Chapter 51: Handsome Man

Upon hearing this, Han Li's heart involuntarily tensed. However, the scene that unfolded next profoundly impacted his mind, making him realize just how many unknown things existed in the world.

As Dr. Mo's loud cry escaped his lips, the seven peculiar blades embedded in him began to vibrate. From their skull-like hilts, a low buzzing hum emanated, growing progressively louder and sharper, as if the blades were coming to life and struggling to free themselves from his body.

Dr. Mo, seeing that the strange blades seemed unresponsive, grew somewhat agitated. He muttered something under his breath; Han Li couldn't quite catch the words due to their low volume and rapid delivery, but he surmised it was likely nothing polite.

Dr. Mo stood up and paced around the room once. Finally, he stomped his foot in frustration, then helplessly extended an index finger and inserted it into the wide mouth of one of the skull-shaped hilts.

An unbelievable event unfolded: the skull, which was supposed to be an inanimate object, autonomously closed its mouth. With its crude, oversized fangs, it clamped down hard on the offering, then began to gently suck.

Dr. Mo's body trembled slightly, as if he were suppressing immense pain. As black mist obscured his face, Han Li couldn't discern his expression, but he presumed it was undoubtedly grim.

After about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the skull finally seemed satiated. It contentedly released its grip, and the buzzing sound ceased.

Next, Dr. Mo repeated the ritual, feeding each skull in turn before reluctantly withdrawing his finger.

Having completed these actions, Dr. Mo once again formed the same hand seals as before and began to chant under his breath.

This time, the seven peculiar blades did not tremble nor emit any strange sounds. Instead, they simultaneously opened their eyes, revealing blood-red pupils. Their mouths also split wider, their cheeks puffed out as they greedily gulped something from the air.

The ghostly mist shrouding Dr. Mo's face seemed to sense its impending demise; it surged like turbulent waves, and its extending tendrils thrashed about with increasing ferocity, yet it was all in vain.

Seven thin black threads were nevertheless drawn from the ghostly mist, tracing several elegant arcs in mid-air before falling precisely into the seven waiting skull-mouths, where they were slowly consumed.

Han Li was utterly dumbfounded. Since Dr. Mo was seated directly across from him, everything that transpired before his eyes was witnessed with crystal clarity, even down to every tooth on the ghastly faces.

Han Li, encountering a different world for the first time, was completely awestruck by this mystical power. The bizarre silver blades, the eerie skull hilts, and the sinister black mist hovering over Dr. Mo's face – all these inexplicable phenomena thoroughly shattered his preconceived notions. Prior to this, Han Li had always been skeptical of supernatural matters; he simply wouldn't believe anything he hadn't witnessed firsthand.

Now, these spectral scenes, previously confined to legends, were unfolding vividly before him. How could Han Li not be utterly astounded?

For a moment, Han Li's mind was in disarray. Confronted with such inhuman power, and being a prisoner, he was utterly at a loss as to how to respond.

Gradually, the ghostly mist on Dr. Mo's face thinned from dense to sparse, almost entirely consumed by the skull hilts, leaving only a faint, translucent layer vaguely clinging to his features.

At this point, Dr. Mo's face became vaguely discernible. However, the moment Han Li caught sight of the true appearance that was once again revealed, his mouth dropped open in astonishment, unable to close for a long time.

Too many things had astonished Han Li that day, but nothing had been as utterly unbelievable, or left him so completely beside himself, as what he was witnessing now.

At this very moment, the face emerging from the black mist belonged to a robust man in his thirties, in the prime of his life. And from the incredibly familiar eyebrows and eyes, it was unmistakably Dr. Mo himself, merely decades younger.

That resolute, well-defined face, eyes that conveyed authority without anger, and a mouth subtly hinting at a cold smile – it was, by all accounts, the face of an extremely charming and handsome man. Such a mature male appearance possessed a fatal allure for women; whether innocent maidens in their youth or embittered wives confined to the courtyards of grand estates, they often found themselves powerless against the advances of such a man. With merely a casual gesture, most would willingly succumb, becoming deeply ensnared and unable to escape.

Upon seeing this face, Han Li unexpectedly felt an urge to punch and disfigure it. It seemed that its exceptionally handsome appearance was simply too provocative to other men.

As the last vestiges of black mist on the face were drawn into the skull-mouth, Han Li suddenly recalled Dr. Mo mentioning that he was originally only in his thirties. He had only become so decrepit and aged due to an accident during his recovery, where evil spirits had continuously drained his vital essence for an extended period.

In this regard, it seemed Dr. Mo had not deceived him. This current appearance truly must be Dr. Mo's original self, though his method of recovery was simply too incredible.

It was then that Han Li realized Dr. Mo's transformation wasn't limited to his appearance; his body and hair had also changed accordingly. His dark, stiff hair and upright, imposing physique unequivocally indicated he was in the prime of his life, with his physical strength and vitality at their absolute peak.

"But if Dr. Mo has a way to restore his original appearance, then why does he need to go to such extreme lengths with me?" Han Li pondered.

Han Li felt a surge of confusion. He snapped out of his shock, realizing he was still in grave danger. His mind began to race, incessantly analyzing the situation, trying to devise a strategy for escape.

Han Li observed that the rejuvenated Dr. Mo appeared somewhat dazed; he stood motionless, uttering not a word.

After a long pause, he finally raised a hand, his gaze lingering on the smooth skin of its back with the look of someone beholding a long-lost treasure. He then closed his eyes, pressed his palm tightly against his cheek, and gently rubbed it, seemingly savoring the vitality of youth once again.

Dr. Mo's narcissistic expression was a bit much for Han Li to bear. He simply couldn't comprehend the complex emotions Dr. Mo must be feeling at that moment, a mix of loss and regained youth.

"Old Mo, you seem to have recovered completely," Han Li began, "Do you perhaps no longer need my services? If so, would you be willing to spare me? I could continue to serve you faithfully from now on, attending to your needs."

Han Li, unable to restrain himself any longer, still had no idea how Dr. Mo intended to deal with him. Therefore, despite knowing Dr. Mo wouldn't simply let him go, he feigned ignorance and foolishly probed for information, hoping to discover his fate sooner so he could make alternative plans.