The Game of Chess

Su Changqing didn't directly answer Dugu Bo's barrage of questions about his identity and intentions. Instead, he shifted the topic, his tone calm yet undeniably firm.

"Senior, on rainy nights, do you often feel a sharp pain in your glabella and unbearable stiffness in your joints, as if being gnawed by ten thousand ants? Especially around midnight, does your internal Soul Power become restless, even showing signs of backlash?"

Dugu Bo's pupils contracted sharply. Su Changqing's description was precisely the affliction he suffered from, yet had never revealed to anyone!

Even the timing of the episodes was spot on! This couldn't possibly be mere guesswork.

Without waiting for a reply, Su Changqing continued, "And your granddaughter, Miss Dugu Yan, though her symptoms aren't apparent now, it's only because she's too young. But her lifespan probably isn't very long, is it?"

These words struck Dugu Bo like a heavy hammer to the heart.

How could he not know about Dugu Yan's condition?

Now, with Su Changqing recounting it all perfectly, Dugu Bo's shock knew no bounds. The cold killing intent was completely replaced by an urgent hope.

"You... how did you possibly know?!"

Dugu Bo's voice was hoarse and trembling, a tremor he himself didn't notice. He took a step forward, his gaze fixed intensely on Su Changqing, as if trying to see through him completely.

"Could it be that the family behind you has long had a solution?"

Su Changqing shook his head slightly, still evading the question about his origins.

"How I know isn't important, Senior. What's important is that I do know a method to alleviate, and even completely cure, this poison. It's an ancient inheritance."

Su Changqing began his spiel.

Although he now had Bibi Dong backing him and could just kill for what he wanted... But for starters, he hadn't truly joined the Martial Soul Hall. And once the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was exposed and they learned of its effects, would they still treat him like a treasure? His powerful talent attracted the covetous eyes of various forces, but once the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was developed, he, who knew everything and remained neutral, would be the first to die!

"Ancient inheritance?"

A sharp glint flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes, his suspicion not entirely gone.

"Kid, don't speak nonsense! The Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor's Poison is the world's most potent toxin. I've studied it my entire life and found no cure. You dare to make such a bold claim based on some unverified inheritance?"

"If Senior doesn't believe me, I can prepare a palliative agent first."

Su Changqing responded calmly. He knew he had to present something tangible to gain the other's trust.

"This medicine won't eradicate the poison completely, but it will be enough to spare Senior the bone-gnawing pain on rainy nights for the next three months. Please accept it, Senior."

Su Changqing produced a pill.

This was specially formulated for Dugu Bo based on his long study of the Immortal Herb Manual.

Dugu Bo didn't take it immediately. Instead, he stared intently at Su Changqing, trying to find any trace of deception in those calm eyes.

But Su Changqing's gaze was clear and open, carrying a composure and confidence beyond his years.

The accurate description of his symptoms already made him believe to some extent.

The hope of saving Yan'er was like a straw he couldn't easily let go of.

Killing a genius from a suspected reclusive family had unpredictable consequences, but if Yan'er could be saved, any risk was worth taking.

"Conditions."

Dugu Bo took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the excitement and doubts in his heart, regaining the composure of a Title Douluo.

"State your conditions. There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Since you claim you can save Yan'er, you must want something."

Su Changqing knew the crucial moment had arrived but didn't appear overly excited.

He spoke with a calm expression, "The conditions are very simple. What I need is the medicine garden you've enclosed with your poison array, and your Spatial Soul Tool that can store living things."

"How do you know I have a Spatial Soul Tool that can store living things?"

Dugu Bo's expression startled, and a coldness resurfaced on his face.

This young man before him was too bizarre!

It was as if he had already figured everything out about him!

And his goal was just his medicine garden?

Aside from the Ice and Fire Spring Water, he didn't even know what the other plants and flowers in that garden were useful for. Could this kid know something?

"Since Senior knows I'm from a reclusive family, it shouldn't be difficult for you to know what I have, right?"

Su Changqing's expression remained very calm, showing no signs of panic.

Dugu Bo was deeply impressed by such a steady mindset.

Dugu Bo's thoughts raced.

The demands made by the young man before him weren't excessive, but the problem was, he felt the price the other was asking him to pay was too little!

Could there be some hidden treasure in that medicine garden?

Although Dugu Bo was still puzzled, he was certain of one thing: the other truly wanted to save him!

"Alright, you can use the medicine garden as you please, but no destruction." Dugu Bo said in a deep voice.

Seeing Dugu Bo agree, Su Changqing's face finally broke into a smile!

The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is finally in my grasp!

"Don't worry, senior. I would never dream of damaging your medicine garden. If you trust me, senior, after I cure your illness, perhaps I can even help your Martial Soul reach a higher level!"

Hearing this, Dugu Bo fell silent for a moment.

He assumed the other party was just boasting to get him to agree to his terms.

Help his Martial Soul reach a higher level?

Was he kidding?

Although Dugu Bo didn't believe the latter half of his statement, he could feel the sincerity behind it.

Dugu Bo took the pill.

"Alright, I agree!"

Dugu Bo finally made his decision. He gave Su Changqing a deep look, his eyes filled with a clear warning.

"Kid, I'll trust you this once. If you can truly cure Yan Yan, you can take any herbs from the Medicine Garden! But if you dare to play any tricks on me, or if Yan Yan suffers even the slightest harm..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the chilling killing intent of a Title Douluo flashed and disappeared, serving as the best warning.

Su Changqing met his gaze calmly. "Senior, please rest assured, I have no intention of harming anyone."

"Hmph, you'd better not!"

Dugu Bo snorted coldly and waved his sleeve. The residual poison gas and traces of battle in the room were swept away by an invisible force.

Although the damaged furniture couldn't be restored, at least the room was no longer a mess.

He suppressed all his aura, returning to his appearance as an ordinary old man, though his eyes remained profound.

"This place is not safe to linger. Come with me."

Dugu Bo said, turning and heading for the door.

He needed to verify Su Changqing's words as soon as possible and couldn't wait another moment.

Su Changqing tidied his slightly disheveled clothes and calmly followed.

In the darkness of the night, two figures, one old and one young, quietly left the hotel and disappeared at the end of the streets of Suo Tuo City, heading rapidly towards Dugu Bo's hidden Medicine Garden outside the city.

That old geezer finally fell for it!