Oscar ignored the trace of doubt in Dugu Bo's eyes and calmly said:
"Originally, I hadn't planned to bring this matter up. After all, we're little more than acquaintances. And… well, though Sister Dugu Yan is indeed as beautiful as a flower, I don't usually meddle in others' affairs."
"But since it was my words that stirred painful memories for Your Majesty and Sister Dugu Yan, and because I truly understand your feelings, even if I risk offending you, I still wish to speak my mind."
Hearing this, Dugu Bo felt a surge of emotion. Though he had only known Oscar for a few hours, he had already gotten a measure of the boy's character—Oscar was not the type to spout baseless nonsense.
If he dared say such things, then he must at least have some foundation for them.
Dugu Yan also slowly lifted her head. She had clearly heard his words—especially the way he praised her beauty and even addressed her as "sister."
Though the sudden change in address felt strange, she instinctively knew: Oscar never spoke without reason.
"Little Ao, what are you saying?" Dugu Bo asked nervously.
"Your Majesty, I may have a method to remove the poison from you and Sister Dugu Yan. Even if it cannot fully eradicate it, I should be able to greatly relieve its effects."
Oscar did not promise too much, leaving himself an escape route. Though he had studied such problems for years and conducted experiments, this was his first time facing a real case. He could not be absolutely certain.
Especially since he had not yet set foot in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, without the aid of immortal-grade herbs.
At his words, both Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan's hearts pounded, ignoring entirely the way Oscar now addressed her. All they heard was detoxification.
Yet even so, Dugu Bo found it hard to believe.
He had lived more than seventy years without finding a solution—could an eleven-year-old boy really do what he could not?
Still, the mere possibility of relief was shocking enough.
"Oscar, I know you are not one to speak lightly. But I must warn you—this matter is no joke. I've lived over seventy years. If you dare trifle with me, or try to win my favor by dangling false hope, then no matter how much I appreciate you, I will still…"
His words grew stern, his tone deadly serious.
But before he could finish, Dugu Yan cut him off:
"Grandfather, what are you doing? Oscar is just a chance acquaintance—he only spoke up because he couldn't bear to see us suffering. If you pressure him like this, won't you put him in an impossible position?"
Her words calmed Dugu Bo somewhat. He realized he had been too harsh. But this was no trivial matter.
For himself, he didn't care. But for his granddaughter—his only remaining family—he could not afford even the smallest risk.
"Oscar, don't take it to heart. Grandfather didn't mean to frighten you. He's just… too invested in this matter." Dugu Yan turned toward Oscar, explaining sincerely.
Oscar met her gaze with a warm smile.
"Sister, I understand. I can sympathize with Your Majesty's feelings. Don't worry, I'm not petty."
"And besides, Your Majesty is right—this isn't something one can joke about. I understand him."
Hearing that, Dugu Yan relaxed. But she had clearly heard it again—Oscar called her "sister." For some reason, the sadness in her heart eased at once, replaced with an odd flutter.
Why… why is he suddenly calling me sister? she thought, her heart in chaos.
Oscar then turned to Dugu Bo. His smile faded into a serious expression.
"Your Majesty, though our acquaintance is short, I believe you already know something of my character. I would never joke about such things. I truly want to help you and Sister. I dare not guarantee success—but I will give it everything I have."
Seeing the boy's earnest eyes, hearing the firm conviction in his voice, Dugu Bo fell silent for a long moment before finally nodding.
"I was too hasty earlier. Don't take my words to heart."
He straightened his posture and adjusted his sleeves.
"Tell me. I want to hear your idea."
Then he added:
"Regardless of what your method is, I owe you a favor for speaking up."
Those words were sincere. For Oscar to face his pressure and still offer a suggestion—such courage deserved respect.
"Then I shall speak." Oscar nodded.
"Your poison has seeped into your very bones. To fully remove it is extremely difficult. In fact, I find it strange that you are even alive. Even as a Titled Douluo, your body should not have withstood such venom. This is not something soul power alone could suppress."
"My words may sound disrespectful, but this doubt of mine directly affects how much confidence I can have in treating you. I hope you'll forgive my bluntness."
Dugu Bo waved the concern aside. What Oscar said was true.
Oscar continued:
"The only explanation I can think of is either you once consumed a heaven-and-earth treasure… or you rely on some special external aid."
Dugu Bo's eyes lit up. If Oscar could reason this far, he truly did understand.
He nodded. There was no point in hiding it, especially since he had already promised to bring Oscar to his treasure ground.
"Yes. My survival to this day is indeed a miracle. By chance, I discovered a medicine garden. There lies a special place that suppresses my poison. It was also thanks to this place that I was able to break through to the Titled Douluo realm."
Oscar naturally knew this referred to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, but he carefully kept his face neutral.
"I see. That explains much."
Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes.
"But how does that connect to your method of detoxification?"
"Of course it matters." Oscar nodded.
"If that special place can suppress your poison, then perhaps I can make use of it. To treat you and Sister, I'll also need large amounts of medicinal herbs—of the highest grade possible."
At that, Dugu Bo nodded gravely.
"Which herbs? I can search for them."
Oscar gave a helpless smile.
"That is where the difficulty lies. What I require is unimaginably rare. Rarer even than spirit bones."
"If you could find them, just two special immortal herbs would suffice to cure you and Sister completely—with no side effects. But such herbs are so rare that even if you searched your entire life, you might never encounter them."
Dugu Bo's face darkened at once. Yet soon, his brows furrowed as if he had thought of something.
Oscar went on:
"Of course, that would be the ideal solution. At present, I cannot accomplish it."
But you need not despair. Even without the perfect cure, I do have ways to greatly relieve both your and Sister's poison.