Finally

Uncomfortable silence permeated the hall.

A young man, merely 16 years of age, sat on his chair. His shoulders that had always been square and straight, were hunched. His firm hands gripped the armrests tightly until his veins were clearly showing.

" I am going to die soon?" He asked hesitantly. He held his breath, hoping that they were joking or playing a prank. He stared at Qia Yun, the hope in his eyes dying as time passed.

He still had so much to do. His mother who was too kind for her good and lost her mind at his father's infidelity was still at the mercy of Qiang He and his mother. His eyes focused on the delicate woman sitting opposite him. Although he hoped that they were lying, he could feel his sides starting to ache. He noticed that recently he had been weaker than usual. After walking for a while, his sides would begin to ache. He had assumed that it was a temporary illness.

Immediately noticing his discomfort, Mu Qing ran into the kitchen to look for his antidote pills. Di Long stood beside Qiang Li, his muscles tensed up as he prepared for him to collapse. Qia Yun tried to avoid his eyes, glancing at the wall instead.

" I'm sorry, " Li You said, staring straight at Qiang Li, " but that's the truth and we know how to cure you."

At the moment, Qia Yun was grateful for Li You being the bearer of bad news, she would have never worked up the courage to tell him.

" We should call a doctor. That's the only way we can confirm what they are saying, after all, we have no idea where they are from." Di Long mumbled to Qiang Li.

Qiang Li numbly nodded his head, gesturing Di Long to do that. Meanwhile, he carefully scrutinised Qia Yun who seemed to have become uncomfortable.

Soon, a physician was called over. The tension in the room thick as everyone stared at the physician taking Qiang Li's pulse. The old man slowly looked up quizzically, stroking his greying beard.

" Apologies young master, but it seems as though there is something wrong, but I'm not quite sure. Perhaps I can prescribe you a tea to get rid of the toxins in your body?"

Qiang Li nodded, any hope that he had just dissipated. He glanced up at Qia Yun, would he trust her enough to save his life?

As Di Long sent the physician away, Qiang Li's eyes hardened with resolve. He had decided.

" I'll help you get the Lightning Stone," Qiang Li paused before continuing, " but unfortunately, my family collects antiquities and that specific stone is treasured very much. After all, it's a miracle that we were gifted it by one of the prestigious families in the Shui Continent. Only the head of the family is allowed to give such prized possessions away. Clearly, I am not."

" When are matters of the head of the family decided?" Qia Yun questioned after much consideration.

" It's not certain, but the moment the Matriarch passes, it will be two months from then."

" Then I guess, you will have to be the head by then." Li You smugly said.

Di Long furrowed his eyebrows at Li You's words. Training to become the head of a family was tough, much less becoming the head of the Qiang Family. In addition to being skilled in combat, the qualifications for that position included having good business acumen, education and reputation. Most of which, Qiang Li did not have. Despite being rather strong, he did not particularly train in sword fighting or hand to hand combat, unlike Qiang He who was well versed in them. Qiang Li also was not trusted with any sort of business and only squandered money away, and finally, his reputation was literal dog shit.

" We'll leave to find your antidote in the Huo continent, where the Yin family is tomorrow." Qia Yun decisively announced.

Hearing that, an idea sprung to Di Long's mind, perhaps travelling abroad would help Qiang Li improve. He wasn't sure, something about people saying travelling was beneficial in some way. Anyway if they stayed here, Qiang Li would need to worry about getting poisoned and backstabbing relatives. He quickly raised his opinion to Qiang Li in hushed whispers.

" We'll travel with you." Qiang Li elegantly flicked his sleeves back.

A mischievous smile crept onto her face, as Qia Yun nodded. The more the merrier she thought.