Chapter 135: 200 Years
In this world of Murim Return, those who wield poison are treated as losers. People believe it's not a fair, head-on fight.
For the same reason, users of hidden weapons are seen as cowardly and receive poor treatment.
Yet there was no bold soul in the jianghu who could ignore the Tang Clan of Sichuan, masters of both poison and hidden weapons.
The Tang Clan was that relentless.
Repay favors tenfold, grudges a hundredfold!
They built their power while enduring the label of ruthlessness, until the saying arose that it was better to quit the jianghu than tangle with them.
Especially after the era of the Poison King Dang Mugi.
People had a misconception.
The Poison King and Poison Demon.
Just because both used "poison" in their titles didn't mean their strengths were comparable.
Far from it.
The Poison King was at least a generation ahead of the Poison Demon, a far more formidable old monster.
One who could hide from everyone's eyes here.
If anything, he ranked in the top five even among the Divine Cult.
"Poison King..."
Tension etched across Yeon Ju Dam's face. The weight of that name was immense.
[The Poison King?]
Pa Cheon muttered in shock.
[How did you know about the Poison King's existence, you monster?]
'Of course I did.'
Dang Si Yul would naturally know that the Sa Wang Castle's young lord—and one of its key figures—was involved with the fake Yakseon descendants.
He wouldn't join hands with Sa Wang Castle's young lord without any countermeasures.
'There's only one possible countermeasure.'
A man who valued only the Tang Clan's revival and interests above all, sparing no means to achieve it.
Yet one who could also control Yeon Ju Dam.
'That explains everything.'
Even why a mere "provisional" young lord of a great clan dared provoke conflict among the Five Great Families without any retaliation.
Even why, despite Yakseon's relic being found, no traces of other sects appeared except the Tang Clan.
Because the Poison King Dang Mugi lurked behind it all.
[Even so, assuming the Poison King was here was utter madness.]
'I told you. You have to go mad to survive.'
The brief silence passed quickly.
"G-Grandfather?"
Dang Si Hyeok said in disbelief.
"Is that really you, Grandfather?"
Dang Mugi still had his back turned. For some reason, his back looked small.
"Grandfather... why..."
Meanwhile, Dang Si Yul, emboldened by Dang Mugi's appearance, chimed in.
"Why? You fool."
As Dang Si Yul sneered and opened his mouth to continue—
"Be quiet."
Dang Mugi's voice rang out. His voice was—
Clearly aged and weary.
Dang Si Yul clamped his mouth shut. His eyes brimmed with anxiety and resentment, of course.
Dang Mugi spoke again.
"Young lord of Sa Wang Castle. How about we end this now?"
"Too late for that."
"I'll make a proposal too. Stop here, and I'll let you leave peacefully. With various conveniences."
"I already said that's impossible."
"If you're counting on your tugu demons, abandon that hope."
Yeon Ju Dam's brow furrowed.
"Several sects, including the Kunlun Sect, are already blocking your tugu. We've agreed to share the treasures."
"...You sly old raccoon."
"Surviving in the jianghu to my age means I've grown cunning. Take it as a compliment."
"We'll settle the score properly."
"I stake my name on it."
At Dang Mugi's words, Yeon Ju Dam sheathed his sword. The thick red mist enveloping the area dissipated simultaneously.
Soon, Yeon Ju Dam strode away without a hint of intimidation.
"Looking forward to clashing swords next time, Eastern Sword Dragon."
Yeon Ju Dam tipped his hat to me in salute. I nodded back.
Even for an unorthodox warrior, leaving a good impression on someone of his caliber was never a bad idea.
"As expected of Grandfather! Even the Blood Rain Sword Demon—!"
As Dang Si Yul beamed and spoke—
Suddenly, his mouth gaped silently, as if he wanted to speak but couldn't.
[...He spat. In an instant.]
A glob of spit pierced Dang Si Yul's pressure point. An acupoint strike in a flash.
"Didn't this old man tell you to be quiet?"
Only then did Dang Mugi turn to face us.
The man called the Poison King was an elderly figure.
His face weary, filled with regret.
"First, my apologies, child of the Paeng Clan. My greed nearly got you badly hurt."
"...No, sir."
Even Paeng So So couldn't bring herself to speak casually to the Poison King.
"I'll visit Elder Brother Yu-gun personally to apologize."
"No need to apologize."
"The Tang Clan settles accounts precisely."
This time, Dang Mugi's gaze shifted to Dang Si Hyeok.
"And I'm sorry, Si Hyeok. For showing you this pathetic side of your grandfather."
"Grandfather!"
"It was for the clan. Turbulent times are coming soon. In chaos, you need strong power to protect yourself."
Finally, Dang Mugi turned his eyes to me. He stared piercingly at my face for a long moment.
Sa Wol and Tak Horak tensed, guarding my sides.
At last, Dang Mugi spoke.
"To emerge unscathed from Chilbo Chuhon San poisoning proves you're truly Yakseon's descendant. I was rude to test you. Forgive me."
"..."
No wonder the Avoid Poison Jade had vibrated wildly—it was laced with Chilbo Chuhon San.
I'd felt a twinge of pity, thinking this weary, regretful old man was reflecting on his actions. Cancel that.
What was Chilbo Chuhon San?
A deadly poison named for killing in seven steps once afflicted.
And he'd casually sprinkled it on me as a "test."
'I didn't even notice when he poisoned me.'
Without the Avoid Poison Jade beforehand, I'd have been in deep trouble.
Twice rude, and I'd have been sent to the afterlife. But I couldn't show it now.
"I'm fine."
[...Are you really fine, you monster?]
Pa Cheon said worriedly.
[Chasing off Yeon Ju Dam is one thing, but can you trust Dang Mugi? You might chase away the fox only to invite the tiger.]
'Don't worry.'
The Tang Clan's slogan was "favors tenfold, grudges a hundredfold."
A century ago—before Dang Mugi was even born—they received a great favor from Yakseon.
As long as I was acknowledged as Yakseon's true descendant, Dang Mugi couldn't touch me.
It wasn't mere words; it was the Tang Clan's identity. Defying it was impossible for someone who cherished his clan like Dang Mugi.
In fact—
Dang Mugi even bowed his head to me in apology.
"I failed to punish the impostor claiming Yakseon's legacy, and sullied that name for petty gain. I apologize."
For a man of his age, status, and position to speak formally and apologize was extraordinary.
Time for me to accept it.
"As I said, it's fine. It's been over a century anyway, and though I'm Yakseon's descendant, I didn't inherit directly."
"That poison scent and aura you exude are extraordinary. Humility is a virtue in the East, but no need in the jianghu."
The Poison King must have sensed the poison aura from Dok Ma. Another misunderstanding.
But as always, such misunderstandings were welcome.
"This foolish old man will withdraw from the relic."
Dang Si Yul's eyes bulged in rage, thrashing futilely, but nothing changed.
"However, as a final selfish wish, I want to see what Yakseon left behind."
"That much, sure."
"So you knew how to open that door all along."
A chill ran down my spine.
Even while pretending friendliness, he was confirming to the end if I was truly Yakseon's heir.
No wonder Yeon Ju Dam called him a sly old raccoon.
'The Divine Cult folks at least charge in openly and end it cleanly.'
This is why jianghu folk are terrifying.
[The problem is the quest.]
'What about the quest?'
[You must punish Dang Si Yul. How?]
'That's why—what about the quest?'
[...What?]
'Pa Cheon, you're mistaken. We're not rushing to complete quests; we need to stall for time.'
Completing quests meant fully committing as the Heavenly Demon's fiancée.
That would prevent searching for Cheon Gi-ja. Better to use missing Dang Si Yul as an excuse to linger in the jianghu.
'Not the issue now. That wall is.'
I approached the iron wall blocking the relic's entrance.
Dang Si Yul glared with resentment, but what could he do?
It resembled the Muhonjibyeok in material and appearance.
The difference? A hibiscus flower engraved in the center.
Yakseon's mark.
'The First Heavenly Demon lived 300 years ago; Yakseon was active 100 years ago.'
A 200-year gap. What connected them?
I pressed my healing palm wound open again and placed my hand on the Muhonjibyeok.
As expected, it dramatically shifted form amid flashy effects.
"Whoa! Brother Kim, amazing!"
"The real deal is different!"
Admiring voices rose behind me, but I ignored them.
The transformed Muhonjibyeok bore another long Hangul inscription.
But—
Day 70,371 since falling into the murim world.
Cheon Gi-ja said the 'gate' would open soon. How long since I missed the last one? About 150 years?
Thank goodness. Tired of side character games. Time to retire the Yakseon act.
Those Divine Cult idiots misinterpreted my martial arts, and the so-called Heavenly Demon couldn't live up to his name, rampaging madly—until I put him out of his misery. With my own hands.
Split it in half, so if they train properly in order, no issues. Probably?
Just in case, I leave this relic. It's my martial arts, but that guy's nasty personality eats away at innate essence—here's a supplement drug.
If you're lucky, consume it; if not, don't. I'm off. Time to go home for real. He said if unlucky, wait another 100 years.
Pretending to be the Heavenly Demon
Its contents were no joke.
'...70,000 days?'
A liberal arts guy like me couldn't calculate instantly and paused.
Roughly... 200 years.