Chapter 78
Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 78. Dantian-Shattering Poison
Even after the first day, Yuseong's routine didn't change.
The Tang Clan of Sichuan had so many deadly poisons that even Dang Harin, who had mastered advanced poison arts, struggled to endure them...
Even after ingesting over ten poisons each day, there were still piles left to test.
Though he used his Detoxification skill, even the great Dang Harin needed some time to rest.
Otherwise, they would have tested dozens per day.
One day, Yuseong seized an opportunity and casually tossed out a question.
"I happened to overhear you talking with the Divine Physician before—there's this fascinating poison called Dantian-Shattering Poison, right?"
To the outside world, Yuseong's dantian loss was known as resulting from Qi Deviation.
Showing any suspicion toward the Sichuan Tang Clan here would upset them, so he had to be careful.
"Dantian-Shattering Poison? That one's something my great-aunt developed."
Great-aunt referred to the clan patriarch's aunt.
"Your great-aunt developed it?"
"Ahem. I'm so exceptional that I started 'Poison Person research' with her from the age of eight. I even watched the whole development process firsthand."
Pride swelled on Dang Harin's face.
Jumping into such research at a young age—she truly must be brilliant.
'It feels borderline child abuse... But has Harin's great-aunt retired now in her old age?'
In any case, Yuseong wanted to know if the Dantian-Shattering Poison was really what had ruined his dantian.
If someone had harmed him, he needed to find out who so he could pay them back later.
"So, could I maybe take a look at this Dantian-Shattering Poison sometime?"
"Why the sudden interest?"
"Just curiosity as a physician. When I was chatting with the Divine Physician, he mentioned this amazing poison, so I thought it'd be good to know about it."
"Sure? That's no big deal... Wait a sec."
Dang Harin, deeming it trivial, stepped out briefly.
Yuseong finally got to examine the Dantian-Shattering Poison.
He'd expected a liquid toxin, but surprisingly, it was in pill form.
What made the Dantian-Shattering Poison distinctive was its intense characteristic...
"Ugh, what is that stench?"
Yuseong wrinkled his nose at the nose-piercing foul odor.
He nearly gagged.
"Ahaha! The poisonous herb used as its ingredient just has a strong smell like that. That's why Dantian-Shattering Poison is nearly impossible to administer secretly—it's a failed experiment.
Actually, this was a byproduct discovered during Poison Person research, and the way my great-aunt found it was—"
Dang Harin loved showing off her poison knowledge and could talk endlessly.
Just as her excited explanation began to stretch on, a warrior arrived looking for Yuseong.
"Medical Pavilion Leader, could you spare a moment? The patriarch says the Heavenly Fortune Stone processing is ready and asked me to escort you to the forge."
Yuseong dismissed his suspicions about the Dantian-Shattering Poison.
Anyone who'd handled a poison with such a pungent smell would surely remember it. And since it used a poisonous herb as an ingredient, it couldn't have pierced Yuseong's Immunity to All Poisons anyway.
'It wasn't the Tang Clan. That's a relief...'
It was fortunate that this place he'd now formed ties with wasn't his enemy.
Putting thoughts of his dantian aside once more, Yuseong followed the warrior to the forge.
***
The forge master had confidently assured Yuseong that though the Heavenly Fortune Stone was hard and would take time, it could be shaped into needles.
With every furnace busy and the largest one idled just for processing the Heavenly Fortune Stone, it was truly...
Without Dang Harin, entrusting the commission would have been daunting.
"How'd it go? Old Forge Master is taking good care of it, right? I told him to do his best!"
Dang Harin stood with hands on hips, chin raised proudly.
Thanks to her help, solving the Heavenly Fortune Stone issue had been easy, so he could overlook a bit of bragging.
"Yeah, thanks to you. Appreciate it."
"Good, as long as you don't forget my contributions. Now let's get back to research. We've got mountains of progress to make today."
Time to brace himself again.
Yuseong took his seat to repay the debt, and Dang Harin ingested another poison.
She repeatedly poisoned herself with deadly toxins and got detoxified,
Wiping her face occasionally, but the toxin-laced sweat made it increasingly filthy.
A moment later.
With toxin dripping down her face, Dang Harin spoke.
"Let's call it for today. You take tomorrow off and relax fully. We'll hit it hard again the day after."
Tomorrow was the wedding of Dang Harin's youngest sister.
The bustling atmosphere in the Tang Clan, felt from day one, had reached its peak.
***
Weddings needed crowds to shine.
Murim Alliance members staying as guests attended the Tang patriarch's youngest daughter's wedding.
Numerous clans allied with the Tang Clan sent congratulatory delegations, including Taoist priests from the Qingcheng Sect.
After exchanging greetings, Yuseong sat beside Cheongun Elder.
"Medical Pavilion Leader. You've grown haggard in just a few days. Helping young lady Dang must not be easy."
Cheongun Elder's first words upon seeing Yuseong.
Despite Yuseong's increasingly refined Detoxification skills, Dang Harin's demands forced extreme concentration.
He couldn't relax for even a moment.
Yuseong caught up with Cheongun Elder on missed conversations.
"But how are the negotiations going?"
"Urgh... Not easy. We might have to pack up early."
Cheongun Elder looked troubled.
The Tang Clan seemed hesitant to dispatch support troops.
Yuseong understood the patriarch's position.
Three hundred years ago, their main force including the Poison Person had been wiped out, dealing a blow to the clan that even lost the method to create Poison Persons.
The Murim Alliance had its own issues and couldn't protect them then, but the Tang Clan still hadn't recovered from those damages, had they?
It was natural they didn't want to shed blood again.
But.
Yuseong felt a twinge of guilt.
This mission was hastily arranged by Jegal Yeongyeong as an excuse to send him to the Sichuan Tang Clan.
She'd said it couldn't be helped if it failed, but now Murim Alliance experts were stuck here because of him.
If they could achieve results, it would ease his mind.
'I need to help Harin quickly and produce outcomes. That might sway the patriarch. It's the Tang Clan's long-cherished wish, after all.'
It would benefit both Dang Harin and Jegal Yeongyeong.
"Let's drop the headaches and enjoy the feast. Have you heard? The groom they're welcoming today is said to have remarkable skill in mechanism arts."
"Is that so?"
"His family is nothing special, but his talents are renowned locally. That's the scary thing about the Tang Clan. They even bring their daughters' husbands into the clan to bolster their power? The son-in-law's abilities become the clan's strength outright."
The Tang patriarch's youngest daughter was a beauty, but her groom's looks weren't outstanding.
Appearances weren't everything, but given the clan's nature, it seemed like a political marriage.
However.
'Where's Dang Harin?'
The wedding was about to start.
All the other Tang Clan youths he'd greeted before were in their seats, but no sign of her.
When he'd first looked for her, she wasn't there either, so he'd thought she'd stepped away briefly.
Dang Harin remained absent even during the ceremony and after it ended.
'She specifically said to rest fully today and resume research tomorrow—where the heck did she disappear to?'
After the wedding, as Cheongun Elder mingled with greetings, the Tang Clan's second son, Dang Muhwa, came and sat by Yuseong.
"Medical Pavilion Leader, I hope the Sichuan cuisine suits your taste."
With a significant age gap from Dang Harin, Dang Muhwa appeared around thirty.
"Ah, I must be built for Sichuan food. The spicy, numbing flavors are right up my alley."
Where could the blood of a Korean spice-lover go?
Though different from Korean food, Yuseong enjoyed Sichuan cuisine.
"Ah, Anhui-style dishes too—"
"Haha! Glad it suits you. Lately, our warriors have been praising your medical skills highly. As a guest, treating them too—our thanks."
Nangong Yurin's voice interjected but was drowned by Dang Muhwa's laughter.
Once somewhat friendly with the Tang Clan folk, Yuseong treated patients whenever possible.
Divine Power needed accumulating at every opportunity.
After some light chatter,
Yuseong voiced his curiosity.
"But on a day like this, I didn't see Harin at all. Is something wrong?"
Her sister's wedding, and the older sister doesn't show her face.
If she were ill, she'd have come to Yuseong for treatment, but that didn't seem the case.
He knew Dang Harin played pranks often but without malice,
And her dedication to her work didn't seem bad.
Around the same age, their casual rapport made her feel like a mischievous friend.
"Well, I'm not sure myself."
As Dang Muhwa spoke, his gaze drifted toward where the patriarch, elders, and high officials gathered.
'He seems to be watching them carefully. Is something really up with Harin?'
As Yuseong pondered, a strand of transmission voice flowed into his ear.
-You'll find my sister by following the path behind the lab straight ahead. Since you're close to her, Medical Pavilion Leader, I'm telling you. Go check.
Dang Muhwa's expression, looking back at Yuseong, was thick with deep concern.
As no Peak Realm expert, Yuseong couldn't reply, but there must be reason Dang Muhwa shared it secretly.
Yuseong quietly rose from his seat.