Shadows of the Past

The quiet murmur of the night was broken only by the distant calls of the city watch. Mo Bei sat in the dim glow of a lantern, carefully grinding medicinal herbs into a fine powder. The governor's estate had become a temporary sanctuary, but he knew better than to trust comfort. Every step forward came with unseen dangers lurking in the shadows.

A knock on the door pulled him from his work. Liu Yao entered, his face set in a worried expression.

"Master Mo, I've heard whispers," Liu Yao said, closing the door behind him. "There are people who don't like what you're doing."

Mo Bei didn't look up. "That was expected."

"They're not just idle threats," Liu Yao continued. "The court alchemist, those corrupt physicians who have lost face… even some nobles. They see you as a threat."

Mo Bei sighed. "They should see me as an ally. But people in power rarely think that way."

Liu Yao hesitated. "There's more. Someone has been following us. I don't know who, but they are skilled. Too skilled for an ordinary spy."

Mo Bei finally looked up, his sharp eyes meeting Liu Yao's. "Then it seems my presence here has disrupted more than just medical traditions."

A New Patient

The next morning, a messenger from the city arrived, breathless and covered in dust. "Doctor Mo! There's an emergency!"

Mo Bei set down his mortar and pestle. "Calm yourself. What happened?"

"It's the governor's military commander, General Han. He collapsed suddenly during a strategy meeting. He has been unable to rise since."

Liu Yao and the other assistants exchanged uneasy glances. A military commander falling ill without warning? The timing was too convenient.

Mo Bei grabbed his medical kit. "Take me to him."

An Unnatural Illness

General Han's quarters were silent except for the ragged breathing of the unconscious man on the bed. His skin was unusually pale, his lips tinged with blue.

Mo Bei placed his fingers on the general's wrist and activated his system.

[Diagnosis: Poisoning. Cause: Slow-acting venom introduced through food or drink. Symptoms: Progressive paralysis, respiratory failure. Prognosis: Fatal within three days without intervention.]

Mo Bei's expression hardened. This was no natural illness. Someone had tried to assassinate the general.

"The poison is acting slowly, but it's lethal," he said aloud. "If left untreated, he won't last more than three days."

Governor Wei, who had been watching in silence, clenched his fists. "Who would dare target my commander?"

Mo Bei met his gaze. "That is something you will have to find out. My job is to ensure he survives."

Mo Bei worked tirelessly through the night, crafting an antidote from the rare herbs he had stored in his inventory. The process was delicate—too strong a dosage could damage the general's already weakened body, but too weak and the poison would continue its course.

Liu Yao assisted, his hands steady despite the tension in the air. "Master, do you think this was meant for the general… or was it meant for the governor?"

Mo Bei didn't answer immediately. The thought had crossed his mind. If Governor Wei had taken this poison instead, the province would be thrown into chaos.

"Regardless of the target, someone is playing a dangerous game," he finally said. "And they won't stop with just this."

Enemies in the Dark

By dawn, the general's breathing had stabilized. The antidote was working, though he would need days to recover fully.

Governor Wei entered the chamber, his expression grim. "Doctor Mo, you have my thanks once again. But this has confirmed my fears."

Mo Bei nodded. "There is a traitor within your ranks."

The governor's face darkened. "And I intend to find out who it is."

Mo Bei glanced at the sleeping general. "Be careful. The enemy will not stop here."

Outside the estate, hidden in the shadows, a figure watched through narrowed eyes before slipping into the darkness.

Mo Bei had made many lives better—but he had also made powerful enemies.