Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: Poison Attack! Poison Attack! Poison Attack! (3)
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Snap! Snap!
As I, wearing the red hat, called out to them in a dry voice with "Men!,"
Jeonghyeon, Woo So-rung, and Namgung Yun unconsciously snapped to attention.
However, among them, Namgung Yun fidgeted.
Who was it?
Who dared fidget out of formation?
"I understand."
The red hat must have triggered shameful memories ingrained in Namgung Yun's body.
I tossed a word at Namgung Yun, who was consciously relaxing his hard-earned attention stance and subtly crossing his arms.
"Namgung Owl."
At my voice, Namgung Yun once again spat out the response his body remembered.
"...Ack."
But he quickly shook his head and began stating his case.
"...That's not it. Why'd you call me? And what's with that red hat and your high-handed attitude?"
"I'll hear your claim first. Keep talking."
"On the journey back from the Murim Alliance, I followed you obediently since you were the leader, Eon Yong-un. But I'm a well-intentioned participant here to help with the Hundred Poison Pill research. I don't deserve to be treated like an owl by you today."
It sounded reasonable at first glance.
But Namgung Yun was overlooking something.
To point it out, I picked up a document folder prepared in one corner of the dosing room.
I showed him the paper with Namgung Yun's name written in elegant handwriting and continued.
"Here's the Hundred Poison Pill experience consent form signed by Namgung Owl. It clearly states agreement to follow the host's instructions. You're not saying the eldest son of the Namgung family signed without reading the terms properly, are you?"
"...I read it properly. I focused because the tiny fine print looked suspicious. I just couldn't understand why a red hat popped up in the elixir dosing procedure."
"We're dealing with poison from now on. As noted in the dosing plan, the Hundred Poison Pill contains toxicity unlike other elixirs, and you must ingest other poisons before it."
"......"
"Of course, it's not lethal. The absorbed amount will be minimal, and we've taken measures to ensure no life-threatening risk. However, when handling poison, we can't tolerate the slightest laxity. That's why discipline must be stricter than ever, so I've tearfully donned the red hat. You've become owls again. Does that answer your question?"
At my words, Namgung Yun's posture subtly returned to attention.
I put the document folder back in its place.
But Master at my waist, watching, posed a question.
- You're letting it slide today? Last time Gongyun grumbled similarly, you added waist and leg strengthening under collective responsibility.
'Ah. No need today; they'll be streaming tears and snot anyway.'
- ?
Being from the old school, Master didn't know exactly what the recently developed Mara Pepper Bullet poison was, so he remained curious.
But he'd learn its power the moment it was lit, so I skipped further explanation.
Anyway.
I pointed to the Mara Pepper Bullets and straw dummies between me and the three ahead.
"Soon, this instructor will light the wick of that poison bullet. When poisoning symptoms appear, I'll distribute the Hundred Poison Pills. But since this rare opportunity isn't easy to prepare, I plan some suitable training between lighting the bullet and distribution."
At my words,
Woo So-rung and Jeonghyeon, sensing something big coming, swallowed dryly and muttered.
"...Tr-training?"
"Pr-Primeval Heaven Lord."
Namgung Yun was somewhat deflated but pressed his claim again.
"Instructor... sir. I really haven't heard of this. It's not in the consent form either. Is this training related to the Hundred Poison Pill dosing?"
"Namgung Owl. Your tone sounds a bit insolent to this instructor. Am I mistaken?"
"...Just a pure question."
"Watch it."
In truth, I hadn't notified them separately about the additional training.
"It's not difficult."
So, intending to explain the purpose, I opened my mouth.
"Not outrageous either. For example, if you're suddenly hit by a poison attack in the jianghu, how would you differ from comrades who haven't taken the Hundred Poison Pill? Woo So-rung, speak."
"...Um. Higher resistance to poison than those who haven't ingested it?"
"Correct. So, in such a situation, if you take the lead in initial response and emergency treatment, what happens? Jeonghyeon?"
"The chance of comrades recovering increases."
"Right. This training simulates that scenario."
Having opened with that, I explained the purpose while hitting Namgung Yun, who'd raised the question, with reverse psychology.
"Well, if Namgung Owl fears this or wants to tattle to your granduncle, you can skip it. I'll return your signed consent. No forcing you. Don't want to? No problem."
At my words, Namgung Yun, whose reverse scale was touched, flushed red and declared his intent to participate actively.
"I-I don't think that!"
"Tsk. Speech."
"No... sir."
"Good? Then no objections, I assume."
With that, I twisted my lips upward and continued.
"Now, I'll light the poison bullet wick shortly. When poison smoke starts leaking, assume a real poison attack and shout that it's everywhere. Simultaneously, treat these straw dummies as comrades and perform the antidote administration motion. Understood?"
Seeing the three nod,
I struck flint and lit the Mara Pepper Bullet.
Sizzle—
Jeonghyeon, Woo So-rung, and Namgung Yun, facing the spicy assault, began streaming tears and snot simultaneously.
"Gack?!"
"Keurk!"
"Ku, cough!"
Especially Namgung Yun, unaware I'd already taken the Thousand Poison Pill, muttered something like "Without even the antidote!" while glaring.
I placed a hand on my waist, watching them.
"Not 'gack'! Shout that poison attack is incoming! This is the training you consented to! Do it with grit! Poison attack! Poison attack! Poison attack!"
"P-Poison attack! Poison attack! Poison attack!"
Dang Ok-gi pondered the Mara Pepper Poison, ingredient of the Mara Pepper Bullet.
This poison varied by constitution but irritated eyes on contact, burned the nose, and unleashed floods of tears and snot.
'For an ordinary person, not a martial artist, it could cause respiratory distress endangering life.'
Of course, the version used here was diluted artificially, and participants were all at least high-level martial artists, so no real danger.
But no life threat didn't preserve dignity.
Without superhuman control of body and qi—beyond peak realm—
no poison resistance meant unavoidable tear-and-snot-covered faces.
Namgung Yun, Jeonghyeon, and Woo So-rung's group showed it first.
Even Peng So-cheon, famed as a manly man, and Eon Yong-myeong, known for composure, were no different.
"Keurheung! I learned men cry only three times in life! Damn it!"
"Kueuk! Water! Someone give me water?!"
Faces right after Mara Pepper Poison hit were unrecognizable.
"Last group now? Eun Sojeo and Jegal Sojeo?"
To protect her friends' dignity and rights, she spoke up.
"...Um. Eon Yong-un?!"
"What?"
"Can I handle Hayeon and Seolji?"
Eon Yong-un accepted Dang Ok-gi's request without extras.
"Sure, go ahead."
And handed over his red hat.
Receiving the red hat—like Eon Yong-un's alter ego—Dang Ok-gi swallowed dryly.
'The guy who always bullies me does this once in a while.'
The bullying thought flashed, but truthfully, it wasn't bad.
If unearned, it'd annoy, but Eon Yong-un gave much while doing so.
'Like with Hong-ok and Seolryu, or taking us to the Murim Alliance.'
He'd pushed her research amid Tang clan's "don't waste effort" scoldings and tight budgets.
Even though, as he teased, she wasn't even from Cheongjuk-gwan.
Anyway, a weird guy.
Whatever.
She'd taken charge, so do it right.
Besides, the Hundred Poison Pill was her heartfelt achievement.
To write "research success," Jegal Seolji and Yin Ha-yeon must perfectly complete training and dosing.
As she thought that,
Click—
The dosing room door closed.
Jegal Seolji and Yin Ha-yeon thanked Dang Ok-gi.
"We've shown ugly sides before Yong-un and other Eon brothers, but I really didn't want to show that face. Thanks, Ok-gi."
"I agree. That sight is... truly shameful as a human."
Gazing at them, Dang Ok-gi steadied her breath.
Jegal Seolji: childhood friend, but eyes sometimes rolled scarily.
Yin Ha-yeon: now friendly after Eon Yong-un's roasting, but sharp like a sister, not just friend.
Not entirely comfy friends.
But doable.
She held Eon Yong-un's red hat.
Dang Ok-gi pulled the red hat low, like him.
Whoosh—
Surprisingly, confidence surged.
"Oh, Ok-gi?"
"Ok-gi?"
"This instructor is not 'Ok-gi.'"
Her tone evoked someone.
Jegal Seolji and Yin Ha-yeon's throats bobbed dryly.
Then Dang Ok-gi lit the poison bullet.
Sizzle—
"Gyaak! Wrong order! Keokkeok!"
"Dang Ok! You!!!"
"Seolji Owl. Hayeon Owl knows the order by heart with your smart heads! Straight to action! Raise your voices and follow this instructor. Poison attack! Poison attack!"
"Poison attack!"
"P-Poi, son attack!"
"Kyaaak! Again!"
"Poison attack! Poison attack! Poison attack!!!"
The Murim-style chemical warfare training doubling as Hundred Poison Pill dosing proceeded splendidly.
The protagonist generation who'd submitted consents followed my order: chemical training—Hundred Poison Pill ingestion—qi circulation—observation and detox exercises.
"Returning to dorms with poison on you could harm others. To dispel poison qi from clothes, do the arm-spread high jumps I taught on the journey."
Yin Ha-yeon and Jegal Seolji's group, handled by Dang Ok-gi first, had her lead exercises for those who'd finished.
- ...I thought "streaming tears and snot" was a metaphor, not literal.
'As expected, you didn't guess. That's why I put So-rung and Namgung Yun first.'
- For So-rung, fearing he'd chicken out? But why Namgung Yun...?
'Recall him rushing for water post-room to wipe dried tear and snot stains. If he'd seen others first, he'd have bolted.'
- ...Scary guy. Planned that from the start?
Master at my waist clicked his tongue.
Supervising instructor Professor Bae Jong-do of the Hygiene Office and Geom Tae-seong Division Head, observing curiously, gaped.
"...Huh."
"...Ha."
"Oh. Division Head Geom too?"
"Professor Bae too?"
"Shocked, huh."
"How could we not be."
They exchanged "You too?" "Me too!"
"Yes. 'We with poison resistance must lead measures.' Heh heh. From papers, I questioned dosing ethics despite consents. But seeing purpose and process firsthand, I'm impressed."
"Yes. Came to watch, feels like a hammer to the head. Experiencing poison attacks beforehand should improve real combat response."
Suddenly both addressed me.
"So, mind if I propose this training to the Alliance Lord?"
"Oh. Same thought. May I get your permission? If we dilute the Mara Pepper Bullet more, usable for training sans Hundred Poison Pill. Thinking of adding to academy common curriculum, citing your method."
No reason to refuse.
Creating lasting fine custom for future Murim.
Arms wide welcome.
I nodded readily to their requests.
"Sure."