Chapter 5: A Child’s Resolve

Time had passed quickly, and the life I had come to know with my new family had begun to feel strangely natural. Two and a half years had gone by since that night in the forest. I was now three years old, and though my body was small and delicate, a testament to my age, it was anything but ordinary. My physical abilities had improved far beyond what should have been possible, and my sharp mind, combined with memories from my past life, had kept me focused on a singular goal: growing stronger.

Dugu Bo was as formidable as ever. Though his days were filled with intense training and managing his poisonous arts, he never failed to shower me with affection whenever he had the chance. His laughter boomed through the halls of our home, and his pride in my growth was evident. Still, it was Dugu Xin, my uncle, who had become my closest companion. At twenty-five years old, he was a diligent caretaker and teacher, patient and kind despite his own struggles with his family's poisonous legacy.

But I couldn't ignore the shadow hanging over us.

Dugu Xin was twenty-five now, but I knew he would not live to see forty. The poison that coursed through their bloodline would claim him in just a decade unless something was done. I refused to let that happen. My memories of my previous life gave me some insights. I'd already begun thinking about plans to save him, but I needed more information. Until my martial soul awakened, I couldn't know the best course of action.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in orange and pink, I sat with Dugu Xin in the courtyard. He was teaching me basic exercises, simple stretches and movements meant to improve flexibility and coordination. To anyone watching, we might have looked like an ordinary uncle and nephew sharing a peaceful moment, but my mind was elsewhere.

"Xin-ge," I said, breaking the quiet. My voice still carried the high-pitched tone of a child, but my words were measured. "Do you think there's a way to store poison outside the body?"

Dugu Xin paused mid-stretch, turning to look at me with a puzzled expression. "Store poison? Why do you ask, Bei?"

I hesitated, then decided to take a leap of faith. "I had a dream… about a way to store poison in something called a soul bone. In the dream, it wasn't a permanent solution, but it helped."

He frowned, his gaze searching mine for any hint of deception. Finding none, he let out a thoughtful hum. "A soul bone? That's an interesting idea. But soul bones are rare, Bei. Even for our family, obtaining one isn't easy."

Before I could respond, Dugu Bo's voice echoed from behind us. "What's this about a soul bone?"

We turned to see him approaching, his emerald-green robes flowing like liquid poison in the dim light. His sharp eyes bore into me, but there was no anger, only curiosity.

"Bei had a dream about a way to store poison in a soul bone," Dugu Xin explained. "He says it might not be permanent, but it could help."

Dugu Bo's gaze shifted to me, his expression unreadable. "A dream, huh?" He crouched down, leveling his gaze with mine, I noticed he didn't fully believed the "dream" excuse. "Dream or not, it's an intriguing thought. It's worth investigating."

I nodded, my heart pounding. "If it works, we could try it for Xin-ge. It might give us more time to find a real solution."

Dugu Bo's eyes softened, and he placed a large hand on my head. "You've got a sharp mind, Bei. I'll see if I can find a suitable soul bone."

True to his word, Dugu Bo wasted no time. He left that very night, determined to acquire a soul bone for Dugu Xin. Before he departed, I approached him with one final request.

"Grandfather, while you're out, could you look for something called whale rubber? The older, the better."

He raised an eyebrow. "Whale rubber? What are you planning, boy?"

I shook my head, feigning innocence. "Just another idea I had. I don't know if it will work, but it's worth a try."

Dugu Bo chuckled, ruffling my hair. "You're full of surprises, Bei. All right, I'll see what I can do."

As he disappeared into the night, a sense of determination filled me. Dugu Bo's trust, and Dugu Xin's care, were things I had never known before. I refused to let the curse of their bloodline take any of them away from me. I would fight for this family, no matter the cost.