Chapter 112
Chapter 112
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Room for Confusion
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Though the subject was missing, it was easy enough to understand.
Han's heart surged with anger in an instant.
This was practically baiting them to listen in.
Naturally, Jong Ri-hyeok and So Eun-ri wore displeased expressions as well.
Before taking his seat, Han Ibi shot Peng Mo-ha a sharp glare.
But Peng Mo-ha turned his head away as if oblivious and continued his explanation.
"This Stream Brocade Grass is extremely rare, but it excels at neutralizing arsenic poisoning. The key here is not to be fooled by its withered, unappealing appearance."
'Huh?'
Han Ibi doubted his own ears.
Peng Mo-ha was spouting complete nonsense.
His dear System had clearly explained that the herb wasn't Stream Brocade Grass at all, but Eagle Urine Grass.
Considering the flawless performance of the Herb Encyclopedia so far, the System was almost certainly correct.
Still stinging from what Peng Mo-ha had pulled earlier, Han Ibi muttered under his breath, just loud enough to be barely audible.
"Tsk tsk tsk. Innocent lives are about to drop dead without knowing why."
Peng Mo-ha whipped his head around and said,
"What was that just now? Young Master Jong."
Han Ibi feigned innocence.
"Pardon? Me? I was being quiet."
Peng Mo-ha scowled deeply.
"Nonsense. I clearly heard muttering."
At that moment, Bang Gwang-sil of the Mount Hua Sect chuckled slyly.
"How strange. It sounded like someone was talking about people dying or something..."
Han Ibi shot Bang Gwang-sil a piercing look.
But he averted his gaze and buried his face in his book, pretending not to notice.
Peng Mo-ha approached Han Ibi and said,
"There's a conscientious assistant instructor who swears he heard it... How do you explain that?"
Han Ibi let out a deep sigh and said,
"Ahh... No helping it, then."
Peng Mo-ha raised one eyebrow.
"No helping what?"
"It was just to myself. Didn't Instructor Peng mutter to himself earlier too? Something about the Nine Great Sects being ousted for a reason."
"So you're saying you hold a grudge over that and muttered on purpose?"
"No, not exactly. I planned to tell you quietly later, but with Mount Hua's pint-sized hero overflowing with justice here, it put you in a tough spot, Instructor Peng."
"What are you on about? Stop beating around the bush and spit it out."
With another heavy sigh, Han Ibi stepped forward toward the lectern as if he had no choice.
All the assistant instructors' eyes turned to him.
He approached the table and examined the herb again.
Clearing his throat, Han Ibi spoke up.
"Let me say upfront—this kind of mix-up happens all the time. Even experts get confused sometimes."
Peng Mo-ha's scowl deepened.
"What kind of nonsense is that?"
"The herb you called Stream Brocade Grass... isn't actually Stream Brocade Grass."
Peng Mo-ha jumped up in outrage.
"What kind of absurd claim is that?! If you're insulting me because I'm not a martial artist, I won't stand for it. I'll report this to the Alliance Leader right now!"
Han Ibi shrugged.
"Go ahead and report it if you want... but that won't change the fact that this isn't Stream Brocade Grass."
Peng Mo-ha's face flushed red with fury.
"Don't spout rubbish."
"It's not rubbish. This plant looks very similar to Stream Brocade Grass. That's why even physicians sometimes get duped by herb peddlers. Given Instructor Peng's impressive skills... you must have been tricked by one. Or maybe the peddler mixed it up too."
Unable to contain his curiosity, Wang Qing-lin spoke up.
"Then does Young Master Jong know the true name of this herb?"
Han Ibi glanced at her and said,
"You got it right on the nose. I do know this herb's name. It's called Eagle Urine Grass."
Peng Mo-ha's expression shifted subtly.
He seemed to recognize the name too.
Han Ibi continued.
"Legend has it that a hawk urinated where its eyes rested, hence the filthy name. The naming sense is something else. Anyway, this plant looks withered, but even in perfect condition, it looks like this. And that trait appears in Stream Brocade Grass too. Like I said, plenty of room for confusion."
Wang Qing-lin said,
"Hmm, you talk like you've seen the herb in person."
Of course he had.
He'd even sold it. To that clinic at the foot of Demon Valley Mountain...
Glancing at Peng Mo-ha, who was trembling with clenched fists on the verge of rage and embarrassment, Han Ibi said,
"Eagle Urine Grass is good for your health, no doubt. But it has zero effect against arsenic poisoning. It's just a miracle cure for asthma. It provides immediate relief for coughs. Plus, its tiny, pale orange fruits—barely noticeable—are amazing for phlegm."
Silence fell over the room.
Such a clear-cut explanation.
Those who knew Han Ibi's usual behavior all wore incredulous looks.
"To reiterate, the two herbs look very alike. If I may..."
Han Ibi flipped the plant over and rubbed the underside of the leaves.
"...right here. Check the leaf underside pattern carefully. This one has none. But real Stream Brocade Grass has serrated markings. The 'brocade' in its name isn't there by chance. That's my take."
Turning to Peng Mo-ha, who trembled between fury and mortification, Han Ibi added,
"If you doubt me, feel free to call in herb peddlers or other physicians to verify."
It felt exhilarating, but Han Ibi couldn't help a twinge of regret.
'I went too far in the heat of the moment. He's still an instructor... I broke the golden rule of never making enemies outright. But damn it, who told him to badmouth other sects so carelessly?'
Then another thought struck him.
'Still, that was overkill. He'll be the one patching me up if I get hurt later. Eh, whatever. Just don't get hurt. Water under the bridge now.'
Just then, he spotted a man approaching with a grin and a wave.
It was Mun Won-bi, the Beggars' Sect's flower beggar.
Lately, this guy had been acting overly chummy, which was getting annoying.
Mun Won-bi said,
"Young Master Jong."
"What?"
"Wow! I'm truly impressed. I admire you."
"For what?"
"Mechanisms, formations, flying sabers, antidotes... how are you good at everything?"
"Antidotes? Nah, I just picked up bits watching an old herb peddler grandfather."
"Ah... even this humility... You embody every quality of a true hero. Astonishing."
"Aigoo, you're embarrassing me. Please stop. Honestly, I'm jealous of your handsome face, Brother Mun."
A familiar voice chimed in.
"Wow! Young Master Jong, that was incredible!"
It was Wang Qing-lin passing by.
She was buddying up with Mun Won-bi too.
"Ugh... but poor Instructor Peng."
"Sigh... I think I went too far."
"It was a bit harsh. Hohoho. Anyway, Young Master Jong. I've been having trouble sleeping lately. What medicine should I take? Prescribe something for me? Hmm?"
A few more days passed, and new lessons began.
The assistant instructors' gazes toward Han Ibi had changed noticeably.
Of course, the few like Mun Won-bi beaming with admiration were the minority. Far more, like Bang Gwang-sil or Ban Bang-geun, eyed him warily.
And who could blame them? These were the top prodigies from their sects, unused to failure.
Feeling their jealous stares, Han Ibi sat through the lecture on Demonic Cult poison theory.
The instructor was Tang Ho-yeon from the Tang Clan of Sichuan.
He was a short, dark-skinned middle-aged man whose face was pockmarked from smallpox.
But being selected from the poison-famous Tang Clan as their poison expert said it all.
People shouldn't be judged by appearances—a basic truth.
"The truth is..."
Tang Ho-yeon began,
"...antidotes come second."
The assistants listened quietly.
"The first priority? Identifying the enemy's poison technique. Blindly facing poison is foolish. If you can dodge it, dodge without a second thought."
Han Ibi found this eminently sensible.
"To do that, you must know their poisons well. Especially the Demonic Cult—they use venomous plants and creatures from the Western Regions due to geography."
After a brief overview, he delved into Demonic Cult poisons.
The lecture dragged on as tediously as the antidote class.
But his closing words commanded everyone's attention.
"I know what you're all thinking. I've been in your shoes. So, with great difficulty, I got the Martial Alliance Leader's permission to bring actual venomous creatures and plants. All research specimens from our Tang Clan."
Yeo Nan-ju grimaced as if shuddering at the thought and asked,
"We have to see those things up close?"
"Spot on. Tomorrow, you'll see Western Regions specimens plus various others. It'll be fun. Just be careful."
As Tang Ho-yeon warned, it seemed dangerous.
In preparation, all assistants took Barrier Pills to block poison.
They also donned thousand-layer silk socks and gloves.
This only heightened the tension.
They stood before a warehouse-like building outside Hyunseo Pavilion.
Tang Ho-yeon said,
"Too many at once might agitate the creatures. Some are quite sensitive."
It sounded like a joke, but no one laughed.
Embarrassed, Tang Ho-yeon dropped the smile and suggested forming groups.
He started dividing them but, annoyed, just reused the Mechanism Studies groups.
Groups entered the "Venom Warehouse" one by one.
Tang Ho-yeon guided them cautiously.
Some emerged retching for some reason.
Han Ibi thought,
'They really try everything here.'
And finally...
It was the turn of Han Ibi's old Skin-Peeling Squad members.
Mun Won-bi, face flushed with excitement, said,
"Young Master Jong, got any secret knowledge on poison studies we don't know about?"
Han Ibi waved it off.
"No way. I know zilch about poisons."
Tang Ho-yeon's voice rang out.
"What are you waiting for? Not ready yet?"
"We're good."
Wang Qing-lin replied briskly.
Tang Ho-yeon said,
(To be continued next time)