Poison and Medicine: A Hair's Breadth Apart - 5
Nang-jung Wang, having examined all five scrolls, made no effort to hide his satisfaction. "Twisted passion or not, their skills are undeniable. When it comes to Sichuan, no one handles poison better than these two."
A poison arts master declaring, "These two are second only to me in poison arts in Sichuan." Surely he wasn't saying that just to kill them afterward—it meant he intended to spare the Dang duo's lives.
"I understand the fury of Cheongseongpa and Amipa, but the benefits of keeping them alive are immense. What if we spare them the death penalty?"
Thus, Nang-jung Wang sought the two sects' understanding. Everyone knew it was less a request than a notification, but the king had at least formally asked for their consideration and leniency toward the two sects that had suffered at the duo's hands. It left little room for objection.
"We too strive for peace in Sichuan and the realm. If sparing them brings that peace, then it is only right."
"Pa-geom Jin-in speaks wisely. We shall follow Your Highness's will."
Moreover, Pa-geom Jin-in and Bok-ho Geom-ni had already recovered their stolen goods. Having heard of the duo's warped filial piety and received the king's gesture preserving their dignity, it wasn't a perfect resolution, but it was acceptable enough to swallow their pride and step back.
"...And their abilities truly are exceptional."
Bok-ho Geom-ni's words, laced with complex subtlety, drew a nod from Pa-geom Jin-in as well. It wasn't just Nang-jung Wang's personal opinion—the leaders of the two sects, having reclaimed their poisons, had glimpsed the duo's prowess firsthand.
The flesh was nice and plump.
The moment they'd pinpointed the two hideouts, the poisons were swiftly recovered. Whether venomous snakes, centipedes, or scorpions, every specimen gleamed smoothly on the surface, their flesh swollen and robust. They screamed of being well-fed and thriving.
So the sect leaders had no choice but to acknowledge it. At least in poison arts and handling venomous creatures, the duo surpassed even Cheongseongpa and Amipa.
"Thank you for understanding."
With the victims' consent secured, Nang-jung Wang leisurely headed to the prison. Soon enough, we'd see the Dang duo as his personal servants.
The back of my head prickled. Nang-jung Wang's gaze made cold sweat trickle down my spine. Martial artists tense under a superior master's stare alone—especially if they share the same arts.
He's on another level.
From the faint aura and poison scent emanating from him, I sensed it clearly. No matter how much poison we'd handled, compared to Nang-jung Wang, we were mere candle flames before the sun, drops in the ocean.
"Mun-gyeong, Mun-won."
His voice, uttering our names directly, made my body tremble harder. It was absurd—we'd already accepted death, yet survival instincts screamed before this overwhelming force. Reason had resigned, but instinct raged on alone.
"Cheongseongpa and Amipa valiantly drove out the northern barbarians who dared claim the Son of Heaven's throne, earning merit in defending Sichuan from the western wolves. Yet you trampled their pride, sect leaders and meritorious pillars of the state. Your crime goes beyond mere theft—it's an affront to the authority upholding those sects' rights."
"...We foolish sinners, arrogant in our meager skills, blinded by greed, insulted the pillars who serve the stern court and the realm. Only death can atone; we humbly accept it."
Mun-won nodded in silent agreement to my words. What we'd done was simple trespass and theft. But as Nang-jung Wang framed it, we'd challenged state-honored sects—stretching it, we'd defied imperial authority. The price? Death.
Had we not eyed his three-headed snake, we might've escaped execution. But what did it matter now?
At least I saw the three-headed snake before dying—a fine end.
My one regret: Mun-won hadn't laid eyes on it. A shame. Begging Nang-jung Wang to show it might change getting my head chopped to my waist severed—
"Yet your crimes weigh as heavily as your talents. You nurture poisons with delight, blend them without hesitation. And you don't just wield poison—you master turning it to medicine."
His next words puzzled me. Strange. Praise from the pinnacle of poison arts was glory for any poison handler, but flattering condemned criminals on the brink of death? Why?
"Killing you sates momentary rage. Sparing you saves countless lives—be it slaying threats to Daesong or healing the sick."
With that, Nang-jung Wang personally unlocked the cell door.
"Merit doesn't erase past sins, of course. Your potential to save lives doesn't wipe the karma you've accrued."
Step by step, he approached, halting before us prostrated on the floor.
"But serve under me and wash away your errors, and you'll stand tall at last."
Neither I nor Mun-won could respond. Or perhaps no words were needed.
"Come out. I'll work you like livestock from now on—best stock up on stamina."
In his mind, we were already free prisoners.
Nang-jung Wang returned from the cell alone—no, with two seasoned handlers in tow. Likely graduate students under his tutelage in the poison academy. As payment for their lives, they'd be driven to near-exhaustion daily, but better than outright death.
Besides, for poison enthusiasts, apprenticing under Nang-jung Wang was a leap to greater heights—an honor. Honor or not, what could they do about it?
"These two will serve as my slaves and livestock for the next decade. Ten years' devotion should suffice for their debts."
He'd already decided to grind them thoroughly.
"First, apologize to Pa-geom Jin-in and Bok-ho Geom-ni. They've suffered headaches thanks to your antics."
Prodded by Nang-jung Wang, the Dang duo glanced nervously before prostrating.
"Our arrogance and greed sullied the names of Cheongseong and Amipa. A sin too grave for our lives alone, but through Your Highness and the two leaders' mercy, we've gained new life. We shall never forget and atone lifelong."
"We're sorry for all this time. I'll live in atonement too."
Their apology rang sincere enough, but the scene felt odd—like kids shoved by their father to say sorry after a fight.
"Words demand accountability. Prove your remorse through actions, and Cheongseong won't dwell on the past."
"Amipa agrees. You've been granted a second chance like no other. Don't forget it."
The sect leaders nodded without much fuss. So what if it looked strange? The incident was resolved.
"As their new keeper, I can't just let it slide either. I'll send gifts soon—don't refuse."
"Our thanks, Your Highness."
"We'll await gladly."
And Nang-jung Wang pledged to refill their depleted storehouses from his own purse. No room left for complaints.
"That settles it, then."
With their replies, he stroked his beard and turned to me.
"Jwa-cheom Do-eosa."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Try again."
I reached into my bosom once more.
- Shieeeek!
The instant my hand entered, the three-headed snake's wail echoed desperately.
"What a headache."
Its roar was so thunderous, Nang-jung Wang's brow furrowed slightly. Unyielding refusal to go to him. When a spirit beast steels its will this much, human force rarely breaks it.
"Your Highness."
"Speak."
"Not long ago, Mun-gyeong had an egg that drew the three-headed snake's attention. It emerged from my bosom on its own. Prepare that egg again, and surely it'll change its mind?"
"Don't have it now?"
"It already ate it."
His gaze shifted to Mun-gyeong. "Apologies, but crafting that egg took three years."
Impossible, the reply came.
"A hawk's egg from the Sichuan-western border, matured in venom from Yunnan. Prepared to lure rare poisons someday—I never dreamed I'd use it."
"A pity."
Nang-jung Wang sighed softly at Mun-gyeong's explanation.
"Damn, I need to head back soon, but can't keep begging this fellow."
His muttering, laced with frustration, made me glance awkwardly. Had I known the snake would reject him, or that Mun-gyeong's egg took three years, I'd never have fed it.
"...No helping it."
After long deliberation, he clicked his tongue and patted my shoulder.
"Jwa-cheom Do-eosa."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Take good care of my child."
"Of course, Your Highness. I'll treasure it as your grace and care for it with all my heart."
Forcing a spirit beast on me (sort of), I nodded reluctantly.
"Good. I can trust Samshik with you, Jwa-cheom Do-eosa."
?
"Sam...shik? Who's that?"
"That's the child's name. Three heads, eats three times a meal. Samshik—three meals. Not bad, eh?"
We—me, Pojeongsa, the two sect leaders, the Dang duo—all gaped as Nang-jung Wang burst into hearty laughter.
How does a snake get named Samshik?
One reason the three-headed snake wouldn't return to him clicked into place.
"Oh, Jwa-cheom Do-eosa."
"Y-yes... speak."
"I'm handing over Samshik out of necessity—a rare spirit beast. Even I feel the pinch giving it away free."
It sounded like a sudden quest drop, but whatever. The name Samshik's shock overshadowed it all.