Chapter 374: Sell It for Travel Expenses
Chapter 374: Sell It for Travel Expenses
All eyes fell upon the Poison King.
In the Murim, the Poison King was a mysterious figure shrouded in a veil of dark rumors.
It was said that if the Poison King targeted you, you would die before you even realized you’d been tainted.
It was said that if you made eye contact with him, you would be struck blind on the spot.
It was said he once slaughtered hundreds with a single drop of venom.
It was even said he slept in a vat filled with concentrated poison.
Some claimed he was a hunchbacked old freak, while others insisted he wasn't a man at all, but a middle-aged woman. He was, quite literally, the subject of endless misunderstanding and wild exaggeration.
Today, the 13 Wolves of the Unorthodox Path and the warriors of the Extreme Blade Corps were seeing the Poison King with their own eyes. They were stunned. Never in their wildest dreams had they imagined the Poison King would be such a youthful, strikingly beautiful man.
Even under the crushing weight of the gazes pouring toward him, the Poison King remained composed and haughty.
His eyes turned toward Geom Mu-geuk. He stared for a moment, his gaze deep and unreadable.
"I greet the Young Cult Leader."
Normally, he was the type to skip greetings entirely and head straight for the nearest tree to dig up poisonous herbs. Today, however, he behaved with perfect decorum for Geom Mu-geuk’s sake.
"I greet the Poison King."
Geom Mu-geuk returned the gesture politely, clasping his hands in a formal fist salute.
A Poison King radiating a solemn, overwhelming aura—it was a strange yet refreshing sight.
After attending to Geom Mu-geuk, the Poison King turned to show his respects to the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader.
"It is an honor to meet such a distinguished individual."
"I have heard much of the Demon Lord’s reputation. It is a pleasure to meet you," Baek Ja-gang replied.
The Poison King also exchanged calm greetings with Bi Sa-in.
Though the Poison King usually lived confined within his own isolated world, at this moment, he stood firmly on the boundary between his world and the one outside.
Baek Ja-gang felt more tension now than when he had been fighting the Combat King. He was confident he wouldn't die at the hands of the Combat King, but he lacked that same certainty against the Poison King. The Poison King was the kind of existence that inspired a specific, primal fear: the feeling that even if you managed to kill him, you would inevitably follow him to the grave.
However, today, Baek Ja-gang offered gratitude instead of wariness.
He owed the man a great debt. Even without asking, it was obvious who had neutralized the Yellow Springs poison.
"I will find a day to repay the favor I owe you today."
"It was for our Cult’s Young Cult Leader, so please, do not trouble yourself over it."
Was it really for me?
Geom Mu-geuk was certain it wasn't. The Poison King knew he was immune to all poisons. Therefore, neutralizing the Yellow Springs poison wasn't for Mu-geuk’s sake, but to save the others—or perhaps for the sake of the children.
The Poison King before the regression and the Poison King now were the same person, yet he was living a completely different destiny.
Geom Mu-geuk knew they were all standing on a threshold. Just as the Sword Venerable who tried to become the Cult Leader before the regression was the same man as the Sword Venerable currently immersed in his training, changing one's fate didn't require a grand catalyst.
The Poison King hadn't come alone. Sangseon, his loyal attendant, and five of the Poison Fangs appeared as well. Sangseon carried nine poison pouches, and the other Poison Fangs carried seven or more. The peerless masters of the Thousand Poison Forest had arrived in force.
"How on earth did you get here?"
Sangseon answered in the Poison King's stead.
"We received intelligence that a large quantity of Yellow Springs poison—a substance for mass slaughter banned in the Murim—was being moved toward the Unorthodox Path Alliance. Strategist Go requested an investigation."
They had come at Go Wol’s request. Go Wol, who likely cared only for Mu-geuk’s safety, must have viewed the Yellow Springs poison as a massive threat.
Of course, the Poison King didn't have to step forward personally. Go Wol wasn't part of the Tongcheon Pavilion; he was merely Geom Mu-geuk’s personal strategist. The Poison King could have simply sent his subordinates to investigate.
And yet, he had come himself for Mu-geuk’s sake. He must have truly hated leaving his seclusion.
Thank you, Poison King.
Geom Mu-geuk’s gaze shifted back to the Poison King.
The Poison King was walking toward the children whose demonic acupoints had been suppressed. There were several children standing near Mu-geuk, but the Poison King pointedly walked toward the child standing closest to the Combat King.
The Combat King glared at him coldly, but the Poison King wasn't intimidated; in fact, he didn't pay the man any mind at all. His attitude seemed to say: Try and kill me if you can—actually, please, give it a try.
The Poison King peeled back the child’s eyelid to look, then pulled out the tongue to examine it.
"They didn't use Gu poison. They used a different method to place a suggestion on the children."
Then, he examined the pouches the children wore on their chests.
"They’ve made something quite bizarre. Sangseon, let’s take one of these. We’ll bring it back and study it. But isn't this bag a bit too large for a child to carry?"
His words contained a sharp rebuke for assigning such a task to children.
Geom Mu-geuk knew how much the Poison King loathed those who used mass-slaughter poisons indiscriminately. As someone who cherished and loved the art of poison more than anyone, he felt extreme disgust for those who used it recklessly. Furthermore, they had exploited young children.
Right now, the Poison King was likely feeling an intense urge to kill the Combat King. If this hadn't been the business of the Unorthodox Path Alliance, the Combat King would already be dead.
The Poison King walked past the Combat King as if he weren't there, muttering to himself.
"I heard earlier that it seems someone is being falsely accused."
Passing in front of him while saying such things was both a slight and a provocation.
The Combat King was already driven into a corner, yet even in this situation, he couldn't bring himself to attack the Poison King. One could sense his internal conflict—the deep struggle over whether or not to strike the man who had ruined his plans.
But in the end, he couldn't attack.
He knew better than anyone exactly what kind of terrifying powerhouse resided within that youthful appearance. Even the Poison Tyrant had feared this Poison King. No matter how brave he was, he wanted to avoid a death where his internal organs melted away.
Geom Mu-geuk realized once again why the Poison King was the person martial artists feared most. He understood why the Poison King possessed the most powerful deterrent against war.
The Combat King’s gaze shifted toward Baek Ja-gang and Bi Sa-in.
It was a shame. If he had killed those two, the Unorthodox Path would have fallen into his hands. He felt a profound sense of regret—not just for losing the fight, but for losing everything because of this defeat.
Ultimately, his resentful glare landed on Geom Mu-geuk.
It’s because of that brat.
The Poison King wouldn't have come if it weren't for that Young Cult Leader. Everything had gone wrong from the start because of that Demonic Cult brat. A blooming hatred took root; if he was going to die, he would take that boy with him.
"I have one last request. Let me fight the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult."
Baek Ja-gang refused flatly. "Not a chance."
The Combat King tried to provoke Mu-geuk. "Are you going to remain a cowardly Young Cult Leader?"
Geom Mu-geuk laughed as he looked at him. When Bi Sa-in, standing beside him, laughed along, Mu-geuk asked, "Why are you laughing?"
"I laughed because that man seems to know absolutely nothing about you. Ah, wouldn't it be wonderful if you were the type of person who fell for such a provocation?"
Would it really have been wonderful? Bi Sa-in’s head asked, and his heart answered: No.
"How shameless," Bi Sa-in mocked. "You dare speak of cowardice after seeing those children?"
Despite the mockery, the Combat King continued to target only Geom Mu-geuk.
"Geom Mu-geuk! Fight me!"
Everyone looked at Mu-geuk. With clear, deep eyes, he shook his head.
"That’s not possible. If I were to get hurt, the Poison King standing here wouldn't just sit idly by. It would be less painful for you to die by the Alliance Leader’s sword. If you’re hit by the Poison King’s poison, you’ll die feeling the agony of your entire body melting. Isn't that right, Poison King?"
When Geom Mu-geuk turned to look at the Poison King, the man was no longer there. He was crouching in front of a warrior from the Extreme Blade Corps some distance away.
"Move your foot, would you?"
The startled warrior moved his foot, revealing a patch of grass behind it.
"Ah, I saw correctly."
The Poison King carefully dug up a poisonous herb.
Geom Mu-geuk smiled faintly as he watched the Poison King, who had returned to his own world. Others might think the Poison King’s actions had some hidden meaning, but no one else knew the truth: right now, he was sincerely and purely focused on gathering herbs.
At that moment, the Combat King launched a surprise palm strike.
A thunderous boom erupted.
The Combat King’s palm force was aimed directly at Geom Mu-geuk. Mu-geuk extended one hand to neutralize the force while still watching the Poison King.
The Poison King continued to dig for herbs, and Mu-geuk continued to watch him. The two of them ignored the Combat King completely.
"You bastard! I will kill you no matter what!"
The Combat King’s composure shattered. He threw a dagger he had been carrying. He displayed truly remarkable flying dagger technique, but the blade failed to reach its target.
It was Baek Ja-gang who deflected the dagger. He would no longer stand by and watch the Combat King’s desperate struggle.
"Look. Where in any of this is the grand 'immortality' you believed in? There is only greed and regret."
With the Poison King on the scene, Baek Ja-gang had no intention of dragging the fight out any longer. He immediately pressed the attack.
Swoooosh!
Boom!
The Combat King, his arm severely wounded, couldn't withstand Baek Ja-gang’s assault and was pushed back helplessly. After battering him to disrupt his true qi, Baek Ja-gang unleashed his final technique.
Overlord Heaven-Shaking Sword, Fifth Form: Illusion-Extinguishing Form.
Baek Ja-gang’s flying sword qi split into dozens of streaks from all directions, surrounding the Combat King. There was nowhere to run.
Just as the final strike was about to pierce the Combat King—
Shuuuuu.
A black hole opened beneath the Combat King’s feet, and he was sucked down into it, vanishing instantly.
Everyone was stunned by the sudden turn of events. All that remained on the ground were the severed pieces of his Immortal Divine Armor, his tattered protective gear, his blood-soaked clothes, and his gauntlets, Combat God. He had vanished completely naked, leaving behind everything he had been wearing.
Someone rescued him!
Baek Ja-gang surged his qi and scanned the surroundings. But no matter how hard he looked, he couldn't sense any other presence. Someone had used an incredible sorcery to pull him out.
Baek Ja-gang looked at Geom Mu-geuk. His eyes asked if Mu-geuk sensed anything, but Mu-geuk shook his head.
"The secret technique used to save him is no ordinary feat."
None of the Twelve Zodiac Kings used such martial arts. Unless the Illusion King was still alive...
Then who on earth was it?
Regardless, one fact was certain: the mastermind behind this incident had been watching the Combat King. It was perhaps expected. After all, the Cult, the Murim Alliance, and even the Pungcheon Cult had all failed before this.
It’s someone who knows the Combat King’s personality. They watched until the very end and saved him at the last possible second.
He couldn't tell who it was. He didn't know the current status of those people at this point in time.
Since the Combat King had escaped mid-battle, one might expect Baek Ja-gang to be flustered or uneasy, but he showed no such emotion. His face radiated confidence—the look of a man who believed that if the enemy appeared again, he would simply kill him then.
"He holds a deep grudge against you, so be careful."
"It seems he was destined to die by my hand anyway."
At that moment, the Poison King sent a voice transmission to Geom Mu-geuk.
— That won't happen.
— Pardon?
— I don't know where that hole leads, but he would have been better off dying here.
Geom Mu-geuk understood. The Poison King had already administered poison to him. And a horrific, terrifying one at that.
— I expected him to die by the Alliance Leader’s hand before the poison spread.
It seemed the Poison King truly couldn't forgive the Combat King. He had delivered a symbolic punishment to the man who used poison through children, and as it turned out, it had become a very real one.
If the Poison King said he would die, he would surely die. Mu-geuk trusted the Poison King’s skill. He also believed in the karmic retribution for using a poison that shouldn't be used in a way it shouldn't be used.
— As expected! Our Poison King truly has great foresight.
Just then, someone nearby shouted.
"Come at me! I’ll take at least one of you with me!"
With his master gone, a panicked Sa Hon swung his sword in a final, desperate act.
It was then. Someone approached silently from behind and wrapped an arm around his neck.
Crack.
Sa Hon’s neck snapped before he could even resist. The person who appeared behind his collapsing body was Goe Ak. He had finally arrived after tending to his injuries with qi circulation at the site of the initial battle.
"Are you alright?"
Goe Ak nodded at Bi Sa-in’s concerned question. "I’m fine."
"That is a relief."
Bi Sa-in looked at him with genuine warmth. From now on, he would never again view human relationships with such indifference or make lazy assumptions. Bi Sa-in had desperately yearned for this moment. He had vowed that if he escaped this crisis, he would nurture all his relationships more carefully.
When the moment to put it into practice arrived, he wouldn't make the mistake of losing to laziness or annoyance. From now on, I am Geom Mu-geuk. I will follow at least half of his effort.
Hyeok Sa-gun, left all alone, could have avoided further pain by biting his tongue and committing suicide, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He clung to the hope that the Combat King would come back for him. No, he sensed the man wouldn't come, but he was simply too afraid to die.
Bi Sa-in spoke to him coldly. "You will have to pay the price for dreaming an empty dream."
Hyeok Sa-gun was dragged away by the warriors of the Extreme Blade Corps. The children were also transported to the Alliance.
And so, the long struggle against the Combat King came to an end.
Baek Ja-gang spoke to Geom Mu-geuk.
"Let us return to the Alliance together for now. Even if we are to part ways, we must share a farewell drink."
He couldn't simply let Geom Mu-geuk go after the boy had saved them. Mu-geuk readily agreed.
"Yes, let’s go. Please give me the best wine the Unorthodox Path Alliance has to offer."
Baek Ja-gang reached out, and the gauntlets, Combat God, which had been lying on the ground, flew into his hand. Baek Ja-gang handed the gauntlets to Geom Mu-geuk.
"This is the only thing worth anything here. You take it."
He spoke as if it were nothing, but Combat God was the pinnacle of all gauntlets. It was a treasure of immeasurable value, a truly magnificent gift. He didn't regret giving it away at all. It was terrifying to think what the outcome would have been if not for Geom Mu-geuk.
"Why are you giving this to me?"
"You’ve come a long way. Sell it to cover your travel costs. Why? Do you not want it?"
"Of course I do!"
Geom Mu-geuk quickly tucked Combat God away. "I’ll be heading back in a golden carriage."
Baek Ja-gang then turned to the Poison King. "Will the Demon Lord join us at the Alliance as well?"
"I have matters to attend to, so I must take my leave here."
The Poison King bid Baek Ja-gang farewell. Baek Ja-gang didn't press him further. He wasn't particularly keen on having the Poison King and his poison-users inside the Unorthodox Path Alliance anyway.
Geom Mu-geuk sent a voice transmission to the Poison King.
— Go to the safe house! I’ll come find you soon. Don't leave without me; let’s go back together!
The Poison King could wait at the safe house where Jo Chun-bae’s family was resting, and then they could return together.
— Let’s dig up some poisonous herbs on the way.
— Why didn't you bring your dedicated gatherer? You know, that precious person you prepare special meals for—meals you don't even give to your Young Cult Leader.
— That person is busy lately.
The Poison King departed with his subordinates. Watching his retreating figure, Mu-geuk felt an urge to follow.
Please wait just a little longer. I’ll be there as soon as I finish up here.
After parting with the Poison King, Geom Mu-geuk headed toward the Unorthodox Path Alliance with Baek Ja-gang. As they walked, Baek Ja-gang asked as if he had just remembered.
"You said you had a favor to ask of me once this was over, didn't you?"
Baek Ja-gang was curious about what the request could be. Bi Sa-in, walking alongside them, was equally curious. Mu-geuk had said he had a favor to ask of him as well.
"Do you want a martial arts manual or a treasure from our Alliance’s vault? Or perhaps a spirit medicine?"
"No, I’m fine. What I want is for the Alliance Leader to go somewhere with me."
"Where?"
Then, words that Baek Ja-gang could never have imagined flowed from Geom Mu-geuk’s mouth.
"I’d like to buy you a drink at my favorite tavern in front of the Cult headquarters."