Xue Ye's Invitation, Becoming a Guest Elder of the Heaven Dou Empire! The Right to Choose Three Treasures from the Imperial Treasury!

Dugu Bo didn't directly say the word "poisoned," but carefully chose his words:

"Your Majesty's body has accumulated an extremely impure evil energy.

"This evil energy seems to have built up over many years, and it conflicts with some of the potent tonics Your Majesty usually takes,

"causing your body to be unable to handle the supplements and instead suffer from them."

Hearing that he hadn't directly accused anyone of poisoning the emperor, Xue Qinghe, outside the door, breathed a faint sigh of relief, and his taut nerves relaxed a little.

"Then... is there still hope?"

At that moment, Xue Ye was like a man clutching at the last straw.

"It's difficult.

"Very difficult."

Dugu Bo stood up and clasped his hands behind his back. Just as the light in Xue Ye's eyes was about to go out, he changed the subject:

"However, since I've come, I naturally won't stand by and do nothing."

"To cure you completely, given your current condition, would be nothing but a fool's dream.

"But I can use my own secret method, together with medicine, to regulate your meridians and suppress this evil energy."

"Although I can't restore you to your former health, I'm still fairly confident I can keep you going for three to five years,

"and even help you live longer."

Yu Nan found it amusing.

Even if Dugu Bo did nothing,

according to the plot,

Xue Ye still wouldn't die for several more years.

"Only..."

Dugu Bo paused, gazing deeply at Xue Ye:

"The treatment will be extremely dangerous, and it will consume a great deal of my energy and precious medicinal ingredients.

"I wonder, Your Majesty, do you dare to try?"

"I'll try!

"I'm willing to try!"

Xue Ye agreed without hesitation, so excited he nearly sat bolt upright in bed.

Three to five years!

For someone who felt he could die at any moment, three to five years was practically an extravagant dream!

"Good!"

Dugu Bo nodded, the faintest curve appearing at the corner of his mouth:

"Since Your Majesty trusts me, then from today onward, your meals, daily routine, and medicinal treatment must all be entirely under my control. As for my compensation..."

He deliberately didn't mention the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud right away, leaving the matter hanging:

"Let's wait until I've kept Your Majesty alive. We can discuss it then."

Leaning against the soft pillows, Xue Ye wore a conflicted expression on his pale face.

Although Dugu Bo had agreed to treat him, he knew that without some deeper bond of mutual interest, such an arrangement wouldn't be secure.

Dugu Bo had always been eccentric in his dealings, neither wholly good nor wholly evil.

If he ever lost his temper and walked away, Xue Ye's old bones couldn't take the strain.

He took a deep breath, as if making up his mind, and looked straight at Dugu Bo:

"Mr. Dugu, I have an unreasonable request."

"I know you've always preferred a free and unrestrained life, and dislike being tied down.

"But the empire is now weathering a storm, and my health...

"I hope to hire you as a true Imperial Guardian Guest Elder of the Heaven Dou Empire."

At this, Xue Ye deliberately emphasized his words:

"You wouldn't merely be nominally attached to my younger brother, Xue Xing. You would answer directly to the imperial family and enjoy the same status and stipends as a prince.

"What do you say?"

After saying this, Xue Ye actually had little confidence.

After all, countless forces had tried to win Dugu Bo over over the years. Even the olive branch Spirit Hall had extended was rejected. The Old Poison Freak's eccentric temper was famous.

However, to Xue Ye's surprise, Dugu Bo didn't simply turn on his heel and leave as he usually did, nor did he mock him.

He merely narrowed his eyes a little, his green eyes glimmering with an inscrutable light in the dim bedchamber.

"Senior, accept his offer."

Yu Nan's voice rang in Dugu Bo's mind at just the right moment, calm with the confidence of someone who had everything under control:

"Only when you're truly one of their own can you ask for what you want with a clear conscience.

"And with this status, when we act in Heaven Dou City in the future, that fake crown prince will be all the more wary of making a move."

Dugu Bo understood, but on the surface he pretended to ponder deeply for a moment.

He slowly turned his head and looked at Dugu Yan, who had remained silent beside him.

The pride and coldness in his eyes melted away in an instant, replaced by a complicated tenderness and... "helplessness."

"Your Majesty."

Dugu Bo sighed, his voice carrying a hint of desolation:

"If you'd asked me ten years ago, I would have refused without a second thought.

"I've lived my whole life without restraint, and the thing I hate most is courtly rules."

The light in Xue Ye's eyes dimmed a little. He was about to say something to smooth things over when Dugu Bo changed the subject:

"But now, I'm old."

He reached out a thin, withered hand and gently patted Dugu Yan's shoulder:

"My life has turned out as it has, but this only granddaughter of mine is the apple of my eye.

"Yan Yan has exceptional talent, and she's now at a crucial point in her cultivation.

"I have to make plans for her future. I can't let her wander the Soul Master World without a home or support like I did."

As he said this, Dugu Bo raised his head, met Xue Ye's gaze, and spoke solemnly:

"I can accept Your Majesty's offer and take the post of Guest Elder of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. I'll even act on the imperial family's behalf when necessary."

"But all of this is for the sake of my granddaughter, Dugu Yan."

"Really?!"

Xue Ye was overjoyed. Even his ashen face flushed with excitement.

A Titled Douluo truly joining their ranks!

For the Heaven Dou Imperial Family in its current state, this was like a shot in the arm!

Even "Xue Qinghe," standing in the doorway, showed a flash of surprise in his eyes.

The Old Poison Freak was actually willing to lower his head for his granddaughter?

But then again, Dugu Bo was famous for protecting his own. It made sense that he'd find his granddaughter a powerful backer.

As long as he was acting out of self-interest, he'd be much easier to deal with than if he were motivated by "loyalty."

"A ruler's word is his bond."

Dugu Bo nodded, then changed the subject, revealing his trademark sinister smile:

"However, since this is for Yan Yan's sake, I naturally have to secure some benefits for her.

"I don't care for empty titles or Gold Soul Coins."

Xue Ye was in high spirits, and he waved a hand generously:

"Just name it!

"If it's within my power, I won't be stingy!

"Do you want a Soul Bone?

"Or some top-grade herbs?"

Dugu Bo shook his head, a shrewd curve appearing at the corner of his mouth:

"Finding a Soul Bone depends on fate, and I have plenty of herbs in my garden.

"I've heard that the Heaven Dou Imperial Family has a thousand-year legacy, and its treasury is filled with rare treasures from across the land."

"I'd like to enter the imperial treasury and choose a few treasures for Yan Yan myself,

"something she can use to protect herself in the future, or perhaps... as her dowry."

"I'll only take three. How does that sound?"

Hearing that Dugu Bo merely wanted to pick a few things from the treasury, Xue Ye finally let go of the worry hanging over him.

Though the Heaven Dou treasury held many treasures,

in his eyes, the most valuable Soul Bones had long since been carefully stored away or bestowed upon meritorious servants.

What remained was mostly antiques and paintings, rare metals, or ceremonial objects whose symbolic value outweighed their practical use.

Trading a few lifeless objects for the loyalty of a Titled Douluo was an incredibly good deal!