The Poison Sovereign's Obsession
[“No, wait… no, never mind.”]
Fortunately, the temporarily short-circuited Poison Sovereign snapped out of it before long.
[“Right… so you don’t trust him?”]
“Yes.”
[“B-But why?”]
“Pardon?”
I was briefly taken aback by his question. Why didn't I trust him…?
“Well…”
I pondered for a moment before answering. In truth, it wasn't even worth thinking about.
“I simply don’t believe in ghosts.”
It didn't matter what kind of person Yoo Chun-gil had been when he was alive.
“If it isn't human, I don't trust it.”
I didn't trust him because he was a ghost. I didn't need a grander reason than that.
After all.
I barely trust living people. Why would I trust a ghost?
I was not a trusting person by nature. That went double for ghosts clinging to lingering regrets.
Trusting Yoo Chun-gil? Not a chance.
Besides.
He’s the one who forced his own cultivation method into my body to use me for his own ends.
Under these circumstances, placing absolute trust in Yoo Chun-gil was utterly absurd.
“So, why did you ask whether I trust him or not?”
[…]
The Poison Sovereign reacted with that same peculiar silence.
His face practically screamed, What kind of crazy bastard is this?
“Elder.”
[“Ah, right. Yes…”]
Ahem! The Poison Sovereign cleared his throat dryly and continued.
[“Originally, I was going to elaborate on that bastard Yoo Chun-gil… but since you do not trust him, there is no need.”]
“What do you mean? If you have something to add, spit it out clearly.”
[“It was meant as a warning. I wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting into when dealing with him in the future. As for the rest…”]
The Poison Sovereign trailed off, his brow furrowing. An unreadable conflict flickered in the tight lines of his forehead.
[“It is not something I can speak of.”]
“…Something you cannot speak of.”
What did he mean by that?
Was he physically or magically constrained from speaking? Or was it…
Is he keeping quiet because of the old man, or by his own choice?
Mulling over the question, I looked at the Poison Sovereign.
“Would that change even if I refuse to pull that thing out of the water?”
[…]
I pointed at the dark object shimmering beneath the water. The Poison Sovereign's eyes flared with a murderous glint.
Then.
[“Yes. This is simply how it must be.”]
He ground out the words. Hearing his tone, I clicked my tongue inwardly.
It seems he’s telling the truth.
Judging by his reaction, he didn't seem to be lying.
Which meant.
There’s no point in asking him anything more about the old man.
If so, I needed to organize the key takeaways in my head.
First.
Yoo Chun-gil is somehow connected to the Demonic Cult.
He had clashed with the Poison Sovereign over it in the past.
And because of that, both Yoo Chun-gil and the Poison Sovereign were reluctant to speak of it.
…Even though it’s been over forty years.
Decades had passed since the Great War between Orthodox and Unorthodox sects.
For them to still harbor such intense feelings after all this time…
It was beyond my comprehension.
Whatever the story is.
The only thing that mattered was whether it would affect me.
But looking at how things are, I can't afford to remain completely in the dark.
Since this mess involved Yoo Chun-gil, it was bound to impact me eventually.
Which meant I had to investigate.
Keep this in mind.
Even if I couldn't uncover the truth right now, I had to figure it out before it was too late.
I etched this deeply into my memory.
And.
The second important point.
Could I trust the Poison Sovereign's words right now?
Just as I don't trust Yoo Chun-gil.
It meant I didn't trust the Poison Sovereign either.
They’re just lingering spirits clinging to me because of their regrets.
Who they were in life didn't matter to me.
In the end, the only thing that mattered—just as it had from the very beginning—was whether they would harm me.
“So, what is the real reason you brought the sacred sword here?”
[“That is… wait, hold on. Did your form of address just get a bit disrespectful?”]
“You're imagining things.”
[“I don’t think I am—”]
“Are you going to tell me or not? Because I'm leaving.”
[“It is because of my obsession.”]
The moment I made a move to turn around, the Poison Sovereign blurted it out.
“Your obsession?”
[“Yes… my stubborn obsession.”]
“What does that mean?”
[“Pull it out first. It will be easier to explain once you see it.”]
“…”
I narrowed my eyes at his words. I wondered if he was playing tricks, but simply pulling it out wouldn't hurt. I plunged my hand into the water.
After a wave of icy cold, my fingertips brushed against something.
I pulled it out.
So this is the Thousand Demon Sw—huh?
I stared at the object in my hand, completely dumbfounded.
“What is this…?”
I had pulled it out expecting a sword, but this was no sword.
This was…
“…Isn't this just a hilt?”
Rather than a sword, it was merely the remains of what once was one.
To be precise, it was just a hilt.
With only a tiny fraction of the blade still attached.
Strictly speaking, it was in a far worse state than the Full Moon.
[“That is it! That is the very thing!”]
“…And what exactly is it?”
Was this the "obsession" the Poison Sovereign wanted to explain?
No matter how much I looked at it, I couldn't make heads or tails of it.
“I don't understand at all.”
He said it would be easier to explain once I saw it, but what could he possibly explain about a piece of junk like this?
I gave the Poison Sovereign a questioning look.
[“That is my obsession.”]
“But why is this—”
[“To repair that sword. That is my obsession.”]
“…Pardon?”
My face contorted in disbelief.
He wanted to repair this broken sword?
And not just any broken sword, but…
“You want to repair the Heavenly Demon's sword?”
The sword of the Heavenly Demon, the very man who started the Great War and brought disaster upon the Central Plains?
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
I couldn't fathom why the conversation was taking this turn.
Of all things, it was the Heavenly Demon's sword.
And he wanted to repair it?
“…Why?”
Why on earth?
To my bewildered question, the Poison Sovereign replied.
[“It is my obsession, and my promise.”]
“A promise…”
A promise with whom? Just as I was about to ask.
[“Child, there is no need for me to explain any further to you. The deal was simply that I would reward you if you retrieved the sword.”]
The Poison Sovereign glared at me with sharp eyes as he continued.
[“The rest is up to you. Will you do it or not?”]
“…”
Would I take this half-baked excuse for a sword and claim the Great Pill?
Or would I refuse to get involved and walk away?
That was the choice the Poison Sovereign was presenting.
However.
[“Even if you choose not to take it, I will still give you the Great Pill.”]
…Hmm?
His words threw me into a brief state of confusion.
He would give me the Great Pill even if I didn't take the sword?
I gripped the hilt tightly, weighing my options.
It was always best to avoid troublesome matters, and I could get the Great Pill just by leaving.
I didn't know why the Poison Sovereign was offering this.
But if I did take it, what kind of trouble would it bring?
I couldn't say for sure, but there was bound to be some.
Naturally, the smart move was to take the Great Pill and get out.
As I thought about it, I weighed the risks in my mind.
I compared the potential trouble with the value of the Great Pill.
And finally.
“I'll take it for now.”
I chose to take it.
If it were going to cause a massive problem, Yoo Chun-gil would have stopped me in the first place.
The fact that the old man remained silent meant it was probably fine to proceed.
I don't trust either of them.
But since I had already come this far, it was only right to maximize my gains.
Splash.
Clutching the sacred sword, I stepped back out of the pool.
Since I had waded into the water, my pants were damp.
Feeling uncomfortable, I climbed back up.
“…So, I just take that?”
I pointed at the table that had been catching my eye.
The Poison Sovereign nodded at my words.
[“Yes. Take that.”]
“…”
I walked forward cautiously, scanning my surroundings.
I saw a few other boxes, but I had no idea what was inside them.
I ignored them and focused solely on the table.
As I've said before, touching something a ghost hasn't permitted is a quick way to get hurt.
It was best to grab only what was offered and leave.
I approached the table and lightly grasped the box.
[“Circulate your cultivation method when you lift the box.”]
Hearing the Poison Sovereign's instruction, I immediately activated the Cheongwol Mind Method.
Click.
The box lifted from the table. It wasn't particularly heavy.
“…You set a trap even on this?”
[“Of course. Do you know how many treasures are kept here?”]
“And why did it have to be the Cheongwol Mind Method again…?”
If the trap bypass was the Cheongwol Mind Method, just like at the entrance, it meant no one else could ever take it.
If so, wasn't it all pointless? When I asked this, he replied.
[“That box was never meant to be taken by anyone in the first place.”]
“Then what was it for?”
[“To eliminate fools who wandered into my secret vault without knowing any better.”]
“…Using the Great Pill as bait?”
[“Indeed.”]
Good grief.
No wonder it was sitting right out in the open.
Even if they didn't know it was the Great Pill, anyone could tell it was an extraordinary elixir just by its spiritual energy.
He had used that to lure and kill intruders.
Just then.
[“If you had refused to take the sacred sword, I wouldn’t have told you. You should be glad.”]
A chill ran down my spine as the Poison Sovereign chuckled.
…Crazy bastard.
No wonder.
He said he would give me the Great Pill even if I didn't take the Thousand Demon Sword.
He was planning to trigger the trap if I refused.
He had basically been ready to kill me.
…Damn it…
I realized once again that ghosts were never to be trusted.
“…Where is the exit?”
I asked, hiding my cold sweat.
At my question, the Poison Sovereign pointed to the right wall.
An opening was visible behind the boxes.
It was so obvious that I had doubted it, but that was indeed the exit.
I walked toward it. Then, I stopped.
Step.
I paused and looked back at the Poison Sovereign.
[“What is it? Do you still have something to say?”]
“Yes. Now that I think about it, there's one thing left.”
[“What is it…”]
The Poison Sovereign looked slightly exasperated.
I was about to leave, but I realized I hadn't asked the most important question yet.
“So, what exactly is the Dang Family Head looking for?”
What was the Poison King searching for in the Poison Sovereign's secret vault?
I still hadn't received an answer to that.
[“Ah.”]
The Poison Sovereign reacted as if he had forgotten about it too.
[“Oh, that.”]
“Yes.”
[“It is nothing major.”]
His reaction was completely different from when I asked about the Thousand Demon Sword.
He seemed entirely indifferent, as if wondering why I even cared.
Was it really nothing? Just as that thought crossed my mind.
[“He is looking for the manual of the restored Rain of Flowers Filling the Sky. I hid it before I died.”]
“Pardon…?”
[“Well, not exactly hid it. To be precise, I tore it up and burned it, so it no longer exists. But that fool thinks it is hidden here and is searching his heart out. Isn't that hilarious? Hahaha!”]
“…”
The Poison Sovereign burst into hearty laughter, finding it genuinely amusing.
Watching him, I wiped my face with a dry hand.
…Nothing major, my foot, you crazy old man.
It was a massive deal.
A very, very massive deal.
I emerged from the exit of the secret vault.
I had wondered where the exit would lead.
Fortunately, it connected to the guest annex where the original entrance was located.
The entrance was different, but the important thing was that I had made it out.
“Ugh, this is heavy…”
I returned to my room carrying the box.
It hadn't felt that heavy when I first lifted it, but carrying it all the way back proved to be quite a chore.
Grunting, I set the box down in the room.
I tossed the black hilt carelessly into a drawer.
It fit perfectly.
Just as I was tidying up.
[“You are back?”]
“—Gasp!”
I clamped a hand over my mouth to stifle a scream.
I had almost shrieked out loud.
With trembling eyes, I looked over to see Yoo Chun-gil sitting in the room.
When did this old man slip in?
[“Why so startled? It is not as if this is the first time you have seen my face.”]
As Yoo Chun-gil spoke with exasperation, the Poison Sovereign spoke up on my behalf.
[“Who wouldn't be startled seeing your face in the dead of night?”]
The Poison Sovereign took the words right out of my mouth. It was incredibly satisfying.
[“You little…! Anyone else can insult my face, but not you.”]
[“At least my eyes do not glow in the dark like a goblin's, you monster.”]
[“Ha.”]
Yoo Chun-gil opened his mouth to retort, but quickly shut it.
His gaze shifted away from the Poison Sovereign and landed on the drawer I had just closed.
The drawer containing the hilt.
Staring at it, Yoo Chun-gil clicked his tongue in disapproval.
[“…Open the box.”]
“Yes.”
He pointedly ignored the drawer and brought up the box containing the Great Pill.
I grasped the lid of the box and carefully pried it open.
Whoosh—!
An incredibly sweet, fragrant aroma wafted through the crack.
I had sensed it even when the box was closed, but the scent escaping now was on a completely different level.
…So this is it.
Is this the divine elixir known as the Great Pill?
As I removed the lid completely, the contents were fully revealed.
My eyes widened.
They were perfectly round, looking as if a master artisan had crafted them with all his soul.
A brilliant luster radiated from the flawless spheres.
Even a glance revealed their profound spiritual energy, carrying an almost sacred aura.
Was this truly the legendary Great Pill, of which the Shaolin Temple produced barely one every few years?
As I held back a gasp of admiration.
My eyes naturally scanned the contents of the box.
…One, two, three…
I instinctively counted the pills resting inside.
The number of Great Pills lying before me was…
“…Four…?”
Not one, not two, but a whopping four pills.