Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Closed Pulse Great Law
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In the Southern Cooperation Hall, five Pure Wind Pavilion agents were already waiting with grim expressions.
Along with Yu Su-min, collapsed and covered in blood.
“Tang medicine! Hurry and fetch the decoctions first!”
“Place the needles in this exact order, but make sure—”
Several of the Tang Clan’s finest physicians were swarming around, attempting treatment, but Yu Su-min showed no sign of regaining consciousness.
Her face was deathly pale, and a relentless chill seeped from her unnaturally white hands and feet.
It was the Heart-Piercing Ice Poison, no doubt, but its potency seemed far greater than what had been stolen from Baek-san of the North Sea Sect.
「She protected her meridians with the Closed Pulse Great Law the instant she was struck by the Empty Air Palm, or the damage could have been far worse.」
「It does seem the North Sea Sect’s overall power level has risen.」
The Closed Pulse Great Law originated from the Bizarre Food Great Law once used by assassins of old. It forcibly sealed off all meridians and blood vessels through which qi flowed, including the dantian.
It was highly effective at blocking infiltrating true qi or poison from entering the meridians, but as a side effect, it drastically lowered the body’s metabolic rate, leading to unconsciousness.
Thus, the Closed Pulse Great Law could not be undone without external aid.
It was no simple technique to employ amid ordinary peril or without deep trust in one’s rescuer, yet Yu Su-min had invoked it solely out of faith in me.
Despite our not having forged particularly deep bonds.
「What matters in a spiritual connection the tally of time or encounters? Even a single fleeting bond can forge ties stronger than blood brothers.」
「Shouldn’t the young leader repay such faith with something grand in return?」
I nodded silently.
Even skilled physicians struggled to diagnose under the Closed Pulse Great Law.
Leaving her like this any longer wouldn’t be good for her body, so I needed to help release it soon.
Fortunately, the Heart-Piercing Ice Poison lingered only on the surface of her meridians without penetrating deeper, making detoxification straightforward.
“You’re here?”
At that moment, Tang Ho-san approached with a weary face.
“I came after hearing the enemy had made their move.”
“I thought they’d wait until the clan head arrived before acting in earnest. They caught us off guard.”
Tang Ho-san already knew the full plan I’d devised with Gui Zhe-gal, yet we exchanged only formal words.
Eyes were everywhere.
This scheme would never leak to the outside.
“I heard some were targeting the Southern Cooperation Hall as well.”
“No need to worry about that. It’s no longer an issue.”
“Glad you’re unharmed.”
Indeed, even if they came charging like mad dogs with their Heart-Piercing Ice Poison and Ice White Sword Method, they’d never withstand a single handful of Tang Ho-san’s Thousand Poisons Palms.
“May I take Yu Subordinate’s pulse?”
The physicians’ gazes naturally turned to Tang Ho-san.
He nodded.
“Go ahead. But don’t force it.”
“I’ve built some resistance to ice poisons, so I might be able to help a little.”
Only then did the physicians let out soft exclamations of realization.
They’d recalled how I’d previously devoured the North Wind Ghost’s ice poison whole.
I gripped Yu Su-min’s left wrist and infused it with Black Dragon Qi.
「It seems the young leader’s hunch was correct.」
「The toxicity is far more vicious than Baek-san the North Wind Ghost’s Heart-Piercing Ice Poison.」
「Detoxifying this might not be easy… Are you sure?」
‘No. It’s actually easier now.’
「?」
「What do you mean—」
‘Forgot the origin of Black Dragon Qi?’
「Ah!」
Black Dragon Qi was a technique born from the ultimate yin essence, pure yin qi condensed to its peak.
The stronger the Heart-Piercing Ice Poison’s toxicity, the denser its yin qi—and thus, the finer the feast for Black Dragon Qi!
Shwaaaaa…!
Black Dragon Qi raced across the meridian surfaces in a flash.
The chill and yin qi were sucked in at once.
Of course, abrupt thawing could strain her already weakened tissues, so I thawed slowly while clearing paths for Yu Su-min’s inner power to flow steadily.
The technique she cultivated was the Guanyin Golden Summit Divine Art.
A Buddhist martial art emulating the sacred energy of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, who saves all beings with compassion. With the paths properly paved, even sealed pulses would reopen swiftly.
After Black Dragon Qi circulated several times, its quantity had noticeably swelled.
At the same time, I felt certain.
‘As expected. Just as I thought. That Gu Min-chae bastard still has it, no doubt.’
To think he carried such a treasure without fully refining it.
I swallowed a chuckle threatening to escape as Yu Su-min’s dantian burst open, her inner power surging outward in all directions.
Yu Su-min opened her eyes.
Flash!
Golden light cleaved the air.
“Feeling better now?”
“…You really came to help.”
“Didn’t I say I’d be right there?”
A faint smile tugged at Yu Su-min’s lips.
The mischievous grin of a fellow conspirator in our successful scheme.
“Huh!”
“She’s truly been healed…!”
To the physicians, our exchange must have looked like I’d properly treated her.
No need to correct their misconception, so after instructing them on some herbs, I met the eyes of Yu Su-min, who seemed to have regained her composure.
“Have you found the two?”
“The branch family’s warriors are currently tailing the kidnappers who took your sister and the Sima subordinate. Good news should come soon.”
I stood and turned to Tang Gon.
“Martial Uncle, all the Golden Sword Sect disciples are locked in the cells?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll head over now, so prepare for interrogation.”
“Understood.”
Tang Gon left the Azure Hall at once with his agents.
I was about to move to the cells when Yu Su-min suddenly shot to her feet, blocking my path.
“Take me with you.”
“Subordinate, you’ve only just awakened from the great law. Residual ice poison might linger. Don’t push yourself—”
“My temperament won’t let me just sit here waiting for them to return.”
“…….”
“Take me with you. I won’t get in the way.”
“…….”
“Please.”
I scratched my cheek awkwardly, glancing at Tang Ho-san for backup.
But he merely crossed his arms, snorted lightly, and watched on. No intention to intervene.
Guess I had to clean up my own mess.
…Damn.
I let out a soft sigh.
“If you insist that much… Fine.”
I addressed a nearby agent.
“Any Revitalizing Pills left in the medicine hall? Fetch them.”
“But, Young Branch Leader, those are…! Ah, understood.”
Once the agent was sent off, I turned back to Yu Su-min.
“The Revitalizing Pill numbs the nerves slightly, forcing the body to forget fatigue. It’s a poison that lets you move freely for half a day, but the tradeoff is intensified exhaustion for days after, or mental fog dulling your judgment. Still want it?”
“It’s fine. Thank you.”
Yu Su-min beamed.
I gave a wry smile.
Perhaps the resolve of these three women aiding me was far sturdier than I’d imagined.
“Alright. Follow me.”
I strode ahead, robes billowing.
Yu Su-min followed with heavy steps.
Her face had hardened into that of a Buddhist yaksha.
* * *
Dark underground.
The Golden Sword Sect disciples, dragged to the cells, trembled.
“Th-this place—”
“Wh-what’s the meaning of this? At least explain properly!”
“Our sect came to the Nine Dragons Branch Family in good faith, and this is how you treat us—”
Bound forcibly to interrogation chairs, their faces were uniformly ashen.
Some protested, but they fell silent the moment they met the Pure Wind Pavilion’s icy stares.
Hyeok U-gi gulped dryly like a cornered rat, eyes darting about.
I approached him with quiet steps.
“Huh, hek!”
Hyeok U-gi’s face drained of color.
I growled coldly.
“Where?”
Gu Min-chae hadn’t given any address, just told me to find it myself.
That meant he’d left someone who knew behind at the branch.
Who else but this guy?
Of course, Il-no and the Pure Wind Pavilion agents were tailing Gu Min-chae, but knowing the exact location would make planning easier.
“Wh-what—”
“Where.”
“You have to tell me what—”
I kicked his shin with all my strength.
A gruesome crack of shattering bone echoed.
The chair leg snapped too, sending him tumbling messily to the floor.
“Aaaagh! Aaaagh!”
“Deputy Leader!”
“What is the meaning of this outrage? Explain why you harbor such grudge against our sect—”
“No more questions. Where?”
I grabbed his broken leg and stomped his head to the ground as he writhed.
One eye was now covered.
His uncovered eye quivered wildly.
“Th-that…!”
Crunch!
“Aaaagh! My head! My heeead!”
“Want me to crush it for real?”
I pressed my foot harder.
Blood oozed as his skull began to crack.
“No! I’ll talk! I’ll talk, so please!”
I didn’t ease up.
Instead, I pressed slowly, threatening that his head would truly shatter if he didn’t spill soon.
“N-northwest outskirts! There’s a manor outside Nine Dragons County! One our sect bought long ago to manage the surrounding lands…!”
“…….”
“He came to me first! That bastard! Right before our delegation departed for Nine Dragons County! He pried into everything about Young Master Un-hwi—”
“…….”
“Th-then, hearing my plight, he promised to give me the Sima subordinate and Yu subordinate—”
Throughout, Yu Su-min’s eyes grew icily cold.
She’d never dreamed he’d concealed such base lust since the capital incident, unleashing this absurdity.
“Th-then he taught me this demonic art. Said it would let me beat the young master—”
No need to hear more.
I lifted my foot and knocked him out with a hard kick to the head.
I turned to the Golden Sword Sect disciples.
They all wore shocked expressions.
The word “demonic art” had done it.
“Now you understand your deputy leader’s crimes, right?”
“…….”
“…….”
“So shut up. You’re annoying as hell.”
The Golden Sword Sect disciples fell silent.
“Lock this bastard in the deepest cell. We’ll interrogate him later.”
“Understood.”
“And Martial Uncle.”
“Yes, Young Branch Leader.”
Tang Gon stepped forward and bowed.
“Select exactly ten elites and assemble them. We move out now.”
“That enough?”
“You heard. They’re after me. Charging in with a mob will just endanger Sister and the Sima subordinate.”
“Understood.”
“Pick ones with sharp situational judgment. They might have traps set. And seal lips tight internally.”
I turned on my heel.
“Let’s go.”