The Six Poison Heart Formula
Tang Cheonwi had finally produced something extraordinary.
"You—you! Where the hell did you get something like this?"
It was a heart method that allowed even those without a poison body to cultivate Poison Arts.
For the past several hundred years, how desperately the Tang Clan had struggled to create such a method. Even previous clan heads born with the temperament of grand masters had gathered the greatest geniuses of their eras to forge a heart method for Poison Arts. Yet every attempt had failed. No matter what method they devised, the poison qi always invaded the brain. In the end they abandoned the effort entirely. What they did instead was the Poison Blood Rite—turning people into poison bodies so they could learn Poison Arts. That was why those who cultivated Poison Arts within the Tang Clan were considered special.
Of course, the present Tang Clan looked down on Poison Arts. Without a poison body, their power dropped drastically. But this Six Poison Heart Formula was different.
"There may be countless eccentric hermits in the murim, thick as grains of sand, but with most Poison Arts the poison qi invades the brain."
It was a heart method that completely sealed off the invasion of poison qi at its source. Even a beginner could cultivate it. And yet it was far from weak. It was on a level that would completely steam ordinary heart methods—possessing an absurd degree of destructive power.
"But this heart method is just...!"
The moment Hwancheonjihwan finished the formulas of the Six Poison Heart Formula, his chin began to rattle. He was left speechless by formulas that defied every scrap of common sense.
"You... you... are you really just going to hand this heart method over to them?"
They've been loyal to the Tang Clan their whole lives. They have every right to receive it.
"The value is overflowing! This Six Poison Heart Formula can take someone right up to the brink of becoming a Latent Poison Body!"
You think I'm giving it to them without knowing that?
"You knew?"
I created the Six Poison Heart Formula myself. Of course I know.
"You're insane!"
Hwancheonjihwan stuck out his tongue. A fifteen-year-old boy creating a heart method of this magnitude? Who could believe it?
"Tell me it's a lie, please!"
He even resorted to pleading.
Believe it or don't.
Tang Cheonwi ignored Hwancheonjihwan completely and held the paper out to Tang Mansong. The old man took it—and nearly jumped out of his skin.
"Is this not a martial arts formula?!"
"With this heart method, you won't be poisoned even when handling poisonous herbs."
"It's a method that nullifies even deadly toxins, and you call it just herbs?"
"I've never heard the name of this heart method. The Six Poison Heart Formula..."
Tang Mansong held the paper out again.
"But I cannot accept this."
"Whoa, is his eye crooked? The old man is throwing away a treasure even when it's handed to him."
"By Tang Clan law, formulas cannot be leaked outside without the clan head's permission. I will only accept your goodwill."
Tang Cheonwi had expected as much. Tang Mansong was a stubborn man, after all.
"I have never broken the laws of the Tang Clan."
"Then the clan head permitted this?"
"This heart method does not belong to the Tang Clan."
"Then did the Young Master obtain it by chance?"
The corner of Tang Cheonwi's mouth curled upward.
"I created it. So you need not be bound by the Tang Clan's regulations."
"Th-this heart method, you say?"
The hand holding the paper began to tremble violently. In Tang Mansong's eyes it was a perfect supreme heart method—one that did not pale even when set beside the Returning Origin Heart Method cultivated by the direct line.
"It's a safe method. You need not doubt it."
"That's not it! It's so perfect that my hands are shaking."
Tang Mansong's gaze never left Tang Cheonwi.
His vessel is as vast as the ocean. Perhaps even the Tang Clan will not be able to contain him...
The boldness to freely bestow a supreme heart method not upon the direct bloodline but upon a distant side branch—his magnanimity was extraordinary. This was not the act of a child or someone ignorant of the world.
The Tang Clan—no, the entire world may come down with a fever because of the Young Master.
Men like this always raised storms. They were precisely the type the orthodox factions, bound by their rules, hated most.
"I saved all of you, so you must repay the favor. But with your current skills, rather than repaying anything, it would be fortunate if you don't become a burden on my heels."
He even possesses the character to show consideration so that we do not feel sorry.
Tang Mansong made his decision. He would offer lifelong loyalty to Tang Cheonwi. From this day forward he swore to devote his life to this man.
"So cultivate that heart method and become people useful to me."
His words are rough, yet he is a benevolent lord. My grandson has found a remarkable master to serve.
Tang Mansong was certain his grandson's future would bloom brightly.
"I understand. According to the Young Master's will, we shall cultivate this Six Poison Heart Formula and fulfill our usefulness."
He memorized the entire formula and handed the paper to the villagers. Every face among them wore the same stunned expression.
"Sob... to bestow yet another grace upon us..."
"How can we ever fully repay this debt?"
They were overwhelmed by the supreme heart method formula.
"It's only natural they'd cry like that. When would a distant side branch ever get to cultivate a method of that level?"
Tang Cheonwi found the whole scene embarrassing and could barely endure it.
"Ahem. Too much time has already been wasted. I should hurry back to the main family..."
But the villagers refused to let him leave.
"Waaah! Young Master!"
"We will do everything in our power to be of use!"
"Loyalty to the Young Master for generations!"
They clung to his pant legs and wailed.
"Haah... this isn't how it was supposed to go."
Tang Ildo, youngest member of the Black Scale Guard, was reeling from a massive shock.
"I got lucky. To think I'd see the Young Master's true face here."
That his dantian was destroyed had been a lie. That he was only third-class had been a lie. Every single aspect of the Young Master had been a lie.
"Does the lord truly not know this?"
The Young Master had completely deceived the entire Tang Clan.
"I'll find out once we return. For some reason, I'm looking forward to it."
Just then the Young Master and the grandson of the Jamun Village chief set out on the road. Tang Ildo carefully followed behind them.
"But what exactly did he give the people of Jamun Village?"
It had looked like an extremely important writing. The chief and villagers had been overcome with emotion the moment they saw what was on the paper. He wanted to know the details and strained his ears, but...
"It's a shame I couldn't find out because the Young Master put up a sound barrier."
It was as if he had already noticed my presence and blocked the sound. Even so, Tang Ildo was confident he would figure it out. He had entered the Black Scale Guard through sheer shrewdness and cunning. Following the Young Master and the village chief's grandson, Tang Saeng, he more or less pieced it together.
"Could he have given them an internal energy heart method? With the Young Master's personality, it's entirely possible."
The moment he tried to close the distance for a closer look, Tang Ildo abruptly stopped.
"Seeing them wearing masks in broad daylight, it doesn't look like they have good intentions."
He drew his sword from its scabbard.
Shhhrring—.
A clear, ringing note filled the air. One of the masked men spoke.
"You'll have to die here."
At the threat, Tang Ildo burst out laughing.
"Pfft!"
"Is the current situation funny to you?"
"It was the most amusing thing I've heard recently, so I laughed. If it offended you, I'm sorry—heh!"
He still couldn't hold back the laughter. What kind of place was the Black Scale Guard? A unit that selected only the proven talents of the Tang Clan. On top of that they had to endure training that danced with death. If that were the end, would there be any pride left? Finally came the poison trial. Only those who swallowed deadly poison and survived could become members of the Black Scale Guard. That was why every single one of them was a master of Hundred Poisons Immunity.
"You seem confident against us."
"About ten of you would be plenty for me alone."
The masked man's covering twitched. His pride was clearly stung.
"Brothers, let's show them our power."
The masked men each drew their weapons.
"A well-coordinated formation. Looks like you've been working together for quite a while."
"Let's see how long you can stay that relaxed."
As if they had rehearsed it a hundred times, the masked men charged at Tang Ildo in perfect unison.
"Haa...! Haa...!"
Tang Saeng panted heavily. Several days had already passed since they left Jamun Village.
"Haa... Young Master, can't we... rest just a little...?"
For a fourteen-year-old boy, the forced march was brutal.
"Keep circulating the heart method I taught you."
"...I'm doing as you said, heek... but it's too hard, haa..."
Hwancheonjihwan shook his head.
"It's a mistake to think everyone's a monster like you."
Tang Cheonwi tilted his head.
Is this hard? When I was young I endured things far worse than this...
Throughout the grueling march he had trained whenever he could. Not only circulating his qi, but also footwork and lightness skills—and even the martial arts recorded in the Dark Blood True Scripture. He had trained the entire way.
"That's why I keep saying you're a freak. At this rate the kid's going to faint."
He's a weakling.
Tang Cheonwi refused to admit that he himself was the special one.
"We'll rest a little and leave right away. It's only been a few days since we left Jamun Village."
Without answering, Tang Saeng simply plopped down on the ground.
"Haaa! Haa...!"
He slowly steadied his ragged breathing.
"Hooo."
Once he rested, his breath settled quickly. With his composure restored, curiosity about Tang Cheonwi bubbled up.
"You're the Young Master in name, so where did you leave the carriage? Did you run into bandits or something?"
"I haven't ridden one since I left the Tang Clan."
"What?"
Tang Saeng looked utterly dumbfounded. No carriage, not even a single escort. If not for the Tang Clan nameplate, he would have doubted the boy was the Young Master at all.
"Did the family not support you?"
"No. Since I came out for training, I deliberately left the carriage behind so I could train as well."
"Huk!"
Tang Saeng stared at him with eyes full of pure respect.
"What's with that burdensome gaze?"
"Because it's amazing. And it's the first time I've ever seen a Yin Spirit Ice Fox serve a human as its master."
The Yin Spirit Ice Fox was sleeping peacefully in Tang Cheonwi's bosom, completely well-behaved. So adorable that one could almost forget it was the apex predator among spiritual beasts.
"Enough. Just focus on circulating your qi. Raise the Six Poison Heart Formula to the second stage before we reach the family."
"Heeek!?"
"I told you he's not you!"
Though it was called a heart method for beginners, the Six Poison Heart Formula was strictly a supreme method. Raising it even one stage in half a month was an absurd demand.
"We'll rest for half a shichen. Concentrate on the Six Poison Heart Formula during that time."
"I just started learning the method and you're telling me to raise it to the first stage at once... It's too much..."
"Or do you want to die again?"
"No! I'll do it!"
Tang Saeng squeezed his eyes shut and focused on the Six Poison Heart Formula. In the meantime Tang Cheonwi spread his senses across the surroundings.
I haven't felt the presence of the Black Scale Guard since half a day ago.
There had been one Black Scale Guard watching him. Along with that presence, the aura of Yuhongak had also vanished.
They must plan to eliminate the Black Scale Guard first and then appear before me.
To Yuhongak the Black Scale Guard was a thorn in the eye. Dealing with him first and only then showing themselves was the ideal approach.
I should take a short walk.
He carefully lifted the Yin Spirit Ice Fox that was sleeping soundly against his chest.
"Stay here for a bit. I'm going for a walk."
"Kyin."
The creature answered as if annoyed, still curled up and sleeping. Leaving Tang Saeng and the Yin Spirit Ice Fox behind, Tang Cheonwi vanished into the underbrush.