Chapter 116: Chrysanthemum Douluo's Discovery
Three days later, Dugu Yan successfully cleared the remaining toxins from her body.
He politely declined the offer to take Dugu Yan sightseeing around Sunset Town—after all, a large group of people was still waiting for him back in Heaven Dou City.
"Yan Zi, this time I'm serving as the captain of the Spirit Hall team. I've already been away for several days now, which is practically a dereliction of duty. I need to head back immediately."
"Is that so? Alright then!"
After being turned down, a trace of disappointment flashed through Dugu Yan's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a smile. After all, Lin Beiya truly had matters to attend to, and the fact that he had taken time out of his schedule to come all the way to Sunset Town to help her detoxify was already more than she could ask for.
"When the time comes, you can go to Heaven Dou City to watch the finals. I'll have the organizers reserve seats for you in the stands."
"Really? That's wonderful! I'll definitely go watch Big Brother Beiya compete!"
"Alright, it's a deal then."
With a smile, Lin Beiya rubbed the little girl's head. After greeting Dugu Bo, he immediately set off back toward Heaven Dou City.
It took him half a day to return to the hotel. The first person he saw there wasn't his own team member—but rather the little angel, her face carefully disguised.
There was fire blazing in the woman's eyes, so intense that Lin Beiya could practically feel a scorching sensation spreading across his body.
The two of them entered a private dining room together and took their seats. Qian Renxue immediately instructed the waiter to come forward and order several dishes.
Once the waiter had left, the little angel instantly turned her metaphorical gun on Lin Beiya.
"Our Young Master Lin is quite popular, huh? Do you even have acquaintances here in Heaven Dou City?"
"You disappeared for four whole days—so which old flame did you go see this time?"
Lin Beiya picked up the teapot on the table and poured himself a cup.
He drained it in one go to moisten his throat, then shot the little angel an annoyed look.
"What old flame? I went to take care of serious business, didn't I?"
"Otherwise, where do you think that Sun Crown Flower came from?"
"I even helped you deal with a master poison user while I was at it. And instead of thanking me for resolving your troubles, you're still being sarcastic?"
Hearing the words Sun Crown Flower, the sharpness in Qian Renxue's eyes immediately softened. But soon after, a look of confusion crept in as well.
Murmuring to herself, she said:
"A master poison user? Dugu…"
Thinking of the backer supporting her current main rival, Qian Renxue's beautiful eyes instantly lit up.
After she had secretly eliminated the Second Prince and Third Prince, Xue Xing had placed the only remaining Fourth Prince under his protection.
Because Dugu Bo stood behind him, Qian Renxue hadn't dared to act rashly for the time being.
If Lin Beiya had truly dealt with Dugu Bo, then he really had helped her resolve a major problem.
"You pulled Dugu Bo over to our side?"
"'Pulled over' might be a bit much. I just reminded him to draw a clear line between himself and Xue Xing, and he agreed."
"Don't worry—I didn't expose anything about you."
Lin Beiya's words immediately settled Qian Renxue's heart. She had truly been afraid that if Dugu Bo learned her true identity and switched sides again, all her years of careful planning would go down the drain.
"Then what exactly did you do to make him cut ties with Xue Xing?" she asked. "You should know he seems to hold a grudge against Spirit Hall, and Xue Xing even once saved his life."
Over the years, she had tried countless methods to win Dugu Bo over—or at least get him to remain neutral between herself and Xue Xing—but every attempt had ended in failure. The old man was stubborn to the extreme.
That was why she was genuinely curious about Lin Beiya's methods.
Lin Beiya raised an eyebrow, a smug expression appearing on his face, which earned him a soft scoff from Qian Renxue.
"Do you know how Dugu Bo's son died?"
"Hm? That was many years ago. I never managed to find out how he died. Is there something strange about it?"
"It's normal you couldn't find out. After all, who would have thought that inheriting the Jade Phosphor Serpent martial soul would come with toxins? As cultivation deepens, the poison inside the body continues to accumulate—until one day, it can no longer be suppressed and erupts, devouring its host."
"Hiss… you mean to say that Dugu Bo's son died young because of the poison in his own body?"
"That's right."
Lin Beiya nodded with certainty. This point had already been confirmed through his earlier conversation with Dugu Bo.
Qian Renxue pondered for a moment, yet the confusion in her eyes did not lessen.
"But what does this have to do with Dugu Bo cutting ties with Xue Xing?"
"His son's death truly has nothing to do with Xue Xing," Lin Beiya said calmly. "But unfortunately, that Jade Phosphor Serpent poison was inherited by his granddaughter as well."
"This…" Qian Renxue paused, then her eyes widened slightly. "Don't tell me—you can neutralize the Jade Phosphor Serpent poison?"
Since it was connected to the poison afflicting Dugu Yan, this was the only possibility she could think of.
Sure enough, Lin Beiya, sitting across from her, nodded in confirmation.
"I don't know how to detoxify it myself, but the Gold Cloth can automatically purge toxins. As long as she wears the Gold Cloth and cultivates for a few days at regular intervals, it's enough."
"So that's how it is."
"So in a roundabout way, he ended up owing you a favor. And after learning that Spirit Hall has designs on the two great empires, he chose to sever ties with Heaven Dou early on. Is that right?"
"That's right. That old fox is shrewd enough—now that his granddaughter's life can be preserved, he won't want to gamble everything and drag some faction down with him."
After understanding the underlying details, the joy on Qian Renxue's face could no longer be concealed.
Without Dugu Bo's protection, Xue Xing and Xue Beng, uncle and nephew, no longer posed any real threat in her eyes.
Xue Beng was a notorious wastrel to begin with. If he truly turned out to be useless, sparing his life wouldn't matter.
Once the overall situation was settled, she could deal with him however she pleased.
Moreover, if Xue Beng were to die, the only one who would benefit would be herself. And in that case, even if she claimed she had nothing to do with it, no one would believe her.
From Qian Renxue's expression alone, Lin Beiya could tell what she was thinking. He therefore reminded her patiently:
"Xue Beng doesn't have to die—but you absolutely cannot let him escape your control."
"That's not necessary, is it? He's just a spoiled playboy. He shouldn't be able to stir up any trouble."
Qian Renxue was somewhat puzzled by Lin Beiya's caution. What was it that made him pay so much attention to a mere wastrel?
Shaking his head, Lin Beiya simply pointed out the flaw in that line of thinking. After all, Qian Renxue hadn't read the original story.
"The only way he could live safely is by deliberately presenting himself as completely harmless. Isn't that so?"
"Hm?"
Hearing her man's explanation, Qian Renxue was immediately startled. She realized she had been too close to the situation to see it clearly. Thinking it over carefully, Xue Beng truly might be putting on an act for her benefit—after all, didn't she herself always disguise her true nature behind the image of a kindly, harmless person?
"I understand now. He won't be allowed to leave my sight."
Whether Lin Beiya's speculation was correct or not, Qian Renxue wasn't about to let any accidents occur. Watching Xue Beng would only require a bit of manpower anyway—spending that effort for peace of mind was well worth it.
After finishing their meal together, the two parted ways outside the private room.
Lin Beiya returned directly to the lounge reserved for his team.
As he opened the door, the figures of Shi Nuo and Yue Guan immediately came into view.
And the fervent, almost fanatical look Yue Guan was giving Shi Nuo made Lin Beiya's heart sink slightly.
"So he still noticed it in the end."
Hearing the door open, both of them turned their gazes toward Lin Beiya.
"Brat Beiya, you're really something. Shi Nuo already ate the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum—don't tell this old man you didn't know about it."
"I did know," Lin Beiya replied frankly, "but he'd already eaten it. Even if I told you, Uncle Ju, what good would it do?"
"Uh…!"
Yue Guan instantly choked on his words, a breath stuck in his chest, leaving him extremely uncomfortable.
—
End of Chapter