The numbers seem to have stabilised but are still somewhat low (Binghe opts against chasing him through the city), but with each benign interaction a bit more time seems to increase on the counter, and Binghe sees it as "Shizun is starting to trust me again! Activate"lost puppy best disciple ever" mode!"
Until when trying to make awkward conversation, SQQ asks if HHP gave Binghe a new sword to use, and being the clueless dork that he is thinks "Oh my chances to prove to Shizun I'm strong and respectable by taming a demon sword!" and pulls out Xin Mo. The numbers go haywire, he can feel SQQ's heart racing and body panicking from the blood mites he snuck into his tea to track this current WAC flare. He takes a step forward and reaches out to SQQ in concern, but the panic becomes too much when combined with the 2.5 years of WAC and poor nutrition, and SQQ faints.
LBH makes the connection that this didn't happen when he was carrying the spare sword from HHP, and concludes Shizun is actually terrified of Xin Mo. He reaches out to Meng Mo because he needs to talk this out with someone (he doesn't know about the widow era self neglect so it confused), and MM suggests that as a strong cultivator currently ill with a demonic curse, SQQ might be incredibly sensitive to demonic qi, especially the levels coming off of Xin Mo.
Binghe starts putting pieces together, except none of them are actually the correct pieces for this puzzle. The fact Shizun was still defending him briefly after his seal was broken, not immediately bothered about his demonic nature, and if MM is correct, Shizun likely felt his nature long before and wasn't concerned. However when they were close to the abyss, Shizun changed. He became poker faced, then the new numbers (he didn't know what they were at the time) were going haywire before Shizun pushed him into the abyss.
Binghe puts these together and concludes SQQ sensed Xin Mo and the other demonic energy coming from the abyss, and that's what caused his sudden strange distance and rejection, and the panic upon reunion. He decides that the gradually increasing trust was because with his demonic side under control, the qi wasn't bothering Shizun as much. Sensing the sower demons' qi in the city is probably why his numbers were only at 2 and a half years to begin with. Xin Mo's demonic aura, and the residual demonic energy from infection he cured from Shizun's body this morning in secret is probably what caused Shizun to faint just now. He concludes Xin Mo is bad news for his chances with Shizun and decides to seal it the moment he puts Shizun to bed at the inn.
He does some dream snooping on YQY and MQF and discovers their memories of widow era SQQ. How they had disciples perform a suicide watch in rotation at all times. How MQF had a talisman sewn into all of SQQ's inner robes to monitor his qi signature in case he deviated, had a WAC flare, or attempted to detonate his core to end himself. How YQY had NYY and MF keep a strict nutritional intake record and behaviour diary, which often read things like "26 hours at the Binghe's sword mound. Finally agreed to go inside after Ning Shimei persuaded. Ate 3 spoons of soup and 2 mouthfuls of rice after much persuasion. Went to sleep fully clothed. Found back at sword mound at dawn."
SQQ wakes up confused to a very upset Binghe in a full bow, crying and apologising. "I'm so sorry Shizun! This Binghe was foolish! He understands everything now and has sealed Xin Mo away, so there's nothing to make Shizun unwell or afraid anymore! This disciple only wished to protect Shizun and was unaware how sensitive to demonic qi Shizun had become due to Without a Cure and made an unforgivable mistake. This disciple believed Shizun had thrown him away out of choice, but now understands the demonic qi from the abyss and this disciple had made Shizun unwell and not himself! This unfilial Binghe should never have doubted Shizun's care of him. Please allow this Binghe to return home and care for Shizun, at least until Shizun's health returns! I'm so sorry!" His forehead is still firmly on the ground despite his whole body shaking with sobs.
SQQ can't help it, he rushes to pull Binghe up and comfort him, barely processing what he just heard.
The system pops up "Alternative route unlocked: Protagonist's forgiveness! The protagonist has created his own conclusions and has chosen to forgive User 2. Side effects: User 2 will become unwell or faint when exposed to high levels of demonic qi to align with the protagonist's expectations. Would you like to accept this alternative route?"
SQQ while disappointed that demons will be hard to study after this, decides it's worth swooning inconveniently to avoid being a human stick.
I don't know how to screenshot, but I know how to copy and paste.