"The way that battle ended, both of them must've taken heavy damage. Old Poison, I'll finish you another day. As for Tang Hao, he's as good as dead."
Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes burned with killing intent. He no longer cared about pursuing Dugu Bo. All he wanted now was to finish off the injured Tang Hao, to settle the old score from the time he and Ghost Douluo had been beaten by him.
He followed Tang Hao's trail, but by the time he chased into a commoner district of Vast Sea City, Tang Hao had completely vanished.
---
At the Ye Family's clinic:
"Your Excellency, thank heavens you're alright."
Ever since learning that Titled Douluo's had fought in the city, Ye Wuyi had worried about Dugu Bo's safety. If anything happened to him, then both Dugu Yan and Ignaz would be targeted by that black-cloaked Douluo, dragging the Ye Family down with them.
On the surface, the Ye Family enjoyed the favor of the Heaven Dou royal court, but in truth their survival depended heavily on their alliance with Dugu Bo and the deterrent his strength provided.
"Just a petty thief, nothing I couldn't handle. I came back this time to have you pass a message to that boy Ignaz and the others: tell them their grandfather's still alive and well. That should put their minds at ease."
"Your Excellency, allow me to heal your injuries."
"Mhm."
Dugu Bo gave a slight nod.
"Seventh Spirit Skill: Martial Spirit True Body!"
Ye Wuyi released her Nine-Hearted Begonia, its blossoms radiating waves of gentle healing energy that flowed into Dugu Bo. Almost instantly, he felt a comfort unlike anything before, his wounds mending rapidly.
"The Nine-Hearted Begonia's healing truly lives up to its reputation."
In less than five minutes, not only were Dugu Bo's injuries fully healed, but even thirty percent of his spirit power had recovered.
Then, a crisp cracking sound echoed from within him—his spirit power surged violently. Dugu Bo's expression broke into a broad smile.
"Well, well. Who'd have thought this battle would turn into a blessing in disguise? My spirit power has risen another rank."
"Congratulations, Your Excellency, you've stepped closer to the pinnacle of Spirit Masters."
Ye Wuyi was genuinely delighted. The stronger he became, the safer the Ye Family would be, and the better Ignaz's life could be protected.
---
Meanwhile, outside a chamber in Moon Pavilion Manor, a hesitant knock came at the door.
"Come in."
A gentle, feminine voice floated out. But instead of footsteps, there came the heavy thud of a body collapsing.
Tang Yuehua hurriedly rose and opened the door, only to see a man slump backward into her arms.
"Second Brother, what happened to you?"
The moment her eyes fell on Tang Hao's face, a wave of long-suppressed longing overwhelmed her. But then she saw his haggard features, the black poison lines snaking up his neck, and his right leg corroded to the bone. Tears welled instantly.
"Someone, quick! Bring him inside! Call every healing Spirit Master in Moon Pavilion immediately!"
She barked her orders frantically.
Five Spirit Kings and one Spirit Emperor of the healing type rushed to his side, pouring their strength into him. Yet, in the end, all they could do was shake their heads.
"Madam, the poison in his body is beyond us. We can only suppress it, not remove it."
"What? You all boast that your healing rivals Ye Wuyi's, yet you can't handle a single poison?!"
Her voice trembled with desperation. This was her own brother lying here. They'd just reunited after years apart, only for fate to tear them apart again. She couldn't lose him now.
"Is there any way left to save him?"
"Since it's poison, the best chance would be to invite Dugu Bo, the Poison Douluo, to treat him."
At those words, Tang Hao's eyes snapped open. With what little strength he had, he roared hoarsely:
"No—!"
Yuehua clasped his hand tightly and answered firmly, "Then we won't ask him. If you despise him that much, we won't let him near you."
The six healers exchanged uneasy glances, then one ventured, cautiously:
"Madam, Physician Ye might be able to purge it completely."
"What? You want me to beg Ye Wuyi?"
Tang Yuehua's face darkened. She loathed that so-called miracle doctor. If Ye hadn't turned her back when Yuehua needed her most, her beloved man wouldn't have died.
"Cough—cough—"
Two splatters of black blood gushed from Tang Hao's mouth. Yuehua panicked.
"Quick! Go bring Ye Wuyi here!"
"Yes!"
---
Just as Dugu Bo was leaving the Ye Family clinic, men wearing Moon Pavilion's distinctive livery arrived.
"And what business brings Moon Pavilion lackeys here?" Ye Wuyi asked coldly.
"Our Madam has an old friend who's gravely ill. She requests your aid."
"The life or death of her 'old friend' has nothing to do with me. We're finished, and I won't go."
Ye Wuyi had long since lost all patience with Tang Yuehua. That woman was hopelessly blinded by love, chasing after men who betrayed her, even flirting shamelessly with others while clinging to one. And when Wuyi had confronted her, Yuehua had scolded her in return, saying she shouldn't meddle in other people's love affairs.
From that day, their bond as sworn sisters had shattered into bitter enmity.
In Ye Wuyi's eyes, Yuehua's so-called teachings of noble etiquette at Moon Pavilion were nothing but pretentious hypocrisy.
"Get out!"
Her shout sent the messenger fleeing. Back at Moon Pavilion, when he reported what happened, Tang Yuehua's carefully maintained noblewoman's façade crumbled. Alone, she raged like a common shrew, hurling curses at Ye Wuyi.
"Ye Wuyi, you selfish fraud! Some healer you are, with no heart, no ethics! I was still willing to remember our sisterhood, but you're nothing but a snake!"
Only after venting her fury did she return to Tang Hao's chamber. To her shock, he had improved.
"What's going on here?"
"We don't know, Madam. While we were working to slow the spread of the toxin, it suddenly began to recede on its own."
The six healers were as baffled as she was.
Tang Hao opened his eyes and rasped,
"Yuehua, I'm alright now. Dismiss them—I need to speak with you privately."
Yuehua waved the others away and sat by his side, her eyes full of worry.
"Second Brother, are you really alright?"