"You're certainly straightforward, kid."
Dugu Bo was not annoyed. Instead, a hint of appreciation appeared on his face.
He looked Dai Mobai over, as though seeing the young man anew.
"Much better than those fellows who keep saying they wouldn't dare, then wish they could swallow me alive and skin me behind my back."
Dugu Bo added this with a touch of emotion in his voice.
In all his years, he had seen far too many two-faced people.
They treated him with the utmost respect to his face, yet behind his back, they wished the serpent poison would torture him to death sooner.
Those people feared him and hated him, yet coveted his strength and status.
Dai Mobai's blunt, straightforward nature actually put him at ease.
Dai Mobai said nothing. He merely nodded slightly, then turned and left the hall.
After leaving the hall and returning to his room, Dai Mobai settled cross-legged on the bed with practiced ease.
The Bedchamber was as quiet as ever. Sunlight filtered through the paper-covered window, casting warm patches of light across the floor.
He closed his eyes and sank his awareness into his body, letting his soul power circulate slowly through his meridians.
The next moment, blood-red flames burst from his body, blazing fiercely and lighting up the entire room.
He precisely controlled the flames' temperature within a certain range, making them hot enough to burn away the poison without damaging the furnishings.
The curtains swayed slightly, fluttering gently in the waves of heat, yet showed no trace of scorching.
Following the familiar procedure, he separated the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison mingled within the flames bit by bit. It twisted and struggled under the intense heat before finally gathering into a small cloud of green mist.
The mist churned and rolled within the