Chapter 256: The Murim Will Be Tense
Chapter 256: The Murim Will Be Tense
Rare elixirs were laid out across a long table.
It felt as though I had stepped into a treasury specializing in such wonders. Each elixir possessed its own distinct scent, and together, they blended into a unique, pungent aroma that filled the room.
At a separate table nearby, the Poison King was deep in the process of compounding medicines.
I waited for him to finish his work, passing the time by examining the elixirs on display. I recognized a few, but most were unfamiliar to me. The sheer quantity was far greater than I had anticipated.
Eventually, the Poison King finished his concoction and placed it on the table.
"You're here?"
"What were you working on?"
"I mixed the ones that are more effective when combined."
Combining such potent, toxic elixirs to increase their efficacy? That was a statement only the Poison King could make.
"I heard you went out into the Central Plains yourself?"
"If I didn't, how else could I have gathered these goods in just twenty days? I had to mobilize all my connections for the first time in a long while."
Hearing the word 'connections' from the mouth of the Poison King, a man who lived in seclusion within the Thousand Poison Forest, sounded surreal. It meant those relationships were precious and reliable—and mobilizing them meant he had put himself in someone's debt.
"I owe you a great deal."
The Poison King approached me, his eyes sparkling. His gaze seemed to ask, So, how are you going to pay me back?
"Whenever you need my help, just call on me."
"It won't be just once or twice."
"I’d be happy to see you often, Poison King."
The Poison King walked to the end of the table, picked up the first elixir, and handed it to me.
"Here. Take them in this order."
It seemed he had even determined the specific sequence for consumption.
"What happens if I take them all at once?"
"You have Immunity to All Poisons, so you won't die, but your insides will be in total chaos. Just take them as I give them to you."
Before taking the first one, I asked him, "Please tell me how much each of these cost."
"Why? Do you not trust me?"
"If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't even ask."
To someone who would never deceive you, asking such a question was a form of courtesy.
The Poison King listed the price of each elixir. When I added up the total...
"This exceeds the amount of money I gave you."
"I couldn't bear to pass up the last elixir, so I chipped in a bit."
"It doesn't look like 'a bit.' It looks like you pulled out one of the main pillars of the Thousand Poison Forest."
"Do you even know how many pillars are in the Thousand Poison Forest? Just hurry up and eat."
He had personally ventured out when he hated leaving his home, and he had even added a massive sum of his own money. This was why I couldn't help but like the Poison King.
"Then I shall eat well. Thank you."
"That first one is the Black Ocean Pill. After taking it, perform one complete circulation of your true qi."
The moment the Black Ocean Pill touched my tongue, my face contorted involuntarily.
"Ugh! It's so bitter! Why is it this foul?"
"It's poison. Did you expect it to be sweet?"
I began to dissolve the medicinal effects of the Black Ocean Pill. I used the mental method of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art to break it down. Since the amount of internal energy I was building was vast, the amount of medicinal effect I absorbed was equally significant.
"Next is the Purple Rose Ultimate Poison. It pairs well with the Black Ocean Pill, so your internal energies won't clash."
He wasn't giving them to me starting from the weakest. He was administering them based on the compatibility and properties of each elixir.
"Next, take the Soul-Snatching Pill."
I thought I had adjusted after the Purple Rose Ultimate Poison, but...
"Even so, this is too much. Ugh."
As I tried to spit it out, the Poison King covered my mouth, forcing me to keep it in. After struggling to swallow it, I glared at him.
"You're getting revenge on me for asking you to buy elixirs, aren't you?"
"If you wanted to fill your internal energy with mild, fragrant elixirs, you would have had to pay several times more."
This was a privilege only one with Immunity to All Poisons could enjoy.
"And the truly bitter medicines haven't even come out yet."
I jumped up and offered a fist salute, bidding him farewell.
"A true master should be able to fight well even without internal energy. That is the mark of a real expert."
As I tried to flee, the Poison King forced me back down into my seat.
Half of it was banter, but the other half was genuine. With a bit of exaggeration, it felt as if my tongue and internal organs were melting. As the elixirs dissolved in my body and their effects spread through my meridians, I took the next one.
"I expected as much, so I prepared something a bit sweeter this time. Drink up."
To think that Ten Thousand Blood Poison Water was the 'sweet' one!
I continued to consume the elixirs after that.
The Demon Spirit Divine Pill, the Hundred Spirit Purification Powder, the Thousand Scorpion Essence Blood, the Profound Yin Pill, the Yin-Yang Dual Poison Herb, the Beyond Heaven Paradise Incense...
They were elixirs I had only heard of by name, and some I hadn't heard of at all. Some came in multiples, while others were unique. This was the first time I had ever consumed such a diverse range of elixirs in succession. I doubted anyone else in the Jianghu ever had.
"Is it really okay to eat all of this?"
"I don't know either. This is a first for me, too."
The Poison King looked delighted. He had likely never seen anyone dissolve this much poison at once. He seemed even more excited than I was. Someday, this moment would be recorded in the book he was compiling. What would the title be?
The Correlation Between Immunity to All Poisons and Toxic Elixirs?
No. It would probably be something like: How the Poison King Tormented the One Immune to All Poisons.
Seeing how much he was enjoying himself today, he was exactly the kind of person to write such a title.
Consuming all the prepared elixirs took a long time. Swallow, perform a circulation of true qi. Swallow again, perform another circulation. I meticulously dissolved the medicinal effects. By using the mental method of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, I absorbed a far greater amount of the medicinal essence than ever before.
There were several moments where the bitterness and toxicity were so overwhelming I felt like I might actually die. Even with the same poison, being poisoned by it and consuming it like this were two entirely different matters.
"Now, this is the last one: the Ten Thousand Poison Divine Pill."
This was the medicine the Poison King had spent a fortune to help buy. It boasted the most powerful effect of all the poisons I had consumed so far.
I dissolved the effects of the Ten Thousand Poison Divine Pill using the Nine Calamities Demonic Art. The medicinal power surged through my meridians like a storm before settling into a steady flow, like a valley stream joining a river and eventually reaching the sea. The power transformed into internal energy and gathered in my dantian.
Even after consuming all the elixirs, I spent a long time meditating to stabilize the internal energy within my body. Only after confirming that all the medicinal effects had turned into pure internal energy did I slowly open my eyes. A staggering amount of internal energy had been added to my dantian.
If not for the Poison King, I wouldn't have been able to gain even a fraction of this energy with that amount of money. He had bought high-quality medicines at a low price, and the sequence of consumption had been perfect.
Now, I felt confident that I surpassed anyone in the Murim in terms of internal energy. It wasn't just about the quantity; the purity of my internal energy had reached a depth that was incomparable to before. Beyond just becoming stronger, this would be a massive help in training the Time Heaven Secret Technique.
I could tell how much the depth of my gaze had changed just by looking at the Poison King's expression. A moment later, the Poison King looked even more surprised. Through the state of Return to the Natural State, that profound gaze suddenly shifted back to a mundane, ordinary look.
"Just how strong do you intend to become?"
I answered calmly. "I will become strong enough to protect everyone."
As I stood up, the Poison King spoke. "We are the ones who protect you. A Demon Lord protects the Young Cult Leader."
I stared intently at the Poison King before suddenly blurting out, "Poison King."
The Poison King flinched for a moment. I shed my usual polite demeanor and radiated a heavy, commanding dignity.
"Then become even stronger!"
"!"
Having said that, I strode out of the room. As soon as I stepped out, I immediately poked my head back through the open door. The Poison King was still staring at me with a dazed expression.
"You're not mad, are you?"
"Are you acting like the Heavenly Demon already?"
"If not with you, Poison King, where else could I play such a prank?"
"There are plenty of others! The Smiling Demon, the Blade Demon, the Drunken Demon!"
I lowered my voice back to a solemn, authoritative tone. "The one This Seat wished to play this prank on was the Poison King."
I added my sincere feelings to the end of the banter. "Poison King, I will never forget the grace you showed me today."
*
Long after Geom Mu-geuk had left, the Poison King remained lost in thought.
"Did you call for me?"
When Sangseon arrived after being summoned, the Poison King spoke words he hadn't expected.
"Report to the Heavenly Demon Hall that we are doubling the poison production of the Thousand Poison Forest."
Sangseon was startled. But that wasn't all.
"Increase the training intensity of the Poison Humans as well. And while you're teaching the kids, make sure you train yourself."
"The Murim will be tense if we do that."
The Murim Alliance, in particular, might go into a state of emergency. They were extremely sensitive to any poison entering the Thousand Poison Forest. The fact that the Poison King had gathered so many toxic elixirs this time might have already been reported to the Murim Alliance or the Unorthodox Path Alliance. That was how sensitive they were regarding poison.
The Poison King stood up. A black haze began to rise around his body like a shimmering heat. It was the Heavenly Killing Poisonous Energy he released whenever he chose to reveal his presence.
Enveloped in the black mist, the Poison King spoke softly.
"Let them be tense."
*
On the day of the inauguration ceremony for the Huangquan Pavilion Master, the investigators and enforcement martial artists of the pavilion arrived at Seo Dae-ryong’s residence to escort him.
In the past, on the day Geom Mu-geuk was appointed, Seo Dae-ryong had gone to him with the enforcement martial artists. Now, the situation was reversed. The investigator who came today was the most senior special investigator, Gok Myeong.
"Pavilion Master, shall we go?"
Seo Dae-ryong felt a bit uneasy, thinking that Gok Myeong might feel slighted since a junior had become the Pavilion Master.
"Investigator Gok, I look forward to working with you."
"I will serve you with all my loyalty."
"I learned a lot from you after joining the Huangquan Pavilion. I intend to put everything you taught me into practice starting now."
Seeing Gok Myeong’s pleasant smile, a thought suddenly occurred to Seo Dae-ryong.
I wasn't always this kind of person.
He used to be someone who couldn't even meet people's eyes. He was someone who always started with negative thoughts. Even now, his old self would have thought, He's smiling, but he's probably cursing me on the inside.
But now, he was trying to convey his sincerity to others. He was trying to understand the hearts of those around him.
Escorted by Gok Myeong and the enforcement martial artists, Seo Dae-ryong arrived at the Huangquan Pavilion to find the investigators and warriors lined up in rows.
"We greet the Pavilion Master!"
Seo Dae-ryong’s appointment to the position of Pavilion Master was an unprecedented promotion. While some among them were inwardly dissatisfied, they all shared one sentiment: they recognized his ability because he had worked so incredibly hard.
And at that moment, someone arrived to lend him strength.
"Congratulations, Pavilion Master."
Turning at the sound of the voice from behind, he saw Demon Monarch Jang Ho walking toward him. Seo Dae-ryong was shocked; he hadn't expected him to attend.
"Commander Jang! You came in person."
"Of course I had to come."
They were the two who used to drink together at the Pungryu Tavern when Lee An wasn't around. Now, they stood facing each other as a Demon Monarch and the Huangquan Pavilion Master.
"Do you know? I always wanted to be a martial artist like you, Commander Jang. That thought hasn't changed."
Jang Ho gave his characteristic manly grin. Whenever Seo Dae-ryong looked at Jang Ho, he felt the man was like a mountain standing tall. He vowed to become a martial artist just like him.
The investigators and enforcement warriors looked surprised that a Demon Monarch had come personally to congratulate him. Then, another person appeared.
Lee An had come to congratulate him as well. Her beautiful presence seemed to brighten the entire surroundings. Furthermore, as her martial arts had reached a high realm, placing her among the ranks of true experts, the enforcement warriors were struck first by her beauty and then by her formidable aura.
"Congratulations, Huangquan Pavilion Master."
"Thank you, Martial Artist Lee."
"I knew this day would come."
At Lee An’s words, Seo Dae-ryong whispered, "Well, I didn't!"
Jang Ho and Lee An laughed together. Then, yet another person arrived. Upon seeing the newcomer, the investigators and enforcement warriors bowed in unison.
"We greet the Young Cult Leader!"
Seo Dae-ryong, Jang Ho, and Lee An also offered their respectful greetings. Geom Mu-geuk walked up and offered a polite salute.
"Congratulations, Huangquan Pavilion Master."
"Thank you, Young Cult Leader."
Seo Dae-ryong looked at Geom Mu-geuk with trembling eyes. Overwhelmed with emotion and unsure of what to say, Seo Dae-ryong received a single, trust-filled nod from Geom Mu-geuk. That was enough.
Gok Myeong approached Seo Dae-ryong and said, "Everyone is gathered. Why don't you say a few words?"
With a racing heart, Seo Dae-ryong stood before the crowd. He had practiced at home, expecting he might have to speak, but he was still incredibly nervous.
"The previous Pavilion Master was someone who transcended human limits. Now, finally, a mere human has taken charge of the Huangquan Pavilion."
The crowd erupted in laughter at his words.
"On the day the previous Pavilion Master took office, he said this: 'I don't know if we will become happier or more miserable. But one thing is certain. Your hearts will beat faster than before.' The Pavilion Master kept that promise. My heart is beating faster than ever. I believe the same is true for all of you."
Everyone looked on with expressions of agreement. Geom Mu-geuk’s Huangquan Pavilion had been an organization unlike any other. They had all received the gratitude of countless people who had been cleared of false accusations.
"I cannot make your hearts beat faster than the Young Cult Leader did. However, I am confident I can do this much: I will work to ensure that our hearts, which were set ablaze thanks to the Young Cult Leader, never grow cold."
Applause and cheers broke out. As he was about to step down after his speech, the final person arrived to congratulate him.
At his appearance, not only Seo Dae-ryong but also Geom Mu-geuk, Lee An, and Jang Ho were stunned.
Surprisingly, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had shown himself. He walked forward with an air of arrogance, the Heaven Extermination Great Blade strapped to his back. The warriors of the Huangquan Pavilion grew tense at his overwhelming presence.
"Master!"
Instead of words of congratulation, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon drew a great blade he had brought along with the Heaven Extermination Great Blade. It was a massive weapon, though slightly smaller than his primary blade.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon handed it to Seo Dae-ryong.
"Use this from now on."
One look was enough to tell it was no ordinary blade.
"It is the blade I used in my youth."
Seo Dae-ryong was stunned. A gift from his stoic master? Moreover, if it was the blade he had used in his youth, it was a gift of immeasurable value. Overcome with emotion, Seo Dae-ryong felt tears welling up.
After giving him the blade, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon turned and walked away without another word. Seo Dae-ryong performed a deep kowtow toward his departing master to express his gratitude.
"Thank you, Master!"
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon didn't look back and simply kept walking.
The investigators and enforcement warriors watched the scene with wide eyes. They could understand Geom Mu-geuk coming, given how close he was to Seo Dae-ryong, but they had never imagined the Blood Heaven Blade Demon would show up.
No one looked down on Seo Dae-ryong. Even if they wanted to, they couldn't. When the Young Cult Leader, a Demon Lord, a Demon Monarch, and the most beautiful woman in the world all came to congratulate him, who would dare look down on him?
Seo Dae-ryong offered a respectful salute to Geom Mu-geuk, Jang Ho, and Lee An before turning around. He strapped the great blade to his back, just like the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
Then, leading the investigators and enforcement warriors, he entered the Huangquan Pavilion.
In the sight of him walking away with the great blade on his back, Geom Mu-geuk saw the silhouette of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.