A Record of A Mortal's Journey to Immortality

Chapter 44: The Antidote

The sun hung high in the sky, and even though it was early autumn, a lingering heat still remained.

Doctor Mo was restless in his room. Although he was confident in his ability to coerce Han Li, at this moment he was still somewhat anxious and uncertain.

Suddenly, footsteps came from afar, gradually approaching the house.

Hearing the familiar steps, Doctor Mo was overjoyed. He hurriedly dashed to the door and pushed it open.

Not far away, a figure slowly approached—it was the person he had long been waiting for, Han Li.

Watching him draw nearer, Doctor Mo suppressed the excitement in his heart and forced a smile onto his face.

“Not bad, you’re punctual. I’m glad to see you haven’t tried to run away; it shows you’re wise. Come in, we need to have a proper talk.”

At this moment, Doctor Mo’s expression was as kind as an elder neighbor’s, his face blooming like a radiant flower.

“Don’t worry, nothing tricky has been done inside the room; it’s not a death trap,” Doctor Mo said quickly as he noticed Han Li’s cautious glance toward the room. He also used a slight provocation to test him.

“Hmph! Since I’m already here, why would I be afraid to enter your room?” Han Li snorted lightly, as if genuinely provoked.

Then, he boldly stepped inside.

Doctor Mo smiled warmly and stepped aside to clear the way. When Han Li entered, he casually reached out to close the door, but suddenly heard Han Li say without turning his head,

“If you dare close the door, I’ll think you’re trying to trap me like a turtle in a jar, and I won’t talk with you anymore.”

Doctor Mo was taken aback for a moment, hesitated, but then stepped away from the door, saying casually,

“I sincerely want to discuss matters with you and won’t harm you. If you prefer the door open, then it will stay open.”

He then lay back in the grand armchair as usual. Han Li didn’t hold back either; he grabbed a stool and sat down confidently opposite him. They hadn’t met for nearly half a year and studied each other carefully.

Han Li noticed that Doctor Mo looked much older than before, resembling a man in his seventies. He couldn’t help but think to himself, “Could it be that what he said before was true? Did he genuinely only want me to restore my essence, with no ulterior motives? Or am I just overthinking?”

Han Li glanced around sharply and suddenly his pupils constricted. That tall, mysterious man stood silently in a corner like a lifeless object—if one weren’t paying close attention, they would never notice him.

At this moment, Doctor Mo finished examining Han Li and, apparently satisfied with his condition, spoke gently:

“Seeing you now reminds me of when you first came in. You were just a boy of barely ten, only this tall. Now look at you, all grown up and towering over me. Time really doesn’t spare anyone!”

The casual tone left Han Li a bit puzzled. He wasn’t sure of Doctor Mo’s intent but immediately raised his guard inwardly, reminding himself that this was a cunning old fox who had eaten more salt than he had eaten rice. He had to be careful not to fall into a trap.

“Old Mo, I have always been grateful for your care and will not forget it. If you have any tasks for me, please don’t hesitate to order,” Han Li softened his expression and spoke respectfully, seeming to revert to the obedient disciple he once was.

“Good! Good! Hearing you say that makes all the effort I put into you worthwhile. Come, let me check the progress of your Everlasting Spring Technique,” Doctor Mo, truly slipping into the role of a kindly teacher, stood and approached to take Han Li’s pulse.

“Old fox! You really rely on your age and shamelessly act like an elder,” Han Li cursed silently, quickly dodging the old man’s grasp.

“Old Mo, don’t rush. I can tell you clearly that I have indeed reached the fourth level of the Everlasting Spring Technique. But how about you give me the antidote to the Corpse Insect Pill first? Let me be free of worries before you check my cultivation,” Han Li smiled and spoke earnestly.