[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality":3,"chapter-a-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-a-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-chapter-21":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","A Mortal's Journey to Immortality",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2334947,4565,"Chapter 21","a-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-chapter-21",21,"\u003Cp>Li Shiwei’s eyelids trembled slightly, revealing the fierce inner struggle within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a short while, his tightly shut eyes opened, fixed intently on the pill in Han Li’s hand, his gaze burning with fanaticism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Li said nothing more, shoved the pill into his mouth, watched him swallow it dry with saliva, then gently pulled out each silver needle embedded in his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When all the needles were removed, the pill’s potency took effect: Li Shiwei’s pale face flushed with unnatural redness, his cheeks gradually turning blood-red; his body convulsed again, limbs trembling, low groans escaping his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear he tried to suppress his cries before Han Li, forcing his voice down—but the inhuman pain still tore a roar from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shiwei’s roars grew louder, his body shaking more violently; after a long time, his screams slowly faded, until they vanished completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His complexion regained its normal hue, his body ceased trembling—he had survived the worst of the agony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shiwei slowly sat upright, crossed his legs in meditation, closed his eyes again, and sat still to cultivate and restore his qi; Han Li found a clean rock nearby, sat down casually, and watched him recover his vitality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the time of one meal, Li Shiwei suddenly opened his eyes, snatched up the long knife beside him, leapt to his feet, swung his arm hard—and a flash of blade-light appeared as the gleaming edge rested against Han Li’s throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Give me a reason not to kill you!” Li Shiwei’s eyes glinted with cold fury, brimming with murderous intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t I just save your life? Isn’t that reason enough?” Han Li’s expression didn’t change; only the corner of his brow twitched slightly—barely noticeable unless you watched closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shiwei’s face softened slightly, yet he still glared fiercely at Han Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before I saved you, I already knew you might kill me to keep your secret—only I didn’t expect you’d act so quickly,” Han Li finally let out a bitter laugh, a trace of self-derision crossing his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough! Even knowing saving you invites trouble, I learned medicine—I can’t stand by and let someone die.” Han Li sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Shiwei’s face flushed with embarrassment; he shifted the blade slightly away from Han Li’s neck—but didn’t lower it entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Li secretly exhaled in relief, his tone growing calmer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You needn’t fear I’ll tell others your secret—you can see I’m not a gossip. If you still distrust me, I can swear a deadly oath. You can tell I have no martial skills—if I break my vow, you can kill me easily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Swear the oath,” Li Shiwei said bluntly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Han Li fully relax. Though he had studied Li Shiwei’s facial features before treating him and judged him not heartless or ungrateful, such impressions weren’t foolproof—if this man were truly treacherous, Han Li would have to use his only defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he thought this, Han Li subtly moved his finger away from a tiny iron tube tucked inside his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Han Li solemnly swore the deadly oath, Li Shiwei finally sheathed his long knife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Li touched his neck—a shallow cut from the blade had left a faint bloodline, sticky to the touch; his back felt cold—he had sweated profusely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That was too close! I didn’t think this through enough—I must learn from this. Never again will I do such thankless, exhausting nonsense. Whether others live or die is their own business—none of my concern.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Next time, unless there’s a solid benefit and absolute certainty, I won’t lift a finger to save anyone,” he vowed inwardly with grim resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Li’s first attempt at saving a life led directly to his later habit of acting only for profit; his once-pure nature was utterly abandoned. He didn’t become evil—but he was far from kind or upright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You saved my life and promised to keep my secret—I, Li Feiyu, owe you a great debt. As long as I live, if you ever need my help, come to me. Whatever I can do, I will do it.” Li Shiwei had fully regained his former composure, gathered his scattered belongings from the ground, and approached Han Li to speak sincerely, revealing his name and making his pledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I doubt I’ll ever trouble you—but aren’t you the one drowning in problems?” Han Li smiled faintly, countering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did you know?” Li Feiyu blinked, startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyone can guess—you’re just an ordinary guard disciple, yet you’ve been placed above dozens of hall masters, elders, even the sect master’s favored disciples. How could you ever have an easy life?” Han Li cut straight to the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Feiyu’s face darkened; he fell silent for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won’t meddle in your affairs—I couldn’t even if I wanted to. But I can ease some of the pain caused by your Bone-Draining Pill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?” Li Feiyu’s spirits lifted instantly; his gloom vanished, replaced by bright joy—he had clearly suffered terribly from the Bone-Draining Pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why would I lie to you?” Han Li gave him a skeptical look. He did have such a pain-reducing formula—he’d developed it during his spare time specifically for Zhang Tie, greatly dulling the body’s perception of pain, extremely effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s wonderful! Wonderful!” Li Feiyu rubbed his hands eagerly, staring hopefully at Han Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you looking at me like that? I don’t have the medicine now—I must return to Divine Hand Valley to brew it before I can give you any.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Feiyu felt embarrassed—he’d just threatened Han Li with a knife, and now he was begging him to prepare medicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come to the entrance of Divine Hand Valley at noon tomorrow. I’ll bring you the medicine after I brew it. Master Mo isn’t home—I can’t let outsiders wander in freely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, I’ll be there on time. Thank you, brother!” Li Feiyu hurried to agree, afraid Han Li might change his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m Han Li, Master Mo’s direct disciple. With your martial skill, just call me Han Shidi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Li Feiyu use such an intimate term as “brother,” Han Li quickly revealed his name, hoping to prevent even more cloying titles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>www.feiazw.com\u003C\u002Fp>",1025,"2026-06-20T21:12:45.940Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","616561349bf79f50246be0cc2c6aeab0f2a3f735ef0eb123f84edc3e2a04646e","a-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-chapter-22","a-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-chapter-20",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-cover.jpg"]