Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Traces (2)
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A poison that grotesquely deformed the human body before killing, while also scattering toxic miasma in the surroundings.
-The poison itself is dangerous, but the real danger lies in how the corpses pickle in that miasma. Do you know about it?
Those pickled corpses could be processed into bombs that spread the poison far and wide.
The Blood Cult had used them to gain the upper hand in battles across many fronts.
'I know... Sacheon's defensive lines crumbled because of those poison bombs.'
This was no matter he could simply overlook.
Dang Yu-wol clenched his fist tight.
"When did this supposedly happen?"
"About ten days ago, I think. Why? Planning to check it out?"
"Yes."
This wasn't just any incident—it involved the Blood Cult.
Corpse bombs made from hundreds of bodies would be a huge boon to them.
He couldn't just stand by and let it slide.
"You all go on ahead without me."
The Three-Faced Ghost Armor was important, but so was this.
But at Dang Yu-wol's words, Hwan-gyu and his two disciples quickly shook their heads.
"We gotta earn our keep!"
"We can't just leave after eating something this delicious!"
As I-kyeong and I-ryul spoke up boldly, Hwan-gyu grinned and pointed to the dishes.
"Didn't you offer these as alms to us Taoists, little brother? You wouldn't think we're the kind of barefaced scoundrels who take alms and then bolt, would you?"
-They're insisting on taking the hard road.
It wouldn't be easy.
But if they were set on it, he wouldn't stop them.
Dang Yu-wol looked them straight in the eye.
"In that case... steel yourselves."
"Aigoo. I won't stop you if you want to get off, but it's a shame."
After finishing their meal and explaining the situation to the boat captain on the deck, he expressed his regret.
But there was no stopping passengers who wished to disembark.
"I wish you all a safe journey for the rest of your travels."
Having received refunds on their fares and reward money for their help, they headed straight for the magistrate's office.
Sure enough, a makeshift camp had sprung up around it, drawing crowds of people.
"There are quite a few Imperial Loyalist soldiers too. Look over there—the banners bear the characters for 'Imperial Army.'"
Hwan-gyu was right.
Dang Yu-wol's group made their way to the magistrate's entrance, eyes on the Imperial Loyalist banners.
At the entrance, officers who looked like commanding officers were issuing orders to the soldiers.
"Greetings. I'm Dang Yu-wol of the Sacheon Tang Clan."
"Sacheon Tang Clan...? Ah, that Sacheon one?! But why are you here?"
The officer looked puzzled, wondering what business a martial artist would have at the magistrate's office.
"I heard there's been a poisoning incident in a village called Jiro River."
"And?"
"I thought I might be of some help."
"What? For real?"
"Yes. The Tang Clan built its name on poisons and hidden weapons."
They had knowledge of poisons.
Dang Yu-wol introduced himself as someone who could assist the Imperial Army.
"That's perfect timing. The miasma there is so thick it's hard to even approach."
His pleased expression suggested it had truly been a challenge.
One of the officers went inside, while the others rejoiced.
"We've requested men from the Imperial Army and the Yi-seon Sect, but we don't know when they'll arrive..."
"If a poison expert from the Tang Clan lends a hand, General Song will be thrilled."
His identity checked out.
And with the Poison Eyes Dragon to his name, his skills were proven.
No reason to turn away help.
"Follow me. I'll take you to the general."
The officer who had gone inside returned and led them into the magistrate's office.
Inside, there were quite a few people—mostly physicians, by the look of them.
"You're that guy from earlier?"
From where the physicians were gathered, a man with his face half-covered by cloth stepped forward.
It was Song Juk.
"What brings you all the way here?"
"We are members of the prestigious righteous sects. We follow justice and chivalry."
"Huh. And?"
"So how could we pass by an atrocity befalling the Empire?"
Song Juk's face lit up.
He'd taken a liking to Dang Yu-wol already.
This was the kind of talk that made him think the young man might even beg to enlist.
"A martial artist cultivates their arts not just for self-cultivation, but also to aid the weak."
"Ooooh..."
"Moreover, we too are subjects of the Great Empire. It's only natural for us to serve the august Imperial House."
-Did he grease his tongue or something?
'I've done this a lot in my past life.'
-What the hell have you been up to...
Ye-ui sounded impressed, and Song Juk beamed with joy.
"Huh. A martial artist stepping up for official business like this. You're a good man. Really no interest in joining the army?"
"Hahaha..."
"Anyway, perfect timing. If you know poisons well, come take a look."
He said it casually and held out a cloth.
"And just in case, cover your face with this."
As instructed, Dang Yu-wol masked his nose and mouth with the cloth and entered the tent.
Several physicians wore grave expressions.
"Who's this?"
The people inside eyed the newcomer Dang Yu-wol curiously.
Song Juk explained calmly.
"Someone from the Tang Clan. Says he knows his poisons, so let's show him."
"Tang Clan! I've heard of them! Their young clan head is supposed to be incredible..."
"That's this guy."
"Ooh! No wonder!"
One of the physicians cleared a spot for Dang Yu-wol.
"This man's an officer poisoned while scouting inside Jiro River Village. If you can, could you detoxify him?"
"Yes. Let me take a look."
Dang Yu-wol grasped the groaning officer's wrist.
-It's definite.
A slight infusion of internal energy into the erratic pulse told him everything.
Something squirmed within the meridians.
'Sea Fish Blood Demon Poison. If left alone, he'll be dead in ten days.'
"Can you detoxify it?"
-Need an antidote? I can make one.
'No need. Better to show off some pharmacology here.'
Either way, he needed to demonstrate his skills.
And fulfill the physicians' expectations.
"Two roots of Oji grass, two roots of Yanggwi orchid. Three roots of Jihang grass and half a catty of dried Eohyeon fruit, plus clean water and pharmaceutical tools."
The physicians sprang into action at his words.
Soon they returned with the herbs.
Dang Yu-wol took them and began grinding and boiling, crafting the medicine.
"Ooooh..."
"Incredible..."
"Huh. The young fellow's hands move quite deftly."
"That's on par with pharmacists from the capital."
"As expected of the Sacheon Tang Clan. Can't underestimate them."
Compared to what he'd done in the Blood Cult before his regression, this was laughably easy.
But to the surrounding physicians, it was a revelation.
'Dang Yu-wol of the Tang Clan...'
Song Juk committed the name to memory.
In the meantime, Dang Yu-wol called in the anxiously waiting Hwan-gyu from outside.
"What's up?"
"Could you infuse some internal energy into this?"
"I can, but why?"
"This poison isn't ordinary. It reacts to vital energy."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Without using medicine infused with internal energy to forcibly expel it, detoxification is impossible."
"Huh. I see. But couldn't you do the infusing yourself?"
"Taoist internal energy works better for detoxification."
No reason to refuse.
Hwan-gyu, who had no intention of refusing anyway, lightly infused internal energy into the medicine bowl.
The medicine visibly gained more vitality.
"All set?"
"Yes. Just have him drink this."
A physician took the medicine Dang Yu-wol offered and poured it into the officer's mouth.
They all held their breath in tense anticipation.
It wasn't long before the medicine took effect.
"Hngh...!! Cough! Cough!!"
Violent coughing erupted.
Mixed in were dark red blood clots.
"Heavens! Vomiting blood—has he suffered internal injuries?"
"Look! This is more like poison than blood!"
The physicians were right.
Once the clots were expelled, the officer's condition improved rapidly.
"Haa... Here... Ugh... Ge-General... I think I'm better now..."
His consciousness returned, color blooming in his face.
As Song Juk started to rejoice, Dang Yu-wol doused him with cold water.
"He's not fully recovered. The poison is neutralized, but his stamina is greatly depleted."
"Still way better than when he couldn't even regain consciousness!!"
"I'm glad you see it that way."
Stopping Song Juk's celebration, Dang Yu-wol addressed the officer.
"Don't push yourself for about four days—just rest deeply. Are you cultivating any martial arts?"
"Mm... The Imperial Army's techniques..."
"Circulate your energy morning and night to heal your meridians."
"Thank you..."
His weak reply ended with closed eyes.
Evidently exhausted, he fell into deep sleep, snoring loudly.
Only then did Song Juk openly show his delight.
"You actually detoxified it! How did you do it?!"
"One of my clan's secret remedies."
"I-is that so? Well, splendid anyway."
It had been a huge help.
Song Juk asked with high hopes.
"If you can detoxify this poison, can you make something to block it too?"
-Hm. That's impossible, isn't it?
'Right. Unless you cultivate Blood Arts or keep taking antidotes to build resistance, there's no answer.'
Dang Yu-wol shook his head, and Song Juk looked disappointed.
To console him, Dang Yu-wol continued calmly.
"It's not that there's no way to block it entirely."
"Really? What is it?"
"Protect your entire body with energy. That blocks the poison at the source."
"Huh. But... that level of energy skill requires at least a transcendent-level master."
"Yes."
"What about you then? From a poison-handling clan—you could manage it, right?"
-You can. At your current level, I can shield you from that kind of poison.
'That works too?'
-Isn't it weird for someone who can create poisons to get poisoned?
'No idea what that has to do with it... So if I level up enough, I'm poison-proof?'
-Pretty much.
An unexpected boon.
Dang Yu-wol paused briefly, then nodded.
"I can."
"Great. Then help us out. I won't skimp on the rewards."
'Now I can enter Jiro River Village.'
-Might run into some Blood Cult spawn? Haha. I'd welcome a chance to show those bastards what for anytime.
Dang Yu-wol and Ye-ui were thrilled.
Their hatred for the Blood Cult ran deep, after all.
"Come inside for now. Bring your group too."
Upon arriving at the magistrate's office, Song Juk personally served Dang Yu-wol's group tea.
A sign of respect.
"Surprisingly, a similar incident occurred around Jiro River Village in the Northern Hebei region too."
"I see."
"The problem is, we still haven't identified what poison this is."
At his words, Dang Yu-wol frowned.
Seemed like his to-do list had just grown longer.