Chapter 49: Survive First, Die Later Dugu Bo Begs for Death
"You want to save him?" Guang Ling scoffed, pointing at the frozen Dugu Bo. "I've heard that Bibi Dong invited him multiple times, and he refused to join the Spirit Hall every time. Now he's even mingling with the Heaven Dou royal family. We should just kill him."
Inside the ice block, Dugu Bo's eyes burned with rage. His mind screamed, "No! Try saving me first! I'll think about betraying Heaven Dou later!"
But he couldn't speak. He couldn't even blink.
"Let's give it a shot." Han Li smiled, looking at Dugu Bo. "Who knows? Maybe he'll agree. Right, Senior Poison Douluo?"
Dugu Bo internally nodded so hard his imaginary neck nearly snapped, but from the outside, he remained completely frozen, unable to express his desperation.
Just moments ago, he had wasted his last bit of strength trying to speak, underestimating both his own condition and Guang Ling's ruthlessness. If only he had saved that energy to blink…!
Then, as if the heavens had answered his prayers, Han Li's voice rang out again:
"Master, loosen his restraints a little. Just enough for him to communicate. I want to talk to him."
Guang Ling clicked his tongue but didn't argue. Whatever. If his disciple wanted to chat, he'd let him. If Dugu Bo refused to cooperate, killing him later wouldn't be any harder.
Lifting his Spirit Bow, Guang Ling tapped the ice block, melting just enough for Dugu Bo's head to move.
However, two thin ice needles still hovered ominously near his forehead a subtle warning.
"Behave," Guang Ling sneered. "Or else."
As soon as Dugu Bo regained mobility, he nearly exploded in anger.
This bastard!
He had been ambushed in his sleep, robbed of his sanctuary, and now they were debating whether or not to execute him. If not for the thin veil of sanity he barely clung to, he would have cursed Guang Ling's entire family tree.
But now was not the time for rage. His life and, more importantly, his granddaughter's life was in Han Li's hands.
Calm down. Breathe.
Dugu Bo took a deep breath and turned away from Guang Ling, focusing only on Han Li.
"What you said earlier… is it true?" His voice was hoarse. "You not only recognized my condition, but you also have a cure?"
"Of course." Han Li's confidence was unwavering. "I never lie."
Guang Ling rolled his eyes but didn't argue. He had seen his disciple do crazier things, and if Han Li was willing to waste time scamming Dugu Bo, he'd allow it.
Just in case, he discreetly added more ice needles behind Dugu Bo's skull an extra insurance policy.
Neither of them reacted to the gesture.
Dugu Bo had already accepted his fate whether it was two ice needles or ten, it didn't matter. If Guang Ling wanted him dead, he wouldn't live past this conversation anyway.
"If you doubt me, let me describe your symptoms first," Han Li offered. "You can tell me if I'm right."
Before Dugu Bo could respond, Han Li began listing them out flawlessly:
"Whenever it rains, you feel intense itching along your ribs, which lasts over an hour. At midnight and noon, it worsens. Around 3 a.m., you experience sharp pain in your head and feet, like needles piercing your body. Your muscles spasm uncontrollably for at least thirty minutes."
As he spoke, Dugu Bo's pupils shrank. Guang Ling, too, turned to Han Li with a stunned expression.
Han Li continued:
"You've been using this Ice Fire Yin Yang Eye to suppress your symptoms, haven't you? Its extreme cold and heat provide temporary relief."
Dugu Bo felt like he had been struck by lightning.
How did he know?
Everything was correct.
Everything.
Then, Han Li delivered the final blow:
"And your direct descendants… are poisoned too, aren't they? What's their cultivation level? Are they still alive? Has anyone died from it?"
Dugu Bo's face twisted with grief. His voice was barely a whisper:
"My son… he died from it."
Silence.
Even Guang Ling, despite all his earlier mockery, didn't laugh this time.
Han Li simply nodded. "Then you understand the severity of your condition."
Dugu Bo inhaled sharply, his emotions turbulent. Then, he looked at Han Li with hope shining through his despair.
"You… can really cure it?"
"Yes."
Dugu Bo trembled.
Then, he did something that caught both Han Li and Guang Ling off guard
He begged.
"I know how valuable these plants are. I know I have nothing to bargain with. So don't save me. Take my treasures, my hidden stashes, my herbs everything. But please… please save my granddaughter."****"She's only fourteen. The poison in her body isn't as severe yet. It won't take much effort for you, right?"
Dugu Bo's voice shook, pleading genuinely for the first time in his life.
Even Guang Ling, who had been prepared to kill him, hesitated for a moment.
Then, Han Li laughed.
"Senior, do you really want to die that badly?" Han Li chuckled. "I never said I wouldn't save you. And look, my master hasn't killed you either."
Dugu Bo's expression froze.
Before he could respond, Han Li sent a silent message to Guang Ling via spirit transmission.
Guang Ling frowned, glancing at Dugu Bo, then sighed dramatically before tapping his bow against the ice.
With a sharp crack, Dugu Bo was freed.
For a moment, he didn't move. He simply stood there, staring at his own hands, as if unable to process that he was still alive.
Guang Ling crossed his arms. "Look, I was feeling generous today, so I let you out. But listen closely this place belongs to us now. If you breathe a word about this to anyone, I'll kill you instantly. Got it?"
Dugu Bo nodded stiffly.
"Good." Guang Ling smirked. "Now, if you want my disciple's help, you'd better offer something worth our time. Think carefully if I'm not satisfied, I'll kill you anyway."
Dugu Bo staggered slightly, overwhelmed by the whiplash of emotions.
One moment, he had been prepared to die. The next, he had been offered a deal.
His mind struggled to catch up.
And for the first time in a long while
He had hope.
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