Chapter 220: You Should Do as You Do.
Chapter 220: You Should Do as You Do.
A platform rose slowly from the floor.
Upon it sat a flat box lined with luxurious green silk. Both Seo Dae-ryong and I gasped simultaneously at the dazzling object resting inside.
It was a night-shining pearl. However, it was unlike any we had collected so far. It was larger than even the highest-grade pearls and pulsed with a far more brilliant, ethereal radiance.
“It’s a Supreme Night-shining Pearl!”
This was the pinnacle of its kind, often whispered of as the King of Night-shining Pearls. Seeing the legendary treasure that many believed existed only in rumors, Seo Dae-ryong marveled, his eyes wide with wonder.
“So, it truly did exist!”
Just then, a ragged groan drifted up from the floor. Ji-saeng’s eyes were bloodshot, the shock so great he looked to be on the verge of losing his mind. Even if one combined every other night-shining pearl in existence, they couldn't buy this single one. It wasn't just because of its brightness; it was because it was one of a kind.
I looked down at the suffering Ji-saeng with a cold, calm expression.
This pain was still not enough. He was merely paying the price for his sins, but the people he had victimized had been struck by lightning in the middle of their peaceful lives. If he had made hundreds or thousands of lives miserable, he deserved to experience at least this much agony.
For him, death would have been a mercy, but he had even entered a state of Final Burst of Clarity. He was forced to endure the final agonies of his life with a terrifyingly clear mind.
I carefully picked up the Supreme Night-shining Pearl.
“Right now, Pavilion Master, you are holding the most expensive object in the world. Please, let me touch it just once. Ah, no... I might drop it. I’ll just look with my eyes.”
As I stared into the enchanting light, I suddenly applied pressure to my hand.
Crack.
A fissure snaked across the surface of the Supreme Night-shining Pearl.
It was a sight shocking enough to make the dying Ji-saeng bolt upright. His eyes bulged as if they might burst, but it was Seo Dae-ryong who let out the scream.
“Aaaaah!”
He wouldn't have screamed like that even if he’d been stabbed.
“You don’t have to let me touch it! Why are you doing this?!”
I applied a bit more strength.
Cr-cr-crack.
The Supreme Night-shining Pearl began to crumble in my palm.
“Aaaaah!”
Seo Dae-ryong screamed again. If he was reacting like this, imagine Ji-saeng. Tears were streaming down the villain's face.
Seo Dae-ryong spoke in a trembling voice. “No matter how much you want to make him suffer, how could you break the Supreme Night-shining Pearl?”
His voice shook. His expression practically screamed, This is going too far.
“Take off your top, now!” I commanded.
“You really look like you’ve gone mad!”
Despite his words, Seo Dae-ryong hurriedly pulled off his outer robe.
“Spread it out in front of me!”
Patter, patter.
Fragments of the shattered pearl fell onto Seo Dae-ryong’s clothes. I searched through the glowing shards.
Here it is.
I picked up something that had been hidden among the fragments. Black and translucent like a dark pearl, it was a single medicinal pill.
The Ten Thousand Poison Supreme Divine Pill.
Created by compounding countless varieties of extreme toxins, it was the ultimate spirit medicine among poisons.
“This Supreme Night-shining Pearl was a fake. It was created specifically to hide this Ten Thousand Poison Supreme Divine Pill.”
Before my regression, I had heard news that the Ten Thousand Poison Supreme Divine Pill had been discovered inside a Supreme Night-shining Pearl. It was a fact found by chance during a bloody scramble for the pearl among Unorthodox Path martial artists. I knew who eventually ended up with the real Supreme Night-shining Pearl, but I hadn't known that this fake was being kept by Ji-saeng.
“It’s the safest hiding place in the world. No one would ever have the courage to break a treasure like this.”
Both Seo Dae-ryong and Ji-saeng looked profoundly shocked. It was a level of deception they could never have imagined.
“How did you know?”
To Seo Dae-ryong’s stunned question, I gave my usual answer. “Is there anything I do not know?”
As always, Seo Dae-ryong shook his head and didn't press further.
“If it were any other spirit medicine, I would share it with you, but no one but me can take this. Only one with Immunity to All Poisons can consume it.”
Seo Dae-ryong was the only person who knew I possessed Immunity to All Poisons.
“Even if it were something I could take, you should be the one to have it, Pavilion Master,” Seo Dae-ryong said, his gaze turning toward the fake Ji-saeng, who was now little more than a corpse. “If I were ever blackmailed like that man, I would run straight to you and tell you everything. I’d beg you to save me, to take responsibility. You need to be strong to save me when that time comes.”
Even if it had been a normal spirit medicine, Seo Dae-ryong likely would have yielded it to me. I’m the type of person who gives ten back if I receive one? What about you, Seo Dae-ryong?
“I wouldn't have obtained this medicine if it weren't for you. Thank you, Investigator Seo.”
If I hadn't noticed Ji-saeng looking at the wall with a lingering, regretful gaze, this would have been buried in this basement forever.
“You should name that medicine 'The Right Hand's Sharp Eyes,'” Seo Dae-ryong joked.
“I’ll add 'possesses sharp eyes' to your introduction.”
“My introduction is getting so long I can’t even memorize it anymore.”
Seo Dae-ryong laughed pleasantly. Who wouldn't enjoy having someone attach so much meaning to their existence? In this life, it’s hard enough to find even a single shred of meaning.
“I will stand guard, so please consume it, Pavilion Master.”
I sat down cross-legged on the spot. Seeing this, Ji-saeng let out another groan. He was in genuine agony. He was suffering more than if his flesh were being seared with hot irons, but the heavens would not let him go easily.
I swallowed the Ten Thousand Poison Supreme Divine Pill.
I considered it fate that I had gained Immunity to All Poisons and then found this miraculous poison pill here.
An energy hotter and more intense than any spirit medicine I had ever taken surged down my throat. The medicinal energy was so toxic it felt as if my internal organs were being incinerated. I began to dissolve the energy of the Ten Thousand Poison Supreme Divine Pill, controlling my body through Qi Circulation.
The energy raced through my blood vessels, spreading to even the smallest meridians throughout my body. It was a force that could never have been managed without the Thousand Meridian Strengthening Technique, which I had mastered to its final stage, and my Body Immune to All Poisons.
Once I had fully dissolved the energy and completed One Complete Circulation of my True Qi, a peerlessly grand and pure internal energy was added to my Dantian. The sense of fullness in my Dantian was different from when I had taken spirit medicines in the past. It wasn't just a feeling of "I have a lot of internal energy"; it felt as if I had stepped up a level and reached the next stage of power.
It was as if my internal energy was telling me: I am now ready to face a new world.
“Congratulations, Pavilion Master.”
“I’ll say it again: it’s thanks to you. Thank you, my right hand.”
I felt truly excellent. I had to become stronger. Only by becoming stronger could I protect everyone.
Gathering my now clearer and deeper gaze, I neatly folded the green cloth that had lined the box and tucked it into my robes. As would be revealed later, this too was a very important artifact.
Just then, Ji-saeng, whom I thought dead, snapped his eyes open. He was stubbornly clinging to life and pleaded with a desperate gaze. He wanted me to release his Mute Acupoint just once. He had so many questions, so many things he wanted to say.
But I was firm. “Have you ever once listened to the pleas of those who begged you?”
His regret and resentment reached a peak, and then the light finally faded from Ji-saeng’s eyes. His lips moved one last time.
It’s all mine...
With those words, he drew his last breath.
One might have expected him to realize the futility of greed and settle his life in his final moments, but he did not let go of his avarice until the very end. Even in death, he shouldered all the night-shining pearls and chewed and swallowed the Ten Thousand Poison Supreme Divine Pill as he boarded the ferry to the afterlife.
This is why the Orthodox Faction can never handle this tenacious desire and the malice contained within it. Someone would eventually be deceived by those desperate eyes and give him another chance. Because he begs so piteously, because he is facing death, because he is still human.
Evil does not grow on its own. It grows by devouring the goodwill of others. Absolute Evil is that which tries to plant the seeds of malice in the heart of the one showing mercy, even as it dies.
At any rate, with this, all the villains associated with the Immortal's Debt had met their end.
“I don’t think I could do what you do, Pavilion Master. Punishing villains so resolutely.”
“You shouldn't do as I do.”
“What do you mean by that?”
I looked him straight in the eye and said, “You should do as you do.”
A faint smile touched Seo Dae-ryong’s lips. “Yes, I will do as I do.”
Seo Dae-ryong gathered the sack of night-shining pearls, and I tucked the fake Ji-saeng’s corpse under my arm. Looking down at the real Ji-saeng’s body, I spoke.
“Your death is only the beginning.”
Everything vanished. The lives of the villains, their greed, their shallow faith, their betrayals, their lingering attachments, the wealth they had gathered over a lifetime—and even Seo Dae-ryong and I. All of it, once so entangled, disappeared into the shadows of the basement.
*
“Since the Second Young Master is so outstanding, it seems we aren't needed.”
At the Poison King’s words, the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon glanced back. At first, it had been so difficult for the two of them to even exchange a word, but now that the ice was broken, they conversed quite well.
“Don't you agree?”
Geom Mu-geuk had said he would handle the conclusion himself and had taken only Seo Dae-ryong with him.
“Did you want to follow them?”
“It’s not necessarily that, but...”
In truth, the Poison King had wanted to go. He wanted to watch how the work was handled, and he felt a bit slighted that only the two of them had gone.
“There will be many things we need to step up for in the future. Especially Ya Yul-han—he is not someone the Second Young Master can easily face alone.”
A shadow of worry crossed the Smiling Demon’s eyes. The Poison King nodded in agreement. Even if they didn't go out much, as Demon Lords, there were things they saw and heard.
“Ya Yul-han can be considered the most dangerous of extreme poisons.”
The Smiling Demon’s concern didn't stop at Ya Yul-han. “I’ve heard that aside from the Four-Man Group, there are separate absolute masters who protect Ya Yul-han. Ya Yul-han himself is strong, but those masters are also not to be ignored. We might have to risk our lives then.”
Their opponent was the second-in-command of the Unorthodox Path Alliance. He would certainly have hidden blades, and it was yet unknown how sharp they were or how many he held.
The Poison King asked the Smiling Demon, “Can you truly risk your life for the Second Young Master?”
The Smiling Demon paused for a moment before answering. “I enjoy fighting alongside him.”
To the Poison King, those words sounded like a confirmation that he could risk his life for the Second Young Master. The Poison King was envious. He had no one. No one he could risk his life for, and no one who would risk their life for him.
So, he spoke defensively. “As for me, I only came out because I had no choice after receiving the Cult Leader’s orders...”
The Smiling Demon stared at the Poison King without a word. His gaze asked: Is that really it?
The Poison King was about to say it truly was, but then he fell into thought. Perhaps it was because of the Second Young Master’s mourning, his efforts, or because meeting him had been enjoyable. He realized that other reasons might have influenced him. Thus, he couldn't give a final answer.
“The day is hot.”
The Poison King opened his fan for no reason and began to flutter it idly.
*
Geom Mu-geuk and Seo Dae-ryong returned to their quarters.
“The work has been concluded well.”
Geom Mu-geuk informed the Demon Lords of what had happened and what had been gained. It was information he didn't strictly need to share, but he told them everything honestly, leaving nothing out.
Except for one thing: the matter of the Supreme Night-shining Pearl and the Ten Thousand Poison Supreme Divine Pill. Explaining how he knew it was inside the pearl would be problematic, and it wasn't yet time to reveal his Immunity to All Poisons.
“We will leave early tomorrow morning.”
At my words, the Poison King asked, “Who is the next target?”
“Aecha, the one with the black snake tattoo. He is also the leader of the True Poison Recluse, whom you, Poison King, have been wanting to see.”
“I’ll finally meet that third-rate poison-monger.”
It was a disparaging remark only the Poison King could make. The True Poison Recluse was not an opponent to be taken lightly. He was a master of poison arts who represented the Unorthodox Path. Aecha was working with that True Poison Recluse to sell drugs like Wild Rage and Black Concubine.
“Have you ever met the True Poison Recluse, Poison King?”
“I have not.”
At my question, the Poison King shook his head.
“That’s a relief. If he knew your face, it would be difficult to approach him secretly. I will definitely need your help this time.”
The Poison King nodded. He had made up his mind to actively help with this particular task. He truly disliked the True Poison Recluse, who manufactured and sold drugs that caused such terrible side effects. Aside from anything else, this was a matter of pride for a master of poisons.
“According to Strategist Go’s information, the True Poison Recluse is producing Wild Rage and Black Concubine in the deepest part of Aecha’s residence. Naturally, the security is so ironclad that infiltrating the place is nearly impossible.”
Then, Seo Dae-ryong asked cautiously, “But Wild Rage aside, is it alright to eliminate Aecha? Ji-saeng is dead; if Aecha dies right after, Ya Yul-han will become suspicious.”
“I must grant him a death that cannot be suspected. One that makes it seem like a coincidence.”
“How?”
Everyone’s gaze turned toward me. I had one method in mind. I didn't know if it would work or not, but...
“Since this business started with Wild Rage, I think I’ll end it with Wild Rage.”