Chapter 91. What in the world is the truth?

Dang Cheon-wi was extremely skeptical of Hwangbo Do-gwang’s opinion to use poison.

‘If by any chance something goes wrong… I don’t even want to imagine it.’

If things went awry just one more time here, the Prince of Ningjing’s life would truly be in danger.

If that happened, not only would the trust between the Imperial Family and the Righteous Heavenly Alliance be broken, but it would be to the extent that one could not even guess how many heads would roll.

“They’re not fools, do you think they wouldn’t be prepared for poison?”

“That’s why I’m saying we should use the Poison of the Three Powers.”

“……”

The Poison of the Three Powers referred to three poisons composed of Heavenly Poison, Earthly Poison, and Human Poison.

These three poisons, with only one or two, exhibited no effect whatsoever.

However, if the three poisons were combined, their power was truly terrifying.

It was a potent poison that not only had the effect of a qi-dispersing poison, rendering one unable to use internal energy, but also caused the entire body to be paralyzed while an enormous amount of pain set in.

Of course, as it required the simultaneous use of three poisons, poisoning was extremely tricky, so it was rarely used.

Moreover, they couldn’t be mixed; each poison had to penetrate with a slight time lag, which further increased the difficulty of poisoning.

But in a situation like this, the Poison of the Three Powers could be a quite excellent solution.

Although poisoning was tricky, the act of poisoning the enemy itself was very easy.

Just a slight touch on the skin could cause poisoning, and even a minuscule amount could poison through inhalation, so if used well, it was possible to pinpoint and neutralize a specific person.

Furthermore, it had the advantage of being colorless, odorless, and tasteless, making it nearly impossible to detect.

“If one is put in the tea water and another is applied to the teacup, haven’t two poisons already been administered?”

“……That is correct.”

“If so, even if he switches cups to drink, he will have already been poisoned by two poisons. With only one or two poisons, the effect of the Poison of the Three Powers won’t manifest. But if you administer the last one to Jin Yeong-in, you should be able to poison him. Of course, administering the final, third poison will depend on your capabilities.”

“It is certainly possible, but please, reconsider once more.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“As I’ve said again, they are not fools. No matter how much we use the Poison of the Three Powers, if things go wrong by any chance, it could be like stirring up a hornet’s nest.”

“Who doesn’t know that? If you intended to deal with the Demonic Cult members without any risk, you are gravely mistaken.”

“But…….”

“Don’t tell me.”

Hwangbo Do-gwang glared at Dang Cheon-wi with fierce eyes.

“Are you hesitating because the opponent is Jin Yeong-in? Because you can’t forget old affections?”

“That is not it.”

“What do you mean it’s not.”

Hwangbo Do-gwang grabbed Dang Cheon-wi by the collar.

“Seeing you hesitate like this, it seems exceedingly suspicious. At this point, it wouldn’t be out of place to say you’re not just left with old affections but are in cahoots with him.”

“Absolutely not. Now that it’s been revealed he was a member of the Demonic Cult, he is nothing but an enemy. I have long forgotten all old affections.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“If you prove it by poisoning Jin Yeong-in with the Poison of the Three Powers, I will withdraw my suspicions about you. But if you don’t… I will have no choice but to suspect that you have been colluding with the Demonic Cult.”

“……!”

“If that happens, not only you, but the Tang Clan as well will be in trouble. You will have to undergo intense scrutiny from the Alliance.”

Hwangbo Do-gwang said so, not hiding his sneering expression.

This was because Hwangbo Do-gwang’s family, the Hwangbo Clan, and the Sichuan Tang Clan had been on bad terms since ancient times.

Moreover, Hwangbo Do-gwang was the uncle of Hwangbo Gyun, who was practically an enemy to both Jin Yeong-in and Dang Cheon-wi.

Hwangbo Gyun.

A member of the Seven Prodigies of Heavenly Martial who had relentlessly tormented Jin Yeong-in in the past, and the one who had a large scar engraved on his face during the incident five years ago.

As his uncle, Hwangbo Do-gwang did not look upon Dang Cheon-wi favorably.

“Surely you wouldn’t wish for your family to walk the path of ruin because of you. Or would you?”

“Of course not.”

“Then, prove it. Prove that you and the Sichuan Tang Clan are members of the Righteous Heavenly Alliance, not on the side of the Demonic Cult.”

“I… will do so.”

“Get moving. There’s no time.”

“……Yes.”

In the end, Dang Cheon-wi had no choice but to accept Hwangbo Do-gwang’s order.

It was against his will, but if he didn’t obey the command, his family, the Sichuan Tang Clan, could also be endangered.

The preparations were made quickly.

Dang Cheon-wi put the Heavenly Poison from the Poison of the Three Powers in the tea water and applied the Earthly Poison to the teacup.

Then he called a waiter and sprinkled the Human Poison on the hem of his clothes.

The Human Poison had very small and light particles, and thanks to its property of scattering well, it was possible to poison the enemy without anyone knowing.

Even a slight touch on the skin or inhaling a small amount of the particles floating in the air would spread the poison throughout the body, making it nearly impossible to avoid the Human Poison.

Just by the waiter brushing past, everyone in the vicinity would be poisoned by the Human Poison.

Although, the Human Poison alone had no effect on the human body.

“What is this? Young Master?”

“It is a medicinal herb that protects the body from demonic qi. You have to bring tea to the Seventh Young Master of the Demonic Cult, so I’m sprinkling it on you.”

“Oh my, thank you. Thank you so much.”

The clueless waiter repeatedly bowed his head to Dang Cheon-wi, expressing his gratitude.

‘This isn’t right…….’

Looking at such a waiter, Dang Cheon-wi’s heart was indescribably heavy.

In the midst of his confusion, having to poison the brother he once trusted and followed was an emotionally agonizing task.

Moreover, there was no guarantee of success, so Dang Cheon-wi’s heart remained uneasy.

‘If the prisoner exchange had been done fair and square from the beginning, things wouldn’t have come to this. How can those who claim to be heroes be so dirty and despicable.’

Dang Cheon-wi could not shake off his disappointment and skepticism towards the Righteous Heavenly Alliance.

‘No matter how this ends, I will definitely go into seclusion and never come out into the world again.’

Dang Cheon-wi vowed, and vowed again.

***

Tak, the waiter placed a teacup and a kettle filled with tea water in front of Jincheon.

“You asked for tea, so I’ve brought it. Hurry up and drink.”

The Great Divine Physician of Immortals said to Jincheon in a cold voice.

“Thanks.”

Just as Jincheon smiled and lifted the teacup.

“My Lord.”

Danmok Cheong stepped forward and stopped Jincheon.

“Forgive my impertinence, but it would be best not to drink it. We don’t know what they might have done to the tea.”

At that, the Great Divine Physician of Immortals let out a ‘psh’, a snort, and opened his mouth.

“Do you really think our Alliance would put poison in the tea? For men of the Demonic Cult, you all have so little nerve.”

“Cut the crap with your clumsy provocations.”

Danmok Cheong growled at the Great Divine Physician of Immortals.

“If you’re so sure, why don’t you drink the tea first.”

“I will.”

The Great Divine Physician of Immortals poured tea into a teacup and drank it without a hint of hesitation.

“Is that enough?”

“……”

“If you wish, I’ll switch cups with you. Or have new tea brought out.”

Danmok Cheong couldn’t offer any retort, but he couldn’t shake off his suspicious gaze.

“My Lord, please don’t drink it still. There’s always a ‘what if’.”

“You don’t have to worry.”

“But…….”

“It’s not for me to drink anyway.”

“Pardon?”

“I just ordered it because the old man looked thirsty.”

Jincheon said that, then poured tea into the teacup and offered it to the Prince of Ningjing who was beside him.

“Commander Dan must have forgotten, but I’m the kind of person who wouldn’t even piss in the direction of those scumbags. What trust do I have to drink the tea they serve?”

“Haha.”

“Old man, you must be thirsty, have a cup of tea. Of course… if those scumbags put poison in it, you’ll die, old man.”

Jincheon grinned at the Prince of Ningjing.

At Jincheon’s words, Hwangbo Do-gwang’s face turned deathly pale.

Since the Prince of Ningjing had been next to Jincheon the whole time, there was a very high probability that he had been poisoned by the Human Poison.

Why?

Because the waiter, with his clothes heavily dusted with Human Poison, had brushed past Jincheon and the Prince of Ningjing.

If the Prince of Ningjing were to drink the tea, the Heavenly Poison on the teacup and the Earthly Poison in the tea water would meet the Human Poison already in his body, and a catastrophe would unfold.

‘N-No.’

Dang Cheon-wi’s pupils shook violently.

The moment the Prince of Ningjing showed symptoms of poisoning, Dang Cheon-wi was finished.

Since there was an antidote, a disaster like the Prince of Ningjing’s death wouldn’t occur, but it was needless to say that the already tense situation would escalate to the worst possible scenario.

The problem was what came next.

Hwangbo Do-gwang, as well as the Righteous Heavenly Alliance, would undoubtedly deny having poisoned the tea.

If that happened, what would unfold next was obvious.

They would surely start cutting their losses, and it was a clear fact that Dang Cheon-wi would be left to take the fall for the crime.

“What are you doing, old man. Hurry up and drink.”

“Hoho. Must it be this old man?”

“There’s no one else here to drink it for you but you, old man. So stop talking and drink.”

“If this old man dies, you won’t be safe either, will you?”

“Don’t worry. You won’t die. Whoever poisoned it will have an antidote.”

Jincheon said, glancing at Dang Cheon-wi.

“I-Is that so?”

“Would they really risk falling out with the Imperial Family just to catch a mere Seventh Young Master of the Demonic Cult.”

“But even if there is an antidote, if I get poisoned…….”

“Of course it will be painful. Think of it as a good experience. Being an imperial, you’ve probably never experienced real pain in your life.”

“Are you even serious right now?”

“When I tell you to drink, you drink. What’s with all the chatter. You’re a hostage.”

“……”

“If you don’t want to lose a limb, hurry up and drink.”

“A-Alright.”

Having witnessed Jincheon’s cruel handiwork, the Prince of Ningjing quickly picked up the teacup.

Then, he squeezed his eyes shut and brought the teacup to his lips.

“Stop. That’s enough, put it down.”

“Didn’t you tell me to drink?”

“If they had poisoned it, they would have at least tried to stop you.”

“Hmm?”

“Forget the tea, let’s go now.”

Jincheon rose from his seat.

“Three days. In three days, bring fifty warriors of our cult, including Senior Mad Demon Revered One and Senior Undying Fighting Demon, to Gonghe County. If you don’t, I’ll make you see the old man’s head rolling around the marketplace of Gonghe County.”

“……”

“Why is there no answer?”

“……I will try.”

“Trying and all that, I don’t care. What’s important to me is whether the demand is met or not.”

“Three days is too short. Can’t you give a little more time? It’s not like the Central Plains are small.”

“Hmm.”

Jincheon thought for a moment and then answered.

“Alright, I’ll concede that much. Ten days. Make sure you meet my demands within ten days. I can’t give you any more than that.”

After saying that, Jincheon took the Prince of Ningjing and left the tavern.

At that, the martial artists of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult followed Jincheon, taking the warriors who had been held captive by the Righteous Heavenly Alliance.

“……”

A heavy silence descended upon the tavern Jincheon had left.

It was a truly suffocating silence… no one opened their mouths.

***

“……”

Although the worst-case scenario had been avoided, Dang Cheon-wi’s heart was nothing but heavy.

He had wanted to at least have a conversation with Jincheon to sort out his inner turmoil, but that was merely Dang Cheon-wi’s wish.

Jincheon, who had now become the Seventh Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, and Dang Cheon-wi, a direct blood relative of the Sichuan Tang Clan, were now in a position where they couldn’t even exchange words.

If he carelessly spoke with Jincheon, not only Dang Cheon-wi himself but also the Sichuan Tang Clan would be suspected of having a secret relationship with the Demonic Cult.

‘What is the truth? Were you a spy for the Demonic Cult from the beginning? Or was it due to unavoidable circumstances.’

If he could, Dang Cheon-wi wanted to grab Jincheon and ask.

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