Chapter 246
Chapter 246
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 246
Chapter Title: The Deal for Poison Immunity
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Tang Yi-cheon composed his expression and looked at Namgung Hyeok.
No matter what the Namgung family did with the captured Venom Squad, he had no intention of caring.
He had been momentarily flustered by their actions, but that wasn't the real reason he had come here.
Clearing his throat briefly, Tang Yi-cheon spoke.
"Thanks to you and the Namgung family's warriors, everyone survived. I've come to express my proper gratitude once more."
"Aw, come on, it was nothing. We're all one of the Five Great Families, right? Family."
"……Yes. I'm grateful that you say so."
Tang Yi-cheon glanced briefly behind Namgung Hyeok.
The Venom Squad members, who had been dragged here against their will, were tightly bound with ropes procured from somewhere and sprawled on the floor like maggots.
On top of them crouched Geon Cheon-hwi, Tak Hyuk-dong, and Jang Ung, stuffing their mouths shut.
Namgung Hyeok grinned.
"They're sturdy. Won't die."
"……That's not what I came to talk about."
"Oh, then?"
"Our house doesn't forget favors. We will definitely repay you for saving our warriors."
Tang Yi-cheon looked at Namgung Hyeok with a serious face.
"I'll leave the disposition of the Venom Squad to the Namgung family. If you need anything, just say the word. We'll help with whatever we can."
It was a more generous condition than expected.
Even the Sichuan Tang Family executives who had come with him looked at Tang Yi-cheon in surprise.
Handing the prisoners over to the Namgung family instead of the Sichuan Tang Family was tantamount to giving them control of the scene.
It meant handing over the right to extract information first and decide how to use it—all to the Namgung family.
The information that could be obtained from the Venom Squad was endless.
They might even uncover clues to the poisons and poison techniques from the Five Poisons Sect that had tormented them.
Yet they were handing it over to the Namgung family—no wonder it was shocking.
Moreover, this was also a matter of pride between sects.
If word got out that the Sichuan Tang Family had entrusted their affairs to an outside force, the world of martial arts would surely mock them behind their backs.
And yet, Tang Yi-cheon had made this bold choice.
Namgung Hyeok stared at Tang Yi-cheon.
'You want something, don't you?'
What the head of the Sichuan Tang Family wanted was obvious.
What would poison experts want?
It didn't take much thought.
Something he had that they didn't.
The corner of Namgung Hyeok's mouth curved up slightly.
Tang Yi-cheon flinched at the strangely shifted atmosphere.
'……Is this the feeling of stepping into a poison steam bath? Am I imagining it?'
The poison steam bath was a Sichuan Tang Family secret designed to build poison resistance; once inside, you couldn't leave until you'd absorbed all the poisonous vapors.
A dangerous, sticky sensation was emanating from Namgung Hyeok.
Yes, just like a swamp……
"Is this for real?"
"Yes."
"Oh man, with the Tang Family's help, it couldn't get any better."
Namgung Hyeok grinned.
He swept his gaze around the surroundings before looking back at Tang Yi-cheon.
"You want to know how I built my resistance, right?"
"……!"
Tang Yi-cheon's pupils dilated, and the Tang Family executives behind him trembled.
Oh, nailed it.
See that reaction?
Namgung Hyeok chuckled.
"Shall I tell you?"
"……Really?"
"Of course. We're not strangers, are we?"
"……!"
Tang Yi-cheon's eyes quivered faintly, and the executives behind him doubted their ears—could this be true?
Sharing the secret to poison resistance?
Just like that?
Even neighborhood dojos didn't trade martial arts techniques this easily for money.
Handing over the method to cultivate resistance to poisons as straightforwardly as returning a found item?
A technique that could withstand the Five Poisons Sect's deadly poisons was no different from a divine ultimate art.
"Th-that can't be!"
"I-is it true?"
"Heavens, such a benefactor!"
The Tang Family executives buzzed.
Even the usually expressionless Tang Yi-cheon opened his eyes wide like saucers and let out a gasp.
At that moment, Namgung Hyeok stretched his mouth into a long grin.
"But there's a condition."
As expected, a condition.
'Expecting such a precious secret for free would be the real lack of conscience.'
Calming his excitement, Tang Yi-cheon asked with a composed face.
"What condition?"
Money?
Or a Tang Family secret?
It would be no small price, whatever it was.
Tang Yi-cheon waited tensely for Namgung Hyeok to speak.
Namgung Hyeok said,
"After the fight with the Five Poisons Sect ends, just yield one item I want, unconditionally."
"An item from the Five Poisons Sect?"
"Yes, one item."
Tang Yi-cheon furrowed his brow.
It was a broad yet vague condition.
But what could be gained from the battle with the Five Poisons Sect? It was obvious.
"If it's poisons, hidden weapons, or toxic substances you want, we have them in our house. We have Seven Steps Soul Scatter and Formless Poison…"
"Nah, that's fine."
"Our secrets are in no way inferior to the Five Poisons Sect's…"
"I said that's fine."
"……"
Tang Yi-cheon shut his mouth at Namgung Hyeok's indifferent face.
Namgung Hyeok clicked his tongue inwardly.
'As expected from a poison clan—they're all about the toxins.'
He could already picture the Tang Family going wild over the Millennium Crimson Crane.
'Better nail this down now.'
No need to fight over your stuff or mine—just get the promise here.
It was the minimal safeguard.
Of course, Namgung Hyeok didn't trust verbal promises.
Especially not from the head of the Sichuan Tang Family?
'In the world of martial arts, where a knife can stab you in the back the moment you turn, no way.'
To Namgung Hyeok, whether it was the Sichuan Tang Family head or the Evil Dao Alliance leader, they were all the same breed.
But the reason for making the promise like this was the presence of witnesses who could vouch for it.
Namgung Ryong, the Namgung family's eldest young master.
Paeng Jung-hyeok, the young master of the Hebei Paeng family.
So Geol-gae, the Beggar Clan's young leader.
So Hye-yeon, the Sword Pavilion's young sword prodigy.
With these four here, who would dare lie?
'And I need the Sichuan Tang Family too.'
To deal with that guy Hoi, who's eyeing the Millennium Crimson Crane, and the Five Poisons Sect, he needed them.
Whether as combat force, intel source, or supply depot.
Tang Yi-cheon's mind grew complicated.
But he didn't deliberate long.
The poison resistance secret Namgung Hyeok possessed was more important than anything from the Five Poisons Sect battle.
'It will elevate our house to another level.'
"As the head of the Sichuan Tang Family, I promise. I will unconditionally honor your condition."
"Good."
"Hmm! Then?"
Anticipation appeared on Tang Yi-cheon's face.
He glanced to the side. Tang Myeong-ok nodded.
"If you need anything, tell this child. She'll assist you."
"Oh, thank you."
"No need for thanks. The Namgung family is our house's benefactor! It's only natural."
"Haha."
Tang Yi-cheon spoke in a bright voice.
"I will definitely keep my promise, so worry not. Now, carry on with what you were doing."
He turned his body.
"Let's head back!"
"Yes, Family Head!"
The Sichuan Tang Family executives followed Tang Yi-cheon out of the warehouse.
Once they were a safe distance away, Tang Cheon-u cautiously asked.
"Do you really believe that Namgung family youth will hand over the secret? I'm not reassured with just this."
Tang Yi-cheon paused and looked at Tang Cheon-u. Tang Cheon-u swallowed hard at the heavy gaze.
"The world of martial arts isn't that lenient."
"……Then why?"
"Isn't this a situation where we need each other right now? They'll need our house to get anything from the Five Poisons Sect too."
"Hmm."
"So from now on, our house just needs to show trust."
Tang Cheon-u nodded vigorously at Tang Yi-cheon's words.
The executives agreed with him.
Blindly distrusting the Namgung family was indeed a judgment worthy of Tang Yi-cheon.
Smiles bloomed on the executives' faces.
"Family Head! If we obtain the poison resistance method, our house can make a great leap!"
"A leap? We might unify Sichuan!"
"Hahaha! Just thinking about it is thrilling! We can crush those arrogant Qingcheng and Emei! Those damned bald monks with their noses in the air! We must have our revenge."
"This is a chance to crush the Evil Dao Alliance in the future too! What great fortune!"
Reminded that crisis is opportunity, the executives nodded repeatedly.
Heat rose on their faces.
They could already envision the soaring Sichuan Tang Family.
Tang Yi-cheon resumed his halted steps.
'……But I can't shake this feeling that something's off.'
More precisely, it was unease stemming from that Namgung Hyeok fellow.
Like watching a ball that could veer anywhere.
One with uncontrollable destructive power, at that.
"Hmm."
Tang Yi-cheon's worries deepened.
* * *
Tang Myeong-ok, assigned by Tang Yi-cheon's order to stick with the Namgung family members, couldn't hide her bewilderment.
Tang Myeong-ok stared ahead with her mouth agape. Her face was so blank that drool wouldn't have been out of place.
'What the hell are they doing right now?'
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Dirt flew up with loud noises. Then the stone floor cracked, and pillars rose.
Watching them vigorously swinging pickaxes with portable handles, Tang Myeong-ok fell into confusion.
Geon Cheon-hwi narrowed his eyes at Paeng Jung-hyeok, who was digging on one side.
"Young master."
"……Wh-what?"
"Don't want to?"
"It's not that, why? I'm digging hard."
"Look at the specs, the specs."
What specs?
Geon Cheon-hwi traced the ground lightly with his shovel.
"This size is enough for one person to fit perfectly. Height to chest level, keep the angle."
"Looks the same to me……"
"Sigh. Tak Hyuk-dong, front and center."
"Ahem! Goodness."
Tak Hyuk-dong cleared his throat and raised his shovel handle.
"Watch closely, Brother Paeng."
"Yeah, got it."
"Like this, like this!"
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Crack!
A mole?
In an instant, Tak Hyuk-dong had dug down to thigh depth and lightly wiped his forehead.
"Digging's no big deal. Just keep going till it's deep enough to lie in."
"……Uh, uh."
"Now you try."
"Uh, uh."
Paeng Jung-hyeok, dazed, picked up the shovel handle and started digging vigorously.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Crack!
While Paeng Jung-hyeok was at it, on the other side, So Hye-yeon and Paeng Yeon-hwa were handling the Venom Squad members like rats.
Paeng Yeon-hwa grabbed a Venom Squad member's collar and growled.
"Why'd you steal it?"
"Wh-what……"
Smack!
"Preemptive strike!"
"Keuk!"
"Why'd you steal, huh?"
"Th-that's what I've been saying since earlier……"
"Preemptive!"
Smaaack!
"Kuwaaak!"
The Venom Squad member screamed, bloodied.
So Hye-yeon began rummaging through the Venom Squad member's clothes.
"Thief, you stole this too, right?"
"Th-that was originally mine……"
"You stole this too, you villain?"
"It's mine……"
"This too!"
"……I said it's mine, you bitch!"
"Shut up!"
Smaack!
So Hye-yeon smashed the back of the Venom Squad member's head with her sword gauntlet.
Beside her, So Geol-gae ground his teeth, glaring at the Venom Squad member.
"You bastards! Because of you, poison got on my delicate skin! Take responsibility! Hand over the antidote, antidote!"
"No……"
"Antidooote!"
Smaaaack! Smack! Smack!
Tang Myeong-ok's jaw dropped as she watched.
'Crazy……'
These guys are really crazy.
What the hell are they doing?
Isn't this supposed to be an interrogation?
They're just beating them?
Even the Evil Dao Alliance wouldn't do this……
Her bewildered gaze instinctively turned to Namgung Hyeok.
Namgung Hyeok sat cross-legged, grinning wickedly—it looked utterly evil.
Beside him, Namgung Ryong quietly handed him a piece of jerky.
Jang Ung approached Namgung Hyeok, chuckling.
"Young master, all dug. Time to mess 'em up."
Munch munch.
Namgung Hyeok chewed the jerky and stood.
"Oh, really? So which one first."
As Namgung Hyeok cracked his neck side to side, an unmistakable unorthodox air wafted from him.
'What the hell is wrong with the Namgung family?'
Namgung Hyeok beckoned Tang Myeong-ok, who was flustered.
"Hey."
"……Yes? Yes!"
"Go fetch the ingredients I write down."
"……Ingredients?"
As Namgung Hyeok wrote down ingredients one by one on paper, Tang Myeong-ok's eyes widened.
'All poison herbs! Don't tell me?'
Everything Namgung Hyeok listed was poison-related.
What else could that mean?
Tang Myeong-ok interpreted it as Namgung Hyeok about to reveal the method to build poison resistance.
'Just like that!'
"I'll get them right away!"
Tang Myeong-ok dashed off like a shot and returned like lightning.
The ingredients she fetched filled a whole bundle.
"Oho, fast."
"Just give the orders."
"Whatever."
Namgung Hyeok beckoned with his finger.
The Thunder Dragon Squad leaped out, tossed the poison herbs into the pit, and shoved a person in too.
'Ah! Building resistance, definitely!'
Showing it through the Venom Squad, for sure!
Tang Myeong-ok quickly pulled out brush and notepad.
She began jotting down everything from herb names and quantities to how they were distributed.
Namgung Hyeok turned his head.
"What're you doing?"
"……Nothing."
"Okay."
"……"
Tang Myeong-ok hid her notepad and slyly backed away.
Namgung Hyeok glanced at it and waved his hand dismissively.
"Go rest. Come back for dinner."
"……Really?"
"Yeah."
"Ah! Yes, yes!"
Tang Myeong-ok brightened and scampered off like she was fleeing.
So Geol-gae stared at her, then tilted his head.
"You're just letting her go?"
"Then?"
"Weren't you about to teach the resistance method now?"
"What bullshit? This is just torture."
"Oh, torture…… Huh?"
Namgung Hyeok casually spoke of torture as if it were natural, but it wasn't the resistance method?
"Then when's the resistance……"
"Torture first. Teach it after torture's done."
"……Then where'd she go?"
"Dunno."
"She was scribbling so eagerly……"
"Her torture techniques'll improve."
So Geol-gae let out a hollow laugh watching Namgung Hyeok cackle.
'Poor Tang Family bastards. Tsk tsk!'
Feeling a sense of schadenfreude for the Sichuan Tang Family that had the misfortune of meeting Namgung Hyeok.