Episode 292. Centipede Gate (3)

Poison, depending on how it was used, could become medicine.

That was why the Tang Clan, as famous for their poison arts as they were, was also renowned for their medical expertise…

“Is that… really possible?”

“Yes. Strictly speaking, it’s not the main effect, but rather a side effect. Still, it is possible.”

Perhaps because she wasn’t entirely confident yet, Tang Sowol continued the explanation using sound transmission so Seorin wouldn’t hear and get her hopes up for nothing.

—If you mix one of the poisons extracted from the Seven-Flame Five Poisons with a Yin-type poison, the yin energy carried by the poison can freeze not just the meridians, but also amplify the yin energy within the body.

—It already sounds dangerous.

—Indeed. Unless one has trained in a high-level yin-based internal energy technique like Hyangi, or mastered a yang-based energy cultivation art to offset it, it would be extremely difficult to resist. It’s a deadly poison.

—And you want to give that to Senior Seorin?

—Of course not. I’d have to mix in several other poisons as well. First, I’d add poisons that would slow the effects, turning it into a delayed-acting type. Then I’d include two more of the Seven-Flame Five Poisons to localize the yin energy’s effects…

—So it wouldn’t be fatal?

—Exactly. But even then, it’s still a poison. So I’d also prepare an antidote tailored to it, to neutralize the toxicity while leaving only the desired side effects.

In summary, the idea was to use a poison that stimulated yin energy rampantly, slow its onset, neutralize it, and then direct it to a specific part of the body to induce growth.

Sounded complicated. Was it really safe?

—I can’t guarantee its effectiveness because I’m still unsure about that part. But it won’t be dangerous.

—Why’s that?

—Because it’s not potent enough to poison Senior Seorin.

—I thought you said it was a deadly poison…

—That’s why I’ll neutralize it. And more importantly, a warrior at the Flowering Stage can expel most poisons with a few days of effort.

That was true. The higher one’s martial level, the more exponentially resistant they became to disease and poison. Likely because internal energy could accomplish much more.

Even a Sub-Perfection master might suffer and weaken if poisoned, but it was rare for them to die immediately. A warrior at the Flowering Stage?

As Tang Sowol said, it wasn’t surprising if they could resist poisons labeled as “deadly.”

That was why the Tang Clan’s poison arts were so revered.

They dealt in poisons so potent they could kill even those at the Flowering Stage—poisons beyond ordinary limits.

Still, he felt uneasy.

—Are you sure it’s okay?

—Sigh. Brother Cheon, don’t you trust me a bit more? Besides, this method requires an antidote, so if anything goes wrong, we just administer it and everything’s fine.

“Sowol is right. There’s no way I wouldn’t be able to handle a poison she has already neutralized. More than that, I am ready to face any danger to attain what I desire.”

—Even Senior Seorin?!

He and Tang Sowol stopped whispering and looked down.

There was Seorin, having silently rolled over and popped her head up with a sly grin.

“Hehe. Did you really think I hadn’t grown at all? I’ve faced many Flowering Stage opponents, so while I may not match you two, I’ve achieved quite a bit myself!”

“Hmm. So what you’re saying is…”

“Exactly! My senses are now sharp enough to pick up on your sound transmissions at this distance!”

Bragging even while lying down—only Seorin could pull that off. He and Tang Sowol fell into silence.

Wait. She heard all that?

As they sat stunned, Seorin curled herself into a sitting position, her expression gradually becoming solemn.

Gone was her usual playful self. What emerged was the dignified air of a seasoned martial master, a veteran of countless battles.

It was a rare sight—an adult, mature Seorin who only showed herself in times of war.

She spoke.

“I have a dream.”

What kind of dream?

“To live a life filled with the happiness of a woman—an ordinary life that I had to give up, one that everyone else takes for granted.”

He already knew.

Those sighs she let out when staring into the sky, the way she looked at him and the Demonic Sound Ice Witch as though they were something dazzling—those moments had long been etched deep into his heartscape.

Seorin smiled gently and continued.

“To do that… I must first win your heart.”

“I already like the current Senior Seorin.”

“Hmph. Do you really mean that?”

With a tilt of her chin, she gestured toward Tang Sowol and Seol Lihyang one after the other.

Both were walking poison vessels and yin energy vessels—among the finest in all of the Central Plains.

Then she lightly patted her own chest.

That unwavering tranquility soothed the heart.

“Hmph! That is why I need that poison.”

She abruptly turned away, sending a desperate gaze toward Tang Sowol.

“That’s my reason. Can you help me, Sowol?”

—Of course. That was the plan from the beginning. But it won’t be right away. Just as Brother Cheon said, it’s not dangerous, but it is complicated and has many variables. I need proper time to research and test it. And I can’t guarantee how effective it will be.

“I see. Then I’ll wait. I leave it to you.”

“Yes, please leave it to me.”

Tang Sowol and Seorin exchanged intense looks and clasped hands. Who knew what kind of understanding passed between them, but it looked like things had been resolved.

Just as they were finally letting out a sigh of relief, Seol Lihyang approached with a casual question.

“Hey, Cheon Hwi. I’ve been thinking lately…”

“Hm? What is it?”

“Don’t you think we’ve all gotten a lot stronger? Me and Sister Tang, and Seorin was already strong to begin with—but you seem more anxious than before. Sometimes it feels excessive.”

“That’s…”

“It doesn’t seem like it’s just because of the Heavenly Demon. Right?”

She was right.

The Heavenly Demon had become aware of him, and the pressure from their inevitable confrontation loomed closer and closer. But that fear had been with him ever since before his regression—it had only intensified.

What had really been weighing on his mind lately was the regression itself.

He had died and returned. The Heavenly Demon had experienced regression multiple times, even before him.

So… did that mean there was some being even more powerful than the monstrous Heavenly Demon—someone he couldn’t defeat?

And if he did manage to defeat the Heavenly Demon, what would he do if that being appeared?

What if he also failed, and ended up repeating regressions like the Heavenly Demon?

Could he truly maintain his sanity then? Wouldn’t he eventually turn into another Heavenly Demon?

He had already experienced a form of that despair—trapped by the Blood Demons’s trickery, repeating his most hopeless moment again and again.

Inadvertently, such fear had become imprinted on him.

Even now, though he couldn’t speak of it, he was using his pre-regression memories to change the future—perhaps that was why he kept thinking about it more often.

But life had always been full of uncertainties.

There had been a time he believed that just wielding a sword made him capable of anything. That reaching the Flowering Stage would make him fearless.

And yet, now that he wielded the sword and had reached the Flowering Stage… what had changed?

Nothing. He still couldn’t do everything with his sword. He still feared those stronger than himself.

So what he could do—what he must do—was live his present to the fullest.

After a moment of thought, he spoke.

“When this is over, how about we look for a nice estate?”

“Huh? All of a sudden?”

“We can’t stay at the Tang Clan forever.”

The Tang Clan wouldn’t kick them out, but that wasn’t a reason to grow complacent.

“If we’re going to restore the Seo Mun Clan, we should start scouting locations.”

“That’s quite sudden. It’s certainly a good thing for me, but… you seem to be rushing. Is there some reason?”

“No. I’m not saying we’ll move out right away. Just that I want to dream about what comes next.”

Everyone stared at him in surprise.

What? Did I say something strange?

“No way! We’re just surprised you could say something so positive, Brother Cheon!”

“Mhm. Environment really is important, huh? If you’d been raised in the Black Lotus Sect, you’d never be saying something like that.”

“Oh-ho. A rougher Cheon Hwi might’ve been fun, but I think I prefer this version.”

Tang Sowol sounded like he was naturally a pessimistic and cynical person.

Seol Lihyang, likely having realized something deeply tied to regression during their time in Yo-ryeong, said something profound.

And Seorin, after straining her mind, nodded in satisfaction.

Their responses were so unexpected, he couldn’t help but let out a hollow chuckle.

“Haa… Well, since no one objects, we’ll proceed with both the matter of Seorin’s poison and finding an estate… Now, let’s handle the more pressing issue.”

“If you mean the pressing matter, I assume you mean finalizing the proposal for the Centipede Gate Lord?”

“And also discussing the meeting with the Beast Palace Lord.”

If it were just a matter of visiting, they could head to the Beast Palace immediately.

It was a place very different from the Central Plains in culture and norms, but if they all showed up with this kind of force and knocked politely, the door would open.

But they weren’t going to fight. They were going to build an amicable relationship. It would go much more smoothly if they prepared something the Beast Palace Lord needed.

“But I’m not good at this kind of thing. So I’ll leave it to you, Tang Sowol.”

“Huh?”

“Sorry, Sister Tang. I’m clueless too…”

“Hyanga?”

“Th-the best I can do is cheer from the side!”

Tang Sowol’s eyes dimmed.

***

Tang Sowol, with dark circles under her eyes from working all night, had managed to put together a fairly solid proposal.

Now, all that was left was for the Centipede Gate Lord to decide.

However—

“Huh?? Th-this is suspicious!”

Despite trembling in fear, Meng Yubaek still said everything she wanted in front of Tang Sowol.

With an expression of disbelief, she continued.

“These are all good proposals… But I’m not going to fall for sweet words anymore! You’re definitely hiding something, right?!”

“If you must know, I am eyeing the Seven-Flame Five Poisons.”

“Then… please let’s just arrange a regular transaction for Chilgong’s poison! I-I don’t want to repeat the same mistake. If I do, it’ll only make things harder for my disciples…”

Clearly, something had happened.

Good proposal. Not falling for it. A mistake. Hurting disciples.

Each word made her thoughts easy to infer. That clarity only strengthened his conviction.

“Ah! Brother Cheon—could it be?!”

“Hmm. As expected.”

A scam.

The classic rite of passage for young martial artists just starting their journey.

If Centipede Gate was stuck in this situation because they’d been scammed…

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

As he tried to recall more, the sound of knocking echoed all the way to the office—likely because the house was so small.

And—

“Hey, Centipede Gate Lord! You borrowed money, now pay it back!”

“Th-the Cheonghwa Merchant Group…!”

Meng Yubaek, holding the bundle of silver ingots she had received yesterday, began to panic.

Ah, right. The gatekeeper had mistaken them for someone from Cheonghwa Merchant Group at first.

A good idea came to mind.

He smiled brightly and pointed outside.

“Centipede Gate Lord. I think those guys are the reason our goodwill is being misunderstood. Let me deal with it quickly. And then, perhaps you can reconsider our offer.”

After much hesitation, Meng Yubaek shut her eyes tight.

“C-can we at least get out of Yunnan? Alright. In that case…”

Her expression was full of desperate resolve—like someone leaping into the mouth of a tiger to escape a wolf.

That’s harsh.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep