“Han Li, you truly know when to yield and when to stand firm. But do you really think it’s possible for me to let you go?” The rejuvenated face of Doctor Mo broke into a faint smile, radiating a sunny brilliance that could drive any woman wild. However, the voice that followed startled Han Li once again.
His voice carried an indescribable magnetism, incredibly soothing to the ear—completely different from the dry, raspy tone of before. It seemed that, much like his appearance, his voice was now equally impeccable.
This was the first time Doctor Mo had addressed Han Li by his full name. Although the message was far from good news, it gave Han Li a sense of being acknowledged—a far cry from being called “boy” left and right. This slight recognition eased a fraction of the frustration in his heart.
From his appearance alone, the current Doctor Mo was flawless. Even his every movement exuded elegance, making him the very picture of a handsome man. There was no trace left of the wretched old man he had once been. Without a doubt, this face must have captivated countless female martial artists in its day.
“Just tell me plainly what you intend to do with me,” Han Li said. Not being a woman, he felt no inclination to show courtesy based on the other’s striking looks. Especially since the man’s words held no hint of mercy, there was no reason for Han Li to offer any kindness in return.
“What do I intend? Heh heh!” Doctor Mo flexed his newly revitalized limbs and stretched lazily, a smile playing on his lips without answering Han Li’s question. Instead, he pulled another item from within his robes.
This time, it was a small silk-wrapped package. The silk was a fiery, eye-catching red, vivid and dazzling, with every stitch exuding exquisite craftsmanship. Clearly, it was no ordinary object.
What was wrapped inside? Could it be another strange artifact like the silver blade? For a moment, Han Li forgot to press the man for answers, his curiosity thoroughly piqued.
Doctor Mo did not keep him guessing for long. With a few deft movements, he unwrapped the silk and carefully extracted a crumpled piece of yellow paper.
Han Li felt a twinge of disappointment, but inwardly, he grew wary, heightening his alertness to the utmost. He knew all too well that the most unassuming objects often held unimaginable uses. For the man to produce a piece of paper at such a moment, it certainly wasn’t for any ordinary purpose. Coupled with the bizarre events that had already unfolded, Han Li suspected there was something significant at play.
Doctor Mo gently pinched the yellow paper between two fingers, carefully smoothing it out. Only then could Han Li see it clearly: the paper was small, no larger than a palm, cut into a narrow strip. Its color appeared faded, as though it had aged over many years.
Most striking were the several peculiar symbols drawn on it in shimmering silver paint. Their shapes were bizarre, unlike anything Han Li had ever seen.
Yet, the moment his eyes fell upon them, he felt a stir from some mysterious force. Even the Evergreen Art within him began to stir uncontrollably, as though awakened by these symbols, leaving Han Li utterly astonished.
Sensing something amiss, Han Li focused intently on the characters, trying to discern their secrets.
The symbols twisted and turned, meandering in seemingly chaotic yet somehow rule-bound patterns. From their arrangement to their form, they concealed something profoundly mysterious. Unfortunately, there was no time to study them—Han Li couldn’t decipher them in such a short span.
In that very instant, Doctor Mo had already stepped before Han Li. Noting Han Li’s strange, entranced fixation on the yellow paper, a flicker of pity flashed in his eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual demeanor.
He leaned in close, his mouth nearly brushing Han Li’s ear, and whispered in an exceedingly soft voice, “Han Li, don’t blame me. I have no other choice. May you find rebirth in your next life soon. This body—I will be taking it now.”
“What are you saying? What do you mean?” Han Li jolted out of his trance, his soul nearly fleeing his body in terror. He vaguely understood that the worst possible fate was about to befall him.
Ignoring the threat of the giant behind him, he began to struggle wildly, writhing with all his might. He still had a few small items on him; if he could retrieve them, perhaps he could create enough chaos to seize a chance to escape.
“Iron Slave, hold him down. Don’t let him move.”
But with that icy command from Doctor Mo, Han Li’s last resistance was thwarted. Two massive hands, like small mountains, pressed down firmly on his shoulders, immobilizing him completely.
Beads of sweat the size of soybeans trickled down Han Li’s temples onto his forehead. His eyes wide, he clenched his lips tightly, watching helplessly as the man before him began to chant incantations.
The yellow paper pinched between Doctor Mo’s fingers began to flutter without any wind, stirred by the chanting. One by one, the silver symbols on it gradually lit up, emitting an eerie, mysterious glow.
Though Han Li’s body was paralyzed, his mind remained clear. He realized that once all the symbols were fully illuminated, it would be the moment Doctor Mo made his move.
Doctor Mo’s expression was solemn as he watched the paper intently. When the final symbol began to glow with silver light, a hint of delight flashed across his face. He then made a series of peculiar gestures with the paper, waving it through the air before uttering a single word: “Bind!”—as startling as a spring thunderclap.
Simultaneously, he pressed the yellow paper firmly onto Han Li’s forehead, where it stuck fast as if glued.
The moment the paper touched his skin, Han Li felt all control over his body vanish. He couldn’t even blink; every sensation was lost. Yet, he could still see and hear, his consciousness now a mere bystander, utterly disconnected from his physical form—like a puppet or a walking corpse.
This feeling was entirely different from being struck at a pressure point. In those cases, though immobilized, one could still feel the numbness and paralysis. Now, there was nothing.
Panic surged within Han Li. He didn’t know how the man intended to refine him or seize his body. Had he already succeeded?
“Don’t rush. You can keep that body of yours for just a little while longer,” Doctor Mo said, as if speaking directly to him or merely muttering to himself.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage