There is a plant known as Guibicho (Ghost-Not Grass).
It is a plant that blooms only in humid regions of the western territories.
Though beautiful in appearance, it is a kind of poisonous herb that causes vicious hallucinations if accidentally swallowed.
It is a poisonous herb so vile that rumors circulate in some quarters that the unorthodox sects use it to manufacture and sell hallucinogenic drugs.
Furthermore, it is used to extract confessions from criminals, and at its worst, is a poisonous herb employed for torture. However—
*Trickle.*
The Poison King knew.
He knew that the Guibicho possessed a flavor all its own.
If one simply had sufficient resistance to poison, this was a plant that would be prized throughout the entire kingdom.
Of course, ordinary people neither had resistance to poison nor could they cultivate it.
That is why the Poison King favored the Guibicho.
It was a tea enjoyed by him alone… no, to be precise, only within the Dang Clan.
After all, he could enjoy a finer taste at a much lower price than other expensive tea leaves.
On a night of the full moon.
*Slurp.*
The master of the Dang Clan, the Poison King, sat alone on the edge of the wooden floor, sipping Guibicha.
He preferred this kind of tea over strong medicinal liquor.
The only difference was that all such teas were made from poisonous herbs.
As he was enjoying the scenery after taking a few sips, someone appeared behind the Poison King and approached.
The woman cautiously approached his side, bowed her head, and paid her respects.
"…Did you call for me, my lord."
The woman's name was Nahi.
Outwardly, she worked as a servant belonging to the Dang Clan.
In essence, she was a member of the assassination unit secretly operated by the Dang Clan.
She was the vice-captain of the Bichal Guidae (the Secret Ghost Squad).
Without turning his gaze to the approaching Nahi, the Poison King opened his mouth.
"How did it look?"
Hearing his words, Nahi slowly knelt on one knee.
Then, keeping her eyes on the floor, she began listing things for the Poison King in a calm voice.
"The three positioned at the left of the entrance. The two posted above, and the four agents placed inside. All nine in total were discovered."
Nahi began her report on what had occurred a few hours prior. Hearing this, the Poison King looked at her with a peculiar gleam in his eyes.
It was an expression showing dissatisfaction with something.
"Is your report not mistaken?"
"…"
"Including you, there were ten. Should you not all have been discovered by the Ninth Young Master?"
"…I apologize. I will correct this."
Nahi's head bowed deeper. The Poison King's words were correct.
She, too, had indeed been discovered by that young man.
Her white hand clenched into a tight fist.
'You did not seem like someone who would do servant's work.'
The young man's words rang in her ears. How had she been discovered?
Had her response been inadequate?
No.
She was quite skilled at concealing her presence, and confident in that skill.
Moreover, she had been doing it with some sincerity because it was the Poison King's order.
Yet the youth called Gu Yangcheon seemed to have noticed her immediately upon seeing her.
'I could somehow understand the first nine being found.'
That even she had been exposed was something Nahi had not anticipated.
As if reading Nahi's mind,
the Poison King spoke, holding a small smile.
"Do not take it too much to heart. Thanks to you, I experienced something amusing."
"…"
The Poison King smirked and swallowed another mouthful of Guibicha.
At first, it had been a simple test.
Hearing he was such an extraordinary child, he had wondered just how exceptional he was and, out of interest, decided to play a little prank.
The moment he entered, he scattered his aura like a warning.
And to think he had discovered even Nahi, the vice-captain.
She was one who had reached the pinnacle of maturity as an assassin.
If she so wished, she had risen to a position sufficient to enter even the Seven Nights Assassins led by the Shadow King as its captain.
The child of the Gu family had noticed her identity with complete nonchalance.
'Just how did he do it?'
To the Poison King, it was simply astounding.
Furthermore, thanks to having been informed of the matter beforehand through Nahi's voice transmission, he had been able to erase the traces of his daughter hiding afar.
If even Nahi had been noticed, he would have effortlessly detected the trace of Dang Soyeol hiding in the back room.
The Poison King had already made considerable preparations.
Recalling that, the Poison King had to laugh hollowly to himself.
'…To think I would do all sorts of things for my daughter at this age.'
Sighs escaped him involuntarily, wondering what a sight he must be.
Moreover, although he was doing it for Dang Soyeol's sake,
just like others, the Poison King had not taken a liking to Gu Yangcheon at first.
What father would want to give his precious daughter to a worthless wretch who ran around toying with women?
At first, he had been determined to tear them apart by any means necessary if they met.
But having come to this point, he harbored slightly different thoughts.
'At his age, the Hwagyeong realm….'
The Poison King was certain after facing Gu Yangcheon directly.
It was clear he had crossed beyond the pinnacle and touched the Hwagyeong realm. Reaching Hwagyeong before even coming of age?
This would be an unprecedented record in history.
Looking at Gu Yangcheon's potential and future, it was not a bad position—no, it was an exceedingly outstanding one.
In the Poison King's eyes, Gu Yangcheon was someone certain to reach the position of the greatest under heaven one day.
Should he say it felt as though the boy had inherited his father's talent wholesale?
Seeing that,
though his father ultimately never became a great hero,
he believed the child would be different.
Breaking through the Central Plains currently ruled by the Three Lords. It meant rising to the highest position.
Moreover, contrary to the rumors that Gu Yangcheon was a lecher, he did not entirely feel like one.
He may not be one, but they say heroes are naturally fond of beauty.
If one weighed Gu Yangcheon's value, such a flaw could be overlooked.
Not to mention, was his daughter not head over heels for him?
'So that's why she kept bringing up his face.'
The Poison King thought of his daughter and shook his head.
He knew his daughter's discerning eye was far removed from that of ordinary people.
He had wondered where in the world there could be a person who could satisfy Dang Soyeol's standards.
…And lo and behold, a person who fit her eyes all too well had appeared.
If Dang Soyeol was so smitten with Gu Yangcheon that she had run away from home, the Poison King was prepared to acknowledge it at this point.
If he were mediocre, he would have torn them apart by any means.
From this young age, he was already making a name for himself throughout the Central Plains.
If it was Gu Yangcheon, who had a high likelihood of rising to become the greatest under heaven in the future, the Poison King could be satisfied.
'To think he would give such an answer right in front of me.'
The Poison King recalled the words Gu Yangcheon had uttered at the meal just moments ago.
'I cannot do that.'
Words he had boldly spat at the Poison King himself when told to leave Dang Soyeol's side.
He had told him to leave Dang Soyeol's side unless he broke off the engagement with the Namgoong family.
Gu Yangcheon declared he would do neither.
How could he do such a thing?
Was it childish defiance possible only because he was still young?
Whatever the case, it was undeniably selfish.
In the Poison King's eyes, he judged that Gu Yangcheon had the talent to afford such selfishness.
If Dang Soyeol had not intervened and the conversation had continued, he might have heard a deeper answer, but...
It was rather regrettable that he had been unable to hear it properly because Dang Soyeol had impulsively intervened.
The Poison King recalled up to that point and nodded slightly.
'Yes, if he wants to take my daughter, he ought to at least become the greatest under heaven.'
She was a daughter he had cherished like a treasure.
Rather than sending her to a worthless, incompetent wretch with nothing, it was better to send her to someone with a guaranteed future.
'If there is one thing that gives pause.'
If they were to become engaged in the future,
it would be that his precious daughter would have to be sent as a concubine.
That was not something even the Poison King could easily permit.
Because it would create a disparity with the Namgoong family, of all families.
*Swish.*
Swirling the tea that filled his teacup, the Poison King exhaled.
'This matter… will be difficult to concede.'
Was it not an engagement already made first?
Even so, it did not matter. There would be a way.
The problem was that it would be a rather unclean method.
The Poison King swallowed the tea he had been swirling in one gulp, regulated his breathing, then looked at Nahi and spoke.
"We depart in three days, so prepare thoroughly without any gaps."
"Understood. What should be done about tomorrow's schedule?"
"The Alliance Leader… No, I should not call him that now. Nakgeom said he would come this way, so take care to prepare only for that."
"Yes, my lord."
Though he still occupied the position of Alliance Leader for now, as he himself had said, Nakgeom would step down from the Alliance Leader's seat.
After that, much talk would circulate regarding the seat of Alliance Leader of the Murim Alliance.
'The Wudang Sect is obviously eyeing it covetously again this time.'
It was well-known that the head disciple of Wudang had his eyes on the Alliance Leader's seat.
This time, it would likely be no different.
What was unexpected in the midst of this was…
'Rumors that the Blade King wants the Alliance Leader's seat.'
Word that the head of the Peng family was aiming for the supreme position of the Murim Alliance had subtly reached his ears.
Recalling that, the Poison King let out a snort of laughter.
'Impossible.'
Could that incompetent man dare to sit in the Alliance Leader's seat just because he wanted it?
No matter how he thought about it, it was unreasonable.
Rather, it seemed more plausible for the Blade King's son to step forward.
And yet, he coveted the Alliance Leader's seat.
'He doesn't know his place.'
Just as in the past, he was still a man whose greed was as large as his frame.
'In truth, it matters not who takes the seat.'
The Poison King's eyes grew cold and subdued.
Rather, it might even be helpful if the Blade King became the Alliance Leader.
Because he was a fool, he would be easy to handle.
What was unexpected was that the Sword King, whom he had thought similar to the Blade King, showed no interest in this matter.
'Something has changed.'
Should he call it the atmosphere?
To be exact, his momentum had changed.
The prickly, thorny feeling he had gotten from Namgoong Jin had lessened; instead, he was filled with a sharp, honed sword aura befitting the title of Sword King.
It had been only a few years at most; just what sort of extraordinary change had occurred?
*Tap, tap.* The Poison King, who had been turning his thoughts over while tapping his teacup, soon closed his eyes and emptied his mind.
'It doesn't matter.'
Whatever changes they underwent, it was of no consequence.
Because what was important to him now was another matter.
His daughter's future was precious as well.
But even that was not what was important to the Poison King now.
"Nahi."
"Yes, my lord."
At the Poison King's call, Nahi raised her head.
What entered Nahi's eyes as she shifted her gaze was the moonlight of the risen full moon, and
dark green pupils that glowed faintly in that light.
The Poison King's eyes were smiling, but seeing that smile, Nahi involuntarily shrank.
"Send word to the main sect. Tell them to start warming up the test subjects from now on."
"…U-understood."
After conveying her answer, Nahi slowly scattered and disappeared into the darkness.
It was to carry out her master's order.
Immediately after Nahi vanished, the Poison King turned his head again and looked up at the moon.
The Poison King thought,
today, the moon was unusually brilliant; it was good weather for drinking tea.
******************
I returned to the guesthouse where I was staying after finishing my meal with the Poison King.
The moment I entered the building, I rubbed my stomach.
"…I feel nauseous."
My stomach was quite queasy.
I suspected it was the aftermath of being so tense finally showing itself.
I thought back to the meal and had to let out a tired breath.
'He was far more of a sly old fox than I had expected.'
I frowned, recalling the Poison King's tone and expression.
As if perfectly matching my initial expectations, the Poison King was indeed a prickly man to deal with.
If I had to describe him after speaking with him directly,
'He feels the most like a patriarch.'
Among the masters of the Four Great Clans I had met, I could say he felt the most like a patriarch.
He may not have possessed overwhelming martial might, but in leading the flow of conversation,
and in dominating the atmosphere, he was certainly the most politically astute person.
Thanks to that, I had to focus intensely to avoid being swept along by the flow.
'What does he want from me?'
The Poison King had a look in his eyes as though he expected something from me, but I had no idea what.
Not to mention.
'…Is he letting it slide?'
It also felt as though he was letting slide the disrespect I had shown him.
My absurd words that I would not give up either the engagement or Dang Soyeol.
He had certainly heard this, yet during the meal, nothing of the sort was brought up.
Was it because Dang Soyeol had suddenly interjected?
Thanks to that, the conversation hadn't dragged on and we had gotten to the main point, but I couldn't help feeling uneasy.
'For now, departure is in five days.'
Fortunately, I had succeeded in setting the schedule for the Sichuan journey.
Regarding companions, the Poison King didn't seem too concerned.
Rather, he seemed pleased. But that must have been my imagination.
'As for the Pae side… that bastard Ucheol said he would handle it.'
Pae Ucheol, who, like the Dang Clan, had roots in Sichuan, was also set to accompany them.
Pae Ucheol had made a subtle expression when told he would go with the Dang Clan.
But since he had said it was fine, this part should pose no problem.
Then what remained was.
'Finishing my training within five days.'
I just had to complete the training designated by the Pae Lord within that time.
For that, even now that night had fallen, I felt I would likely head straight to the cave.
Just as I was moving my steps thinking that.
*Tug.*
Someone pulled my sleeve.
I turned my head in the direction of the force, and the one holding my clothes was none other than Dang Soyeol.
Right after the meal, I had been walking to the guesthouse together with Dang Soyeol.
But this… since when had she been holding it?
When I looked at her with a strange gaze, Dang Soyeol received my eyes and broke into a grin.
Her characteristic eye-smile felt especially deep.
Since leaving the restaurant, Dang Soyeol had followed me without saying a word.
Occasionally when I looked, she would just smile like this without any particular conversation.
I could roughly tell from her smile that she seemed to be in a very good mood.
Seeing that, I ended up asking first.
"What's up?"
"Hmm?"
"You seemed to be in a good mood."
"Hehe! Not at all!"
"…I see."
Well, what is good is good. Thinking that, I decided to keep walking.
After arriving at the guesthouse and parting with Dang Soyeol, I headed to my room.
I planned to grab my clothes roughly and head straight to the cave.
I would have to cut back on sleep as much as possible to finish the training, so I intended to pull several all-nighters.
The moment I entered the room like that.
"What?"
I had to frown at seeing something bulging from the bed.
It was obvious at a glance that someone was lying in my bed.
The moment I realized it, anger flared up immediately.
"…This bastard?"
Because I thought it might be that Sleeping Dragon bastard again. Something like this had happened before, so was it Uhyeok again?
Why does this bastard keep coming here and causing trouble?
Without hesitation, I grabbed and threw off the blanket covering it.
"I told you not to come—"
Just as I was about to get angry while throwing off the blanket,
seeing the person lying on the bed, I had to shut my mouth instantly.
The person sleeping soundly on my bed was not the Sleeping Dragon, and not just one person, but two.
Perhaps reacting to the sound,
one of the two slowly rubbed her eyes and got up.
"Y-Young Master…?"
The woman getting up while letting out a small yawn, as if tired, was Wi Seola.
The one sleeping without a care despite the situation was Namgoong Biya.
"What the…"
I met Wi Seola's eyes and thought,
what is this ridiculous situation.
Barely holding onto my senses, the moment I was about to ask Wi Seola what this was about.
*Creak—!*
The door I had closed swung open abruptly, and someone entered.
"Young Master…! Actually, there's something I need to tell you…!"
"Ah."
The person who entered boldly was Dang Soyeol.
With a startled expression, I turned my gaze to check on Dang Soyeol to sort out the current situation.
But Dang Soyeol, having already seen the situation unfolding in the room, had frozen as stiff as stone.