Chapter 103: The Healing (Part 1)

One had to admit, Hu Mo was truly astonished by Huang Sheng’s recent progress. These past days, he had been preoccupied with his own affairs and hadn’t paid much attention to Huang Sheng’s moves. Yet, in just over a month, Huang Sheng’s standing within the Huang family had risen remarkably.

Huang Yuanshan had entrusted Huang Sheng with thirty percent of the Huang family’s holdings in Flame City, as well as the management of numerous shops nationwide. Subtly, the distance between him and Huang Kun had narrowed considerably.

Seeing Hu Mo’s surprised expression, Huang Sheng merely smiled faintly and remarked casually, “There’s nothing to be surprised about. As the saying goes, gold will always shine. Perhaps it’s because I’m shining now.”

He then tossed his long hair back, wearing an expression as if worshipped by thousands.

“You’re so full of yourself, not humble at all!” Hu Mo teased, kicking him away playfully.

Huang Sheng grinned and scampered back, rubbing his backside with a mischievous smile. “It’s all thanks to the influence of Big Brother Hu Mo. Pressure breeds motivation, and the pressure you put on me isn’t small!”

After a moment of rubbing, he sighed deeply, his tone turning somber. “Once my elder brother recovers, toppling Huang Kun won’t be much of a problem. Though my grandfather and father have always sided with Huang Kun, it’s mainly because of his abilities. The Huang family’s legacy has been passed down for generations, and they don’t want any issues in their time. With my elder brother and me in such a state, they have no choice but to rely on Huang Kun.”

Hu Mo felt a surge of admiration at Huang Sheng’s words. If it were him, he doubted he could be so open-minded. Over the past decade, Huang Sheng had endured immense suffering, yet he harbored no bitter hatred for the world and saw everything with remarkable clarity—something Hu Mo knew he could never match.

“Don’t worry, brother. Your elder brother is my elder brother too. I will definitely cure him,” Hu Mo said naturally, patting his shoulder.

Huang Sheng nodded, and together they walked into his newly renovated courtyard. With his rising status, his living conditions had greatly improved—fragrant gardens filled with buzzing bees and fluttering butterflies, a place that lifted the spirits and soothed the soul.

Hu Mo couldn’t help but envy the young man. Compared to him, his own life was truly miserable. He was constantly busy day and night, even having to practice cultivation in his sleep. Apart from Cang Ling and Lin Nan, everyone else in the mansion resembled the heroine of a horror film—and a sci-fi horror at that—which weighed heavily on Hu Mo’s mind.

Meanwhile, Huang Sheng enjoyed fine food, comfortable living, and entertainment. Beautiful maidservants moved coquettishly before them, hips swaying like water snakes, their expectant expressions making Hu Mo’s throat dry with longing. He glanced at Huang Sheng, secretly wondering how the young man had endured it all.

This time, Hu Mo had disguised himself, appearing as a scholarly gentleman in his sixties or seventies, flawless in his disguise. After the last incident he stirred up in the Huang mansion, another disruption would be even more troublesome to resolve.

Huang Sheng, seemingly unfazed, headed toward his room. Before they reached the door, Huang Zong, seated in a wooden wheelchair, slowly approached. Hu Mo sensed Huang Zong’s emotions were highly agitated, mixed with confusion—he too was deceived by Hu Mo’s appearance.

“Big brother, Big Brother Hu Mo has come to help you heal,” Huang Sheng hurried over, grasping Huang Zong’s trembling arm with a smile. He was quite accustomed to calling him “Big Brother Hu Mo.”

Hu Mo returned the smile and stepped forward. “Brother Huang Zong, you look well today. It seems Huang Sheng has prepared everything as I instructed. Haha, don’t be surprised—this appearance is just for convenience.”

Hu Mo placed his hand on Huang Zong’s shoulder, and a faint aura of battle power slowly seeped into his body, scanning within.

Huang Zong nodded gently, smiling. “Indeed, Brother Hu Mo’s insights are profound. I admit I was skeptical at first, but after a month of following your treatment plan, my constitution has improved remarkably. I am truly grateful.”

Hu Mo chuckled. “Brother Huang Zong, you are too polite. This is but a small matter. Huang Sheng is a responsible younger brother—if he hadn’t prepared so well, I would have had many more concerns.” As he spoke, Hu Mo’s right hand, previously motionless, suddenly ignited with crimson flames. The fiery energy traveled through Huang Zong’s meridians once before he withdrew his hand.

“Big Brother Hu Mo, how is my elder brother now? Can we start treatment?” Huang Sheng asked anxiously. For over a decade, he had awaited this day, and now that it was near, how could he not be both excited and nervous?

Hu Mo smiled faintly, observing their anxious faces, then nodded gently. “It’s almost time. When I last diagnosed Brother Huang Zong, I found his yang meridian was damaged, battle power leaking, and his innate battle soul shattered. Similar to your condition, both caused by toxins. The difference is yours is continuous, his was a single injury.”

Huang Sheng and Huang Zong looked baffled, unable to grasp his meaning.

Hu Mo smiled awkwardly. “What I mean is, Brother Huang Zong’s body no longer harbors lingering toxins—only old wounds need healing. Once treated, he can stand again. Most doctors, even imperial physicians, would misdiagnose it as a mere severe injury.”

“No wonder. When you said my brother was poisoned, I found it hard to believe. But how did you figure it out?” Huang Sheng asked.

“Haha, silly you. When you had that stubborn body odor, did those imperial doctors find the root cause? When your toxic condition flared up, did those so-called miracle doctors detect it? They can only treat simple ailments—anything complex, they’re helpless,” Hu Mo said confidently, already clear on the treatment plan.

Huang Sheng agreed enthusiastically, his excitement evident. Huang Zong, now calm, smiled faintly in gratitude.

“Then Brother Hu Mo, no matter if my injury is cured or not, my brother and I shall serve you loyally, under heaven as our witness!” Huang Zong declared loudly. Though frail, his words carried a commanding aura that surprised even Hu Mo.

Hu Mo smiled. “Brother Huang Zong, you flatter me. There’s no need for such formality. Huang Sheng and I are like real brothers; you are his elder brother, so naturally you are mine. If you keep this up, I won’t dare stay here.”

Huang Zong shook his head gently. “Brother Hu Mo, I accept your brotherhood, but saving a life is a debt not to be taken lightly.”

Understanding his meaning, Hu Mo relented. He gestured toward the room. “Brother Huang Zong, let’s go inside. Since Huang Sheng has prepared everything, we can begin.”

Huang Sheng had already sent away the servants; the room was peaceful, filled with the scent of herbs.

“Brother Hu Mo, all 108 herbs you mentioned have been prepared. If there’s anything else needed, just say the word,” Huang Sheng said cheerfully, still buzzing with excitement.

Hu Mo nodded. “Bring a large bucket of hot water... No, better prepare a big wooden tub. So much hot water would draw attention and be troublesome.”

Huang Sheng hesitated briefly, then nodded enthusiastically and dashed out.

Soon, he returned, struggling to carry a huge wooden tub, placing it carefully in the room’s center.

Hu Mo patted his shoulder and approached the tub, slipping his left hand into the water. A blue light flashed, and a bucket of crystal-clear water appeared before them. Huang Sheng’s mouth dropped wide enough to fit a fist, while Huang Zong stared in disbelief.

“Such refined water control! My heavens, brother, have you reached Battle King level? No, even Battle Kings rarely wield water battle power so calmly. It’s incredible,” Huang Zong said, dazed. If his legs weren’t disabled, he’d want to touch it himself to satisfy his curiosity.

Hu Mo smiled lightly. “Brother, you overstate. It’s a trivial skill. Huang Sheng, bring over the herbs.”

Huang Sheng exclaimed happily and hurriedly gathered the herbs, working up a sweat.

Hu Mo immediately began selecting herbs. Suddenly, his right hand ignited with scarlet flames. The herbs, scorched by the fire, turned into hot colored powders which he dropped into the water. His movements were swift and fluid, each step smooth and precise, leaving Huang Zong and Huang Sheng dazzled and speechless.

“Good heavens, such powerful fire control as well. Water and fire battle power together—this can’t be a dream,” Huang Zong murmured. Now, from his heart, he felt genuine admiration and gripped Huang Sheng’s hand tightly.

“Little Sheng, your insight is truly remarkable. Big Brother is impressed!” Huang Zong’s voice trembled with emotion.

Huang Sheng proudly puffed out his chest. “Of course! Big Brother, how could my judgment be wrong? Ever since Big Brother Hu Mo spoke those words at Drunken Fragrance, I’ve truly seen clearly: he is a real dragon, one we can only look up to!”

Hu Mo paid no attention to their chatter, fully immersed in refining the herbs. After more than an hour, all 108 herbs were completely processed. The once-clear bath water had turned multicolored and bubbled gently.

Hu Mo exhaled deeply. The hour-long refinement had consumed nearly fifty to sixty percent of his fire battle power. Without the power conversion of his Three Treasures, he might not have managed.

He glanced at the tub with satisfaction. “It’s ready. Brother Huang Zong, strip and soak for half an hour. Then I’ll use acupuncture. This time, I intend to eliminate the root of your illness completely! Trust me, I’m confident!”