Seeing Mo Caihuan in such a state, Han Li knew now was not the time to press for details, so he dropped the matter. And so, Mo Caihuan led him along until they stopped in front of a small shop on the next street over.
"This place?" Han Li was a bit taken aback, casting a questioning look at Mo Caihuan.
"Yes, this is it! Mom and I started a little business — we just want to earn some spirit stones so we can buy medicine to keep Mom's illness in check." Mo Caihuan's cheeks flushed red, and she spoke with a touch of embarrassment. Then she took the lead and walked inside.
Han Li smiled at this but said nothing, following her in.
"Mom, look who I've brought!"
The moment Han Li stepped through the door, he heard Mo Caihuan's voice ring out like she was presenting a treasured gift! Then came another voice — one familiar to Han Li, though now belonging to a woman grown old and hoarse.
"Who else could possibly come? Ever since your Uncle Zhu passed away, only Auntie Xianglian next door bothers to visit us!"
It was unmistakably Yan Shi's voice, though far more raspy than before.
"No, it's Senior Brother! I ran into Senior Brother inside the fortress!" Mo Caihuan cried out excitedly.
"Senior Brother? Aren't all your senior brothers long dead? Child, have you lost your mind?" Yan Shi's tone was laced with clear worry.
By now, Han Li had taken in the scene inside the shop.
A tiny room perhaps six or seven zhang across, with several wooden display counters lined up neatly. On them sat stacks upon stacks of low-grade talismans alongside some cheap raw materials. A wooden door led to the inner quarters. Behind the counter, a woman lay propped in a bamboo armchair, watching Mo Caihuan before her with a look of concern.
It was Yan Shi — whom he had not seen in nearly a decade.
But she had aged greatly since those days, her face lined with illness. Only in the shape of her brows and eyes could one still glimpse the beautiful woman she had once been.
Han Li's entrance naturally caught Yan Shi's attention. The moment she made out who it was, she froze. Instinctively she tried to rise to her feet, but clearly this was beyond her strength in her weakened state. She managed only half an upright position before slumping back down. Mo Caihuan quickly reached out to steady her.
"You're Han Li?" Yan Shi panted through several labored breaths, then looked at him with the same shock Mo Caihuan had shown — yet beneath that astonishment flickered a faint glimmer of hopeful joy.
Han Li understood perfectly well what was going through her mind. After a brief hesitation, he walked over a few steps and offered a slight bow.
"Greetings, Fourth Mistress."
"You… you're still willing to call me Fourth Mistress? You don't hold a grudge for what happened back then?" The moment Yan Shi heard him address her as "Fourth Mistress," a flash of delight crossed her face, though she still seemed unable to believe it.
"What happened between Master Mo and me — who was right and who was wrong — let's set that aside for now. But the bond of master and disciple between him and me was entirely genuine. So it's only proper that I still call you Fourth Mistress." Han Li spoke with a calm expression.
"As for the antidote later on, there's even less to say — clearly I'm standing here just fine, aren't I?" he added, waving it off. Indeed, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator now, he had no need to hold grudges against mere mortals. The tangled grievances between himself and Yan Shi and the other mistresses were simply no longer worth his attention.
"Of course — with your talent, you must have done quite well for yourself in the world of cultivation! Not like us, your senior mistresses — we've become strays without a home… *cough*…" Yan Shi had managed only a few wistful words before her face suddenly flushed a deep crimson and she broke into a fit of coughing.
"Mom, are you all right! Senior Brother…" Mo Caihuan panicked, hurriedly rubbing her mother's chest while casting a gaze full of pleading at Han Li.
"Let me take a look."
Han Li simply could not withstand Mo Caihuan's imploring eyes. He let out a soft sigh, then reached out and took Yan Shi's wrist to feel her pulse. After a brief moment he released it, his expression unchanged, and spoke.
"It's nothing serious — just old injuries from years past flaring up, compounded by what seems like years of inadequate rest and too much worry and exertion."