Douluo: Emerald Poison Emperor

The next morning, Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan, and Chen Ming set off toward the Star Dou Forest.

Although, given Dugu Bo's status, traveling by carriage to the Star Dou Forest would have been completely normal, as a traditionalist soul master, Dugu Bo preferred to teach them on the road. In this aspect, he bore some resemblance to the future Chicken Drumstick Douluo.

Dugu Bo avoided the main roads and even deliberately took detours, leading Chen Ming and Dugu Yan through small cities.

Unlike the simple and honest folk of Biluochen City, the Douluo Continent was never short of bandits and evildoers. Near large cities, the situation was better—if the city lord didn't maintain order, the Spirit Hall would ensure safety. Even passing soul masters would often take the opportunity to dispatch any petty criminals they encountered.

However, smaller cities had much worse security.

Though Biluochen City was impoverished, it was built near a major gathering site for soul beasts, making it a large city. The Spirit Hall bishop within was a Soul Emperor, and the strongest family member was a Soul King.

In small cities, however, the Spirit Hall bishop might only be of Soul Elder level, and the city lord might barely be a Soul Grandmaster. Not only was their strength lacking, but given the corrupt state of the Heaven Dou Empire, city defenses were often inadequate.

Under such circumstances, small cities often suffered from internal gang activity and external banditry. Public security was abysmal, and collusion between officials and bandits was common. Some gangs and bandits even acted as the black gloves of the nobility.

Even if high-level soul masters occasionally passed through, they couldn't deal with those protected by such umbrellas.

In Dugu Bo's view, Chen Ming and Dugu Yan had been sheltered for too long and hadn't seen the darker sides of society. Since this trip was a chance to travel the continent, he intended to expose them to such realities to prevent them from someday falling victim to them.

On their first raid against bandits, Dugu Bo accompanied the two as they stormed the bandit stronghold. For those bandits who attempted to surrender, Dugu Bo personally decided their fate, while Dugu Yan and Chen Ming were only responsible for using poison from a distance.

Despite this, for the next few days, Dugu Yan seemed dispirited, and Chen Ming also appeared distracted, as though pondering something deeply.

During their second raid, Dugu Bo hid himself and left the task to Dugu Yan and Chen Ming.

Dugu Bo had expected the two to hesitate this time. However, without Dugu Bo present, Chen Ming became even calmer and more decisive.

He took over most of the work himself, leaving only a few enemies for Dugu Yan. Although their poison was capable of dissolving enemies to the point that not even bones remained, Chen Ming was considerate of Dugu Yan's feelings and ensured the enemies were left with intact corpses.

Dugu Yan, however, didn't perform as well. When faced with enemies who surrendered, she hesitated. She even considered sparing those who seemed younger or less threatening.

But kindness doesn't always yield good results. Blood-soaked bandits don't think so simply.

Predictably, some of those who had surrendered attacked Dugu Yan when she let her guard down. Just as they drew their weapons and charged at her, Chen Ming's scorpion tail pierced through them, stringing them up like candied hawthorns.

Chen Ming showed no mercy to these individuals. His venom dissolved their flesh, bones, and all, reducing them to toxic puddles. He efficiently dealt with those who hadn't even had the chance to act.

To Chen Ming, there were only two categories of people: those who had acted and those who hadn't yet acted. The former was sentenced to immediate death, while the latter was granted a reprieve—only until the former was eliminated.

In the end, Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo watched as Chen Ming combed through the bandit stronghold, using his venom to kill every last bandit he found, even children hiding in corners.

Pleading was useless. Playing pitifully was useless. Appeals to familial bonds were useless...

Chen Ming's only mercy was to ensure their deaths were as painless as possible. After killing them, he would puncture their chests on both sides and decapitate them with his tail, employing a Mozambique-style method to ensure none of them could resurrect after his departure.

Before leaving, Chen Ming engulfed the stronghold in poisonous mist, followed by a poison explosion to ensure nothing survived—not even a worm. Only after confirming this did he finally stop and leave with the others.

What's the most valued trait in CN web novels? Harems?

 No—it's wiping out entire families!

If you don't eliminate the roots, they'll sprout again in spring. Once you act, you must go all the way—like cutting an egg vertically and crushing a worm completely. Chen Ming didn't leave a single living soul, not even a mouse!

Even Dugu Bo, a seasoned veteran, was spooked by this scene, wondering if Chen Ming had been pushed too far and gone mad.

Initially, Dugu Yan was still downcast, but after witnessing Chen Ming's actions, she immediately returned to her usual self, earnestly expressing concern for Chen Ming's state.

After leaving the stronghold, Dugu Bo decided to end their training.

He took Dugu Yan and Chen Ming to the nearest large city, where they stayed for a while. During this time, both Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo repeatedly tried to persuade Chen Ming.

Although Chen Ming repeatedly insisted that his actions were merely out of caution and that he had no psychological issues, Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo still forced him to remain in the city to relax.

If not for Dugu Bo's reputation, he might have even suggested that Chen Ming visit those kinds of places to let off some steam.

After all, who sets out to eliminate bandits by cutting eggs vertically and crushing worms completely?

Even evil soul masters would think Chen Ming's methods were too extreme.

In the following days, Dugu Yan took Chen Ming around the city, shopping and enjoying street food like a normal couple.

At first, this was all for Chen Ming's sake, but once Dugu Yan started shopping, her innate instincts took over. She enthusiastically dragged Chen Ming around the entire city, shopping nonstop.

Back in Heaven Dou City, anything Dugu Yan wanted would be delivered immediately. The experience of shopping in person was intoxicating for her. No woman can resist the allure of shopping.

From the east side of the city to the west, and from the south to the north, the pair roamed. Initially, Dugu Bo followed them in secret to ensure their safety.

However, after only two days, Dugu Bo declared the city safe and retreated to his room, leaving them alone. It was unclear whether he was giving them space or whether even a Title Douluo couldn't endure Dugu Yan's shopping spree.

While passing an alley, Dugu Yan became fascinated by the jewelry being sold in a roadside shop. To Chen Ming, it seemed like she had already bought countless similar items, but Dugu Yan was still excitedly browsing and chatting with the shopkeeper.

Even though Chen Ming had a strong body and great mental fortitude, the endless shopping left him utterly exhausted. Taking advantage of Dugu Yan's engrossed conversation, he quietly slipped away to the street corner for some fresh air.

As his gaze wandered, he noticed a rather unique-looking shop tucked away in the corner.