Chapter 23: Embarrassing Youthful Memories

When Wu Tong saw that Dugu Bo had admitted to possessing the Icefire Yin-Yang Well, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. After all, if Dugu Bo had denied it, Wu Tong wouldn't have had any alternatives left.

"As expected. Since you have that kind of treasure ground, old man, then I can deal with both your poison and Sister Yan's. I can even help evolve your martial spirits—after that, you won't have to worry about the poison ever again."

The moment Dugu Bo heard that, he grabbed Wu Tong's shoulders in excitement. "You're serious? We won't have to worry about the poison anymore?"

"Ow—ow! Old man, let go! My shoulders are about to break!"

Feeling the increasing pressure, Wu Tong hurriedly cried out.

"It's true. As long as your treasure ground contains the herbs I need, curing your martial spirit poison will be easy."

"That's wonderful… Xin'er, did you hear that? We can finally be free of the poison…" Dugu Bo let go of Wu Tong and, with eyes turning red, murmured with a hoarse, trembling voice.

Wu Tong didn't reply. He knew who Xin'er was. Dugu Bo had mentioned him before during their past chats.

His son, Dugu Xin, had succumbed to the backlash from his martial spirit's poison. He died in his early forties. At the time of Dugu Xin's death, Dugu Bo had been in seclusion, breaking through to Title Douluo. He never got to see his son one last time. This left him full of remorse, and the martial spirit poison became a lasting scar in his heart.

After Dugu Xin's death, Dugu Bo became deeply sentimental.

He doted on his only granddaughter, Dugu Yan, to the extreme. Whatever she wanted, he would go to any length to get it for her.

In the original story, because Tang San cured Dugu Bo's poison, Dugu Bo treated him like a lifelong friend, baring his heart and soul. During the final battle, he didn't even hesitate to sacrifice his reputation and went as far as slaughtering an entire city.

Prince Xue Xing once saved Dugu Bo's life, and Dugu Bo repaid him by becoming his personal guardian. At the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, he even helped Prince Xue Xing suppress the Shrek group.

Clearly, once you became Dugu Bo's friend, he would treat you with absolute sincerity and never hold back his loyalty.

It was precisely because of this emotional depth that Wu Tong decided to help him.

Besides, he already had a good relationship with Dugu Bo. Honestly, who wouldn't want a friend who would give their all for you?

"Little freak, let's go right now. Take me to that Icefire Yin-Yang Well!"

Dugu Bo, unable to wait, grabbed Wu Tong's hand and tried to drag him away.

"Old monster, what's the rush? You've waited all these years—can't you wait another day? Let's go tomorrow. Today, you can get Sister Yan a leave of absence. Tomorrow, we'll go together and fix both of your problems in one go."

"Also, I've got some things to prepare today, and I need to let Brother Xue know I'll be heading out for a while."

Wu Tong shook off Dugu Bo's hand and tried to calm him down.

"You're right. That makes sense. I'll go get Yan'er a leave right now."

Hearing that, Dugu Bo realized Wu Tong was being reasonable and let go.

"Old man, there's one more thing I need your help with."

Wu Tong immediately got to the point.

"Wow, it's rare to hear you ask for a favor. This really is a rare sight. You actually need my help? Go ahead, what is it? If I can do it, I definitely will."

Dugu Bo knew Wu Tong was the type who didn't visit without a reason. Since Wu Tong had finally brought up a request, he made his promise right away.

"Don't worry, it's nothing big. I've just broken through and need a soul ring. I came to ask you to help me hunt down a suitable soul beast."

Wu Tong didn't bother with pleasantries and stated his purpose directly.

"You really are shameless, huh? No problem. You need a soul beast? Leave it to me. I refuse to believe that a Title Douluo like me can't catch one for you."

Dugu Bo waved his gray robe. Instantly, soul power erupted like a storm, surging across the entire hall. The sheer might of it rolled in like thunderclouds before a tempest, pressing down with crushing force.

"So this is… the aura of a Title Douluo? It's truly terrifying."

Wu Tong felt the overwhelming pressure invade his mind and couldn't help but marvel.

"Alright, old man, that's everything I came to say. I should head back and prepare now. Don't forget to request leave for Sister Yan. Tomorrow we'll go to the Icefire Yin-Yang Well together."

Leaving behind the dazed and emotional Dugu Bo, who still seemed to think he was dreaming, Wu Tong turned and left the Dugu residence.

…

The next day.

Before dawn, Wu Tong was yanked out from under his blanket by Dugu Bo.

In the carriage, Wu Tong dozed off, his body swaying from side to side, looking like he might collapse at any moment.

"Old man, isn't this a bit too early? It's not even light out yet."

The night before, Wu Tong had been busy gathering the tools and containers needed to harvest herbs, working until very late. Feeling like he'd barely slept, Wu Tong was now full of complaints after being dragged out so early.

With sleepy, half-lidded eyes, he glared at Dugu Bo. If he weren't too weak to fight him, Wu Tong might've already started swinging. Can you imagine how much resentment someone feels when they've just fallen asleep and are immediately woken up?

"Haha, it's not that early. By the time we reach the Icefire Yin-Yang Well, it'll be noon."

Dugu Bo didn't mind Wu Tong's complaints at all. He was simply eager to get rid of the poison and couldn't wait another minute.

"Fine… I'm going to sleep for a bit. Wake me when we get there."

With that, Wu Tong could no longer resist his exhaustion and flopped over onto the floor of the carriage. If it hadn't been for the wool carpet, he'd probably have ended up with a huge bump on his head.

"Grandpa, is this the Master Wu Tong you invited so many times but never got to come? He looks so young. Can he really cure our martial spirit poison?"

Beside Dugu Bo, a young girl frowned as she looked at the sleeping Wu Tong.

She had short, dark purple hair, striking green eyes, and a lovely appearance. Her light green tight-fitting outfit showed off her curves to perfection. She was none other than Dugu Bo's only granddaughter—Dugu Yan.

"Sweet girl, of course the little freak is young. He's only twelve. That incident all those years ago shook the entire continent. Before that, who would've thought a child could cause something like that?"

Dugu Bo chuckled as he explained, seeing her disbelief. Remembering the great battle from six years ago still left him rattled. Who could've expected that so many major powers would clash over a child?

And the number of Title Douluo within Spirit Hall… Dugu Bo thought back to all the times he'd provoked Spirit Hall and felt a cold chill run through him. Honestly, the fact he was still alive was a miracle.

"Ah? So he's just a little brother? Grandpa, those famous treatises—did that little guy really write them?"

Dugu Yan was shocked to learn Wu Tong was only twelve, then voiced the doubt in her heart.

"Of course. Let's be real, can your grandpa be fooled that easily? I had a secret meeting with him when we first met. Back then, the little freak could barely stand in front of me, his legs nearly gave out. But he still forced himself to stay calm and talk to me. Thinking back now, it's kind of nostalgic.

He was eloquent and confident. Every professional question I threw at him, he answered with ease. Those books really were his."

As Dugu Bo answered his granddaughter's question, he recalled their first encounter, and the memory made this old eccentric chuckle.

Then he remembered the line Wu Tong had said to him back then: "Mister Dugu Bo, you wouldn't want anything to happen to Dugu Yan, would you?"

The memory made him gnash his teeth all over again.

But for a seven-year-old child, to remain calm under the pressure of a Title Douluo, to understand how to leverage the situation, and even turn around to threaten him—Dugu Bo had to admit, it was impressive.

To bare your fangs at someone far stronger than you—not everyone has that kind of courage.

(End of Chapter)

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