Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: The Thousand Hands Poison Venerable
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Drumming rumble—
The thunderous clamor of the carriages rolling forward shook the very ground beneath them.
Having smoothly passed through the walls of Seongdo Castle without incident, they pressed on at an easy pace.
'So peaceful.'
Hyeok Mulin, now crossing a small hill and entering the open plains, gazed steadily at the serene landscape beyond the window.
It would still take quite some distance and time to reach Singang.
Yet with Geumhyeon-mong having prepared a top-tier coachman, a high-grade carriage, ample provisions, and even travel permits to breeze through checkpoints, the journey ahead could be savored leisurely—simply enjoying the passing scenery.
As Hyeok Mulin stared out for a moment longer, his gaze shifted inward.
Two others rode inside the carriage with him.
Swish— rustle—
Cho Sahyeon ceaselessly reviewed and sorted documents even amid the travel.
She parsed and categorized incoming intelligence, occasionally jotting notes to pass along to her subordinates.
Despite having worked tirelessly on the battlefield until now, she remained steadfastly focused on her duties even within the carriage.
Hyeok Mulin had intended to tell her it was fine to set everything aside and rest at least during the journey.
He paused.
But only for a moment.
Upon catching sight of her eyes, Hyeok Mulin quickly reconsidered.
Her pupils gleamed with keen interest as she scanned the pages.
Like a blacksmith spotting fine steel, or a swordsman discovering a new technique.
For her, this time sifting through fresh information was not mere work—it was pure delight.
At the sight, Hyeok Mulin's lips curved in quiet satisfaction, and he turned his attention away from her.
His gaze soon shifted to the side.
"……."
Gwang Yi had been peering out the window just like him moments before.
The difference was how utterly engrossed he seemed in the outside world, his expression surprisingly cheerful.
Hyeok Mulin, watching him, spoke up.
"Your color looks good."
Gwang Yi, still gazing out, replied without turning.
"Can't help it. We bolted straight from Dongting Lake to Sichuan without a chance to even look around. Finally getting a breather—feels like a weight's lifted off my mind."
It had indeed been a hectic trip from his perspective.
Right after emerging from the Thousand-Year Prison and reading Cho Sahyeon's letter, they'd raced off without a moment's pause.
Hyeok Mulin nodded, acknowledging the lack of consideration until reaching Sichuan.
"Rest up properly now. I won't need to call on your skills until we arrive, at least."
"Hearing that makes lounging around feel boring already."
Gwang Yi shook his head with a wry chuckle.
Yet his pleasant smile lingered as he stared out the window, prompting Hyeok Mulin to ask.
"Looking forward to it?"
"You bet. I've wandered plenty through the Central Plains, but Singang's a first for me."
"Hm? You've never been to Singang before?"
Hyeok Mulin eyed him incredulously.
Given his wandering nature, he'd assumed the man had passed through Singang at some point. To think he'd never set foot there once.
"That's right. With Ma Ui planted there like a fixture, no need for anyone else to hunt me down. You're the first demon to come calling."
Fair enough, when put that way.
With Ma Ui—one of the Three Sages—already in Singang, there'd be no reason to seek another physician.
Besides, unlike the elusive Divine Physician or Gwang Yi, Ma Ui stayed put in one place, making him far easier to find.
"You know Ma Ui, then?"
Whether they were acquainted.
How to answer that?
Hyeok Mulin mulled it over briefly before parting his lips measuredly.
"...We've yet to meet."
In this life, that is.
"Lucky you. Best keep your distance from that creep. Sly as they come."
Gwang Yi, clearly on poor terms with Ma Ui, issued a stern warning.
Hyeok Mulin responded with a faint smile.
A soft chuckle escaped him.
"You two seem thick as thieves."
"Who'd be buddies with that—!"
Gwang Yi bristled, lifting slightly off his seat before settling back down with a huff.
"Don't even joke about it. Just seeing his face makes my blood boil."
"That's how the best rivalries last. Better a true enemy than a false friend."
"Heh……."
Gwang Yi stuck out his tongue at Hyeok Mulin's unflappable retort.
In all his years traversing the world and meeting countless souls, this was a first.
And to think this man was the leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
It made all the tales about the cult feel like utter fabrications.
"What's Singang like?"
Gwang Yi asked, curiosity brimming, and Hyeok Mulin's lips quirked faintly.
"Same as anywhere folks live. Nothing special."
"Hah."
Gwang Yi let out an admiring breath.
To hear such a straightforward answer from the Heavenly Demon himself.
"Though……."
Hyeok Mulin's words weren't finished.
"The intent is to walk the demonic path."
"……The demonic path."
Gwang Yi, a physician from the Sa-hon Church with little ties to martial arts, couldn't fully grasp what Hyeok Mulin meant.
"Warriors' talk is impossible to pin down. What does that even mean?"
"Makes sense. The demonic path looks different to everyone who beholds it."
Gwang Yi fixed Hyeok Mulin with a steady gaze and pressed.
"Then what's your demonic path?"
Silence fell over the carriage at the question.
Even Cho Sahyeon, immersed in her work nearby, halted and perked up her ears.
The demonic path of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's leader.
Who wouldn't wonder?
As all held their breath in the quiet, Hyeok Mulin finally spoke.
"My demonic path is……."
But then, sensing something in an instant, his brow twitched.
"Halt."
At Hyeok Mulin's command, every carriage ground to a stop in unison.
"……?"
"……?"
Puzzlement filled their faces at the abrupt order.
"Something wrong?"
"……."
Hyeok Mulin fell silent at Gwang Yi's query before stepping out alone.
"Wait here a moment."
Outside, he spotted Ji Wolhon waiting nearby.
'Only the Grand Commander and I sensed it, aside from me.'
As Hyeok Mulin approached, Ji Wolhon's face was etched with utmost gravity.
"Stay inside, my lord. I'll check it out."
"……."
Hyeok Mulin's eyes deepened as he made out the faint figures in the distance.
An emaciated elder with white hair sat resting on a rock.
Beside him, a young woman sat demurely.
The peaceful scene of travelers pausing on a long road evoked a masterful painting.
Yet they concealed an extraordinary presence, one only Hyeok Mulin and Ji Wolhon had detected.
"Looks like guests come to see me."
As Hyeok Mulin moved to approach, Ji Wolhon tried to dissuade him.
"Too dangerous. Let me take the unit commanders ahead."
Hyeok Mulin shook his head.
"You know as well as I. If that elder wills it, no action matters."
It was the plain truth.
Leaving the silent Ji Wolhon behind, Hyeok Mulin walked straight toward them.
As he drew near, the resting elder looked up.
His white brows tilted in thick intrigue as he stared at Hyeok Mulin.
Once Hyeok Mulin was nearly upon him, the elder spoke leisurely.
"Impressive. That realm at your age."
His eyes sincere with admiration, the elder continued.
"Tsk tsk. Now I see why Jongseo turned out that way."
The elder chuckled in amusement, then turned sideways.
"What do you make of him?"
The woman glanced subtly at Hyeok Mulin.
...Have I seen her before?
Her face felt familiar, yet it eluded him.
Sensing nothing from Hyeok Mulin, she answered cautiously.
"I cannot say."
"Hm. Is that so……."
Stroking his chin, the elder eyed Hyeok Mulin.
No trace of fear or trembling, even standing before him.
How long had it been since he'd met such a youth?
The elder's casual visit now sparked growing interest.
"Who might you be?"
As if greeting a stranger, the elder posed the innocent question.
But Hyeok Mulin's reply dashed his expectations.
"Wouldn't it be the way of the jianghu to reveal oneself before asking another's identity?"
Hyeok Mulin turned the query back on him.
Not out of true curiosity, but to avoid yielding the conversation's reins so easily.
He already had a fair guess at the elder's identity.
"A bold young man."
Far from offended, the elder seemed pleased, lips curving up.
And he was no pushover either.
"From your tone, you already know who I am."
Hyeok Mulin replied with an impassive face.
"You're the patriarch of the Sichuan Tang Clan."
Patriarch of the Sichuan Tang Clan.
Thousand Hands Poison Venerable, Tang Ilgeuk.
This life marked the first time he'd faced one of the Nine Martial Venerables.
The Nine Martial Venerables truly dominated the world—nine absolute sovereigns closer to immortals than men.
They dwelled in a realm beyond anyone Hyeok Mulin had met, and Tang Ilgeuk was no exception.
'He was different from the start.'
Born directly into the Sichuan Tang Clan, he'd achieved the clan's historically youngest Immunity to Thousand Poisons before even reaching adulthood, making his name.
At around thirty, he earned the moniker Poison Dragon.
At forty-nine, it shifted to Poison King.
And upon turning seventy, mastering Immunity to Ten Thousand Poisons, he became known as the Poison Venerable.
No poison under heaven could touch him.
Having conquered every toxin known to man, Tang Ilgeuk stood as the Tang Clan's pride and a pillar of the righteous faction.
"Knew it after all."
Tang Ilgeuk nodded lightly, admitting it freely.
"Indeed. I'm the Tang Clan patriarch."
With identities revealed, he had the right to know in turn.
Tang Ilgeuk asked with evident pleasure.
"Then who are you?"
Hyeok Mulin slowly raised his head, meeting the elder's eyes head-on.
Their gazes clashed sharply amid the heavy air, until Hyeok Mulin spoke.
"Heavenly Demon."