Chapter 329: I’ll Bet My Wrist That No Such Poisonous Herb Exists
Chapter 329: I’ll Bet My Wrist That No Such Poisonous Herb Exists
If the goal wasn't the resurrection of the Blood Cult, then what was it?
So Baek-ta was consumed by that very question.
"Why did he put ideas in my head about unifying the Outer Regions?"
It wasn't just So Baek-ta; the Pungcheon Cult Leader and the Demon Buddha also wore expressions of utter incomprehension. Naturally, all eyes turned toward Geom Mu-geuk.
"Why are you all looking at me?"
"Aren't you our Young Cult Leader, the one who sees through all the secrets of the universe?"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader was half-joking, doubting Mu-geuk would know the answer to this, but Geom Mu-geuk actually had an inkling.
"I have a suspicion."
He called it a suspicion, but in truth, he was certain.
"It’s because of the Sinung Iron Workshop."
As everyone looked on with puzzled faces, So Baek-ta spoke to Geom Mu-geuk.
"That is a place where the Cult has been secretly preparing armaments."
"I know. I’ve already been there with your master. We even discovered the large underground workshop."
So Baek-ta’s face flushed. The Sinung Iron Workshop was a definitive part of his shameful past.
"It seems he intended to grow the Sinung Iron Workshop into the greatest forge in the Outer Regions through war."
This was a deduction based on the fact that the Sinung Iron Workshop had actually become the Central Plains' Foremost Iron Workshop in Mu-geuk's life before regression.
"The war would likely have lasted a very long time. The Sinung Iron Workshop would have secretly sold weapons even to the forces opposing the Pungcheon Cult."
After all, nothing brought greater wealth to a forge than a long, drawn-out conflict.
"Investigate it later. If you find evidence that the Sinung Iron Workshop made contact with other forces in the Outer Regions, then my suspicion will be proven true."
So Baek-ta had a feeling those words were correct. Throughout the time the Illusion King had been influencing him, he had emphasized thorough war preparations through the Sinung Iron Workshop and told him to be prepared for a long-term conflict. In the end, he had been thoroughly used by that man.
"Speaking of the Sinung Iron Workshop, there is one more thing I need to check."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader, guessing what Geom Mu-geuk wanted to confirm, sent a voice transmission.
—I will do it myself.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader stared into So Baek-ta’s eyes and asked calmly, "What happened to Elder Seong?"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader had been skeptical at first, but now he believed that So Baek-ta hadn't killed him. During this hostage situation, the Pungcheon Cult Leader was able to remember why he had chosen So Baek-ta as his successor in the first place.
That was why he was certain. Even though So Baek-ta had been misled by the Illusion King and chased vain dreams, he was not the kind of person to commit such a cold-blooded act.
"What do you mean? Has something happened to Elder Seong?"
"He is currently missing."
From So Baek-ta’s reaction alone, it was clear he hadn't killed the man.
"Could it be! Is it that man’s doing?"
Geom Mu-geuk felt more relieved than the Pungcheon Cult Leader. If So Baek-ta had killed him, the Pungcheon Cult Leader would never have been able to forgive his disciple. And no matter what punishment he dealt, the Pungcheon Cult Leader would have suffered an irreversible emotional wound.
So Baek-ta reproached himself with a gloomy face.
"Ah! If something has happened to Elder Seong, it’s because of me. If I hadn't gotten involved with that man in the first place, Elder Seong wouldn't have left the Cult. I didn't even know he was missing."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader comforted his disciple.
"His life or death hasn't been confirmed yet, so do not blame yourself too much."
The four of them emerged from the Illusion King’s residence. Just as they were about to head to the Cult Leader’s Hall, a warrior arrived and delivered a missive. It was from Go Wol. Go Wol was the one to put the finishing touches on this affair.
"Strategist Go has found out where Elder Seong is."
At those words, not only the Pungcheon Cult Leader but even So Baek-ta was startled.
"Is he alive?"
"Yes, he is surviving."
"Where is he?"
Geom Mu-geuk mentioned the same place once again.
"The Sinung Iron Workshop."
*
The Pungcheon Cult Leader and So Baek-ta, along with the experts of the Pungcheon Cult, swept through the Sinung Iron Workshop and safely rescued Elder Seong, who had been imprisoned underground.
In the process, all the experts associated with the Illusion King lost their lives. Those who had worked there without knowing anything were not killed but were disbanded. Just as the Illusion King had vanished, the Sinung Iron Workshop also disappeared from the Murim.
While the Pungcheon Cult Leader and So Baek-ta were reuniting with Elder Seong, I was wandering through an unnamed mountain in the Outer Regions with the Demon Buddha, searching for poisonous herbs. The affairs of the Pungcheon Cult were now for them to resolve.
The herbs that grew in the Outer Regions were different from those in the Central Plains. Even if it wasn't what he was looking for, the Demon Buddha examined any new herb he saw with great care. Just as the Poison King had organized his findings, the Demon Buddha also drew the herbs on paper and noted their characteristics.
I felt that he did this because he truly loved the work, but on the other hand, I thought he might have immersed himself in herb gathering to protect himself—as if he couldn't endure reality unless he was focused on something. I couldn't know for sure what was in his heart.
"Is it perhaps this herb?"
At my shout, the Demon Buddha came over to check.
"It’s identical! I’ve finally found it! Poison King, just you wait! I’m coming back with the herb I found! Not the Demon Buddha, but the herb I found!"
Since the Demon Buddha had memorized all the herbs in the drawings, I was the one holding the paper to compare. The Demon Buddha compared the poisonous herb in my hand with the one I had found.
"It looks similar, but this isn't it."
"Jealousy and interference won't work on me. Step away from the poisonous herb!"
"It’s supposed to have five leaves, but doesn't this have six? Look here. It’s even specifically written down. It says that six-leafed ones are commonly found."
"I had a hard time finding even this 'commonly found' one! Isn't this too difficult to find? I haven't found a single one in two hours."
"If it were that easy to find, he wouldn't have asked in the first place."
"Oof, my back," the Demon Buddha groaned as he bent his waist again to inspect the grass.
"Stop exaggerating. That back of yours was perfectly fine even after being pummeled by the Iron Blood Heaven Breaking Technique."
"Is a back for labor the same as a back for combat? I can't find any more! I'm done!"
I flopped down onto a rock.
"Look at you, acting like this while an elder is working."
"The view of the sky from here is great. Why don't you lie down for a moment?"
The drifting clouds were peaceful. This brief rest felt incredibly precious. Of course, I couldn't just rest alone while the Demon Buddha was working. I stood up and spread out the papers with the drawings of the poisonous herbs around me.
"I’ve never seen things that look like this in my entire life. The Poison King is just trying to pull our legs! I’ll bet my wrist that no such poisonous herb exists."
Right then, as if on cue, the Demon Buddha held up a poisonous herb.
"Found it!"
When I compared the herb the Demon Buddha brought with the drawing, they were identical.
"It really existed."
"Which wrist was it?"
"I should only make bets with you, Demon Buddha, after I've mastered the Vajra Indestructible Body."
The Demon Buddha placed the herb on the rock and ran off to dig for more.
"You found one, so take a break before digging for more!"
Ignoring my words, the Demon Buddha diligently scanned the surroundings. Sitting on the rock, I silently watched him gather herbs. Come to think of it, the Demon Buddha was someone who was always busy moving on those short legs of his. Whether it was trying to make his brother the successor or digging for poisonous herbs now, he was naturally a diligent man.
"Found another one!"
The Demon Buddha dug up another poisonous herb. That one was also on the paper.
"You planned this, didn't you? You hid the herbs here beforehand and set this up, right? You set this up to take my wrist!"
It was surprising how well he could find these poisonous herbs.
"Isn't that why the Poison King asked me?"
When he tried to go dig again, I forcibly held him back and told him to rest. The Demon Buddha, pretending to give in, brushed the dirt off his hands and sat on the rock to rest for a moment.
"Coming with me this time was a huge help."
"I just played the role of a decorative screen."
"You were a screen that protected our lives."
After a brief silence, the Demon Buddha asked, "Tell me, Young Cult Leader."
"Yes."
"Who are the people behind this incident?"
The Demon Buddha had heard earlier when I spoke to So Baek-ta that the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord had been targeted in the Main Cult, and the Murim Alliance Leader's grandson had been targeted in the Murim Alliance.
"A certain organization is operating secretly within the major powers of the Murim, trying to take root. We don't know which organization it is yet."
"Does the Cult Leader know as well?"
Go Wol shared all information with Tongcheon Pavilion. Naturally, he knew that a certain organization was operating in the shadows.
"The Chief Strategist knows, so my father must know as well."
At that, the Demon Buddha nodded with a relaxed face. This was likely the trust the Demon Lords had in my father.
"They are the ones who brought in someone who legitimately inherited the Blood Cult's illusion arts. Be careful in the future."
"Are you worried about me?"
"Only if you protect the Cult well can I live a life like this, can't I?"
As the Demon Buddha ended his short break and went back to searching for herbs, I shouted after him.
"Please let me claim I found just one of those! That way I can go back and brag! Please!"
The Demon Buddha pretended not to hear and bent down even deeper into the brush.
*
When they returned from gathering herbs, So Baek-ta was waiting for Geom Mu-geuk in the Cult Leader’s Hall.
"I asked you here because I have something to say to the Young Cult Leader."
With Elder Seong safely back, his expression was bright. Compared to when they first met, he felt like a different person. This was likely his true self. So Baek-ta slowly looked around the Cult Leader’s Hall.
"I felt my Master’s bewilderment when he first saw this place. He must have been shocked since I completely renovated it. In fact, that was my intention. It was back when I hated him most. Still, I don't plan on changing this hall back. The old hall was, honestly, quite outdated."
He had truly taken his Master’s advice to live for himself to heart.
"I intend to live diligently here."
"I believe you will do well, Cult Leader."
"Thank you so much for your help this time. If I have the chance, I will surely repay this debt."
"I did it for your Master. You don't need to thank me."
"That makes me even more grateful."
It wasn't just Geom Mu-geuk who had grown closer to the Pungcheon Cult Leader through this incident.
"In that spirit, I would like to give the Young Cult Leader a gift."
When So Baek-ta manipulated the Grand Tutor’s Chair, the walls on all sides rose, revealing sacred relics.
"Choose one from among our Cult's sacred relics."
"Are you serious?"
"I am."
What did a sacred relic matter? Mu-geuk had saved his life and even restored his relationship with his Master. Nevertheless, Geom Mu-geuk found So Baek-ta’s offer of a sacred relic unexpected.
"Can I really choose one?"
"Of course. However, the Sound Thunder Bell is off-limits."
"I know that much. But does your Master know about this?"
"Why? Do I need my Master’s permission?"
"Not necessarily. Just don't regret it. I’m not the type to refuse a gift."
"Hurry and choose what you want before I change my mind."
Geom Mu-geuk looked around at the sacred relics. First, he went to the Sound Thunder Bell and greeted the evil ghosts.
I’ll be leaving soon, so I won't be seeing you all anymore.
The ghosts of the Sound Thunder Bell now felt like friends, much like the ghosts of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.
Next time, I’ll return with Go Wol.
Geom Mu-geuk looked at the sacred relics one by one. In fact, these were all relics he had seen before when the Pungcheon Cult Leader had offered him the Blood God Pill or the Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Thread.
If he had to choose another, the first thing that caught his eye was the Blood Dragon Divine Robe, a protective robe that could be worn like a cloak and was impervious to blades. If not that, there was the Fire Burning Pill, which, while less effective than the Blood God Pill, could still provide a significant boost to internal energy.
Geom Mu-geuk walked slowly, looking over the relics once more. As he made a full circle along the walls of the hall, there was a faint vibration in his chest.
Wung!
Surprisingly, the secret casket he had tucked away in his robes vibrated slightly. This was the first time it had reacted like this since he had obtained it.
Geom Mu-geuk could tell. The secret casket was reacting to a relic right in front of him. To be sure, he stepped away and then came back. Again, it vibrated faintly in front of that specific relic.
The relic the secret casket reacted to was a black iron ball slightly smaller than a fist.
"What kind of relic is this?"
"It’s called Black Essence because it looks like a black pupil."
"What is it used for?"
"I don't know. It’s something that has been passed down in our Cult for a long time."
He had seen it before, but it was something he had just passed by. Only by having the secret casket close by could one know that these two items were related.
What if this Black Essence was the key to unlocking the secret of the casket?
If so, it made sense why the secret hadn't been solved until now. No previous Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Leader would have come near the Black Essence while possessing the secret casket. His heart raced with the expectation that he might finally be able to solve the mystery.
"I’ll choose this."
"Are you sure you’re okay with that? Previous Cult Leaders studied it extensively, but they concluded it was nothing more than an iron ball."
"Yet it still held a place among the sacred relics, didn't it? That makes it seem even more remarkable to me."
"I didn't expect you to interpret it that way."
"I’ll take this one."
Geom Mu-geuk picked up the Black Essence. As he did, the iron casket in his robes vibrated once more, as if confirming his choice.
"Thank you for the precious gift."
Geom Mu-geuk accepted this as fate. Obtaining the iron casket, coming to the Outer Regions, and receiving a sacred relic as a gift—if he hadn't saved So Baek-ta, he wouldn't have obtained the Black Essence.
Just then, the Pungcheon Cult Leader entered the room.
"What’s that?"
Geom Mu-geuk quickly tucked the Black Essence into his robes.
"No way? You didn't squeeze a sacred relic out of my disciple too, did you?"
"I didn't squeeze it out of him; the Cult Leader gave it to me as a gift."
"By whose authority!"
"By the authority of the current Cult Leader here, not the retired one!" Geom Mu-geuk said as he quickly dashed away. "From now on, when you curse me, you can include this incident too!"
Sure enough, the Pungcheon Cult Leader immediately shouted, "Stop right there! You shameless Young Cult Leader, stripping both master and disciple bare!"
Of course, Geom Mu-geuk left the Cult Leader’s Hall without looking back. Once he was alone with his disciple, the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s fuming expression softened into a gentle one.
"Thank you for granting my request."