Chapter: 884
I stepped outside and sought out the Poison King.
The reason, of course, was Dokcheondan.
As soon as I came face to face with the Poison King, I asked,
“How is it going….”
But I stopped mid-sentence and kept my mouth shut.
The Poison King gazed at me. Observing his expression, I said,
“…Are you okay?”
To my surprise, I found myself worried without even realizing it.
The expression on the Poison King’s face was rather grim.
If I were to exaggerate, it seemed like he might collapse at any moment! The Poison King replied with concern,
“…Are you sure you’re okay, Prince Gu?”
“Yes? Me?”
I was taken aback, seeming surprised to hear my worries.
“I asked because your face is so red.”
“…”
I immediately touched my cheek with my hand. It felt hot. Much hotter than usual.
‘Crap.’
Why is this happening? I gulped, my face turning even redder from embarrassment.
It seemed that the aftermath of the previous incident was still lingering.
‘This is absolutely insane.’
Was it Namgung Bi-ah’s actions and reactions that were the problem? Or was it Dang Soyeol’s words and expression that had me flustered?
Whatever it was, it wasn’t good.
‘Where did I bury my age to be this affected by something so trivial?’
If I added in my past lives, the count wouldn’t be small, but here I was, totally shaken up by a little jolt.
I felt seriously humiliated. Was this really all I amounted to?
“Hah…”
I took a deep breath and tried to calm my energy. I forced my body to settle down.
The heat gradually subsided. I felt it and said,
“…It’s a bit warm. This weather is unusually harsh today.”
“It’ll be winter soon, you know?”
“It can be a bit warm during winter too.”
“Everyone’s wearing fur, though?”
“…I tend to run a little hot.”
“Hm….”
The Poison King looked at me with a peculiar gaze. Was this guy onto something?
‘Nah, he probably doesn’t know.’
If he did, he wouldn’t be treating me like this.
‘If he knew, he would have drilled a hole into me right now and poured poison in; he wouldn’t just be watching me like this.’
Given his personality, if he had grasped Dang Soyeol’s intentions, he’d probably be trying to kill me for real.
So, it seemed like he was just looking at me strangely.
I clarified, as if trying to explain myself.
“It’s true. And honestly, it seems the one who should be worried isn’t me, but you, Lord Dang… Are you really okay?”
“Me? Well… um, would you believe me if I said I was fine?”
“Not at all.”
“Okay, I’m not fine then.”
“Yes, you don’t look it.”
“…”
His glare was quite sharp. I must have teased him a bit much.
“Ahem… I’m genuinely concerned. Should I call a physician for you?”
“No need. So, what’s going on?”
“I came to ask how the preparations are progressing.”
“Can I just let my appearance do the talking?”
“Yes, that would suffice, but… I was wondering if you could manage the timing.”
“I’ll give it a shot.”
“Your answer is a bit vague.”
“Then wouldn’t it be better to say, ‘I’d try even if it kills me’?”
“Sure.”
“Sure?”
“Just kidding.”
Honestly, I shifted the topic because his eyes were intimidating me.
As if disapproving, the Poison King glared at me but then sighed and added,
“…I could manage the timing, but it would be a bit difficult.”
I nodded in understanding.
The manufacturing methods were extremely unsuitable for him.
While the supply of materials had become smoother thanks to the Murim Alliance, ultimately, the last ingredient is what really mattered.
‘The Poison King’s aura.’
The poison from the Poison King needed to be infused for the Dokcheondan to be completed.
And it required a considerable amount—not just a pinch, but a whole load of energy.
‘You’d need enough to put you in bed after just one creation!’
I heard that no matter how hard you tried to make Dokcheondan, you could only make three in a week!
This was also the very best case scenario, so realistically, we should consider two as the average.
‘Looked at from this angle, that’s still a huge number…’
For instance, when it came to Daehwandan, it would take several manufacturers teaming up for months, or even longer, just to create one.
In comparison, making one or two Dokcheondan, which had similar—or even higher—efficacy?
That’s an absurd number, and the only reasonable option left was commercialization.
“I brought it up with the upper-ups. Have you had any contact?”
“Probably, the Lord of Sogaju made the arrangements separately.”
“Hm.”
So such an important matter was discussed not with the Poison King but with the head of the Tang clan…?
That implies…
‘Are they getting ready to pass the baton?’
It’s safe to say they are preparing to hand over the leadership.
They likely intend to ease me into taking on responsibilities.
‘But that seems a tad premature.’
Even if we’re merely measuring by age, the Poison King would have been a warrior in his prime, yet it would make sense to prepare early.
Let’s put that aside for now.
“If it’s too difficult, is there any other way?”
“Other way?”
“How about making it alongside the Lord of Sogaju?”
If it’s too hard, they could make the Dokcheondan together!
Or, there are the elder members still left. They can pool their resources to generate a more adequate quantity. That’s what I’m suggesting.
“Haha.”
The Poison King laughed, incredulous.
“Prince Gu.”
“Yes?”
“You… I think you’re seriously mistaken about something.”
“Yes?”
“That’s likely true. It’s probably something people like you wouldn’t readily understand.”
“I don’t really grasp what you’re saying.”
Someone like me? I wondered what exactly that meant. What does it mean to be “someone like me”?
“Do you think my energy seems low to you?”
“…”
At that, I hesitated momentarily. The Poison King’s aura?
I narrowed my eyes in thought.
‘Is it low?’
No, that’s not right.
However, neither did I think it was excessive.
The Poison King must have read my thoughts as he chuckled and said,
“At least within the same realm, I’m quite substantial. To be precise, among Hwagyeong, I rank very high, even among those considered royal.”
“…Is that so?”
I was surprised, but it wasn’t anything crazy.
Using poison requires heavy investments of internal energy. Generally, martial arts focus on fire are like that.
In that case, the reason for the Poison King bringing this up is…
“It means that it’s not all that different whether others help me or not. It also means that not everyone is like you.”
“…!”
“I’m aware you have an unusually large amount of energy. That’s part of why you’re struggling to grasp the situation.”
“…That.”
“I get it. Geniuses often fail to understand the average person.”
“…”
“That’s likely why you find yourself in this situation.”
Being suddenly labeled brilliant caused my head to ache a bit. I had no retort.
Certainly. In my past life and this one, barring the beginnings, I’ve never truly lacked energy.
The same applied to the process of making Dokcheondan.
Strangely enough, the Poison King’s energy seemed to drain disproportionately, but even when you set that aside, the disparities were profound.
Whereas I could churn out a few without batting an eye, the Poison King was limited to just one. That was going to create a significant gap.
When I looked at that, I had nothing more to say about talent.
Anyway.
Ultimately, the Poison King had only one thing he wanted to convey.
“Assuming you won’t help, this is the best I can do.”
“…Yes. I’m sorry.”
“Not at all.”
As I urged him to do the impossible, I instantly offered my apology and the Poison King accepted it with a smile.
To him, it probably registered as the words of a clueless genius.
Should I call this a blessing…?
‘In the end, quantity is at its peak right now.’
I just wished it was quicker, but it’s not bad.
The fact that a single person’s life is being dissected isn’t perfect, but that’s all right too.
‘I’m not the one getting cut up, after all.’
So I nodded.
“…Then I’ll start preparing gradually, as it is now.”
“Understood.”
“Yes, then…”
I said it with a worried yet resigned expression.
‘Please, just take it easy.’
“Still, if possible, please hasten the process even if it’s painful.”
“…?”
“Oh, I’m sorry… That just slipped out.”
Before I knew it, my true feelings had emerged.
As I smiled awkwardly, the Poison King looked at me as if he found it absurd.
“…Haha.”
A chill lurked within his laughter.
I quickly excused myself.
Upon returning to my quarters, I found someone inside.
There was only one person who could enter without my permission.
“…You’re here?”
“Uh.”
Right before me was Cheol Ji-seon, sitting at the table with fatigue-laden eyes while studying a letter.
“Are you okay?”
“…No.”
“Ah, I’m glad to hear that’s the case.”
“….”
I lightly ignored him and sat down across from him.
For a brief moment, Cheol Ji-seon’s expression crumpled, but he quickly returned to his previous demeanor.
He probably understood that glaring wouldn’t yield a response.
“What happened with what I asked you to do?”
We dove straight into work talk.
“…The upper-ups have finished their discussions. Once the Tang side is ready, we will execute immediately.”
“I just spoke to the Poison King about that part. I think we can go ahead.”
“Then I’ll relay it right away.”
It was a clean conversation. No unnecessary words were exchanged.
There was no need for small talk since we both were pressed for time.
“I sent a letter to the main clan as well.”
“How about a reply?”
“It’ll likely arrive in a few days.”
“I guess the branch manager will need to handle that.”
I needed to head straight to Hanam without delay.
Ultimately, the letter sent to the main clan was just for show anyway.
“What about the other information you were investigating?”
“There is information coming in, but…”
Cheol Ji-seon wore a troubled expression, trailing off.
“I couldn’t find anything that seemed really accurate…”
The information he was meant to gather was about Yeonilcheon.
He had all the information on him; however, apart from the known history, there wasn’t much else.
That made sense. This was someone who lived centuries ago, after all—what could possibly be left?
Any normal person would think that way.
Tsk.
For me, I needed to keep checking.
“Just hand over whatever information you do have.”
“There’s a lot; is it okay if I don’t summarize?”
“Do you have time for that?”
“…No…”
“Then just give it to me.”
If there’s no time, then just reduce or eliminate sleep.
Typically, I would ask for a summarized version, but Cheol Ji-seon might really be at risk of overworking himself.
To prevent that, I had to cut into my time a little.
At the very least, I wasn’t a being that would perish from overwork.
“Okay, that part is good… Next…”
“…Ah, but before that.”
“Hm?”
Before I could finish, Cheol Ji-seon interrupted me to hand me a letter.
“This is a letter from the strategian.”
Strategian. As far as I know, the only one Cheol Ji-seon refers to this way is Jegal Hyuk.
It was a letter from him. I nodded as I accepted it.
“What’s this about all of a sudden….”
I opened the letter and then narrowed my eyes at its contents.
Seeing my reaction, Cheol Ji-seon asked with concern,
“…Are you okay?”
Cheol Ji-seon likely hadn’t read the letter.
Any letter from Jegal Hyuk was supposed to be read by me first, without question.
He asked, curious, and I nodded.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Let’s cut our conversation here for today; I need to finish what I have to do quickly.”
“What do you mean by that—?”
As Cheol Ji-seon prodded, I simply handed him the letter. He read it and his expression hardened.
The letter contained the following message:
– The Shinryongdae is moving to capture the Gwiakchang.
– While the exact number of men isn’t clear, it seems the location of the ghost spear has been compromised.
“What is this…?”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Before Cheol Ji-seon could say anything more, I cut him off.
“It likely isn’t a big issue.”
As I spoke, I stood up.
“Instead, we need to move a bit faster.”
I brushed my disheveled hair back.
“Inform the Sword Corps and the branch manager. They should prepare to set off by tomorrow.”
Though I initially planned to stay for three days—or at least that was the intention—I narrowed that timeframe down.
Something was stirring over there.
And it just so happened to coincide with my arrival in Sacheon.
Could this really be sheer coincidence?
‘Who knows.’
Forming the Seongryongdae to counter the Safains, including the Demonic Cult, they began moving the Shinryongdae while I was away.
Should I call this mere chance?
My eyes gleamed.
‘The likelihood of that is slim.’
Their intent was undoubtedly clear.
Even if it wasn’t deliberate, it wouldn’t change the fact the clan had started to make moves.
So.
‘I have to act too.’
What to do was already set in stone.
I said this while looking at Cheol Ji-seon.
“When you send the information to the main clan later, ensure you also relay it to Bonmyeong. The timing is….”
So that the other side can’t concentrate fully.
“Information should arrive in Hanam a little faster than the rumor mill.”
I had to set off something large.
The next day.
Word spread starting from Sacheon that the Tang clan successfully restored the Dokcheondan, their ancestral shrine.
However, despite this announcement, the Tang clan maintained their silence regarding their position.
The restoration of Dokcheondan had long been the dream of the Tang clan.
If this were indeed true, I expected there would be considerable reactions in the Central Plains.
The problem is… there are even more shocking rumors flying around.
It was rumored not only that Dokcheondan had been restored, but also that it would be sold commercially.
It’s a divine item that even the Shaolin and those of the Volcano sect couldn’t access.
To think you could buy that with money? Ridiculous.
Remarkably enough, news was zipping to Hanam indicating that this information was indeed true.
Simultaneously.
Beep—!!
In contrast, a different bird swooped down towards the Sacheon branch as if crossing over.
A fast-flying messenger.
Tied to the bird’s leg was a letter adorned with a unique floral pattern.
That…
Was unmistakably the emblem signifying the Baekhwasangdan.
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