Ye Wen slightly bowed in gratitude and then prepared to take his leave.
This natural demeanor finally convinced Dugu Bo that Ye Wen harbored no hidden schemes against him.
However, just as Ye Wen was about to step out of the door, he suddenly stopped.
Curious, Dugu Bo asked, "Young man, do you have something else to say?"
Of course, Ye Wen couldn't leave so easily. After all, he had plotted so much and even gambled with life and death—not for a mere verbal promise, but to secure the great opportunity Tang San possessed: the Ice and Fire Dual Extreme Eye.
Yet, Ye Wen also understood the principle of moderation. If he appeared too eager, it would only arouse Dugu Bo's suspicions.
Feigning hesitation, Ye Wen opened his mouth several times as if wanting to speak, but ultimately held back. Finally, with an apologetic bow, he turned to leave.
The wily old Dugu Bo began to suspect again. Seeing Ye Wen's behavior, it was clear he was hiding something significant—something related to himself. Instantly, Dugu Bo's curiosity was piqued.
An ordinary Title Douluo might have spared a junior from further questioning for the sake of dignity, but Dugu Bo was clearly not one to hold back. Raising his hand, he unleashed a powerful suction force that instantly pulled Ye Wen back from the doorway to stand before him.
"Hey, hey, hey! Elder Dugu, what are you doing?" Ye Wen exclaimed in mock panic.
Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes dangerously, his tone sharp as he said, "Don't play dumb with me, boy. I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice. What are you hiding from me? Speak up, or I won't hesitate to let you taste the venom of my snakes."
Feeling the chilling killing intent, Ye Wen's heart raced, but he still feigned a conflicted expression. Finally, with a pained look, he closed his eyes and said:
"I'll tell you, but please release me first. Also, promise me that after I reveal this secret, you won't harm my family or the Huo family. Otherwise, even if I die, I won't say a word."
Dugu Bo sneered disdainfully but still replied, "Rest assured. Though I act on whims, I'm not one to unjustly slaughter innocents."
"Please swear an oath, Elder. Otherwise, I won't speak," Ye Wen insisted stubbornly, keeping his eyes tightly shut.
Seeing this stance, Dugu Bo was now convinced that Ye Wen truly possessed a significant secret—one potentially grave enough to provoke his wrath.
Should he agree?
A cold, murderous aura continued to emanate from Dugu Bo as his gaze shifted uncertainly.
But seeing Ye Wen's resolute readiness to face death, Dugu Bo grew both curious about the secret and reluctant to make an oath that might bind him.
At this moment, Ye Wen opened his eyes, his gaze filled with determination as he said:
"Elder Dugu, rest assured. This secret is known only to me—and it's merely my own speculation.
If you don't wish to know, that's fine. You can kill me. The forces behind me won't be able to retaliate against you. But I beg you, in consideration of my saving Miss Dugu Yan and your earlier promise, spare my family and the family of my fiancée.
If you agree to this, I'd willingly reveal the secret, even if it costs me my life."
Looking at Ye Wen's willingness to sacrifice himself for his family, Dugu Bo's gaze wavered momentarily.
Ye Wen's resolve reminded Dugu Bo of his younger self—the self who once sought to protect his family.
Gradually, Dugu Bo's gaze softened, and he slowly dispersed the soul power enveloping Ye Wen.
"Young man, you're commendable. I agree to your terms.
Regardless of the nature of the secret or whether it affects my interests, I will not retaliate against your family or the family of your fiancée afterward."
Ye Wen exhaled deeply and bowed respectfully to Dugu Bo.
"Thank you, Elder, for your magnanimity."
"Enough. Speak, boy. My patience is wearing thin," Dugu Bo said irritably.
After all, his past attempts to protect his loved ones had ended in tragedy, and Ye Wen's words had inadvertently stirred those painful memories.
Pretending to gather his thoughts, Ye Wen began to carefully organize his words before speaking softly:
"Elder Dugu, the toxins within Miss Dugu's body must be innate, growing stronger with her cultivation until they eventually threaten her very life, correct?"
Dugu Bo's eyes flickered, but unlike Tang San's reaction in the original story when revealing the truth about his poisoning, he remained calm.
The Jade Phosphor Serpent family had been a noble lineage for over a hundred years. Due to their martial souls threatening their lives, each generation desperately cultivated to suppress the toxins with soul power, once achieving great prominence.
Now, only Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan remained as the last descendants. Anyone with a bit of knowledge or access to information could easily uncover the Dugu family's situation. Outsiders simply assumed that Dugu Bo, having achieved mastery, was free from the toxins after breaking through to become a Title Douluo.
Thus, Ye Wen's focus on Dugu Yan rather than Dugu Bo elicited such a muted reaction.
"So that's it? I thought it was some grand secret," Dugu Bo said dismissively, even idly twirling a long strand of hair by his temple. "Though I don't know how you learned this, the issue you mentioned can be suppressed by our family's profound soul power cultivation. At my level, such backlash has already disappeared.
If you think knowing this secret gives me reason to kill you, you underestimate me. Enough. You're free to go.
Honestly, you've wasted my time." Displeased, Dugu Bo grumbled and turned to leave, intending to check on Dugu Yan.
But just as Dugu Bo turned, Ye Wen's voice rang out once more:
"Elder, aren't you deceiving yourself? Have you truly escaped the influence of these toxins that have plagued your body?"
Dugu Bo's foot froze mid-step. Slowly, his body stiffened as he turned his head, his narrow phoenix-like eyes piercing into Ye Wen like daggers!
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