Conversation and Temptation, Dugu Bo's Scheming

Conversation and Temptation, Dugu Bo's Scheming

Meanwhile, after Broad Hill released Dugu Bo, he draped an arm over Han Li's shoulder and led him aside. He set up a simple Soul Power Shield to block out sound, but he still did not dismiss his Martial Soul, and his Spiritual Power remained locked onto Dugu Bo.

"Xiao Li, you really won't kill him? You even want to save him? You should know this guy's reputation isn't exactly good. Bibi Dong sent people to recruit him several times before, but none succeeded. Even if you save him, can you be sure he won't turn on us later?" Knowing quite a bit about Dugu Bo's deeds, Broad Hill instinctively distrusted him.

"I can't be sure, but killing him won't benefit us much either. At most, we'd get one or two Soul Bones, and they'd be full of poison. Whether we could even use them would be another question. Besides, Master, he's still a Titled Douluo. Even if he isn't your match, he's still among the very strongest on the continent."

"The benefits of saving him far outweigh those of killing him outright. I'll have to travel the continent eventually, and you can't stay with me forever, can you? Don't you still need to strive for Peerless Douluo? Isn't he ready-made manpower? From what happened just now, we can see that he also has a weakness—his Granddaughter. Without absolute certainty, he won't turn against us lightly." Han Li pointed back at the still-dazed Dugu Bo and analyzed the situation logically.

"When you put it that way, it does make sense. He was willing to die just to have you save his Granddaughter. He's not entirely rotten, then." Broad Hill rubbed his chin with his left hand, the one not holding the bow, as he pondered.

"So now it depends on what price he's willing to pay."

Han Li shrugged, indicating that it was time to return and negotiate. By then, Dugu Bo had also recovered from his daze.

"Thank you for sparing my life, Your Excellency."

Seeing the master and disciple return before him, Dugu Bo bowed deeply to Broad Hill, still shaken. Cold sweat soaked his back. He truly had taken a trip to death's door.

"You don't need to thank me. If Xiao Li hadn't insisted on saving you, you'd already be dead." Broad Hill waved dismissively.

Dugu Bo did not mind Broad Hill's attitude. He turned slightly toward Han Li, his gaze becoming far more fervent, with a trace of gratitude in it.

He knew very well that Broad Hill was right. He had survived this time entirely because of Han Li's intervention. More importantly, Han Li possessed a way to cure both him and Dugu Yan.

"First, I thank you for saving my life, young friend. I swear upon my Martial Soul that I will never reveal anything that happened here today to anyone. Not even to my Granddaughter."

Dugu Bo knew that Broad Hill's killing intent toward him stemmed from this place, so he immediately sealed off that issue. Then he bowed once more. "Dugu Bo is willing to offer everything he owns. I only hope that you can treat my Granddaughter. As long as she is cured, I will serve at your command from now on without a word of objection."

"Even if I told you to kill yourself?" Broad Hill suddenly cut in.

"As long as I can see Yan Yan cured with my own eyes, even if you tell me to kill myself, I will."

Dugu Bo spoke without hesitation. His son had died before his eyes, leaving him in unbearable grief, but he hated himself even more. Now that he had seen hope for his Granddaughter to escape the poison that was like a curse, he had more than enough courage to sacrifice himself.

"That won't be necessary. I would hate to see a Titled Douluo like you die like that, Senior. I suppose you deliberately didn't ask me to save you either. A clever little calculation." Han Li looked at the old man before him, his smile full of amusement. This Poison Douluo was not stupid at all.

Under his gaze, the previously righteous Dugu Bo could not help blushing with embarrassment. He had not expected Han Li to expose his thoughts so directly.

It was true that he was willing to die for Dugu Yan, but if possible, he still wanted to live. That was why, after swearing upon his Martial Soul, he had immediately told Han Li that he was willing to serve at his command.

He had his own little scheme. He was, after all, a Titled Douluo. No faction would ever complain about having one too many. Since they had not killed him immediately, if he pledged allegiance to them and they wanted to use him, they could hardly refuse to treat him and simply let him die, could they?

It was a little shameless, but he had no choice. Broad Hill had warned him that this place no longer belonged to him. He had very little to his name, and the most valuable thing he possessed was his own strength. If he wanted to satisfy Broad Hill, he had to give up his freedom. This was the best solution he could think of.

Of course, if this master and disciple only treated Dugu Yan and refused to treat him, he would accept that too. Being able to spend a few more years with his Granddaughter and free her from suffering would still leave him endlessly grateful. After all, as long as he did not die now, he had come out ahead.

With Han Li's words in mind, Broad Hill finally understood as well. He glared at Dugu Bo. Sure enough, this guy was no good. They had spared his life, and he was still trying to play tricks.

Han Li shook his head with a smile, unconcerned. No matter how unconventional Dugu Bo's character was, no matter how deeply he valued loyalty and affection, there was no way he would bare his heart to someone he had just met and who had nearly killed him. That would be absurd. It was better to build trust gradually.

"Senior, there's no need to dwell on it. It's only human nature, and I understand. I only hope you can keep your promise. After I cure both you and your Granddaughter, I hope you can protect me whenever I need it. As for your property, there's no need. Keep it and save it for your Granddaughter's dowry." Han Li did not beat around the bush and laid out his terms plainly, ending with a joke.

"Agreed. I can swear upon my Martial Soul once more. If I break this promise, may I die a horrible death."

Dugu Bo's expression turned solemn as he answered earnestly.

"Good. Then it's settled." Han Li nodded casually. There was no point saying too much now. They could wait until after the treatment, then establish a Martial Soul Oath. After all, Douluo people believed in that sort of thing.

Just as Han Li was about to turn around and search for immortal herbs with his master, Dugu Bo hesitantly spoke up. "Um, could you introduce yourselves first? I still don't know who you are. At least tell me whom I'll be serving in the future."

Han Li stopped in place. Come to think of it, they really had not introduced themselves since meeting. He had actually overlooked that. Broad Hill had not mentioned it either. That was a little awkward.

But the thought only flashed through Han Li's mind before he returned to normal. After all, as long as he was not embarrassed, then the embarrassed one was someone else.

Han Li decisively ignored Broad Hill, who was stifling laughter beside him. It was not the first time his master had wanted to see him make a fool of himself. There was no need to care.

He looked back at Dugu Bo, first pointing at Broad Hill as he introduced him. "Fifth Elder Broad Hill of the Spirit Hall Worship Hall, a Level 97 assault-type Super Douluo. My master."

"Just as I thought. You're people from Spirit Hall. I knew it."

Dugu Bo was not surprised. Though he did not wish to join Spirit Hall and be bound by its restrictions, he never doubted its strength. On the continent, only Spirit Hall could possibly have hidden experts of this caliber whom he did not recognize.

Han Li did not respond. He pointed to himself and continued, "Han Li, seven years old, a Level 23 assault-type Soul Grandmaster."

"You're only seven?"

Dugu Bo pointed at Han Li in disbelief. Han Li was already over 1.6 meters tall, and Dugu Bo doubted the Soul Power Level he had announced as well. "Are you sure you didn't misspeak? Level 23?"

"No, you heard correctly, and I said it correctly."

As he spoke, Han Li calmly summoned the Ice Fire Bow and restored the yellow and purple Soul Rings to their normal state, allowing them to appear above his head.

"A thousand-year second ring? How did you do that?"

Dugu Bo cried out again, staring wide-eyed at the Soul Rings above Han Li's head. He did not notice that he had already violated a taboo among Soul Masters.

"A secret. My secret, Spirit Hall's secret. Once you earn my approval, I won't mind telling you. I've always been generous to my own people, but not now." Han Li shook his head at him and spoke bluntly.

Dugu Bo took several deep breaths, staring without blinking as Han Li withdrew his Martial Soul and Soul Rings. Though he still found it difficult to believe, the facts were right before him. There was no faking this.

His breathing quickened uncontrollably. Although he had nearly lost his life for no apparent reason, perhaps this encounter would turn out to be a good thing for him.

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