Tang San smiled faintly and bowed to the Great Master, Flandre, and Liu Erlong. "Master, I'm sorry for worrying you. Actually, Senior Dugu brought me here with no ill intent—he was merely examining the properties of the Eight Spider Lance's toxin. Senior Dugu saw that I have exceptional talent and decided to teach me some knowledge about poison-type Martial Souls. How did you end up clashing with Senior Dugu?"
Hearing Tang San's words, not only were the Great Master and the other two stunned—even Dugu Bo was somewhat taken aback. None of them had expected Tang San to say something like this.
The Great Master looked at Tang San with some confusion, studying his disciple's expression for any hint of deception. "Is that really what happened? But just now, Senior Dugu said he had already killed you?"
Tang San laughed. "Senior Dugu was probably just joking with you. With his status and standing, why would he possibly lay a hand on someone of my generation?"
Dugu Bo watched Tang San's back as a flurry of emotions surged through his heart. Everyone appreciated flattery, and Tang San's words had effectively smoothed things over for him. Especially when he heard Tang San's last remark, the old man couldn't help but feel his face flush slightly. It was true—using his status and position to bully a junior like Tang San would indeed be something to be ashamed of.
Tang San turned to face Dugu Bo, still wearing his warm smile. "Oh, right, Senior Dugu—yesterday you mentioned you'd tell me about the characteristics of the snake venom in Dugu Yan's body. I've discovered that her snake venom actually can be neutralized. I'd like to discuss it with you when we get the chance. What do you think?"
At the mention of Dugu Yan, Dugu Bo's heart jolted. He understood immediately—this was Tang San telling him that he had already found a way to treat the deadly poison afflicting his granddaughter.
With Tang San's deft turn of conversation, Dugu Bo's emotions gradually calmed down. Weighing the pros and cons, the killing intent within him slowly receded.
Because he realized that killing these four people before him would bring him no benefit whatsoever—only considerable trouble. Setting aside the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family behind Liu Erlong and the Great Master, there was also the matter they had mentioned: Tang San's father, who was the truly troublesome problem that gave Dugu Bo a headache. Judging from Tang San's talent and the tone the Great Master and the others had used earlier, Dugu Bo could naturally deduce that they would not have lied to him—after all, they had all believed Tang San was dead.
But if he spared them, with Tang San's cover story already laid out, the hostility between them would dissolve into nothing. And if this boy could also reverse the toxic backlash in both his and Yan Yan's bodies, that would actually be a good thing.
Dugu Bo was, after all, a cunning old fox. Having thought this through, the cold menace on his face vanished instantly, and he said in an easy tone, "Fine, we'll discuss it later. I must say, these teachers of yours really do care about you. Just now I tested their strength, and I nearly came out worse for it."
The three from the Golden Iron Triangle exchanged bewildered glances, hardly believing their ears. Moments ago, they had clearly sensed the murderous aura radiating from Dugu Bo—so how had this old monster suddenly turned it into a "test"?
Dugu Bo walked over to Tang San and reached out to ruffle his hair affectionately, then addressed the Great Master and the other two. "Your student here is truly outstanding. To be frank, I'd like to take him as my successor. I've never been in the habit of explaining myself to anyone, but for this boy's sake, I'll make an exception. I was simply testing whether you were qualified to be his teachers. You did well. Your strength may not be at the very peak, but your willingness to die for a friend—that kind of character earns my respect."
The last few words from Dugu Bo were not mere flattery. Despite his notoriously narrow-minded nature, always acting on his own whims, he did feel a measure of admiration for the way the Great Master and the other two had faced death with composure.
Flandre stared at the calm-faced Dugu Bo and suddenly felt a mix of amusement and disbelief. Then he glanced at how warmly Dugu Bo was treating Tang San, and for the moment, he simply couldn't figure out what was going on.
Tang San said, "Master, you should head back first. Senior Dugu's expertise in the art of poison is vast and profound. My Blue Silver Grass also possesses poison abilities, and I'd like to study under Senior Dugu for a while. Would that be all right?"
The Great Master looked at Tang San, confused. He certainly knew of Dugu Bo's standing among poison-type Soul Masters. If the old man was truly willing to teach Tang San, then it would be an incredible opportunity for him. But something still felt strange. The change in Dugu Bo's demeanor had been far too dramatic.
However, everyone had a fear of death, and Dugu Bo had offered his own explanation. There was no way they could challenge it now.
Dugu Bo smiled faintly. "What? You don't feel safe leaving Xiao San in my care? Or are you worried I'll steal your disciple? Don't be. I've already confirmed you're qualified to be his teachers, so I won't compete with you. This child's talent has genuinely astonished me. Give me six months to a year at most, and I'll return him to you in one piece. Even though we've only spent a short time together, I've actually grown rather fond of the boy."
Flandre gave the Great Master a meaningful look, then bowed slightly to Dugu Bo. "Poison Douluo's word has always been as good as gold. Since you've said so, then everything that just happened was simply a misunderstanding. On behalf of the three of us, I apologize for our earlier rashness. That Xiao San can study under you for a time is his good fortune. However, this child has been with us for years, much like our own son. Would it be possible for us to visit him while he studies with you?"
Dugu Bo replied mildly, "Of course. Just don't come too frequently."
Only after hearing this did the three members of the Golden Iron Triangle finally relax. The Great Master nodded to Dugu Bo. "In that case, we'll trouble you, Senior."
Dugu Bo glanced at Tang San beside him and said flatly, "No trouble at all." He flicked his hand, and three pills flew into the hands of the three members of the Golden Iron Triangle. "Hold this pill in your mouth when you leave, and my poison array won't affect you. The pill can be reused. Don't forget it next time you visit."
Flandre smiled. "Very well. The three of us will take our leave. We'll come to pay our respects another day."
Dugu Bo nodded and made no move to stop them, allowing the three to depart. Before leaving, the Great Master cast a meaningful glance at Tang San but ultimately said nothing. With Flandre's help, he made his way down the mountain. Although all three had expended considerable Soul Power, as long as they were careful, leaving the Sunset Forest should not be a problem.
Watching the three receding figures, Dugu Bo withdrew the hand he had rested on Tang San's head and said coldly, "Kid, why did you cover for me? Did I need that?"
Tang San turned to look at Dugu Bo. "That was part of our deal. You agreed to do three things for me—have you forgotten?"
Dugu Bo snorted. "That's only if you can actually cure the poison in Yan Yan and me. But I'm growing more and more suspicious—are you really only thirteen? You're practically a little monster. Time's almost up. If you can't pass my test, you'll still die."
Tang San suddenly laughed. "Old Monster, didn't you just say you always keep your promises? You seemed to tell my teachers that you'd return me to them in one piece."
Dugu Bo shot him a sideways glare. "I did say that. But a corpse can be a complete body too."
"You—" Tang San stared at him in shock, but Dugu Bo had already turned and was heading up the mountain.
In truth, the moment Dugu Bo had suppressed his killing intent, he had already decided to spare the Golden Iron Triangle and Tang San. When he had first captured Tang San, he hadn't expected that so many forces lurked behind these people—forces that even he would find troublesome. Killing Tang San would bring him no benefit, only heaps of trouble. Though he acted entirely on his own inclinations, he was no lunatic without any sense of restraint.
So Dugu Bo had already decided that even if Tang San failed his test and couldn't cure the poison in him and his granddaughter, he would not kill the boy. He had said earlier that he rather liked Tang San, and that was no lie. Everything Tang San had shown in this brief time had genuinely stirred the old man's appreciation for talent.
The three of them descended the mountain and did not rush to leave. The mountain was protected by Dugu Bo's poison array; beyond it lay an ocean of Soul Beasts. All three had expended considerable Soul Power, so they stopped to rest at the mountain's base.
Flandre lowered his voice and said to the Great Master, "Xiao Gang, do you think Dugu Bo really intends to teach Xiao San?" The feeling of surviving a brush with death was, after all, a pleasant one—no one wanted to die as long as they could live. But now that he had calmed down, he could clearly sense that something was off about this situation.
The Great Master shook his head and said gravely, "There's definitely something behind this. But with Dugu Bo's status, why would he have become so close to Xiao San without some special reason? And he seemed to be somewhat wary of what Xiao San said."
Flandre nodded. "But regardless, Xiao San should be safe for the time being. Otherwise, Dugu Bo wouldn't have let us go. Especially now that he knows Xiao San's background—if he were to harm Xiao San again, he'd only be inviting disaster on himself. A man who rose to become a Titled Douluo is naturally no fool. That kind of trouble is something no one would want to bring upon themselves."
The Great Master sighed softly. "All we can do now is hope for the best. Don't tell anyone about this when we get back. Just say Tang San has been arranged to train in seclusion. First, we don't want to disrupt the other children's cultivation. Second, we need to keep this quiet for now—unless we can find Tang San's father, we cannot act rashly again. The power of a Titled Douluo is truly beyond what we can handle."
(End of Chapter)