Chapter 14
Chapter 14
14. Next is Your Turn (1)
Meanwhile, at that moment.
-
I'm sorry. I'll take responsibility and return it. So….
Un-hyeok's face was visible through the blurred vision.
Japil's hair was grabbed.
-
Let's get hit a little first.
“…Huh!”
Startled, Japil gasped and opened his eyes wide.
“Wh, where is this…?”
He struggled to raise himself from the bed and looked around.
Something that looked like medicinal herbs was twisted into a rope and hung from the ceiling, and there was a smell of boiling herbs.
“When did I get to the infirmary… Ugh!”
Not only did his body ache, but he also felt nauseous and dizzy.
He clearly remembered fighting Un-hyeok.
‘What the hell hit me?’
Japil slowly recalled the situation at the time.
Before the fragments of the sword were fired.
It was fleeting, but there was a shimmering green haze.
‘Could it be that he used Poison Art?’
The most likely inference based on the circumstances.
But how?
Poison Art is different from ordinary martial arts.
In order to master it, one must develop resistance to poison, and it takes a long time to master the release of poison.
‘When did the Young Sect Leader learn Poison Art?’
As Japil's thoughts deepened, a man's voice suddenly cut in.
“Looks like you've come to your senses.”
Turning his head, he saw a physician in a white robe bringing herbal medicine on a tray.
But he was a man Japil was familiar with.
“Yang… Hyung?”
Before the Poison Demon Sect lost its power, it had many physicians.
Yang Ji-kwang was one of the physicians who worked for the Poison Demon Sect.
“It's been a while, Japil.”
“I heard you went somewhere else, but I didn't know you were here. It's been so long… Ugh!”
As Japil clutched his chest in pain, Ji-kwang quickly put down the herbal medicine and took his pulse.
“Tsk, the external wounds are severe, but the poison was fatal. I've never seen such a terrible poison in my life.”
“So… it was poison.”
This confirmed Japil's assumption.
“Hoo… Yang Hyung. Can I ask you something?”
“Tell me. I'll answer if I know.”
“How did I get here?”
“Ah, that. The warrior who brought you said that the Young Sect Leader told him to heal you.”
“Yes?”
It was hard to believe.
Japil had clearly shown an arrogant attitude towards Un-hyeok, but there was no reason for him to heal him.
“Why…?”
“I heard from the warrior….”
Ji-kwang told Japil everything he had heard, and he became lost in thought.
‘Did he really dream of the revival of the Poison Demon Sect?’
Only then could Japil understand.
Why Un-hyeok had said such a thing before he fainted.
‘He must have made an example of me to discipline others. So that the Poison Demon Sect warriors will not disobey his words in the future.’
The ability to establish military discipline and control the atmosphere at once.
Japil couldn't help but admire it.
The Poison Demon Sect had taken its first step towards change.
But.
“Japil, you seem to have a lot on your mind.”
“…Yes.”
“Well, you resented the Young Sect Leader so much. But he suddenly changed. I understand that it's hard to accept.”
“No, that's not why.”
“Then…?”
Japil smiled weakly.
“It's just that I'm pathetic.”
He hadn't made any effort to change the Poison Demon Sect himself, but only blamed Un-hyeok.
Before he knew it, Japil was referring to Un-hyeok politely.
“I don't know when the Young Sect Leader made up his mind, but he showed it through his actions.”
A life-or-death duel.
That day, Un-hyeok challenged Japil with everything he had.
What about himself?
“I didn't have it.”
“What do you mean?”
Japil placed his hand on his chest.
“The determination to change the Poison Demon Sect at the risk of my life.”
“…….”
“To be honest, I don't know if what I really wanted was for the Poison Demon Sect to change, or if I just needed someone to blame.”
“…It looks like you need time to think. I'll leave the herbal medicine here.”
Ji-kwang got up from his seat.
“Drink a cup and get some rest. I'll be on my way.”
Just as Ji-kwang was about to leave the room.
“Oh, Japil!”
Something suddenly came to mind, and he turned around.
“Have you ever received an offer to join the Black Kill Sect?”
“I did.”
Japil gave a hollow smile.
“It's all water under the bridge now. I lost to the Young Sect Leader, who was treated as the shame of the Poison Demon Sect. But why…?”
“I heard that the Black Kill Sect Leader holds a grudge against the Young Sect Leader because of this.”
“Yes? What are you talking about?”
Ji-kwang explained in detail the conflict between Un-hyeok and Go-gu that had occurred later.
“The Black Kill Sect Leader couldn't say anything more because the Poison Demon Sect Leader stopped him….”
Ji-kwang said in a low voice.
“From a few days ago. People who appear to be warriors of the Black Kill Sect have been wandering around the infirmary. I heard they're asking about your condition. It's a bit unsettling to just let it go.”
“Hmm….”
Japil groaned.
If the Black Kill Sect held a grudge, their desire was clear.
“They're trying to get revenge.”
“But the Black Kill Sect Leader is not a fool. If he's not careful, he could end up in a full-scale war with the Poison Demon Sect. That's suicide for them too.”
“Well, I'll have to find out the details from now on.”
Japil, who had drunk the herbal medicine in one gulp, got up from the bed.
“Thank you for the medicine.”
As Japil fastened his clothes and prepared to leave, Ji-kwang hurriedly stopped him.
“H, hey! Where are you going! You need absolute rest right now!”
“In a situation where the Poison Demon Sect may be in danger. How can I stay here doing nothing?”
“B, but…!”
Before he could stop him, Japil was ready to leave.
“Thank you for the treatment. I'll go and do my duty now.”
Japil fastened the scabbard to his waist.
“As a warrior of the Poison Demon Sect.”
Meanwhile, at that moment.
Un-hyeok went out to the marketplace with Mu-won and Seo-ryeon.
As expected, when Un-hyeok said he was going out with his siblings, Lyun Hui readily agreed.
She was so happy that she even gave him money despite her poor circumstances.
‘Thanks to her, my pockets are full.’
Un-hyeok looked around.
The Central Plains people called them the Demonic God Church and called the people who lived here devils.
In reality, they were no different from them.
Merchants sold goods.
People bargained.
The Demonic God Church was also a place where people lived.
At that time, he heard a voice calling Un-hyeok.
“Hyung, over here! Come quickly!”
Mu-won was waving his hand in the distance.
His cheeks were bulging with dumplings in his mouth.
“These dumplings are really delicious! Come and try them!”
Un-hyeok chuckled.
‘Is he that excited?’
Well, Mu-won liked everything he did with his brother.
But unlike Mu-won, Seo-ryeon's face was not so bright.
Still awkward, she was just sticking close to Un-hyeok.
“Ryeon-ah, go and eat dumplings with Won-i.”
“I, I… don't really like dumplings.”
“Really? Then, what does our Ryeon-i like?”
Now that he had decided to live as Dok Un-hyeok.
Un-hyeok vowed to play the role of an older brother who cherished his siblings.
After a moment of thought.
Un-hyeok bought candied haws from a stall on the street and handed them over.
“Here! Then, how about this?”
Among young girls.
Nine out of ten are crazy about sweet snacks, a truth that has been passed down from ancient times.
In other words, Un-hyeok used his own ultimate move.
But Seo-ryeon was just staring blankly at the candied haws.
Un-hyeok was sweating.
“Uh… oh? Don't tell me, Ryeon-i, you… don't like candied haws?”
“That's not true….”
“Candied haws?!”
How did he hear it from so far away?
Mu-won's eyes sparkled, and he ran over quickly after eating the dumplings.
“Hyung, Ryeon-i doesn't want to eat them? Then I'll….”
Was he always such a big eater?
Just as Mu-won, with saliva dripping from his mouth, was about to snatch the candied haws.
Thud-!
“Cough!”
Seo-ryeon's elbow hit Mu-won's side.
Mu-won staggered.
“Rye, Ryeon-ah… why suddenly…?”
Seo-ryeon huffed and puffed.
“Who said I wasn't going to eat it?! I like candied haws too!”
“Ugh… you could have said it….”
“You were going to take it before Older Brother even said anything!”
The sight of them bickering.
‘Yes, this is what a normal sibling looks like.’
Un-hyeok couldn't believe that they were the object of fear for the Central Plains people during the Central Plains Blood War.
The siblings he saw were just little kids.
“Stop fighting. We can buy more candied haws.”
Un-hyeok went back to the candied hawker and bought three candied haws.
“Here, Won-i. Ryeon-i.”
He handed one candied haw to each of Mu-won and Seo-ryeon.
“I've given you two each fairly, so you have to share them nicely.”
As if he wasn't hurting, Mu-won's eyes lit up.
“Heeheehee… candied haws!”
Crunch-!
Unlike Mu-won, who immediately chewed on it, Seo-ryeon licked it carefully.
“…Sweet.”
A truly peaceful afternoon.
He wanted to enjoy it a little more if he could, but there was someone waiting for Un-hyeok.
‘It looks like they're from the Dragon Brocade Hall.’
There was a man sending glances from the alleyway.
It was time to part ways now.
“Won-ah.”
“Yes?”
Un-hyeok handed over a money pouch from his arms.
Mu-won looked puzzled.
“Hyung, why are you giving this to me…?”
“Take it. I have somewhere to go.”
“Suddenly?”
Seo-ryeon also looked flustered.
“Older Brother, where are you going?”
“That's right, Hyung. Weren't you going to spend time with us today?”
“I have some business with the Dragon Brocade Hall.”
“The Dragon Brocade Hall….”
Seo-ryeon didn't know the details, but Mu-won did.
“Could it be…? Did they change their minds? So they're telling you to pay back the debt….”
“It's not like that.”
Un-hyeok chuckled.
“You don't have to worry. I can't tell you the details because nothing has been confirmed yet. If all goes well, the Dragon Brocade Hall will be drawing the future with us.”
“Th, the Dragon Brocade Hall with us?!”
At that moment, a resolution flashed through Mu-won's mind.
Hadn't he vowed to stand by Un-hyeok and help him regain the power of the Poison Demon Sect?
‘As expected, it's Hyung! He's trying to develop the relationship further, starting with the connection he made with the Dragon Brocade Hall back then.’
The Dragon Brocade Hall was currently the most rising power in the Demonic God Church.
If they joined forces with them, it would definitely be a great help to the Poison Demon Sect.
‘Now is the time to help Hyung!’
Mu-won took Seo-ryeon's hand.
“I understand, Hyung! I'll take good care of Ryeon-i, so don't worry about us and go.”
Seo-ryeon couldn't hold him back either, since Un-hyeok said he had something to do.
“…You have to come back soon.”
“Wait a moment.”
Un-hyeok stroked the heads of the two.
“I'll be right back.”
Meanwhile.
There were those who were secretly watching the three's every move with bated breath.
They were Eo-ryeong and the warriors of the Black Kill Sect.
They had heard from a pre-planted contact that Un-hyeok and his siblings were out in the marketplace.
“What should we do? Should we follow Dok Un-hyeok as he is?”
At the warrior's question, Eo-ryeong hesitated for a moment.
Then, as if he had a good idea, he shook his head.
“No, change the plan.”
“Give your orders.”
“Dok Un-hyeok's younger brother, Dok Mu-won, and… Dok Seo-ryeon, was it?”
Eo-ryeong pointed at them.
“Let's capture those two first.”
“Yes…? Leave Dok Un-hyeok and take those two children?”
“Yes, I heard that the relationship between the three of them wasn't good at first. But looking at them today, it doesn't seem like that's the case.”
Whether they had reconciled or not, he didn't know.
“So I'm curious.”
A sinister smile appeared on Eo-ryeong's face.
“How will Dok Un-hyeok react when his siblings are taken hostage?”
He might beg for his siblings' lives to be spared.
Or he might coldly abandon his siblings.
No matter what he chose, it was a checkmate.
“As expected, you're the Young Master! How did you come up with such an idea…!”
“Okay, then… let's all get ready.”
Eo-ryeong covered his face with a mask.
“The hunt begins.”