The sun was high in the sky, casting a lingering heat even though it was early autumn.
Inside his room, Dr. Mo was feeling restless. Although he was confident in his ability to manipulate Han Li, he couldn't shake off his sense of unease.
Suddenly, footsteps approached from afar, gradually drawing nearer to his house. Recognizing the familiar footsteps, Dr. Mo's face lit up with joy. He hurriedly walked to the door and pushed it open.
A figure slowly approached, and it was none other than his long-awaited target, Han Li.
Seeing Han Li gradually approaching, Dr. Mo suppressed his excitement and forced a smile on his face.
"Excellent, you're punctual. Seeing that you didn't try to escape, I'm pleased. It shows your wisdom. Come in, let's have a good talk."
Dr. Mo's expression at this moment was as kind as a neighbor's elder, and his face was radiant like a blooming flower.
"Don't worry, there's nothing fishy inside the house. It's not a dangerous place." Dr. Mo noticed Han Li's cautious glance towards the house and quickly reassured him, employing a little psychological tactic.
"Hmph! Since I'm already here, do you think I'm afraid to enter your house?" Han Li snorted, seemingly genuinely provoked, and spoke.
Then, he took the lead and walked in.
Dr. Mo hurriedly stepped aside with a smile, making way for Han Li to enter the house. As Han Li walked in, Dr. Mo attempted to close the door, but suddenly heard Han Li say without looking back:
"If you dare to close the door, I'll consider it a trick, and I won't continue our conversation."
Dr. Mo was taken aback and hesitated for a moment. But then he left the door open, saying nonchalantly, "I sincerely want to discuss things with you and won't harm you. Since you don't want the door closed, I won't close it."
Then Dr. Mo returned to his seat, and Han Li pulled a chair over, sitting across from him. They hadn't seen each other for almost half a year, and they spent a moment sizing each other up.
Han Li noticed that Dr. Mo had aged significantly since their last meeting. He now looked no different from a seventy-year-old elder. Han Li couldn't help but wonder if Dr. Mo's previous intentions were genuine, whether he truly only wanted Han Li to restore his essence, without any ulterior motives. Maybe he had overthought things?
As Han Li surveyed his surroundings, his pupils suddenly contracted. The tall mysterious man stood silently in the corner, as quiet as a dead person. If he hadn't been actively looking, Han Li wouldn't have sensed his presence.
At this moment, Dr. Mo finished observing Han Li and seemed satisfied with his state. He spoke gently, "Seeing you now reminds me of when you first arrived. Back then, you were just a child of about ten, only this tall. Now, you've grown so tall. Time really flies!"
Dr. Mo's casual conversation puzzled Han Li, unsure of his intentions. Nevertheless, he immediately raised his guard, reminding himself that Dr. Mo was a cunning old fox. He had eaten more salt than Han Li had eaten rice. He mustn't fall into his trap inadvertently.
"Master Mo, I've always appreciated your care for me and haven't forgotten it. If you have any requests, please feel free to ask." Han Li softened his expression and used a respectful title, reverting to his obedient disciple persona.
"Good! With your words, I don't feel that my efforts on you have been in vain. Let me first check your progress in the Long Spring Technique." Dr. Mo seemed to genuinely embrace the role of a benevolent teacher. He stood up and walked over, intending to take Han Li's pulse directly.
"You old fox! Still relying on your old age to act all high and mighty!" Han Li cursed inwardly and quickly dodged Dr. Mo's grasp.
"Master Mo, please don't be in a hurry. I can tell you clearly that I have indeed reached the fourth level of the Long Spring Technique. But wouldn't it be better to give me the antidote to the Corpse Worm Pill first? Let me alleviate my worries, and then you can inspect my progress at ease." Han Li smiled sincerely and spoke in a very sincere tone.
"Oh, that's right! Look at my memory. I was planning to give you the antidote as soon as you entered the house." Dr. Mo suddenly realized, as if just remembering.
He fumbled in his sleeve and took out a silver bottle, from which he poured out a dark pill and tossed it to Han Li.
Han Li pretended to be flustered and barely caught the pill, bringing it close to his nose to smell it. A pungent smell assaulted his nostrils. He looked up at Dr. Mo, who was smiling ambiguously.
He hesitated for a moment, suspicious of the pill's authenticity. But he had no choice but to take it because the day the Corpse Worm Pill would take effect was approaching. If he didn't take it, he would be in grave danger! He assumed Dr. Mo still had use for him and wouldn't give him fake medicine. With a solemn expression, he swallowed the pill and waited for its effects.
Dr. Mo didn't seem anxious now. He slowly lay back in his chair, chatting casually with Han Li as if he had forgotten his original purpose for inviting him.
Before long, Han Li felt a momentary pain in his stomach, but it quickly passed. He quickly checked his body and found that the effects of the Corpse Worm Pill had completely disappeared. He couldn't help but feel overjoyed, and a hint of relief appeared on his face.
These changes didn't escape Dr. Mo's attention as he had been facing Han Li the whole time. After Han Li finished examining the effects of the antidote, Dr. Mo smiled and said:
"Han Li, if I hadn't given you the Corpse Worm Pill, I'm afraid you wouldn't have been able to reach the fourth level so easily!"
"Thank you for your kindness, Master Mo. But next time, please don't use such methods on me." Han Li's heart was relieved of a burden, and he began to believe in Dr. Mo's sincerity to some extent. He no longer countered his hypocrisy.
"Now, may I check your pulse?" Dr. Mo still uttered these words sincerely, but Han Li couldn't help but feel awkward. Who knew if Dr. Mo would seize this opportunity to capture him?
