Douluo: Starting by Forging a Gun Chapter 38

"You, just go find somewhere cool to rest."

Dugu Bo was instantly exasperated: "I, I you, you..."

"Sigh, fine. Since neither of you is willing, let's just leave it at that. I won't bring it up again."

"A grown daughter is hard to keep, and children have their own fortunes. I just hope you won't regret this later."

Dugu Yan made a face and stuck her tongue out at Dugu Bo: "I won't regret it at all."

Dugu Bo shook his head helplessly: "Honestly, I can't control you at all. I've spoiled you rotten over these many years."

"Forget it, let's not talk about this anymore. Since Xiao Feng has woken up, you two come with me. We are going to the Sunset Forest to go into seclusion for a while before coming back out."

"It just so happens that you've reached level 40, Yanyan. This trip will also allow us to hunt for a suitable soul ring for you."

The Sunset Forest is one of the three major soul hunting forests within the Heaven Dou Empire. It is the second-largest soul hunting forest after the Star Dou Forest. While it lacks Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts comparable to a Title Douluo, ten-thousand-year soul beasts are not rare in its core region.

Moreover, the Sunset Forest is adjacent to the imperial capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, with a straight-line distance of less than one hundred kilometers. It is the place where most soul masters within a five-hundred-kilometer radius of Heaven Dou City go to hunt soul beasts.

After leaving their residence, Dugu Bo led the way, with Shen Feng and Dugu Yan following silently behind.

Not long after they started walking, Dugu Yan frowned slightly, glancing thoughtfully at a shop along the street.

"Grandpa, someone is watching us."

Dugu Bo said without looking back: "Don't worry about it. To this Heaven Dou City, we are always outsiders. It's not strange for people to keep track of our movements."

"Look, the main character has arrived."

Shen Feng looked ahead and saw a luxurious carriage, escorted by a team of fully armed soldiers, driving from down the street and slowly stopping in front of the three of them.

"Master Dugu, it has been several months. How have you been?"

A resonant voice came from the carriage, and an elderly man in fine robes stepped out with the help of an attendant.

The man was over sixty, dressed in a large yellow robe embroidered with intricate floral patterns, looking exceptionally noble yet perfectly composed.

His graying hair was neatly combed back, and he was of medium build, slightly plump, with a dignified appearance.

Only his eyes looked a bit small, which detracted from the overall harmony of his features.

Seeing the newcomer, Dugu Bo put on a rare, relatively friendly expression and cupped his hands: "Your Highness the Prince, what brings you here?"

Hearing Dugu Bo's address, Shen Feng immediately guessed that this was likely Prince Xue Xing, who had once helped Dugu Bo.

Xue Xing grinned, his already small eyes instantly squinting into invisible slits.

"Master Dugu, you were exhausted from your journey yesterday, and it was already sunset when you returned, so I didn't dare to disturb you. I set out early this morning, not expecting that you would be leaving again."

"But it is good fortune that I happened to run into you here. It is a pleasure to be able to trouble you for a few words."

Dugu Bo looked up at the sun, which had already risen high, and immediately understood why Prince Xue Xing had appeared before him at this specific time and place.

As the only Title Douluo patron of the Heaven Dou Empire, Dugu Bo possessed such formidable strength that even if he did nothing, it was difficult for others to ignore him.

As the saying goes, the tree wants to be still, but the wind will not cease.

Yesterday, when Dugu Bo brought Shen Feng into Heaven Dou City, the first person they encountered was Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. The two had spoken for a while, and Dugu Bo had left quite annoyed.

With such a thing happening, Xue Xing naturally had to come and probe Dugu Bo's attitude—first to see if Xue Qinghe had tried to win him over, and second to consolidate the personal friendship between them.

After all, Dugu Bo had been gone for ten months; it would be inappropriate for him not to show his face.

The reason he didn't go last night was to avoid adding to Dugu Bo's irritation. By finding out Dugu Bo's itinerary today and waiting on the path he was bound to take, he showed much more sincerity.

Realizing this, Dugu Bo couldn't help but shake his head and smile bitterly: "Your Highness is overthinking. Don't you know my character by now?"

"You are you, the Crown Prince is the Crown Prince, and the Empire is the Empire. They cannot be lumped together."

"I will always keep your kindness in my heart; I have never forgotten it."

Hearing this, Xue Xing was overjoyed, squinting his eyes and chuckling: "Although my nephew is the Crown Prince, he is only in his twenties, and it is natural for him to be hot-headed. If his behavior yesterday offended you, I apologize to you on his behalf."

As he spoke, Prince Xue Xing bowed to Dugu Bo in full view of everyone.

Since Dugu Bo had said he would not forget past favors, Xue Xing naturally had to seize the opportunity to win him over.

If it succeeded, it would be a tremendous boon.

If it failed, it would still demonstrate his stance, and if one thought deeper, it could create a false impression for others.

Look, even the dignified Crown Prince of the Empire hit a wall in front of Title Douluo Dugu, yet I am chatting happily with him.

What does this mean? It means those who follow the path of justice receive much support, while those who don't receive little. You fence-sitters who judge people by their status, why haven't you started leaning toward me yet?

With Xue Xing acting this way, Dugu Bo, who was over seventy and a seasoned veteran of life, naturally saw through it.

However, Xue Xing had done him a favor, and although he disliked such matters, he could not ignore it.

Sighing, Dugu Bo stepped forward to help him up: "Your Highness, there is no need for this."

"You know my personality. I will not participate in your internal royal struggles. Whether it is you, the Crown Prince, or even Emperor Xue Ye, I will not favor any of you."

"Between you and me, it is merely a private friendship."

Xue Xing had his schemes, and Dugu Bo was also making his stance clear.

I just want to live a peaceful life and couldn't care less about your royal infighting, but we have a private friendship, and since you have been kind to me, I will not stand by and watch you fall into trouble.

Xue Xing clearly understood what Dugu Bo meant, and he waved his hand with a delighted smile. "Haha, Sir, what are you saying? We have known each other for many years; how could I not know your character?"

"I came here today purely for our personal friendship, not for official business."

"Someone, bring out the gift I prepared for Sir."

As he spoke, Xue Xing smiled and beckoned to the guards behind him.

A guard holding a sandalwood box in both hands walked up to Dugu Bo and raised it high to present it.

Click. The box opened, and a pistol with an incredibly exquisite design, no larger than a palm, was revealed before everyone's eyes.

"Uh..." Dugu Bo and Shen Feng were instantly dumbfounded. Neither of them had expected it to be this thing.

Dugu Yan's eyes lit up. She reached out, took the pistol from the box, and examined it carefully in her hands.

"Grandpa, this seems to be a Soul Tool. The design is actually quite pretty."

Xue Xing was all smiles. "Haha, as long as Yanyan likes it. This was prepared specifically for you."

"Half a month ago, the Bala Kingdom offered a few of these novel Soul Tools as tribute. It is said they were developed by a gathering of rogue cultivators on the border of the Star Dou Forest."

"The attack method of this Soul Tool is similar to a crossbow, using projectiles to injure others. Not only is it more compact than a crossbow, but its appearance is also extremely exquisite, and its power should not be underestimated. Once fired, it is enough to cause considerable damage to a four-ring Soul Ancestor."

"It is quite a good weapon to keep on hand for emergencies and self-defense."

After hearing Xue Xing's introduction, Dugu Yan's eyes shone. "Thank you, Your Highness the Prince. This thing is great; I like it very much."

Dugu Bo gave a wry, helpless smile and cupped his hands toward Xue Xing. "Then many thanks to Your Highness for the gift."

Xue Xing laughed heartily and returned the gesture. "It's just a small trinket. As long as Yanyan likes it, then my careful selection was worth it."

"Since the gift has been delivered, I will no longer disturb you all. I shall take my leave."

Dugu Bo cupped his hands. "Safe travels, I won't see you out!"

Watching Xue Xing's carriage depart, Dugu Bo looked helplessly at Dugu Yan. "Just for this little trinket, Xiao Feng has piles of them. Did you really need me to owe that old man Xue Xing a favor?"

"Now that you've accepted it, I'm going to be taken advantage of by that old guy again. Just thinking about it makes me feel like I've lost out."

Shen Feng shook his head with a wry smile. He flipped his wrist, took out his own sidearm from his bracer, and handed it to Dugu Yan.

"Sister Yanyan, this one is better than the one in your hand. It can cause significant damage even to a five-ring Soul King, and it consumes less soul power when used."

"The one you have not only has less power, but it also consumes a great deal of soul power when fired. At most, it can only be considered an exquisite toy."

Dugu Yan looked at the large pistol Shen Feng handed her, then looked down at the exquisite, petite pistol in her own hand, and was instantly stunned. "Ah, this..."

Dugu Bo smiled slightly. "Accept it. Anything Xiao Feng gives out won't be inferior."

After Xue Xing left, Dugu Bo took Shen Feng and Dugu Yan and successfully exited the city.

They headed in the direction of the Sunset Forest. There were no further obstacles along the way, and even the vague, lingering gazes that Dugu Yan had sensed earlier had all completely disappeared.

Meanwhile, in Heaven Dou City, at the Crown Prince's residence.

Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, sat cross-legged on a cushion, focusing intently on arranging the tea set on the low table in front of her.

Opposite her sat a middle-aged man with a lean build, his upper body as straight as a javelin.

"Young Master, Xue Xing made contact with Dugu Bo on the street. The two talked happily, and he brought a gift for his granddaughter—the novel firearm Soul Tool offered as tribute by the Bala Kingdom last time."

"Dugu Yan accepted the gift happily, but Dugu Bo once again rejected Xue Xing's attempts to win him over."

"After Xue Xing left, Dugu Bo took his granddaughter Dugu Yan and the youth named Shen Feng to the Sunset Forest."

Qian Renxue shook her head in disdain. She slowly poured tea into the two cups before her and pushed one toward the man.

"Uncle She Long, please have some tea."

Lifting the cup to moisten her lips, Qian Renxue said with a profound gaze, "It is merely the sorrow of the weak. My cheap uncle seems to not understand at all that no matter how many sheep he gathers, they cannot contend with the tigers and leopards in the flock."

"Dugu Bo is unwilling to participate in the royal struggle because he has self-awareness."

"The Heaven Dou Empire has no Title Douluo of its own. If Dugu Bo dared to participate in the struggle for the throne, that old fellow Xue Ye would be the first one not to let him off."

"What about the child named Shen Feng? Did he show any abnormalities?"

She Long pondered, "After Xue Xing left, he also gave Dugu Yan a pistol Soul Tool. It was slightly larger than the one offered by the Bala Kingdom, so I imagine its power would be even greater."

Qian Renxue's lips curled slightly upward. "It seems this youth was most likely brought back from the Bala Kingdom by Dugu Bo. Have someone go to the Bala Kingdom and secretly investigate his identity."

"Remember, focus on covert investigation. Do not do anything else unnecessary for the time being."

She Long nodded. "Then, what about the operation targeting Xue Beng?"

Qian Renxue thought for a moment. "Cancel the operation. Dugu Bo is a master of poison; it would be bad if he noticed any clues."

"I have been lurking for this matter for 11 years and have paid a great price. I must ensure that nothing goes wrong."

"Three of Xue Ye's four sons are already dead. The surviving Xue Beng has already been scared out of his wits, disguising himself as a playboy and relying on Xue Xing to wander around and gather support just to barely save his life."

"Letting him live can also leave Xue Ye with a thought, reduce the suspicion on me, and keep a large portion of that old man Xue Xing's attention occupied. The benefits outweigh the drawbacks."

"The situation is excellent now. We only need to proceed step by step, and we can easily complete the plan to usurp the country. There is really no need to create extra complications."

She Long nodded. "Yes, this subordinate understands."

"Does the Young Master have any other instructions? If there is nothing else, this subordinate will personally go to the Bala Kingdom to investigate that youth."

Qian Renxue pondered for a moment, then shook her head slightly: "That is all. Uncle She Long, go and return quickly."

"Remember, focus primarily on the investigation. Do not do anything else unnecessary."

She Long bowed in salute: "Yes, this subordinate will remember."

After She Long departed, Qian Renxue picked up the tea on the table that had already gone cold. Watching the reflection of a man rippling in the teacup, her gaze drifted off unconsciously.

Qian Renxue, oh Qian Renxue, after eleven years of disguise, do you even remember who you are?

Shen Feng? You really are a cute little brother. I hope you won't stand in my way; otherwise, I will only be able to lament the talent that belonged to you in my heart.

At noon, Dugu Bo brought Shen Feng and Dugu Yan into the Sunset Forest.

This was his first time in the Sunset Forest, and Shen Feng discovered that compared to the Star Dou Forest, aside from the vast difference in size, there were many other differences as well.

First, the Star Dou Forest spanned across both the Star Luo and Heaven Dou empires and was located in the central region of the continent. It belonged to a tropical zone, so the majority of the forest consisted of dense tropical vegetation.

The Sunset Forest, however, was located deep within the heart of the Heaven Dou Empire in the northern part of the continent. Although it could not yet be considered a frigid zone, the temperature was much lower than that of the Star Dou Forest, which resulted in the plants here being primarily temperate species unique to the north.

Tropical plants gave one a feeling of being denser and more humid, whereas temperate plants gave a feeling of being dry and refreshing, and the density of the vegetation was not as thick as that of tropical plants.

Therefore, traveling through the Sunset Forest was much easier than in the Star Dou Forest.

Following Dugu Bo as they shuttled through the interior of the Sunset Forest, the intimidating aura of Dugu Bo as a Title Douluo caused the various soul beasts to retreat one after another. Aside from the journey itself, no unexpected incidents occurred along the way.

It was not until the moon hung high in the branches that the three of them finally reached their destination.

A massive poisonous formation, permeated with purple-black mist, blocked their path.

Dugu Bo stopped in his tracks: "We have arrived. This is my place of seclusion."