The Leaky Little Padded Jacket

"Two requests."

"Never mind two requests, as long as His Holiness the Holy Son saves my Dugu family, I would agree to two hundred requests," Dugu Bo readily promised.

Shang An shook his head with a chuckle, "These two requests will not be easy."

Dugu Bo thought about it and realized that was true; if there were only two requests, they were likely not simple. However, since it concerned the lives of himself and his granddaughter, he still said, "Whatever requests His Holiness the Holy Son has, please feel free to state them."

Shang An took a sip of fragrant tea and said slowly, "First, Mr. Dugu, join my Spirit Hall. Second, I want Mr. Dugu's medicinal garden."

"This, allow me to think."

The second request was nothing much. Although his medicinal garden was precious, it would be worth it if it could be exchanged for a solution to his own problems.

However, regarding the first request, he still owed a debt of gratitude to Prince Xue Xing. Furthermore, in recent years, friction between Spirit Hall and the two great empires had intensified, and they were mutually hostile. If he were to join Spirit Hall, he would truly be letting down Prince Xue Xing.

In truth, Dugu Bo very much wanted to agree. If joining Spirit Hall could secure a way to save his family and his precious granddaughter, he would naturally be very willing, but...

Shang An wore an understanding smile. He knew that although Dugu Bo was ruthless, he was a man who valued relationships and loyalty. Otherwise, in the original story, he would not have become a close friend of Tang San, nor would he have helped Tang San so many times.

"I understand Mr. Dugu's predicament. Before you have repaid the favor to Prince Xue Xing, I will not require you to break away from Heaven Dou."

To be honest, Spirit Hall was not truly lacking this one Title Douluo; pulling Dugu Bo over was merely to prevent him from using area-of-effect skills against Spirit Hall.

Seeing that Dugu Bo was still somewhat hesitant, Shang An deepened his tone: "Mr. Dugu surely does not want his granddaughter to die young, does he!"

Dugu Bo was ultimately moved by Shang An.

"Fine, fine. My old life will be handed over to Spirit Hall and to His Holiness the Holy Son from now on."

After saying this, he knelt on one knee, "Greetings, His Holiness the Holy Son."

Seeing that Dugu Bo had agreed, Shang An nodded with satisfaction and took a scroll out of his ring.

"This is the method to resolve the flaws in your family's martial soul."

Having said that, he tossed it toward Dugu Bo.

Hearing that it was the method to resolve his family's martial soul flaws, Dugu Bo immediately channeled his soul power and caught it cautiously, fearing that the scroll might be damaged by the slightest bump. Once in his hands, it felt as if he were holding a heavenly scripture, and his hands trembled as he slowly opened the scroll.

None of the people with Shang An mocked Dugu Bo; who could remain calm when a lifelong wish was about to be fulfilled?

"This, there is actually such a miraculous cultivation method in this world."

Looking at the contents of the scroll, Dugu Bo's eyes revealed shock, followed by reverence. This cultivation method, titled Poison Scripture, could actually fuse the poison within the body with soul power to condense a true poison core.

This poison core was not comparable to the one Dugu Bo had forcibly condensed; it could not only absorb the toxins within his own body but also increase the power of his own toxins and improve his cultivation speed.

Moreover, with this Poison Scripture, the flaws in his Dugu family's martial soul would no longer be flaws. This was the foundation that would allow his Dugu family to be passed down for ten thousand generations!

"This, His Holiness the Holy Son, who was the senior who wrote this book? I wish to take this senior as my master." Dugu Bo's eyes revealed a fanatical look. The person who wrote this book had beaten him black and blue in the field of poison, which he was most proficient in, and what followed was deep admiration.

"Cough, Mr. Dugu, the person who wrote this book passed away a hundred years ago." This Poison Scripture was written by a demonic path senior from the Song Dynasty; by now, his ashes were likely scattered, so he naturally could not find the author again.

"What a pity. I hate that I was not born a hundred years earlier to listen to the teachings under this senior," Dugu Bo expressed his regret.

"This is only the first volume. The poison techniques in the second volume are even more profound."

Shang An mentioned it as if it were a casual remark, but it made Dugu Bo's heart burn with desire. If the first volume was already like this, then if he obtained the second volume, wouldn't that mean...

Shang An's intention was to whet Dugu Bo's appetite. Moreover, the Poison Scripture he gave Dugu Bo had been modified; not only had he replaced the magic power with soul power, but he had also left behind a hidden trap.

Although the possibility of Dugu Bo betraying him was extremely low given his character, one could not be too careful. If Dugu Bo did not betray him, then everything would be fine; if he did, well...

"Grandfather."

A crisp and pleasant voice drifted over.

"Grandfather, I heard there is a guest. Who is it?"

A graceful and elegant woman stepped lightly into the hall; it was none other than Dugu Yan, who had parted ways with Shang An and his group yesterday.

"Yan Yan, do not disturb the distinguished guest."

"Shang An, it's you!"

Dugu Bo's reprimanding voice and Dugu Yan's voice of pleasant surprise rang out at the same time.

"Uh, you know each other?" Dugu Bo had just been afraid that his granddaughter would offend this Spirit Hall Holy Son, but he hadn't expected the two of them to actually know each other.

"Yan Yan, you're back." Shang An greeted Dugu Yan with a faint smile.

"Yes. By the way, Shang An, why are you here? Did you come to see me?"

Dugu Yan asked with some anticipation.

"Of course. I came to see you and, incidentally, to discuss some matters with Mr. Dugu." Shang An naturally would not disappoint the beauty's expectations, walking to Dugu Yan's side as he spoke.

Seeing the subtle ambiguity in their words, Dugu Bo pondered to himself on the side. It seemed that this Spirit Hall Holy Son and Yan Yan had a good relationship; if... that would be a good thing.

Setting aside Dugu Bo's little thoughts, Dugu Yan and Shang An were already chatting away, leaving Dugu Bo on the side. Seeing the two of them unconsciously leaning closer and closer, Dugu Bo's eyelids twitched, and he couldn't help but let out a soft shout.

"Yan Yan, do not be rude to the Holy Son."

"Oh." Dugu Yan quickly pulled away a little distance, then stuck her tongue out at Dugu Bo.

"Grandfather just likes to meddle in other people's business."

Dugu Bo couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache. Granddaughter, I'm doing this for your own good. What am I supposed to do if this little padded jacket of mine is leaking air?

Of course, he had to forgive her. After all, she was the only little padded jacket he had left; even if it was leaking, he still had to wear it.

"Right, Shang An, did Grandfather just say you are the Holy Son?" Dugu Yan looked at Shang An with curiosity.

"That's right, I am the Holy Son of Spirit Hall. I apologize for not telling you my identity back then."

Shang An said with a hint of apology.

"It's fine, we had only just met at the time, anyway."

Dugu Yan waved her hand, indicating she didn't mind.

"By the way, is it true that Spirit Hall has a lot of Title Douluo?"

"It's alright, just an average amount."

"Let me tell you, I don't know how my grandfather cultivates, but he's turned himself all green. He doesn't have the aura of a Title Douluo at all."

It's over. The little padded jacket has turned into black-hearted cotton. It's unwearable now.

"Ahem, Yan Yan," Dugu Bo reminded her.

"I know, Grandfather, I'm not saying anything bad about you." Dugu Yan turned her head to reply, then turned back to whisper to Shang An: "Let's go to the backyard to chat. Let me tell you, my grandfather has actually never liked Spirit Hall, but it doesn't matter, I'll protect you."

Dugu Bo's face turned black.

"Haha, Yan Yan, actually, Mr. Dugu and I had a very pleasant conversation earlier. Mr. Dugu has already agreed to join my Spirit Hall."

"Really? How did you convince my grandfather, that old fossil?"

Under the glare of Dugu Bo's dark expression, Shang An began to explain the ins and outs of the matter to Dugu Yan.

In the courtyard, "So that's how it is."

"Then does that mean I'm considered your subordinate from now on?"

"Hmm, you could look at it that way." Shang An thought for a moment and nodded.

"Hmph, I won't be your subordinate."

Dugu Yan snorted and turned her head away. Not knowing what she was thinking of, her face flushed with a hint of shyness.

As a God King of the vast seas, Shang An naturally knew that he had to strike while the iron was hot and stir the heartstrings of his opponent.

He stepped forward, slowly closing the distance to Dugu Yan, his eyes staring into hers without the slightest hint of fear.

Seeing those beautiful, brilliant eyes of Shang An, Dugu Yan felt her heart pounding wildly. She subconsciously retreated, but the courtyard had its limits, and she soon hit the wall.

Shang An didn't stop his pace, continuing to walk toward Dugu Yan.

"What, what are you doing?" Dugu Yan felt like a little rabbit targeted by a big bad wolf. She was "frightened" into pressing herself hard against the wall, completely forgetting that she was a Spirit Master and that this was her home.

"What am I doing? What do you think?"

Shang An braced his hands against the wall, blocking Dugu Yan on both sides. Feeling Shang An so close, a fragrance drifted in with the breeze—a scent so intoxicating it made her heart flutter. Was this his natural body scent?

Dugu Yan felt her heartbeat accelerate once more, her heart seemingly dancing uncontrollably as if it wanted to leap out of her chest. She couldn't help but say: "Don't be like this."

"Like what? Little Yan Yan, you not wanting to be my subordinate makes me very sad."

As he spoke, Shang An put on a sorrowful expression. Dugu Yan, deceived by his sea-king-level acting, was just about to explain when she heard Shang An say:

"To keep you by my side, I have no choice but to turn you into my little darling wife."

Hearing this, Dugu Yan's brain instantly crashed. Little darling wife? Does Shang An want me to be his wife? Is he confessing to me? It's, it's too fast! Dugu Yan felt flustered, yet at the same time, she felt a joy blooming from the depths of her heart.

She wanted to say "I do," but a girl's reserve prevented her from saying the words. She was also afraid that Shang An would think she was an improper girl for agreeing to his confession after only knowing him for two days.

Coupled with the small streak of tsundere in her heart, she said:

"What little darling wife! I don't want to be your wife."

After she said it, she wanted to slap her own face. If Shang An misunderstood and thought she didn't like him, wouldn't that hurt his feelings? She hurriedly tried to explain:

"That's not what I meant, I... Mmph!"