Chapter 256 - Murim Will Be on Edge

Elixirs lay on a long table. It was as though I had walked into a shop that sold them. Each had its own scent, and together they blended into a peculiar fragrance.

At another table beside it, the Poison King was engrossed in mixing medicines. While I waited for him to finish, I examined the elixirs on display. I recognized a few, but most were unfamiliar. There were far more than I had expected.

At last, the Poison King finished mixing the medicine and set it on the table.

"You're here?"

"What were you doing?"

"Mixing the ones that work better together."

Combining these highly poisonous elixirs to make them even more effective? Only the Poison King could say such a thing.

"I heard you went to the Central Plains yourself."

"What else could I do? How would I get goods like these in twenty days without going? For the first time in a long while, I called on every connection I had."

The word “connections” sounded strange coming from the Poison King, who lived shut away in the Thousand-Poison Forest. Those relationships must be all the more precious and dependable. And calling on his connections meant he had incurred debts to others.

"I owe you a great deal."

The Poison King came over, his eyes gleaming as though to ask how I intended to repay him.

"Whenever you need my help, you need only call."

"It won't end with once or twice."

"I'd be glad to see you more often, Poison King."

The Poison King went to the end of the table, picked up the first elixir, and handed it to me.

"Here. Take them in order, starting with this one."

Apparently, he had even decided the order in which I should take them.

"What happens if I take them all at once?"

"Your immunity to all poisons means you won't die, but there'll be chaos inside you. Take them as I give them to you."

Before taking it, I asked him,

"Please tell me how much each of these cost."

"Why? Don't you trust me?"

"If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't ask."

With someone who would never have cheated you, asking a question like this was actually a courtesy.

The Poison King told me the price of each elixir. When I added them all up...

"That's more than the money I gave you."

"The last elixir was too good to pass up, so I put in a little myself."

"A little? It sounds as though you sold off one of the Thousand-Poison Forest's pillars."

"Do you even know how many pillars the Thousand-Poison Forest has? Just hurry up and take it."

He hated going out with a passion, yet he had gone himself and even contributed a fortune. How could I not like the Poison King?

"Then I'll gratefully accept."

"That first one is the Black Ocean Pill. Take it, then circulate your true qi through one full cycle."

The moment I put the Black Ocean Pill in my mouth, my face twisted involuntarily.

"Agh! It's bitter! Why is it so bitter?"

"It's poison. Did you expect it to be sweet?"

I began assimilating the Black Ocean Pill's medicinal potency, now using the Nine Calamities Demonic Art's mental cultivation method. Since it accumulated more internal energy, it should also let me absorb more of the medicine's potency.

"Next is the Purple Star Single Poison. It pairs well with the Black Ocean Pill, so there shouldn't be any clash of internal qi."

He wasn't giving me the least potent ones first. He was choosing their order according to each elixir's properties and compatibility.

"Next, take the Soul-Seizing Pill."

Just when I thought things had improved a little with the Purple Star Single Poison...

"This is too much, even for you. Ugh."

When I tried to spit out what was in my mouth, the Poison King covered it to stop me. After forcing it down, I said,

"You're getting revenge on me for asking you to buy elixirs, aren't you?"

"You'd have to give me several times more money to gain this much internal energy from mild, fragrant elixirs."

It was a privilege only someone immune to all poisons could enjoy.

"And we haven't even reached the bitter ones yet."

I sprang to my feet, cupped my fist, and bid him farewell.

"I should learn to fight well without internal energy. That's what makes a true master."

When I tried to flee, the Poison King forced me back into my seat. I was only half joking. With a little exaggeration, it felt as though my tongue and guts were melting.

As the elixirs dissolved within me and their potency spread through the meridians throughout my body, I took another.

"I thought you might react that way, so I prepared something a little sweeter this time. Drink."

Ten Thousand Bloods Poison Water was one of the sweet ones?

I kept taking elixirs after that: the Demonic Spirit Divine Pill, Hundred Spirits Purification Powder, Thousand Scorpions Blood Essence, Profound Yin Pill, Twin Poisons of Yin and Yang Herb, Incense of Bliss Beyond Heaven...

They were elixirs I had only heard of by name—or whose names I had never even heard. There were several doses of some and only one of others.

This was my first time taking so many different kinds of elixirs in succession. I doubted anyone else in the martial world had ever done it either.

"It really is safe to take all of these, right?"

"I don't know either. This is a first."

The Poison King looked delighted. He, too, would never have seen anyone assimilate so many poisons at once. He was even more excited than I was.

Someday, this moment would find its way into the book compiling his life's work. What would the title be?

The Relationship Between Immunity to All Poisons and Poisonous Elixirs?

No. It would be something like this:

How Did the Poison King Torment a Man Immune to All Poisons?

Judging by how much he was enjoying himself today, he was more than capable of choosing such a title.

It took a long time to consume all the elixirs he had prepared. I took one, circulated my true qi through a full cycle, then took another and circulated it again, carefully assimilating their potency. Using the Nine Calamities Demonic Art's mental cultivation method, I absorbed more of it than I could before.

Several times, they were so poisonous and bitter that I truly felt I might die. Even with the same poison, being poisoned by it and swallowing it like this were entirely different matters.

"Here. This is the last one, the Ten Thousand Poisons Divine Pill."

This was the elixir the Poison King had contributed a fortune to purchase. Of all the poisons I had taken so far, it had the most powerful effects.

I assimilated the Ten Thousand Poisons Divine Pill's potency with the Nine Calamities Demonic Art's mental cultivation method as well. Its potency surged through the meridians all over my body, then became internal energy and gathered in my dantian, like water flowing from a valley into a river and finally into the sea.

Even after taking every elixir, I circulated my qi several more times to bring the internal energy within me under control. Only once I had confirmed that all their potency had become pure internal energy did I slowly open my eyes. An enormous amount of internal energy had been added to my dantian.

Without the Poison King, that money wouldn't have gained me even a quarter of this much internal energy. He must have bought high-quality medicines cheaply, and even the order in which I took them had been perfect.

Now, when it came to internal energy, I felt confident against anyone in Murim. It wasn't merely that I had more. Its purity, too, had deepened beyond all comparison with before. The increase in strength was one thing, but this would also be an enormous help in training the Secret Art of Heavenly Time.

The Poison King's expression told me how much deeper my gaze had become. A moment later, he was even more astonished. Through Returning to Simplicity and Truth, that profound gaze had already become ordinary again.

"How strong do you intend to become?"

I answered calmly.

"I'll keep growing stronger until I can protect everyone."

As I rose, the Poison King said,

"We're the ones who protect you. The Demon Supremes protect the young lord."

I stared at him, then abruptly spoke.

"Poison King."

He flinched. Instead of my usual courteous manner, I displayed a weighty dignity.

"Then grow stronger!"

"!"

With that, I strode out. No sooner had I left than I poked my head back through the open doorway. The Poison King was still staring in my direction, looking dazed.

"You're not angry, are you?"

"Playing Heavenly Demon already?"

"Who else could I play this joke on but you, Poison King?"

"Plenty of people! The Laughing Demon, the Saber Demon, the Drunken Demon!"

I lowered my voice into a stern tone again.

"The one This Seat wished to play this joke on was the Poison King."

At the end of my banter, I added my sincere feelings.

"Poison King, I'll never forget what you've done for me today."

* * *

Long after Geom Mugeuk had left, the Poison King remained lost in thought.

"You called for me?"

When Sang Seon arrived in response to his summons, the Poison King said something unexpected.

"Report to Heavenly Demon Hall that we're doubling poison production in the Thousand-Poison Forest."

Sang Seon was startled. But that wasn't all.

"Increase the intensity of the human poison vessels' training as well. And make sure you train yourself while teaching the youngsters."

"That will put Murim on edge."

The Orthodox Martial Alliance, in particular, might go on high alert. Everyone was keenly attentive to the poisons entering the Thousand-Poison Forest. Even this recent gathering of highly poisonous elixirs might have been reported to the Orthodox Martial Alliance or the Unorthodox Alliance. That was how sensitive they were about poison.

The Poison King rose. Black qi began rising around his body like a heat haze. It was the Heaven-Slaying Poison Qi he emitted when making his presence known.

Enveloped in black mist, he said quietly,

"Let them be on edge."

* * *

On the day of Seo Daeryong's inauguration as Pavilion Master of Yellow Springs Pavilion, an investigator and enforcement martial artists came to his residence to escort him. When Geom Mugeuk had taken office, Seo Daeryong had visited him with the enforcement martial artists. Now their roles had changed. The investigator who came today was Gok Myeong, the most senior special investigator.

"Pavilion Master, shall we go?"

Seo Daeryong thought it must be hard for him to see someone so much his junior become Pavilion Master.

"Investigator Gok, I look forward to your guidance."

"I will serve you loyally."

"I've learned a great deal from you since joining Yellow Springs Pavilion. Now I'll put what you taught me to use."

Seeing Gok Myeong's pleased smile, Seo Daeryong suddenly thought,

'I wasn't this kind of person before.'

He had been someone who could hardly meet another person's eyes, someone whose first thoughts were always negative. Even now, his first thought would once have been that despite the man's smile, he must be cursing him inwardly.

But now he was trying to convey his sincerity. He was trying to understand how the other person felt.

Escorted by Gok Myeong and the enforcement martial artists, Seo Daeryong arrived at Yellow Springs Pavilion to find the investigators and enforcement martial artists standing in a row.

"We greet the Pavilion Master!"

Seo Daeryong's promotion to Pavilion Master was an extraordinary appointment. Some among them privately disapproved, but they all agreed on one thing: he had worked so hard that everyone acknowledged his ability.

And at that moment, someone arrived to lend him support.

"Congratulations, Pavilion Master."

Turning at the voice behind him, he saw Demon Army commander Jang Ho walking toward him. Seo Daeryong was startled; he hadn't expected him to come.

"Commander! You came in person."

"Of course I did."

They used to drink together at the Merry Life Tavern when Yi An wasn't there. Now they stood facing each other as Demon Army commander and Pavilion Master of Yellow Springs Pavilion.

"Do you know something? I've always wanted to be a martial artist like you, Commander Jang. That hasn't changed."

Jang Ho gave his characteristic manly grin. Whenever Seo Daeryong saw him, he thought of a mountain standing tall and unwavering in its place. He would become that kind of martial artist himself.

The investigators and enforcement martial artists looked astonished that the Demon Army commander had come to congratulate him in person. Then someone else appeared.

Yi An had come to offer her congratulations. Her beautiful presence seemed to brighten the surroundings. Moreover, her martial arts had reached such heights that she now stood among the true masters. The enforcement martial artists were astonished first by her beauty, then again by her qi presence.

"Congratulations, Pavilion Master of Yellow Springs Pavilion."

"Thank you, Warrior Yi."

"I knew this day would come."

At her words, Seo Daeryong said in a near whisper,

"I didn't!"

Jang Ho and Yi An laughed together.

Then another person arrived. At the sight of him, the investigators and enforcement martial artists bowed in perfect unison.

"We greet the young lord!"

Seo Daeryong, Jang Ho, and Yi An also greeted him respectfully. Geom Mugeuk approached and offered a courteous salute.

"Congratulations, Pavilion Master of Yellow Springs Pavilion."

"Thank you, young lord."

Seo Daeryong looked at him with trembling eyes. Overcome with emotion, he didn't know what to say, but Geom Mugeuk gave him a single nod, his gaze filled with trust. That was enough.

Gok Myeong approached Seo Daeryong.

"Everyone is here. Why don't you say a few words?"

Seo Daeryong stood before them all, his heart trembling. He had expected to give a short speech and had even practiced at home, yet he was still terribly nervous.

"Our previous Pavilion Master was someone who transcended human limits. At last, Yellow Springs Pavilion is now in human hands."

Everyone burst into laughter.

"On the day he took office, our previous Pavilion Master stood here and told us this: ["I don't know whether we'll be happier or unhappier. But one thing is certain. Our hearts will beat faster than before."] He kept his word. My heart is beating faster than it used to, and I believe yours are too."

Everyone looked as though they agreed. Yellow Springs Pavilion under Geom Mugeuk had been an entirely different organization. They had all received the gratitude of countless people delivered from injustice.

"I can't make your hearts beat faster than the young lord did. But I am confident I can do this much: I will strive to keep the fire he lit in our hearts from cooling."

Applause and cheers erupted.

After greeting everyone, he was about to head inside when the last person to congratulate him arrived. The newcomer's appearance startled not only Seo Daeryong but Geom Mugeuk, Yi An, and Jang Ho as well.

Astonishingly, the Blood Heaven Saber Demon had appeared. With the Heaven-Destroying Great Saber on his back, he strode toward them haughtily. His overwhelming presence put every martial artist of Yellow Springs Pavilion on edge.

"Master!"

Instead of offering congratulations, the Blood Heaven Saber Demon drew the great saber he had brought on his back alongside the Heaven-Destroying Great Saber. Though still a great saber, it was slightly smaller than the other weapon.

He handed it to Seo Daeryong.

"Use this from now on."

One glance was enough to tell it was no ordinary saber.

"It's the blade I used in my youth."

Seo Daeryong was stunned. A gift from his taciturn master? And if it was the blade he had used in his youth, its value was beyond words. Seo Daeryong was so moved that he felt close to tears.

After handing over the saber, the Blood Heaven Saber Demon walked away without another word. Seo Daeryong prostrated himself in a deep bow toward his departing master.

"Thank you, Master."

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon left without looking back.

The investigators and enforcement martial artists watched in astonishment. Geom Mugeuk was so close to Seo Daeryong and spent so much time with him that his coming was understandable, but none had expected the Blood Heaven Saber Demon to appear.

No one looked down on Seo Daeryong. Even if they wanted to, they couldn't. With the young lord, a Demon Supreme, the Demon Army commander, and the world's greatest beauty all coming to congratulate him, who would dare dismiss him?

After respectfully taking his leave of Geom Mugeuk, Jang Ho, and Yi An, Seo Daeryong turned around. He strapped the great saber to his back as the Blood Heaven Saber Demon did, then led the investigators and enforcement martial artists into Yellow Springs Pavilion.

Watching him walk proudly away with the saber on his back, Geom Mugeuk saw the Blood Heaven Saber Demon's departing figure in his.