"How old do you think I am?" Mo Dafu asked, his face twitching as his muscles stiffened, a question that seemed completely unrelated to anything they had been discussing.
"From your appearance, I'd say you're in your sixties. But since you're asking, your real age must not match your looks. Are you either much older or much younger?" Han Li replied calmly, though inwardly he was surprised by the question.
"Ha, ha! Truly worthy of someone who practices 'Changchun Gong'," Mo Dafu said, almost admiringly. His gaze grew warmer, filled with curiosity. "A country bumpkin like you, turned into such a sharp, quick-witted person!"
"You guessed right. I'm only thirty-seven years old," Mo Dafu revealed, a number that shocked Han Li to his core.
"Impossible," Han Li said, for the first time feeling genuine astonishment.
"Impossible, indeed! People who meet me often think I'm in my sixties. If I told them I was seventy, they wouldn't question it," Mo Dafu's voice suddenly rose in pitch, turning sharp and almost painful to the ears, as if striking a nerve deep within him.
"I, Mo Juren, was once well-known in the martial world of Lianzhou in Yue Country, creating quite a reputation for myself. With nothing but my bare hands, I carved out my own territory. Heh, in those days, who didn't know the fearsome name of 'Ghost Hand'? Whether on the right side or the wrong side of the law, those who followed me thrived, and those who opposed me perished." As Mo Dafu spoke, his voice became deeper, filled with a nostalgic pride. His eyes gleamed with a sharp, almost deadly light, as if he had returned to those days when he held power and commanded respect.
Han Li was taken aback. He had never imagined that his so-called "master" had such a grand past.
"Unfortunately, that glory didn't last long. Just as I was about to break through and expand further, I was betrayed by someone close to me—someone I trusted. They used underhanded means to sabotage me. Though I managed to use my medical expertise to stabilize my condition, I couldn't fully recover. My martial arts were greatly diminished, and I could no longer maintain my footing in the local scene. Fearing more assassination attempts, I was forced to abandon my life's work and family, hiding in the remote corners of Yue Country, seeking a way to restore my strength." As Mo Dafu continued, his voice grew cold with hatred, and his hands clenched into fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, drawing blood. But he seemed oblivious to the pain, lost in his vengeful thoughts. His face twisted into a look of pure malice, the kind that sent chills down Han Li's spine.
The venom in Mo Dafu's words made Han Li shudder. He could feel the coldness in the air, the hatred that seemed to have no end.
"By chance, I came across a mysterious book in a hidden place. It was extremely difficult to understand, but after much effort, I finally grasped the basics. And from that book, I found a way to restore my power. I followed its methods... and then..." Mo Dafu paused, as if struggling with his emotions. His frustration and regret were clear, yet he didn't continue immediately.
"Then you ended up in this sorry state," Han Li finished for him coldly, his voice sharp.
"Yes, indeed. I never expected that following the book's instructions would restore my strength, but it came at a terrible price. My body aged rapidly, and I transformed into this decrepit, half-human, half-ghost form," Mo Dafu admitted, his voice heavy with regret. He nodded, not angered by Han Li's blunt remark.
"By now, I suppose you know the reason for all this," Han Li said, his tone turning more serious.
"Yes. It was because of my improper method that evil energy invaded me. Now, every day I live is equivalent to ten days for an ordinary person. My life force is constantly draining, and I am on the verge of collapse. Fortunately, I am skilled in self-care, and with the help of a secret medicine I concocted, I've managed to slow the process. But time is running out," Mo Dafu said, his expression bitter.
"How does the practice of the 'Changchun Gong' help with this?" Han Li cut straight to the point, eager to understand the connection.
"Not long after I transformed into this, I discovered a way to reverse it, and that way was through the 'Changchun Gong'—the very technique you are practicing. If someone who has reached the fourth level of the Gong uses their energy to stimulate certain acupoints, I can break free of this curse and restore my lost vitality," Mo Dafu explained, his tone serious.
"Why me? Why not just find anyone else who practices this technique?" Han Li asked, his brows furrowing as he thought through the situation.
"Do you think the 'Changchun Gong' is something anyone can practice? This technique requires a young person, one with a special constitution—'spiritual root' body, as I've come to understand. I'm not sure what 'spiritual root' means, but I've tried hundreds of children before you, and none of them could practice it," Mo Dafu's face twisted with frustration. "I thought it was hopeless and had nearly given up, when I happened to save the life of Wang, the leader of the Seven Xuemen, who had also been betrayed. In our mutual suffering, I saved him, and in gratitude, he invited me to join his sect. I planned to live quietly, in the shadows, and slowly fade away, but... fate had other plans. Somehow, I ended up teaching you the 'Changchun Gong,' just as a last hope. And to my surprise, you responded to it." Mo Dafu's expression shifted into one of dark amusement. "I never expected this turn of events. It seems the heavens have given me a chance after all!"
"But I haven't even reached the fourth level yet. Why trap me now and lay all your cards on the table?" Han Li finally asked, the question he had been dying to ask.
Mo Dafu's expression darkened again. "It's your fault! I've invested so much time and effort into you, and yet you still haven't satisfied me. You keep playing games, avoiding advancing. I thought I could wait another two years, but when I went down the mountain, a sworn enemy recognized me. After a bloody battle, I killed them, but it drained my energy. Now, my life has been further shortened. Even with all my strength, I can only last for another year. How can I afford to wait any longer?" Mo Dafu's earlier self-satisfaction turned into rage, and his eyes burned with anger.
Han Li remained calm on the outside, though inside his mind was reeling. He had suspected that Mo Dafu had ulterior motives, but this level of deceit and manipulation was beyond his expectations. His master's past, his motivations, the true nature of the techniques—it all painted a much darker picture than Han Li had ever imagined.