Chapter 44: Shield Acquired (Part 2)
Ye Wen shook his head in mild disappointment, realizing that Dugu Bo had fallen prey to experience based assumptions. Dugu Bo, frustrated by Ye Wen's apparent dismissal, couldn't help but bristle. After all, his family was a renowned expert in both poisons and antidotes across the continent. Suppressing his irritation, Dugu Bo asked, "Then what's your brilliant insight?"
"It's not that profound," Ye Wen replied calmly. "Let me first break down the basics of snake venom for you. Venoms generally fall into three categories: hemotoxins, which cause blood clotting and ultimately death; neurotoxins, which lead to paralysis and tissue decay; and finally, a mixed toxin, combining elements of the first two for an even more potent and harder to treat poison."
As Ye Wen continued to explain, Dugu Bo's expression shifted to one of begrudging respect this was indeed standard knowledge on snake venom.
"Now, the Jade Phosphor Serpent martial soul that your family possesses is, in essence, a mixed venom type. And as your family has absorbed various poisonous soul rings over generations, the venom's complexity has only increased. It's no longer a matter of ordinary medical treatment only by using soul power can it be controlled, which is why you rely on it to resist the poison within your body."
Dugu Bo listened, frowning. "So what, then, is the problem?"
"Think about this," Ye Wen continued. "How does venom actually affect the human body? The answer is through entry points wounds. Venom that merely lands on the skin can usually be wiped off without issue, as it doesn't enter the bloodstream directly."
Seeing Dugu Bo's slightly alarmed look, Ye Wen explained further. "If you attempt to suck out venom using your mouth, it's usually harmless as long as your mouth has no open sores or cuts. However, if there is a cut and you're dealing with a particularly potent venom, it could enter the bloodstream and head straight to the brain, causing instant death. Am I correct, Mr. Dugu?"
Dugu Bo's face darkened. Now, as Ye Wen laid out the implications, he could see the logic clearly. Normally, snake bites would be limited to the limbs, which left time for some treatment. But a direct bite to a vein near the brain would cause venom to flow straight into the brain, likely resulting in paralysis or death.
Seeing this detail so starkly for the first time, Dugu Bo's expression grew strained. "Are you saying that our family's affliction stems from the fact that, when we use certain soul skills, minuscule wounds allow poison to seep into our bodies?"
Ye Wen nodded. "That's exactly it. Without activating your martial soul, your body is essentially no different from that of an ordinary human. And though your body might contain antibodies against the poison, absorbing different poisonous soul rings over the years has created an accumulation of toxins that deteriorates your health over time."
Dugu Bo's face paled. Since childhood, he'd been taught that the Jade Phosphor Serpent martial soul required constant training and powerful soul force to stave off internal poisoning. Now, he realized that it wasn't a curse inherent to their martial soul but a result of flawed cultivation methods passed down through generations.
All the lives lost to poison, including his wife during childbirth, had been needless. He had failed to see the fatal flaw, blinded by his own confidence as a soul master.
He let out a tormented laugh, clutching his head. The sorrow and self mockery that spilled out made him seem almost deranged. Startled, Dugu Xin backed away to hide behind Ye Wen. To him, his father had always been the embodiment of calm strength, a noble soul master who faced all challenges with poise. He was shaken to see him like this.
After a long moment, Dugu Bo regained his composure and bowed deeply to Ye Wen. "You possess wisdom far beyond your years, Principal Ye. You have uncovered the curse that has plagued my family for generations. My life may be half over, but my son, Dugu Xin, still has a chance. Please, show him the way."
Ye Wen stepped forward, helping Dugu Bo to his feet. "No need for such formalities, Mr. Dugu. As I mentioned before, as long as you are willing to serve as the honorary head of Tiangxing Academy and allow your son to become my disciple, I will gladly share the antidote methods."
Gratitude shone in Dugu Bo's eyes. Pulling Dugu Xin forward, he said, "Xin, pay your respects to your master. The principal's knowledge is the deepest I have encountered in my career as a soul master. Under his guidance, I believe you will one day restore honor to our Dugu family."
Dugu Xin did not hesitate. Although he hadn't understood all of Ye Wen's explanations, his father's confidence left no doubt in his mind. Bowing deeply, he said, "Disciple greets Master."
"Good," Ye Wen replied warmly. "From this day forth, you are my eighth direct disciple."
In Douluo, a soul master could have only one master for life, and this was considered a deeply binding commitment. In the original story, Tang San paid respects to Grandmaster as "Teacher" rather than "Master," possibly indicating this difference. While certain ceremonial aspects might have been simplified, accepting a master meant an unbreakable bond.
By becoming Ye Wen's disciple, the Dugu family was now bound to him. Their fates were interwoven; success and failure would be shared, and betrayal would bring the wrath of the entire soul master community upon them.
In the original story, the HaoTian Sect had earned a reputation for ruthlessness because it had abandoned its subordinate clans, leaving them defenseless in a time of need. This cost the Sect respect and forced it into seclusion by the time of the Douluo Continent's sequel.
Ye Wen's plan to integrate the Dugu family into Tiangxing Academy's fold was motivated by Dugu Bo's substantial power as a rank 75 Soul Saint. Only a soul master of this caliber could give Tiangxing Academy the credentials and authority it needed to grow into a reputable institution.
By establishing an advanced soul master academy, Ye Wen would gain access to rare resources typically monopolized by established forces. This would help him break past the bottlenecks in his research and cultivation.
Applying directly for support from the Heaven Dou Empire was also an option, but that would negate years of effort to keep his power hidden. Ye Wen also couldn't ignore the danger his father's death was tied to the very game of politics he was trying to avoid. By staying independent, he could sidestep the factions and play a longer, safer game.
End of Chapter
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