Chapter 129
Chapter 129
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: Demonic Cult
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Mok Wana no longer ignored Dang Mujin as she had before. When he spoke, she listened attentively, and she even occasionally asked him questions about various things.
However, despite her cooperative attitude, there had been no particular progress in researching the corpse bird's poison.
There were a few reasons for this. They lacked byproducts from the corpse bird to use in experiments, and there were no useful reference materials.
But even more disappointing was something else. Mok Wana's skill in handling medicines and poisons fell short of expectations.
"It's not some other herb—you can't just use heavenly crow raw like that."
"We used up everything we had before. Besides, this one's thoroughly dried."
"Heavenly crow isn't something you can use just by drying it. Don't you have licorice root or black beans?"
"We have licorice root. I can get black beans too. Why?"
"You have to boil heavenly crow with herbs that neutralize its toxicity and dry it three times over before it's usable. Bring the licorice root first."
Mok Wana was oddly off in several ways.
She clearly wasn't clueless about medicines and poisons, but even a little observation revealed frequent amateurish mistakes.
For instance, when mixing various herbs to enhance or reduce their properties, the basics of medicine and toxicology involve gradually combining similar herbs and comparing effects.
Yet Mok Wana would repeatedly use herbs with completely different properties just because they looked alike, or she often confused the fundamental traits of basic ingredients.
She didn't even record the results of her experiments anywhere. Dust had gathered thickly on the brush and inkstone inside the cave.
'...Did the Demonic Physician have no interest in teaching his disciple?'
Otherwise, perhaps the Demonic Physician's skills were far inferior to those of the Strange Physician.
Dang Mujin didn't suspect Mok Wana, even as he questioned the Demonic Physician, because her talent seemed decent enough.
Mok Wana had sharp senses; she could easily discern an herb's properties just from tasting a bit.
She also had a fair amount of internal energy built up, and her constitution was innately sturdy, allowing her to easily expel all but the most potent toxins that entered her body.
Aware of this, Mok Wana had a habit of popping herbs into her mouth whenever she was unsure of their type or effects.
"Don't just eat it when you're confused—ask me."
"It's a habit."
Sorting out effects by testing them directly on her body. Watching her, Dang Mujin was reminded of Emperor Yan Shennong.
A sudden thought struck him. What if the Demonic Physician's medical texts hadn't been passed on to her, leaving her knowledge incomplete?
Pretending nonchalance, Dang Mujin asked her.
"By any chance, did your master leave behind any medical books?"
"Nope."
"Why not? Any physician would have a few medical texts."
"No idea. But it doesn't matter. I don't need them."
There wasn't even a hint of regret in Mok Wana's voice. Only then did Dang Mujin feel at ease.
*
A few days passed as Dang Mujin assisted Mok Wana with her work, and the cave's supply of corpse bird byproducts—like feathers and bone fragments—finally ran out. The amount had been small to begin with, so no matter how frugally they used it, it wasn't enough.
Mok Wana showed no particular reaction, so Dang Mujin spoke up instead.
"We need more corpse bird byproducts. Where can we get them?"
The air heading toward the Cult Leader's Palace was thick with the corpse birds' poison.
But using airborne poison for research was the worst of bad ideas. It meant finding a solution by directly exposing the body to the toxin. It wasn't entirely useless, but it was a last resort.
What they needed was something tangible, like bone fragments or feathers. Blood or poison glands would be even better.
Mok Wana mumbled vaguely.
"I'll request more. Just wait a bit."
"How long?"
"Roughly... ten days? Two weeks at the latest."
Dang Mujin was appalled.
"Two weeks? It takes that long?"
Mok Wana waved him off.
"Not necessarily that long. It could be much sooner. But we've been pretty diligent these past few days, haven't we? Can't we take it easy for a bit? I'm tired too."
Whether diligent or not, their only achievements over the past few days were piles of failed experiments.
Mok Wana had lived in the Demonic Cult originally, so delays didn't faze her, but Dang Mujin was eager to finish quickly and leave.
"Take it easy? If we had even a lead, slow progress would be fine, but we have nothing. What if others come asking what we've discovered so far?"
"No need to worry about that."
Mok Wana spoke confidently.
"No one's expecting much. Everyone knows my master is gone."
"That's true, but we've taken on the task now."
"Honestly, the odds are higher that the problem solves itself when the corpse birds leave. They won't live atop the Cult Leader's Palace forever, right?"
Dang Mujin's brow furrowed.
From their time together over the past few days, Mok Wana's approach to research seemed lukewarm. Her lack of skill was secondary; she almost seemed uninterested in results.
Dang Mujin stood up.
"I don't like that approach. I'd rather go get them myself."
"What? How?"
"I'll go as close as I can endure and look for any fallen feathers."
"Do you really have to? It's a hassle and dangerous. Just wait a few days."
"Don't worry. I'll handle it."
As Dang Mujin moved to leave the cave, footsteps approached from beyond the door.
Someone knocked. Thump, thump.
"You're in there, right?"
It was the Three-Eyed Buddha's voice. Dang Mujin still found him somewhat uncomfortable, but Mok Wana hid in a corner of the cave as if he were more than just uncomfortable.
Dang Mujin opened the door.
"What brings you here?"
"Since I brought you, it's natural I check on you now and then. Need anything?"
"Ah, we need corpse bird poison. Feathers or anything tainted with it."
"Got it. I'll look into it. By the way, you've been holed up in this cave for days, huh?"
"Yes, that's how it's been."
The Three-Eyed Buddha stared at Dang Mujin, then spotted Mok Wana hiding in the corner.
His rugged face twisted further. It would terrify most, but Dang Mujin knew it was just playful.
The Three-Eyed Buddha poked Dang Mujin's side with a massive elbow.
"You two didn't get up to anything in here, did you?"
"Of course not. I have someone I have my eye on."
"Ahem... Just kidding. Anyway, come with me for a bit?"
"What's the matter?"
"I've felt bad leaving you cooped up in this cave after bringing you all the way to Heavenly Mountain. Let's wander around and sightsee today."
Suspecting some ulterior motive, Dang Mujin examined the Three-Eyed Buddha's face again. But it held no sinister intent. He was simply more considerate than expected.
"Sure, I'd like that. It's not every day I visit the Demonic Cult."
"Let's go."
Dang Mujin left Mok Wana in the cave and followed the Three-Eyed Buddha out. The fresh air outside after days in the cave was invigorating.
As they headed toward the village, Dang Mujin said.
"Three-Eyed Buddha, has something happened with Mok Wana?"
"Mok Wana? Oh, the Demonic Physician's disciple. Why?"
"I'm not that familiar with her, but she doesn't seem the type to be so shy."
A sudden thought hit him: this might not be mere shyness.
Dang Mujin was somewhat accustomed to the Three-Eyed Buddha, but anyone else would be terrified. His appearance and power demanded it.
"Nothing special. I just learned her name is Mok Wana now."
"Hmm."
"It's not some big reason. Probably just faction differences making her wary."
The unfamiliar topic caught Dang Mujin's attention, and he asked immediately.
"Factions?"
"Yeah."
"So the Demonic Cult isn't all united."
"Truth is, the factions aren't a big deal. Out of ten Demonic Cult members, seven or more don't care about them. The remaining three bicker among themselves."
"Many factions?"
"No, just two. The Martial Combat Faction and the Doctrine Faction."
The names said it all. Dang Mujin nodded.
"You're Martial Combat Faction, of course, Three-Eyed Buddha."
"No. I'm Doctrine Faction."
Dang Mujin glanced at the Three-Eyed Buddha's expression. It didn't seem like a joke.
"Then Mok Wana's Martial Combat Faction? Doesn't suit her."
"Precisely, the Demonic Physician was Martial Combat Faction. Mok Wana's his disciple, so she's classified that way by default."
Did he have to worry about people's factions too? As Dang Mujin's expression grew serious, the Three-Eyed Buddha waved lightly.
"You don't need to worry. Demonic Cult factions aren't as grave as you think. It's just differing opinions on the Cult's direction—no bloodshed."
The Three-Eyed Buddha briefly explained the factions.
The Martial Combat Faction wanted the Demonic Cult to project power outward, even if it caused friction.
The Doctrine Faction believed accepting refugees and staying on Heavenly Mountain was enough.
Having fled Shaolin Temple to join the Demonic Cult, the Three-Eyed Buddha seemed to prefer the status quo. Everyone deserved a sanctuary.
Yet despite his casual explanation, the factions bothered Dang Mujin.
If they were called factions, they had their own power bases. Like nations clashing into war, two groups weren't likely to coexist peacefully forever.
As Dang Mujin and the Three-Eyed Buddha entered the city, eyes turned toward them.
Ignoring the stares, Dang Mujin asked.
"No chance of trouble, right?"
"No need to worry. If the factions were evenly matched, maybe, but the balance is completely tilted."
"Which way?"
The Three-Eyed Buddha said.
"Before answering, a question. Who holds the highest position in the Demonic Cult?"
"Simple. The Cult Leader."
"Right. Then who's the strongest?"
"You, Three-Eyed Buddha...?"
Dang Mujin admired his own quick answer. Was this worldly wisdom?
The Three-Eyed Buddha's eyes widened in surprise, then he burst into laughter. He seemed pleased.
"Ha! Flattering, but not the answer."
"Who then?"
"The Great Protector."
It made sense. It was well-known outside that the Demonic Cult's strongest warrior served as Great Protector, assisting the Cult Leader. The person might change, but the strongest always held the title.
The Three-Eyed Buddha continued.
"The key point: both the Cult Leader and Great Protector are Doctrine Faction. I'm Doctrine too, if you insist. The balance is too lopsided for unrest. No reason to fight, and the outcome's obvious anyway. Understand now?"
Dang Mujin nodded and added a few words to keep the mood light.
"Got it. But one question."
"What?"
"How strong is the Great Protector?"
The Three-Eyed Buddha scratched his chin.
"Well, last spar, he was at least half a step ahead of me."
"So just a hair's breadth?"
"Probably. But a hair's breadth is never easy."
They walked the streets, continuing their talk. A crowd gathered in one alley.
Curious, they looked: an old man sat on a wooden box, leisurely telling stories.
His voice was calm, untrained in martial arts, and despite his age, his gentle demeanor was pleasant. The crowd's reaction suggested he was the village's most famous storyteller.
Dang Mujin turned to the Three-Eyed Buddha.
"If the chance arises, how about challenging the Great Protector and taking his place?"
"Amusing idea, but if I challenged him, he'd be embarrassed. The loser even more so."
"Ahem."
"And you'd be embarrassed too."
"...Why me?"
"Saying that in front of the man himself? Obviously."
The Three-Eyed Buddha pointed to the crowd's center.
Behind the elderly storyteller stood a middle-aged man with a long, gray beard, staring fixedly at the Three-Eyed Buddha and Dang Mujin.
As if he'd heard Dang Mujin's voice amid the murmurs.
The Three-Eyed Buddha waved lightly in greeting, and the man returned a casual wave. But his gaze stayed locked on Dang Mujin.
Dang Mujin felt an eerie sense of familiarity.
No facial resemblance, but the man's eyes mirrored the Strange Physician's.
Eyes that revealed nothing to anyone—clearly those of a madman.
For some reason, Dang Mujin felt repelled by the middle-aged man.