“Where did you get this?”
At Geom Mugeuk’s question, Geom Muyang called over the subordinate who had withdrawn far away.
“Where did you acquire this counterfeit Jingyeok?”
At Geom Muyang’s question, the subordinate answered.
“There was intelligence. We obtained information that the Heuksu Faction, an unorthodox sect, was secretly procuring a Jingyeok, and this item was recovered.”
“The ones who sold it?”
“They sent the goods through an escort agency.”
Meaning they had used an escort agency to send the item without revealing their identities.
“Then what of the payment?”
“They said they would come to collect the money after the item was received.”
At those words, Geom Mugeuk and Geom Muyang looked at each other. They were no ordinary people. Intending to collect payment after delivery meant they had confidence they could collect.
“Collect the steel needles embedded there and identify what poison was applied to them!”
“Yes! I will send them to Cheondok Forest at once.”
Geom Muyang picked up the Jingyeok and moved to leave.
“Where are you going?”
“To the Iron Forge. Master Gwak might know who made it.”
“I’m coming with you.”
Geom Mugeuk followed after his older brother.
“Walk slowly!”
Whether because his heart was restless, Geom Muyang’s steps were hurried.
His expression was stiff. Not because a fake hidden weapon indistinguishable from the real one had appeared.
His heart pounded belatedly at the fact that he had nearly killed Geom Mugeuk. Surprise led to anger.
Hire the ones who made this? Not a chance. His younger brother had nearly died. He didn’t know who they were, but he wouldn’t let them be.
It was an unfamiliar emotion. To be this angry at the fact that his younger brother had nearly died.
There had been a time when he had wished for his younger brother’s death.
He thought that human emotions were truly like the wind. What emotion would he feel at the end of this wind?
Thus the two entered the Iron Forge.
With scorching heat came the sound of steel being hammered.
Kang! Kang! Kkang!
Inside, hundreds of men stripped to the waist were at work.
Smelting molten iron, hammering steel, carrying goods.
The smell of their sweat and the scent of iron rode on the scorching heat in waves.
The man at the entrance recognized Geom Mugeuk and respectfully bowed his head.
“We have come to see Master Gwak.”
“Please wait a moment.”
While the man went to call Master Gwak, Geom Mugeuk waited there with his older brother.
“I won’t die to such a shallow scheme.”
Next time, I’ll kill you properly.
It was a joke expecting such a reaction, but Geom Muyang’s stiff expression did not ease. Geom Mugeuk could feel that his older brother was truly surprised and angry.
He was grateful to his older brother. Because it let him know that nearly killing him was such a big deal to his brother.
And one more lesson.
He always had to be careful. Because accidents like the one from before burst forth when you least expect them, when you are careless.
Because all of it happens in an instant, he had no choice but to live paying even more attention, even if life was exhausting.
Shortly after, Master Gwak came out.
“You have both come together.”
“We greet the Hall Master.”
After exchanging greetings, Geom Muyang handed the Jingyeok he had brought to him.
“A Jingyeok.”
Master Gwak received the Jingyeok. The organization that designed hidden weapons was separate within the sect; the Iron Forge here manufactured it according to the blueprints made there.
Master Gwak tilted his head, then examined the Jingyeok again.
“It’s a bit light.”
He immediately noticed the difference in weight. When Master Gwak inspected it closely, he discovered several places where it differed.
“It is a counterfeit Jingyeok.”
“That’s correct.”
“It has been crafted so elaborately that one couldn’t tell at a glance.”
Master Gwak called a subordinate to bring disassembly tools. Then he skillfully dismantled the Jingyeok and examined its interior.
Master Gwak, having looked inside, was even more surprised.
“The exterior as well as the interior have been reproduced almost perfectly. The power was likely almost the same as well.”
It meant that it had been made exceptionally well.
“That’s right. I nearly died.”
Then Master Gwak asked with a grave expression.
“Were the steel needles poisoned by any chance?”
“Yes, they were poisoned.”
“Preventing the inside of the hidden weapon from being damaged by poison is the core technique of the Jingyeok. This is almost believable as something we made ourselves. For someone with this level of skill to be making counterfeit hidden weapons?”
Master Gwak let out a sigh that could have been either lament or anger.
“Do you have any idea who it might be?”
At Geom Mugeuk’s question, Master Gwak listed several people.
“There are a few who come to mind, but they are all people of great renown. Master Hong of the Martial Alliance, Master Ju of the Heretic Alliance, Master Yang of the Continental Iron Forge. However, they are not the type to make such counterfeits.”
They were all famous craftsmen. In other words, it meant the counterfeit had been made by someone possessing that level of skill.
“There could be someone unknown.”
At Geom Mugeuk’s words, Master Gwak nodded. If the martial world had as many experts as grains of sand on a beach, the same was true for craftsmen. There would be those who could shock the world with innate dexterity, hammering away somewhere without yet knowing their true worth.
“If you ever have any suspects later, please let me know.”
“Understood.”
Thus, after parting with Master Gwak, Geom Mugeuk exited the Iron Forge with his older brother.
“How are you going to handle this?”
“I’m going to handle this matter personally. I’ll take care of it, so you don’t need to concern yourself.”
Geom Mugeuk’s older brother strode off. After walking some distance, he turned around and warned.
“Don’t even think of meddling needlessly!”
Because he had nearly killed Geom Mugeuk, he intended to handle this matter alone at least this time. Having nearly killed him and then receiving help as well? That didn’t suit Geom Muyang’s personality.
“I’m busy too. I wish I had the time to meddle.”
Geom Muyang started walking again.
Watching that retreating figure, Geom Mugeuk moved in the opposite direction. His steps were just as urgent.
* * *
“Absolutely not. You cannot go out, especially with the Eldest Young Master.”
When told that he would go out with his older brother and return after handling this matter, Sama Myeong firmly opposed it.
There was a clear reason for the opposition.
“It is because those who are to become successors cannot leave the sect together for such a matter. It is also written in the sect rules.”
It was to consider the case where both met with misfortune.
“Then the reason I have been able to move about freely until now is because my older brother was at the main sect.”
Sama Myeong made an expression as if to say, “Is that really why?” but did not deny it.
“But why do you wish to go out with the Eldest Young Master?”
“This is entirely due to my anxiety.”
Sama Myeong asked cautiously.
“Do you think they are behind this matter?”
“Because right now, my heart is trembling as if it has seen a monster.”
Geom Mugeuk had repeatedly escaped death intertwined with them. In a situation where he didn’t know where or how they would appear, he could not send his older brother out alone.
Of course, this matter might simply be the work of an organization that made and sold counterfeit hidden weapons.
“Can’t I go find out whether it’s a soft-shelled turtle or a pot lid?”
“You cannot.”
Persuading his father would have been easier, but persuading Sama Myeong seemed impossible.
“If you let me go, Father must have felt this way too.”
“Forgive me for saying so, but the Sect Leader did not worry about the Young Sect Leader at all.”
Given his father’s disposition, he simply hadn’t shown it; how could he not have been worried?
In the past, he would have secretly escaped, but now he couldn’t.
Sama Myeong offered a solution. For how could he possibly neglect the Eldest Young Master?
“Send the Demon Troops along with him.”
Of course, Geom Mugeuk had been thinking the same thing. But there was a problem.
“My brother will refuse. He even warned me not to get involved.”
“So you will not send them?”
Geom Mugeuk shook his head.
“That won’t do. I will send the Demon Troops.”
“If you give the order, any of the Demon Troops will go.”
Geom Mugeuk had already decided whom to send.
“The person I am sending is someone who will not listen to my orders.”
* * *
The place Geom Mugeuk arrived at was Cheondok Forest.
The Poison King was in the forest near his dwelling. Standing alone with his hands behind his back, he was looking at a tree.
To others he might look lonely, but Geom Mugeuk knew that to him, it was an incomparably happy time.
“Poison King! I’m here!”
Geom Mugeuk shouted cheerfully. The last time he had returned, he had failed to see the Poison King and left the sect immediately. Thus, this reunion was quite a long time coming.
“Shh!”
The Poison King signaled for quiet, then looked back at the tree.
Geom Mugeuk quietly approached and stood side by side with the Poison King.
Two venomous bugs were stacked on top of each other on the tree. They appeared to be mating.
Geom Mugeuk turned his head to look at the Poison King. He still looked like a beautiful youth.
‘You’re wasting that handsome face. Isn’t the Poison King the one who should go out into the world and find a woman to be his lover?’
But to the Poison King, the increase in the number of venomous bugs in Cheondok Forest seemed more enjoyable than such pleasures.
“On the way here, Sangseon told me. The poison applied to the hidden weapon is called Hwageolsindok.”
According to Sangseon, Hwageolsindok was a poison developed to apply Hwageolsan to hidden weapons. Made by blending various poisons with Hwageolsan as the main ingredient, it was a terrifying poison that melted the struck area and everything inside in an instant upon impact.
As much as its power, Hwageolsindok was also extremely difficult to handle. Because it had to reveal its effects only when discharged externally, without melting the hidden weapon inside the weapon chamber.
The Poison King still stared silently at the venomous bugs without a word.
“This time, my older brother is leaving the sect personally to investigate the counterfeit hidden weapons. I would like the Poison King to secretly follow him.”
That was why this request was even more difficult. It was a request to secretly guard him, not to go together.
“Because those who use Hwageolsindok might use other poisons as well.”
Thinking he wasn’t listening, the Poison King refused outright.
“No.”
“The opponent might use poison!”
“Tell Sangseon to bring an antidote.”
He hadn’t thought the Poison King would readily leave. He was someone who truly hated going outside Cheondok Forest.
“Now, now. I came prepared, knowing this would happen.”
Geom Mugeuk cleared his throat and spoke in a grave voice.
“As Acting Sect Leader, I command it. Poison King, obey the order of this Sect Leader!”
The Poison King turned toward Geom Mugeuk. For a moment, it seemed he would politely receive the command.
“But I don’t want to?”
Whish. A breeze swept past between the two.
“It is a Sect Leader’s order.”
“You’re only Acting Sect Leader.”
“It’s treason, treason!”
“Then arrest me and take me.”
The authority of the Acting Sect Leader didn’t work at all.
“You’re being too much. If Father told you to go, you would go, wouldn’t you?”
“But you’re not the Sect Leader.”
The Poison King’s gaze returned to the tree. The pair that had finished mating had already disappeared somewhere.
“Then I shall bring out the second hidden ace I prepared.”
A faint smile crossed the Poison King’s lips. This was why he could say, “But I don’t want to.” Because he knew Geom Mugeuk would flexibly move past it like this.
“This time, there is a reason you absolutely must go.”
“What reason?”
“I nearly died because of the Poison King.”
The Poison King turned his head back to Geom Mugeuk.
“Do you remember? The one who fled after being afflicted by your poison.”
He hadn’t yet told the Poison King that Tu Wang had come back alive. Because the last time he returned, he had to leave the sect again before meeting the Poison King.
“He came back alive.”
Surprise flashed across the Poison King’s face.
“That can’t be.”
He also knew well that Geom Mugeuk wouldn’t lie about such a thing.
“The impossible happened.”
A brief silence passed.
“What happened?”
“It seems they performed great techniques several times and barely saved him. Of course, even so, he wasn’t completely cured, so when we fought, a foul poisonous aura billowed out from him.”
It was a moment when a crack formed in the Poison King’s pride.
Naturally, Geom Mugeuk didn’t clumsily try to spare his pride.
“He came back stronger after surviving. Thanks to that, I nearly died. So this time, you must grant my request.”
Of course, he was forcing the matter, but it worked on the Poison King. After all, a man he had naturally been certain was dead had come back alive.
“You can’t trust me, so why are you trying to send me? Send out that Supreme Evil Little Demon you’re so fond of.”
After a brief pause, Geom Mugeuk answered.
“I think I’ll feel more at ease if you go, Poison King.”
“Are you wounding me and then applying the salve?”
“A mistake is a mistake, and skill is skill.”
The Poison King’s eyes gleamed sharply.
“The Supreme Evil Little Demon would be hurt if he heard that.”
“Soma-nim would understand. Not just Soma-nim, but the other Demon Venerables as well. None of the Demon Venerables would be able to deny what I just said.”
He had spoken indirectly, but in the end, this was what it meant.
The Poison King was the strongest.
Geom Mugeuk could feel the Poison King’s mood easing a little.
“Phew.”
The Poison King let out a sigh and sat down on a small rock beneath a tree.
“So they brought that bastard back to life?”
Geom Mugeuk sat down beside him.
“They say it cost an enormous sum of money. In the fight with him, I nearly died along with the Supreme Evil Little Demon. This time, too, even though Fist Demon-nim and Ilhwa Sword Venerable-nim went with them, there were dangerous moments. That is why you must go, Poison King. I cannot overlook even the slightest possibility.”
Still, the Poison King gave no answer. So Geom Mugeuk brought in another person.
“If you don’t feel like going alone, why not go with Demon Buddha-nim? While you’re out, you can dig up some rare poisonous herbs as well. Have you been gathering poisonous herbs with Demon Buddha-nim lately?”
The Poison King shook his head.
“He hasn’t come by at all lately. So things are awkward with him too.”
“What, you’ve already become awkward with him?”
Geom Mugeuk burst out laughing, and the Poison King, finding his own words funny after saying them, laughed along with him.
“You told me to guard him secretly, didn’t you? But do you think I can follow someone like Demon Buddha in secret?”
After all, that golden radiance and secrecy were very far apart.
“That’s why I came to ask you, Poison King.”
“I might just kill them all and come back.”
“As long as you bring my brother back alive, that’s enough.”
Geom Mugeuk spoke from the heart.
“You have no idea how much I want to go out with you, Poison King.”
And not to watch poisonous insects mating, but to see just how much fun I could have mingling with heroic ladies by your side, Poison King.
The Poison King, who had been staring at Geom Mugeuk, finally nodded.
“I’ll go.”
That was enough. Now he no longer worried about his brother.
“Then I’ll consider the debt repaid.”
“What debt?”
“The debt for nearly dying because that bastard came back alive.”
“How is that my fault!”
The words Geom Mugeuk had wanted finally came out. Yes, that was not the Poison King’s fault.
The more sensitive the matter, the more pride was involved, the more necessary it was to speak about it openly like this. To bring it up over and over, tease him, speak of it again, and tease him again.
Because trust with another person was something built up for moments like these.
That was why such matters had to end in bad feelings while they were still together. One could not gloss over them clumsily and let them linger in the mind after parting.
“Do you know this? The antidote that does not exist in this world is held by you alone, Poison King.”
Looking at the man beside him, Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly and added,
“You, Poison King, are the antidote to my anxiety.”