Chapter 24 — The Great Mercy of Meng Shu
The Dragon Lord, Snake Matron, and their granddaughter bowed deeply. "Thank you, Lord Dugu Bo, for your immense kindness!"
Their gratitude was heartfelt, though they didn't understand why Dugu Bo had stepped in to help.
Not only had he rescued their granddaughter, he had even returned the spirit bone that had been stolen — something the Dragon-Snake couple had never expected.
Li Feiyu and the others had risked their lives for that spirit bone, yet Dugu Bo, after taking it, didn't even glance at it. Such composure and nobility made him appear even greater in their eyes.
Dugu Bo waved his hand, lifting the three of them with soul power. "Alright, the matter is settled. We should leave."
He glanced at Li Feiyu and the others sprawled on the ground, saying lightly, "These people are for you to deal with."
Even if he intended to subdue them, Dugu Bo couldn't propose it first — the Dragon-Snake couple had to suggest it themselves. Otherwise, it would make him seem too calculating and diminish his aura as a Titled Douluo.
Seeing Dugu Bo save them and then turn to leave without a word, the Dragon-Snake couple panicked and bowed hastily. "Lord Dugu Bo, let us do something for you! Otherwise, our hearts won't be at ease!"
"Enough, stand up. He's a Titled Douluo alone — what could you possibly help him with?" Yu Luomian glanced at Dugu Bo, trying to read his intentions.
Previously, he had thought Dugu Bo was trying to subdue the Dragon-Snake couple, but now he had turned to leave, seeming to have no such intent…
"Titled… Titled Douluo?"
Yu Luomian's words left the Dragon-Snake couple dumbfounded. The man in front of them looked barely thirty, yet he was a Titled Douluo?
Yu Luomian smiled and nodded. "Exactly — Titled Douluo."
He then looked at Dugu Bo and chuckled wryly. "Brother Dugu, you kept this secret well. You didn't even tell me you had broken through to Titled Douluo — I kept thinking you were just a Soul Douluo."
If not for the faint aura he displayed just now, Yu Luomian wouldn't have guessed.
The Dragon-Snake couple exchanged glances, unsure how to react. Speaking recklessly might anger Dugu Bo.
They had initially planned to repay his kindness, but now realized he was a Titled Douluo…
Dugu Bo glanced at Yu Luomian with silent exasperation, inwardly wishing he could strangle him for commenting.
"I only just broke through recently. I haven't had time to attend the Soul Hall's coronation ceremony."
Taking his granddaughter's hand, Dugu Bo said lightly, "Well, I still have matters to attend to. Let's go."
He glanced at the stunned Dragon-Snake couple. "If you truly have the heart, come find me in the Sunset Forest."
Dugu Yan waved to Meng Yiran. "Goodbye, little sister!"
"Goodbye!" Meng Yiran waved back.
With that, Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan vanished from sight.
As for whether the Dragon-Snake couple would come, that was up to them. Dugu Bo didn't care — there were plenty of strong people on the continent willing to serve him. He recalled some subordinates of the Hao Tian Sect's four clans, and perhaps he could look them over later.
Yu Luomian muttered under his breath while watching Dugu Bo leave. "This old fellow… not sure which nerve is crossed…"
Halfway through his muttering, he seemed to realize something and glanced at the Dragon-Snake couple. "This elder just broke through to Titled Douluo. If he's willing to accept you, it could be your opportunity…"
With that, Yu Luomian departed, leaving the Dragon-Snake couple and Meng Yiran staring at each other.
He understood Dugu Bo's intent — it was indeed to recruit the couple. Initially, Dugu Bo didn't mention it and pretended to leave — that was just his personality.
Being the second-in-command of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family, one of the top three clans, he had enough intelligence to see that.
If it were about the spirit bone, Dugu Bo wouldn't have helped two strangers out of pure goodwill. He could have simply purchased it at the auction — a few million Gold Soul Coins was nothing for a Titled Douluo.
Yu Luomian couldn't help but smirk. "Still so proud at this age…"
After Dugu Bo and Yu Luomian left, only the Dragon-Snake couple, Meng Yiran, and the previously defeated Li Tianyu and others remained in the forest.
Li Tianyu and the others lay sprawled on the ground, lips purple, unable to stand or even speak.
Dragon Lord Meng Shu glanced at the fallen attackers, then gave a look to Snake Matron, who understood and led Meng Yiran aside.
Dragon Lord Meng Shu approached the remaining thugs.
"Please… don't kill me…"
"We were forced by Li Tianyu and Li Feiyu…"
Seeing Meng Shu advance, several begged for mercy.
Holding his dragon-headed staff, Meng Shu ignored them, swinging it with precision. A few thumps later, silence fell.
Li Tianyu and Li Feiyu remained defiant, glaring at Meng Shu.
Meng Shu walked to the brothers without immediately striking. "Anything you wish to say?"
"You…" Li Feiyu barely spoke when BANG! — his head exploded like a watermelon, red and white matter splattering.
Li Tianyu had no time to react before Meng Shu's next strike sent him to the afterlife as well.
"Two worthless dogs, nearly killing Yiran and still trying to speak?"
…
Elsewhere, Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan sped toward Heaven Dou City.
Thanks to Dugu Bo's supersonic Titled Douluo flight, they soon arrived.
In the city, Dugu Bo found a decent-looking inn and checked in with his granddaughter.
Tomorrow, he planned to visit Heaven Dou City's blacksmith to retrieve the hidden weapon components he had crafted…