Su Changqing did not directly answer Dugu Bo's repeated questions about his identity and purpose. Instead, he changed the subject, his tone calm yet filled with unquestionable certainty.
"Whenever it rains at night, do you often feel a stabbing pain between your brows and unbearable aching numbness in all your joints, as though ten thousand ants are gnawing at you? Especially around midnight, does the Soul Power within your body grow restless, even showing faint signs of backlash?"
Dugu Bo's pupils abruptly contracted. What Su Changqing had described were precisely the symptoms that had tormented him for years, yet which he had never revealed to anyone!
Even the timing of the attacks had been pinpointed with perfect accuracy! This could not possibly have been mere guesswork.
Without waiting for his answer, Su Changqing continued, "As for your granddaughter, Miss Dugu Yan, her symptoms may not yet be obvious because she is still too young. But I fear she does not have much time left to live."
Those words struck Dugu Bo's heart like a heavy hammer.
How could he not know about Dugu Yan's condition?
Now that Su Changqing had laid it all out so clearly, Dugu Bo's shock became indescribable. The icy killing intent in his heart was completely replaced by urgent hope.
"You... How did you know?!"
Dugu Bo's voice carried a trace of hoarseness and trembling that even he himself had not noticed. He stepped forward, staring intensely at Su Changqing as if trying to see through him completely.
"Could it be that your family has long possessed a solution?"
Su Changqing shook his head slightly, still avoiding the matter of his origins.
"How this junior came to know is unimportant. What matters is that this junior does know a way to alleviate, or even completely cure, this poison. It is a very ancient inheritance."
Su Changqing began spinning a tale.
With Bibi Dong backing him now, he could simply kill and take what he wanted.
But setting aside the fact that he had not truly joined Spirit Hall, if the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well were exposed and they learned of its effects, would they still regard him as a treasure?
His extraordinary talent had drawn the competition of every major force, but once the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was developed, the first person to die would be him—the one who knew everything yet remained neutral!
"An ancient inheritance?"
A sharp gleam flashed through Dugu Bo's eyes, though his suspicion did not completely fade.
"Boy, do not spout nonsense! The Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor's Poison is one of the world's most deadly poisons. I have studied it my entire life and still found no cure. You dare make such a claim based on some inheritance of unknown authenticity?"
"If Senior does not believe me, this junior can first prepare a medicinal remedy to ease your symptoms."
Su Changqing responded calmly. He knew he had to produce something tangible before the other man would believe him.
"This medicine cannot eradicate the poison, but it will be enough to spare Senior from the bone-deep agony on rainy nights for the next three months. Please keep it safe."
Su Changqing took out a pill.
He had specially concocted it for Dugu Bo after studying the Immortal Herb Manual for so long.
Dugu Bo did not take it immediately. Instead, he stared fixedly at Su Changqing, trying to find even the slightest trace of deception in those calm eyes.
But Su Changqing's gaze was clear and composed, carrying a steadiness and confidence beyond his years.
That precise description of his symptoms alone left Dugu Bo no choice but to believe him somewhat.
The hope of saving Yan Yan was like a lifeline, one he could not easily abandon.
Killing a genius seemingly from a secluded family could bring unpredictable consequences, but if it could save Yan Yan, any risk was worth taking.
"Your conditions."
Dugu Bo took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the excitement and doubt in his heart as he regained the composure of a Title Douluo.
"State your conditions. There is no free lunch in this world. Since you claim you can save Yan Yan, you must want something."
Su Changqing knew the crucial moment had arrived, but he did not show too much excitement.
With an indifferent expression, he said, "The conditions are simple. What this junior needs is the Medicine Garden surrounded by Senior's Poison Array, as well as that Spatial Soul Tool of yours that can store living creatures."
"How do you know I possess a Spatial Soul Tool capable of storing living creatures?"
Dugu Bo's expression changed in shock, and coldness once more appeared on his face.
This young man before him was far too strange!
It was as though he had long since learned everything about him!
And his goal was actually nothing more than his Medicine Garden?
Aside from the Ice and Fire spring, that garden had little use. Even Dugu Bo himself did not know what most of those flowers and plants were for. Could it be that this boy knew something?
"Since Senior knows that I come from a secluded family, surely it is not difficult for me to know what you possess?"
Su Changqing remained exceedingly calm, without the slightest hint of panic.
Dugu Bo could not help but admire such a steady mentality.
Thoughts rapidly raced through Dugu Bo's mind.
The conditions proposed by this boy were not excessive, but the problem was that he kept feeling the price the other party was asking him to pay was too low!
Could there be some supreme treasure in that Medicine Garden?
Though Dugu Bo still did not understand, he could be certain of one thing: this person truly wanted to save him!
"Fine. You may use the Medicine Garden as you please, but you are not allowed to damage it," Dugu Bo said gravely.
When Dugu Bo agreed, a smile finally appeared on Su Changqing's face!
The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was finally his!
"Do not worry, Senior. I would never bear to damage your Medicine Garden. If Senior trusts me, then after I cure you, perhaps I may even allow your martial soul to rise to a higher level!"
Hearing this, Dugu Bo fell silent for a moment.
He only took it as boasting meant to make him accept the conditions.
Raise his martial soul to another level?
Who was he trying to fool?
Although Dugu Bo did not believe the latter half of his words, he had already felt the other party's sincerity.
Dugu Bo accepted the pill.
"Fine, I agree!"
Dugu Bo finally made his decision. He gave Su Changqing a deep look, his eyes full of warning.
"Boy, I will trust you this once. If you can truly cure Yan Yan, the medicinal herbs in the Medicine Garden are yours to take as you please! But if you dare deceive me, or bring even the slightest harm to Yan Yan..."
He did not finish the sentence, but the chilling killing intent of a Title Douluo flashed past in an instant, serving as the best possible warning.
Su Changqing met his gaze calmly. "Senior, rest assured. This junior has no intention of harming anyone."
"Hmph. It had better be so!"
Dugu Bo snorted coldly and swept his sleeve. The lingering poison and traces of battle in the room were cleared away by an invisible force.
Though the damaged furniture could not be restored, at least the room was no longer a mess.
He withdrew all his aura and returned to looking like an ordinary old man, though his gaze remained deep.
"This is not a place to stay long. Follow me."
With that, Dugu Bo turned and walked out the door.
He needed to verify Su Changqing's words as quickly as possible. He did not wish to wait another moment.
Su Changqing straightened his slightly rumpled clothes and followed him with a calm expression.
Under the night sky, the figures of one old man and one youth silently departed the inn, vanishing at the end of Suotuo City's streets as they raced toward Dugu Bo's hidden Medicine Garden beyond the city.
That old bastard had finally taken the bait!
Before you continue