"Mm… so be it. Let's eat first."
As Dugu Bo spoke, Manager Mu had already nimbly taken the dishes from the maids outside and laid them out on the table.
The fragrant aroma of food filled the room. Although Paimon and Yu Keke hadn't said a word, their eyes had been glued to the feast for a while now. But since Aether was still talking, they exchanged glances, clearly waiting to see who would crack first.
"Yay! Food time!"
Paimon, the ultimate food goblin, struck first—ripping off a golden, crispy chicken leg and taking a huge bite, grease dripping from her mouth.
"Brother, let's eat."
Though Yu Keke was clearly starving, she held back, softly calling out to Aether. If he didn't pick up his chopsticks, neither would she.
"Hiss— This little fox has such terrifying innate talent?"
Xue Qinghe glanced at the seemingly delicate Yu Keke and couldn't help but feel something indescribable stir within him.
"Mmmf— Traveler, Keke, Qinghe, and Gramps—hurry up and eat already!"
Paimon, clearly famished, mumbled through a mouthful of chicken as she kept shoving food into her mouth.
"Alright, let's eat."
Aether nodded in response, then turned to Dugu Bo and added,
"Senior, after the meal, you can bring your granddaughter over. I'll see what I can do."
He motioned for Dugu Bo to join them at the table. As for what he just mentioned, he vaguely remembered Tang San once guiding Dugu Bo to force the toxins from his martial soul into his soul bone, thereby internalizing the poison and ending the backfire that plagued him.
Afterward, his soul power had even risen to Rank 92.
But as for how they dealt with Dugu Yan's case specifically, Aether couldn't recall clearly—it had been too long ago.
Still, there were plenty of ways to handle toxins like this. He believed he could help.
"Sir, I'll go fetch Yan'er right away."
Dugu Bo heard Aether's agreement and quickly responded.
His granddaughter Dugu Yan was currently just outside Heaven Dou City, attending the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, which made things much more convenient.
"Since you've already agreed, Your Excellency, and there's no real rush, why not stay and finish the meal before you go?"
Xue Qinghe spoke up, trying to be polite despite his status as an enemy to Dugu Bo.
He knew a meal wouldn't change their relationship, but there was no need to appear petty either.
"Thank you, Your Highness, but I must decline. I'd rather not delay Lord Aether's time."
Dugu Bo shook his head firmly, unwilling to accept even a shred of goodwill from Xue Qinghe.
He, Dugu Bo, had always acted with a clear conscience—grateful for kindness, and vengeful when wronged.
Though there was no personal grudge between him and Xue Qinghe, the political battle for the throne between Xue Qinghe and Prince Xue Xing was inevitable. Accepting even a small favor now might tie his hands later.
He was here today for the sake of his granddaughter—and for her, he would do anything.
"Very well, Senior. As you wish."
Xue Qinghe knew Dugu Bo's temperament and hadn't expected much. His invitation was merely a courtesy.
Besides, even if Xue Beng had Dugu Bo's support one day, he himself had the entire Spirit Hall at his back. His two bodyguard elders were both Title Douluo like Dugu Bo—there was no real comparison in strength.
"Sir, then I'll go fetch Yan'er now." Dugu Bo bowed deeply to Aether.
"Alright. I'll wait for you here, Senior."
Aether nodded. This commission was easier than ever—no need to run all over the place, the request had delivered itself right to his doorstep…
Once he had Aether's reply, Dugu Bo thanked him again before hurrying out the door.
"Uhh… Traveler, do you smell something weird?"
Paimon tilted her head. With the old man gone, she noticed Yu Keke and Xue Qinghe frowning slightly.
"All better now."
With a casual wave, Aether summoned a breeze that swept through the room, instantly clearing out the foul, fishy odor that had been lingering.
"Hehe! I knew my bestest and most in-sync partner would fix it!"
Paimon inhaled deeply, and even the steak in her hand suddenly seemed more delicious.
"Traveler, what kind of illness does that old grandpa have? He smelled really bad—just being near him made the whole room stink."
Now that the odor was gone, Paimon voiced her curiosity.
She'd noticed the increasing stench not long after Dugu Bo entered, but she, being someone who respected the elderly, didn't want to bring it up. Since he'd mentioned something about martial soul poison, she figured he must be ill.
"His martial soul is the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor—his entire body is poisonous. That's where the stench came from."
Xue Qinghe explained.
"Whuh! Snake emperor? Poison? Wait, didn't we just breathe all that in?! Are we poisoned?!"
Paimon froze in shock, then turned anxiously to Aether,
"Traveler, check me quick! I don't wanna turn all stinky like that old grandpa!"
"Pfft—don't worry, Paimon. It's just the smell. You won't get poisoned."
Xue Qinghe chuckled, finding Paimon quite amusing.
"Whew~ That's a relief. But wait—Qinghe, you said that grandpa is a snake?"
She'd met cat girls, Sayu, Yae Miko… but this was her first time encountering a snake! Her curiosity was piqued.
"He's not a snake. His martial soul is a snake. It's a type of beast soul."
Xue Qinghe clarified.
"Martial soul? What's that?"
Paimon tilted her head, even more confused.
"A martial soul is the foundation of a soul master."
Xue Qinghe set down his chopsticks and gave it some thought before continuing:
"Starting at the age of six, everyone can awaken their martial soul. There are many types—broadly classified into Tool Souls, Beast Souls, Plant Souls, and Food Souls.
The stronger the awakened martial soul and the higher the innate soul power, the more powerful one can become."
Worried she might not understand, he added:
"That guy at the auction who fought your brother—his martial soul was a sword. And the big guy with the giant hammer? His was the hammer.
Both are powerful martial souls, which is why they're so strong. Of course, compared to your brother…"
Xue Qinghe glanced at Aether, who was still focused on eating. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed this calm young man could instantly defeat a Title Douluo…
"Mmm~ I think I get it now!"
Paimon nodded thoughtfully. Then, her eyes lit up with excitement.
"Traveler! If I awaken one of those martial souls too, can I become super strong?"
"…"
Aether was caught off guard. He put down his chopsticks and glanced at the mountain of bones on Paimon's plate. The corner of his mouth twitched as he answered seriously,
"I think a Paimon with one-fourth the combat power of a wild boar is already plenty strong… no need to awaken a martial soul."
She was already this capable without soul power. If she ever actually awakened a martial soul… she might end up turning a grand manor into a pigsty.
Aether shivered at the thought.
_
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