For the Young Master's Sake, Asking Around—Teacher, Look at That Old Man Who Looks Like His Kidneys Are Failing and He Hasn't Long to Live

Gu Yuena's eyes narrowed as she glanced at Porcupinefish Douluo, startling him so badly that he took three unconscious steps back before steadying himself.

Porcupinefish Douluo patted his chest and said with lingering fear, "Young Master Shen, I saw you a few times in Spirit City before. After all these years, your bearing remains as impressive as ever!"

Porcupinefish Douluo's flattering words made Xiao Wu and Tang San exchange looks. Years ago, in Spirit City?

As expected of their teacher. Even someone like this treated him with such respect. Judging by his clothes, he seemed to hold no low position, and he had recognized their teacher at a glance. That meant their teacher must have experienced quite a lot in Spirit City.

"Hahaha, thank you for the compliment."

Shen Qingling was surprised by Porcupinefish Douluo's appearance, but only slightly. Heaven Dou City was simply too small; he could run into an acquaintance just by entering a random restaurant.

Porcupinefish Douluo smiled. "Not at all. What brings Young Master Shen to Heaven Dou City?"

"Just passing through." Shen Qingling smiled faintly.

Just passing through?

His appearance had come at such a perfect time. And who was the silver-haired woman beside him?

That single glance earlier had filled him with fear. Her strength was undoubtedly extraordinary.

"Young Master Shen, this lady is?" Porcupinefish Douluo asked curiously.

Of course, he mainly wanted to find out for the young master's sake.

"This is my wife, Gu Yuena." Shen Qingling raised an arm around Gu Yuena's shoulders and introduced her calmly.

Porcupinefish Douluo's heart skipped a beat, and surprise showed on his face.

He had originally assumed she was merely a woman traveling with him. He had not expected her to be Young Master Shen's wife. He quickly glanced at Gu Yuena and found her beauty unparalleled, yet her presence was chilling to the bone. The pressure from that earlier glance still made his back feel cold.

He did not dare look at her too closely, much less ask about her origins, afraid of angering this unfathomably powerful woman. Even his cultivation as a Titled Douluo felt like that of an ant before her. She was certainly no ordinary person.

"So you are Madam Shen. Please forgive my disrespect." Porcupinefish Douluo hurriedly cupped his hands in salute, his attitude becoming even more respectful. "I still have duties to attend to, so I will not disturb Young Master Shen and Madam Shen's meal any longer. I shall take my leave."

After speaking, he turned and quickly left. His departure was swift and decisive, and he did not even dare look back. Only after descending the stairs did he let out a breath of relief, muttering inwardly, The people around Young Master Shen truly are anything but simple. That woman's strength is unfathomable. I must hurry back and report to the young master.

In the private room, Gu Yuena withdrew her gaze only after Porcupinefish Douluo had gone far away. She turned to Shen Qingling and asked, "Who was that? A Titled Douluo from Spirit Hall?"

She had only let out the faintest trace of her aura, yet he had been frightened into retreating. At least he had some sense.

"Yes, Porcupinefish Douluo. He is Qian Renxue's guard." Shen Qingling lifted his teacup and took a sip. "We stayed in Spirit City for a while back then and met a few times."

"Qian Renxue?" Gu Yuena raised an eyebrow, and the image of a little girl in a small golden dress with a round face surfaced in her mind.

Back when they had temporarily stayed in Spirit City, Shen Qingling would occasionally take her out. They had run into Qian Renxue several times while the little girl ran around with her guards. The girl would always follow behind Shen Qingling, calling him Big Brother and clinging to him.

Gu Yuena could not help laughing. "So he belongs to that little girl. I remember how she used to chase after you everywhere when she was young, like a little tail. I never expected her to have her own personal Titled Douluo guard now."

Tang San sat to one side, utterly confused but filled with curiosity. His teacher had actually stayed in Spirit City before and even knew important figures from Spirit Hall?

That Qian Renxue sounded like someone with an extraordinary identity, but he did not dare ask further. He merely sat obediently, his respect for his teacher's past growing deeper.

Xiao Wu blinked as well. She had little understanding of Spirit Hall. She only felt that her teacher was indeed amazing. Wherever he went, he knew people, and even such a powerful Titled Douluo treated him politely.

She took a mouthful of food from her bowl. Anyway, it was enough that her teacher was powerful. Following him definitely would not leave her at a disadvantage.

After eating and drinking their fill, Shen Qingling rose to pay the bill, then returned to the table and clapped his hands. "Come on, you two. Now that you've eaten and drunk your fill, it's time to get down to business."

The group left Heavenly Fragrance House. Tang San instinctively grabbed Shen Qingling's large hand and looked up to ask, "Teacher, what are we going to do?"

"Of course, we're going to find someone." Shen Qingling smiled without explaining further.

Tang San nodded and obediently followed. After turning through two streets, they arrived at a small alley with few pedestrians.

He suddenly pointed ahead and said softly, "Teacher, look at that old man up ahead. His complexion looks weak, and he seems frail, like he doesn't have long to live."

He muttered inwardly, That old man's face has an unhealthy bluish-gray tint, and his steps are unsteady. He looks even worse than the sick old people in the village. Don't tell me he's about to collapse from some sudden illness.

Shen Qingling looked in the direction he pointed, and his eyes shifted slightly.

The man ahead wore a dark green brocade robe, with a dark green jade pendant hanging at his waist. His eyes glimmered with emerald light. He was none other than Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo.

Shen Qingling was somewhat surprised. He had not expected to run into this man in a small alley in Heaven Dou City. Rumor had it that Dugu Bo rarely showed himself in the capital, yet today they had met by chance.

Gu Yuena also raised her eyes and glanced over. She merely used her divine sense to inspect him briefly before withdrawing her gaze and walking to Shen Qingling's side. "Husband, his entire body is filled with toxins. How has he survived?"

His entire body was full of toxins, yet he had managed to live so stubbornly. It truly was a miracle.

His entire body was full of toxins?

Tang San froze. A gust of wind lifted the hair before his eyes, revealing his widened gaze. He was clearly frightened.

Shen Qingling spoke calmly. "If this condition was not caused by toxins acquired later in life, then it must be the deadly poison inherent in his martial soul. It has been corroding his body over the years, leaving his complexion weak and damaging his foundation."

His voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached Dugu Bo's ears ahead. The step he had just taken came to an abrupt halt. He slowly turned around, his emerald eyes fixed on Shen Qingling, his heart filled with astonishment.

The Bilin Snake Poison within his body was extremely well concealed. Even ordinary Titled Douluo might not see through it at a glance. How could this young man speak so accurately at such an early age?

Even if it was a guess, it was a very reasonable one. He did have some skill.

He restrained his aura, clasped his hands behind his back, assumed the bearing of a senior expert, and slowly walked over. Laughing heartily, he said, "Hahaha, young friend, you have sharp eyes. Since you can tell that I am afflicted by deadly poison, could you explain it in greater detail?"

Tang San instinctively shrank behind Shen Qingling, his heart trembling. An old man whose entire body was full of poison looked like someone not to be provoked, yet he had actually come over to speak with them.

Gu Yuena stood at Shen Qingling's side, her expression unchanged. She merely gave Dugu Bo a faint glance. This level of poison amounted to nothing in her eyes.

It was not as though she had never seen venomous soul beasts before. And if it came to toxins throughout the body, perhaps Bi Ji would be even better suited to handle it.