Mo Fengwu

1,633 words

Chapter 124: Mo Fengwu

(Heh! Sorry for the late update! I’ve been typing for over ten hours a day for several days straight and was too tired. I slept in this morning, so I’ve only just finished this chapter.)

“My sisters here don’t need to take the medicine, do they? Isn’t my life alone enough collateral?” Yan Shi, who had already swallowed the pill, stopped Second Madame Li from also taking one.

Han Li was momentarily stunned by Yan Shi’s words, a hint of surprise showing on his face.

But after a brief hesitation, he lightly nodded. “Since Fourth Madame is so devoted to her sisters and has put it that way, I, Han Li, am not unreasonable. Very well. The Second Madame and the others don’t need to take the medicine.”

As he finished speaking, Han Li retrieved the bottle from Yan Shi and put it back into his bosom.

“Since everything is settled, I will take my leave. I will return to the Mo Estate at this same time tomorrow to collect the portrait and other items. I will then head directly to the Du Ba Villa.”

“Then we shall be in your debt, Young Master.” Yan Shi and the others rose to see him off.

Han Li offered a faint smile, turned gracefully, and left the room.

He had just descended the stairs when he heard hurried footsteps behind him.

“Senior Brother Han! Wait! My second sister has something to ask you!” Mo Caihuan’s loud, childish voice called out. Hearing this, Han Li sighed and turned around helplessly.

He saw the little vixen charging ahead, with Mo Fengwu and Mo Yuzhu following behind, walking towards him.

Mo Caihuan caught up to him in a few quick steps. She stared wide-eyed and circled around him, clicking her tongue in appraisal as if she were looking at some rare novelty.

“Oh, well done, Senior Brother Han! You really fooled me! I never thought you were a fake too! Using little tricks to lead me around by the nose.”

Han Li rolled his eyes at her. Little tricks? She was the one who had forced the gifts out of him by demanding them!

“Third Sister, show some respect. Don’t be rude to Young Master Han.”

This was the first time Han Li had heard Mo Fengwu’s voice. It was soft and incredibly gentle, very pleasant to the ear.

“What? I’m just getting even for Mother! Who told him to act so high and mighty in front of her?” Mo Caihuan grumbled, sounding wronged.

Han Li knew it was just as he had expected. The little imp had come purely to make things difficult for him. He ignored her and turned to Mo Fengwu.

“Second Young Miss, did you need something from me?”

Mo Fengwu blushed slightly when Han Li addressed her, but she still spoke in her soft, gentle voice. “Fengwu only wished to ask Young Master if the Radiance Pill that Third Sister carries was truly a gift from you? And if you have truly inherited my father’s medical knowledge?”

Han Li had already taken a liking to Mo Fengwu upon their first meeting. Now, seeing her speak so gently and shyly, his heart felt a surge of compassion for this young woman.

Thus, he replied amiably, “If Second Young Miss wishes to know, I, Han Li, will naturally tell you everything I know.”

“Miss Caihuan’s Radiance Pill was indeed a gift from me. And it is true that I learned much of the healing arts and prescriptions from Master Mo. The Radiance Pill is one of them. Is Miss Fengwu also very interested in this?”

Since seeing the medicinal herbs planted in the Mo Estate’s rear courtyard, Han Li had suspected that someone there had inherited Doctor Mo’s medical knowledge. Now, with Mo Fengwu’s question, he was certain that the gentle beauty before him was that person.

As expected, the moment Han Li finished speaking, a hint of joy flickered in the eyes of the quiet young woman. “To be honest with you, Young Master, I have been deeply interested in my father’s medical studies since I was a child. I have studied many of his medical books and notes. Unfortunately, I was still very young when my father left the estate, so what I learned was quite limited.”

After this, Mo Fengwu hesitated for a moment before continuing with some difficulty: “So, Fengwu has a request, and I hope you can grant it. Would you be willing to give me a copy of my father’s medical notes? It would allow me to learn more and improve my own skills.”

After speaking, the Second Young Miss’s face was flushed with a shy embarrassment at her own bold request.

Han Li, after hearing her out, agreed without a second thought. “That’s no problem. When I come to the Mo Estate tomorrow, I will bring some of Master Mo’s manuscripts and prescriptions for the Second Young Miss. These things originally belonged to the Mo Estate. I was planning to give them to Fourth Madame, but since you want them, giving them to you would be the same.” Han Li said with a smile.

“Thank you for your generosity, Young Master. Fengwu is very grateful!” Mo Fengwu’s face showed a look of sincere gratitude.

“Second Sister, why thank him? Didn’t you hear him say those things were ours to begin with? Him giving them to you is just the right thing to do.” Mo Caihuan, standing to the side, blinked a few times before suddenly interjecting.

Han Li glanced sideways at the little girl, thinking to himself: If it weren’t for your second sister, a gentle and lovely beauty like her asking me, do you think I’d ever return those things that have already fallen into my hands to the Mo Estate? Don’t even think about it!

“Third Sister, don’t talk nonsense. Young Master Han’s willingness to return Father’s belongings without hesitation speaks volumes about his character.” Perhaps sensing the tension between Han Li and Mo Caihuan, Mo Fengwu quickly scolded the little girl. Then, pulling her sister along, she gracefully curtsied to Han Li before taking her leave.

Throughout the entire exchange, Mo Yuzhu, the eldest daughter of the Mo family, hadn’t said a single word. Seeing her two sisters leave, she cast a deep, lingering glance at Han Li before following them.

“What did that look from the eldest Miss mean? Gratitude? Resentment? Or both?” The departing glance from Mo Yuzhu left Han Li a bit perplexed.

But he just shrugged and put the matter out of his mind, leaving the Mo Estate.

When Han Li returned to the inn, the new chief of the Si Ping Gang, Sun Ergou, along with another man, had been waiting outside his room for some time. Qu Hun was standing guard there, of course.

Upon seeing Sun Ergou, Han Li gave him a nod before pushing the door open and entering the room. Sun Ergou and the other man followed closely and stood respectfully off to one side.

After Han Li sat down, he finally took a closer look at the stranger Sun Ergou had brought. He was a robust man of about thirty with a face full of fierce, brutish features.

“You look like you’re glowing. I take it you’ve already taken your seat as the gang leader?” Han Li said to Sun Ergou in a flat tone.

“Yes, yes! I’ve taken it! It was all thanks to your support, Master. I wouldn’t be where I am today with my meager talents!” Sun Ergou replied with a wide, beaming smile.

“That’s good. I won’t interfere in the day-to-day affairs of the Si Ping Gang. But you must use the gang’s strength to handle the tasks I’ve given you. If you don’t… I wouldn’t mind changing the gang leader again.” Han Li said coldly.

These words sent a chill down the ecstatic Sun Ergou’s spine, sobering him up considerably.

“I swear to do my utmost for you, Master. I will give my life if it means completing your tasks!” Sun Ergou quickly put on a show of loyal devotion.

Han Li grunted in acknowledgment, then ignored Sun Ergou and turned his gaze to the other man.

“You’re the one who heard the ‘immortal conversation’?” Han Li asked with a look of interest.

“Yes, sir. Your humble servant, Xi Tieniu, did indeed hear it!” the muscular man replied respectfully.

Despite his burly appearance, the man was no fool. He was well aware that the nondescript youth before him was the true power behind Sun Ergou’s ascension to the gang leadership and therefore dared not be careless.

Han Li was satisfied. As long as the man was intelligent, things would be much easier.

“Tell me everything about the time you saw the male and female immortals. From start to finish. If you satisfy me, I’ll make you Sun Ergou’s deputy and the vice chief of the Si Ping Gang!” Han Li knew that only heavy rewards could motivate others to work for him, so he made the promise without hesitation.

Xi Tieniu was overjoyed at the news and excitedly patted his chest, swearing he would not disappoint.

Sun Ergou, hearing this from the side, was a little put out but dared not show it on his face.

After Xi Tieniu calmed down a bit, he recounted the story of his encounter with the cultivators in detail.

While there were many small differences between Xi Tieniu’s account and Sun Ergou’s, the general process was identical, with no major discrepancies.

“Did the male and female immortals mention any specific time or place?” Han Li asked, finally getting to the matter he cared about most.

(If you enjoy the story, don’t forget to bookmark it, dear readers!)

(End of Chapter)

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Reading Guide Decoding

Social Bluffing, a Gentle Beauty, and a New Lead

Cultural / Xianxia Notes

Social Bluffing (炸胡/信息战) – Han Li’s negotiation with Yan Shi is a textbook example of Social Bluffing, a core survival tactic in the Mortal Stream. He doesn’t need to actually harm the other wives; the mere threat of the Corpse Worm Pill, and the ambiguity of its effects, forces submission. By allowing Yan Shi to “sacrifice” herself alone, Han Li creates a scenario where the target feels grateful for a lesser evil. It’s a high-stakes mind game where information is the primary weapon and emotional manipulation is the fine print.

The “Naive Student” Tactic – Han Li’s conversation with Mo Fengwu is a masterpiece of calculated social misdirection. He deliberately poses as a shy, helpful young man, eager to please a gentle beauty. This isn’t kindness; it’s a strategic performance to secure an ally within the Mo Estate. In a world where trust is a rare and valuable commodity, building a reputation for being reasonable and accommodating is often more effective than raw displays of power. He creates a social debt, making her an unwitting asset, while keeping his true ruthless nature hidden.

Immortal Masters and Mortal Gangs – The chapter reinforces the hierarchical gap between the cultivation world and the mortal underworld. Han Li deals with the Si Ping Gang as a logistical asset, treating them as disposable tools for information gathering. The appearance of a steward from the Immortal Gathering Pavilion and the mention of the "Ascension Assembly" hint at a larger, more structured network of cultivators that exists just beyond Han Li’s current reach, a system where even low-level cultivators can barter, sell, and compete for a chance at ascension.

Social Bluffing (炸胡/信息战)

A core survival tactic in the Mortal Stream, where a protagonist uses ambiguous information or threats to force a favorable outcome without physical violence. It relies on the opponent’s fear and guilt.

Social Tribulation (社会试炼)

A type of conflict in the Mortal Stream where the protagonist must navigate complex human relationships and political hierarchies with the same cold calculation as a physical battle.

Chapter Overview

If you thought the Mo Estate was just going to be a quick poison-drop-and-dash, think again. Han Li’s second visit turns into an unexpected Social Tribulation, where the real battlefield isn’t the poison he’s carrying, but the complex web of human relationships he has to navigate. Our boy executes a masterful Social Bluff, leveraging the fear of the Corpse Worm Pill to secure cooperation while showing just enough flexibility to seem humane. But the real meat of the chapter is a fascinating exchange with the Mo sisters, where we finally meet the gentle and learned Mo Fengwu. Here, Han Li deploys a new social tactic: posing as a naive, sheltered student, he weaponizes his own perceived innocence to lower defenses and gain trust. It’s a different kind of duel, fought with politeness, flattery, and strategic gifts, and it sets up a crucial information-gathering mission. The chapter ends with a return to the mortal underworld, where a new lead on local immortals emerges, proving that in this world, power comes from knowledge, not just talismans.

Key Plot Points

Han Li allows Yan Shi alone to take the Corpse Worm Pill, sparing the other wives. This calculated act of “kindness” establishes his authority while creating a social debt.
Mo Caihuan confronts Han Li, accusing him of being a “fake” who tricked her with “little tricks.” Han Li rolls his eyes, establishing a playful but wary dynamic with the sharp-eyed girl.
Mo Fengwu is properly introduced. She is gentle, polite, and deeply interested in her father’s medical arts. Her soft voice and timid demeanor immediately invoke Han Li’s pity.
Han Li agrees on the spot to return Doctor Mo’s manuscripts and prescriptions to Mo Fengwu. His immediate compliance is a deliberate performance, building a social bridge and consolidating trust.
Mo Yuzhu remains silent throughout the exchange but casts a deep, ambiguous glance at Han Li as she leaves, suggesting she may be a more complex player than she appears.
Han Li returns to the inn, where Sun Ergou and the witness Xi Tieniu are waiting. He formally appoints Xi Tieniu as the gang’s vice chief as a reward for information.
Xi Tieniu recounts the story of the “male and female immortals” in detail. Han Li presses for key information: specific times or locations related to the immortal sighting.

Reading Guide

This chapter is a fascinating breather episode that’s anything but restful. It’s a masterclass in the Mortal Stream’s core credo: “Social Bluffing is a real combat skill.” Pay close attention to how Han Li’s tone shifts from cold pragmatism with Yan Shi to soft politeness with Mo Fengwu. He’s like a chess player, using different opening moves for different pieces. The contrast between the high-stakes psychological warfare in the Mo Estate and the crude information gathering with the gang leaders is deliberate. It shows that Han Li is equally skilled in navigating a noble’s drawing room and a back-alley tavern. This chapter is all about building the foundation for his next big move. The seeds planted here—a grateful ally in the Mo family, a piece of information about local cultivators, and the acquisition of a portrait of Jia Tianlong—will bear fruit in the trials to come. Enjoy the calm before the storm. Fellow Daoists, witness the power of a well-placed favor and a well-told lie.