"Ha ha..."
Dugu Bo was well aware of his own temperament; he rarely interacted with others on ordinary days.
But now was different from before!
At this moment, he felt nothing but lightness throughout his body.
Dugu Bo sat sideways across from Ye Renxin, his elbow propped on the table, looking relaxed and cheerful. He couldn't help but chuckle, "It's fortunate that Patriarch Ye's invitation came at just the right time, coinciding with my recent good mood. Otherwise, I might have disappointed you again."
"That truly is my honor... Patriarch Dugu, please!"
Ye Renxin laughed flatteringly,
then raised the hot tea in his hand to toast Dugu Bo.
"Patriarch Ye is too polite. Please!"
Dugu Bo straightened his posture and picked up the fine-quality tea.
Then, both of them drank it down in one go.
Looking at the radiant Dugu Bo, Ye Renxin couldn't help but praise, "It seems the hidden injuries within Patriarch Dugu's body have improved somewhat. Your complexion looks much better, truly glowing with vitality."
"As expected of someone who runs a medical clinic—your eye is indeed sharp."
Upon hearing this, Dugu Bo praised him but didn't elaborate further. He simply smiled, lowering his gaze to the teacup in his hand, savoring the lingering sweetness in his throat.
"Tsk! What a pity..."
"Although Patriarch Ye's century-old Zhuyeqing tea is a treasure, it still can't compare to the exhilaration of strong liquor!"
"Oh?"
Ye Renxin showed a surprised expression and teased:
"It seems Patriarch Dugu's hidden injuries are nearly healed. Truly, good fortune brings high spirits. You even dare to call for strong liquor—aren't you afraid your little princess at home will complain? Ha ha... Since that's the case, I'll risk my life to keep you company."
With a laugh, Ye Renxin retrieved several jars of aged liquor from his Soul Guidance Device.
"The feeling is mutual."
Dugu Bo laughed heartily, eyeing the strong liquor before him. Without hesitation, he grabbed a jar and retorted, "If Patriarch Ye returns reeking of alcohol, the trouble you'll face will be at least twice as much as mine... Your daughter and her mother won't let you off easily."
"Exactly! Otherwise, why would I say I'm risking my life to keep you company?"
Ye Renxin's candid laughter gradually faded, replaced by a mysterious, almost gleeful expression. "But now it's different. Even if I return dead drunk, it won't matter."
"Hmm? No one will care even if you return dead drunk? I find that hard to believe."
Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow, looking surprised.
"Patriarch Dugu, we've known each other for many years. Have I ever lied to you?"
Ye Renxin shook his head, casually removed the red cloth from the liquor jar, tossed it aside, and lifted the strong liquor in his hand, saying to Dugu Bo:
"Patriarch Dugu, let's skip the small talk and drink heartily first!"
"Consider it a proper farewell."
"Good!"
Dugu Bo exclaimed loudly, also removing the red cloth from his jar. Just as he was about to drink with Ye Renxin, he suddenly sensed something amiss.
After a moment of reflection,
a look of realization dawned in Dugu Bo's eyes.
The little princess of the Ye Family was less than a year younger than Yan Yan. Yan Yan had already awakened her Martial Soul long ago, and after all this time, it was about time for that lass from the Ye Family to do the same.
Anyone familiar with the Nine-Hearted Begonia Martial Soul knows its greatest flaw: only two inheritors can exist at the same time, and the inheritance of this Martial Soul often coincides with the passing of a life.
Currently, the Ye family already has two inheritors of the Nine-Hearted Begonia Martial Soul—Ye Renxin and his beloved daughter, Ye Qinshui. With a new inheritor about to emerge, a choice must be made between the two. From any perspective, it is clear who must be sacrificed!
At this thought, Dugu Bo lost all interest in drinking.
"Wait!"
With a slap, Dugu Bo pressed down on the wine jar Ye Renxin was about to lift. Holding his own jar, he frowned and looked at Ye Renxin in surprise. "No wonder you've been acting strange today. Counting the days, it seems your time is nearly up, old friend!"
"Hah, I've embarrassed myself in front of the Dugu Family Head, resorting to pity even at the end," Ye Renxin said with a carefree smile, though his voice carried deep reluctance. Yet, for the sake of his family's Martial Soul inheritance, he had no choice.
"Actually, I have a favor to ask in inviting you here."
"..."
Dugu Bo stared at Ye Renxin and sighed.
"I knew it. There's no such thing as a free lunch, nor free wine. The Ye Family Head has treated me and Xin'er multiple times without charging a single coin. Now that the Ye family faces difficulties, I, Dugu Bo, am not one to forget kindness. Speak freely, Ye Family Head. If it's within my power, I'll gladly lend a hand."
"This matter is one I can entrust to no one in all of Heaven Dou City but you, Dugu Family Head. Only then can I rest assured."
Ye Renxin slowly set down his wine.
His apricot-yellow eyes revealed a touch of sorrow and reluctance, along with a flicker of tenderness.
"Though I seldom move within the Soul Master Realm, I have treated many from it. As a healer with a compassionate heart, I've earned a good reputation. But once I'm gone, I wonder how many friends will remember my past help and be willing to watch over my family, allowing us to continue living peacefully in Heaven Dou City. Though the Nine-Hearted Begonia Martial Soul is considered ill-fated, its power is renowned throughout the Soul Master Realm. Without the web of interests I've maintained, I fear many will covet it. And though you, Dugu Family Head, are known for your solitary nature, I understand your character well."
"?!"
Listening to Ye Renxin's quiet words, Dugu Bo's grave and helpless expression suddenly relaxed, as if he had been struck by a realization.
Yes!
Such a powerful Martial Soul as the Nine-Hearted Begonia—Young Friend Ye Tian would surely not refuse it!
If the Dugu family alone were to manage the pill business in Heaven Dou City, we might rely on the wonders of pills to quickly penetrate the market. But it would be far slower without the Ye family's involvement! After all, the Ye family's clinics already have a solid foundation.
Perhaps Young Friend Ye Tian could even resolve the flaw of the Nine-Hearted Begonia Martial Soul?!
Dugu Bo's eyes lit up.
Ye Renxin, however, slowly withdrew his gaze and looked at Dugu Bo earnestly. "Therefore, I wish to entrust you, Dugu Family Head, to protect my wife and daughter to the best of your ability."
"Hahaha..."
Dugu Bo suddenly burst into laughter.
Under Ye Renxin's surprised and puzzled gaze, he shook his head with a smile.
"Ye Family Head, I'm afraid I must disappoint you."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Ye Renxin couldn't help but be taken aback, a flicker of disappointment flashing in his eyes, though he didn't dwell on it further, nor was he willing to press the matter.
With a candid smile, he once again lifted the wine cup from the table.
"Very well... I understand that this request may be somewhat unreasonable. The fact that the Dugu Family Head has come is already more than enough for me to be grateful for. Today—"
"Family Head Ye, you've misunderstood."
Before Ye Renxin could finish, Dugu Bo interrupted him, even slapping the wine bottle back down from his hand.
Dugu Bo looked at Ye Renxin, grinning widely:
"I'm not refusing your request—it's just not yet time for me to agree to it."
"???"
Ye Renxin was left utterly confused.
Dugu Bo, however, couldn't hold back a chuckle. "Isn't Family Head Ye still alive right now? When that day truly comes, it won't be too late for me to agree to your request."
"Haha~ The Dugu Family Head truly has a sense of humor. May I ask if there's any particular difference?"
Ye Renxin remained composed and courteous as he inquired.
"Of course there's a difference!"
Dugu Bo smiled mysteriously, propping his elbow on the table and leaning forward with keen interest. "Because I happen to have a clear path to point out to you. Perhaps by then, Family Head Ye might just manage to keep his life, and we could even become colleagues."
"What?!"
At these words, Ye Renxin could no longer remain calm.
He knew Dugu Bo's character well—it was precisely because of this that he had thought to entrust Ye Qinshui and Ye Lingling to Dugu Bo. Naturally, he also knew that Dugu Bo would never speak carelessly.
But when it came to his own life, Ye Renxin couldn't afford to be anything less than cautious.
"Is the Dugu Family Head speaking the truth?!"
"Of course it's true!"
Dugu Bo's expression was full of certainty as he grabbed the strong liquor beside him and took two hearty gulps.
"Good! Excellent wine!"
"At this point, there's nothing left to hide. Over all these years, did Family Head Ye truly believe I was troubled by some hidden injury? When you treated me, did you really not detect the Serpent Venom within my body?"
Dugu Bo's jade-green eyes fixed intently on Ye Renxin before him.
"..."
Ye Renxin remained silent for a long moment before shaking his head with a wry smile.
"I naturally noticed the Serpent Venom within the Dugu Family Head's body. But as a healer, if a visitor is unwilling to speak of something, I would not pry. A healer's duty is simply to prescribe the right remedy and save lives."
"Exactly as I thought! If not for Family Head Ye's character, I would not have come to this meeting."
Dugu Bo praised with a smile, speaking openly:
"To be frank, the Serpent Venom within my body does indeed have another hidden story. That is, the Jade-Scaled Snake Martial Soul of my Dugu Family, much like the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul of your Ye Family, also suffers from a certain Martial Soul Defect Disease! Ever since our ancestors began cultivating poison techniques, every generation of our clan has been born carrying Serpent Venom. Once cultivation begins, as their strength grows, they face the agony of Serpent Venom Backlash! When this backlash strikes, it is enough to cause us to die suddenly."
"Gasp—Such a thing exists?!"
Ye Renxin couldn't help but draw a sharp breath, his eyes widening in shock.
Then, it began to make sense.
"No wonder the Dugu Family Head, with his unparalleled poison skills, still suffered from poisoning. In that case, this does resolve the confusion in my mind."
As he finished speaking, Ye Renxin narrowed his eyes, looking at Dugu Bo with even greater astonishment.
"If that's the case, when the Dugu Family Head said earlier that the hidden injuries in his body were about to heal, does that mean the defect of the Dugu Family's Azure Phosphorous Serpent Spirit has already been resolved?!"
Dugu Bo nodded heavily.
"Exactly! Not only has the poison brought by the Martial Soul Defect been resolved, but even my granddaughter Yan Yan's Martial Soul has evolved into the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor. This is precisely why I said I would point you toward a clear path! Now, as long as you agree, I can inquire on your behalf and request that noble person to assist you."
"Spirit Evolution! Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor!"
Ye Renxin completely lost his composure. Dugu Bo's words struck his mind like a heavy hammer, leaving him dizzy and disoriented.
Yet, even with the hope of survival before him,
Ye Renxin did not let the sudden joy overwhelm his senses.
He rationally grasped the term 'colleague' in Dugu Bo's words, which clearly represented the price the Dugu Family had paid to cure the Martial Soul Defect Disease.
And it would be the price he would have to pay as well.
"Family Head Dugu, I am grateful for your concern. But before that, allow me to ask one more thing. What exactly is the cost required to have the noble person you mentioned intervene?"
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