"Hmm, that guy who hurt me also neutralized the poison from my martial soul…"
Dugu Yan recalled the scene. That guy had cleverly dismantled her martial soul's toxins and then almost killed her.
Although Instructor Qin Ming had later tried to comfort her, that guy still had the audacity to boast right in front of her, saying her poison was nothing special and that he easily dealt with it. It was so humiliating!
"…Yan Yan, tell me carefully, what exactly happened back then?"
Dugu Bo frowned. He felt that this matter was far from simple.
"That guy was a control-type soul master. I didn't pay much attention to him at first, but later on…"
As they walked, the grandfather and granddaughter chatted. Dugu Yan recounted everything that had happened at Shrek Academy to Dugu Bo.
"That damned brat is so ruthless! Infuriating!"
In the heart of Heaven Dou City, Dugu Bo shouted furiously, scaring off the surrounding crowd.
When he heard that Tang San had pierced his granddaughter's body with an external soul bone and released poison to try and kill her, Dugu Bo's eyes burned with fury.
"Who's angered the Poison Douluo now~"
A curious voice came from nearby. Dugu Bo was about to bark back at the nosy passerby—when he noticed a familiar figure browsing items at a nearby market stall.
He quickly suppressed his anger, lowered his head, and whispered into Dugu Yan's ear.
"Ahem~ Yan Yan, when we meet that esteemed one, you must be polite—no childish temper tantrums, understood?"
As the only heir of the Dugu family, Yan Yan had always been doted on, which had made her a bit spoiled. Normally, Dugu Bo would've backed her up no matter what. But this time, they were going to face that person, so he had to give her a serious reminder.
"I know, Grandpa… You're being so dramatic."
Dugu Yan muttered under her breath, then turned to the person who had just spoken and greeted:
"Greetings, Your Highness~"
The speaker was none other than Xue Qinghe. On this entire street, only he would dare speak so casually with Dugu Bo.
"Hmm~"
Xue Qinghe nodded slightly. He had seen the Poison Douluo's granddaughter a few times before.
"Where is Your Highness heading?"
"…Does that esteemed one have time now?"
Normally, Dugu Bo would avoid interacting with Xue Qinghe unless absolutely necessary. But considering how close that person seemed to be with the prince, he had no choice but to put his pride aside and ask.
"Well~ what do you think, Your Excellency? Does it look like he has time?"
Xue Qinghe tilted his head slightly, gesturing toward a nearby stall.
"…In that case, I suppose I'll wait here."
Dugu Bo forced a smile. If they were visiting formally at someone's estate, it'd be one thing—but they just happened to bump into him on the street. They had no choice but to wait until the man finished his business.
"Traveler, look! Doesn't this look just like you?"
Because of Dugu Bo's earlier outburst, the surrounding crowd had quieted considerably. So the cute voice that followed stood out clearly.
"You made me look so fat. It's nothing like me at all."
Aether shook his head, staring helplessly at the chubby, chibi version of himself in Paimon's small hands.
"Hehe, but that's what makes it perfect!"
Paimon giggled, holding the doll carefully in both hands, waiting for the stall owner to add color and complete it.
Then she glanced at Aether's hands, which were hiding something.
"Let me see what you made!"
"Wait—It's not finished yet…"
"Hmph! Stingy! …Keke, what about yours? What are you making?"
Paimon pouted at Aether and then turned to look at what Yu Keke was shaping.
"Uh~ not yet! Don't look, Paimon!"
"Aaah! Meanies! You won't show me? I'll make ugly ones of you both!"
"…"
After lunch, with nothing else to do, Paimon had suggested they go out for a stroll and see if there were any tasty treats in the area.
When they reached this clay modeling stall, they were drawn in by the adorable figurines. Paimon and Yu Keke immediately dove in to play with the clay, and Aether—finding it all pretty amusing—decided to join in too.
"Huh? Grandpa, that cute little thing is talking! I'm going over to take a look."
Dugu Yan was instantly drawn to the floating Paimon and stepped forward before Dugu Bo could stop her.
"Wait!..."
Dugu Bo smacked his thigh and shouted in his mind—but it was too late. Yan Yan was already chatting with Paimon.
"Hello?"
"Eh? Hello~"
"And you are…?"
"My name's Paimon. What about you?"
"I'm Dugu Yan. You… what are you exactly…?"
"Yan Yan! Mind your manners!"
She had just been about to ask what kind of creature Paimon was when Dugu Bo's sharp reprimand cut her off.
"Eh? Old Grandpa, hi again! We've met before."
Paimon waved at Dugu Bo. She remembered him well—an old man with an extremely strong, weird smell. Though today… he didn't smell nearly as intense.
"Miss Paimon, hello~ I sincerely apologize for disturbing you and the lord."
Dugu Bo nervously cupped his hands, while signaling to Dugu Yan with his eyes.
"No need! Hmm… Hey, is this your granddaughter?"
Paimon was just about to offer help out of habit, when she suddenly realized—this old man was also named Dugu, and the girl earlier had introduced herself the same way.
"Yes. Miss Paimon, Young Master—this is indeed my granddaughter."
Dugu Bo made the introduction immediately. Then, seeing Aether watching him silently, he quickly added,
"My lord, if I may…"
"Mhm…"
Aether nodded slightly. Compared to the old man, Dugu Yan's poison was much milder—probably because of her age and lower soul power.
He glanced around. The street was bustling with people, and he could sense several hidden presences monitoring him.
"It's too crowded here. Why don't we talk back at your place?"
"As you command, Young Master."
Dugu Bo cupped his hands again in agreement.
"Excuse me, can I get this packed to go?"
Yu Keke saw everyone preparing to leave and turned to ask the stall owner.
"Of course, of course! Take as much as you want, miss!"
The stall owner nodded rapidly.
This group wasn't just unusual—their identities were incredibly mysterious. First the Crown Prince himself accompanied them, and now even the Poison Douluo was being deferential…
He just hoped they would leave quickly. His heart couldn't take the pressure. One wrong word and he might lose his life.
"Yup yup! Thanks, Mister!"
Yu Keke beamed, scooping up a big ball of clay into her hands.
She planned to gift her brother and Paimon a handmade little surprise.
_
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