Chapter 76: Movements from All Sides, Tang Hao's Heart (4k)_2

"Your Highness, people from the Hao Tian Clan have arrived; they've deployed two Titled Douluo level Elders."

Dream Divine Machine didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

"What? That Qin Xiao!" Xue Qinghe feigned surprise.

But inside, he was truly anxious. After all, as long as Dream Divine Machine was present, Porcupine Elder temporarily couldn't go help Qin Xiao.

He hoped Qin Xiao could hold out a bit longer under the onslaught of two Titled Douluo Elders... Unknowingly, he found himself praying for Qin Xiao.

"Hahaha."

However, at this moment, Dream Divine Machine laughed.

Is this madness?

Or could it be that Dream Divine Machine was actually Prince Xue Xing's man, and today was no longer pretending, laying all his cards on the table?

Xue Qinghe asked, astonished, "President Meng, what are you laughing at?"

"Your Highness, I'm here to tell you not to panic. Qin Xiao is alright, the Elders from Hao Tian Clan, they have left."

As Dream Divine Machine spoke, he couldn't help but exclaim, "We thought we had already overestimated Qin Xiao. Turns out, we still underestimated him..."

"Two Titled Douluo level Elders from Hao Tian Clan, one fled, another became a prisoner at the mercy of others..."

"What? The two Titled Douluo from Hao Tian Clan met with such a fate?"

Xue Qinghe was visibly shocked.

This time, it wasn't an act; he was genuinely stunned.

"I didn't believe it at first either, but not until I saw with my own eyes Qin Xiao escorting that Titled Douluo Elder from Hao Tian Clan out of Tiandou City, I had to believe it."

"I must say, truly... impressive..."

Admiration filled Dream Divine Machine's voice.

"President Meng, join me now in seeing the Emperor; it seems we need to make a new plan."

"Let's cancel the previous plan."

By the end, Xue Qinghe raised his voice a notch.

Because these words were not only meant for Dream Divine Machine, but also for Porcupine Douluo lurking in the shadows.

"Your Highness is most wise."

Dream Divine Machine nodded repeatedly, then followed Xue Qinghe out of the Crown Prince's Sleeping Palace.

...

Sunset Forest.

Within the Icefire Polarized Eyes.

Du Gu Bo was stunned as he watched Qin Xiao return, "Kid, do I make you that worried? You just left and now you're back?"

"And what's with bringing this old man? Are you distrustful of me, thinking to have someone to watch over me? If you don't trust me that much, then should I leave?"

Before Qin Xiao could speak, Du Gu Bo became agitated.

He was a person who didn't tolerate nonsense, and Qin Xiao's actions were like throwing stones in his eyes.

"Enough, Du Gu Bo, stop sulking like a wronged young wife. Take a closer look at this person, do you recognize him..."

Qin Xiao said, stepping aside slightly, fully revealing the third elder to Du Gu Bo.

"Eh, this old man, he does look somewhat familiar...."

Du Gu Bo stroked his chin, scrutinizing him closely, but for a moment he couldn't remember who this person was.

"Du Gu Bo, after so many years, you don't recognize me anymore?"

"I am surnamed Tang and rank as the third."

He hadn't remembered the third elder, but the third elder recognized Du Gu Bo, asking with a complex tone.

"Tang Lao San, ah..."

Du Gu Bo muttered to himself, but the next moment his eyes widened in recognition, "Wait, you, you're the third elder from Hao Tian Clan?"

The third elder nodded with a dark face, "Indeed, it is me..."

To be honest, being recognized by an acquaintance in such a manner was quite embarrassing for him.

"Then how did you end up here?"

Du Gu Bo didn't think too much, simply asking out of instinct.

"I thought you might be lonely here, so I specifically brought him over to keep you company."

At this moment, Qin Xiao spoke up.

As he spoke, he also gestured suggestively at Du Gu Bo, implying a teasing atmosphere.

"To ease worries and boredom, I would accept you bringing a beauty for me, but what use is such an old and grumpy-looking man?"

Du Gu Bo responded irritably.

However, he noticed that the third elder's expression grew even uglier.

"Third Elder, don't misunderstand, it's not that I look down on you, just that I think we're... incompatible...."

After finishing, Du Gu Bo added another sentence, "Yes, just incompatible..."

Pfft.

The third elder could no longer restrain himself, his anger flaring up so fiercely that his internal injuries from a previous lightning strike erupted together, and he spewed out a mouthful of fresh blood.

Du Gu Bo: "...."

"Is this an attempt at swindling?" He was dumbfounded and then turned his gaze back to Qin Xiao and asked, "Qin Xiao, what exactly are you trying to do?"

"As you can see, this person is now my captive. He still holds some value and can't die just yet. However, I don't have the time to watch over him, so I can only ask for your help."

"Don't worry, I've sealed his Soul Power; he can't hurt you."

Qin Xiao spread his hands.

"What, a captive?"

Du Gu Bo's eyes bulged; he had thought that the third elder was holding back, looking to gain Immortal Herbs from Qin Xiao, but to have become a captive instead?!

"What happened?"

Instead of agreeing immediately, Du Gu Bo asked with a deep voice.

Qin Xiao nodded, not minding sharing some truth of the matters with Du Gu Bo, "The matter goes back to when I annihilated the Clan of Strength...."

"What the hell? The Clan of Strength was wiped out by you too?" Du Gu Bo had heard some rumors before, but since he hadn't returned to Tian Dou Imperial City recently, he was unaware of the latest developments.

However, he hadn't expected the real culprit to be right before his eyes.

"Are you listening or not?" Qin Xiao asked with a stern face.

"No need, I already know what happened." Du Gu Bo shook his head and then pointed at the third elder and said, "He discovered the truth, came looking for trouble from you, and then you subdued him, right?"

Who knew Qin Xiao would shake his head, "You're half right. He had a brother who was subdued by me as well, but I let him go to negotiate terms with the Hao Tian Clan on my behalf."

"Both elders, subdued by you?" Du Gu Bo heard this and his eyes widened dramatically, his heart extremely unsettled.

What kind of monster is this kid?

"Alright, you now know everything you need to. Is it a problem if I leave him here?"

Qin Xiao asked.

"You're making an enemy of the Hao Tian Clan, don't drag me down with you," Du Gu Bo shook his head.

"If this matter is taken care of, you won't owe me any favors anymore."

Qin Xiao obviously had this all planned out.

"What?"

"You've used up my favor just like that?"

Du Gu Bo's eyes widened.

In his heart, he even felt some indignation; he felt that Qin Xiao did not consider his favor important.

"Right, using it like this would be a waste; it's not worth it."

Qin Xiao suddenly stroked his chin, appearing contemplative as he spoke.

"Hmph, that's more like it..." Du Gu Bo huffed with displeasure, but Qin Xiao's attitude made him feel somewhat better.

"So, do this: while helping me look after Tang Lao San, help me concoct some poisons as well. The kind only you can cure."

Just as Du Gu Bo thought Qin Xiao would retract his previous words, Qin Xiao's voice rang out again by his ear.

"What? You carefully thought it over, and this is it?"

Du Gu Bo was incredulous.

Qin Xiao thought it over carefully, and this is...

Thinking for nothing, huh.

"I suppose it's good enough... " Qin Xiao shrugged.

Du Gu Bo: '...'

I feel like, in his heart, I'm just some useless trash...

To be honest, he hadn't felt this inferior in decades.

Keep in mind, when Prince Xue Xing owed someone a favor, he seemed happier than if he had ascended the throne...

"Fine, kid, you're ruthless!"

"I'll agree to what you've asked. But from now on, don't rush me; I, Du Gu Bo, won't owe you any favors, and what I do has nothing to do with you."

Du Gu Bo huffed angrily.

On the other hand, Qin Xiao nodded with a smile, yet he wasn't actually concerned.

After all, as long as Du Gu Bo agreed to today's matter, whether he would stand with Qin Xiao in the future wasn't up to him, was it?

Elsewhere.

Deep in the forest hundreds of miles outside of Tiandou City.

Tang San, puzzled, asked, "Dad, didn't you say you were taking me to the Xingluo Empire? Why have we come here?"

Tang Hao sighed, "Before we leave, I want to have one last look at my homeland and gaze upon the Hao Tian Clan. I don't know when we will return. Just one distant look and I'll be content."

Upon hearing this, Tang San's heart jolted, and a look of yearning filled his face: "The Hao Tian Clan, is it in such a remote place?"

"No, the Hao Tian Clan is anything but remote..."

Tang Hao said, his face filled with a wistful expression, "Once you see it with your own eyes, you'll understand how majestic and magnificent the Hao Tian Clan is."

...