Embers of the Heart

A maid dropped her tray and then took off.

"Stop her!" Zi Yin yelled, his heart racing as he watched the maid sprint away, her footsteps echoing through the corridor. Determination surged within him, but his lack of cultivation left him powerless. He clenched his fists, frustration gnawing at him. Damn. Zhan Sheng held his neck, his face going nearly purple and Zi Yin grabbed his arm, holding onto him. "Circulate your qi! Don't breathe too deeply!" he hit Zhan Sheng's acupoints, effectively slowing the poison.

Lei Wei hurried to his side and force-fed Zhan Sheng some pills, knocking Zhan Sheng out. "He doesn't have a golden core, he can't circulate his qi."