Bai Wanwan's eyes lit up. "Senior, are there any restrictions on this offer of yours?"
"If you were to refuse when I asked you to help with something, that would be quite a headache."
Her fingertips tapped against the armrest with a rhythmic patter as Bai Wanwan regarded Dugu Bo with a faint, knowing smile.
"As long as I'm still alive, it's within my abilities, and it doesn't harm my granddaughter, anything is possible. And rest assured, while I can hardly call myself a good man, I have always kept my word. Whatever I promise, I will see it done."
Dugu Bo's voice was calm, yet his words rang with conviction.
Bai Wanwan said nothing, her fingertips still tapping against the armrest.
Dugu Bo's offer was very tempting. Nor did Bai Wanwan worry that his promise would vanish once she cured his poison. From his portrayal in the original novel, Dugu Bo was indeed a man of his word.
She considered it for a moment.
Bai Wanwan slowly raised one finger. "How about adding one more condition?"
"What condition?"
Dugu Bo's brows drew together almost imperceptibly, displeasure stirring within him.
He believed he had already shown more than enough sincerity, yet this young girl was still pushing her luck. But at the thought of the cure, Dugu Bo kept his displeasure hidden and adopted an attentive expression.
"I heard you have a pet snake, Senior. Could you bring it out for me to see?"
Bai Wanwan leaned forward slightly, studying the Ruyi Treasure Pouch hanging from Dugu Bo's waist with interest.
The Ruyi Treasure Pouch was also a Soul Tool. Its greatest difference from other Storage Soul Tools was that it could hold not only inanimate objects, but living things as well.
"A pet snake?"
"You mean the Nine-Section Emerald?"
Dugu Bo removed the Ruyi Treasure Pouch from his waist and reached inside, taking out a small, translucent emerald-green snake with nine emerald markings along its body.
As soon as the little snake emerged, it climbed up Dugu Bo's fingers and finally coiled around his wrist.
"The Nine-Section Emerald is one of my greatest treasures, the finest of Bamboo Pit Vipers. I've fed it all kinds of poisonous substances and herbs since it was young. Its venom could wipe out a city. If an ordinary Soul Master were bitten, they would dissolve into pus within three breaths, leaving not even bones behind."
"And don't be fooled by its small size. Its body is tougher than refined steel. Even sharp blades can hardly hurt it."
Dugu Bo explained in a quiet voice.
The Nine-Section Emerald coiled around his wrist turned to look at Bai Wanwan. Just as it was about to bare its fangs fiercely, it found a pair of azure eyes gazing steadily at it.
An instinctive suppression and fear rooted in its bloodline made the Nine-Section Emerald's body stiffen instantly. Then it curled itself into a ring, not daring to move at all.
"Senior, you've raised this Nine-Section Emerald beautifully. Its translucent emerald-green body is gorgeous."
"Would you be willing to part with it?"
Bai Wanwan leaned a little closer, examining the Nine-Section Emerald carefully.
Seeing this, Dugu Bo hastily moved the Nine-Section Emerald farther back. He began to wonder whether Bai Wanwan had heard anything he had just said. He had told her its venom could wipe out a city, yet she still leaned so close.
"You have a good eye."
"But it's not that I'm unwilling to give it to you. This Nine-Section Emerald is extremely venomous. If it bites you, that's no laughing matter."
Dugu Bo's tone was very serious.
"You needn't worry about that, Senior. I'm confident it won't bite me."
Bai Wanwan smiled unconcernedly.
Bite me?
Judging by how the Nine-Section Emerald had curled itself into a ring, Bai Wanwan felt that even if she went up and slapped it, it would not dare lift its head.
"Are you sure you want it?"
Dugu Bo looked down at the Nine-Section Emerald. Though he sensed something was off about its behavior, he gave it little thought, merely hesitating over whether to give it away.
He had no particular reluctance about parting with the Nine-Section Emerald.
What worried him was that it might bite Bai Wanwan at any moment, and then she would be dead.
Though he did not particularly care whether Bai Wanwan lived or died, he cared very much about curing his granddaughter's poison.
"I'm not someone who takes another person's cherished possessions. If you really don't want to part with it, Senior, forget it."
"But the Nine-Section Emerald doesn't fall under any of the restrictions you mentioned. If you won't even give me a single snake, I have to wonder whether your earlier offer was genuine."
Bai Wanwan leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs.
"Since you insist on having it, I'll give it to you."
Dugu Bo looked at the Nine-Section Emerald in his hand. After a moment's thought, he did not hand it directly to Bai Wanwan. Instead, he put it into the Ruyi Treasure Pouch and placed the pouch in front of her as well.
"You really are sincere, Senior."
"Then I'll be frank with you, too. Your offer was very tempting, and I agree to cure your poison. But I need to prepare a few things for the treatment."
"Once everything is ready, I'll cure you. And rest assured, Senior, I won't trouble you with every little thing. I'll only ask you to act when it's something I can't conveniently do myself or go and handle in person."
Bai Wanwan picked up the Ruyi Treasure Pouch and examined it with interest.
Both the Nine-Section Emerald and the Ruyi Treasure Pouch interested her greatly.
The Nine-Section Emerald needed no explanation. It was small and carried deadly venom. Whenever someone rubbed her the wrong way, she could release it to deliver an unexpected bite.
As for the Ruyi Treasure Pouch, Bai Wanwan felt that this Soul Tool would be far more useful in her hands than in Dugu Bo's.
In Dugu Bo's hands, it could only hold some poisonous herbs and the Nine-Section Emerald. But in her hands, it could hold much more than that. She could even choose a few obedient Spirit Beasts to keep inside and release them whenever she needed them.
"As long as you can cure the poison, nothing else matters."
"But there's one thing I must remind you of again. The Nine-Section Emerald's venom is no joke. You must be careful when handling it."
After delivering this reminder with a serious expression, Dugu Bo prepared to rise and return to his courtyard.
But just then, Bai Wanwan called out to stop him.
"Senior, how much space is there inside this Ruyi Treasure Pouch? How much can it hold?"
Bai Wanwan looked at Dugu Bo curiously.
"The space inside the Ruyi Treasure Pouch isn't large, but it's enough for everyday use. You saw the Nine-Section Emerald just now. It could hold a little over a hundred snakes that size. That would be about its limit."
Dugu Bo thought for a moment before answering quietly.
Before you continue