Chapter 228: The Secret Room Douluo, Part 2
Watching Bibi Dong's steely expression, Ye Wen felt a shiver of anticipation, though he tried not to show it. After explaining his recent encounter with the Azure Bull Python and recounting their agreement, he laid out a plan to spread the story across the continent. Word would go out that Bibi Dong herself, the Pope of Spirit Hall, had ventured into the Star Dou Forest to broker a truce with the forest's mighty 100,000 year old beasts. Humans would be allowed to hunt soul beasts, but only under strict limits; any further large scale slaughter would invite a full retaliation from the forest.
To drive the point home, they would also publicly name the root cause of the beast tide: the infamous Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Douluo. Since Tang Hao's violent reputation had already made him a target of resentment across the continent, Ye Wen wanted to amplify this. He informed Bibi Dong that Tang Hao's injuries were severe, resulting in a disability and a drop in his power level from Titled Douluo a perfect target for the ire of the continent's elite.
As Ye Wen finished, Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow at him, an amused look in her eyes. "For someone who usually acts like a scholar, you're surprisingly ruthless when it comes to your enemies."
Ye Wen smirked, shrugging it off with a chuckle. He'd never felt it was possible to be "too" ruthless when dealing with those who posed a genuine threat. If not for the looming concern of Tang Hao's connection to the God of Shura, Ye Wen would have gladly finished him off long ago. Sensing his thoughts, Bibi Dong shared a knowing look, an unspoken camaraderie in their smiles.
"A fallen Tang Hao with the treasure trove of five soul bones," Bibi Dong mused with a wicked gleam in her eye, "will no doubt lure out some of the reclusive strongholds and royal families alike. And with Spirit Hall offering a soul bone and an Elder's Token as a reward, the bounty on Tang Hao's head will ensure that those hidden forces can't resist."
Ye Wen's eyebrows rose in surprise at Bibi Dong's cunning addition. He couldn't help but laugh in admiration.
Together, they envisioned how these layers of bounties and rewards would set nearly every ambitious powerhouse on the continent after Tang Hao, leaving him no chance of respite. How could he survive to reach the story's end now? Even if Tang San eventually became a god and could resurrect him, what good would it be for mere bones and ashes? This was a vengeance worthy of Spirit Hall.
With their plans set, their conversation turned to lighter topics. With her authority in Spirit Hall growing, Bibi Dong had few people she could truly relax around, let alone share her innermost thoughts. She mentioned her apprentice, Hu Liena, the Spirit Hall prodigy with an innate rank of nine and the powerful Bewitching Fox spirit a rare and formidable psychic beast. In the original story, Hu Liena was ultimately defeated by the Seven Shrek Monsters. But, as Ye Wen wryly noted, in this timeline, she was outmatched early by his own children.
Ye Wen had little interest in the so called "romance" that the original story seemed to push Hu Liena toward. Given Bibi Dong's new trajectory, it was unlikely she'd make the bizarre choice to send Hu Liena to the City of Slaughter as a test, as that had led to many of her worst decisions. It felt as though the three notable women of Spirit Hall Bibi Dong, Hu Liena, and Qian Renxue had finally broken free of the tragic roles the original story assigned them.
Yet Bibi Dong had not officially titled Hu Liena as a "Holy Maiden" like in the original. Instead, she remained Bibi Dong's personal disciple, quietly learning by her side. As they discussed the matter further, Ye Wen became curious why Bibi Dong had brought up her student at all.
"Is something wrong with your disciple?" Ye Wen asked.
Bibi Dong seemed almost shy, hesitating for a moment, which brought Ye Wen a fleeting, nostalgic image of the days they had once spent together in Spirit City. Finally, Bibi Dong sighed, "I wanted to ask if you'd be willing to grant her a Celestial Herb essence. Her talent is impressive, but I still feel that, as my apprentice, she's a bit lacking."
So that's what it was, Ye Wen thought, laughing. "With the connection between us, giving your disciple one Celestial Herb essence is hardly a burden. You didn't need to be so roundabout."
What Ye Wen didn't notice, however, was the deeper emotion simmering beneath Bibi Dong's smile as she accepted the essence.
As night fell, Bibi Dong surprised Ye Wen by inviting him to dinner. Guards standing outside her chambers were slightly taken aback; they hadn't noticed anyone entering, but with a presence as powerful as the Pope's companion, that wasn't surprising.
Tonight, though, was unique: Bibi Dong herself went to the kitchen to prepare their meal, a rarity in her life as the Pope. Seeing her move about with an apron on, bustling over a stove, only heightened Ye Wen's sense of disorientation. He found himself somewhat lost, feeling his restraint wavering. Focus, Ye Wen, he chided himself. You're a husband and father. You need to steady your heart.
The food was not grandiose, only simple home cooked dishes, yet both enjoyed it immensely. As the night wound down, Ye Wen made ready to depart. It wasn't fitting to spend the night near an unmarried woman, and he prided himself on being a gentleman. He bid Bibi Dong farewell, and thoughts of reconstructing the Slaughter City drifted through his mind. He would make it a true den of power, far more organized and disciplined than the Shura God's loose arrangement
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his chest. The world lurched, his vision fading as an overpowering numbness enveloped him. He looked down, horrified, to find a blade plunged into his chest.
As his vision dimmed further, he felt a warm, soft presence embrace him from behind, steadying his failing body. Slowly, his mind pieced together what was happening. He was resting against Bibi Dong's chest, cradled by her arms.
The look on Bibi Dong's face was far from normal. Her beautiful eyes shimmered with a strange, dreamy light, her normally pale cheeks flushed with an intense crimson. Ye Wen opened his mouth to speak, but no words came his vocal cords betrayed him. Only his eyes retained any sense of control, darting to the blade in Bibi Dong's hand. It was a short, violet dagger, no longer than her forearm, covered in mysterious, ancient runes.
Bibi Dong extended her tongue, delicately licking the tip of the blade, savoring it as though it were a fine wine.
"This," she whispered, her voice both sultry and cold, "is all because of you."
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