Chapter 32 Winning Over Dugu Bo: Planning Ahead
"However, let me make this clear: even if I die, I will never join the Spirit Hall!"
Dugu Bo is a person who loves freedom, so it would be too difficult for him to join a Soul Master organization where he would be subject to many restrictions.
Qin Mu's offer was very attractive, but Dugu Bo knew that these offers would come at a great cost.
However, Dugu Bo couldn't think of anything else about himself that Qin Mu could value.
"Senior Dugu, you are overthinking it. Don't worry, you don't need to join the Spirit Hall."
Qin Mu simply answered Dugu Bo's question without revealing his own conditions, thus continuing to wear down Dugu Bo's patience.
"Please state your conditions directly! I don't believe that such a good thing could fall into my lap for no reason."
Having been passively waiting for Qin Mu to speak, Dugu Bo felt like a prisoner in court awaiting a death sentence, a feeling that made him extremely uncomfortable.
Seeing that the desired effect had been achieved, Qin Mu held up three fingers and slowly said, "Still three conditions."
"First, I'm entrusting the Ice and Fire Eyes to you, which is equivalent to entrusting you with guarding this treasure land. However, apart from some Immortal Herbs that I need, you can use the rest as you please."
"Secondly, if I need your help in the future, I hope you will lend a hand. Of course, I will ask for your help in my personal capacity."
"Third, and most importantly."
Qin Mu stood up from the rock and, before Ling Yuan could stop him, went to Dugu Bo and extended his hand to him.
"I hope we can be friends."
Upon hearing these three conditions, Dugu Bo felt a bit dazed.
This is what you call a condition? It's practically nonexistent!
Although he instinctively grasped Qin Mu's hand, Dugu Bo still gave a bitter smile.
"Please stop toying with me. Tell me your real conditions."
Qin Mu let go and simply shook his head with a smile.
"These are the conditions, believe it or not."
"If you suspect something is amiss, or disagree, please leave."
"I will pretend that your attack on me never happened."
Watching Qin Mu slowly leave, Dugu Bo still couldn't believe it.
Is that all?
After careful consideration, all he had to lose was a Ruyi Treasure Pouch and a few Immortal Herbs. He not only retained ownership of the Ice and Fire Eyes, but also managed to free himself and Dugu Yan from the backlash of the Jade Phosphor Serpent's venom!
The first point seems to restrict Dugu Bo's freedom, but in reality, Dugu Bo couldn't wait to stay in this precious land for the rest of his life.
In Dugu Bo's view, the second and third points were practically meaningless.
How could a force like the Spirit Hall possibly need your power?
If Qin Mu ever gets into trouble and he can't handle it himself, then Dugu Bo's strength is simply not up to par.
Whether I can be of any help at that time is another matter.
However, this seemingly risk-free and profitable deal made Dugu Bo suspect that there might be a scam involved.
Ling Yuan followed Qin Mu back to the vicinity of the Ice and Fire Eyes. Watching Qin Mu continue arranging the Immortal Herbs on the ground, Ling Yuan couldn't help but let out a cold snort.
"What's wrong, Sister Ling Yuan? Didn't you just improve your strength? Why are you still so unhappy?"
Qin Mu smiled and asked Ling Yuan, but Ling Yuan turned her head away in displeasure.
"What's the point of talking to that old drug lord? I'll just beat him up and throw him out, won't that solve anything?"
"Besides, with me by your side, what help can that old poisoner possibly give you?"
Seeing Ling Yuan throwing a tantrum like a child, Qin Mu immediately understood what she meant.
"Sister Ling Yuan, are you jealous?"
"Who's jealous of you, you little brat!"
Hearing Qin Mu's teasing, Ling Yuan glared at him fiercely and continued, "Since you have Dugu Bo to help you, you don't need me anymore."
"If you're in any danger, just let that old bastard Dugu Bo help you. I can't help you at all!"
Ling Yuan's childish behavior made Qin Mu shake his head helplessly.
"If we're talking about strength, Sister Ling Yuan alone is definitely stronger than ten Dugu Bos combined!"
"With you by my side, how could I possibly encounter any danger!"
"But as the saying goes, even a hero needs three helpers. Although Dugu Bo is not as strong as you, he is still a Title Douluo!"
"Furthermore, he is one of the few Title Douluo who is skilled in using poison,"
"But don't worry, you will always be the strongest Title Douluo in my heart!"
Ling Yuan was flattered so much that she couldn't help but smile, and then she gave a haughty snort and forgave Qin Mu.
"I wouldn't say I'm the strongest; at the very least, the Pope and a few of the elders are still stronger than me."
Although she said that, the smile on her face showed that she appreciated those words very much.
He glanced at Dugu Bo, who was still pondering, but did not urge him to make a choice immediately.
Qin Mu knew that Dugu Bo was currently thinking about the very point that Dugu Bo was unwilling to believe that such a good thing existed in the world.
He attacked the disciple of the current Pope of the Spirit Hall, and not only did the disciple not cause him any trouble, but the disciple even magnanimously forgave him.
Originally, Qin Mu thought the Immortal Herbs would be given as an apology, but he only selected the portion he needed and was willing to return the rest.
Furthermore, Qin Mu was willing to help treat the grandfather and grandson, and all he gave in return was a storage soul tool.
Even if it's a trade, this one is a huge profit for me!
These conditions were naturally something Qin Mu had planned long ago to win over Dugu Bo.
Although Qin Mu now holds a very important position in the Spirit Hall, the people who truly control the discourse are still Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu.
They gave me my status and position, and if one day they no longer want to give them to me, I can naturally take them back.
What Qin Mu needs to do is to prevent problems before they arise.
Besides becoming stronger oneself, recruiting powerful individuals to serve one's own purposes is also a way to become stronger.
In this way, if the situation really changes, as long as there are strong people around who are willing to help you, it won't be too bad.
Dugu Bo's strength was indeed only considered low-tier among the Title Douluos, but his poison skills were unparalleled, making him a fearsome figure.
Moreover, Dugu Bo is not a bad person; at least he always keeps his promises.
Because of his kindness in repaying evil, Dugu Bo might not accept him immediately, but he would definitely leave a good impression on Dugu Bo.
Looking at Ling Yuan beside him, Qin Mu thought for a moment and then leaned closer to her: "Sister Ling Yuan, now that you have attack power, would you like to increase your speed?"
Upon hearing this, Ling Yuan, who had been sulking just moments before, immediately turned her head and looked at Qin Mu with suspicion.
"Do you have any good ideas this time?"
Qin Mu remained silent, which was taken as a presupposition.
"Well, then I'll reluctantly listen to it!"
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[end of the chapter]