“My sisters need not take this pill! Is my life alone not enough as collateral?” Lady Yan, having swallowed the pill, stopped Lady Li, the second wife, who was about to take one as well.
Upon hearing Lady Yan’s words, Han Li was momentarily taken aback, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
After a brief moment of contemplation, he nodded lightly and said, “Since the Fourth Lady values sisterhood so deeply and has spoken thus, I, Han Li, am not an unreasonable man. Very well, the Second Lady and the others need not take the pill.”
With that, Han Li retrieved the bottle from Lady Yan’s hand and tucked it back into his robe.
“Since matters are settled, I shall take my leave now. I will return to the Mo Mansion tomorrow at this time to collect the portrait and other items before heading directly to the Sole Dominion Manor.”
“We shall trouble you then, young master,” Lady Yan and the others said, rising to see him out.
Han Li offered a faint smile, turned gracefully, and left the room.
As soon as he descended the stairs, hurried footsteps echoed behind him.
“Senior Brother Han, wait! My second sister has something to discuss with you!” The voice of Mo Cairuan, the young girl, rang out loudly. Hearing this, Han Li sighed and reluctantly turned around.
He saw the little imp charging ahead, with Mo Fengwu and Mo Yuzhu following closely behind, making their way toward him.
Mo Cairuan quickly caught up to Han Li, then widened her eyes and began circling him, clicking her tongue as if examining some rare curiosity.
“Well, well! Senior Brother Han, you deceived me so thoroughly! I never expected you to be a fraud too, using trinkets to lead me around by the nose.”
Han Li rolled his eyes at the girl. Trinkets? Weren’t they gifts she had insisted on taking?
“Third Sister, mind your manners. Do not trouble Young Master Han,” Mo Fengwu chided gently.
It was the first time Han Li had heard Mo Fengwu’s voice—soft, gentle, and immensely soothing.
“What? I’m just standing up for Mother and the others! Who does this guy think he is, acting so high and mighty in front of my mother?” Mo Cairuan grumbled indignantly.
As Han Li had suspected, the girl was here solely to annoy him. Ignoring the little imp, he turned to Mo Fengwu and asked, “Second Young Lady, did you need something from me?”
Mo Fengwu blushed slightly at his address but replied in her soft, gentle voice, “Fengwu merely wished to ask if the Scent-lingering Pills on Third Sister were truly gifted by you. Have you truly inherited our father’s medical knowledge?”
Han Li had taken an immediate liking to Mo Fengwu upon their first meeting. Now, seeing her speak with such gentle shyness, he felt a surge of tenderness toward her.
In a warm tone, he replied, “Since Second Young Lady wishes to know, I shall hold nothing back.”
“The Scent-lingering Pills were indeed gifted by me. I did learn much of medicine and prescriptions from Master Mo, and these pills are among them. Might it be that Second Young Lady is also interested in this?”
Having seen the medicinal herbs grown in the Mo Mansion’s inner courtyard, Han Li had deduced that someone there had studied under Mo Daifu. Now, hearing Mo Fengwu’s question, he guessed that she was likely that person.
Sure enough, his words brought a glimmer of joy to the eyes of the otherwise serene young lady. “To be frank with you, Young Master, Fengwu has been deeply interested in our father’s medical arts since childhood and has studied many of his medical texts and notes. Unfortunately, I was still young when Father left the Mo Mansion, so my understanding remains limited.”
After a moment of hesitation, she continued, “Thus, Fengwu has a request. I hope you will grant it. Could you allow me to copy our father’s medical notes? This would allow me to learn more and refine my medical skills.”
Having spoken these words, the Second Young Lady of the Mo Mansion blushed, clearly embarrassed by her bold request.
Han Li agreed without a moment’s hesitation. “Of course. When I return to the Mo Mansion tomorrow, I will bring some of Master Mo’s manuscripts and prescriptions for you. These originally belonged to the Mo Mansion, and I had intended to give them to the Fourth Lady. Since you wish to have them, entrusting them to you is just as fitting,” he said with a smile.
“Thank you, Young Master, for granting my wish! Fengwu is deeply grateful!” Mo Fengwu’s face lit up with appreciation.
“Second Sister, why thank him? Didn’t you hear him? Those things belong to us anyway. It’s only right that he returns them,” Mo Cairuan interjected, blinking mischievously.
Han Li shot a sidelong glance at the girl, thinking to himself, “If it weren’t for your gentle and lovely Second Sister, do you think I would ever return what’s already in my hands? Dream on!”
“Third Sister, don’t speak nonsense. Young Master Han’s willingness to return our father’s belongings without hesitation speaks volumes of his character,” Mo Fengwu chided, perhaps sensing the tension between Han Li and Mo Cairuan.
She then took her sister’s hand, offered a graceful bow to Han Li, and took her leave.
Throughout the exchange, the Eldest Young Lady of the Mo Mansion, Mo Yuzhu, had remained silent. As the two sisters departed, she cast a deep, lingering glance at Han Li before following them.
“What did that glance from the Eldest Young Lady mean? Gratitude? Resentment? Or both?” Han Li was left puzzled by Mo Yuzhu’s parting look.
Shrugging, he put the matter out of his mind and left the Mo Mansion.
When Han Li returned to the inn, the newly appointed leader of the Siping Gang, Sun Ergou, and another man had been waiting outside his room for some time. Of course, Qu Hun was there as well.
Han Li nodded to Sun Ergou, pushed open the door, and entered the room. Sun Ergou and the other man followed closely, standing respectfully on either side.
After taking a seat, Han Li carefully observed the stranger who had come with Sun Ergou—a brawny man in his thirties with a fierce, menacing face.
“Judging by your radiant expression, you’ve secured the position of leader of the Siping Gang,” Han Li remarked coolly to Sun Ergou.
“Yes, yes! It’s all thanks to your unwavering support, young master. Otherwise, how could someone like me ever achieve such a position?” Sun Ergou replied with a beaming smile.
“Remember that well. I will not interfere with the affairs of the Siping Gang, but you must use the gang’s resources to handle the tasks I assign flawlessly. Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to replace you as leader,” Han Li said coldly.
His words sent a chill down Sun Ergou’s spine, instantly sobering him from his earlier elation.
“I will spare no effort in serving you, young master! Even if it costs me my life, I will accomplish your tasks!” Sun Ergou hurriedly professed his loyalty.
Han Li gave a faint hum of acknowledgment before turning his attention to the other man.
“You’re the one who overheard the immortals’ conversation?” Han Li asked with interest.
“Yes, young master. This humble one is Xi Tieniu. I did indeed overhear it,” the brawny man replied respectfully.
Despite his rough appearance, the man was far from foolish. He understood clearly that the unassuming young man before him was the mastermind behind Sun Ergou’s rise to power, and he dared not show the slightest disrespect.
Han Li was pleased. As long as the man was clever, things would be much easier.
“Tell me again, from beginning to end, about the day you encountered the male and female immortals. If your account satisfies me, I will appoint you as Sun Ergou’s deputy, making you the vice leader of the Siping Gang,” Han Li declared, knowing well that generous rewards were the best motivators.
Xi Tieniu was overjoyed upon hearing this and eagerly thumped his chest, promising to satisfy Han Li.
Sun Ergou, however, felt a twinge of displeasure at the prospect, though he dared not show it on his face.
Once Xi Tieniu had calmed down somewhat, he recounted his encounter with the cultivators in detail.
Though there were minor differences from Sun Ergou’s account, the overall sequence of events was identical, with no significant discrepancies.
“Did the male and female immortals mention any specific times or place names?” Han Li asked, after listening to the account, voicing the question that concerned him most.
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