Rebirth of the Thunder God

Jijijik.

Although it wasn't a strong poison, a reaction to the poison definitely occurred inside Namgung Hui's body.

Namgung Hui immediately put down his chopsticks and looked at the Demonic Poison, and as expected, the Demonic Poison immediately rushed towards Namgung Hui.

"You. Are you alright? My food got switched with yours by a servant's mistake. Here. Hurry and take the antidote."

Namgung Hui, realizing that the Demonic Poison had no ill intentions, swallowed the antidote he handed him.

'Ugh... It's bitter. It really is an antidote.'

If it were someone else, they would have suspected that the Demonic Poison was trying to poison them, but not only was the poison weak, but Namgung Hui also knew well the kind of people who would put poison in their food and eat it.

'The Sichuan Tang family. They also used to mix poison in their food and eat it when they were training in poison arts.'

It built up resistance to poison, and for those who had learned poison arts, the poison itself had the effect of enhancing their internal energy.

When one became one with the poison like that, they would reach the realm of a Poison Human.

The Poison Emperor of the past life also used to swallow poison every time because he wanted to become a Poison Human.

The Demonic Poison quickly exchanged food with Namgung Hui and let out a sigh of relief.

"Phew... Still, it's a relief that you have some resistance to poison. The difference in resistance is so extreme from person to person that there have been people who died from swallowing even a small amount of poison."

As he said, resistance to poison was often innate.

There were those who were fine even if they were stung by a poisonous insect.

On the other hand, there were those who died just from getting a rash from a plant.

Even some people would die from eating certain vegetables or seafood.

Interestingly, the Sichuan Tang family would scout for people with excellent resistance to such poisons and accept them as sons-in-law or daughters-in-law.

Because such resistance and immunity were essential to master poison arts.

It was the wish of the Tang family to complete the Poison Human by passing on such excellent genes to future generations.

As Namgung Hui was lost in thought for a moment, the Demonic Poison hurriedly added.

"Ah. Don't misunderstand. It's not that I'm a pervert and enjoy eating poison. It's all for the sake of training in poison arts. Ahem! Isn't my title the Demonic Poison? Those rich people sprinkle gold powder on their rice and eat it, right? It's a similar context. Hahaha."

It seemed he thought that Namgung Hui, being a mere merchant, would not understand the Demonic Poison.

And he began to understand why the Demonic Poison's voice was androgynous and unpleasant to hear.

'My throat is getting hoarse from eating poison. The poison must have damaged his vocal cords. On top of that, it seems to be slightly harming his masculinity.'

Still, the food without poison was delicious.

To the point where the reputation of Guangdong Province was by no means in vain.

And so, as they finished their meal, a servant rushed over and whispered something in the Demonic Poison's ear.

"Elder. We have a big problem. It seems something has happened in the inner city."

"What? In the inner city? It's in the middle of..."

The Demonic Poison, remembering that Namgung Hui was there, stopped talking and cleared his throat.

"Ahem! It seems something important has come up inside, so I think I have to go now. Would you like to look around the Heavenly Altar Pavilion for a while? I'll lend you my pass. Feel free to look around."

"Alright. I hope nothing bad happens to the Great Elder."

"Thank you. Then I'll be going. Let's go."

The Demonic Poison who disappeared with the servant.

It seemed something had happened in the inner city, that is, Gwangcheon Peak.

Namgung Hui was also curious about Gwangcheon Peak, where the master the Blood Qilin had warned him about resided, but since the Blood Qilin had warned him, it seemed he needed to be careful.

The reason the Demonic Poison was making such a fuss was probably because a rather important matter had occurred.

For Namgung Hui, it was rather a good thing.

On top of that, with the Demonic Poison's pass, he would be able to look around anywhere inside the Heavenly Altar Pavilion.

Rather than the dangerous clan village, the Heavenly Altar Pavilion, which focused on work, might have more for Namgung Hui to gain.

'Then shall I seriously look into the information about the Dugu family and the Ouyang family?'

Revenge on the Dugu family and the Ouyang family, which was his original purpose.

As they say, if you know yourself and your enemy, you will win a hundred battles.

For revenge, he had to know the enemy.

Namgung Hui, at the opportunity that had arisen for a change, smiled a triumphant smile and set out.

There were unusually few people inside the Heavenly Altar Pavilion.

Was it because people had become lazy due to the feast yesterday?

Or was it because of the problem that had arisen in the inner city?

Since the Heavenly Altar Pavilion was already desolate, it was difficult to find even a single rat.

'Hmm. As expected, the most important place is probably the top floor.'

Namgung Hui looked at the three-story pavilion and nodded.

Originally, the more important the facility, the more it was located in a high place.

Because it was the most difficult for people to reach, and the top floor was a symbol of a high position.

In the case of the Demonic Poison, his laboratory was located on the first floor, but in a normal case, they would have placed something important on that top floor.

Namgung Hui entered the Heavenly Altar Pavilion and looked around.

The place leading to the second floor was the complete opposite of the Demonic Poison's office.

Perhaps because of the stench, it seemed they had set up the Demonic Poison's office in a remote place.

And so, as he went up to the second floor, he felt a presence from here.

"Who are you? You seem to be a new face..."

A person who seemed to be a lower-ranking martial artist blocked Namgung Hui's path.

With a rather young face, he didn't even seem to be of age yet.

"I was invited by the Great Elder, and I wanted to look around the Heavenly Altar Pavilion."

"Ah. You were a guest of the Great Elder? But there's nothing much to see here. Because they are all the offices of the troupe leaders."

"Then what's on the third floor?"

"There will be even less to see there. Because the third floor is the offices of the family heads..."

At the words 'family head,' Namgung Hui's two eyes sparkled.

Namgung Hui grabbed the lower-ranking martial artist's two hands and asked.

"Then can I also see the family heads of the New Six Demonic Families?"

At Namgung Hui's expectant gaze, the lower-ranking martial artist blushed.

Since he had even brought his face close, Namgung Hui's pretty face was too close.

For a young man who was not yet of age, Namgung Hui's beauty was a poison.

"T-that's true, but. Most of the family heads are away from their offices. Because they are mostly engrossed in martial arts training."

"I see. I really wanted to see the faces of the famous New Six Demonic Families... It's a shame. I'll have to postpone the opportunity to have the honor for next time..."

At Namgung Hui's dejected face, the lower-ranking martial artist said as if he had made a big decision.

"T-then. Shall I at least show you the office?"

"Is that okay? I'm worried you might get in trouble because of me. I'm really fine, so you don't have to worry."

As Namgung Hui pretended to even wipe his tears with his sleeve, the lower-ranking martial artist, who couldn't bear to watch, grabbed Namgung Hui's arm and said.

"It will be fine if you're a guest of the Great Elder. Although the positions of the family heads are high, the Great Elder's position is not inferior to that of the family heads. Then let's go."

Namgung Hui pretended to be unable to refuse and followed the lower-ranking martial artist.

The stairs to the third floor were so splendid that it was obvious they had paid a lot of attention to it.

Nevertheless, there was almost no presence felt on the third floor.

At best, it would be the lower-ranking martial artists guarding the corridor.

'For me, it's rather a good thing. Since there will be useful information in the family heads' offices, I might be able to rummage through them if I'm lucky.'

"Dugu Taek. What brings you all the way up here? And who is the young lady next to you?"

"The young lady here is a guest of the Great Elder. I was just guiding her for a moment."

"Really? But what's there to see on this third floor? Don't tell me you were going to introduce me?"

"That will never happen, so wake up from your dream and just stand guard diligently."

"Hahaha. Alright. But is her identity certain? It's the first time I've seen a guest come up to the third floor of this Heavenly Altar Pavilion."

As if he had expected it, Namgung Hui showed the pass that the Great Elder had given him.

"Here. Since the Great Elder gave it to me himself, it must be certain."

The guard martial artist who had confirmed the Demonic Poison's seal quickly cupped his fists and said.

"I have caused you unnecessary trouble. Since it's confirmed, please feel free to look around."

"Yes."

"Then take care. Mincheol."

"Alright. Let's eat after work."

And so, he parted with the guard martial artist and heard an explanation about the use of each room, including the family heads' offices.

Well, one was a reception room, and one was a warehouse.

Although he heard various explanations, nothing entered Namgung Hui's ears.

Only the office of the Dugu family head.

And since the guard martial artist in front of him was a member of the Dugu family, his feelings were very strange.

'He said the guard on the third floor was Dugu Taek. To think such an innocent-looking young man is a member of the Dugu family. I wanted to wipe out the seeds, but it's difficult to lay a hand on him.'

His sparkling eyes and the goodwill he was showing to Namgung Hui, even if it was because he was bewitched by Namgung Hui's beauty, were difficult to just ignore.

Because he thought that returning goodwill with malice was something only truly evil demonic heads would do.

At least for the Dugu Taek in front of him, Namgung Hui didn't want to lay a hand on him right now.

"This is the office of the Dugu family head, who is the pillar of our family. It's difficult to show you the inside of other places, but this place is possible. Would you like to take a look?"

"May I ask you to do so?"

"Of course. Now, let's go in."

Dugu Taek opened the door of the office and entered.

Perhaps because it had been a while since it was last used, it was full of dust here and there.

"It's about time to clean, so. The family head won't say anything. Then I'll go get the cleaning tools, so please take your time looking around. Ah. And the portrait hanging over there is our Dugu Jin family head."

Thanks to Dugu Taek, he learned the name and face of the Dugu family head.

This was a considerable gain. When he met him later, it seemed he wouldn't pass by without recognizing his face.

As soon as Dugu Taek disappeared to get the cleaning tools, Namgung Hui approached the office desk and rummaged through the drawers.

'I don't see any particularly important documents. Is this just an office for show?'

There were not many documents or books to look through.

Still, there were a few rather old-looking books near the bookshelf.

Since there was nothing else to look at, Namgung Hui picked up a shabby book and read it.

[Our Dugu family has finally established a merchant guild. The name is the Taejeong Merchant Guild. With this, we have secured a minimum supply line.]

[We have recruited the Ouyang family. It was possible thanks to Dugu Wi's handsome appearance. The eldest daughter of the Ouyang family...]

...

...

The major and minor incidents that had occurred in the Central Plains for the past 30 years were recorded in detail.

Although it was briefly written in one book, the amount was enormous.

Rather, since it was briefly summarized, it was easy for Namgung Hui to grasp the contents.

Did Jegal Geon call this a one-line summary?

Anyway. Thanks to this, several questions were resolved.

How the Blood Cult had secured its source of funds.

Why the Ouyang family had abandoned the orthodox faction and entered the Blood Cult.

And even roughly how strong the Dugu family's underlying strength was.

Although it wasn't detailed, he could grasp it roughly.

'This is an unexpected harvest. If I just do something about the merchant guilds and escort agencies written here, the radical faction's source of funds will be greatly reduced.'

He liked it even more because the person in charge was the Dugu family.

Surely, if the source of funds dried up, the Dugu family would be reprimanded by the other Six Families.

And the Dugu family, who had lost face like that, would either take an unreasonable step or show a loophole.

'They might threaten the Pungun Merchant Guild, which has newly started a deal, or they might try to aim for the Golden Merchant Guild again. If not that, it wouldn't be strange to detour to the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild.'

In other words, they would aim for one of the three great merchant guilds of the Central Plains.

Coincidentally, Namgung Hui had a connection with all three of those places.

If the Dugu family approached them, if he just told them that he would run over right away, they would all ask Namgung Hui for help.

But the moment Namgung Hui was about to put the book back.

Another presence was felt near the third-floor corridor.

And it was an overwhelming presence.

The Demonic Poison. No, it was a momentum that seemed to be at least at the level of the Demonic Fist, and it was heading in the direction where Namgung Hui was.

(End of Chapter)