How to Deal with Ning Fengzhi, Dugu Yan Was Stunned

"Beg me!"

"As long as you ask Old Man nicely, I'll condescend to go over and take on the title of Elder, lending you some prestige. How about it?"

He puffed out his chest, wearing a smug expression that plainly said, "Come on, beg me."

Zhao Linchuan did not even pause to think before shaking his head. "No."

"No?!" Dugu Bo thought he had misheard. He dug at his ear and raised his voice. "Kid, make yourself clearer! Old Man didn't hear you!"

Zhao Linchuan's expression remained unchanged as he repeated, "I said, no."

"Why?!" Dugu Bo was truly anxious now, nearly jumping to his feet. "Old Man is a Titled Douluo! One of the continent's strongest!"

"With me holding the fort, what petty fool would dare cause trouble?"

"And you actually said no?!"

Zhao Linchuan looked at him and explained with a straight face:

"Precisely because you're a Titled Douluo, it won't do."

"Think about it. Your reputation as the 'Poison Douluo'... ahem, on the continent, it's rather... distinctive."

"If you really became an Elder here, people would hear it and say, 'Oh, this faction is protected by Dugu Bo?' Wouldn't that scare away all the talented people who wanted to join us?"

"How am I supposed to recruit anyone then?"

"Bullshit!" Dugu Bo was so angry that even his beard bristled as he slapped the table and roared:

"Which Scoundrel dares gossip behind Old Man's back about my bad reputation?! Step out and let Old Man see you!"

"I'd say he's tired of living!"

He took a breath, seemingly realizing that his attitude had been a little too heated. His tone softened, carrying a hint of negotiation and self-deprecation.

"How about this... Kid, would this work? I don't need any real authority. Just save that empty title of 'Supreme Elder' for me!"

"I'll condescend to stay at your place for a while and help you hold the fort. That should be fine, right?"

"No." Zhao Linchuan rejected him cleanly once more.

"?????" Dugu Bo nearly choked on his breath. Pointing at Zhao Linchuan, he said, "You little brat! Don't be so ungrateful!!"

"I'm a Titled Douluo, damn it!!!"

"Do you know what a Titled Douluo is?!"

"I'm volunteering to be your enforcer, and you're still being picky?!"

For a moment, the situation had somehow miraculously reversed. Dugu Bo was now practically begging Zhao Linchuan to let him "condescend" to become an enforcer Elder in his still-nonexistent faction.

Zhao Linchuan laughed inwardly, but outwardly maintained a reluctant expression as he haggled back and forth with him for several rounds.

Only after seeming to be worn down beyond endurance did he sigh and nod with extreme "reluctance."

"Sigh... fine, fine. Seeing how sincere you are, and how many times you've asked, I'll... reluctantly take you in."

"But let's make this clear first. When the time comes, we'll need to agree on three rules..."

Only after Zhao Linchuan nodded in agreement did Dugu Bo suddenly come to his senses and realize that he seemed to have been tricked by this Kid!

His eyes widened furiously as he pointed at Zhao Linchuan's nose. "You little fox! So you were waiting to trap Old Man all along?!"

"Hehe..." Seeing that he had figured it out, Zhao Linchuan stopped pretending. Grinning, he picked up the Wine Pot and filled the empty cup before him. "Old man, calm down. Drink, drink!"

"Hmph!" Dugu Bo sat down with an indignant snort, lifted the cup, and drained it in one gulp. Then he slammed the empty cup onto the table. "Fill it!"

"Right away! Hehe..."

After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes, both men were somewhat drunk, and their conversation grew increasingly casual.

Dugu Bo let out a belch and asked, his face flushed red:

"Kid, don't just drink. Tell Old Man, how do you plan to deal with that hypocrite Ning Fengzhi in the future?"

The alcohol had gone to Zhao Linchuan's head as well. Hearing this, he heavily slammed his wine cup onto the table. A fierce look appeared on his face as he said viciously:

"How to deal with him? Hmph! I'll pin him and that old fossil Gu Rong beneath an enormous 'Five Elements Mountain'! With their Buttocks sticking out!"

The more he spoke, the more excited he became, gesturing wildly with his hands. "Then! I'll unleash immense power and exile them, mountain and all, to 'Cheng' isn't 'du' going 'there'! Let them reflect properly there!"

Dugu Bo's bleary eyes revealed a trace of confusion. Slurring his words, he asked, "Cheng... hahahaha... Chengdu? What kind of place is that? How come Old Man has never heard of such a place on the Douluo Continent?"

"Cheng auditor, I love you. Du, ah..."

Zhao Linchuan swayed his head and explained mysteriously:

"That place... is nothing ordinary! It's the legendary 'Land of Heavenly Corruption'... No matter how straight people were before going there, in the end they all have to... hehehe..."

He let out a string of inscrutable Mischievous Smiles. Dugu Bo was utterly baffled, but somehow felt that it sounded very impressive~

The two of them continued babbling nonsense from all corners of the world, getting more energetic as they drank and more outrageous as they talked.

In the end, with the alcohol completely going to their heads, no one knew who suggested it first, but they actually began shouting that they wanted to become sworn brothers!

Staggering about, they found an incense burner and some incense sticks. Without caring which deity they were worshipping, they dropped to their knees with a thump.

Muttering under their breath, they solemnly swore brotherhood while spouting drunken nonsense like, "We do not ask to be born in the same year, month, and day, but only ask to die in the same year, month, and day..."!

Just then, Dugu Yan returned with a tray of exquisite dishes, smiling brightly as she prepared to let her grandfather and beloved taste her cooking.

The moment she entered the Banquet Hall, she saw her grandfather, Dugu Bo, swaying as he rose to his feet. He waved a large hand at her and shouted unclearly:

"Yan... Yanzi! Quick! Come! Meet your Second Grandfather! From now on... he's your real Second Grandfather! Hear me?!"

"????" The smile on Dugu Yan's face instantly froze. She stood rooted to the spot as though struck by lightning, her mind completely blank.

Second Grandfather?

When had she gained another Second Grandfather?

Did her Great Grandmother know about this?!

Seeing her stare blankly, Dugu Bo assumed she was being shy. He tried hard to put on a kind expression, pointing at the equally drunken Zhao Linchuan as he introduced him:

"Yanzi, don't... don't be shy! Your Second Grandfather is... is very easy to get along with! Hurry, hurry and call him Grandfather!"

The moment he finished speaking, Zhao Linchuan beside him also swayed to his feet. He waved at Dugu Yan and, imitating an elder's tone as he slurred his words, said:

"Good... good granddaughter! Come... come here, call... call Grandfather!"

"Hmm???????????"

Dugu Yan's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets!

She felt as though she were about to suffocate!

She had only left long enough to cook a dish!

How had the man she loved so dearly suddenly turned into her Second Grandfather by the time she returned?!

How was this family hierarchy supposed to work?!