Chapter 487 - The Hell You Staring At?
Right after saying I’d taken poison and collapsing.
The stinging silence in the side building was enough to feel like a dagger to my heart, but in the end, the situation I’d expected was unfolding.
Because I actually had taken poison.
“It seems to be the poison of the Biyu flower.”
That was what the physician examining my body said.
At those words, sounds of sharp intakes of breath could be heard from around me.
The Biyu flower.
The first to react to those words was Old Man Shin.
[You really used some vicious stuff.]
‘Tell me about it.’
A hollow laugh escaped me.
The poison of the Biyu flower was that of a rare toxic herb that grew in the northern regions, in highlands at that.
It was one of the poisons that even ordinary assassins didn’t use when attempting poisoning.
Its effects were temporarily blocking the flow of internal energy, along with causing difficulty breathing, and before long, the body would burn with agony as the heart stopped.
While its efficacy as a poisonous herb was certain, as mentioned above, it was a herb not used for poisoning.
The reason was none other than….
‘It’s filthy expensive.’
Compared to poisonous herbs with similar efficacy, the Biyu flower was deeply scarce, so the problem was that it was filthy expensive.
Moreover, martial artists who had reached a certain realm rarely died even after consuming poison that blocked their internal energy, so it was used even less.
If there was a remaining problem, it was that severe aftereffects could remain.
Such as a shattered dantian.
Or developing a chronic heart disease and becoming unable to use martial arts anymore.
‘This is fucking insane.’
Thinking that far, I couldn’t help but laugh.
‘Seems they’re quicker-tempered than I thought.’
It wasn’t that I hadn’t known it would come to this.
Rather, I had wished for this situation and had even guided it to happen.
But I hadn’t known they would come at me this quickly.
‘Did I make it too obvious?’
Because I showed signs of knowing too much?
Or because I didn’t bother to shut Nahyi’s mouth?
No matter what, I was a child of a prestigious family staying in another clan’s house; I hadn’t thought they’d casually slip poison into my food.
‘It’s a warning. That’s what this is.’
This was the Dang Clan’s land. So, don’t act frivolously. Roughly that kind of meaning.
The reason they deliberately used the Biyu flower, which was expensive yet inefficient. The reason they went through the trouble of feeding me poison through food, even though the Dang Clan, by its nature, thoroughly managed the food served to guests.
It was all a warning.
On this land.
I, or we, can dispose of you whenever we want.
No matter what your background or realm, we can touch you however we please, so don’t flap your mouth carelessly.
That kind of meaning was seeped into the poison of the Biyu flower.
Recalling that, I couldn’t help but laugh.
‘These worthless bastards who don’t know their place.’
The sight of rotten, decayed scum putting on airs of nobility while doing filthy deeds.
No matter how I looked at it, it was inevitably a disgraceful act unbefitting of the Righteous Sect that had once placed righteousness and chivalry at its center.
‘Haha, fuck. How is it that the more I see, the more my faith in humanity drops?’
It had been like that in my past life too, but the more I dug, the more I couldn’t understand what kind of backward thing this was.
The urge to tear everything down and rebuild it gradually welled up.
If those who had kept the faith of the past saw this sight, what would they think?
From what I saw, I felt like they’d die again, vomiting blood.
[… Brat, are you badmouthing me right now?]
‘Oh, come on, as if.’
Like a quick-witted tomcat.
Anyway, he noticed whenever I was talking about himself.
Ah, he is a ghost, after all.
‘Anyway.’
The deed was done.
And I knew this wouldn’t end with just a warning.
Would guys who could easily pull off something like this really stop at a warning?
‘No way.’
There was absolutely no way.
“… U… U… What… What do we do….”
With my eyes closed, lying down, I heard a whimpering voice.
It was Dang Soyeol’s voice.
Since I had collapsed right next to her after consuming the poison, it was natural for her to react like that.
“What do we do with our young master…. Daddyy….”
Dang Soyeol sobbed, tears dripping down. There weren’t many people present.
Just Physician Baek, Dokwang, and Dang Soyeol, more or less.
“First, we must understand the situation, so step back.”
“B… But.”
“Now!”
At Dokwang’s shout, Dang Soyeol flinched.
Dang Soyeol then showed a look of not knowing what to do, before soon stepping outside with hesitant steps.
“… Physician Baek, please step outside for a moment as well.”
“Very well…. Clan Head.”
The Dang Clan’s physician also went outside. Right after a brief silence.
“Haa….”
I heard Dokwang let out a deep sigh as if exhausted.
Hearing that, I shot up.
“Ah, I thought I was going to die of stuffiness.”
“… Eugh?!”
As I jerked my upper body up, Dokwang, watching this, showed a rare look of shock.
“… Y… Young Master Gu?”
“What are you so surprised about. I’m the one who should be more surprised.”
“How on earth…?”
At Dokwang’s reaction, I instead had to make a strange expression.
I had thought Dokwang would naturally know I was pretending to be unconscious. Because his reaction was as if he hadn’t known.
“… Are you alright?”
“Yes, I think I’m well enough to converse.”
If he was a martial artist of Dokwang’s level, noticing something like this should have been easy.
The fact that he hadn’t noticed meant.
‘Is this also a change in my body?’
Was this a phenomenon caused by using the Body Transformation Art? Or an advantage gained from my body being reconstructed?
I didn’t know for sure, but it wasn’t a bad phenomenon.
If even a Hwa Realm martial artist couldn’t discern it, it was quite the advantage.
Crack.
As I stretched my body slightly and rolled it around, Dokwang spoke to me.
“… First, I offer my apologies. For my clan to have allowed such an unpleasant incident.”
At the sudden apology, I turned my gaze to Dokwang.
Just from his eyes, the apology was sincere.
‘He has no choice but to be.’
The Dang Clan’s reputation in the world was not very good.
Because they used martial arts involving poison and hidden weapons. This was something others would naturally avoid.
Though these aspects had decreased since the Dang Clan began manufacturing and exporting weaponry.
There were still not a few who viewed the Dang Clan as dangerous in the world’s evaluations.
Because of that, they had to be more careful.
The lodgings where guests were received.
The food served.
They had to go through several examinations to ensure there were no problems.
And Dokwang himself had to pay attention to ensure not even a slight accident occurred.
‘For something like this to happen so casually. He must be burning inside.’
I merely observed Dokwang’s reaction closely.
Still. As always, from the beginning.
I had not erased my suspicions toward Dokwang.
Hiding such thoughts, I spoke to Dokwang.
“It’s fine. Rather, I’m relieved it went as expected.”
“What?”
Dokwang’s pupils shook upon hearing my answer.
“As expected? Young Master Gu, what do you mean by that. Surely you don’t mean….”
Various questions flashed across his expression.
“That you did this on purpose?”
Dokwang seemed greatly shocked upon realizing my intentions.
Looking at him, I answered awkwardly.
“I didn’t think they’d go this far…. But to some extent, yes?”
It was an admission that I had aimed for this.
Hearing this, Dokwang furrowed his brow deeply and spoke to me.
“Just what are you planning to do with this?”
What did I mean by doing this?
At Dokwang’s question, I had to click my tongue inwardly.
“Isn’t it a good thing?”
“What…?”
“Didn’t you gain conviction?”
“…!”
Upon hearing my words, Dokwang’s eyes grew bigger than before.
The words asking if he hadn’t gained conviction.
That things were happening within the Dang Clan without Dokwang’s knowledge, and furthermore, an incident enough to dispel doubts about what I had said.
Witnessing this with his own eyes, conviction should have sprouted in Dokwang.
The conviction that something was happening without his knowledge.
“… Are you saying you deliberately consumed poison right now for that?”
He had an expression as if looking at a madman.
Was it so surprising that I had swallowed poison with my own hands for this purpose?
[Well, he knows you consumed poison despite knowing. Of course he’d be surprised.]
‘That is true, but.’
I was just a bit disappointed.
I had thought that if it was Dokwang, he would immediately grasp the situation and talk about something else.
Did that mean the shock was that great?
“Eating poison is fine, because I knew I wouldn’t die anyway.”
“That is not the problem right now…!”
At those nonchalant words, Dokwang reacted somewhat violently.
‘Hmm.’
Could it be that he was worried the Dang Clan’s image would worsen further because of this?
That wasn’t something I could do anything about.
That wasn’t something to take care of while minding such things.
Rather, just as I was about to understand Dokwang’s reaction.
“What if aftereffects had remained?”
“…”
“However young you may be, what kind of dangerous act is this?”
‘Oh my.’
Something far more normal than expected came out, and I was the one who had to be more flustered.
I hadn’t imagined he’d worry about my body. This was a bit unexpected.
[Could it be that you simply have too little faith in the world?]
‘That was rather fresh.’
Perhaps because of that.
I smiled slightly without realizing it.
“Young Master Gu?”
“Ah, my apologies. I wasn’t laughing at you. It was just that the Clan Head’s reaction was rather unexpected.”
Saying that, I got down from the bed.
Thrum.
As I tried to move, a foreign energy surged inside my body. The moment I felt it, I knew.
So this is poison qi.
Was it because the energy was particularly different? It felt unusually vivid.
‘Hmm.’
Feeling that poison qi, I slightly furrowed my brow.
I had felt this when returning to the present realm, but it was only after directly consuming poison that conviction set in.
After slightly moving my fingertips, I spoke to Dokwang.
“It’s rather amazing that you’re worried.”
“Do not move. The detoxification is not yet….”
“Isn’t this much justification sufficient?”
“…!”
“It looks sufficient to me.”
As I spoke with a smile, Dokwang firmly shut his mouth.
Justification. Upon hearing those words, Dokwang seemed to realize something.
No matter what it was, there had to be justification.
Whether it was personal revenge, advancing somewhere.
Or overturning a sect entirely.
Such actions required sufficient justification.
It was also a driving force that made it easier for humans to act when doing something.
And it was something the current Dokwang needed more than anything.
‘To be honest, I could just tear everything down because I’m pissed.’
But from the Clan Head’s position, it couldn’t be like that.
It was a consideration of sorts.
Moreover.
‘It’d be nice if I had a reason to rampage too.’
I had wanted to create a reason to comfortably go on a rampage.
[Seeing you use your head only at times like this, it is truly heartbreaking in many ways.]
‘You always mix curses and praise together. Can’t you do just one?’
[What do you mean? It was all curses.]
‘…’
I thought he was roundaboutly praising me for being smart. I guess not.
Sniff.
Feeling awkward, I sniffed and walked past Dokwang.
“As I told you before, I am not waiting for the Clan Head’s answer.”
It meant I would do it even if you don’t step forward.
“I shall take my leave first.”
“Young Master Gu! As I said, the detoxification is not yet….”
“I don’t need the antidote. I don’t think I’ll need it.”
“What do you mean…?”
“It’s not as painful a poison as I thought. I’ll let you know if I need it.”
After saying that and giving a bow, I came outside.
I could feel Dokwang staring at my retreating figure with eyes as if his soul had left his body, unable to hold me back until the end.
But I was really fine.
‘Interesting.’
Hum.
Feeling the poison qi gathered in my body, I recalled it.
Another anomaly that occurred when coming to the present realm, as I had mentioned before.
I slightly spread my energy toward the felt poison qi.
Then.
Hissssss…!
The poison qi in my body gradually disappeared, and smoke seeped out of my mouth.
Seeing that, I had to laugh hollowly.
‘So that’s why I drank all that lake water.’
Having absorbed all the water of Dokcheon Lake, yet my energy hadn’t increased—that was the kind of situation.
I didn’t think Dang Jemun would destroy her family’s treasured object while calling it a gift.
Now I could understand the true gift she had spoken of.
I had, it seemed.
‘So this works.’
The dream physique the Dang Clan had so desired.
It seemed I had become immune to all poisons.
******************
After walking a short distance and coming out of the residence, I saw Dang Soyeol standing in the distance.
As I slowly moved my steps, Dang Soyeol also seemed to have spotted me, jumping in surprise and running over.
“Y… Young Master!?”
“Hey there.”
“How…?? They said you might not come to your senses for days…. Are you alright…?”
“Ah, I’m fine. I guess the poison was weaker than I thought.”
As I spoke with a laugh, mixing in a joke, Dang Soyeol suddenly burst into tears and threw herself into my arms.
Surprised by the sudden embrace, I was bewildered.
“Hey, why are you crying. I’m telling you I’m fine.”
“I’m sorry… I’m really sorry….”
This was bad.
With her crying in my arms, I could feel my chest getting wet.
She must have been very worried, having experienced the incident at the Dang Clan.
“You collapsed like you were acting…. Back then I thought it was a lie. I’m sorry. Really….”
“…”
Dang Soyeol’s words, spat out like an apology, hurt.
[See? I told you that you shouldn’t act.]
‘… Damn it.’
It was my best acting.
It didn’t work. At this point, the world was definitely wrong.
It wasn’t me who was wrong, but the world. Yes.
[That’s… no. Never mind.]
When the Old Man reacted as if he had given up, I felt even more annoyed.
Soothing my bitter feelings, I stroked Dang Soyeol’s hair.
“Calm down. I just need to rest for a few days.”
“But….”
“Stop crying. I hate doing laundry.”
To be exact, the servants did the washing, but having it soaked with tears was unpleasant.
“Yes….”
At my words, Dang Soyeol made a sulky expression.
My words seemed to have hurt her a bit.
Just as I was about to apologize.
“Tsk, tsk… A truly heartwarming sight.”
Someone approached and spoke.
My gaze moved.
It was an old man. Deep green silk clothes, neatly groomed white hair.
And.
A faint blood scent, the same kind I had felt from Dokwang.
He had been standing beside her since she came running over.
“Ah.”
Seeing the old man, Dang Soyeol startled and pulled away from me.
Seeing her ears turn red, she seemed embarrassed.
“Th… Ah. Th… This is our Elder. Elder, this is….”
“I know. My lady. How could I not know the young hero of whom rumors have been abound these days?”
‘My lady?’
I tilted my head at the title that came from the old man’s mouth.
My lady? And such excessive honorifics at that.
Even if she was the Clan Head’s direct descendant, for a clan’s Elder to show such excessive courtesy.
In that situation, the old man smiled broadly and spoke to me.
“Soyeol. I hear the young hero is indeed called such. Tsk, tsk…. It is truly an honor to meet one who shall lead the future of the Central Plains.”
“Hm.”
“I am the First Elder of the Dang Clan. I am called Dang Bi.”
The old man introduced himself and smiled.
Dang Bi.
A name I had never heard before.
If I tried to recall it, it might be a name I could somehow know.
But I had no intention of doing so.
Dang Bi, who smiled amiably at me and offered a greeting.
I faced him, smiled together, and then.
Swish.
“Ahak?!”
I suddenly pulled Dang Soyeol into an embrace.
At the sudden action, Dang Soyeol let out a sound, but.
Hum.
I wrapped energy around my fingertips and covered Dang Soyeol’s ears.
So that she couldn’t hear any sound.
After that, looking at Dang Bi’s face, I spoke as flatly as possible.
“What the hell are you staring at.”
“…!?”
“You wanna die?”
At my crude cursing, Dang Bi’s smile crumbled in an instant.