175. Subjugation Force
“Qi-scattering poison? Not meridian-sealing poison, but qi-scattering poison?”
At my words, Dang Mugi set down his teacup and widened his eyes.
“Yes. You once helped me with my training using qi-scattering poison.”
“That’s true, but…”
“Could I get some more?”
“What for?”
“For training.”
“Training?”
“Yes.”
I nodded and continued.
“After practicing martial arts while under the effects of qi-scattering poison, it felt like my control over my qi had strengthened even further.”
“However, qi-scattering poison wasn’t developed for training purposes. Continuous exposure could have fatal effects on your meridians. Do you know about meridian blockage?”
“……Yes, I know it well.”
I probably knew more about meridian blockage than anyone else.
“Qi-scattering poison is an improved version of meridian-sealing poison. When we first researched it, several warriors in the research division complained of meridian blockage symptoms. I myself suffered severe meridian damage and needed months of rest to recover my martial arts.”
“But you came back, didn’t you?”
“That’s true.”
“And in that process, your meridians must have become far more resilient.”
“That too.”
Paeng Yu-gun, who had been listening from the side, nodded with a pleased expression.
“Mugi, you fool. Muscles or meridians—don’t they only grow stronger after being pushed to their limits? Just give the Sword Dragon whatever he asks for, quick as you can.”
“I’d give him Seven Treasures Soul-Chasing Powder if he asked. As a descendant of the poison lineage, I could eat that stuff with my rice. But qi-scattering poison is different.”
It was utterly mad logic.
Seven Treasures Soul-Chasing Powder was a deadly toxin. Its name came from killing before seven steps could be taken.
Qi-scattering poison, by comparison, merely prevented qi usage—harmless to life itself.
Yet claiming the deadly poison was preferable was pure warrior logic, down to the bone.
Better to die than lose the ability to use martial arts. To me—who’d roll in a dung field if it meant staying alive—it was incomprehensible. But if I thought of warriors as an entirely different species, it made sense enough.
“Mugi. Do you know the Sword Dragon’s greatest strength? The subtle circulation of his qi. He wields formless sword gang with his flying sword without a shred of waste—sometimes it’s hard to tell if he’s even using martial arts.”
“That’s true, but…”
“That kid’s a freak who sat cross-legged in full lotus just to train during spars with me. Support him however you can.”
Paeng Yu-gun was reliably solid, as always.
Like an uncle figure, perhaps. Not his kid, so no responsibility—just pure indulgence, letting me do whatever I wanted.
From my perspective, it couldn’t be more reassuring.
“Well, Dong Yun will handle it wisely himself, and if even you say so, brother, then fine.”
With that, Dang Mugi pulled out a small pouch and handed it to me. About the size of a New Year’s lucky money pouch.
“Be careful with the dosage. The tiny scoop inside holds the maximum safe amount per session.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“So, you’re leaving soon.”
“Yes.”
“Such a shame. You could’ve stayed longer.”
“I feel the same.”
My words were partly sincere. Honestly, it had been a sweet deal—honorary advisor with status but no real duties, in a safe haven where no one dared pick fights.
Even Mo Yong Hak’s brief antagonism was just that: brief.
“Dong Yun. Listen well.”
“Yes, elder.”
“Even if you don’t carry the Tang bloodline or bear the Tang name in the registry, you are the Tang Clan’s honorary advisor.”
“Yes.”
“What is the Tang Clan’s creed?”
“Repay favors tenfold, grudges a hundredfold.”
“Right. No matter where you go, never forget it. Sichuan and the Tang Clan will always have your back.”
Moving words, though they stung a little. After all, I was a Divine Cult member. Someday, their trust would shatter.
‘I’ll stop the war.’
“Don’t worry too much. Aren’t I going with you?”
“That’s exactly what worries me. How much will you torment the boy, brother?”
“Anyone’d think I eat kids alive.”
“A tiger at least can be driven off. You bite and never let go. Listen up, Dong Yun. This brother of mine looks brutish, but his talent for seducing people is top-notch. Blink, and you’ll find yourself in Hebei playing son-in-law. Stay vigilant.”
“What? This punk?”
“See? He’s not denying it.”
The two elders looked ready to launch into another round of banter, so I quickly paid my respects and headed out.
Back at my quarters, Sa Wol followed.
“Target confirmed. Rendezvous in one hour at a secluded spot in Seong Do.”
“Then we move now.”
I took Sa Wol and headed straight to a quiet outskirts spot in Seong Do. Even though Sa Wol, the tracking master, had confirmed no tails, I zigzagged my path multiple times. Finally, I used the Time Wheel Jade and Blink to slip into a simple thatched hut.
“It’s been a while.”
A man in a bamboo hat sat inside.
[His qi presence has grown even stronger. Did he have some stroke of fortune?]
Of course, I couldn’t sense qi like that.
“Have you been well, Sado Family Head?”
Lifting the hat revealed Dok Ma’s face.
“What business does a busy man like you have summoning me?”
“You haven’t been reporting in.”
“How could I, with the leader holed up in the Tang Clan? Quite the entertaining rumors, though. Anyone’d think you’d defected.”
To outsiders, it might sound like a challenge, but this was standard Divine Cult banter. Real provocation would’ve been “betrayer” instead of “defection”—or he’d have drawn his weapon already.
This was just a greeting.
“It’s intelligence work.”
“A Mad Demon Six Families head doing spy work himself. Impressive loyalty.”
“I won’t drag this out. Do you have qi-scattering poison?”
“Qi-scattering poison? Why the sudden interest?”
“I need it.”
“A figure like the Sado Family Head seeking qi-scattering poison. Starting a war? Or hitting Shaolin to cause a ruckus?”
Uncannily on point, but I continued calmly.
“Right. I’m going to Shaolin.”
“……Just to be sure, Shaolin’s different. They’re not called the pole star of the central plains for nothing. Their abbot won’t even be affected by qi-scattering poison.”
“I’ll handle it.”
The guy who’d called war a golden opportunity was suddenly spooked by Shaolin.
“They say Shaolin’s abbot rivals even Transcendents.”
“Nonsense.”
“What?”
“Long or short, you learn by comparing—but between sun and moon, who’s brighter is obvious without a fight.”
“Your loyalty’s something else. As expected of the successor candidate.”
More like Return of the Murim Lord’s setting.
Of course, Dok Ma was right—Shaolin’s abbot wasn’t to be trifled with.
Shaolin Temple’s abbot, Hye-neung.
Another name for him: Divine Monk.
He disliked the title, but that spoke to his stature.
His profound martial arts were matched by spiritual power—said to pierce souls.
‘That’s why I need meridian-sealing and qi-scattering poison.’
Not for others—for myself.
A man who pierced souls like Shaolin’s abbot might sense the Heavenly Demon Divine Art lurking within me.
‘Meridian-sealing poison closes off qi pathways.’
This body’s blockage was unique: intake meridians open, outflow sealed.
Meridian-sealing poison narrowed them entirely; qi-scattering poison dispersed any residual qi.
Seal the paths, scatter what’s left.
Impossible before. The Heavenly Demon Divine Art would’ve scoffed at “mere poison,” devoured it, and rampaged worse.
But now, with strong qi control, it was fine.
[You’re something else, swallowing poison just to hide it.]
‘It’s fine. I won’t die.’
[Is this the posture of a true warrior, or reckless bravado?]
Conclusion: combining the two poisons hid my qi.
Unable to use internal energy? Catastrophic for others, trivial for me.
“I have some left over. What’s the price?”
“Hasn’t wandering freely been payment enough? Looks like you’ve gained some fortune too.”
“……You’ve always been too sharp, Family Head. If you were a punk, I’d have slit your throat.”
“Challenge me, and I’ll accept.”
“Don’t forget I outrank you.”
Fierce words, but Dok Ma was smiling. Again—this was standard Cult talk, not a real threat. He’d have yelled “You bastard!” and attacked if serious.
‘Or he’s wary of the Tang Clan.’
Causing a scene in their front yard? Obvious consequences.
“Here.”
Dok Ma shook a small pouch from his bundle and handed it over. Sa Wol, standing behind me, received it.
“One more time: if you stir trouble at Shaolin, even I can’t help.”
“Not asking.”
“By the way. Rumor has it you brought a spirit beast that practices martial arts?”
“It’ll return home soon.”
“What? Why?”
“It’s not just any spirit beast—it’s a divine beast. I brought it out for a purpose, but I can’t keep dragging a divine beast around.”
“Tch… I was hoping to hand it to Cho Ryang and watch.”
Spirit beasts were Cho Ryang’s domain, so Dok Ma—nominally his master’s peer—wanted a peek.
No chance.
I couldn’t parade around with a protected species like a spirit bear.
Mugyeok-i had guzzled Dead Leaf Tea like water and now seemed homesick.
Send it off with a few jars, and good.
“Heard the news?”
“What news?”
“Tsk tsk. So behind on intel. It’s Cult business.”
Infuriating, but true.
I’d secured external intel via Blood Cult, but internal Cult info lagged badly.
Dok Ma had known about the poison sage ruins before me.
“Jin Yeong Ryeong. She’s recovered her realm. Couldn’t sacrifice Cult members to cultivate blood arts, so she got permission for an external trip while we were on mission.”
Blood arts demanded blood to cultivate.
With the Cult short on people, she’d gone outside.
Pity for victims was hypocrisy.
‘Recovered fast, given her original realm.’
As I thought that—
“But the returned Jin Yeong Ryeong… talked about the Blood Cult.”
“……Read memories through blood?”
“Exactly. One of blood arts’ abilities. For some reason, instead of random warriors, she hunted ones reeking of blood.”
Surprising. Jin Yeong Ryeong wasn’t picky like that.
“Blood Cult, huh. Thought we’d wiped them out, but they’re back?”
Typical Cult view of Blood Cult.
Both claimed direct lineage from the First Heavenly Demon.
The Cult was closer, of course.
“Maybe a Blood Cult subjugation force will form around Jin Yeong Ryeong. Can’t have them hijacking the First Heavenly Demon’s legacy.”
“I see.”
“Cold reaction.”
“They’re just heretics anyway.”
“Heh. Sometimes you seem so carefree.”
Far from it.
I was the Blood Cult Lord.
‘……What happens if Jin Yeong Ryeong meets Jin So-cheong?’
Double agents turning triple, quadruple.
Wouldn’t happen even at Sa Wang Castle, right?
‘……Nah.’
Not unless faces changed. Face-altering treasures weren’t common. Only Shaolin would hide one…
Ah.
Acting as the Heavenly Demon