Chapter 113
Two weeks later…
“Young Master Jin. And even Young Lady Wang! How long has it been? Haha.”
“Lord Yeon. Thank you so much for coming in a single breath.”
“Lord Yeon! Have you been well?”
A pleasant reunion took place.
So-ah, as the emergency committee chairman, had decided that the detoxification of the seniors was the most urgent matter, and had sent a letter to Manju-jang in Qinghai early on.
Qinghai, Manju-jang.
It was the place where So-ah and Wang So-yeong had formed a connection when they stopped by to obtain the internal dan of the Sun Fire Carp.
It was also the largest pharmacy in the Jianghu, most skilled in medicine.
“Hah… to think that the head of Manju-jang in Qinghai, who is known for never making house calls, has made a difficult journey.”
“On behalf of the alliance, I thank you.”
“Welcome…!”
The famous masters of the Martial Alliance could not help but be surprised.
‘So-ah is a strange child indeed. He creates fortuitous encounters wherever he goes… he’s a real character!’
Just as the Sword Empress Hong-ryeon was having that thought, the head of Manju-jang, Yeon In-hak, addressed the people in the room.
“I have received the letter. The masters of the Martial Alliance have been poisoned by a poison that prevents them from using their internal energy…”
At that, the head of the Tang Clan, Tang Mun-cheol, performed a cupped fist salute and replied.
“I am Tang Mun-cheol, the head of the Tang Clan. As you know, the types of poison that interfere with the use of internal energy are extremely rare. For example, there are the Seven Flowers Poison, the Flying Smoke Dissipating Energy Poison, and the Five Directions Bewitching Fragrance Poison, but as a result of the examination, it was none of them.”
His face was full of sorrow.
As the head of the Tang Clan, the best poison expert sect in the Orthodox Path, it must have been due to the helplessness and emptiness of not being able to detoxify the masters…
“By any chance… Family Head.”
“Yes, Lord Yeon.”
“If it’s not the Seven Flowers, the Flying Smoke Dissipating Energy, or the Five Directions Bewitching Fragrance Poison… could it be the Ten Fragrances Tendon Severing Powder?”
“The Ten Fragrances Tendon Severing Powder?!”
“That’s right. If even the Family Head, the highest authority on poison, was affected, it couldn’t have been an ingested poison.”
“Aha! Come to think of it, the Seven Flowers, the Flying Smoke Dissipating Energy, and the Five Directions Bewitching Fragrance Poison are all in liquid form!”
“That’s right. It is highly likely to be the Ten Fragrances Tendon Severing Powder, which can be poisoned through the air.”
Just then.
Baek In-hwa, who had been listening to the conversation between the two, slowly opened his mouth.
“The reasoning of you two must be correct.”
“Chief Baek. Why do you think so?”
“That is…”
Baek In-hwa briefly relayed the anecdote of how he had sensed a wicked ki from the treasured sword that the head of the Haesa Sect, Kwon Hyo, had brought from the No family workshop in Gwangju.
“Come to think of it…!”
“At that time, among the people who participated in the meeting and the hearing, only Chief Baek and the Moyong Family Head were not poisoned!”
“Hah! Then does that mean that Sect Leader Kwon is a spy for the White Lotus Cult!”
The people in the room were agitated.
Kwon Hyo was a high-ranking official who had served the alliance with utmost loyalty for a long time.
To think that such a person was a spy, it was naturally chilling.
Just then.
“First.”
This time, So-ah stepped forward.
“Family Head Tang and Lord Yeon, please focus on detoxification. I will take care of the matter related to the spy.”
At that.
“I will do my best, but…”
“Without an antidote, it will be difficult to recover immediately.”
The Tang Family Head and Lord Yeon replied in a low voice.
“Is there no way to obtain an antidote?”
“The antidote for the Ten Fragrances Tendon Severing Powder can only be obtained from one place in the world. The Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons in Nanman.”
“The master of that Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons is known as the Poison King.”
Murmur, murmur—
At the words of Tang Mun-cheol and Yeon In-hak, a look of astonishment crossed the faces of the elders.
Nanman, the Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons.
Known as one of the <Three Great Forbidden Zones of the World>, it was a forbidden land where those who entered never returned.
Moreover, the master of the Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons was a person of cruel hands who had ruled the Jianghu with poison alone 30 years ago before being defeated by Moyong Cheon and disappearing.
Therefore, the elders who knew him could not help but be alarmed.
But.
“That’s fine. It’s not like there’s no antidote. If there is, there’s no problem.”
Although he didn’t know about the Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons, even if he did, it was no problem for So-ah.
‘I can’t stop him. It’s a useless thing.’
‘Who can break that stubbornness?’
The Moyong Baek couple, knowing that So-ah would never break his stubbornness once he had decided on something, did not dare to stop him.
“Young Master Jin.”
“Yes, Lord Yeon.”
“It would be nice if there were an antidote, but even if there isn’t, if we treat them with sincerity, we can prevent the progression and amplification of the poison. I will stay and focus on the treatment until the masters are fully recovered, so please take your time to find the antidote.”
“Thank you, Lord Yeon.”
In this way, the Sichuan Tang Clan and Qinghai, Manju-jang, for the first time, hurried their preparations to focus on ‘intensive treatment’ through cooperation.
***
With Baek In-hwa’s testimony and various circumstances, the Martial Alliance considered Kwon Hyo a spy.
But So-ah decided to catch him with concrete evidence rather than interrogating him immediately, and for three days, he secretly watched Kwon Hyo by hiding and concealing himself.
As a result.
He was able to secure a crucial clue.
At a late hour.
Because he had witnessed him sending a letter by carrier pigeon at the entrance of a deep mountain far from the main office.
‘As Elder Baek said, that person was a spy. To think he had such a sinister appearance, his face is not so good either.’
So-ah flew swiftly and snatched the carrier pigeon that was about to flap its wings.
Then, without a moment’s hesitation, he unfolded the letter…
“W-Who are you?!”
Chaeng—
The flustered Kwon Hyo, with a pale face, drew his sword and spat out a warning question.
Just then.
So-ah took off the mask he was wearing on his head and smiled.
His handsome face was clearly revealed under the moonlight.
“You… you are Jin So-ah?”
So-ah ignored Kwon Hyo’s gaze and turned his eyes to the letter.
The contents of the letter were as follows.
「To the Vice Cult Leader.
The key figures of the Nine Great Sects and the Eight Great Families, including the Alliance Leader, are still poisoned, but they are slowly recovering their stamina.
In addition, Manju-jang, known as the number one medical family in the world, and the Tang Clan are controlling the amplification of the poison through cooperative treatment, and it is estimated that they will be able to gradually recover their internal energy even without administering an antidote.
Jin So-ah of the Moyong Family has become the emergency committee chairman and is handling miscellaneous affairs at the forefront.
External forces such as the Green Forest, the Waterway King, the old man of Goryeo, and the North Sea Ice Palace are staying at the headquarters and continuing close consultations with the Martial Alliance.
In the future, there is a high possibility that they will become a disruptive element to our cult.
White Lotus Blood Cult, Blood Hand Demon Spirit Corps’ Grand Commander’s Seal」
“Wow! What a great handwriting. They say handwriting reflects a person’s heart.”
“Y-Young Master Jin.”
“But seeing you, it seems that saying is a lie.”
“…”
“You have two choices. Of course, it’s just a matter of whether it’s a fiery hell or an icy hell. First. Confess everything yourself and receive the punishment of the law enforcement hall.”
“…”
“Second. Ask the King of Hell for his well-being right now and think about it again. Now! Which choice will you make?”
‘It’s over… How on earth did this person follow me!’
Kwon Hyo’s heart was heavy.
But.
“Jin So-ah. I may not be able to defeat you, but if I fight with all my might, I can escape. Do you think it will go as you wish?”
He was also a martial artist.
Although he could not defeat So-ah, he thought that if he fought with all his might, it would be enough to escape.
Of course, it was nothing more than a delusion.
“Alright. I’ll respect your choice. From now on, we’ll go in the order of threshing—interrogation and bloodletting—acupressure and Taoist gymnastics—bone and marrow cleansing.”
“…What did you say?”
“First, let’s get beaten up a bit!”
***
Thwack, thwack, thwack!
‘…This is.’
Thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack!
‘No… this is a nightmare… such pain can’t exist!’
Thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack!
‘Pleeeease!’
It had only been half a shichen since So-ah had started fighting.
Kwon Hyo had experienced a punishment like this for the first time in the universe.
“How dare you!”
“Uwaaaaaak!”
“Not only did you act as a spy without any fear! Huh?”
“Ugh… please… please stop…”
“What? You said you could escape if you fought with all your might? Go ahead and try!”
So-ah’s fist, imbued with a terrifying force and lightning, hit, broke, twisted, and crushed Kwon Hyo’s body.
Before long, Kwon Hyo, whose teeth had all been knocked out, was covered in blood and began to beg.
Thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack!
“Run away, you man!”
“Uwaaaaaaa!”
It was a merciless beating.
It was a much more severe act of violence than the ‘threshing training’ of the students, or even when he had beaten up the guys from the Mad Wind Sand or the Triad.
Besides.
‘My internal energy is about to explode. This is, what, even if I just poke him with my finger, something similar to the Great Strength Vajra Finger comes out?! Crazy!’
So-ah’s internal energy, which had unconsciously absorbed all the essence of the Great Rejuvenation Pill for treatment, was now in a state of dramatic increase.
The foundation of So-ah’s martial arts stemmed from his strong mental strength and body, and the principles of his arduous training, rather than his profound internal energy.
Therefore, compared to people of a similar realm, his total amount of internal energy was bound to be insufficient…
But the consumption of the Great Rejuvenation Pill had transformed the current So-ah into a possessor of internal energy approaching six decades.
From the Small Rejuvenation Pill—to the Great Purity Ultimate Elixir—to the Great Rejuvenation Pill.
He had eaten so many peerless elixirs that were hard to even smell in a lifetime, so it was only natural…
In the end, thanks to that.
“Pleeease… ugh… pleeease…!”
So-ah, in just one shichen, from the mouth of the first-class master Kwon Hyo.
“Just… just… kill me…”
He was able to show the spirit of making him beg to be killed.
“Oh my? Already? You’re a villain, and you have so little perseverance? Tsk, tsk!”
“…Sob.”
Finally, a single tear fell from Kwon Hyo’s eye.
Seeing that, So-ah.
“…Are you crying? Just because you got hit a few times? What are you, a baby?”
He even went so far as to show off his wit.
‘J-Just a few hits? This X-rated bastard!’
Although Kwon Hyo cursed inwardly, So-ah’s beating continued until dawn.
***
—The Chairman’s performance is amazing!
—How can his head be so brilliant!
—He’s a person who has already proven his martial arts and wisdom several times, so it’s only natural!
At So-ah’s all-around performance, everyone praised his drive and action.
As soon as he recovered, he caught the spy, gathered information about the White Lotus Cult, and even finished reorganizing the Martial Alliance…
And now, it was time for him to return not as the emergency committee chairman of the Martial Alliance, but as Jin So-ah of the Moyong Family.
“Grandma Hong-ryeon. I will now resign as chairman.”
“So-ah. It would be nice if a smart child like you continued to take charge of the work.”
When the Sword Empress Hong-ryeon expressed her disappointment, So-ah smiled brightly.
“Now that we just need to get the antidote, we can rest easy, right? Also, Elder Baek will be staying for a while and acting as an advisor. The matter of the White Lotus Cult is such a big issue that I can’t handle it.”
“Hmm… do as you wish.”
The Sword Empress Hong-ryeon also found it difficult to force him any longer.
As So-ah said, the matter related to the White Lotus Cult was not something that would be resolved overnight.
Now was the time for her to lead the Orthodox Path from the front.
“As the Alliance Leader, I will announce to my fellow martial artists. The Martial Alliance designates the White Lotus Cult as a first-class public enemy and issues an order to kill them. The masters of the sects should return to their sects, prepare quickly, and watch their movements through mutual exchange with the Martial Alliance branches. Also, I will reorganize the alliance’s organization, root out the spies, and at the same time, consolidate our power. For reference, Kwon Hyo, who was a spy for the alliance, will be executed on the fifteenth of this month, according to the disposition of the law enforcement hall.”
Although they still couldn’t use their internal energy, the Sword Empress Hong-ryeon and the others had recovered their complexion to some extent through the treatment of Manju-jang.
“We will follow the Alliance Leader’s command!”
“We will follow!”
“Let’s do that!”
In this way, the commotion subsided, and the chaotic Martial Alliance seemed to be entering a phase of normalization.
Of course, the current peace was just the calm before the storm of the great chaos to come…
Just then.
“Grandma Hong-ryeon.”
So-ah smiled and spoke again.
“Yes?”
“Everyone has been through a lot, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Besides, aren’t Brother Beon-pal, Brother Beon-ha, and the Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace hard-to-host distinguished guests?”
“So?”
“So let’s have a small banquet tonight. You’ve become the Alliance Leader, and we haven’t even been able to offer you a congratulatory drink. This is unacceptable. Hahaha.”
“Hoho! You brat. Now that you’ve had a moment to breathe, you want to play, don’t you? Alright. Let’s do that!”
The Sword Empress Hong-ryeon nodded her head.
Come to think of it, she hadn’t even held a small banquet after becoming the Alliance Leader.
Moreover, since the Green Forest, the Waterway King, Baek In-hwa, and the North Sea Ice Palace Lord were distinguished guests from outside, it was only natural to treat them.
Of course.
‘It would have been nice if that human wasn’t here!’
The Sword Empress Hong-ryeon’s gaze, imbued with a sharp ki, turned to Jang Beon-pal.
At that, Jang Beon-pal flinched, his face turned red, and he slowly hid behind So-ah. (Of course, since he was three times bigger, he wasn’t hidden at all.)
‘Pfft… what on earth happened between Grandma Hong-ryeon and Brother Beon-pal?’
Although he had asked his sworn brother a few more times, So-ah had not heard anything special.
‘I have to find out someday. The two of them… they must have been lovers. Wow! They don’t match at all, they don’t match.’
The truth was still hidden beyond.