One sentence from Dugu Bo left everyone in Flandre's office, except Xiao Wu, completely stunned.
Emperor Xue Ye was dying? In that moment, the unease that had been simmering in Tang San's heart finally found its source. He understood at last why he had been struck by such a powerful sense of crisis — it was the atmosphere, that killing intent he had sensed among the soldiers patrolling the streets of Tian Dou City.
As the reigning emperor of one of the two great empires, if Emperor Xue Ye were to pass away, the entire balance of power on the continent would be thrown into upheaval. The covert alliance that the Tian Dou Empire and the Xing Luo Empire had painstakingly built would very likely be shaken as well. And the greatest beneficiary of it all would undoubtedly be Spirit Hall. At such a critical juncture, a change of ruler in the Tian Dou Empire would inevitably divert the empire's energies toward struggles over the throne. The campaign against Spirit Hall, which had only just begun, would grind to a halt.
Yet despite the surge of alarm in his heart, Tang San quickly calmed himself. "Old Monster, what exactly happened? Last time you told me the mixed poison in Emperor Xue Ye had been brought under control."
Dugu Bo smiled bitterly. "At the time, it truly was under my control. I used the Venom of the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, employing the principle of fighting poison with poison to neutralize the mixed effects as much as possible. Then I used medication to gradually restore his condition. But who could have predicted that Emperor Xue Ye, whose condition had already stabilized, would suddenly suffer another flare-up of the poison a month ago? And this time it struck far more viciously. I examined his blood carefully and found that the toxins circulating within it were constantly mutating, and the rate of mutation was terrifyingly fast. Although my Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor poison could produce the effect of counteracting poison with poison, every time I neutralized the toxins in his body, it wouldn't be long before a new and even more potent poison emerged. I've calculated it carefully — the seventh time I use this method to temporarily suppress his condition, the next eruption of toxins will kill him instantly, without even a window for intervention. So unless it's absolutely the last resort, I no longer dare to use this approach."
Two blazing lights flared in Tang San's eyes. "How many times have you already used this method?"
Dugu Bo's expression turned grave. "Six times. Each time I forcibly neutralized the toxins at the moment he was about to give out. But the intervals between his flare-ups have been getting shorter and shorter."
Tang San drew a deep breath. "If I'm not mistaken, what Emperor Xue Ye has been poisoned with is no ordinary mixed poison — it's a multi-layered compound toxin. Mixed poisons are endlessly varied; every master of poisoncraft uses a different blend. And the most dangerous of all are these multi-layered variants. To find the antidote, you must first identify the source. But multi-layered compound poisons are extraordinarily difficult to analyze. Without pinpointing the exact source, you can't prescribe the right treatment, and you can't help the patient detoxify. This time, we're in real trouble."
Dugu Bo said urgently, "Enough talk — come with me to the Tian Dou imperial palace right now. If even you can't do anything, then the Tian Dou Empire really is done for."
Tang San seemed to suddenly think of something. "Wait — let's find someone first and bring him along to the palace. When it comes to identifying compound poisons, the more experts in toxins, the better."
Dugu Bo looked at him in surprise. "What? You know another poison specialist?"
Tang San said, "Let's go. I'll explain on the way. Teacher, Headmaster Flandre, we'll take our leave first. Fatty, stay here and wait for Rongrong and Oscar. If the Tian Dou Empire truly changes hands, our plans may need to be revised as well."
Tang San led Xiao Wu by the hand and left Shrek Academy together with Dugu Bo. On the road back to the Tang Sect, he gave Dugu Bo a brief account of how he had founded the sect. The person he intended to find was none other than Yang Wudi, patriarch of the Broken Clan. Although Tang San had not yet had the chance to sit down with this master of pharmaceuticals and discuss matters of medicine in depth, the fact that Yang Wudi had been able to identify both the Fragrant Fairy Herb and the Lovesickness Heartbreak Red told him that in terms of pharmaceutical knowledge, Yang Wudi was at least on par with the Poison Douluo — perhaps even rivaling Tang San himself.
Though Dugu Bo held the title of Poison Douluo, most of his poisons were derived from his own Martial Soul. He lacked the deep study of pharmacology that both Tang San and Yang Wudi possessed.
Time was pressing, and Ning Rongrong was not at their side. After the three returned to the Tang Sect and collected Yang Wudi, they could only bring Xiao Wu along to the palace. With a Titled Douluo present, Tang San was not overly concerned for Xiao Wu's safety. Even if something unexpected happened within the palace, with the combined strength of the three of them, protecting Xiao Wu would not be a problem.
Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi had never met before. At the outset, Dugu Bo was somewhat dismissive of Yang Wudi, but on the way to the palace, as he described the symptoms that had appeared after Emperor Xue Ye was poisoned, Yang Wudi raised several questions that struck precisely at the heart of the matter. Only then did Dugu Bo stop underestimating the head of the Tang Sect's Medicine Hall.
As they were approaching the Tian Dou imperial palace, Dugu Bo turned to Tang San. "Little San, no matter how things turn out, I want in on your Tang Sect. The position of Medicine Hall Master isn't for me, but surely you can give me the title of elder?"
Tang San chuckled. "Of course. As if I could stop you? But weren't you fond of your freedom? You never wanted to join any sect."
Dugu Bo snorted. "It's your sect, isn't it? You wouldn't dare boss me around, would you?" He paused, then sighed softly. "I do value freedom. But that was a young man's concern. I'm getting on in years now. Further advancement in my Martial Soul is practically impossible. Let me use your Tang Sect as my retirement home. As long as you feed and shelter me, we're square. Just call me whenever there's any excitement worth fighting for."
Yang Wudi, who accompanied them, maintained his usual cold demeanor, but inwardly he was quite startled. From the way Tang San and Dugu Bo addressed each other, it was clear their bond was anything but ordinary. Dugu Bo, a Titled Douluo, spoke to Tang San as though they were peers. There was no pretense, no dissimulation — a bluntness that was almost startling. Yang Wudi's life had been devoted entirely to cultivation and pharmaceutical research, and he had naturally heard much of the Poison Douluo's reputation. In his mind, Dugu Bo should have been like his Martial Soul, the Jade Phosphar Serpent Emperor — a dangerous, venomous serpent. But now, seeing the man in person, there was none of that cold, sinister aura about him.
In truth, how could Yang Wudi know that his initial judgment was not wrong? It was simply that Dugu Bo underwent a remarkable transformation when he was with Tang San. For Tang San, Dugu Bo's temperament and Martial Soul had always lent him a reclusive, solitary nature. And over so many years, Tang San had become perhaps his only true friend. Yes, friend — a confidant, not a junior.
Tang San smiled. "Why so glum about it? As long as you're willing, I'll personally look after you in your old age." He did not say that the Tang Sect would look after Dugu Bo, because the Sect did not operate at his sole discretion.
Dugu Bo let out a hearty laugh, using it to mask the tremor of emotion within him. But Yang Wudi, who had been quietly observing from the side, caught the glimmer of gratitude deep in the old man's eyes.
Upon entering the palace, Dugu Bo's presence ensured that the four of them encountered no obstruction. As a guest counselor of the Tian Dou royal family, Dugu Bo wielded considerable authority. He led Tang San and the others straight to Emperor Xue Ye's private quarters. It was only here that they were finally stopped.
Soldiers clad head to toe in full armor, carrying long spears, blocked their path.
Dugu Bo produced his distinctive gold guest counselor token. "Stand aside. We have an urgent matter requiring an audience with His Majesty."
The soldier at the front of the group spoke in a cold tone. "His Majesty has retired for the night. The Crown Prince has ordered that no one is to enter the palace and disturb him. Violators will be executed without mercy."
Dugu Bo was taken aback. "Can you not see the inscription on this token?" Etched upon the gold token in his hand were two characters: *Qin Lin* — meaning "present in person" — signifying that the bearer carried the same authority as Emperor Xue Ye himself.
The soldier captain's face was ashen, and he showed no intention of stepping aside.
Tang San's lips moved imperceptibly as he transmitted his voice to Dugu Bo. "Have you seen these soldiers before?"
Dugu Bo shook his head. "They all look unfamiliar."
A chill ran through Tang San's heart. "I'm afraid something has gone wrong. If our suspicions are correct — that Emperor Xue Ye's poisoning was orchestrated by Xue Qinghe — then he likely already knows you came to find me. Xue Qinghe is Uncle Ning's disciple, and he surely knows I'm skilled with poisons. He would never want to see us successfully treat Emperor Xue Ye."
Dugu Bo frowned. "Surely not. No matter what, he's still Xue Ye's son."
Tang San let out a cold laugh. "If he still remembered that Emperor Xue Ye was his father, he never would have done this in the first place. Regardless of whether our speculation is correct, we need to save Emperor Xue Ye first. Otherwise, nothing else matters."
Dugu Bo blinked. "What do you mean?"
A faint smile appeared on Tang San's face. He did not answer Dugu Bo directly. Instead, he stepped forward, reached into his Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlit Night, and drew out a gold token. "If Elder Dugu's token won't work, then how about we see whether mine will get us in?"
The token Tang San produced was the one Xue Qinghe had given him all those years ago. Its design was slightly different from Dugu Bo's.
The soldier captain stared at the token in Tang San's hand, momentarily bewildered. His orders had been explicit — Dugu Bo was under no circumstances to be admitted to the palace. But the young man who accompanied him was holding a Crown Prince's token. What was going on?
Tang San stepped forward and lowered his voice. "The situation has changed. The Crown Prince has reversed his decision. Let us through immediately."
A gold token was an order. Though the soldier captain harbored misgivings upon seeing the Crown Prince's token in Tang San's hand, he did not dare hesitate. He raised his hand and signaled for his men to let them pass.
The moment the soldiers moved, the expressions on both Tang San's and Dugu Bo's faces shifted. They had not noticed before, but now, as these soldiers went into motion, the unmistakable fluctuations of Soul Power rippled from their bodies, sending a jolt of shock through them. This was no imperial palace guard — this was clearly a squad composed entirely of Soul Masters. Fifty Soul Masters, and judging by the Soul Power fluctuations emanating from them, not a single one below Rank 50.
Tang San felt a pang of regret. Not for having come here with Dugu Bo, but for having brought Xiao Wu. Reluctantly, he placed Xiao Wu — who had already reverted to her human form — inside his Myriad Treasure Pouch. But with the situation now changed, he had no choice but to do so for her safety.
Dugu Bo clearly had not expected Tang San to produce such a token, but at a time like this, he had no reason to question it. He hurriedly followed behind Tang San along with Yang Wudi, heading for the emperor's quarters.
It was at that moment that a calm, pleasant male voice rang out. "So Tang Yin is Tang San — I truly failed to see through you back at Moon Pavilion. But I simply cannot fathom, Brother Tang San, how you managed to completely alter your appearance and temperament."
"Greetings to the Crown Prince!" The surrounding soldiers dropped to one knee in unison. Tang San, still holding Xiao Wu's hand, slowly turned around.
Xue Qinghe had arrived with only two attendants and was walking toward them at an unhurried pace. He was as handsome as ever, and his earnest demeanor had not changed one bit. He still radiated an air of approachability. Yet for reasons Tang San could not explain, seeing him again made his entire body go cold.
Both men behind Xue Qinghe were elderly. They wore no royal garments, only simple cloth robes. But when Tang San laid eyes on them, though he could not discern anything specific, he noticed that the Poison Douluo beside him had gone rigid in an instant.
When would a Titled Douluo like Dugu Bo display such a reaction? Tang San had already formed his own judgment about the two old men.
"Crown Prince. Greetings." Tang San gave a slight bow.
Xue Qinghe stopped roughly five meters from Tang San's group and sighed. "To be honest, Brother Tang San, I've been having a rather difficult time lately. My father is gravely ill, and the palace is beset by troubles both within and without. My uncle and my fourth brother have taken this opportunity to make their moves. It truly breaks my heart. Brother Tang San, what prompted you to come visit Father? Why didn't you simply send word to me? I could have brought you in myself. Oh, that's right — Xue Ke has been asking about you nonstop. It's a pity no one knew where to find you. Xue Ke is my only sister, and the one I cherish most. Tang San, you must not let her affection go to waste."
Tang San smiled faintly. "The Crown Prince's kindness is much appreciated. But of all the rivers in the world, I drink from but one. With Xiao Wu at my side, I have no regrets in this life. Crown Prince, Elder Dugu invited me here specifically to examine the poison affecting His Majesty. Might we be allowed to go in and administer treatment?"