Chapter 41: All Factions Visit Dugu Bo
Just after leaving the imperial palace, Xue Qinghe stood at the gate, looking in the direction of the Dugu family, and a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes.
The pillar of light, Dugu Bo… Wu Tong, brother, is this your doing?
He thought about how Wu Tong had left Heaven Dou City with Dugu Bo several days ago and hadn't returned since.
Now that Dugu Bo was back, something so significant had happened.
It was hard not to connect the two events.
Xue Qinghe withdrew his gaze while pondering. Whether it was related or not, he would soon know—if Wu Tong was really involved, Dugu Bo surely wouldn't hide it from him.
"Elder Snake Lance, Elder Porcupinefish, I'll have to trouble you two to accompany me in a moment."
"As you command, Your Highness." Two faint voices sounded by Xue Qinghe's ear.
…
Almost every faction, upon learning that the pillar of light was related to Dugu Bo,
made the same choice: to send people to visit and explore the secrets of the pillar of light.
At the same time, in the Dugu household—
"Grandpa, and… Father, why aren't you even a little anxious?"
Dugu Yan looked at Dugu Bo and Dugu Xin sitting calmly, drinking tea in their seats.
She felt a little frantic. Even as a child, she could sense how serious this was—so why did these two main culprits seem completely unconcerned?
"The pillar of light last night was so conspicuous that nearly the whole continent could see it, even if most people didn't know what it was.
But those major factions definitely have their own ways to investigate. Once they find out the pillar of light is connected to you, Grandpa, they'll come looking for you. What will you do then?"
"If I can't resist, then I won't resist. I'll just tell them directly," Dugu Bo replied, amused by Dugu Yan's frantic look. The adults weren't dead yet, so there was no need for a child to worry.
"Grandpa, are you planning to give up on Wu Tong?" Upon hearing this, Dugu Yan seemed to think of something and stared at Dugu Bo. Suddenly, the familiar face in front of her seemed a bit strange.
"That's enough, Father. If you keep talking like that, Yan'er might end up denouncing you for betraying us," Dugu Xin interrupted, seeing the conversation getting out of hand.
Then he explained to Dugu Yan, "Yan'er, it's inevitable that the various factions will come, but explaining the situation to them is also something we must do…"
"Father…"
Seeing Dugu Yan about to protest, Dugu Xin quickly continued, "Hear me out, Yan'er. Every major faction has the means to investigate what happened last night.
Any changes around Father could draw their attention, so my resurrection can't be kept secret. Besides, this was part of little brother Wu Tong's plan from the start…"
As Dugu Xin calmly recounted the events, the truth of what happened and Wu Tong's scheme unfolded before Dugu Yan.
"So that's how it is… Then, Grandpa, why didn't you say so earlier? Were you just waiting to see me make a fool of myself?" Understanding the truth, Dugu Yan finally relaxed, then glared at her grandfather.
"Injustice, Yan'er! You started talking as soon as you came in—I didn't even have a chance to get a word in. How could I have done it on purpose just to embarrass you?"
Dugu Bo quickly waved his hand in surrender; he didn't want his precious granddaughter to dislike him.
Just as Dugu Bo was about to continue speaking, he suddenly turned to look outside the door, his expression growing solemn.
Sensing more than a dozen powerful auras approaching, Dugu Bo stood up, straightened his somewhat messy black robe, and said, "Looks like our guests have arrived.
Yan'er, Xin'er, come with me to receive them."
Sensing those strong presences, both Yan'er and Xin'er had already become wary, ready to take action, but after hearing Dugu Bo's words, their eyes showed understanding.
They quietly withdrew their soul power and followed Dugu Bo toward the guest hall.
——
Outside the Dugu residence.
A luxurious carriage bearing the emblem of the Heaven Dou royal family slowly came to a stop.
"Student greets Teacher, and greets Sword Douluo, Your Eminence!"
Having just arrived, Xue Qinghe got off the carriage and politely greeted Ning Fengzhi, who had also just arrived.
"No need for formality, Qinghe." Ning Fengzhi's smile was warm.
As master and disciple exchanged pleasantries, a golden and a black beam of light suddenly shot over from the distance.
Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Xue Qinghe all turned their heads, their eyes flashing as they sensed the powerful aura—these were people from Spirit Hall.
The two lights quickly landed at the entrance to the Dugu residence. As the light faded, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo appeared before them.
"Of course, if we can track down this matter, how could Spirit Hall not do the same? Besides, with the relationship between Chrysanthemum Douluo and Dugu Bo, he might have been the first to find out," Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo thought simultaneously.
"Greetings, Your Eminences." As the youngest present and the royal representative, Xue Qinghe bowed politely.
"Elder Chrysanthemum, it's been a long time," Ning Fengzhi greeted with a smile and a cupped fist.
"Let's skip the small talk," Chrysanthemum Douluo said coolly. "Sect Master Ning, I'm sure you've already guessed—our reason for coming is the same as yours. We're here about last night's incident, and I also want to know how that old coot Dugu Bo managed such a feat."
Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly and stepped aside. "Please, Elder Chrysanthemum."
Soon after, in the Dugu residence's reception hall—
"Hmph, Chrysanthemum Guan! I didn't expect you to show up too." As Chrysanthemum Douluo entered, Dugu Bo's expression instantly darkened, looking every bit the enemy meeting a lifelong rival.
Staring directly at him, he said coldly, "What are you here for? You're not welcome in my house."
"Old poison, what you did last night was a big deal. If I didn't come, would you have preferred the Supreme Pontiff to come looking for you herself?" Chrysanthemum Douluo shot back, "You're not qualified for that." He raised an eyebrow.
"Still, I'm surprised you're not dead yet. Judging from your appearance, has your poison been cured? You really got lucky."
"The poison is gone, naturally. Just because you couldn't do it doesn't mean others can't. And don't worry—even if you die, I might not be dead yet."
From the very start, sparks flew!
Ning Fengzhi felt a chill and quickly played mediator to prevent the situation from escalating. "Gentlemen, let's calm down. There's no need to let tempers flare."
"Hmph!" Dugu Bo, seeing Ning Fengzhi step in, seized the opportunity to back off and no longer targeted Chrysanthemum Douluo. "Let's all sit."
Seeing this, Chrysanthemum Douluo said nothing more, shot Dugu Bo a disdainful glance, and sat with Ghost Douluo near the back.
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo took seats at the front, quietly observing Dugu Bo, countless thoughts swirling in Ning Fengzhi's mind.
As the representatives of all major factions arrived, Dugu Bo, seated at the head, nodded and spoke. "Since everyone is here, I'll get straight to the point. I'm sure you're all here because of last night's incident and want to know what that pillar of light was, right?"
Everyone present nodded in agreement.
All the attendees were representatives of powers capable of investigating last night's event, and naturally understood their mission here.
They just hadn't expected Dugu Bo to speak so directly, catching them off guard and leaving them unsure of his intentions.
(End of this chapter)
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