Upon entering the estate, Gu Xuan followed Dugu Yan through several twists and turns. Since it was his first time visiting, he was unfamiliar with the layout.
His only impression was one of plainness. To be honest, for the residence of a Titled Douluo, it was far too austere. There were almost no decorative plants, and every corner was swept impeccably clean.
It could be said that even a minor noble with a bit of wealth would have a courtyard much better decorated than Dugu Bo's estate. From this, it was clear that Dugu Bo truly did not care for fame or fortune, choosing instead to live a simple, frugal life with his precious granddaughter.
There were very few servants in the courtyard. Aside from Uncle Fu, there were only seven elderly women in their fifties. They usually took care of Dugu Bo's daily needs, but spent most of their time cleaning, as Dugu Bo rarely required their assistance.
Dugu Yan was quite familiar with these people and showed no arrogance as a young mistress, likely because they had been together since she was a child. As they walked, she introduced the layout and situation to Gu Xuan, clearly already treating him as one of her own.
After walking for about fifteen minutes, Dugu Yan and Gu Xuan stopped at a quiet courtyard. This was the place where Dugu Bo usually refined his medicines.
Dugu Yan turned to Gu Xuan and said. "My grandpa often mixes poisons here. You should stay outside; I'll go in and call him."
Gu Xuan did not refuse. It wasn't that he feared the poisons, but rather that it was better for Dugu Yan to go in first, explain the situation, and let the old man prepare himself mentally.
As Gu Xuan waited outside the courtyard for about fifteen minutes, he suddenly felt as if he were being watched by some prehistoric beast. Instantly, like a wild cat with its fur standing on end, two yellow and one purple soul rings rose around his body.
'Martial Soul Possession!' Gu Xuan's hands transformed into silver-white bone claws, and he swung them fiercely toward the space behind him.
A straight arm reached forward, easily catching Gu Xuan's bone claws. Simultaneously, a somewhat raspy yet mild voice spoke. "Not a bad reaction speed."
Gu Xuan looked up and saw the man's appearance. He was two meters tall, standing straight like a javelin. He wore simple green robes; even his hair and beard were green, and his eyes were a deep emerald. He was currently sizing Gu Xuan up with a gentle expression.
Gu Xuan recognized him instantly. Who else could this be but Dugu Bo?
Gu Xuan immediately retracted his bone claws, withdrew his Martial Soul, and pulled his soul rings back into his body. He bowed deeply toward Dugu Bo and said. "Junior Gu Xuan of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan greets Senior Dugu."
Looking at the respectfully bowing Gu Xuan, Dugu Bo nodded with satisfaction. Although he never cared for empty formalities, it didn't mean he couldn't feel the genuine respect when someone bowed to him.
"No need for such ceremony, kid. I heard you're together with my Yan Yan?" Dugu Bo waved his hand, his tone suddenly becoming sharp.
At that moment, Dugu Yan walked out of the inner courtyard and glared at Dugu Bo. "Grandpa! You promised me you wouldn't make things difficult for Xiao Xuan!"
Dugu Yan pouted. Dugu Bo's stern expression faltered instantly, and he immediately replaced it with a smile, moving to Dugu Yan's side. "Yan Yan, how could Grandpa be making things difficult? I'm just asking a normal question."
Dugu Yan rolled her eyes at her grandfather and said. "Was I not clear enough? I told you everything except the color of Xiao Xuan's underwear. What else do you need to ask?"
Dugu Bo froze at those words. 'What kind of way is that to talk?'
Gu Xuan, standing to the side, was also stunned. 'What kind of bold language is this?'
"Ahem. Fine, Yan Yan, Grandpa won't ask then." Dugu Bo doted on her, patting her head and speaking softly.
Seeing this scene, Gu Xuan's opinion of Dugu Bo rose once again. The old man might be ruthless toward outsiders, but he truly had nothing but love for his own people. Looking back at the original story, even after Tang San practically ransacked the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Dugu Bo stood his ground during the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. When Tang San was being intercepted, Dugu Bo faced the pressure of a two-on-one fight alone to protect him. This was proof enough of the old man's loyalty and temperament.
Later on, Sword Douluo stepped in to help, but before that, this old man was all alone. Without courage and a sense of justice, who would dare to be so reckless?
After soothing Dugu Yan, Dugu Bo whispered to his precious granddaughter. "Yan Yan, I want to have a private word with this kid. Why don't you go play for a bit?"
Hearing this, Dugu Yan was helpless, but she wasn't a brat who made scenes. She gave Dugu Bo a few more warnings and then turned to Gu Xuan.
Dugu Yan whispered. "Xiao Xuan, my grandpa is just cold on the outside and warm on the inside. Don't be afraid."
Seeing Dugu Yan coaxing him like a child, Gu Xuan smiled helplessly. He originally wanted to flick her nose, but with Dugu Bo right there, he had to refrain. After all, it would soon be just the two of them; he didn't want the old man to give him a hard time for "teasing" his granddaughter.
Gu Xuan gave a gentle smile, nodded, and replied. "Don't worry. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's reading people. Senior Dugu won't make things hard for me."
Hearing this, Dugu Yan felt relieved. She nodded and let Gu Xuan follow Dugu Bo inside. Dugu Bo glanced at Gu Xuan, gave Dugu Yan another smile, and then said to Gu Xuan. "Let's go."
The two men entered the courtyard one after the other, while Dugu Yan did not leave, choosing instead to wait at the courtyard gate.
Entering the courtyard, Gu Xuan saw a small medicinal plot with over a dozen herbs growing. Coincidentally, Gu Xuan recognized all of them. These herbs were all poisonous, each with significant medicinal effects, and they were the type rarely found on the market.
Without lingering, Gu Xuan followed Dugu Bo into one of the rooms. The room contained nothing but a small table and two cushions; a tea set sat upon the table.
Dugu Bo sat down carelessly on one of the cushions and said to Gu Xuan. "Have a seat. This old man has many questions for you!"
Dugu Bo's attitude toward Gu Xuan was actually quite decent, showing no signs of coldness or suspicion. In truth, as long as Dugu Yan explained everything, Dugu Bo wouldn't be able to find any suspicious points. To any observer, it all seemed to have happened naturally, without any hidden schemes. This was because every step Gu Xuan took was deeply calculated to ensure everything appeared organic.
Gu Xuan did not act restrained. He sat on the cushion opposite Dugu Bo and replied. "Thank you for the seat, Senior Dugu."
Dugu Bo waved his hand and said. "Cut the crap. This old man doesn't like empty formalities. I don't know what methods you used to trick my precious granddaughter, but before you receive my approval, if you dare to take advantage of Yan Yan, I don't care if your grandfather is Gu Rong—even he won't be able to save you from me."
Gu Xuan had just sat down when Dugu Bo delivered this "show of strength." Gu Xuan wasn't offended; after all, Dugu Bo was doing this for Dugu Yan's sake. It was better to give a warning now than to deal with the pain of Dugu Yan being bullied later!
If Gu Xuan's own daughter brought back a boy she'd only known for a month and called him her boyfriend, Gu Xuan would be far more ruthless than Dugu Bo. 'You want to sit? You wouldn't even have a place to stand.'
However, if Dugu Bo knew that Gu Xuan and Dugu Yan had slept in an embrace last night—and that if it weren't for Gu Xuan's incredible self-control, they might have crossed that final line—what would the old man think? Gu Xuan didn't even dare to imagine it; if the old man really blew his top, he'd be in for a world of hurt.
As for worrying that Dugu Bo would murder him, that was nonexistent. Setting aside his relationship with Dugu Yan, the fact that Gu Xuan was the grandson of Gu Rong from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan alone meant his life was safe. Dugu Bo was crazy, but with Dugu Yan as his weakness, his madness had limits.
Inside the room, the exchange between the two men began.
(End of Chapter)
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