Chapter 140
After spending half a month with Dokgo Yeon, she finally discovered an important clue.
"I found it."
Everyone's tired gazes focused on Dokgo Yeon's voice.
She picked something up with small tweezers from the powder on the white jade plate.
"So we've finally found proof that this medicine didn't originate from our Poison Valley."
Jaseong and Lee Rin asked with puzzled looks.
"What kind of evidence did you find?"
"Do you see these silvery grains when you grind this medicine finely?"
Dokgo Yeon showed the white jade plate to Jaseong.
Looking closely, he found minuscule silver particles mixed with the black powder.
"The true nature of this medicinal ingredient is *White Summer Herb* (白夏草). It's originally used as a strong analgesic for patients suffering from severe pain. But if overused, it induces terrifying hallucinations. What's more, it's highly addictive."
Dokgo Yeon continued her explanation.
"This White Summer Herb only grows deep in the mountains of Hebei Province, in the north of the Central Plains. It's not a medicinal herb found in our Gansu Province, where Poison Valley is located."
Jaseong's eyes twitched at the mention of Hebei Province.
That was where his enemy, the Hebei Peng Clan, resided.
On the day his eldest brother and sister-in-law died, the third son of the Hebei Peng Clan collapsed the pavilion with overwhelming force, killing dozens of innocent civilians.
Then, they had tried to appease the issue by tossing in a few gold leaves.
Dokgo Yeon continued her explanation.
"In short, this White Summer Herb is something our Poison Valley simply cannot obtain. It's only available in Hebei Province, and that's where the Hebei Peng Clan reigns."
"......"
"Moreover, I hear Hebei Peng Clan strictly controls White Summer Herb to prevent any harm to civilians. For us to acquire it, we'd have to go to all-out war with them."
Jaseong silently looked down at the silver grains.
That one tiny grain was becoming the clue to a massive truth.
"So? Now you see that our Poison Valley can't be the owner of Soul-Bewildering Powder, right?"
At Dokgo Yeon's question, Jaseong wordlessly nodded in acknowledgement.
To create Soul-Bewildering Powder, you'd have to acquire White Summer Herb in huge quantities from Hebei Province.
But if Poison Valley entered Hebei Province and got those herbs in bulk, there's no way the Hebei Peng Clan wouldn't notice.
With the divide between orthodox and unorthodox factions as strict as it was now, such large-scale movements were almost impossible.
"So who made Soul-Bewildering Powder?"
"I don't know that far. But there are hardly anyone in the martial world with this level of manufacturing skill."
That was when Gu Janghu spoke.
"Hall lord. Since the White Summer Herb is from the Hebei Peng Clan, isn't it possible they're behind this?"
At Gu Janghu's speculation, Jaseong's gaze deepened.
Unlike him, Dokgo Yeon gave a hollow laugh.
"Hebei Peng Clan may be a gathering place for hypocrites, but they're still proudly an orthodox clan. Isn't it a bit much to accuse them of manufacturing and selling drugs? Besides, the Hebei Peng Clan doesn't even have the technical skills to make something like this. They're just obsessed with martial arts. This kind of high-level narcotic, only the Sichuan Tang Clan could make."
The Sichuan Tang Clan.
Just like the Hebei Peng Clan, one of the Five Great Clans of the orthodoxy, and the foremost in poisons and hidden weapons in the Central Plains.
With both the Hebei Peng Clan and the Sichuan Tang Clan of the Central Plains' Five Great Clans being mentioned together, Jaseong felt a strange sense of unease.
'Hebei Peng Clan... Sichuan Tang Clan...'
Jaseong's eyes cooled.
He felt as if an immense shadow was looming before him.
* * *
That night.
Only a soft moonlight hung over the clearing in front of the cave in the forest.
The unusually bright full moon shone through the branches, drawing out the forest's shadows.
Though it was a time when everyone else slept, Gu Janghu was awake alone.
Shirtless, he was drenched in sweat, completely absorbed in his training.
Syuuk! Syuk!
Each time the twin swords in his hands cut through the air, a chilling Sword Ki ripped the night wind.
Blending his assassin's martial arts from Killing Valley, he also practiced the lost secret martial arts of the now-perished Guryong Clan that Jaseong had found for him in the Secret Vault of Peerless Arts.
'... So that the flow isn't broken, like water...'
A faint blue energy rose from Gu Janghu's body.
Whereas he had once trained only in killing techniques, now he was deepening his understanding of martial might.
His movements were sharp, yet refined—fast, yet weighty.
Someone was quietly watching.
Sitting on a rock at the cave entrance was Dokgo Yeon.
Unable to sleep, she had stepped out to admire the moon and gotten captivated by Gu Janghu's training.
'... Impressive.'
Dokgo Yeon's eyes narrowed.
She remembered Gu Janghu matching the Twin Dragon Clan's heir, Kang Ryong, during the Tianxia Association takeover.
She'd been surprised then, but the martial prowess she saw now was even deeper.
'Late peak... For such an expert to be only a Hao Sect protector...'
Dokgo Yeon rose from her seat and slowly approached Gu Janghu.
"The night air is refreshing, isn't it?"
Dokgo Yeon spoke first.
Gu Janghu stopped his swords and turned his head slowly.
White steam rose from his sweat-drenched body.
"It's not like Lady Dokgo Yeon was on guard duty. Can't sleep?"
"My mind is busy. You're up training too?"
"A martial artist rusts if he rests."
Gu Janghu answered calmly and put away his swords.
Dokgo Yeon stared at him, then abruptly asked,
"Why does an expert like you stay with the Hao Sect?"
"What do you mean?"
"It just doesn't make sense to me. With your skill, you could easily occupy a top seat in any of the Four Great Clans or Seven Sects."
With her arms crossed, Dokgo Yeon continued,
"People say the Hao Sect has been rising lately, but ultimately, isn't it just a collection of second-raters with no true martial foundation? The center's weak, the branches all act as they please using independence as an excuse. And the number of experts they have is laughable compared to the grand sects and clans."
At those words, Gu Janghu smirked.
'Hao Sect has few experts, huh...'
The world still didn't know the Hao Sect's true face.
He had witnessed the Twelve Hall Lords of the Hao Sect's upper management himself.
If Dokgo Yeon knew each of those were experts who could face a hundred, she wouldn't speak so lightly.
But Gu Janghu did not bother explaining.
The more hidden the Hao Sect's power, the more threatening it became.
At that moment, Dokgo Yeon took another step closer.
And then, she made a proposal Gu Janghu never expected.
"How about joining our Poison Valley?"
"...?"
"An expert like you would be welcomed in my clan. We'd treat you far better than the likes of Hao Sect ever could."
Without hesitation, Gu Janghu declined Dokgo Yeon's offer.
"I refuse."
"Why? Are my terms not agreeable?"
"I serve only the Scarlet Lotus Hall Lord. He is the benefactor who made me who I am today."
His voice carried a note of resoluteness.
Jaseong had found his lost clan's martial arts for him and saved him from Killing Valley's hell.
He had not the slightest intention of betraying that loyalty.
But Dokgo Yeon was not so easily deterred.
Her gaze turned alluring.
"Hmm. Someone of your caliber could even become Poison Valley's son-in-law, you know?"
"Son-in-law?"
"The son-in-law holds rights as one of the clan and gains transmission of all Poison Valley's secret martial arts and poison arts. And..."
Dokgo Yeon swept back her hair with a mysterious smile.
"The women of Poison Valley have always been renowned for their beauty. Like flowers with deadly poison."
To call herself so beautiful.
Gu Janghu let out a helpless laugh.
Of course, he couldn't say she was wrong.
With the moonlight shining on her, Dokgo Yeon looked hauntingly beautiful — dangerously alluring, like a poisonous blossom blooming only at night.
Gu Janghu found himself curious.
"That's a bit much... If I did accept the offer to be your son-in-law, who would you marry me to, in Poison Valley?"
"Marry you?"
Dokgo Yeon's eyes grew round, then she burst out laughing.
"My, are you really asking because you don't know?"
"?"
"Of the Poison Valley's direct lineage, I am the only unmarried woman left."
"...?"
Gu Janghu momentarily blanked.
Dokgo Yeon had just all but proposed to Gu Janghu herself.
"......"
As Gu Janghu fumbled, Dokgo Yeon took another step closer to look up at him.
"Hmph. Why so shocked? Did you think I said this out of romantic interest?"
"... That doesn't seem likely."
"Indeed. This is a transaction."
The mischief faded from Dokgo Yeon's eyes, replaced by unyielding ambition.
"I fully intend to become Poison Valley's young head. That requires solid martial backing on my side. Taking a famous expert as my husband would greatly strengthen my position within the clan."
"......"
"Frankly, I'd have preferred for the Scarlet Lotus Hall Lord to become my husband — his martial arts and daring are second to none."
She smacked her lips regretfully.
"But that one seems completely indifferent to women... Plus, the Little Palace Mistress of the North Sea Ice Palace is always watching, so there's no gap to squeeze in."
"......"
"So, having an expert like you at my side would be just as good. You're a great expert; you'd make a fine match."
Gu Janghu was dumbfounded.
So, after failing to win Jaseong, she had come to him as a second choice?
'A chicken instead of a pheasant...'
He was both taken aback and oddly impressed by Dokgo Yeon's candor.
To use even her own marriage so thoroughly as a tool for power — truly a descendant of Poison Valley.
"This would be beneficial for you, too. How long can a manly man live just as someone's guard? The consort of the woman who will become Poison Valley's mistress — not a bad post, is it?"
Dokgo Yeon whispered seductively.
At her words, Gu Janghu decided that the jokes should end here.
"Sorry, but I have no intention of being a chicken."
"Excuse me?"
"And I like living as someone's guard. The Scarlet Lotus Hall Lord is a man deserving of such loyalty."
"......!"
"It's late. Enough nonsense — you should get some rest."
Gu Janghu picked up his swords and turned away.
"Hey! Wait!"
Dokgo Yeon called out in disbelief, but Gu Janghu didn't look back as he walked toward the cave.
Left alone, Dokgo Yeon unwittingly frowned.
'I expected he wouldn't give in so easily... But to reject the most beautiful woman in Poison Valley outright...! To refuse the future clan head herself!'
She bit her lip in frustration, unable to tear her eyes from Gu Janghu's retreating back.
His resolute attitude only made her want him more.
At that moment—
Shwik! Shwik! Shwiiik!
Suddenly, an eerie sound echoed from all around the forest's undergrowth.
It was neither wind, nor leaves rustling.
It was the sickeningly sticky friction of thousands, tens of thousands of scales scraping the ground as something slithered closer.
Gu Janghu, on his way back to the cave, abruptly froze.
"?!"
A chill ran down his spine.
His assassin's instincts sensed an enormous murderous intent approaching in the darkness.
"Everyone up! We're under attack!"
Gu Janghu shouted.
Almost as soon as his voice rang out—
Sspot! Ssusspot!
From atop the trees, behind the rocks, and within the bushes, black shadows leapt out all at once.
They were the elite Shadow Division of the Scarlet Lotus Hall, personally trained by Gu Janghu.
They instantly formed ranks and drew their swords.
But the scene that unfolded before them was so shocking that even the most highly trained assassins had to catch their breath.