"Forgive my intrusion," Cui Tiq took a sample of pus from He Jiaqing’s face, tasting it. "Your condition is dire; the chances of salvaging this body are exceedingly slim."
He Jiaqing did not refute his predicament. "That is precisely why I desperately require your assistance."
Cui Tiq meticulously folded a tie and placed it into a suitcase. "I appreciate your candor, but any collaboration must be predicated on mutual value. What worth do you presently possess for me?"
He Jiaqing was prepared for this question. "That hinges on your definition of value. I possess numerous precious magical treasures and spiritual artifacts, in addition to assets of a more tangible nature."
Cui Tiq gave a slight shake of his head. "I hold no interest in your assets. It's not that I disdain wealth, but rather that I perceive no realistic means of acquiring them. Even if you were to liquidate all your holdings into gold and silver, you would undoubtedly devise methods to keep them beyond my grasp."
"Regarding your magical treasures and spiritual objects, I confess a certain interest. However, weighed against your very life, their value is not equivalent."
"Furthermore, I have a superior alternative: I could summon the Ancestral Master immediately to dispatch you, and subsequently devise a method to seize your magical treasures, spiritual objects, and assets. What are your thoughts on this proposition?"
He Jiaqing blinked. "I believe you are not the sort to be utterly heartless."
Cui Tiq offered a smile. "My sentiments are contingent upon the value you present."
He Jiaqing remained silent for a considerable duration, his face entirely swathed in bandages, obscuring his expression from Cui Tiq’s view.
"Frankly, I did not intend to seek you out. My original intention was to locate an old friend," He Jiaqing began. "I haven't seen this old friend in quite some time. Did you perhaps cause his demise?"
"Are you referring to my Senior Wan Jinxian?" Cui Tiq's brow furrowed slightly. "Senior has gone missing, and I too am deeply concerned. Should you attempt to lay blame upon me, it would be akin to disregarding the meager friendship that remains between us."
He Jiaqing coughed twice, a significant amount of pus obstructing his trachea, making each breath a struggle. "I did not imply that Old Wan's fate was connected to you. I was merely contemplating that with Old Wan gone, if one less Greenwater Beggar exists, you would be the sole Disease Cultivator remaining in the world. Would this not foster an even stronger bond between us?"
Cui Tiq closed the suitcase, but the contents were too voluminous, preventing the latch from closing securely. "What purpose does such speculation serve? If you possessed the capability to eliminate him, you would not find yourself in such a wretched state."
He Jiaqing assisted Cui Tiq by pressing down on the suitcase. "Yet, we share a common objective. I am determined to eliminate the Greenwater Beggar; this goal is paramount to my existence, and I shall dedicate myself wholeheartedly to its pursuit."
"Should you be able to assist me in managing my affliction, even slightly, I can offer greater value in this cooperative venture. With increased value comes a more profound friendship. Such clear and logical reasoning, you cannot possibly refuse."
Cui Tiq successfully fastened the lock, straightened his posture, and clapped his hands. "Your logic is indeed flawless. However, I must decline this cooperation, as I am disinclined to work with others. I prefer not to place my hopes in anyone else."
He Jiaqing gazed at Cui Tiq. "If my understanding is correct, you previously collaborated with Li Qi at the Ink Shop. Was he not an exception to your rule?"
Cui Tiq nodded. "That is accurate; he was indeed an exception."
He Jiaqing inquired further. "If he were willing to join us, would you then consider cooperating?"
Cui Tiq's expression remained impassive as he looked at He Jiaqing. "As I stated before, do not entertain such futile speculations."
...
He Jiaqing departed from Boundless Hospital.
Not long after his exit, the shadow of the Greenwater Beggar materialized at the hospital entrance.
He Jiaqing had indeed visited Boundless Hospital and encountered Cui Tiq, yet Cui Tiq had withheld this information from the Greenwater Beggar.
The Greenwater Beggar found himself uncertain how to interpret this turn of events.
He pondered the seemingly aimless yet remarkably synergistic relationship between Cui Tiq and Li Qi.
He recalled assigning the Beggar’s Dogtail Grass to ambush Li Qi, with Cui Tiq providing surveillance, only for Cui Tiq to report the Dogtail Grass's demise and the killer’s identity as unknown.
He had dispatched Cui Tiq to the Ink Shop to ascertain the Local Deity’s condition; Cui Tiq reported the Local Deity was faring poorly. However, he never saw the Local Deity himself, but instead encountered Inner State People, engaged in a fierce battle, gained nothing, and sustained injuries.
Subsequently, he learned that Li Qi was also present at the Ink Shop; could this encounter be linked to him?
He had instructed Cui Tiq to accompany Li Qi to Sage Peak; during the initial phase, he had no knowledge of Cui Tiq’s whereabouts, and in the latter phase, he never witnessed Cui Tiq taking any action.
Cui Tiq offered no assistance to him. Later, he heard that Li Qi had dispatched the group from Cheap Person Ridge towards Loess Bridge. Had Cui Tiq gone to aid him?
Following this, Wan Jinxian proceeded to Loess Bridge and also vanished. Could he too be one of Li Qi’s subordinates?
As these thoughts swirled through his mind, the Greenwater Beggar erupted into laughter.
Could it be that everyone surrounding him was, in fact, one of Li Qi’s operatives?
Should I head to the hospital and eliminate Cui Tiq right now?
Despite considerable deliberation, the Greenwater Beggar opted against confronting Cui Tiq.
It’s prudent to prepare for the worst-case scenario, assuming that even those who aren't malicious today might become so tomorrow.
If Cui Tiq is indeed a subordinate of Li Qi, eliminating him would merely remove a single piece from Li Qi's chessboard.
Conversely, if Cui Tiq has no affiliation with Li Qi, his demise would represent a significant setback for the Greenwater Beggar.
Scooping up a measure of earth, the Greenwater Beggar brought it to his nose, detecting the distinct scent of He Jiaqing's trail, mingled with a trace of pus.
The Greenwater Beggar then masked his presence, continuing his pursuit of He Jiaqing.
He Jiaqing's path led him northward, towards Guangming Town.
After entering the New Land via Guangming Town, he journeyed until the first light of dawn, eventually arriving at the serene expanse of the Worry-Free Plain.