Upon hearing this, one of the guards ran inside to report. Shortly after, Dugu Yan emerged from the courtyard.
When Dugu Yan saw it was Tang San, she immediately giggled coquettishly and said, "Oh, so it's Young Master Tang San. You've kept us waiting for so long."
Dugu Yan's voice was exceptionally alluring, like that of a bewitching serpent, capable of ensnaring souls with its charm. Just hearing her voice, even without seeing her, one could imagine an incredibly seductive woman.
Hearing Dugu Yan's flirtatious words, Bai Chenxiang, who was accompanying Tang San, shot her a displeased look and muttered under her breath, "Vixen."
Tang San waved his hand dismissively and said, "There's no need for such antics. I'm here to see your grandfather. If he's not here, I'll come another day."
Hearing that Tang San was about to leave, Dugu Yan quickly stepped closer to him, wrapping her arms around his right arm as she laughed softly and intimately, "Oh, come now, can't your elder sister just tease you a little? Grandfather has been waiting for you for a long time."
As Dugu Yan leaned in, a fragrant breeze wafted over, intoxicatingly sweet. At such close proximity, the scent of her body was almost dizzying. Especially the plump, snow-white curves pressed tightly against him, outlining a breathtakingly deep cleavage.
Tang San slowly withdrew his arm and said, "Then lead the way. I wouldn't want to keep Senior Dugu waiting."
It wasn't that Tang San disliked the feeling of a beautiful woman clinging to him—he simply knew his priorities. He hadn't come here for women. If he truly fell for Dugu Yan's feminine wiles, he might lose his footing in the upcoming negotiations with Dugu Bo.
Seeing that Tang San remained completely unaffected by her charms, Dugu Yan pouted slightly before leading the way. Dressed in a flowing green gown, she walked ahead with graceful, swaying steps. The long, trailing fabric of her dress did little to conceal her exquisite figure. From behind, one could clearly see her willow-like waist, and beneath the sheer fabric, her long, shapely jade legs were fully visible.
Soon, Tang San and Bai Chenxiang followed Dugu Yan to the pavilion where Dugu Bo was waiting. The old man was brewing a pot of floral tea.
"Grandfather, Tang San is here."
Tang San performed a respectful salute and said, "Senior Dugu, my apologies for the delay. I had some matters to attend to."
Dugu Bo laughed heartily and replied, "Haha, no matter, no matter. Young Sect Master Tang, you're a hero among youths—it's only natural you'd be busy. Come, have some tea. I brewed this myself."
Tang San sat across from him and glanced at the floral tea, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes. Then, he downed the refreshing, fragrant tea in one go.
Setting down the teacup, Tang San remarked casually, "Truly excellent tea. As expected of the one who bears the title Poison Douluo—to neutralize the toxicity of several poisonous flowers and create a harmless blend like this. I'm impressed."
Hearing Tang San's words, Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes and asked, "So you truly have the ability to cure the poison in my body?"
Initially, Dugu Bo had assumed it was Yang Wudi who possessed the skill to detoxify him. But after waiting for a week, it wasn't Yang Wudi who arrived—it was Tang San.
Tang San smiled faintly and said, "Indeed. With the right medicinal herbs, I can cure the poison in your body—and the poison in your granddaughter's body as well."
"Me? Since when was I poisoned?" Dugu Yan exclaimed in shock. What did this have to do with her?
Tang San looked at the astonished Dugu Yan and said, "Not only have you inherited your grandfather's Martial Soul, but you've also inherited the toxins within his body. However, the amount you've inherited is relatively small, so no obvious symptoms have appeared yet. But in the future, it's hard to say."
Dugu Bo asked, "What about Yang Wudi? Isn't he coming?"
It was no surprise Dugu Bo asked this, as Tang San was only thirteen years old. Who would believe a thirteen-year-old could cure the poison in his body?
Tang San replied, "I've received Uncle Wudi's true teachings, so I can cure your poison without needing to trouble him. Besides, Uncle Wudi is currently in seclusion, and I don't think he'll be able to help you detoxify anytime soon."
Tang San wasn't lying to Dugu Bo, as Yang Wudi was already at the 89th level and was currently in seclusion, striving to break through to the Titled Douluo realm.
After a long silence, Dugu Bo glanced at Tang San and said, "Tang San, I won't beat around the bush or stand on ceremony with you. If you can cure the poison in both me and my granddaughter, then I, Dugu Bo, promise to do three things for you."
Hearing this, Tang San immediately shook his head. "Senior Dugu, if even the Clear Sky Sect and my father Tang Hao can't accomplish something, I doubt adding you would make a difference."
A Titled Douluo's promise might be invaluable to ordinary people, but to Tang San, it was utterly insignificant and held no worth.
Tang San nodded at Bai Chenxiang, who was standing nearby. Understanding the situation, she promptly left the rear garden.
Tang San got straight to the point. "Senior Dugu, I'll also be straightforward and skip the pleasantries. Half. I know you must possess quite a few Immortal Grade Herbs. I can detoxify you, but my condition is that I want half of them."
Upon hearing Tang San's demand for half, Dugu Bo's expression darkened, his gaze even turning hostile. After all, he had paid a heavy price to discover that place, and owning it would benefit his descendants for generations.
His breakthrough to Titled Douluo had also been thanks to that place. If Tang San took half, the loss would be devastating.
"Three Immortal Grade Herbs. If you can cure the poison in me and my granddaughter, I'll give you three Immortal Grade Herbs," Dugu Bo bargained.
Though Tang San's expression remained calm, inwardly he was stunned by Dugu Bo's extravagant offer.
"Three Immortal Grade Herbs?! And that's less than half of what Dugu Bo possesses—just how many does he actually have?!"
Maintaining his composure, Tang San shook his head and rejected Dugu Bo's proposal. "Senior Dugu, you've been poisoned for quite some time now. You must have consulted every pharmacist in the empire. I doubt anyone besides me and Uncle Yang Wudi can cure your poison."
"You can always find more Immortal Grade Herbs, but once your life is gone, it's gone for good."
Tang San had Dugu Bo completely cornered. Even Yang Wudi belonged to their Clear Sky Sect, meaning if Dugu Bo refused Tang San's terms, his only path would be death.
A flicker of killing intent even flashed deep in Dugu Bo's eyes. He briefly considered kidnapping Tang San and forcing him to detoxify him. After all, if he hid deep in the mountains or among demonic tribes, even Tang San's father might not be able to find him.
But this thought was instantly suppressed by Dugu Bo because he couldn't afford to lose. Just like how no one dared to act against him at Spirit Hall or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Tang San could die, but absolutely not within his territory.
They all feared that Tang Hao might declare: "My son is dead. I care not for explanations of right or wrong. Great Sumeru Hammer, heaven and earth perish together!" With one mighty strike, the entire imperial capital would be destroyed by the Clear Sky Hammer.
After a long silence, Dugu Bo finally spoke: "Answer me truthfully—what are your chances of successfully detoxifying me?"
(End of Chapter)