Chapter 571: Bitter Ten Years Translator: Timothy Editor: GlobeGlotter

Ye Mo waved his hand. “No problem.”

“Grandpa! This—” Xiao Ku rejoiced at Ye Mo’s ability to discern his grandfather’s impending death. If Ye Mo could cure him, their family would finally be free.

“I was rude,” Meng Jiushan interrupted, anticipating his grandson’s plea. He felt embarrassed, but it was best to be direct.

Ye Mo continued, “Mr. Meng, I said I would treat you, and I will. My decision wouldn't change regardless of what you say.”

“Yes, I’m desperate. Please, don’t call me Master; I don’t deserve it. Just call me by my name,” Meng Jiushan said.

“Then, Mr. Meng, tell me about your condition. Your essence is potent, and you show no disease. Why are you like this?” Ye Mo avoided mentioning the death chi surrounding Meng Jiushan.

Meng Jiushan looked troubled. “Would you have time to visit and chat?”

Ye Mo, lacking the time, replied, “I’m sorry, Mr. Meng. I’m busy. After landing in Hong Kong, I’m going straight back. My business isn’t large, but I still have things to do. If you can explain it now, please do. Otherwise, I can’t help you.”

Ye Mo could check Meng Jiushan’s meridians, but knowing this wasn't a physical ailment, it wouldn't be very helpful.

Despite the sensitive nature of the information, Meng Jiushan gritted his teeth. “Our family has always had only one son per generation, and none have lived past sixty. They all die on their sixtieth birthday. Seven generations, and the curse remains unbroken. I have half a month left, so when Doctor Mo said I had half a month, I knew you were capable.”

Ye Mo frowned. Such a thing? If it was a man-made curse, what power would it require?

“Then, let me check your meridians,” Ye Mo said after considering this.

Meng Jiushan’s meridians were calm and normal. Even with his chi, Ye Mo found nothing abnormal.

He was more confused, feeling he was overlooking something. Death chi, it seemed, couldn't be easily cured by physical means.

Though he could dispel the death chi, that would only save Meng Jiushan. All the sons in their family suffered this condition.

Wait—Meng Jiushan’s blood contained faint spirit chi. He’d almost missed that. How could a fortune teller have spirit chi?

“Doctor Mo?” Meng Jiushan asked desperately, seeing Ye Mo’s contemplation.

Ye Mo didn’t reply, saying to Xiao Ku, “Give me your hand.”

Examining Xiao Ku’s meridians, Ye Mo grasped the situation. Xiao Ku also had faint spirit chi, slightly more than Meng Jiushan.

“Mr. Meng, have you and your grandson eaten a unique type of fruit?” Ye Mo asked, his heart pounding. A spirit fruit would be a significant find.

Meng Jiushan was shocked, saluting after a moment. “How did you know, Doctor Mo? Our family has a special fruit, but it should be safe. It’s been passed down. Before learning fortune-telling, we must open our spirit, and that requires eating the fruit.”

He forgot to lower his voice, overwhelmed by shock, though he didn't care if others heard. Many knew of their fruit tree, but only the Meng family could eat it; others would die.

“Is it related to our fruit tree?” Meng Jiushan asked.

Ye Mo thought, If it's a spirit fruit, it should increase lifespan, not shorten it. He needed to confirm. Spirit chi suggested a spirit fruit, but the lifespan reduction was doubtful. He said, “Perhaps not, but tell me the fruit’s characteristics.”

Meng Jiushan trusted Ye Mo; the fruit tree was no secret anyway.

“It matures differently than normal plants. It blooms yearly but never bears fruit. One must wait ten years of consecutive blooming before it bears three fruits. It's precious, but very bitter—inedible. Forcing it makes one faint. So, we use honey…” Ye Mo stopped him.

This was the second main ingredient for his foundation establishment pill, the Bitter Ten Years. He would go to the Meng family regardless. He wouldn't miss this opportunity.

“I can cure you, but I need to visit your house,” Ye Mo said. Cultivation progress came first.

“Mom, look at those frauds. They’ve been acting for so long,” the young woman sneered.

The wealthy woman was stunned. She knew Meng Jiushan’s legend—no male had lived past sixty. It was said to be divine punishment for revealing heavenly secrets.

She became certain they weren’t acting. They were Meng Jiushan and a capable doctor. Meng Jiushan’s air of an immortal Daoist seemed genuine. She stood, saying to Ye Mo, “Doctor, could you help me? I apologize for my daughter. She’s young and doesn’t understand.”

Ye Mo smiled. “Madam, I dare not; the police would arrest me.”

The woman blushed, about to apologize again, but the girl interrupted, “Mom, you still don’t believe me? Are you going to trust a fraud?”

The woman’s face flushed; she slapped her daughter’s hand. “Xiao Yin, I know you mean well, but do you want to see me die? If not for Nan Nan, I might as well, but I can’t yet! You call Master Meng a fraud. Money, money—is it that important? Can you even spend all your money?”

“Mom—” The girl was stunned.

Ye Mo, ignoring them, noticed Luo Dongsheng’s anxious return to his seat.