Having already put considerable distance between himself and the cliff, Han Li could still faintly hear the clamor of voices behind him. As for how the dispute between Wang Dapang and Zhang Changgui would ultimately be settled, he had no intention of getting involved any further.
Whenever he thought of the way Jin Dongbao had just stood there, frozen and slack-jawed, he couldn't help but want to burst out laughing. His mood felt wonderfully light now, completely free of the gloomy oppression he'd carried while in the valley.
He passed through the pine forest and headed toward more remote terrain. After wandering along for a stretch, a narrow brook appeared before him.
Han Li glanced up at the scorching sun overhead, then looked down at the clear water trickling lazily through the stream. A wash in the brook sounded like a fine idea.
The moment he bent down and plunged both hands into the cool water, a series of pained groans drifted to him from upstream.
Han Li was surprised—in such a secluded place, who could that be?
Following the sound of the groaning, he made his way upstream and found a figure in Inner Sect Disciple robes lying face-down beside the brook. The man's body twitched ceaselessly, and his limbs shuddered with uncontrollable tremors.
One glance told Han Li that this disciple had been struck by an acute affliction. Without immediate aid, he would likely lose his life.
Han Li rushed over in three quick strides, pulled a sandalwood case from his chest, and opened it to reveal rows of gleaming silver needles. Working with clean, decisive motions, he began inserting them into the acupoints along the man's back.
He finished the back quickly, then flipped the body over, intending to continue with the acupoints on the chest.
The moment the man's face came into view, Han Li drew in a sharp breath. This person on the brink of death was none other than "Senior Brother Li"—the very same man who had just displayed overwhelming prowess on the cliff.
Han Li paused, stunned, then studied the face he had seen not so long ago.
There was nothing left of Senior Brother Li's previous cool composure or his invincible, heroic bearing after defeating his opponent. His once sharp features were now twisted into a grimace of agony, and white foam dribbled continuously from the corners of his mouth. It was obvious that the pain had driven Senior Brother Li into delirium.
Han Li regained his composure. After a brief moment of thought, he suddenly began working with the silver needles in a rapid, flowing sequence, piercing acupoint after acupoint across the man's body without pause. Dozens of needles went in one after another, and when he inserted the last one, Han Li wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead and let out a long breath. The Silver Needle Emergency Method was no small burden on him, either.
When Senior Brother Li's body was finally covered with dozens of finely gleaming silver needles, he finally stirred and regained consciousness.
"You're…" He struggled to speak, but lacked the strength to force out more than a few words.
"I'm from Divine Hand Valley. Don't try to talk—just focus on recovering your strength. I can only bring you back around temporarily. Your condition is very strange, and I'm afraid only Doctor Mo could save you. Unfortunately, he's not on the mountain right now." Han Li took his pulse and frowned.
"Medicine… it's…" Senior Brother Li's expression grew frantic. His lips trembled several times, and he tried to raise his arm to indicate something, but couldn't manage it.
"You have medicine to treat your illness on you?" Han Li immediately grasped what he meant and asked in confirmation.
"Mm—" Senior Brother Li's expression finally relaxed once he realized he had been understood. With visible effort, he nodded his head.