The sun hung high in the sky. Even though it was early autumn, the heat still made the air feel oppressive.
Mo Dafu was restless in his room. While he had great confidence in his methods of coercing Han Li, he still couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Now that the moment had arrived, he found himself caught between anticipation and uncertainty.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from the distance, growing louder as they approached. Upon hearing the familiar footsteps, Mo Dafu's mood lightened. He quickly sprang to his feet and rushed to open the door.
The figure approaching slowly was none other than the person he had been waiting for—Han Li.
As Han Li drew closer, Mo Dafu forced a smile, suppressing the excitement bubbling in his chest. "You're punctual. I'm glad to see you haven't entertained any thoughts of running away. That shows you're wise. Come on in; we have much to discuss."
Mo Dafu's expression was one of warmth, like an elder greeting a young relative. His smile was as bright as a blooming flower.
Han Li cast a wary glance at the house but responded with a scoff, "Since I've come all the way here, would I be afraid to enter your house?" He then stepped forward, showing no hesitation.
Mo Dafu smiled broadly and moved aside to allow him entry. As Han Li entered, Mo Dafu attempted to close the door, but Han Li, without turning his head, spoke with quiet but firm authority, "If you close that door, I'll think you're planning some kind of trap. We won't talk further."
Mo Dafu froze for a moment, then hesitated, but eventually he gave a shrug and stepped back from the door. "I'm truly here to discuss things with you, no tricks involved. If you don't want the door closed, then I won't close it."
Mo Dafu lazily reclined into his armchair, and Han Li, without ceremony, grabbed a stool and sat across from him. The two of them stared at each other for a while, each sizing the other up.
Han Li noted that Mo Dafu had aged considerably since their last meeting. He now looked like a man in his seventies, with the frailty to match. Han Li couldn't help but wonder if Mo Dafu's previous words had been truthful—was he really only interested in having Han Li restore his vitality, or had he been scheming all along? Perhaps it was Han Li who had been too suspicious.
Han Li's gaze swept around the room, and suddenly his eyes narrowed. In the corner, a tall, enigmatic figure stood motionless, silent like a statue. Han Li's keen senses allowed him to detect the figure, but only because he was deliberately searching for it. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to notice its presence.
Mo Dafu seemed content with his observations of Han Li. After a moment, he said, "Looking at you now reminds me of when you first joined the sect. You were just a little child back then, barely as tall as this. And now... well, look at you. Time really flies, doesn't it?"
Mo Dafu's casual words threw Han Li off for a moment. What was the point of such a remark? Despite the seemingly friendly tone, Han Li's instincts screamed that this was all a game, one that he shouldn't fall for. Mo Dafu was a master manipulator, a fox who had lived far longer than Han Li, and he had eaten more salt than Han Li had eaten rice. Han Li couldn't afford to relax.
"Mo Lao, your care and guidance have always been in my heart. I have not forgotten it, and if you have any orders for me, I will not hesitate to carry them out," Han Li said, his tone now respectful. He had momentarily reverted to the demeanor of a humble disciple.
"Good! Good! To hear you say that makes all my efforts worth it," Mo Dafu responded, his expression glowing with satisfaction. He stood up and moved towards Han Li. "Now, let me take a look at your progress with the Changchun Gong."
"Old fox! Always relying on your seniority to take advantage," Han Li thought bitterly. As Mo Dafu approached him, Han Li quickly shifted aside, avoiding the old man's attempt to grab his wrist.
"Mo Lao, no need to rush. Let me tell you upfront, my Changchun Gong is already at the fourth level. But could you please first hand over the antidote to the Corpse Worm Pill? Once my worries are resolved, I will be happy to let you examine my progress," Han Li said, his voice still cordial, but a subtle hint of firmness in his tone.
"Ah! Right, right! How could I forget something so important? I was planning to give you the antidote as soon as you arrived!" Mo Dafu said, looking as though the thought had only just occurred to him. He fumbled in his sleeve and pulled out a silver bottle, from which he poured out a black pill, tossing it to Han Li.
Han Li pretended to fumble, nearly dropping the pill before catching it in his hand. He held it up to his nose and inhaled the strong, acrid scent. His eyes met Mo Dafu's, who was smiling slyly at him.
Han Li hesitated for a moment, doubting the pill's authenticity. But he couldn't afford to waste time. If he didn't take it, the Corpse Worm Pill would soon begin to take effect, and he would truly be in danger. He reasoned that Mo Dafu still had use for him, so the antidote was unlikely to be fake. With a serious expression, he swallowed the pill, waiting to see what would happen.
Mo Dafu, on the other hand, didn't seem concerned at all. He leaned back into his chair, leisurely chatting with Han Li, as if he had forgotten about the purpose of this meeting entirely.
Not long later, Han Li felt a sharp pain in his abdomen, but it passed almost as quickly as it came. He immediately began to check his body, and to his immense relief, he found that the Corpse Worm Pill had dissolved completely, leaving no trace behind. He couldn't help but feel a surge of joy, a slight smile forming on his face.
Mo Dafu, always observant, noticed the change in Han Li's expression. After Han Li finished inspecting his body, Mo Dafu smiled and said, "Han Li, I must say, giving you the Corpse Worm Pill was not something I wanted to do. But without it pushing you from behind, I fear you would never have reached the fourth level so easily."
"Thank you for your good intentions, Mo Lao. But next time, please spare me from such 'good deeds.' I would rather handle things my own way," Han Li responded. With the burden of the pill's effects lifted, his mood had greatly improved, and he began to believe that Mo Dafu might truly be acting in his best interests—at least for now.
"Now, can I check your pulse?" Mo Dafu asked, the words coming out smoothly as if they had been rehearsed. Han Li paused, wondering whether Mo Dafu would use this opportunity to try something more sinister.