Chapter 141 - Gold Diamond Needles
Dok Ma. Dok Go Pung.
That man was unmistakably Dok Ma.
I couldn't hide my astonishment.
The fact that Dok Ma was a member of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was already widely known throughout the martial world.
But from the nuance of what was happening now, it seemed Dang Si Yul had struck some kind of deal with him.
Dok Ma's face twisted in panic as he opened his mouth to speak.
—Act like you don't know.
I hurriedly sent him a telepathic message. He gave a faint nod.
Instead...
"He offered me poisons like the Seven Treasures Soul Scattering Powder in exchange for killing someone—and that someone was the Eastern Sword Dragon, right, Dang Si Yul?"
Dok Ma began to explain the situation to me, stumbling over his words.
After all that grand talk of war and such, he hadn't shown his face even once at the Yao Xian ruins. Hiding quietly like this, plotting something behind the scenes—who would've thought?
"Heh heh heh... Didn't you say you'd kill anyone for me, Dok Ma?"
Dang Si Yul had just broken two major taboos at once.
One was dealing with a Cult member in the first place.
The other was that the Tang Clan, who cherished their bloodline above all else, had let one of their own—a prime candidate for young lord—sacrifice even his own family.
Judging by Dang Si Yul's tense yet flushed expression, he knew exactly what he'd done.
This crazy bastard.
He'd been like this even at the Yao Xian ruins. Dang Si Yul was addicted to reckless alliances.
The problem was partnering with groups like Sa Wang Castle or the Cult—ones the righteous factions could never touch.
No, that's exactly why he keeps reaching out to them.
It was something no normal person could even imagine, which made it all the more reliable.
In hindsight, maybe even Dok So Gong's plan to grab the Black Ox Powder and bolt to the Tang Clan had been Dang Si Yul's doing.
"Just one question."
I turned to Dang Si Yul.
"Why go this far?"
"Because you're in my way."
"Even sacrificing your own clan's people?"
Dang Si Yul's eyes gleamed maniacally as he replied.
"They're just disposable pawns anyway. Nothing like me, chosen by the Tang Clan."
I let out a sigh. For all his dramatic flair, to someone like me—used to true madness like Sado Gwang or Chu Tae Su—it just felt like a late-blooming case of middle-school delusions.
"Idiot."
"...What did you say?"
"What makes you think you can pull this off?"
I was genuinely curious.
"Your opponent's Dok Ma. In this situation, how can you trust he'll let you live?"
"He has to."
Dang Si Yul declared triumphantly.
"So he can squeeze more secrets out of Grandfather's techniques. Right, Dok Ma?"
Dok Ma grimaced with a grunt. Then...
—You know poison arts are different from other martial techniques. Unlocking the Poison King's formulas makes this deal a steal.
When I didn't respond, Dok Ma added excuses telepathically.
—Plus, if I get the Tang Clan's secrets, it boosts the Cult's power too. Hardly betrayal, is it?
Nothing terrified a Cultist more than the traitor label. Even Dok Ma feared it.
"Come on, Dok Ma. What are you waiting for? Turn the Eastern Sword Dragon into a puddle of blood already!"
The oblivious Dang Si Yul even giggled in excitement.
[Why hesitate? Just kill him and be done with it.]
'Can't, because it's Dok Ma.'
Killing Dang Si Yul here would be easy enough.
But...
'The Poison King would figure out Dok Ma's involvement in no time.'
I'd escape suspicion, sure.
But the Tang Clan's response was predictable.
Repay favors tenfold, grudges a hundredfold.
War.
'Why did I come here? To prevent war.'
I had to let Dang Si Yul live.
'And... no, that might be jumping to conclusions.'
[So what's the plan?]
'I've got a rough idea.'
[Which is?]
'Rig the game.'
Protect the peace while dealing with Dang Si Yul.
'In young lord contests like this, negativity is the real star, right?'
[Uh... what?]
Daily scandals, smears, slander! If you can't boost your support, drag the opponent's down!
'Dang Si Yul and Dang Si Hyeok's scores are neck-and-neck... So scarring him for good is a solid strategy.'
With that, I sent Dok Ma a telepathic message.
—You're serious?
—Dead serious.
—Whatever game the Yao Xian heir's playing... you could die. To fool the Poison King, we need that level of commitment.
I hesitated for a split second. But I had Mugyeok-i and the Heavenly Demon Divine Art's power.
I wouldn't die easily.
—I already warned you. Once we're out in the world, we might have to fight for real.
—Ruthless.
"What are you doing?! Kill him now!"
—Now.
Dok Ma turned to Dang Si Yul.
"Tang brat. You got a death wish?"
"W-what?"
"Even if he was your granddad, no one orders me around."
With that, Dok Ma vanished.
Pa Cheon had activated the Time Wheel Jade to slow time.
Dok Ma reached for Dang Si Yul's collar. No fancy techniques like Golden Asura or anything—just extending his hand slowly, as planned.
I drew Pa Cheon and blocked Dang Si Yul's path, then restored time.
The instant I did—
Kwachuk!
My wrist gripping Pa Cheon was caught in Dok Ma's grasp.
"Guh!"
I tried to hold it in, but dizziness-inducing agony exploded through my right arm.
The pain crept up my arm—scorching hot, icy cold, like flesh being thinly sliced, bones snapping. Excruciating. My head spun; rational thought was impossible.
"What!?"
Dang Si Yul stumbled back in shock and fell. To think I was suffering like this to save a punk like him.
"Sa Wol!"
At my call, Sa Wol—who'd been waiting atop Mugyeok-i—swooped down, grabbed Dang Si Yul's collar, and shot back into the air.
—Not yet?
—Just a bit longer.
I released Pa Cheon. It floated up on its own, aiming for Dok Ma's throat.
"Flying Sword!"
Dok Ma released my forearm and retreated.
—My turn to attack.
Ultra Vibration.
Kiiiiing!
Pa Cheon hummed with a sharp metallic ring, vibrating wildly.
I couldn't unleash sword qi yet—the energy it was absorbing was from the Punishment Cave's demons.
But Pa Cheon was sharp enough to slice gang qi on its own.
So...
—Block for real... or it'll cut you.
Pa Cheon shot toward Dok Ma.
Dok Ma clicked his tongue, clapped his palms together, then thrust them forward.
Dark green gang qi—clearly a shield—blocked the incoming blade.
Deududuk!
Pa Cheon tore through the center of the green shield, pressing toward Dok Ma.
Upgraded by Cheol Mu Geuk to rend gang qi, it had shredded even Kwak Ri Yeon's poison-proof armor. With intent added...
Kwaduduk!
The green shield tore like paper—inevitable.
"!?"
Dok Ma whipped his hand in alarm. A green wind surged, deflecting Pa Cheon's path.
—That's harsh!
…
Dizzy, I couldn't respond.
And right now, the one pissed off wasn't me.
[How dare he touch my body!]
It was Pa Cheon.
Of course, for the act, this was plenty.
The surprise strike would sell it, but pushing further would expose my hand.
So...
'Enough, Pa Cheon.'
[But...!]
'Hold back.'
Pa Cheon paused. Taking the cue, Dok Ma swung his hand.
Pung!
Smoke billowed—the same poison mist Dok So Gong had used to escape pursuit before.
"Haa..."
I collapsed to my knees.
'Fucking hell, that hurts like a bitch.'
Blood filled my mouth. The Avoid Poison Jade in my pocket vibrated wildly. My head throbbed into delirium.
[Who's the mad one here? Saving some weirdo by taking Dok Ma's ultimate poison head-on—you're the real lunatic.]
'Huh, maybe.'
[No 'maybe.' You've been forgetting lately—that body's mine too. Treat it with care.]
'Sorry, really dizzy. Shut up for a sec.'
[Sit cross-legged at least.]
I did as Pa Cheon said.
[Your arm's in bad shape.]
I'd been avoiding looking, fearing more pain, but at Pa Cheon's words, I glanced down.
Gripmarks from Dok Ma ringed my wrist, dark green and swelling visibly in real time.
'How bad?'
[Without the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, you'd never hold a sword again.]
'...That fucker Dok Ma.'
[Why curse internally?]
Someone else answered for me.
"Why go this far?"
The Poison King, Dang Mugi, had appeared.
[...You knew?]
'Yeah. I... expected it.'
The Tang Clan's obsession with bloodline stemmed from Dang Mugi. Would he really let a key mission go solo?
I'd figured he was watching from hiding.
That's why I spared Dang Si Yul—and even protected him.
Fighting Dok Ma in his place, taking the injury?
That earned me the Poison King's "ally" stamp. From the man who'd hounded me with suspicion.
[Twice the effect if he showed, no loss if not. Smart.]
Hearing Pa Cheon's mutter, I laboriously lifted my head.
Dang Mugi stood there, expression grave.
"Dang Si Yul betrayed the clan and the martial world. Yet you protected him—and took the loss yourself. Why?"
No need to fake exhaustion; it was real. I barely managed,
"Because... it's right."
"The path of righteousness?"
Dang Mugi pondered deeply, then approached.
Pabababat!
Before I knew it, dozens of needles pierced my right forearm. Oddly transparent, like glass.
"In time, the poison will drain through your acupoints."
It felt a bit soothing, though I doubted it.
This body's acupoints could draw in energy but not expel it.
"We Easterners treasure our surnames. Can't give you the Tang name, but I promise—you're Tang in all but blood."
"Thank you."
"I should thank you. Oh, those needles..."
I couldn't hide my shock at the Poison King's words.
"Gold Diamond Needles. Your face tells me you know them."
Gold Diamond Needles.
Named for absorbing their energy, turning flesh diamond-hard.
[...Bungkwon's weakness fixed.]
Jackpot.
While pretending to be the Heavenly Demon