Sichuan Tang Family.
Despite the Nine Great Sects & One Alliance existing in Sichuan Province, it is a martial arts family known as the acknowledged overlord of Sichuan Province.
In a secret garden firmly established in the capital of Sichuan Province, a woman sat elegantly in a family’s estate.
Some might say that at a glance she possessed an unparalleled beauty and elegance like nothing they had seen before, but what she prided herself on was not only her femininity.
“I’ll begin.”
A wave of poison energy stirred in her hands. Toxic fumes emanated from the carcass of a poisoned animal. In an instant, the poison transferred into an empty bottle.
Even someone unaware of poisons would marvel at this astonishing technique, yet no one present showed any surprise.
Her name was Tang Hwa-rin.
She was the perfect poison master of the Sichuan Tang Family’s secret garden.
“Lord of the Guard Unit, what do you think?”
“Excellent. The poison within you remains still. No matter how basic it is for a poison master, to master it this quickly is impressive.”
Lord of the Guard Unit, Tang Mu-ki, enthusiastically praised Tang Hwa-rin, even clapping.
“Cough, cough. I should be able to do this much after training all day. Ah! Has there been any decision made about rescuing my master?”
“It seems it may take a little longer.”
Lord of the Guard Unit, Tang Mu-ki, replied to Tang Hwa-rin with an apologetic expression.
“It’s been a fortnight since Yoon Ho went to Yichang. I want to start training soon.”
Even in heightened emotions, she needed to keep her poison from spilling over. Tang Hwa-rin was eager to reunite with her fiancé without delay.
“Very well. I’ll let you know as soon as a decision is made.”
After handing over a potion to suppress Tang Hwa-rin’s poison, Lord of the Guard Unit left the secret garden.
———
In the meeting hall of the Tang Family.
Selected martial artists of the Tang Family gathered to discuss one single issue.
“Today, we gather to discuss the master of poison master, Tang Hwa-rin. First, let’s hear from Lord of the Guard Unit, Tang Mu-ki, who is currently assessing the state of the poison master.”
Lord of the Guard Unit, Tang Mu-ki, stood before the martial artists and began to calmly outline Tang Hwa-rin’s condition.
“She has already mastered the basics to control poison energy. We need a master to teach her poison techniques as soon as possible.”
Though Tang Hwa-rin had become a poison master, she still lacked. To grow as a poison master, she needed a teacher to teach her poison techniques.
“……”
When Lord of the Guard Unit finished speaking, silence fell in the meeting hall. Although he looked to several talented martial artists for assistance, they all avoided his gaze.
Everyone was reluctant to become Tang Hwa-rin’s master.
This wasn’t because Tang Hwa-rin came from a branch family, nor because she was engaged to the illegitimate child of the family head, nor because she was associated with the traitor, Tang Geoh.
The reason was simply.
“Easier said than done. Who would teach a poison master poison techniques?”
“Right? It’s as absurd as telling a fish to learn to swim.”
Among poison techniques, controlling and accumulating poison within one’s body was regarded as one of the most difficult techniques in the Sichuan Tang Family.
On top of that, Tang Hwa-rin had already reached a level that no one else present could match when it came to poison techniques.
There was no way anyone would step forward to become a master for a perfect poison master.
“Throwing a book at her won’t suffice. Someone needs to teach that girl, Hwa-rin.”
Lord of the Guard Unit, Tang Mu-ki, earnestly urged once more.
“I don’t mind teaching, it’s just that it’s hard to find a suitable candidate. You understand that, don’t you?”
A poison master, a treasure of the Tang Family. Sometimes, certain precious things could not be handled carelessly.
“Teaching a poison master poison techniques is one problem; what about if something goes wrong?”
As everyone made sour faces, another concern arose.
“She’s the child who created poison substances using the Thousand Year Old Poison and the Poisonous Blood Root. If poison seeps out during training, even a martial artist from the Tang Family could become a handful of poison.”
Already, with just the Thousand Year Old Poison, Tang Hwa-rin had wiped out the traitors and Demonic Cult members in one fell swoop. Since she had also consumed the poison from the Poisonous Blood Root, her potential master would need to be prepared to risk their life.
“Are you telling me to just keep her hidden in the Tang Family?”
Lord of the Guard Unit shouted out of frustration.
“That’s not what I mean…”
It wasn’t just about teaching martial arts, but about being a master for a poison master.
A master is like a parent. They must love their disciple like their child, not turn a blind eye to their mistakes, and take responsibility for their disciple’s actions until the end.
Though a poison master—who could be considered a treasure of the Tang Family—was born, the burden of being a master to such an individual could not be avoided.
Everyone gathered in the meeting hall made sour faces.
“Haah…”
“Enough.”
Just as Lord of the Guard Unit was about to express his frustration, an unexpected figure walked into the meeting hall.
“Head of Family!”
“We greet the Head of Family!”
Tang Baek-ho, head of the Tang Family, nodded at the people of the family and then looked at Lord of the Guard Unit.
“Let’s adjourn today’s meeting.”
“Eh? What do you mean?”
After struggling to gather martial artists for Tang Hwa-rin’s master position, to dispersing the meeting? Lord of the Guard Unit questioned, astonished.
“That person has decided to personally meet that girl, Hwa-rin.”
“Eh? That person?!”
Lord of the Guard Unit was unable to contain his surprise as an unexpected figure came from Tang Baek-ho’s mouth.
————-
Late at night.
Tang Hwa-rin entered the Tang Family’s flower garden, where flowers bloomed in a mist-like white.
“I wonder how things are going.”
Tang Hwa-rin thought of Kang Yoon-ho, who was heading to Yichang. With the escort, she figured he should be alright. But he’d still be working alone. Could he manage? She needed to use The Rise of the Tang Family.
What if he has trouble getting up on time because he likes to sleep in? She had to wake him up. She’d have to offer advice as he takes up The Rise of the Tang Family.
‘I miss him.’
It had only been a fortnight since they parted, but her heart ached as if it had been years.
Under the moonlight, the white flowers fluttered dazzlingly. Though the flowers would become poisonous to the body if their roots dried up, the scent of those blooming at night could barely soothe Tang Hwa-rin’s anxious heart.
“…Who are you?”
A figure silhouetted against the moonlight appeared in the flower garden, a place permitted solely for one person.
“…”
A woman with aged features, yet her hair was silver-grey. Perhaps she was older than she looked. The energy emanating from her upright figure chilled the air, fragrant with the scent of the flowers.
“You’d better not make me ask twice. Who are you?”
The garden had been a retreat from the Tang Family’s interest, a place exclusive to Tang Hwa-rin. While there were a few who could visit, as far as she knew, this woman was not among those permitted.
Tang Hwa-rin prepared to act in case things got dangerous and asked the elderly woman,
“You’re a poison master?”
She knows who I am. As Tang Hwa-rin felt a scrutinizing gaze roaming over her, suspicion turned to certainty.
“A spy from the Demonic Cult? A minion of Tang Geoh? Ugh!”
Before she could even hear an answer, a surprise attack was launched. Had she let her guard down, her life would have been in danger. Tang Hwa-rin quickly executed the Thunder Chase Technique to evade the assault.
So, the minions of Tang Geoh were still lingering. The exit was blocked by the woman. She was clearly a master. It was a problem that could only be resolved through force.
“You, being from a branch family, haven’t mastered the Tang Family martial arts properly, have you? Show me what you’ve got!”
The woman spoke playfully, as if she knew what Tang Hwa-rin was thinking.
“This is!”
Tang Hwa-rin unleashed her Poison Control Technique. The toxic energy aimed to incapacitate the woman with just a brush of contact.
“You’re just spilling poison everywhere.”
The woman scoffed dismissively and easily slipped out of the reach of the poison aura.
Indeed, a master. But Tang Hwa-rin smirked at the woman and shouted,
“Do you really want to see what spilling poison looks like?”
Poison energy began to surge forth from Tang Hwa-rin’s back.
“…Butterflies?”
The poison master Tang Hwa-rin’s Poison Dance Martial Art unleashed a wave of poison that took the form of butterfly wings.
“Get lost.”
The white flower garden transformed into a deadly arena. Come close and you’ll die, Tang Hwa-rin warned the midnight intruder.
“You’re quite foul-mouthed.”
“If you don’t want to see my vulgar side, then scram.”
The poisonous energy of the Poison Kill Space shimmered. Though normal circumstances meant the poison lacked a will, under Tang Hwa-rin’s command, the poison harbored hostility toward the martial artist.
“It’s a fun martial art, but…”
The martial artist’s feet became hazy.
Tang Hwa-rin felt confident. Just a moth to flames. The approaching woman would soon realize her choice led to regret. No master could survive inside the domain of a poison master.
“How?”
But that was Tang Hwa-rin’s moment of shock.
Poison swelled from the woman’s body. The orbit of the Poison Kill Space faltered. The poison that was once hers lost control.
Tang Hwa-rin was effortlessly invaded by the martial artist into her own domain.
“Overconfidence in the Martial Arts World is a no-no.”
“Ugh!”
If this continues, she would die. Tang Hwa-rin gathered her poison energy in her hands. The Poison Control Technique that could dissolve even masters of the Demonic Cult.
At this close distance, the woman wouldn’t be able to evade.
“Done. Let’s end it here.”
The woman dismissed Tang Hwa-rin’s Poison Control Technique with a nonchalant tone, turning her back and leisurely increasing the distance.
“You… who are you?”
She could kill her, but chose not to. In an instant, as a poison master, everything was unraveled. Tang Hwa-rin found it hard to calm her shocked heart.
Seeing the surprised look on Tang Hwa-rin’s face, the woman smiled with satisfaction and introduced herself.
“I am called Tang Ok-ran.”
Tang Ok-ran.
At the woman’s reply, Tang Hwa-rin’s eyes widened. That was a name she had heard before. Anyone familiar with the Sichuan Tang Family would know it.
Tang Hwa-rin was astonished, shouting the intruder’s title.
“The Poison Empress, Tang Ok-ran?”
————-
“Is it true that the Poison Empress wishes to meet Tang Hwa-rin?”
In the head of the Tang Family’s office, Lord of the Guard Unit struggled to hide his shock as he asked the head.
“She said she’ll at least come to see her face.”
“Given that she seldom leaves the Secret Garden…”
The Poison Empress, Tang Ok-ran.
The direct descendant of the Tang Family and a master of poison techniques, she was already over seventy years old and had been one of the warriors on the front lines during the political upheaval.
What could possibly draw her out from the safety of her private sanctuary?
“Quite a bit of trouble.”
“I thought you were just taking a few days off, but it looks like you’ve been in the Secret Garden.”
Understanding flashed for Lord of the Guard Unit as he noticed the smirk on the Tang Family head’s face.
“With the child leaving everything to me, it was the least I could do.”
The beloved fiancé who he’d sacrificed everything for and returned to the family. As the head of the family, Tang Baek-ho took it upon himself to act as a father and future father-in-law for his daughter-in-law.
“That the Poison Empress would take on a disciple… do you think that’s possible?”
A master from the past. While the Poison Empress was undoubtedly skilled in high-level poison techniques, she had never taken on a disciple.
“Not in decades. No talent has ever won her heart. She simply consented to see her out of sheer coincidence.”
Tang Baek-ho could only wish that the elder of the family would take a liking to his daughter-in-law.
———
“Drink this. The excitement of battle will soon calm.”
The Poison Empress brought Tang Hwa-rin into the Secret Garden and offered her tea.
“This isn’t tea.”
Tang Hwa-rin, despite realizing the identity of the intruder, didn’t let her guard down. Just because someone was a direct descendant or a master wasn’t enough to cement trust, especially not after what Tang Geoh had done.
The opponent had just attempted to attack her, and even the tea offered might be laced with poison. It was only natural that Tang Hwa-rin’s tone was sharp.
“Is a poison master afraid of poison?”
After a stare-down with the Poison Empress, Tang Hwa-rin raised the teacup. This kind of poison wouldn’t work on her. She took a sip to prove her point.
“Hmm?”
A sense of calmness enveloped her. The boiling poison within began to stabilize. Turned speechless, Tang Hwa-rin could only stare at the Poison Empress.
“It’s a calming potion for poison masters.”
“How?”
“Do you know who created the recipe for the medicine you drink?”
The potion that suppressed poison energy was concocted long ago by the Poison Empress during her active years.
“…I’ll drink this well.”
At last, Tang Hwa-rin’s guard lowered, and she nodded.
“I’ve heard you’re searching for a master.”
“Yes. I am.”
Wait, could it be? In that instant, Tang Hwa-rin realized why the Poison Empress had come to see her today.
“Do you have your period?”
The question that unexpectedly fell from the Poison Empress’ mouth caught Tang Hwa-rin off guard.
“Huh?”
“I asked if you have your monthly cycle.”
“Yes. A few days ago.”
“Since you became a poison master, has it become irregular? Any other problems?”
“Actually, I have no issues as it comes every month without fail.”
The Poison Empress nodded, seemingly satisfied with Tang Hwa-rin’s answer.
When mastering poison techniques, it’s common for reproductive abilities to weaken first. This is also why the Tang Family placed significant value in marrying into other families.
The fact that her cycle was normal was a clear indication that she was a fully-fledged poison master without any reproductive issues.
“If you were to learn from me, what would you like to become?”
Though the head of the family had requested her to take a disciple, she had no intention of immediately agreeing. However, she was not keen on spending more time assessing the potential disciple either.
The Poison Empress swiftly got to the point.
“What I want to become?”
“Perhaps a great martial artist, or a renowned swordsman, or maybe just somebody whose name is known far and wide?”
“I don’t particularly want anything.”
That was unexpected. As a poison master, she could do anything, yet she had no aspirations. The Poison Empress pressed forward with questions.
“Do you not have any dreams? No desires at your age?”
“I do have one… but…”
Tang Hwa-rin paused, lowering her head as if hesitating to speak.
“Speak candidly without holding back.”
The Poison Empress, recalling the many children who had come to her asking to become her disciples, urged Tang Hwa-rin to share her thoughts.
In such moments, she would give them her concoction to drink to help lower their defenses and to evaluate their inner desires.
What on earth could be so burdensome that she hesitated to share it?
Finally, as if resolved, Tang Hwa-rin set down her tea cup and poured out her true desire to the Poison Empress.
“A passionate night with my fiancé?”
“…?”
“An incredibly steamy night where I might even faint?”
The brutally frank response left even the world-renowned Poison Empress at a loss for words.
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