Even if they knew Mo Han was lying, they were utterly powerless to stop him. If Mo Han refused to confess, no one could uncover the truth, since at that time, only Mo Han and the mysterious shadow were inside the barrier. Were they supposed to go ask the shadow? That was nothing but a pipe dream.

After Mo Han finished speaking, he heard Shui Ling'er speak softly, "Enough. Special Envoy Mo Han has also been through a lot; perhaps we should let him return to rest first. If there are any mysterious questions, we can address them after he wakes up. What is most urgent for us now is finding those who have been infected but haven't completely lost their lives, and figuring out a way to treat them. Even if we don't know how many we can save, saving even a few is better than doing nothing at all."

Hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement. Mo Han inwardly understood that Shui Ling'er was helping him avoid relentless questioning from these people. With that thought, Mo Han smiled gratefully toward Shui Ling'er, and she returned the smile with a nod, her eyes conveying a concern so palpable that even someone as dense as Mo Han could feel it.

After a day of rest, the next morning, Lyle came to notify Mo Han that Guang Lei wished to see him. Mo Han knew it must concern the treatment of the plague. Thinking this, Mo Han readily nodded, signaling Lyle to lead the way. As he arrived at the entrance of the council hall,

he saw Daili, Shui Ling'er, and Murong Feixue were already there. Little Natasha was tightly clutching Daili's hand, staying close beside them.

Upon seeing Mo Han, little Natasha let out a burst of happy cries, her bright eyes sparkling with excitement as she hurried toward him, continuously cheering, "Brother Mo Han, I'm here!"

Seeing this, Mo Han felt a wave of warmth wash over him.

He quickly scooped up the little Natasha, who had run up to him with an excited face, and asked joyfully, "How are you? Did you miss your Brother Mo Han? Are you getting along alright?" Little Natasha immediately nodded vigorously at his words: "I'm great! Sister Daili, Sister Ling'er, and Sister Xue'er have all been wonderful to me. I just really missed you, Brother. I wanted to come see you yesterday, but Sister Xue'er told me to be good and that you needed to rest, and that I could see you today. So, I came with the sisters first thing this morning to wait for you."

Mo Han chuckled heartily at Natasha's candid yet affectionate words: "I knew our little Natasha was the best girl. Once I finish up with these pressing matters in the next couple of days, I’ll take you out to have some fun as a reward, how about that?" Upon hearing this, Natasha

happily planted a kiss on Mo Han's cheek and exclaimed with excitement, "Will Sister Daili and the others go too? Natasha wants to go with the sisters."

"Of course, your Sister Daili and Sister Ling'er, and Sister Xue'er will definitely be going. If you don't believe me, you can ask them," Mo Han said with a smile.

Natasha immediately turned her gaze toward Daili and the others, seemingly awaiting their answer, her eyes filled with hope.

Faced with this little girl who had just recovered from disaster,

no one could possibly refuse her requests—especially Daili and the others.

Shui Ling'er quickly spoke up with a smile, "Of course, we and Sister Daili will all go out with Natasha. When that time comes, Natasha, you need to think carefully about what you want to play and what you want to buy. It will all be paid for by your Brother Mo Han, so go ahead and buy whatever you like. Your Brother Mo Han is a rich man now, isn't he, Brother Mo Han?"

Shui Ling'er even mimicked Natasha's tone, affectionately calling out to Mo Han, and then looked at him with a triumphant expression after she finished.

Shui Ling'er, who usually gave the impression of being poised and steady, suddenly uttering such words caught Mo Han completely off guard; he stood there momentarily stunned. It was only when Natasha asked her question again that he snapped back to attention. Seeing that Daili and the others showed no surprise, only watching him with smiles, he figured they must have grown accustomed to Shui Ling'er's playful temperament from spending time with her these past few days, hence their lack of astonishment.

Realizing this, Mo Han quickly smiled and nodded, saying, "Of course! Whatever our little Natasha likes, your Brother Mo Han will definitely buy it for you. Brother keeps his promises, so don't you worry."

Unexpectedly, Natasha replied very thoughtfully, "Natasha doesn't want things. Natasha just wants to be with Brother."

Hearing this, everyone sighed, moved by the young girl's understanding and sweet nature, which only made them cherish her more.

At that moment, Lyle interjected, "I think the Elders are still waiting for us."

Everyone nodded in response and entered the council hall together.

As soon as they stepped inside, Mo Han noticed quite a number of people already present. Most of those he had seen on his previous visit were also there. Seeing Shui Ling'er and Mo Han enter, everyone in the hall greeted them warmly.

Shui Ling'er, due to her noble status, naturally received immense deference. As for Mo Han, he earned everyone's respect for resolving the disaster, driving away the mysterious shadow, and saving all of Yima City—indeed, potentially saving the entire Duchy of Cardic.

As soon as Mo Han and the others were seated, Prince Luomeisi of the Duchy of Cardic rose, bowed respectfully to Mo Han, and began to speak: "Luomeisi has been dispatched by the King of our esteemed nation to express gratitude for Mr. Mo Han's righteous assistance. Not only did you save the lives of countless commoners in the Duchy of Cardic, but you also saved His Royal Highness the Second Prince, thus preventing the Duchy of Cardic from facing a crisis of succession. For this, His Majesty specifically ordered me to convey his thanks. His Majesty deeply regrets being unable to offer his personal thanks due to ill health. As for the reward, I believe the King will order it delivered within the next day or two. I ask for Mr. Mo Han's patience for just a couple of days." Mo Han was utterly bewildered by this. When did he save their Second Prince? While resolving the plague made sense, the Second Prince—he hadn't even seen what the Prince looked like, so how could he have saved him? After the fierce battle yesterday, he hadn't even recalled the Second Prince's situation and had intended to send someone to search for him today. Yet, Prince Luomeisi was now telling him the Second Prince had already been rescued by him? Thinking of this, Mo Han quickly interjected, "Regarding the matter of His Royal Highness the Second Prince, this humble one did not contribute much..."

Just as Mo Han was about to continue explaining, Shui Ling'er spoke up beside him: "Special Envoy Mo Han need not be so modest. Even if you did not personally rescue the Second Prince, you were indeed the one who dispatched personnel to save the besieged Prince. Therefore, this merit rightfully belongs to you."

Hearing Shui Ling'er's explanation, Prince Luomeisi quickly nodded in agreement and thanked Mo Han once more. Although Mo Han still harbored doubts, since Shui Ling'er had put it that way, she must have her reasons. Thus, he could only refrain from speaking further, signaling his tacit approval.

Seeing that the matter of the commendation was settled, Guang Lei then turned to Mo Han to inquire about the treatment of the epidemic.

Guang Lei explained to Mo Han that while most infected people had perished in the forbidden spell, a small number had been less severely infected. Consequently, they hadn't been controlled by the shadow's influence and hadn't participated in the fighting, remaining indoors to escape death. Nevertheless, even so, if treatment wasn't administered quickly, another disaster could erupt. This was why Guang Lei and the others were so eager to learn what Mo Han's proposed cure actually was. After Guang Lei finished speaking, everyone in the hall turned their gaze toward Mo Han. Seeing this, Mo Han smiled and began to explain: "In truth, I mentioned long ago that I couldn't be completely certain; I could only do my best. Whether these people can be cured ultimately depends on our little Natasha."

After saying this, Mo Han smiled and looked at Natasha, who was sitting beside him clutching his hand.

Upon hearing her name mentioned by Mo Han, Natasha became a little nervous, looking at him with confusion, wondering what this matter being discussed by the adults had to do with her.

Seeing her reaction, Mo Han gently patted her little cheek to comfort her: "It's alright, my dear. Your Brother Mo Han is right here. Don't be afraid."

Hearing Mo Han's reassurance, little Natasha nodded and was less tense, though her small hand still gripped Mo Han's tightly, as if afraid he would leave, and she unconsciously leaned against him, seeking a sense of security.

Noticing this, Mo Han quickly smiled, lifted her onto his lap, and continued: "We won't know the results of all this for a few days. Oh, Uncle Lyle, have you finished preparing the things I asked you to get ready? How much longer?" Mo Han turned to Lyle, who was standing near Shui Ling'er, and asked with a smile.

Lyle replied, "If there are no unexpected delays, the items should be delivered by tomorrow."

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