Yue Guan withdrew his Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, his gaze sharp. "Prince Xue Xing, do you also intend to wade into these muddy waters?"
The newcomer was indeed Prince Xue Xing, the younger brother of Emperor Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire, a man of especially noble status. As for where exactly Prince Xue Xing had come from, that remained unknown.
Prince Xue Xing dismounted and approached Dugu Bo. He glanced at the injured Dugu Bo and the pitiful-looking Jiang Chen behind him before questioning the two men. "Ghost Douluo, Chrysanthemum Douluo. You are both figures who have been famous for a long time, yet in broad daylight, you dare to bully the weak. If word gets out, aren't you afraid of becoming the laughingstock of the continent?"
Yue Guan sneered, choosing to ignore Prince Xue Xing as his eyes fixed on Jiang Chen. "Xue Xing, I advise you to stay out of business that doesn't concern you. We of the Spirit Hall have always acted according to our rules. I can let Dugu Bo go for the sake of your face, but I must take that youth with me."
Jiang Chen, hiding behind Dugu Bo, was stunned. 'Take me away?'
Part of him wished for it, but the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well still had treasures waiting for him. It wouldn't be too late to join them after he finished with the Well.
Dugu Bo shielded Jiang Chen, his soul power surging. "Yue Guan, I dare you. My grandson isn't someone you can just take whenever you please. With me here, I'll see who dares to touch a single hair on my grandson's head."
At this moment, Jiang Chen was moved to tears. Although it was their first meeting, Jiang Chen's memories of the Poison Douluo described an old man who killed without blinking. He carried a solemn murderous aura, and his Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor poison was incomparably powerful; one touch meant certain death.
But seeing this display, Jiang Chen truly understood. Dugu Bo really regarded him as his own grandson. Dugu Bo, who only had a granddaughter, was inevitably lonely. His granddaughter studied at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, leaving him to usually stay alone in the Sunset Forest. Now, he had finally acknowledged a 'cheap' grandson who was very much to his liking.
Hearing that Yue Guan wanted to take Jiang Chen away, both sides immediately drew their swords. Fortunately, Prince Xue Xing was present. Otherwise, a battle would have been unavoidable.
Prince Xue Xing was also calculating inwardly. He had originally come here to hunt, never expecting to encounter the Poison Douluo, much less witnessing him being pursued by two Titled Douluos from the Spirit Hall.
If he saved Dugu Bo today, he would certainly be owed a favor. Prince Xue Xing represented the royal family. One must know that although the Star Luo Empire and Heaven Dou Empire were powerful and deep-rooted, they lacked the addition of Titled Douluo powerhouses. The Spirit Hall remained standing precisely because it was anchored by dozens of Titled Douluos.
Prince Xue Xing also roughly understood the reason Dugu Bo was being pursued.
"Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, as long as you leave this place today, I can act as if nothing happened. You absolutely cannot take this child. This is my final warning; if you do not retreat, you will be making an enemy of our Heaven Dou Empire."
Prince Xue Xing's words undoubtedly bolstered the morale of his soldiers. They raised their spirits, puffed out their chests, and stared straight ahead.
"You..."
The Ghost Douluo immediately stopped Yue Guan. "Yue Guan, let's go."
Though he didn't know the Ghost Douluo's intent, the current situation was unfavorable for them. They promptly turned into afterimages and vanished from the spot.
After the two left, Dugu Bo finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He turned to Prince Xue Xing and said slowly. "Thank you, Prince, for saving my life. If there is anything in the future, this old man will certainly arrive at the first moment."
Prince Xue Xing's face immediately brightened with joy. "Senior Dugu is too polite. Seeing injustice on the road and helping is what I should do. It just so happens that this Prince is returning to the palace; we shall travel together."
Following that, Dugu Bo and Jiang Chen boarded Prince Xue Xing's carriage and slowly left the area.
As Prince Xue Xing's group departed grandly, the Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo reappeared.
Watching the departing convoy, it was a pity that their target was right in front of them, yet they had fallen just short of completing the mission.
The Chrysanthemum Douluo struck a tree trunk helplessly. "Damn that Prince Xue Xing, where did he spring from? Old Ghost, why did you make me retreat?"
The Ghost Douluo said coldly. "At this time, we cannot yet sour relations with the Heaven Dou Empire; the Spirit Hall is still in its development phase. Although the mission failed this time, the harvest is quite large."
As partners for so many years, the two were already intimately close; one look was enough to know the other's meaning.
The Ghost Douluo nodded in understanding. "Indeed, the power hidden within that boy's body is massive. You heard it just now; he is six years old and hasn't awakened a Martial Soul. Let's hurry back to the Spirit Hall to inform Her Holiness the Pope of this matter and let her decide."
After speaking, he turned into a streak of light and vanished.
Inside the carriage.
Dugu Bo, Prince Xue Xing, and Jiang Chen sat as the carriage traveled leisurely. They were in a forest not far from Heaven Dou City, which also happened to be near the Sunset Forest where Dugu Bo resided.
"Thank you, Prince Xue Xing. If you hadn't arrived in time, these old bones of mine wouldn't have made it." Dugu Bo cupped his hands.
Prince Xue Xing smiled and patted Dugu Bo's cupped hands. "The Poison Douluo need not be so formal. The Spirit Hall was truly pushing things too far this time. I have seen their actions over the years. This time, while out hunting, I happened to see you in such dire straits; it is simply fate."
He then turned his gaze toward the raggedly dressed Jiang Chen, a flash of disgust appearing in his eyes. However, considering this was the Poison Douluo's grandson, he quickly masked it.
"Mr. Dugu, is this your grandson?"
Dugu Bo patted Jiang Chen's shoulder with satisfaction and said proudly. "That's right. He's closer to me than a biological grandson, and he's quite to my taste."
Glancing at the Sunset Forest not far away, Dugu Bo said. "Your Highness, this place is not far from my residence. I will take my grandson and depart. After all, this kid's Martial Soul hasn't awakened yet; I need to awaken it for him."
Hearing that they were leaving, Prince Xue Xing, who had intended to bring them to meet Emperor Xue Ye to win over Dugu Bo, hesitated. Dugu Bo had become a Titled Douluo; what kind of people had he not met? Prince Xue Xing's little schemes naturally couldn't escape Dugu Bo's eyes.
"Perhaps take him to the Heaven Dou City Spirit Temple for awakening? It's better for registration, and the conditions are excellent."
Dugu Bo declined. "No need, Your Highness. I must personally awaken my own grandson's martial soul. Besides, I've just had such a conflict with Yue Guan and Old Ghost; wouldn't it cause trouble for you if I grandly entered the Spirit Temple now?"
Realizing this made sense, Prince Xue Xing didn't try to make them stay any longer.
After saying their goodbyes, Dugu Bo tucked Jiang Chen under his arm and ran swiftly toward his residence in the Sunset Forest. Prince Xue Xing watched the departing Dugu Bo with a smile; this outing had been quite fruitful.
(End of Chapter)
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