The True Black Curtain Lurks Close By (3)
That meant either the clan lord's eldest son or the animal trainer had hidden something incriminating inside.
Or perhaps someone was trying to frame them for it.
If so, did that mean the one who hid the evidence could also enter that place?
Or maybe they'd bribed someone who could.
From what I remembered of my previous life, the current clan lord's eldest son had been confined.
That could only mean one of two things: either his scheme had been exposed, or he'd been falsely accused.
My head began to throb painfully.
First, I needed to confirm if whatever was inside was connected to the Hyeongmun Clan’s hereditary disease.
I had to get inside somehow…
The problem was that it wasn't just any snake—it was a venomous horned serpent with deadly poison.
But something felt off.
Why could I only sense the energy from the Hyeongmun Clan's hereditary disease here?
There was no trace of the energy from the mountain air poison that had nearly ruined Jeong-ho hyung's sub-unit leader inauguration.
No way…?
I turned to Lady Dang Su-bin.
“What does the third young master you showed me earlier handle?”
“My third brother serves as the deputy commander of the Tiger Step Troop.”
“The Tiger Step Troop—is that another armed force?”
“It's the main family's strike team.”
“I see.”
No wonder they named it after a tiger's stride—it fit a strike team perfectly.
“I'd like to visit there briefly.”
“…I'll guide you.”
Curiously, each armed force was stationed far apart from the others—east end, west end, and so on.
“Since there are so many martial arts obsessives in the forces, fights break out often and don't end quietly. So they keep them separated to double as clan border guards.”
“A wise approach.”
When we arrived at the Tiger Step Troop on the western edge, a wave of revulsion hit me instantly.
This disgust stemmed from black path energy.
The Sichuan Dang Clan harboring black path scum!
It was unthinkable…
Actually, no—it wasn't impossible.
I'd sensed black path energy from that Jegal Kyung in the Jegal Clan before.
So there was someone like him here too.
Just then, as if alerted to our arrival at the Tiger Step Troop, the clan lord's third son—the one I'd seen earlier—emerged.
“Welcome. The Silver Benefactor honors us.”
“Ah, thank you for the warm reception.”
“I'm Dang Yeon-chil, deputy commander of the Tiger Step Troop.”
“Eun Seo-ho.”
At my introduction, my escorts behind me stated their names in turn.
“I heard you're here on a tour.”
“Yes, that's right.”
“Then I must live up to your expectations. Haha! This way, please. I'll show you the training grounds specially.”
“My thanks for your consideration.”
Deputy Commander Dang Yeon-chil turned to Lady Dang Su-bin.
“But aren't you going to greet your brother properly?”
“I didn't see the need.”
“Whatever.”
What was that? Were these siblings on bad terms despite being blood-related?
“This way, please.”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
He felt even more repulsive than Jegal Kyung, but I forced a smile.
If I hadn't reached the peak realm, I might have vomited from the disgust.
We toured the training grounds, but I found no evidence related to the mountain air poison.
A bust?
But my hunch that the Dang Clan's black curtain was this Tiger Step deputy commander, Dang Yeon-chil, seemed spot on.
Otherwise, why would he reek so strongly?
Hiding evidence of the Hyeongmun Clan's disease in the Earth Life Hall's serpent enclosure was meant to oust the eldest son.
The problem was, I had no concrete proof he was the black curtain.
My personal revulsion wasn't objective evidence.
Moreover, to create and leak something like the poison causing the Dang Clan's hereditary disease or the mountain air poison—secrets of the Sichuan Dang Clan—one would need access to the relevant facilities.
But Dang Yeon-chil was in the armed Tiger Step Troop.
And he was direct-line blood kin. Without solid proof, I could end up accused instead.
Wait.
An organization that makes such things?
After leaving the Tiger Step Troop, I asked Lady Dang Su-bin,
“What does your second brother handle?”
“He's the deputy hall master of the Poison Flower Hall. And I'm there too.”
Our next destination was set.
I told Lady Dang Su-bin,
“This time, I'd like to see where you work.”
Her face visibly brightened at my words.
“Finally my turn! This way.”
Poison Flower Hall.
It was where they developed and researched poisons, divided mainly into combat poisons and research.
“Second brother handles research, and I do combat poisons.”
I flashed a knowing smile.
This wouldn't be a bust.
As we neared the Poison Flower Hall, the energy from the mountain air poison that nearly ruined Jeong-ho hyung's inauguration grew stronger.
We entered, and she enthusiastically guided me through the hall.
Thanks to her, I learned one thing.
The evidence for the mountain air poison was in the research division of the Poison Flower Hall.
.
.
.
By the time the tour ended, it was already evening.
“Today was most enlightening. Please convey my thanks to the clan lord.”
“Yes, I will.”
“How many siblings do you have, Lady?”
“Seven total. Three older, three younger.”
“So Jo-ung is the youngest.”
“Right. He shares my mother.”p>
No wonder she doted on him as a full-blooded brother.
“He's special, but Jo-ung's talent is the real deal.”
Her eyes sparkled as she spoke.
“If you say so! Jo-ung's future looks bright.”
I kept probing casually.
“Does the third young master treat you well?”
“Yes, he does. He's a bit neglectful with family due to his research obsession, but that's understandable.”
“This might be rude, but at the Tiger Step Troop earlier, you seemed reluctant.”
The conversation sounded like typical sibling banter.
But her eyes—they definitely held unease.
“Well, actually…”
She stroked her arm and continued.
“I'm not sure if I should say this to someone I just met, but lately, seeing third brother just… feels off.”
“I see.”
I hid my smile and offered a fist salute.
“Sorry for prying.”
“No, it's fine.”
I asked a few more questions as we walked, and soon we reached my guest quarters.
“Thank you for seeing me back. Rest well.”
Lady Dang Su-bin looked like she had more to say.
But she hesitated and ultimately left without speaking.
After dinner, I pondered alone.
Something linked to the Hyeongmun Clan's disease was hidden where the eldest son worked, and something tied to the Eunhae Merchant Group's mountain air poison where the second son did.
If the third son exposed this, both the eldest and second would be eliminated from clan lord candidacy.
First, I needed to see it with my own eyes—what exactly they were.
.
.
.
That night.
When everyone was deep in slumber.
I used Phantom Illusion to create an illusion of myself on the bed, then slipped out quietly.
I couldn't let anyone else know about this.
I had to move swiftly and in secret.
I scanned the surroundings carefully. Palgap might pop out anytime.
Clear.
I moved at once.
The movement art I used now was Master No Trace Step, taught by my master.
It made no sound, and at my peak realm, it left no footprints.
My target: the Documents Hall, Earth Life Division.
I had to check the evidence hidden in that venomous horned serpent's enclosure.
Soon, I infiltrated the Earth Life Hall.
“At night? There are still on-duty staff, one or two. They patrol once per shift.”
Recalling Lady Dang Su-bin's words, I clung to the eaves and waited.
Hanging from the roof was tough, but my consistent physical training paid off.
After about fifteen minutes, a bright light flashed.
Two men approached, holding staves with small night pearls.
To avoid agitating the poisons, they used night pearls instead of torches for patrols.
Wasteful on such valuables.
After their round, I heard the door close as they entered the building.
They wouldn't emerge for at least an hour.
I dropped silently and approached the serpent enclosure.
The venomous horned serpent was awake.
Its body looked thicker than mine.
One bite and I'm done.
As it hissed at me, I reached into my sleeve for the sleeping drug I'd prepared.
You never knew when trouble might strike, so I carried some.
But the moment our eyes met—
The serpent's tail quivered. It curled up and fled to the corner.
What the—?
Why run from me?
Flustered, but no need for the drug now. I took out a needle to pick the enclosure's lock.
A skill from my past life.
Quite useful back then.
Click.
The lock opened.
I entered cautiously and searched every inch.
Beneath a pile of hay on the floor, I found a bundled package.
It felt like books.
As I went to pocket it, a fun idea struck.
'Perfect timing to use that thing in my pocket like this.'
.
.
.
By the time I detoured to the Poison Flower Hall, much time had passed.
Back at my quarters, I dispelled the Phantom Illusion of myself.
“Enjoy your night stroll, young master?”
“Gah!”
Palgap's voice from behind made me jump.
I whirled around to see him staring.
Feigning calm, I asked,
“Why aren't you asleep?”
“How could I sleep when you snuck out?”
“…”
“Mad at me?”
“Why would I be?”
Definitely mad.
“Because I went out alone and risky?”
“Sigh…”
Palgap sighed.
“Honestly, I decided not to worry if you go alone anymore. Your martial arts are strong, and you have that Gold Command kid.”
“…”
“So just give me a heads-up next time? That way I can act if something happens.”
“Uh…”
He had a point; I had nothing to say.
I apologized readily.
“Sorry. I'll tell you next time.”
“Understood.”
“Then stand watch outside.”
“Pardon?”
“Got something to check.”
Still, Palgap, I'm the one you serve.
Moments later,
I pulled out what I'd found from the Earth Life Hall and Poison Flower Hall.
Two books.
I opened them and read meticulously.
“Huh?”
The contents were shocking.
Research notes on how to create the poison causing the Hyeongmun Clan's hereditary disease—and the mountain air poison.
This was ironclad; whoever had it would be guilty as charged.
And from the two books, I was certain the black curtain was the third son.
They faintly but unmistakably reeked of evil qi.
The same evil qi from the third son.
But why no evidence at the Tiger Step Troop?
Even if the Murim Alliance led the effort, Elder Pure Immortal said those two poisons were Sichuan Dang Clan originals, so there had to be a place researching and producing them.
And it would be somewhere under his watchful eye.
'Meaning a secret space hidden somewhere?'
I pocketed the books securely.
.
.
.
Dawn broke.
I circulated my qi, trained, and had breakfast.
An uneventful morning.
“Young master.”
Palgap approached.
“Lady Dang Su-bin is here.”
“Oh, really?”
The guest quarters had a reception room, where Lady Dang Su-bin waited.
“Good morning.”
“Yes, Silver Benefactor.”
I'd never get used to “Silver Benefactor.”
“Father asked me to relay a message. He wants you to spend time with Jo-ung today.”
“With Jo-ung?”
“Yes.”
She nodded.
“Yesterday, Father promised Jo-ung: finish the set tasks, and you can spend time with the Silver Benefactor. He completed them all yesterday.”
I didn't know the tasks, but her pride suggested they weren't easy.