A Record of A Mortal's Journey to Immortality

Chapter 29: Conflict Arises

Doctor Mo’s face was expressionless, his eyes half-open and half-closed. One hand firmly gripped Han Li’s wrist.

All his focus was concentrated on the strength of the true qi inside Han Li’s body. He remained silent for quite a while.

After the time it took to finish a cup of tea, he finally let out a deep sigh, as if expelling all the frustration in his heart. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, and a sharp glint shot out from his cloudy eyes, making anyone dare not meet his gaze.

His face was dark and gloomy. It was clear he was dissatisfied with Han Li, but no words of blame came from him.

He coldly waved his hand, signaling for Han Li to follow him.

Han Li obediently trailed behind. Although he was quite curious about the mysterious person by his side, he knew this was not the time to ask questions casually.

Once inside the room, Doctor Mo, looking somewhat tired, sat down in the grand armchair, his back pressed against the backrest, half-sitting, half-reclining. The sharp glint in his eyes had faded, and he once again appeared like a chronically ill old man.

The mysterious person stayed close behind him, never leaving his side. After Doctor Mo sat down, the person stood directly behind the chair, standing straight and motionless.

Han Li knew Doctor Mo was clearly displeased inside and didn’t want to take the initiative to provoke him, so he imitated the mysterious person by standing in the middle of the room, facing Doctor Mo with his head lowered, sensibly staying still and waiting for him to speak.

After a long time without a word, Han Li grew curious and restless. He quietly tried to lift his head to sneak a glance at Doctor Mo.

“Why sneak a look? Just look if you want,” Doctor Mo’s cold and sharp voice came suddenly, just as Han Li was halfway through lifting his neck.

Han Li froze for a moment, then obediently raised his head. His gaze circled Doctor Mo’s face a few times before immediately retreating.

Han Li’s face showed no change, but inside, turmoil roiled like a stormy sea.

Doctor Mo’s face suddenly became strange. A faint shadow of black energy seemed to cloak his somewhat withered face. This black energy, as if alive, stretched out countless tiny tendrils, clawing and dancing wildly across his face. Even more alarming was that Doctor Mo, abandoning his usual rigid expression, now showed a fierce and determined look, staring at Han Li with malicious intent. A mocking sneer curled at the corner of his mouth.

Han Li felt something was wrong. Unease crept into his heart, and a dangerous aura began to fill the room.

He cautiously and carefully took a half-step back, pulling his hand into his sleeve to grab an iron tube hidden there, relaxing his tense nerves a little. Then, suddenly, a low mocking laugh came from Doctor Mo’s side.

“A bit of cleverness, and you dare to show off with it?”

Doctor Mo’s body moved weirdly, shifting from half-reclining to standing. After a sinister smile, his figure flickered like a ghost and suddenly appeared beside Han Li, coldly chuckling “hehe” as he looked at him.

Han Li’s expression changed drastically. Knowing something was wrong, he hurried to raise his arm, but his body went numb and he couldn’t move.

Only then did he see Doctor Mo’s fingers had just released the acupoint on his chest.

It had been too fast—Han Li hadn’t sensed any sign of the move.

“Old Mo, what are you trying to do? If I, your disciple, have done anything wrong, just say it. Why did you have to seize my acupoint?” Han Li could no longer keep his usual composure. Forcing a smile, he addressed Doctor Mo.

Doctor Mo said nothing, only pounding his own back a few times and coughing lightly, putting on the appearance of a frail, feeble old man.

But Han Li had just seen the swift way he had subdued him. There was no way he could truly see him as a sickly old man. His act only made Han Li take him even more seriously.

“Doctor Mo, who exactly are you? Why waste time quarreling with me like this? Just release my acupoint. Whatever punishment you want to give, I will bear it fully.”