Chapter 44

The sun hung high in the sky, and even though it was early autumn, it still brought a hint of heat.

Master Mo sat restlessly in his room; though he had full confidence in his method of coercing Han Li, he now found himself anxious and uncertain.

Suddenly, footsteps came from afar, gradually drawing nearer to the room.

Upon hearing the familiar step, Master Mo burst with joy, leaping to the door and flinging it open with a swift motion.

A figure slowly approached from a distance—it was his long-awaited target: Han Li.

Watching the man draw closer, Master Mo suppressed his excitement and forced a smile onto his face.

“Good, you’re punctual. I’m pleased you didn’t try to flee—it shows you’re sensible. Come inside; we must talk properly.”

Master Mo’s expression now looked as kindly as an elderly neighbor, his face beaming like a blooming flower.

“Don’t worry, there’s no trickery inside—this isn’t a dragon’s den or tiger’s lair,” Master Mo said, noticing Han Li’s wary gaze toward the room, and quickly added a subtle provocation.

“Hmph! Since I’ve come, do you think I’d fear entering your room?” Han Li snorted, as if genuinely provoked, and spoke.

Then he stepped forward without hesitation.

Master Mo quickly stepped aside with a beaming smile, clearing the way for Han Li to enter. As Han Li stepped inside, Master Mo reached to shut the door—when suddenly Han Li, without turning back, said:

“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 speak another word with you.”

Master Mo froze, hesitated a moment, then stepped away from the door and said carelessly:

“I’m truly here to negotiate with you, not to harm you. If you don’t want the door shut, then don’t shut it.”

Master Mo settled back onto his armchair as before. Han Li, without ceremony, pulled over a stool and sat down squarely opposite him. The two had not seen each other in nearly half a year, and now they studied each other in silence.

Han Li noticed Master Mo had aged dramatically—now indistinguishable from a seventy-year-old man. He silently wondered: “Could what he claimed before be true? Could he truly only want me to restore his essence, with no ulterior motive? Have I simply overthought this?”

Han Li scanned the room, then his pupils contracted sharply—the tall, mysterious man stood motionless in the corner, silent as a corpse. Unless deliberately sought, his presence would be utterly undetectable.

Master Mo had finished his inspection of Han Li, seemingly satisfied with his condition, and spoke gently:

“Seeing you now reminds me of when you first came—back then you were just a child of ten or so, barely this tall. Now look at you—you’ve grown so tall. Time spares no one!”

The casual, familial tone threw Han Li off guard—he couldn’t fathom the man’s intent. But his guard rose instantly; he reminded himself: this is an old fox, who’s eaten more salt than I’ve eaten rice—don’t let yourself fall into his trap.

“Master Mo, I’ve always remembered your care for me and never forgotten it. If you have any task for me, please give your orders without hesitation.” Han Li’s expression softened; he used the respectful title, as if reverting to his former obedient disciple.

“Good! Good! With those words, all the effort I poured into you hasn’t been wasted. Come, let me check your progress in the Evergreen Technique.” Master Mo truly seemed to slip into the role of a benevolent master—he rose and stepped forward, reaching to take Han Li’s pulse.

“Old fox! Still relying on his age, shamelessly pushing forward!” Han Li cursed inwardly and swiftly sidestepped the grasp.

“Master Mo, don’t rush. I’ll tell you plainly: my Evergreen Technique has indeed reached the fourth level. But first, please give me the antidote to the Corpse Worm Pill—let me remove this threat before I let you examine my cultivation.”

“Oh! How careless of me! My memory’s gone bad with age—I meant to give you the antidote the moment you walked in!” Master Mo exclaimed as if suddenly remembering.

He fished a silver vial from his sleeve, poured out a black pill, and tossed it toward Han Li.

Han Li feigned clumsiness, barely catching the pill, then held it beneath his nose. A sharp, pungent odor rose up. He looked up—Master Mo was watching him with a half-smile.

He hesitated slightly, doubting the pill’s authenticity.

But he couldn’t refuse—it was nearly time for the Corpse Worm Pill to activate. If he didn’t take it, he’d be dead. He judged that Master Mo still needed him, so the pill was likely genuine. With solemn expression, he swallowed it and waited for its effect.

Master Mo, now calm, slowly reclined again, and began idle chatter, as if he’d forgotten why he’d summoned Han Li.

Soon, Han Li felt a brief stab of pain in his abdomen—but it vanished instantly. He checked his body: the Corpse Worm Pill had completely dissolved. A surge of joy rose within him, and a trace of relief showed on his face.

These changes did not escape Master Mo’s notice. After Han Li finished checking the pill’s effect, Master Mo smiled warmly:

"Han Li, giving you the Corpse Worm Pill was out of necessity—without that pressure, you might never have reached the fourth level."

“Thank you for your kindness, Master Mo. But next time, please spare me such ‘kindness.’” Han Li, relieved of a major threat, felt his mood lift. He began to believe in Master Mo’s sincerity and no longer countered his hypocrisy with sharp words.

“Now, may I take your pulse?”

Master Mo uttered the very words that would force Han Li into a dilemma—how could he know Han Li wouldn’t seize this chance to subdue him?

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