The sun hung high in the sky, and even though it was already early autumn, a hint of lingering heat could still be felt.
Inside his room, Doctor Mo was restless. Although he was confident in the method he had used to coerce Han Li, he couldn’t help feeling anxious as the moment approached.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from a distance, gradually drawing closer to the room.
Recognizing the familiar gait, Doctor Mo was overjoyed. He swiftly dashed to the door and pushed it open.
In the distance, a figure slowly approached—it was the person he had been eagerly awaiting: Han Li.
Watching the young man draw near, Doctor Mo suppressed his excitement and forced a faint smile onto his face.
“Good, you’re very punctual. I’m glad to see you haven’t tried to run away. That shows wisdom. Now, come inside. We need to have a proper talk.”
Doctor Mo’s expression was as kindly as that of an elderly neighbor, his face beaming like a blossoming flower.
“Don’t worry, I haven’t set any traps inside. It’s not a dragon’s den or a tiger’s lair,” Doctor Mo explained hastily, noticing Han Li’s wary glance toward the room. He even employed a slight provocation.
“Hmph! Since I’ve already come, why would I be afraid to enter your room?” Han Li let out a light snort, as if truly provoked, and spoke before taking the lead and stepping inside.
Doctor Mo quickly moved aside with a smile, clearing the way. As Han Li entered, he casually reached to close the door but was abruptly stopped when Han Li spoke without turning his head: “If you dare close that door, I’ll assume you’re trying to trap me like a turtle in a jar, and I won’t continue this conversation.”
Doctor Mo paused, hesitating for a moment, but then stepped away from the door and said nonchalantly, “I genuinely want to discuss matters with you and mean you no harm. If you say not to close the door, then so be it.”
With that, Doctor Mo lay back down on his reclining chair. Han Li, without ceremony, pulled over a stool and sat down boldly opposite him. It had been nearly half a year since they last saw each other, and the two sized each other up for a moment.
Han Li noticed that Doctor Mo had aged significantly, now looking no different from a man in his seventies. He couldn’t help wondering to himself: Could what the old man said before be true? Did he really just want help restoring his vitality, without any ulterior motives? Had Han Li been overthinking it?
As Han Li scanned the room, his pupils suddenly contracted. In the corner stood the tall, mysterious man, silent and motionless as if lifeless. If one weren’t specifically looking for him, his presence would go completely unnoticed.
Meanwhile, Doctor Mo finished his appraisal of Han Li and seemed pleased with what he saw. He spoke gently, “Seeing you like this reminds me of when you first entered the sect. Back then, you were just a child of over ten years old, only this tall. Now, you’ve grown so much. Time truly waits for no one.”
This casual, familial small talk left Han Li somewhat bewildered about the older man’s intentions. However, it immediately put him on high alert. He reminded himself inwardly: This old fox has experienced far more than I have. I must be careful not to fall into his trap.
“Elder Mo, I have always remembered and been grateful for your care. If there is anything you need, please feel free to instruct me,” Han Li said, his expression softening. He used an honorific title, seemingly reverting to his former role as the obedient disciple.
“Good, good! With those words, I haven’t wasted all the effort I poured into you. Come, let me check your progress with the Evergreen Art.” Doctor Mo appeared to fully embrace his role as the kind mentor, rising to approach Han Li and directly check his pulse.
“Old fox! Still acting all high and mighty, shamelessly pushing his luck,” Han Li cursed inwardly, swiftly dodging the older man’s grasp.
“Elder Mo, don’t rush. I can tell you plainly that I have indeed reached the fourth layer of the Evergreen Art. But wouldn’t it be better if you first gave me the antidote for the Corpse Insect Pill? Once my worries are eased, I’ll gladly let you examine my progress,” Han Li said with a smile, his tone sincere.
“Ah! Of course, look at my memory. Age has made me forgetful. I originally intended to give you the antidote as soon as you entered,” Doctor Mo exclaimed as if suddenly remembering.
He fumbled in his sleeve and pulled out a silver vial, from which he poured a black pill and tossed it to Han Li.
Han Li pretended to fumble clumsily, barely catching the pill. He brought it to his nose and sniffed—a pungent odor assaulted his senses. He glanced up at Doctor Mo, who was watching him with a faint, ambiguous smile.
Han Li hesitated slightly, suspicious about the pill’s authenticity.
But he had no choice. The Corpse Insect Pill was nearing its activation time, and without the antidote, he would surely die! Considering that Doctor Mo still had use for him, he reasoned that the pill was likely genuine. With a solemn expression, he swallowed it and waited for the effects to take hold.
Doctor Mo, meanwhile, seemed in no hurry. He leisurely lay back down and engaged in idle chatter, as if forgetting the real purpose for summoning Han Li.
Before long, Han Li felt a brief pain in his stomach that quickly subsided. He hurriedly checked his body and found that the Corpse Insect Pill had completely dissolved. Overjoyed, he couldn’t help but let a trace of relief show on his face.
These changes did not escape Doctor Mo’s notice. Once Han Li had confirmed the antidote’s efficacy, the older man smiled and said, “Han Li, if I forced the Corpse Insect Pill on you, it was only out of necessity. Without it to keep you motivated, you might not have reached the fourth layer so easily!”
“Thank you for your ‘kindness,’ Elder Mo. But next time, please don’t bestow such ‘favors’ upon me,” Han Li replied. With a major worry now resolved, his mood had improved considerably. He was slightly more inclined to believe in the older man’s sincerity and no longer felt the need to confront his hypocrisy head-on.
“Now, may I check your pulse?” Doctor Mo asked, posing the question he knew would put Han Li in a difficult position. After all, who knew if the older man would seize this opportunity to subdue him?
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