Douluo Dalu: The Legend of The Spider Emperor

"Let me ask you one last time—who was cursing this old man just now?" Dugu Bo's voice thundered as he took slow, deliberate steps toward Flender and the others.

Flender felt as though an invisible hand was clutching his throat; even breathing had become a struggle.

Liu Erlong swallowed nervously. The poisonous old man before them was clearly beyond their ability to handle.

As for the true instigator, Yu Xiaogang, he had already retreated to the back of the group, watching the situation unfold from a safe distance.

"Dugu Bo, where's Xiao San? What did you do to him?" Yu Xiaogang asked anxiously, worried for Tang San's safety.

Dugu Bo's eyes narrowed sharply. Yes, it was that voice. He recognized it. This was the man who had been speaking so confidently at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy just days ago—what was he called? Oh, yes, "Grandmaster."

Him? A coward who only knew how to hide behind women, daring to shout insults but lacking the courage to admit it.

In an instant, Dugu Bo appeared in front of the trio. His lips curled into a cryptic smile, and his gaze lingered on Yu Xiaogang, who was still hiding behind Liu Erlong. A wicked idea began to form in his mind.

"You're talking about that Tang San, right?" Dugu Bo chuckled darkly. "He's already dead. I killed him."

"What did you say?!" Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened in shock, the words striking him like a bolt from the blue.

On a nearby cliff, Tang Hao stood tall, listening to their conversation with perfect clarity.

When he heard Dugu Bo declare, "Tang San is already dead," Tang Hao was momentarily speechless. Then, a flicker of killing intent flashed in his eyes. Daring to curse my son as dead, huh?

He glanced toward the valley where Tang San sat cross-legged, alive and well. This is what you call "dead"?

Dugu Bo, true to his reputation, never played by the rules and always acted on his whims.

Tang Hao decided not to intervene for now. He wanted to see what Dugu Bo was plotting.

"Dugu Bo, you're finished!" Flender jabbed a finger at Dugu Bo, his voice filled with anger.

"Finished?" Dugu Bo sneered. "I'm standing here perfectly fine. Tell me, how exactly am I finished? Do you plan to take me down with a measly low-tier Soul Master and two Soul Sages?"

"Shut up! Xiao Gang is not a failure!" Liu Erlong snapped back, fiercely defending Yu Xiaogang. In her heart, Yu Xiaogang's worth surpassed her own.

"Oh, really?" Dugu Bo smirked. "If that's the case, why don't you prove it to me?"

"What do you mean by that?" Yu Xiaogang frowned, sensing something amiss.

Hands clasped behind his back, Dugu Bo regarded the trio with a cold expression. "I'll give you a chance to live. Tang San is dead, and his remains are, of course, nonexistent—my style, as you know."

The three of them gritted their teeth in frustration but knew they couldn't avenge Tang San.

At this point, their only option was to escape and seek help from Tang Hao. It was their best course of action.

"Since I'm in a good mood today, I'll only kill two people. With Tang San dead, that leaves one of you."

As his words sank in, the trio froze. This wasn't Dugu Bo's usual style. He was infamous for his bloodthirstiness—why was he suddenly showing restraint?

Still, this was an opportunity.

The Golden Iron Triangle had always been as close as family. Now, faced with a life-or-death decision, they looked at one another, unable to decide.

"Have you made up your mind? My patience is limited," Dugu Bo said coldly, as a thick, toxic green mist began to swirl in his palm.

Finally, Flender clenched his jaw and turned to Liu Erlong with a heavy heart.

"Erlong, you've never loved me, but in my heart, you're still the most beautiful woman. I sincerely wish you and Xiaogang eternal happiness."

With that, Flender stepped forward, standing resolutely before Dugu Bo.

"Dugu Bo, if someone must die, let it be me. I, Flender, may not have achieved greatness, but as the leader of the Golden Iron Triangle, I will bear this burden."

Seeing Flender step forward, Yu Xiaogang's face twisted with pain.

"No! Boss Flender!" Liu Erlong cried out. "Dugu Bo, kill me instead!"

"Kill me!" Yu Xiaogang finally shouted, unable to stay silent.

"No, no, no." Dugu Bo wagged his finger. "You've misunderstood me. I've made myself very clear—I'll only kill the one who cursed me earlier."

These words hit like a thunderclap.

Flender froze, Liu Erlong's heart skipped a beat, and Yu Xiaogang stumbled, nearly losing his footing.

Liu Erlong quickly interjected, "Dugu Bo, I was the one who cursed you! Kill me!"

"Erlong, you're mistaken. Dugu Bo, it was me who cursed you! Kill me!" Flender followed up immediately.

Dugu Bo sighed impatiently. "One says this, the other says that—do you think this old man is an idiot?"

He suddenly appeared in front of Yu Xiaogang, whose trembling body betrayed his fear.

Dugu Bo's icy gaze bore into Yu Xiaogang. "Tell me, who among them should I kill?"

Dugu Bo had cunningly shifted the burden of decision onto Yu Xiaogang, a move that sent his heart racing.

He looked left and right—on one side, his best brother; on the other, the love of his life...

It was an impossible choice.

"Dugu Bo, I think... Xiao San isn't actually dead, is he?" Yu Xiaogang suddenly grinned, confidence returning to his face.

"Oh?" Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow. "And what makes you say that?"

Yu Xiaogang smirked, his expression triumphant.

"I must have guessed right..."

Before he could finish, Dugu Bo's face darkened. In a flash, his hand lashed out, striking Yu Xiaogang hard.

Smack!

In that moment, Tang Hao was stunned, Ye Hao was dumbfounded, Flender was shocked, and Liu Erlong was furious.

As for Yu Xiaogang, his mind went blank, and his head buzzed.

Dugu Bo's immense strength sent him rolling on the ground until he collided with a tree.

Yu Xiaogang's face swelled visibly, blood trickling from his mouth, along with two broken teeth.

Seeing this, Liu Erlong's heart ached as she rushed to cradle Yu Xiaogang, her eyes filled with pain.

"Dugu Bo, you're a Title Douluo! If you want to kill or maim, so be it—but must you resort to such degrading tactics? You've gone too far!"

"Hahaha..." Dugu Bo laughed mockingly, his gaze disdainful as it fell on Yu Xiaogang.

"You all know who I am, and now you've seen that my judgment was right."

"As I said before—I'll only kill one of you..."