"It's good you haven't," Dugu Bo finally let out a breath of relief.
After a pause for thought, he continued, "Yan Yan, I know you've been with Yu Tianheng for more than a year. Your feelings run deep, so if Grandpa were to demand you break up right now, you probably couldn't accept it. That's why I won't do that. But I do hope you'll keep some distance from him for now, and take a step back to re-examine who he really is."
"I don't think that's too much to ask."
"I… I understand." Dugu Yan's thoughts were still in turmoil, but she didn't argue, only nodded lightly.
'Good. At least she hasn't been completely blinded by love. After all the hardships we've endured together, my granddaughter still has some sense of judgment.' Dugu Bo nodded slightly, then went on:
"There are three matters I want to tell you."
"First, remember that day when we walked out of the dormitory? Xiao Hai actually spoke up on Yu Tianheng's behalf. But looking at it now, it seems Tianheng hasn't been awakened by his grandfather Yu Yuanzhen at all."
"Of course, it could just be he hasn't figured things out yet. That's why I asked you to re-examine him, and it's also the last chance I intend to give him."
"If he wakes up in time and changes, that's fine. But if he doesn't—Yan Yan, then don't blame your Grandpa for tearing the two of you apart."
'With that blockheaded boy's nature, the chance of him waking up is slim. Still, putting it this way gives Yan Yan an excuse, a reason to let go when the time comes, so she won't cling to him out of sentiment.' He mused inwardly. 'Yes, I'll have to add some fuel to the fire.'
"Second matter. After you told me about Xiao Hai's encounter, I went to investigate the place myself. And there, I found people from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. I don't need to spell out who leaked that news, do I? As for whether Yu Tianheng ever spoke to Xiao Hai about it before or after, I don't know. You'll have to judge that for yourself."
'He never said anything…' Dugu Yan's heart trembled.
Even though Xiao Hai had mentioned it in front of them, that was only to a small group. It wasn't the same as telling everyone. As teammates, they should have kept it secret, otherwise outsiders might get ideas—kidnapping him, experimenting with his blood to test its effects. Exposing it could have put Xiao Hai's life in danger.
From the perspective of a clan heir, Yu Tianheng's decision wasn't wrong. But as a teammate and a friend—especially from Xiao Hai's point of view—it was a betrayal, even outright harm. At that time, Xiao Hai was still racking his brains to cure her. If he'd really been abducted… then she and Grandpa's poison…
Her face paled.
"Looks like you understand."
Dugu Bo nodded slightly. "If the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had really tried to seize Xiao Hai back then, maybe even harm him, then you and I would have been the ones to pay the price. We'd have died from our poison."
"In other words, both of us would've been forced to pay for Yu Tianheng's actions—with our lives."
"Fortunately, Spirit Hall also valued Xiao Hai. They wanted to recruit him, while playing him against the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Heaven Dou royal family. That's why they had secret guards stationed around the academy. Otherwise, who knows what the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan might have done."
If they had acted against Xiao Hai, and Spirit Hall had stepped in to save him, then the side Xiao Hai leaned toward afterward would have been clear as day.
And then, all Spirit Hall had to do was spread word of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's shameless actions, while hinting at the inaction of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Heaven Dou royal family. Their reputations would suffer, and Spirit Hall would gain a talented youth for free. A perfect play.
After all, the academy belonged to the Heaven Dou royal family—if something happened there, they bore direct responsibility. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was right outside the city, neighbors in every sense, and also one of the Upper Three Sects alongside the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. If something happened under their noses, it would at least look like tacit approval.
Wasn't that why the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had held back until now?
In Dugu Bo's view, this whole situation was nothing but a game of power, and Xiao Hai was just a piece on the board—a very valuable piece, considering he had defeated the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon heir across 8 levels.
"Third matter. Do you know why I said that without Xiao Hai, you and I could never be cured?"
Dugu Bo's tone grew heavier.
Looking ashamed, he continued, "Right now, Xiao Hai is working on refining medicine to detoxify us. But detoxification isn't simple—it's extremely dangerous. And only Xiao Hai can do it."
"Because of the restrictions of herbs and other conditions, Xiao Hai must test the medicines on himself first. If successful, he'll then use his own blood as the catalyst to refine the antidote for us."
"For this, he's already damaged his own foundation. If not for the fact that the herbs he used also happened to repair that damage, your Grandpa would bear this guilt for life."
"Yan Yan, Xiao Hai is literally risking his life to save us." He glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
He did not mention the rare immortal herbs Xiao Hai had chosen for them—some truths were better revealed slowly.
"Xiao Hai, he…" Dugu Yan was shaken to the core.
"Now do you understand why I was so furious earlier?" Dugu Bo sneered.
"From the moment we met him, Xiao Hai has only called you Sister Yan, and me Grandpa. And already, he's willing to risk his life for us."
"Now compare him with Yu Tianheng. Can he measure up?"
"Does he deserve you?"
"To be honest, if that boy didn't bear the surname Yu, I'd have already slapped him to death myself!"
Dugu Yan's worldview was shaken to its roots. She didn't answer, but her fingers clenched tight until they turned white, her teeth biting her lip.
Seeing this, Dugu Bo didn't bother criticizing Yu Tianheng further. He nodded slightly and said, "Enough. Yan Yan, you haven't eaten since last night, have you? I just returned and haven't eaten either. Let's go have a meal together."
"As for Yu Tianheng, tell him I've already found you a suitable soul bone.
"Also tell him that I'm dissatisfied with his performance this time, and so I don't agree to the engagement for now. Whether he gains my approval in the future will depend on how he acts from here on out."
"In short, just push it onto Grandpa. Leave it to me." He waved his hand casually.
"Come on, let's eat. Afterward, I'll go check on Xiao Hai and bring him some supplies."
"Mm." Dugu Yan, knowing priorities, quickly steadied her emotions, nodded, and rushed into the bathroom to wash her face. Then she followed her grandfather out.
After their meal, Dugu Bo left immediately.
As for Dugu Yan, with her eyes still faintly red, she decided not to return to the academy right away. Instead, she would stay another day at home to sort through her feelings and re-examine her relationship with Yu Tianheng.
Emotionally, she felt he did care for her. But from his actions, just as her grandfather said, there were many shortcomings. And those shortcomings had already caused even her grandfather to be treated lightly.
Perhaps Yu Tianheng wasn't truly in the wrong, but his personality, and his position, were enough to hurt others.
The problem was—the people hurt were ones she could never ignore. One was her grandfather. The other, her and her grandfather's savior.
(End of Chapter)
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