"Pfft!" Elliott spat out a mouthful of blood, his face flushing red immediately. The "Nine Yin Manual" truly is an excellent healing technique, he thought, sharing the same miraculous essence as the "Nine Yang Manual."
Yet, for injuries as severe as his, it seemed of little use. At best, it could only suppress the internal damage. What a pity, he mused. I'll need to find a secluded place to recuperate properly for a while.
"Elliott, are you alright?" Amelia asked.
"I'm fine. What about you?" Elliott turned to her. Henry, observing how quickly Elliott had recovered, grew suspicious. Those palm strikes had been infused with formidable inner force—there was no way he should've bounced back so fast.
"Are you really unharmed, Elliott?" Henry pressed.
Not wanting Amelia to find it odd, Elliott quickly replied, "Of course I am. Want to test it out?" He then shot Henry a meaningful glance—Play along, don't be so rigid!
Henry caught on and said, "No need. I wouldn't dare spar with you."
Meanwhile, Amelia took her damp garment, tore a strip from it, wrung out the water, and tied it firmly around Elliott's shoulder. "Try not to get hurt again," she murmured.
Elliott nearly lost his composure but managed to keep his voice steady. "It's nothing, just a scratch." Watching her tend to his wound, his heart swirled with unspoken emotions.
"He is unharmed, isn't he, Elliott?" A voice rang out from the doorway. Behind the speaker stood Ethan and Logan, who had just left moments ago. The newcomer needed no introduction—it was Noah.
"Cousin, you're here!" Amelia's eyes lit up as if her soul had been reignited. She rushed to his side, leaving Elliott and Henry exchanging bitter glances. Neither spoke a word.
"Noah said, "Cousin, I must depart for another destination. Will you accompany me?"
Amelia glanced back at Elliott before answering, "I'll go with you."
Elliott chuckled inwardly. Seems I'm the superfluous one here. Aloud, he said, "Young Master Noah, Miss Amelia, I must return to Swallow's Dock to fulfill one final task for Madam. Our paths diverge here."
Henry, too, seemed at a loss for words. Elliott added, "Henry, could you travel with Young Master Noah and help Sophia locate Grace before setting off?"
"Of course," Henry replied swiftly. "Then I'll accompany Amelia."
Noah's brow furrowed slightly. "Let's go, cousin," he said, turning on his heel.
Amelia cast a complicated look at Elliott before following. Henry and Sophia bid their farewells, then trailed after them, leaving Elliott standing alone in the silence.