Chapter: 483
As time flowed, by the time I stepped outside the Lord’s Room, it was already well past noon.
Considering that we had entered the Lord’s Room not long after noon, we must have had quite a lengthy conversation.
‘Hmm.’
I glanced up at the sky and then took a look at the Poison King’s residence behind me.
‘What a shame.’
Even after such a long conversation, what I regretted was that I hadn’t gained much from my chat with the Poison King.
If I were to measure the benefits, it would simply be that the Dokcheon Lake incident had passed unnoticed and a bit of talk about the origin of Dokcheondan and what to do with it.
I also concocted a half-hearted story for the Poison King about why I was heading to Sacheon.
This was blended with the circumstances surrounding how I came to acquire the Dokcheondan.
In the part where I answered him,
‘I had to sell out Madam Mi, but… is that okay?’
Before leaving Hanam, I recalled that Madam Mi had told me to take action if I needed her, and I let those words slip out.
I had incidentally obtained the Dokcheondan from Baekhwasangdan.
During this process, there were discussions about the creation plan for the Cheonmujiche.
I realized that this plan was still ongoing.
These were the details I shared with the Poison King.
‘He didn’t seem to believe me.’
Of course, the Poison King wasn’t fully convinced, but the fact that the Dokcheondan was right there in front of him had some weight.
What’s more,
‘The project to create the Heavenly Body must have been a concern.’
The actual problem was likely that he was aware of a plan being secretly carried out only within the Tang Gate, unknown to the outside world.
If there’s one more bothersome thing here,
-I understand everything, Master Gu.
-Yes.
-…Then what is your intention in involving yourself in this matter? Is this the intention of Baekhwasangdan?
Even though I had obtained the Dokcheondan, why would I want to personally excise the rotten parts of the Tang Gate?
That would surely be the biggest conundrum for the Poison King.
And it was the most awkward part for me to address.
If I received the Dokcheondan, I could simply pretend not to know about it and take it away.
There was no need to personally expose the foul issues within the Tang Gate.
Yet, despite this,
Despite everything, the reason I insisted on stepping forward.
It seemed that the Poison King was more intrigued by that than the Dokcheondan right before him.
In a way, it’s an expected reaction.
‘Better than other humans.’
Finding a reason beyond the immediate treasure in front of you.
When I thought about the rotten and decayed sect that failed to do this obvious thing, the Poison King was just as I had first perceived him.
‘The most patriarchal patriarch.’
A figure focused more on the family than the people.
One.
‘His field of vision is surprisingly narrow.’
If I take a closer look,
‘Is he keeping his eyes closed on purpose?’
I couldn’t shake off that feeling.
-I have only one reason.
That was the single answer I had ready for the Poison King’s query.
I had several responses prepared and could’ve arranged the context to suit the situation.
But this was one thing I didn’t want to lie about.
-I believe Lady Dang is involved in this matter.
-…!
The moment I mentioned his daughter, the expression on the Poison King’s face shifted abruptly.
-I’d like to reiterate, I’m not asking for your permission, my lord. I’m merely—
I care nothing for your approval.
This was a declaration that as long as Dang So-yeol was involved, I would take action.
-I only hope that you, my lord, are not involved in this matter.
-….
The Poison King’s gaze became piercing. It seemed he was trying to ascertain whether this was indeed the truth or not.
His expression darkened further, perhaps because the issue with the Dokcheondan right in front of him was weighing on him.
‘If I tell him that I’m aware of the recipe for the Dokcheondan, it could create a big problem.’
Even so, I plan to hold onto it.
The challenge was that the materials couldn’t be used straight away, and now wasn’t the time for action.
Was the Poison King trying to uncover the truth in my words, or was he thrown into confusion by something unforeseen?
With various emotions etched on his face, the Poison King finally said,
-…I think I need some time to think…
He said this and requested that I leave.
‘Thoughts, indeed.’
While he said it would be thoughts, it was clear that he wanted to unravel the truth about the situation.
Looking at it this way,
‘Is the Poison King involved in this matter or not?’
Ultimately, this encounter was merely a way for the Poison King to gauge his connection to this issue.
While I hadn’t yet gained certainty about this,
‘For now, I can think it’s unlikely.’
Initially, it seemed acceptable to view it that way.
At least that was a relief.
If the Poison King had been involved, well,
‘Then I would have had to eradicate him and everyone else.’
I need to deliberate separately on how to execute him.
But for whatever reason, it didn’t feel like it would be too challenging.
That would be a good thing since it meant I wouldn’t have to kill the Poison King.
‘Now what I need to find out is….’
If the elders of the party are scheming behind the scenes.
Who the culprits are, and what they are doing.
I felt like I had to separately investigate this.
I nodded, gathering my thoughts.
[You don’t think it’s improbable, do you?]
A familiar voice echoed in my head. It was Shin Noya.
‘Looks like you can make an appearance now.’
[Yes, that also suggests that your mind has calmed down.]
‘That’s comforting.’
Shin Noya, who had been using all his might to prevent the bowl from shattering.
Because of that, he hadn’t been able to appear and had remained in my consciousness alone. It seemed now he could return.
You don’t think it’s improbable?
The answer to Shin Noya’s question was straightforward.
‘That request from Madam Dang. Should I be wary of it separately?’
[…]
I playfully teased her by referring to her as ‘Madam,’ but Shin Noya didn’t respond much.
Instead, it felt as though a gloomy atmosphere settled in.
‘Did something happen?’
Did something occur while I was out of it?
Questions surfaced, but I refrained from asking. The mood hinted clearly that now wasn’t the time.
‘Moreover, or perhaps fortunately… no matter how I look at it, it doesn’t appear to be false.’
A request Madam Dang had made of me.
That was to excise the twisted and rotting parts of the Tang Gate.
From the moment I heard this, it was apparent what the rotten parts consisted of.
There was even mention that Dang So-yeol might be tied into this.
I couldn’t help but remember the venom of my past life.
Had she truly experienced something in the future Tang Gate?
If that were the case.
‘This time, we cannot let it slide.’
Whatever has happened, we must take preventative measures this time.
When I posed the question to Madam Dang if it was alright, I was actually asking, “Are you truly okay with maybe having to kill your own kin?”
Despite knowing the implications, Madam Dang nodded and granted permission.
This was not about whether it could be done or not.
Since Madam Dang had explicitly mentioned Dang So-yeol, it was essentially understood that this was something I was obligated to undertake.
To do this, understanding the current situation was of utmost importance.
Luckily.
I had the best hand on hand.
“Therefore.”
I spoke while looking back.
Upon hearing my words, someone flinched and trembled their shoulders.
It was Nahi.
Seeing her shiver in fear made me say,
“I think I have quite a lot to discuss with you.”
While Nahi heard my words, she still couldn’t meet my gaze.
All she could do was nod in consent.
Because I had permitted no other response.
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