Sichuan Dang Clan (2)
‘No matter how wealthy you all are, you can’t do anything against the name of the Dang Clan, right?’
Gong Jin, who had revealed himself as the head of the Sichuan Dang Clan, Dang Bijan, stuck out his neck stiffly. But what was this?
“Still, my opinion remains the same. I have no intention of selling.”
Strangely, while his wife seemed shrewd and cunning, the young husband, who had appeared so naive, drew a firm line.
He wasn’t even fazed by the prestige of the Dang Clan head.
“Y-Yes?”
Gong Jin’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Who was Thousand Blood Poison Maniac Dang Bijan?
He was the master of the Sichuan Dang Clan, said to hold the mightiest influence across the vast lands of Sichuan, renowned for his unparalleled poison arts.
Rumors even swirled through the streets of Chengdu that the Murim Alliance’s Sichuan branch cowered in fear, always watching Dang Bijan and the Dang Clan’s moods.
‘But... what on earth gives this young man the confidence to refuse outright like that?’
No matter how he racked his brain, Gong Jin couldn’t pin it down.
“Why? Even if these items are rare and precious, the head of the Dang Clan will pay a fair price. It might not match auction rates, but you’ll get all sorts of benefits in return. With luck, you could forge a deep connection with the Dang Clan.”
Objectively speaking, Gong Jin was right.
Unless they were drowning in massive debts and desperate for gold, throwing away a chance to ally with the Sichuan Dang Clan—the pinnacle of power in Sichuan—was folly.
It was a connection money alone couldn’t buy.
‘I disguised myself because I didn’t want to deal with the Dang Clan or Murim Alliance scum, and now they’re telling me to meet them?’
Of course, Hyeon Yucheon had his own reasons for refusing.
Forcing him to meet someone he despised? And he had no desire to sell anyway.
Even if he did, he could just handle it through the Demon Sword Merchant Association.
What reason did the Demon Sword Sect leader have to cozy up to the Dang Clan? Such ties would be useless.
“I said no. If you refuse to refine the herbs or craft elixirs, we’ll take our business elsewhere.”
As So Jaun pressed with growing insistence, she turned to leave—
“Very well. Then at least I’ll handle that request.”
Gong Jin relented, deciding to at least work on the Sun Golden Frog’s byproducts.
Handling such treasures came once in a millennium, if ever.
“Can you do it right here?”
So Jaun asked.
‘He’s not trying to trick us, is he?’
Her eyes deepened as she watched Gong Jin gaze at the Sun Golden Frog’s parts, wary he might swap them out or pocket them to offer Dang Bijan.
“Of course.”
Understanding their caution with such valuables, Gong Jin led them straight to the refining room for herbs and elixir production.
Whoosh!
A scorching heat blasted them, accompanied by a dizzying assault of herbal scents that stung their noses.
Yet Hyeon Yucheon and his group didn’t budge.
They stayed to ensure no funny business—ready to sever wrists if needed.
“Give me just half a shichen.”
Gong Jin, a master herbalist and renowned physician, declared confidently.
Truth be told, it was an absurd timeline.
Without skill, even ten shichen wouldn’t suffice.
Time passed.
Gong Jin’s expert hands dried the gall bladder perfectly for direct use and crafted ten elixirs from the remaining parts.
‘Truly remarkable craftsmanship.’
Even Hyeon Yucheon, who’d eyed him suspiciously, couldn’t help but admire it sincerely.
A craftsman was a craftsman, through and through.
“It’s done.”
Wiping sweat, Gong Jin trembled with emotion, eyes gleaming.
For an apothecary like him, forging elixirs from a Sun Golden Frog was a once-in-a-lifetime honor.
That’s why he hadn’t asked for a fee upfront.
Even for free, it was worth doing.
‘These are undoubtedly my finest creations!’
In that brief half shichen, he’d worked like a man possessed.
Drenched in sweat, he began introducing each one.
“This Sun Golden Frog gall bladder can be consumed anytime. I’ve preserved it flawlessly against spoilage. As the core alongside the inner core, it brims with the frog’s vital energy—a one-of-a-kind treasure.”
Next, he lifted ten gleaming golden elixirs.
The gall bladder was basic work for any decent physician; these elixirs showcased his true mastery.
“If I must name them... yes, Golden Frog Return Elixirs will do. Take one in emergencies, qi shortages, or qi deviation. They’re perfect emergency pills. They boost inner power excellently too. Oh, but since you folks aren’t martial artists, they’ll promote longevity and health as well.”
Hyeon Yucheon and the group smiled in satisfaction at the flawless results.
‘I was tempted to bail when he seemed too chummy with Dang Bijan, but waiting paid off.’
Even the picky So Jaun was pleased.
Truth be told, they’d chosen this Eokdang Apothecary—known for heavy Dang Clan dealings—for one reason: only a master like Gong Jin could craft elixirs from the Sun Golden Frog.
“Satisfactory.”
“How much for your services?”
So Jaun and Hyeon Yucheon asked, pleased, ready to pay handsomely.
Dozens of gold nyang easily.
No matter the premium materials, without skill, such elixirs were impossible.
They were worth it.
“Before the payment...”
Suddenly, Gong Jin’s demeanor shifted.
Not toward hostility or ambush against Hyeon Yucheon’s group.
“There’s something I didn’t mention.”
He confessed what he’d omitted.
“Pardon?”
“What do you mean?”
Surprised, Hyeon Yucheon and So Jaun pressed; Gong Jin came clean.
“Truth is... just before finishing the herbs and elixirs, I sent word to the Sichuan Dang Clan via my disciples.”
In honesty, he’d planned it from the start.
‘Sorry, but I had no choice.’
No sooner had he spoken than Hyeon Yucheon’s sharpened senses—at the Entering Divinity realm—detected multiple presences converging.
Surprisingly, elite warriors with profound inner power and skill were flooding toward the Eokdang Apothecary.
“What treachery is this?”
“Is there no decency left?”
Despite their disguises, facing Dang Clan members fueled their rage; they shouted.
They itched to behead Gong Jin on the spot, but even they held back.
“Forgive me!”
Gong Jin bowed, trembling.
His reason for contacting the Dang Clan was simple.
"To complete my lifelong dream, the Thousand Blood Poison Flow, I absolutely need the Sun Golden Frog's gall bladder."
"Forget the inner core. If that gall bladder surfaces anywhere in the world, notify me no matter what."
The Thousand Blood Poison Flow was the ultimate poison the Sichuan Dang Clan pursued—perfection incarnate. And the Sun Golden Frog’s gall bladder was its missing piece.
Moreover, what Gong Jin couldn’t refuse...
‘The Dang Clan’s support built and sustained this apothecary, earning its fame.’
Failing to report a Sun Golden Frog gall bladder here would cost him his head.
“In exchange, I won’t take a fee for the crafting.”
Gong Jin kept bowing, begging forgiveness.
He prayed it all ended well, apologizing endlessly.
Half a shichen earlier, the Sichuan Dang Clan’s headquarters in central Chengdu buzzed with excitement.
“Is it true?”
This man, unshakably calm—called inhuman for his composure.
Mad for poisons, willing to leap into hellfire laughing for his arts’ completion: Thousand Blood Poison Maniac Dang Bijan, head of the Sichuan Dang Clan.
“Yes. Gong Jin, owner of Eokdang Apothecary, confirmed it himself.”
His subordinate’s words set Dang Bijan’s cold heart racing.
‘I thought it impossible in this lifetime.’
He’d truly believed so.
Especially upon hearing it was in the hands of none other than Hyeon Yucheon—the Demon Sword Prince he despised—despair had crushed him.
He’d drowned in drink for days, even tempted to visit the Demon Sword Sect and beg to buy it.
‘But the Five Great Families summit made it impossible.’
That event: when Crimson Sky Sword King Namgung Ungwang’s humiliating defeat shamed the Five Great Families into the gutter.
After screaming to shun the Demon Sword Sect, groveling to buy the gall bladder? He’d deserve expulsion.
So he’d endured, waiting desperately for it at auction.
“Hahaha! HAHAHAHA!”
Dang Bijan laughed heartily—the first time this year.
Life had its miracles.
Throwing his head back in prolonged mirth, he double-checked.
“Surely the ones carrying it aren’t Demon Sword Sect warriors?”
His subordinate, briefed by Gong Jin’s disciple, replied.
“I asked in detail. The man’s uncle has ties to the Demon Sword Merchant Association. That’s how he got it cheap.”
Dang Bijan twitched at the mention but brushed it off.
‘Not Demon Sword Sect proper—no issue.’
Plus, he wasn’t stealing or threatening; he’d buy it legitimately.
“Let’s move. Tell Gong Jin the apothecary: hold them at all costs. Disobey, and it’s Eokdang’s last day.”
Old habits die hard, as they say.
Dang Bijan was exactly that.
After threats, he prepared to rush out.
Leaping nimbly, lost in thought.
‘Unlikely, but if they refuse to sell...’
What then?
The answer was obvious.
“I’ll slaughter them all and seize the Sun Golden Frog’s gall bladder.”
Foolish hope from Thousand Blood Poison Maniac Dang Bijan.
Did he know this vigorous path led straight to the Demon Sword Prince he so feared?
‘Wait for me, Sun Golden Frog’s gall bladder. Wait, my Thousand Blood Poison Flow!’
With it complete, even diamond-bodied superhumans would fall to poison, reduced to sludge.
Blissfully ignorant of the doom ahead, Dang Bijan charged on, thrilled.