Chapter 639: Is Everyone Really Only Going to Like Hyung?
Chapter 639: Is Everyone Really Only Going to Like Hyung?
The pinnacle of the poison arts is not the act of poisoning, but detoxification.
The Poison King’s words carried a singular, heavy meaning.
“So, you are saying So Jeong-rak is not a physician, but a practitioner of the poison arts,” Geom Mu-geuk remarked.
The Poison King toyed with the teacup in front of him before speaking. “You were the one who figured it out.”
Until Geom Mu-geuk found the answer, So Jeong-rak was merely a physician skilled in detoxification. However, the moment Geom Mu-geuk deduced that the Myeong-sim Clinic might be the foundation supporting the Heaven’s End Recluse, the physician So Jeong-rak was revealed as a master of the poison arts.
But proving that fact was no simple task.
So Jeong-rak had lived for many years as a highly respected physician. In some ways, he was more difficult to deal with than the Heaven’s End Recluse himself. He had placed countless martial artists under the most difficult debt to repay: the debt of a life saved. Even now, martial artists whose lives had been saved by So Jeong-rak were likely scattered throughout the Central Plains, not just in Wuhan.
Geom Mu-geuk asked the Poison King, “Is there a poison that can control people?”
The Poison King nodded as if it were obvious. “It is possible if one uses Gu poison.” He then turned to Geom Mu-yang. “First Young Master, was there only one person being controlled? Or were there many?”
“I have seen several so far.”
“Were they important figures?”
“No.”
After confirming the details, the Poison King gave Geom Mu-geuk his answer. “Then it likely wasn't Gu poison. Insects that control people are difficult to obtain and even harder to handle. They cannot be used recklessly.”
Geom Mu-geuk reached a conclusion. “Then there must be someone else with the ability to control people besides So Jeong-rak. It’s unlikely that So Jeong-rak, who already uses poison arts and medicine, would have also mastered evil sorcery or the Great Regression Arts for mind control.”
The Poison King nodded in agreement. If his skill in detoxification surpassed even that of a Divine Doctor, his poison arts must have reached an extreme level as well. Since he was also proficient in medicine, it was unlikely he had mastered anything else.
“The Alliance Leader will look into the Heaven’s End Recluse, so we must investigate this side ourselves.”
It wouldn't be difficult for the four of them to sneak in and kill So Jeong-rak. In fact, all four of them didn't even need to go. Since Geom Mu-geuk possessed Immunity to All Poisons, So Jeong-rak posed no threat to him.
However, the task at hand was to prove that he was the mastermind. They had to reveal that he was not a physician practicing medicine, but a Poison Human practicing the poison arts. And they had to show that evidence to the Murim Alliance Leader. The Orthodox Murim had to know the truth.
They couldn't just kill him without evidence and expect people to believe them. That was the difficulty of this mission.
“I’m thinking of approaching him directly,” Geom Mu-geuk said. He believed it would be impossible to uncover the truth from a distance. The man had hidden his identity for far too long.
“How?” the Demon Buddha asked.
Geom Mu-geuk replied with a smile. “What other way is there to approach a physician? I must go as a patient.”
But there was a problem. According to the information sent from Tongcheon Pavilion:
“The issue is that a regular patient won't catch So Jeong-rak’s interest. There are so many patients, and he has over twenty physicians working under him. Ordinary patients rarely even see So Jeong-rak’s face. However, those afflicted by extreme poisons are an exception. The more unique the poison, the more it will pique his curiosity.”
In conclusion, one had to be poisoned by an extreme poison to properly meet So Jeong-rak. Naturally, everyone’s gaze turned toward the Poison King.
“Fortunately, we have someone here who can administer a poison that So Jeong-rak will have to detoxify.”
At Geom Mu-geuk’s words, one corner of the Poison King’s mouth twitched upward. Geom Mu-geuk knew exactly what that smile meant.
That fellow dares to detoxify my poison? Does he really think he can?
Geom Mu-geuk knew better than anyone that the Poison King was dead serious when it came to his craft.
“I know, I know. If the Poison King sets his mind to it, no one can ever detoxify his poison.”
The Poison King’s expression stiffened. There had been exactly one time when a person he was certain would die had returned alive. Although it was said the man hadn't returned to a normal state, it had left a deep wound on the Poison King’s pride.
“I ask for a poison that will take him a few days to barely detoxify. Preferably one that will catch his eye.”
The Poison King certainly possessed such a poison. The problem wasn't the poison, but the patient.
“Who do I poison?”
The answer to the Poison King’s question was practically decided, but Geom Mu-geuk excluded the Poison King first. “The Poison King cannot step forward himself.”
There was a chance the opponent might recognize him. No matter how well he hid it, there would be something only two masters of the same craft could recognize.
“And the Demon Buddha cannot do it either.” As he spoke, Geom Mu-geuk glanced slyly at his brother. “As you know, my Hyung is quite tough and can endure pain well...”
Geom Mu-yang looked at him with an incredulous expression.
In truth, even if Geom Mu-geuk wanted to do it, he couldn't. Because of his Immunity to All Poisons, the poison wouldn't work on him. The only one present who knew that fact was the Poison King.
“I’m the Acting Cult Leader, Hyung.” With that, he requested support from the Demon Buddha. “Even if it’s the Poison King, if he poisons the Acting Cult Leader, Father will be furious, right?”
The Demon Buddha didn't just stand by and let him corner Geom Mu-yang. “He’d be even more furious if the First Young Master was poisoned.”
“Why?”
When Geom Mu-geuk asked as if protesting, the Demon Buddha answered as if it were obvious. “He’s the eldest son, isn't he? The Cult Leader has always cherished the First Young Master dearly.”
“What about me?”
“Well, I’m sure he cherished you too.”
“This is too much! Hyung scolds me for being disrespectful to you, and you only take Hyung’s side. Did you two plan this?”
Geom Mu-yang could tell. Geom Mu-geuk had requested the Demon Buddha’s support just to say those words—to let the Demon Buddha know that Mu-yang had scolded him for being disrespectful.
Why do you go to such lengths? Even though I hated you so much.
The Demon Buddha was also doing his best in his own way. “You’re better at acting like you’re in pain, aren't you?”
“How do you know when I’ve never even tried! And don't you think the role of the patient’s guardian is more important?”
Geom Mu-yang, who had been wearing a faint smile at their conversation, spoke to the Poison King. “I will do it.”
Geom Mu-yang felt as though this was fate. He had almost killed Geom Mu-geuk with a poisoned hidden weapon once. That was why he was here now. And now, a situation had arisen where he needed to be poisoned. Perhaps it was destiny telling him to pay the price for that mistake.
“Better to bring one of the warriors from the safe house,” the Demon Buddha suggested, showing his concern.
Geom Mu-yang smiled faintly. “It’s alright, Lord Demon Buddha.”
“How is it alright? It’s not just any poison; if it’s a poison meant to catch that man’s eye, it will damage your body significantly. I would rather do it myself.”
He truly meant it. If only his appearance were more ordinary at times like this.
Geom Mu-yang bowed his head politely in gratitude for the sentiment. Then, he bowed to the Poison King as well. “I ask this of you.”
Watching this, the Poison King gave an unexpected gift. Would a man like him merely administer poison in such a situation?
“In the process of treating the poison I administer this time, your body’s resistance to poison will strengthen. Even if you are hit by the same poison again, you will be able to endure it longer than you can now.”
Judging by those words, it was clear the Poison King was using a very precious substance.
Geom Mu-geuk quickly stepped in. “I’ll do it! Poisoning Hyung? No way! I, the unloved second son, will do it. Where is the justice in this? Is everyone really only going to like Hyung!”
Only then did the Demon Buddha’s expression soften as he spoke to the Poison King. He would handle the safety concerns himself. “Please, use a poison that is at least less painful.”
Geom Mu-geuk pouted and added a spiteful comment. “Then it won't be effective. It has to be a poison that makes him scream involuntarily...”
In that instant, a scream erupted from Geom Mu-yang’s mouth.
“Urgh!”
The Poison King had merely looked at Geom Mu-yang once. In a flash, Mu-yang’s face turned pale as he clutched his chest. The poison had been administered before anyone realized.
“Aaaargh!”
The screams leaking from Geom Mu-yang were not ordinary.
“Goodness, you certainly are impatient!” Geom Mu-geuk quickly hoisted his brother onto his back and dashed outside.
The Demon Buddha was inwardly shocked. He knew well the Poison King’s skill, but to think he hadn't noticed the administration at all, even though it happened right before his eyes.
Then, the Poison King said nonchalantly, “The First Young Master will be fine.”
That single sentence was more reassuring than any other words. The Demon Buddha watched the two of them run toward the Myeong-sim Clinic for a moment.
“Since treating the poison will take time...” The Demon Buddha knew the best way to repay the Poison King’s favor. “Let us go dig up some poisonous herbs.”
*
The Myeong-sim Clinic was much larger than it appeared from the outside.
There were countless people in the courtyard, which was as large as a plaza. The pungent scent of medicine reached the entrance as the scene unfolded. From patients limping with bandages to physicians in white robes hurrying to and fro, workers unloading piles of herbs from carts, women trimming herbs under trees, and people lined up to grind medicine in mortars.
There were also lines of ordinary people, not just martial artists. At a glance, they looked destitute; it seemed the rumors that he treated the poor for free were true.
Geom Mu-geuk ran inside with his brother on his back and shouted, “My Hyung has been poisoned! He’s been poisoned!”
A young man nearby rushed over. Judging by his appearance, he wasn't a formal physician yet, but an apprentice. “This way! Quickly, this way!”
The young man guided them to an area where patients in critical condition were gathered. “Please wait just a moment, a physician will be with you shortly.”
After helping Geom Mu-yang onto a bed, the young man hurried off to call someone.
Geom Mu-geuk looked around. The twenty or so beds were filled with patients, ranging from those with stab wounds to those with head injuries. It was full of emergency cases. He knew the scale was large, but seeing the Myeong-sim Clinic in person, it was operating at a frantic pace.
“It looks like a war is breaking out somewhere without us knowing.”
Geom Mu-yang heard him but couldn't respond. It felt as if his entire body were burning. Because his consciousness was clear, he felt the pain in its entirety.
“Hyung, are you okay?”
At Geom Mu-geuk’s question, Geom Mu-yang cursed with his eyes. Does it look like I’m okay? You try it!
“I really wish I could be the one in pain instead.” Contrary to his words, Mu-geuk's eyes were smiling. When else would I get to tease him if not now? It was a clear, mischievous look.
Thinking that focusing on something else might dull the pain, Geom Mu-geuk kept talking. “What about your internal energy?”
Geom Mu-yang frowned and nodded. It meant he could still use it. It was an intention to let him use his martial arts if an emergency arose. Even while administering the poison, the Poison King had considered everything.
Just then, a young physician arrived. “What kind of poison was it?”
“I don't know. Please, just save my Hyung!”
The physician examined Geom Mu-yang’s condition. As soon as he touched his body, Geom Mu-yang let out a scream. “Aaaaaargh!”
For his brother to scream like that, it had to be truly agonizing. The young physician was clearly flustered. He tried to identify the poison and alleviate the pain, but the screams only grew louder. Without even a word to wait, the physician ran out.
Looking down at his suffering brother, Geom Mu-geuk suddenly wondered what he would do if this situation were real. What if this wasn't a controlled situation arranged by the Poison King? What if his brother were truly dying before his eyes?
How would he feel then? Seeing his heart tighten and a chill run down his spine, he realized his feelings for his brother had deepened significantly.
“The more you endure now, the more you’ll laugh later. So just bear it a little longer.”
His brother’s mouth formed the words: Shut up!
Soon after, another physician rushed over. This time, it was a middle-aged man who looked far more experienced. He examined Geom Mu-yang’s condition more skillfully than the apprentice. However, even he could not stabilize him. It was a natural result. How could ordinary physicians manage the Poison King’s concoction?
Fortunately, he gave up faster than the young physician. That alone showed his skill was much higher.
A short while after the middle-aged physician withdrew, he finally arrived.
The moment Geom Mu-geuk saw the physician with the kind impression and imposing build, he knew. This was So Jeong-rak.
Instead of a name tag, he seemed to wear an aura of divinity. Three or four physicians followed behind him with respectful expressions. He was someone Geom Mu-geuk had never seen before. He thought that perhaps the reason the Poison King wasn't among the Twelve Zodiac Kings was because this man occupied that space separately.
So Jeong-rak issued prescriptions as he passed by the patients. A single glance at a patient’s condition was enough for him to provide a remedy.
“Boil equal parts Blue Wood Lotus and Seven Star Herb and have them drink it!”
He checked the wound of the next patient after removing their bandages and personally applied golden wound medicine. “Fortunately, the sword only grazed the internal organs.”
He could tell whether internal organs were damaged just by looking at the exterior. It was the same for the next patient. He personally set the bones and applied a splint to a patient who had fallen from a height. He didn't mind at all that blood got on his clothes.
As soon as his hands touched them, the screams of those in pain subsided.
Geom Mu-geuk looked down at Geom Mu-yang in surprise. Even in his agony, his brother was watching So Jeong-rak.
Treating patients without hesitation like a deity descended from the heavens, So Jeong-rak finally reached Geom Mu-yang’s bed. Up close, his skin was taut, likely due to his robust build, and his eyes were filled with vital energy.
His relentless prescribing paused for a moment. After examining Geom Mu-yang’s condition, he asked Geom Mu-geuk, who was standing nearby.
“This poison... who administered it?”
Geom Mu-geuk answered him. “I don't know. My Hyung has such a foul temper that he has many enemies.”
He could see Geom Mu-yang making an incredulous face even while enduring the pain.
“I heard that you are the best physician in the Central Plains when it comes to detoxification. Please, save my Hyung.”
The gaze with which So Jeong-rak looked down at Geom Mu-yang deepened. Surprisingly, So Jeong-rak recognized this poison.
“This poison... is one that only three people in the world can detoxify.”