Tang Hao, after a moment of self-imagination, envisioned a scenario where an "alternate personality sensed danger and manifested in broad daylight while his younger daughter's consciousness was still clear, to save him and thus expose its existence." Now, his young daughter, having learned of this other entity, felt her worldview shattered and wanted to explain that she had hidden Xiao San, but it wasn't entirely her doing.
It was fine, he understood, he understood it all.
Tang Hao walked over to his younger daughter, who was shedding tears like little golden beans. He shifted the Clear Sky Hammer to his other hand, and with his free hand, gently wiped away the teardrops from her reddened eyes with the rough pad of his finger.
"Dad doesn't blame you. You did very well this time. Xiao San and you weren't hurt, so Sui Sui shouldn't blame herself."
Tang Sui let out another sob, nodding her head in confirmation with a muffled sound. She then looked at Dugu Bo, who was still quite injured. Under his wary gaze, her clear blue eyes flickered with a faint light. Three deep purple, thousand-year spirit rings rose from beneath her feet, and a jade-white fox mask and ape mask floated beside her.
"Second Spirit Ability, Kind Visage."
Ignoring the difference in spirit power levels, the single-target spirit ability for complete healing landed on Dugu Bo. His seventh spirit ability, the lingering effects, and the injuries from the severe beating were all instantly healed.
Feeling the rich spirit power flowing within him, the absence of pain in his wounds, and even the near-complete mending of his old injuries, Dugu Bo's gaze towards Tang Sui changed.
He hadn't expected it... this little crybaby with a black heart actually possessed such effective spirit abilities, capable of healing the injuries of a Titled Douluo like himself. If this little girl could become a dedicated healer, she would surely be invaluable on the battlefield...
As soon as this thought arose, Tang Hao cast a warning, cold glance in his direction as if sensing it. Dugu Bo's clandestine thoughts immediately vanished.
Forget it, with the crazy Tang around, it wasn't his place to try and claim this dedicated healer.
Tang Hao didn't comment on Tang Sui healing Dugu Bo, nor did he apologize for the earlier beating.
As Titled Douluo, weren't they all beings of unrestrained freedom?
He hit him, and he hit him. Besides, he didn't feel guilty about it at all.
That old poison user deserved to be beaten!
Who knew what purpose this old poison user had in mind when he unceremoniously abducted Xiao San? Sudanshuwang.
With that thought, Tang Hao's gaze towards Dugu Bo once again turned sharp. Dugu Bo's scalp tightened under the stare. To prevent another beating, he quickly waved his hand and said, "Wait! Tang Hao! Since this was a misunderstanding, how about we pretend this never happened?"
Tang Hao narrowed his eyes. "Why did you abduct Xiao San?"
A flicker of consideration crossed Dugu Bo's eyes. He ultimately decided to reveal half the truth. "The reason I took him was due to my interest in his poison. Earlier, during his team battle with my granddaughter and her group, your son effortlessly neutralized my granddaughter's Jade Phosphor Serpent's Poison. I was very interested in his skill at detoxification, and out of curiosity, I took action to abduct him."
"I won't harbor any ill intentions towards your son and daughter in the future. Let's each take a step back, and neither of us will offend the other, how does that sound?"
Dugu Bo, seizing the moment, took the initiative to concede, demonstrating his sincerity.
Tang Hao pondered for two seconds, then glanced at his unconscious son. Just as he was about to agree, his sleeve was tugged by a small hand.
He looked down to see Tang Sui.
"Dad, could you lower your head a bit? I have something I want to tell you." Tang Sui looked up at Tang Hao with pleading eyes. Tang Hao glanced at Dugu Bo, who jumped slightly and took two steps back, raising his hands as if to indicate he wouldn't eavesdrop.
Tang Hao withdrew his indifferent gaze, a fierce glint erupting in his eyes. A pitch-black domain enveloped the three of them, completely isolating their voices. Dugu Bo was horrified.
That Tang Hao fellow... actually possessed domain-like abilities!
He hadn't heard in his earlier years that the Clear Sky Douluo, renowned across the continent for his formidable strength and his legendary beatdown of the Pope, possessed other domain-like abilities!
Dugu Bo couldn't hear their voices or see Tang Sui's lips move. He could only watch as she whispered a few words into Tang Hao's ear, causing a hesitant expression to appear on Tang Hao's face, even prompting a surprised glance in his direction.
Dugu Bo: "..." Couldn't they at least let him hear what sort of wicked plans the father and daughter were concocting?
Another ten-plus seconds passed, and Dugu Bo saw Tang Hao seemingly persuaded by Tang Sui. He nodded, straightened up, and dispelled the domain that had covered them. Two pairs of identical, placid gazes, one large and one small, fixed upon him.
"Dugu Bo, I can agree to the latter half of your proposal, but I also have conditions."
Tang Hao said calmly, looking at Dugu Bo. The latter frowned, sensing trouble. "What conditions?"
If it was too much, he would...
"Your abduction of my son with ill intentions is undeniable. While my daughter wasn't seriously injured, you also frightened her quite badly. You, Dugu Bo, are known across the continent for your poisons, so you must have many good medicinal herbs on hand, correct?" As the last sentence was spoken, Tang Hao's intentions became crystal clear.
Dugu Bo: ?
He looked with a darkened, handsome face at the "black-hearted crybaby" clinging to Tang Hao's clothes, her expression evasive, as if she were "small, helpless, and terrified." The image of that terrifying figure who had chased him from Blue Tyrant Advanced Spirit Master Academy all the way to the Sunset Forest flashed through his mind. He took a deep, silent breath.
He had frightened her?
Who was frightening whom here?!
---Author's Notes---
Dugu Bo: When it comes to speaking nonsense with a straight face, no one can beat your family!
Here's a joke: Mo Li woke up with a stiff neck today.
Now, every time she turns her neck, it's a nightmare (a groundhog's scream).