions you should be questioning, not mine," Chu Qing responded with a wry smile.

It had always been Ye Chenxi who sought him out. Today was the first time he had offered his help, and Ye Qingmei's insinuation left him at a loss for words.

Ye Qingmei, observing Chu Qing's reaction, began to suspect that perhaps it was Ye Chenxi who had been pursuing him.

"So why study Ancient Martial Arts?"

"If you're referring to what I practice as Ancient Martial Arts, that's a long story," Chu Qing said evasively.

"If you're unwilling to share, I won't press you," Ye Qingmei decided, recognizing his intent to dodge the question. She watched his awkward smile and sighed in resignation.

"Would you ever harm Ye Chenxi?" she asked pointedly.

"I would never," Chu Qing assured her earnestly. "Had I wanted to harm her, I wouldn't have saved her from the car accident. Without my intervention, she might not have survived the assailants."

"Very well, I'll trust you," Ye Qingmei conceded. "Please, call Ye Chenxi in. I need to speak with her."

Chu Qing looked taken aback. "Hold on, Mrs. Ye, I have unfinished business."

"What might that be?" she inquired.

Chu Qing was momentarily speechless, realizing that Ye Qingmei's concern for her daughter's well-being eclipsed her own health issues.

"I'm here to address your illness," he reminded her.

That jogged her memory, and she refocused on the young man's original purpose. "Show me what you can do. I'm curious to see why my daughter holds you in such high regard."

"Mrs. Ye, I assure you, your daughter and I are merely friends," Chu Qing clarified.

"There's no need for explanations. I understand the nature of your relationship," she said, cutting him off.

Chu Qing could only shake his head in silence.

Acknowledging his intent to heal her, Ye Qingmei unhesitatingly shed her sole long robe and cast it aside.

"If you fail to cure me, I'll seek other remedies," she stated matter-of-factly, harboring little hope. Chu Qing's prowess in cultivation was remarkable for someone his age; she dared not expect miracles in his medical skills.

"Okay, let's get started," Chu Qing announced.

As Chu Qing gazed upon Ye Qingmei's flawless bare back, he momentarily caught his breath. But he quickly regained his composure and started to meticulously examine her wounds.

A vast, dark blemish marred Ye Qingmei's left shoulder, the flesh there having turned a sickly purple, faintly giving off a fishy odor. This piqued Chu Qing's curiosity.

"Just tell me how I can assist you," Ye Qingmei offered.

"Alright," Chu Qing responded, his demeanor serene. He was, after all, a physician. It was his duty to assess Ye Qingmei's condition and administer treatment.

"Mrs. Ye, could you turn around, please?"

Upon his request, Ye Qingmei pivoted to face him, her figure ample.

Chu Qing then concentrated his entire awareness on his perception, his eyes beginning to glimmer with insight.

At last, he pinpointed five minuscule black dots on Ye Qingmei's chest. These dots were so tiny they resembled pinholes, nearly imperceptible. Yet, with his Spiritual Vision activated, Chu Qing clearly detected the odd energy subtly radiating from them.