I Became the Protagonist Who Monopolizes Fortuitous Encounters in a Martial Arts Novel 45: Invincible Poison Man (3)
Dang Gwanwol, the Invincible Poison Man, was in even worse shape than I'd imagined. To fully revive him, he'd need round-the-clock treatment for a full week, so I had no choice but to inform Cheonmu Academy and take a week's leave for personal reasons. I'd long since caught up to—and surpassed—their martial arts curriculum, so I had no worries there.
The critical danger has passed, but I can't let my guard down.
With that in mind, I brewed medicinal soups from the finest tonics and tended to him diligently, even with acupuncture. The results finally showed!
"Ugh..."
Signs of recovery at last. His deathly pallor had returned to a healthy flush, his consciousness was fully restored, and above all, strength gleamed in his eyes once more.
"Thank you. Truly, thank you."
The Invincible Poison Man was renowned as a master of terrifying poison arts, yet he was a man who knew propriety. The moment he opened his eyes, he expressed his gratitude to me. After all, I was essentially his lifesaver—he had every reason to be moved.
"No need. It was simply fate that brought us together."
I said as much while helping him sit up.
"Judging by your robes and bearing, you seem to be a martial artist... but since it appears you have circumstances you'd rather not discuss, I won't pry further."
I knew his character well. He never showed it overtly, but he was profoundly considerate and upright. So I didn't press him or ask questions. Instead, I cared for him with utmost devotion until he chose to speak of his own accord.
Two days later, as he showed marked improvement, Dang Gwanwol approached me and—what do you know—bowed his head deeply.
"Wh-what is this? You're a senior of the martial world—please don't! I'm just a lowly student at Cheonmu Academy and a novice physician."
His sudden show of respect startled me into a flinch.
"No, no. Age, status, and position aside, you saved my life, young hero. What else could you be but my benefactor? Expressing thanks to one's lifesaver is only natural."
With that, he calmly introduced himself.
"And I am... Dang Gwanwol, the Invincible Poison Man and deputy leader of the Tang Clan of Sichuan."
"...!!"
I already knew this, of course, but his natural self-disclosure still surprised me. And he didn't stop there—he laid out his entire story. From the schemes of the Tang Clan's leader, the Dark Heaven Arhat Dang Wiryong, to the betrayal by the Poison Heaven Tang faction, he told me everything.
"Good heavens!"
"I wrestled long and hard over whether revealing such matters to a young junior like you would help or harm you, but since you're my lifesaver, I deemed it right to inform you."
As expected, he was a man of deep consideration and righteousness. I couldn't help but seethe at the Tang Clan of Sichuan for betraying and discarding such a fine man. If left alone, he could have been their pride—without me, he'd have died long ago.
"Heaven has blessed me; my fate hasn't ended. My mission remains unfinished."
He spoke calmly as he steadily regained his strength. I was intensely curious about his plans going forward.
"If I may be so bold, what are your intentions now?"
Simply returning to the Tang Clan alive would be suicide. With leader Dang Wiryong and his vicious cronies still dominant, he'd likely be quietly purged again.
"For now, I'll seek refuge with my maternal clan. They deal in poisons as well."
"Ah! Of course!"
Come to think of it, the Invincible Poison Man's maternal clan was none other than the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect, a prestigious school of poison arts second to none. Masters of every one of ten thousand poisons, blending them into deadly combinations, they boasted a fearsome reputation rivaling the Tang Clan of Sichuan.
In truth, even though Dang Gwanwol wasn't direct Tang blood, his rise to leader of the Poison Heaven Tang owed much to the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect.
They shared some of their deadliest poisons, forging him into the Invincible Poison Man. That's how a collateral branch member like him became deputy leader and Poison Heaven Tang head—an unprecedented feat.
Of course, his collateral status later fueled resentment from the clan's blood purists.
"A wise choice. The Ten Thousand Poisons Sect will be a staunch ally for you, Hero Tang."
With their expertise in poisons came skilled physicians, too—they'd help him fully recover his strength. Only after hearing his future plans did I finally relax.
"Heh, you're worrying about me to the end. My thanks."
"Think nothing of it. I've long admired you, Hero Tang, so it was my honor to help."
"You admire me?"
Dang Gwanwol sounded genuinely surprised. In the jianghu, anyone handling poisons was either viewed with suspicion or branded a fiend of the unorthodox paths.
"Yes. As a martial artist who also practices medicine, I have a deep interest in poison arts related to healing."
"Is that so?"
"Indeed. While most poison masters are said to be narrow-minded, you, Hero Tang, are renowned for your fairness and justice—striking only when absolutely necessary. That's what sets you apart."
This wasn't flattery; it was sincere. Even after mastering poison arts through multiple full reads of Seven Falls, Eight Rises: The Invincible Fist King, I couldn't help but admire his heroic demeanor. My uncle, the creator, had praised him too.
-Among the Ten Great Warriors of the World, this Invincible Poison Man stands out in mainstream martial tales. Poison masters from the Tang Clan are usually vicious, petty, and vengeful clichés, right? But not him. He wields poison without pettiness or bias. He boldly defies those narrow views that finger-point at poison users. More heroic than any orthodox master, with true big-brother vibes. That's why the protagonist, Cheon Myeong—who becomes the Invincible Fist King—admires him so much, even sharing the "Invincible" moniker with glee.
High praise indeed. At the same time, his early death reflected the harsh truth that good men die young.
"Hearing that warms my heart. Somehow, I had a feeling our meeting wasn't mere chance, but a grand twist of fate."
He smiled, deeply satisfied. Outwardly a stern, dry middle-aged man, but his smile revealed a boyish charm.
"In two days, I'll be fit to move. I'll slip away to the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect then."
Once recovered there, he'd likely contact his surviving Poison Heaven Tang subordinates and cautiously announce his revival.
"Since I'll be leaving soon..."
Dang Gwanwol smiled again and dropped a bombshell.
"I really should repay my lifesaver, don't you think?"
The words I'd been waiting for! I waved my hands in surprise.
"No, truly."
I'd hoped for some reward, but saving him had already granted something far more precious. The joy of reviving a man fated to die was as rewarding and noble as any fortuitous encounter or prize.
"Please, don't make a petty man of me."
When he bowed deeply and cupped his fists in formal salute, I couldn't refuse anymore. Truth be told, I secretly hoped for a minor poison technique from him.
"...Very well."
I relented, expecting a Tang Clan poison art or heart method. But my expectations shattered spectacularly.
"What I'll pass on as repayment is a collection of insights I've gathered from experiencing both the Tang Clan's and Ten Thousand Poisons Sect's poison arts."
That sparked a realization.
No way...
Dang Gwanwol, the unparalleled master who'd mastered the pinnacle poisons of both clans. The technique that earned him his "matchless poison man" moniker was the jianghu's strongest poison art. He hadn't even shared it with the Tang Clan—only he knew it, and even leader Dang Wiryong coveted it fiercely. Some said the greedy Dang Wiryong exiled him out of envy for that very art.
"It's called Mu Hyeong Dok Gong—the Formless Poison Skill."
The staple in tales of poison-wielding protagonists: a poison without form or scent, leaving foes oblivious to its deployment or their own poisoning. This was its essence.
"My god! That's your signature poison technique, Hero Tang—the dream of every poison master!"
His offer exceeded my wildest dreams. I gaped in shock. In the Seven Falls, Eight Rises: The Invincible Fist King world, the Formless Poison Skill was the ultimate poison art, the zenith of all toxins.
In the original story, after the Invincible Poison Man's death, it was lost forever—a treasure mourned by all.
My uncle, the creator, had lamented its loss like this:
-Tch, after creating it, it felt too overpowered. With Taeryeok Cheolgang Gong and Divine Transformation Heart Method already as cheat-level arts, two world-breakers were enough. That's why I intentionally let the Formless Poison Skill vanish—for balance.
If it fell into my hands...
I'd claim every cheat-level martial art in this world.
Internal arts, external arts, and now poison! My one vulnerability to poisoning would vanish, letting me fell foes effortlessly with toxins. I'd be perfected against every threat that could kill me.
And that wasn't all.
If I infuse this into the advanced fist techniques I'll learn later...
Invincible, indeed. No enemy could stand before my fists. Mastering these three supreme arts—one enough to make anyone the strongest—left nothing to fear. Even roughly proficient, I'd crush anyone short of Martial God realm.
"But that's your defining poison art, Hero Tang! It's too much!"
I waved him off repeatedly, but he was resolute.
"Without you, I'd be a dead man walking. And another thought occurs."
He paused, took a deep breath, then fixed me with a steady gaze and revealed his mind.
"Perhaps... my survival is fated so I can pass everything I have to you—a once-in-a-generation prodigy, the next greatest under heaven."