A Game of Wits

A Game of Wits

The gatekeeper accepted the calling card and asked Liu Yanyang to wait a moment before quickly turning and leaving.

A short while later, the gatekeeper hurried back to Liu Yanyang's side, respectfully invited him into the residence, and led him toward the reception hall.

Upon entering the hall, Liu Yanyang saw a man seated in the seat of honor. He was tall and slender, dressed in a dark green robe. His sharply defined features, a red line between his brows, dark green pupils, and long deep-green hair casually draped over his shoulders gave him an imposing appearance. He was leisurely drinking tea as he sized Liu Yanyang up with interest, while Dugu Yan beside him was equally curious.

"This junior is Liu Yanyang. Greetings, Poison Lord, Miss Dugu Yan." Liu Yanyang cupped his fists in salute.

Looking at the handsome and refined Liu Yanyang, who carried himself with extraordinary poise, Dugu Bo's lips curled slightly as he spoke in a chilling tone.

"I heard that the Breaking Clan is renowned for its expertise in poison, and that its Clan Leader, Yang Wudi, is among the very best. You're just a wet-behind-the-ears brat. Don't tell me you're using someone else's name to deceive me."

Liu Yanyang felt somewhat awkward. Having been exposed to his face, he could only force himself to remain composed and speak casually.

"This junior and Senior Yang Wudi are close friends. We met by chance several years ago and eventually became friends despite our difference in age."

"Oh? Is that so?" Dugu Bo gave a sinister smile, then pointed to the chair in front of him, signaling Liu Yanyang to sit.

After giving a slight bow, Liu Yanyang sat down. He could already feel his back growing damp.

The moment he saw Dugu Yan, he knew today's negotiation would most likely go nowhere. He could only try to draw closer to Dugu Bo first and proceed gradually.

Cupping his fists toward Dugu Bo, he said, "This junior has heard that Poison Lord's mastery of poison is unmatched beneath the heavens, and that you collect toxic substances from all over the world, including many rare medicinal herbs."

"This junior dares to request a medicinal herb trade with Your Lordship. I hope Your Lordship will permit it."

As he spoke, he took a Jade Bottle and a Jade Box from his Storage Soul Tool and placed them on the table before continuing.

"The bottle contains the Innate Profound Poison produced by an eight-thousand-year Man Faced Demon Spider, offered as this junior's gift of introduction. The Jade Box contains a nearly ten-thousand-year Jade Scale Seven Absolute Flower that this junior obtained by chance. It is also the item for this trade."

Dugu Bo did not look at either item on the table. Instead, while Liu Yanyang spoke at length, he had been watching him the entire time.

From the moment Liu Yanyang entered, Dugu Bo had casually swept him with his Spiritual Power, only to discover that he could not see through Liu Yanyang's Soul Power Level.

Even now, after focusing his Spiritual Power to investigate, he could only vaguely sense Liu Yanyang's soul power. He could not even accurately determine his age. This greatly piqued his interest.

Even Liu Yanyang himself did not know that Cheng Ying could block others' perception, not even that of a Titled Douluo.

"That is quite a valuable gift of introduction. So, what do you want from me?"

Liu Yanyang hurriedly replied, "Any medicinal herb useful to this junior will do. It all depends on Senior's wishes."

Dugu Bo withdrew his Spiritual Power and said leisurely, "Then you will be disappointed. I have no so-called rare medicinal herbs here."

Liu Yanyang thought to himself, As if I don't know whether you have them! He could only rise to his feet and cup his fists toward Dugu Bo.

"It seems this junior's fate is too shallow. In that case, I shall not disturb Your Lordship's peace any longer. This junior takes his leave."

After speaking, he cupped his fists once more, turned, and left...

Watching Liu Yanyang disappear, Dugu Yan asked curiously, "Grandfather, he just left like that? He doesn't want the things on the table?"

Dugu Bo immediately changed his expression and smiled kindly.

"Yanyan, of course he does not want them. Leaving those things behind is simply his way of trying to get closer to me."

"At such a young age, he already has so many schemes. And even I cannot see his exact age."

"Yanyan, remember to stay away from people like that in the future. Be careful not to get sold off and still help count the money."

Holding Dugu Bo's arm, Dugu Yan whined coquettishly, "That won't happen! If he dares to trick me, I'll let him have a taste of our family's Jade Scale Snake Poison. Besides, Tianheng is here too!"

Dugu Bo had been enjoying his granddaughter's dependence on him, but the moment he heard Yu Tianheng's name, his mood immediately soured.

"Yanyan, haven't I told you to have less contact with that Yu Tianheng?"

Dugu Yan released his arm, unhappily said, "No," then ran back to her room and ignored Dugu Bo.

Watching his granddaughter's retreating figure, Dugu Bo shook his head and sighed.

How could he not know what that brat Yu Tianheng was thinking? Or rather, what the entire Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was thinking!

Yet he could only say a few words about it. He had never actually stopped her in private. He did not know how much longer he could live. If he were to die one day, what would happen to his poor granddaughter?

"I can only hope Yu Tianheng is a responsible man. Otherwise, even if I have to crawl back from hell, I'll kill Yu Tianheng." Dugu Bo's expression turned cold.

He soon composed himself, left the residence directly, and headed in the direction Liu Yanyang had gone. He wanted to see just how fat this "big fish" was!

Liu Yanyang walked back toward his hotel room, thinking that although he had not achieved his goal today, he had left the items behind. It was a good start.

When he visited again later, he could slowly reveal his true intentions!

Suddenly, a powerful sense of danger surged into his heart. His mind instantly tensed, and his heart pounded violently.

This was the sixth sense Liu Yanyang had developed over more than two years of training in the Star Dou Great Forest. Whenever danger approached, he would sense it immediately.

Liu Yanyang was baffled. Where could danger possibly come from in broad daylight? He had only just left Dugu Bo's residence.

Fuck! Dugu Bo! he cursed inwardly. He immediately darted into a nearby alley, urgently activating Cheng Ying with his soul power to conceal both his aura and body.

He stopped midway through the alley and stood perfectly still, praying that Cheng Ying's concealment effect would be enough to keep even a Titled Douluo from noticing him.

Liu Yanyang could not figure out where things had gone wrong. Ever since entering Dugu Manor, he had been meticulous in everything he did, leaving no flaws behind. So how had he caught Dugu Bo's attention?

In just a few breaths, Dugu Bo arrived directly at the alley. He stood still, closed his eyes, and focused his senses.

With Dugu Bo so close, Liu Yanyang did not even dare breathe. He hurriedly held his breath as cold sweat poured down his forehead.

A few minutes later, Dugu Bo opened his eyes, a puzzled look on his face.

"How strange. He was just here. How did he vanish without a trace in only a few breaths? I can't sense him anywhere within a thousand meters."

After standing there for quite some time, Dugu Bo turned and left the alley.

It was not until three shichen later, as dusk approached, that Liu Yanyang finally slumped against the wall and collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. His clothes were already soaked through with sweat.

Being watched by a Titled Douluo lurking in the shadows like a venomous snake was truly a terrifying thing.

However, Liu Yanyang had already figured out how to persuade Dugu Bo.

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