Chapter 223
Chapter 223
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 62
>Chapter Title: Mixed Blood (3)
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“Even if you’ve accepted your defeat cleanly, that doesn’t mean I have any obligation to tell you everything. So go ahead and kill me.”
“Is that so? That’s a real shame. I was curious why you’d carry something like a bug in your gut.”
‘!?’
At Mok Kyung-un’s words, the blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard’s eyes widened in shock.
‘How does this guy know about that?’
Not even his own master knew about it.
Because of it, he couldn’t say a word to that person and had been utterly toyed with by this bastard.
He couldn’t do anything, even if he wanted to speak, because of that thing in his belly.
It was sealed with a restriction that prevented him from even mentioning it.
‘How the hell did he find out?’
Even if he wanted to tell someone, the restriction made it impossible.
The moment he even hinted at it with his own mouth, the thing inside would destroy his dantian and drag him to death.
At that moment, Mok Kyung-un, who had been watching him intently, spoke up.
“Looks like I’m right.”
“........”
The blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard couldn’t respond to Mok Kyung-un’s words.
He didn’t know if even a yes or no would trigger it, but he had to be cautious since any slip could shatter his dantian.
He desperately hoped this guy would dig deeper.
“Hmm.”
“.........”
“Your expression looks like it’s dying to say something, but you’re forcing yourself to hold back.”
At Mok Kyung-un’s words, a flush of color returned to the blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard’s face.
“Am I right?”
What a cunning bastard.
He hated showing his face to anyone, but right now, he had to make full use of his expressions.
-From his reaction, it must be true.
Qing Ling said to Mok Kyung-un.
Mok Kyung-un nodded and replied via transmission.
-It seems so.
-A bug inside his body... don’t tell me...
-It’s genuine gu poison.
-Real gu poison?
The method to create gu poison was utterly vicious.
Dozens or hundreds of venomous creatures were thrown into a jar, and the lid wasn’t opened until only one survived.
The sole survivor, the worst of them all, was called gu poison.
When Mok Kyung-un said it was real gu poison, he meant a proper venomous insect born in the same way as the Qing Ling-grade lesser demon created by trapping grudge spirits in Blood Groove Valley and letting them devour each other—not some half-baked imitation.
Of course, Qing Ling understood exactly what he meant.
-So this Western Region mongrel really has gu poison in his belly?
-Yes. It’s doing quite well in there.
With the power of his Three Eyes fully unleashed, Mok Kyung-un could see it clearly with his right eye.
Of course, he hadn’t noticed it from the start.
He had activated the Three Eyes’ power out of interest in the blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard’s lightness skill, examining his energy circulation method, when he spotted another cluster of energy in his abdomen.
The gu poison, feeding on the host’s blood and qi, was a living being and possessed an energy distinctly different from ordinary bugs.
-Incredible. To think someone actually exists who can handle real gu poison.
-Yeah. Grandfather told me about it, and I read about it in the Southern Barbarian Poison Manual, but this is my first time seeing one inside a person.
Excitement flickered in Mok Kyung-un’s eyes.
He might not know much else, but when it came to poisons and herbs, his knowledge was profound, so his interest was naturally piqued.
Especially for a poison he’d only read about in books and never seen in person.
-Isn’t gu poison just a type of poison? Should we consider him poisoned by it?
-It could be seen that way. But I’ve heard gu poison isn’t just for poisoning—it’s more for binding others.
-For binding?
-Yes. This kind of gu poison implanted in the body comes in pairs.
-In pairs?
As he wondered, Mok Kyung-un turned to the blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard and said,
“Even with the restriction, nodding or shaking your head won’t cause much trouble, so stop with the facial contortions.”
“........”
At Mok Kyung-un’s words, the blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard furrowed his brow in embarrassment.
Ignoring his reaction entirely, Mok Kyung-un continued,
“It’s gu poison, right?”
‘Aaaah!’
At the question, the blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard nodded with trembling eyes.
He never dreamed someone would appear who could precisely identify the gu poison inside him—something he couldn’t tell anyone.
Seeing his face brighten, Mok Kyung-un pressed on.
“You wouldn’t have put this in yourself, so someone must have forced it in, right?”
“........”
The blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard nodded.
“Then you’re following the orders of whoever implanted the gu poison against your will?”
“........”
The blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard nodded.
Staring at him intently, Mok Kyung-un pondered for a moment before asking,
“Is it someone inside the imperial palace?”
The blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard nodded.
It was like playing twenty questions, but no denials yet.
“Someone in a high position?”
The Embroidered Uniform Guard nodded at the question.
“I see. Well, I’m not really interested in who did it, so let’s stop here. Better question, though.”
“........”
“Do you want the gu poison removed?”
At Mok Kyung-un’s question, the blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard nodded without a moment’s hesitation.
Of course he wanted it gone—no need to ask.
Could this guy actually know a way?
Staring at him with desperate eyes, Mok Kyung-un smirked and said,
“Good for you.”
With that, Mok Kyung-un unwrapped the black cloth covering his face.
The blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard, puzzled by the sudden action, couldn’t hide his inner shock.
‘No way?’
His voice had a somewhat youthful ring, but he assumed someone who created peerless swordsmanship must be of a certain age.
Yet this face looked not even twenty.
Dumbfounded, the blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard asked,
“You... don’t tell me you’re not even twenty?”
“Yes. I’ll be eighteen soon, but for now, I’m still seventeen.”
“Ha!”
He was flabbergasted.
Just seventeen?
Had he been overwhelmed in martial prowess by this mere boy?
He was at a loss for words.
As he reeled from Mok Kyung-un being even younger than expected, a sudden doubt arose.
Why did this kid reveal his face?
Puzzled, Mok Kyung-un spoke.
“I’ll give you a choice.”
“A choice?”
“Yes. You’ve already accepted death, so you wouldn’t feel too hard done by dying here, but I suppose I’m offering you a chance.”
“A chance? What the hell are you talking about?”
“Simple. Help me with what I’m about to do, and I’ll help you remove the gu poison from your body.”
‘!?’
At Mok Kyung-un’s words, the blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard froze.
This kid was proposing a straight-up deal.
‘He’ll help me remove the gu poison?’
His mind grew chaotic in an instant.
Because of the gu poison, he couldn’t even tell his master the truth, leaving him powerless.
But if it could be removed, everything would change.
It was the moment he’d longed for.
However,
‘What if it’s a lie?’
This proposal was essentially blackmail, gripping his weakness.
And if the kid was lying, then what?
Could he really remove the gu poison?
‘...That bastard said even Hua Tuo or Bian Que couldn’t remove it.’
So how could this kid do it?
Doubts piled up in his head.
To him, Mok Kyung-un said,
“You’re suspicious, huh?”
“...Would you trust that from a bastard like you?”
“The gu poison clinging to your body comes in a pair. There’s the parasitic type in the host’s body and the controlling command gu. The parasitic type is strictly controlled by the command gu’s orders and will harm the host itself if it tries to rebel. Am I wrong?”
At those words, the blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard’s pupils trembled.
It was too accurate to deny.
It matched almost exactly what that guy had said.
[Don’t act rashly. I’m warning you in advance— as long as the command gu is with me, you must obey my orders.]
-Grit!
Just recalling it made his teeth grind.
But what the hell was this kid’s true identity?
A boy not even twenty, possessing grandmaster-level martial talent and profound knowledge of poisons?
“You... exactly...”
“You’re going to die anyway, so it’s ridiculous to hesitate over a chance like this. Fine, I’ll help you decide faster.”
“What?”
“I’ll count to five exactly.”
-Tighten!
With those words, the blade of the Instant Sword pressed against the blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard’s throat.
Any ordinary sword wouldn’t cut without a slash, but just the touch stung and drew blood.
It wasn’t a normal sword.
Then Mok Kyung-un began counting.
“One.”
“Wait!”
“Two.”
He didn’t even listen.
And the counting was incredibly fast.
“Three.”
In that instant, the blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard grew even more confused.
If he refused the offer, he’d lose his life right here.
No—thinking about it, he was already on the verge of death by this kid’s hand.
This was just one extra path.
“Four.”
Only one number left.
Clutching his throbbing head, the blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard shouted at Mok Kyung-un as he opened his mouth.
“I’ll do it.”
-Swish! Shing!
The moment the words left him, Mok Kyung-un pulled the sword from his throat and sheathed it.
Cold sweat beaded on the blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard’s forehead.
In that brief instant, time seemed frozen as countless thoughts gripped him.
But in the end, he decided: if he was going to die anyway, he might as well take the gamble.
Smiling at him, Mok Kyung-un said,
“Made the choice a lot easier, didn’t I?”
‘Ha! Easier?’
He was outraged.
Easier with his life on the line?
This kid was more vicious than he looked. But arguing was pointless.
Composing himself, he asked,
“...So what exactly is this job?”
At the question, Mok Kyung-un gave a look of confusion and walked toward Song Ah, the daughter of Craftsman Hong Bong-yuk, who had been watching them.
Startled by Mok Kyung-un’s sudden approach, she asked,
“Wh-what is it?”
“Block your ears for a moment.”
“Pardon?”
-Tatata-tak!
Mok Kyung-un swiftly struck her pressure points.
But she didn’t faint or anything.
Mok Kyung-un whispered something to her.
“Huh? S-sound?”
Yet she couldn’t hear Mok Kyung-un’s voice.
Seeing her flustered, Mok Kyung-un grinned, gestured for her to wait a moment, then approached the blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard and said,
“As a Heavenly Tiger, that’s a solid fifth-rank official position—pretty high up in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, right?”
“It’s mid-level in operations. It doesn’t give decision-making authority.”
“You can’t back out already. I haven’t even made the proper offer yet.”
“........”
As he fell silent, Mok Kyung-un continued,
“Then let’s start with the toughest request.”
“The toughest?”
“Yes. I need you to break someone out of the underground Golden Prison in the imperial palace. Can you do it?”
‘!?’
The blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard’s eyes widened the moment the words were out.
He’d expected something tricky, but this was an utterly unforeseen bombshell.
“What the hell are you...”
“Just what you heard. Can you get the person I want out of the imperial palace’s underground Golden Prison?”
Mok Kyung-un smirked at him.
On second thought, he didn’t even need to go in himself.
If he could move an Embroidered Uniform Guard of Heavenly Tiger rank, he could just have the guy do it from the inside.
-Not a bad idea.
Qing Ling agreed with Mok Kyung-un’s thinking.
If there were other options, there was no need to take unnecessary risks.
However,
“Even setting aside treason charges and all that, I can’t fulfill that request.”
“You can’t?”
“I don’t know exactly who you want to break out, but the Embroidered Uniform Guard doesn’t handle everything in the palace.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Embroidered Uniform Guard is divided into six bureaus, each with different duties.”
“Six bureaus? So what’s your job?”
“I’m with the Sixth Investigation Bureau, under the investigation division. If I meddle in another bureau’s affairs, I’d be arrested for overstepping my authority.”
“...That’s an annoying rule.”
Mok Kyung-un scratched his head.
He thought a Heavenly Tiger-rank Embroidered Uniform Guard could pull it off, but it wasn’t that simple.
So Mok Kyung-un said,
“Then can’t you do it secretly, risking that overstepping charge?”
At the question, the blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard let out a hollow laugh.
“Does the imperial palace look that sloppy to you? It’s not just the Embroidered Uniform Guard—there are experts from the Eastern Depot and Western Depot, and the underground Golden Prison is guarded by the Golden Prison Ghost Horse Squad beyond us. Sneaking in alone to break someone out is practically impossible.”
Pretty complicated.
Come to think of it, if it were that easy, they would’ve bribed someone in the Embroidered Uniform Guard managing the Golden Prison from the start.
‘Hmm.’
Should he force it by holding his life hostage? But if the blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard failed, breaking out would only get harder.
That would make him far less useful.
Mok Kyung-un shrugged.
“Then no choice. You’re not helpful to me at...”
“If you really want to enter the underground Golden Prison in the imperial palace, there is one way.”
Before Mok Kyung-un could finish, the blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard spoke.
Surprised, Mok Kyung-un asked,
“What’s the other way?”
“Through the Palace Guard Bureau’s martial selection.”
Mok Kyung-un showed no particular reaction to his words.
Because that was already their plan.
The primary goal was to become an Embroidered Uniform Guard via the Palace Guard Bureau’s martial selection and infiltrate the underground Golden Prison.
“That’s already...”
“After the martial selection, there’s a one-month Embroidered Uniform Guard apprenticeship for the final selection.”
“Embroidered Uniform Guard apprenticeship?”
This was new information.
Their plan followed a completely different route.
That’s why they desperately needed Consort Seo Hwang’s help.
Then the blue-eyed Embroidered Uniform Guard answered Mok Kyung-un’s question.
“It’s new this time, by the commander’s decision. Selected cadets rotate through the Six Investigation Bureaus’ divisions every five days for a month of apprenticeship.”
“To get prior experience?”
“Something like that. The Fourth Investigation Bureau, which manages the Golden Prison, is also on the apprenticeship list.”
“Oh? Then there’s a chance to enter the Golden Prison.”
“No. Not quite.”
“What do you mean?”
“The imperial palace’s underground Golden Prison has intricate mechanisms, a highly complex and dangerous layout, and only trained Embroidered Uniform Guards who’ve memorized the entire Forbidden Prison Battle Map can enter. So I hear the apprenticeship is limited to outer fortress general Golden Prison management.”
At his words, Mok Kyung-un tilted his head and said,
“That means this information you’ve shared isn’t particularly helpful.”
“Hear me out to the end. It was supposed to go that way, but there’s still a short time left before the selection. I can help tweak the rules a bit within that period.”
“Tweak the rules? You mean...”
“I’ll pull some strings so Embroidered Uniform Guard apprentices can be deployed to the underground Golden Prison.”