Dugu Bo's Rage and Helplessness

Qian Renxue never imagined that Emperor Xue Ye, as the sovereign of a nation, could be so shameless.

You were the one who supported Kundera in deposing his original wife and exiling his legitimate son back then, all to signal goodwill toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Xue Qinghe had said those very words to her face in the past.

Could your own son have lied?

A mouth full of lies, a face that changes at the speed of light...

Filthy. Emperor Xue Ye, you truly are a filthy politician!

Qian Renxue felt nothing but contempt inside, yet she hurriedly put on a look of contrition, lowering her head as she said, "Father Emperor is right to reprimand me. It was this child who was babbling nonsense."

"Hmm." Seeing Qian Renxue admit her mistake so readily, Emperor Xue Ye nodded. He did not scold her further, but still offered a reminder: "Remember, no matter who you speak to in the future, say exactly that. I never consented to that affair; I have always held an opposing view. All the fault lies with Kundera. Do you understand?"

"This child understands."

"Good. Also, that child, Xue Hen, still harbors some resentment. When he met with me, he refused to acknowledge his own name, claiming instead to be called Jian Hen just like on the Sky Screen. This is all because he has been away from the family for too long. Since you have returned, as his elder imperial brother, you should go visit him and take the opportunity to bridge the gap between you. You are the Crown Prince; maintaining a good relationship with Xue Hen will be to your benefit in the future," said Emperor Xue Ye.

"This child understands. Then, Father Emperor, where is Imperial Younger Brother Xue Hen staying?" Upon hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in the depths of Qian Renxue's eyes. She looked up, wearing an expression of great joy and anticipation.

"He is staying at the Four Seasons Inn in the south of the city."

"Then this child shall go visit him at once," Qian Renxue said immediately.

"Remember, do not go empty-handed. Bring a gift—it need not be precious, the point is to show your concern," Emperor Xue Ye instructed.

"Yes, this child understands."

On the other side, at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, in the infirmary.

Dugu Yan lay on the hospital bed, wrapped in bandages from head to toe. Although her eyes were open, they had lost all their luster.

Standing by her bedside were over a dozen people: six students, five nursing staff, and two healing-type Soul Kings who were currently channeling their soul skills to treat her.

There was also one other person, dressed in a simple grey robe. His eyes, beard, and hair were all a deep ink-green. His cheeks were sunken, and his facial expression was rigid, giving him an ethereal, unreal quality.

This was none other than Dugu Yan's grandfather, the Poison Douluo—Dugu Bo.

Watching his granddaughter in such a miserable state, Dugu Bo felt as if his heart were being twisted by a blade. He wished he could bear such injuries and pain in her stead. Alas, this was not something one could simply substitute.

Xue Hen! You harmed my Yan-Yan; even if I have to throw away this life, I will find you and have my revenge! Dugu Bo thought viciously to himself, clenching his fists and gritting his teeth.

"Young Sect Master." At that moment, another student from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy ran in. Upon seeing Dugu Bo, his expression faltered. He hurriedly bowed to him before turning to the young man sitting by the bed, who was watching Dugu Yan with a worried expression. "It's bad, Young Sect Master. There is news that His Majesty has already met with Xue Hen. His Majesty has even issued a decree to enfeoff him as the Heir Apparent of the Balaque Kingdom, and, and..."

"And what?" Yu Tianheng asked, his brow furrowed and his tone extremely displeased.

"And he invited him to stay in Heaven Dou City to assist him."

"Hmph!" Before Yu Tianheng could speak, Dugu Bo could no longer sit still upon hearing this. He let out a cold snort, so enraged that he unleashed his Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor martial soul. Nine soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black—emerged from beneath his feet, and a powerful pressure instantly enveloped everyone in the room.

"Ugh~" Already severely wounded, Dugu Yan let out a low, pained groan under the pressure.

Hearing this, Dugu Bo reacted immediately, retracting his martial soul and dispersing the pressure.

As the pressure vanished, everyone let out a heavy sigh of relief.

"Emperor Xue Ye, what a fine Emperor Xue Ye you are! I have served your Imperial Family as a guest elder for so many years, filling the gap in your Titled Douluo combat power. Now, my granddaughter stands up for your son and ends up in this state because of that Xue Hen, and not only do you not think to help me take revenge, but you go and win over my enemy instead! Hahaha, truly cold-hearted and ungrateful, a wolf-hearted cur!" By the time he reached the last few words, the corners of Dugu Bo's eyes were flushed with rage, and he shouted them at the top of his lungs.

The two healing-type Soul Kings currently treating Dugu Yan could not help but frown upon hearing this.

They were not soul masters hired from the outside by Dugu Bo or Yu Tianheng, but teachers of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy serving the Imperial Family. For the Poison Douluo to curse His Majesty to their faces put them in a difficult position.

Should we even continue treating Dugu Yan?

After a moment of hesitation, considering Dugu Bo's formidable power, the two teachers chose to prioritize their own survival and continued the treatment, though they reduced their soul power output, thereby weakening the effects of their soul skills.

"Senior Dugu, please do not be so enraged. His Majesty's decision to win over Xue Hen is within reason," said a girl among the students gathered around the bed. She wore a pale purple dress, possessed superior features, and appeared quite composed. After catching her breath, she spoke to Dugu Bo.

"What did you say? Yan-Yan is your classmate!" Dugu Bo turned and glared at the girl, shouting.

"I know, which is why I am here taking turns with the two teachers to treat her. But Senior, His Majesty Xue Hen is of royal blood, a cousin to His Majesty, and possesses level 98 soul power as well as Twin Martial Souls. It is impossible for His Majesty to let such a clansman drift outside. We should have known this long ago, should we not?" Ye Lingling said in a flat tone.

"Hmph!" Dugu Bo snorted coldly, offering no rebuttal.

In truth, he understood that Emperor Xue Ye's choice was perfectly normal. If he were in his position, he would have done the same.

Compared to himself, Xue Hen carried the royal bloodline and was one of their own by nature.

Furthermore, whether it was martial soul, soul power, soul bones... or even domains, he was inferior to Xue Hen in every aspect. The only thing he could use to defeat him, aside from poison, was perhaps his age.

And as for poison, could his poison even affect Xue Hen, who possessed the Emerald Swan martial soul?

He had absolutely no confidence in that.

Such a person as himself was naturally far less valuable to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family than Xue Hen.

"Sigh!" Dugu Bo sighed in his heart, suddenly feeling utterly powerless.

Although he had just been thinking that he would risk his life to avenge his granddaughter, the reality was too cruel. Facing that Xue Hen, he feared he could throw his life away ten times over and still not be able to injure him, let alone kill him.

Borrowing outside help?

Martial Soul Hall had a history with him; that was out of the question.

The Heaven Dou Empire was clearly impossible. Would the Star Luo Empire help him?

Unless their emperor had lost his mind, they certainly would not help. Thus, in the entire soul master world, the only ones left with the capability to help him were...

Dugu Bo glanced in the direction of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, then slowly shifted his gaze toward Yu Tianheng, who was sitting by Dugu Yan's bedside.