(Haha! Sorry for the late update! I've been writing for over ten hours every day for several consecutive days, so exhausted that I ended up sleeping in a bit longer—this chapter finally finished today.) "My sisters don't need to take this medicine, do they? Isn't my own life already sufficient as collateral?" After swallowing the pill, Yan Shi gently stopped Lady Li, the second consort, from also taking it. Upon hearing this, Han Li was slightly taken aback, showing a look of surprise. But after a brief pause and thoughtful consideration, he nodded lightly and said, "Since Lady Yan has such deep bonds with her sisters and has expressed this clearly, I, Han Li, am no stranger to sentiment. Very well, then—Lady Li and the others won't need to take the medicine." Han Li then took the bottle back from Yan Shi and placed it back into his own arms. "Since the matter has been settled, I shall now return. I'll come back to the Mo Mansion tomorrow at this time to collect the portraits and other items, and then proceed directly to the Du Bao Manor." "Thank you so much, Mr. Han!" Yan Shi and the others rose to see Han Li off.
Han Li smiled calmly and gracefully turned, leaving the room.
As soon as Han Li stepped down from the small pavilion, hurried footsteps came from behind.
"Master Han, wait a moment! My second sister has something important to tell you!" The lively voice of Mo Caihuan called out. Hearing this, Han Li sighed and reluctantly turned around.
There, the little sprite was leading the way, while Mo Fengwu and Mo Yuzhu followed closely behind, approaching him.
Mo Caihuan quickly caught up with Han Li and then stared at him with wide eyes, circling him excitedly, as if admiring something rare.
"Really impressive, Master Han! I've been fooled all this time! I never thought you were just a fake—how could you manage to charm everyone with such simple things?"
Han Li rolled his eyes at the girl. What did she mean by "simple things"? It was clearly she who insisted on gifts, not him!
"Third sister, don't be impolite. Stop acting so childish with Master Han."
"Han Li had never heard the voice of Mo Fengwu before—soft and gentle, truly soothing. "What's the matter? I'm not even trying to vent my frustration for my mother and sisters! Who else is going to be so proud in front of my mother?" Mo Caihuan said, with a pout.
Upon hearing this, Han Li was indeed confirmed in his own expectations—this young lady was purely there to bother him. So, he turned away from the little fairy and addressed Mo Fengwu:
"Miss Er, is there something I can assist you with?"
Mo Fengwu, upon hearing Han Li speak to her, blushed slightly, yet continued in her soft, humble tone: "Miss Fengwu only wished to know whether the Yingxiang Pills on the third sister's body were indeed gifts from the young lord. Has the young lord truly inherited his father's medical expertise?"
Han Li had always held a favorable impression of Mo Fengwu from their first meeting. Now, hearing her speak so gently and shyly, he found himself growing increasingly fond of her.
Thus, he replied warmly: "Since Miss Er is interested in this matter, I shall gladly share all I know."
"The Lingxiang Pills presented by the young lady of the Caiguan Garden are indeed ones I personally sent. I have also learned many medical techniques and prescriptions from Master Mo, and this Lingxiang Pill is one of them. Might it be that Miss Fengwu is also deeply interested in this matter?" Since seeing the medicinal herbs cultivated in the back courtyard of the Mo estate, Han Li had known for certain that there must be someone here who had studied under Master Mo. Now, upon hearing Miss Fengwu's question, he was confident that the young lady before him was precisely that person. Indeed, as soon as Han Li spoke these words, the otherwise remarkably composed young lady brightened slightly and said, "To be honest, Miss Fengwu has always been deeply interested in her father's medical practice since childhood. She has studied many of his medical texts and insights. Unfortunately, when her father left the Mo estate, Fengwu was still quite young, so her knowledge remains somewhat limited." After saying this, she hesitated a moment before continuing with some hesitation, "Therefore, Miss Fengwu would like to make a request—may I ask that you kindly grant it?"
Could Miss Fengwu please transcribe her father's medical insights so that she may learn more and refine her own medical skills? After uttering these words, the second daughter of the Mo family felt a gentle blush, clearly embarrassed by her sudden request. Upon hearing Miss Fengwu's request, Han Li immediately agreed without hesitation. "Certainly. When I visit the Mo family tomorrow, I will bring Miss Mo's collected manuscripts and prescriptions to you. These were originally the family's own possessions, and I had intended to deliver them to the fourth lady. Since you wish to have them, I am happy to hand them over to you as well," Han Li smiled and said. "Thank you so much, sir! Miss Fengwu is truly grateful!" Miss Fengwu's face brightened with appreciation. "Why should we thank him, second sister? Didn't he say those materials were always ours? It's only natural that he should give them to you," Miss Mo Caian interjected suddenly, blinking a few times.
After hearing the young girl's words, Han Li glanced at him sideways, thinking to himself: "If it weren't for your elder sister, how could such a gentle and charming lady have asked me to accept her request? In that case, I'd never have been able to return even the things I've collected to the Mo family—let alone think about it!" "Third sister, stop making such claims. The fact that Master Han is willing to hand over our father's heirlooms without hesitation speaks volumes about his sincerity." Noticing the slight tension between Han Li and Mo Caifan, Mo Fengwu promptly scolded the young girl. Then, pulling her along, she gracefully bowed to Han Li before bidding him good day and leaving. Throughout the entire exchange, the Mo family's eldest daughter, Mo Yuzhu, remained silent. After seeing both Mo Fengwu and her sister depart, she gave Han Li a deep, thoughtful glance before following them out. "What does this Mo eldest daughter's single glance mean? Is she expressing gratitude, resentment, or both?" Han Li found himself completely puzzled by her quiet departure.
But after shrugging slightly, Han Li no longer thought about it and left the Mo Mansion. When Han Li returned to the inn, Sun Er-gou, the newly appointed head of the Si-Ping Guild, and another person had already been waiting for him outside his room for some time—of course, Qu Hun was there as well. Upon seeing Sun Er-gou, Han Li nodded politely and pushed open the door to enter the room. Sun Er-gou and the other person followed him in and stood respectfully on either side. Only after sitting down did Han Li carefully examine the stranger who had come with Sun Er-gou—a sturdy man in his thirties, with broad, rugged features and a stern countenance. "Given your bright complexion, I'd say you've officially taken the helm of the Si-Ping Guild," Han Li said casually to Sun Er-gou. "We've definitely taken it! We've definitely taken it! All thanks to your unwavering support—without your help, how could I have achieved this today?" Sun Er-gou beamed with enthusiasm and quickly replied. "Good. That's exactly what I wanted to hear."
I won't interfere with the daily affairs of the Siping Sect, but you must make good use of the Siping Sect's strength to see that everything I've entrusted you with is properly handled. Otherwise, I won't hesitate to appoint a new sect master." Han Li said coldly.
This remark immediately sent a cold shiver through Sun Er-gou, who had previously been somewhat overconfident and boastful, bringing him back to his senses.
"With regard to the matter entrusted to me by the young lord, I will devote my entire life to it—should I have to lay down my life, I will see it through!" Sun Er-gou quickly assumed a demeanor of unwavering loyalty.
Han Li gave a slight nod and then turned his attention to the other person.
"Are you the one who heard the divine conversation?" Han Li asked with genuine interest.
"Yes, my name is Xi Tie-niu. I have indeed heard such a conversation before!" The sturdy man replied respectfully.
Though he appears broad-shouldered and strong, he is far from unintelligent.
He was very clear that the seemingly ordinary young man before him was the real force behind the rise of Sun Er-gou, who had once held a position comparable to his own, to the position of head of the guild. Thus, he showed no signs of negligence. Han Li was satisfied—once one had a capable person, the matter became much easier. "Tell me again, from beginning to end, what you saw that day regarding the male and female immortals," Han Li said. "If I'm satisfied, you'll serve as Sun Er-gou's deputy and become the deputy head of the Fourping Guild!" Han Li knew well that only through generous rewards could one truly motivate others to act on one's behalf, so he made his promise without hesitation. Upon hearing this, Xi Tie-niu was indeed overjoyed and eagerly nodded, promising to fully satisfy Han Li. Meanwhile, Sun Er-gou, listening from the side, felt somewhat reluctant, though he managed to conceal his feelings on his face. Eventually, after Xi Tie-niou had calmed down, he recounted in full detail what had happened that day when he encountered the cultivators.
The account given by Xi Tie牛 differs in several details from what Sun Erou described, yet the overall course of events remains essentially the same, with no major differences.
"Did the male and female deities mention any specific time or place?" after listening to the other's account, Han Li asked the question he had been most concerned about.