Chapter 329: I'll Bet My Wrist That a Poisonous Herb Like This Doesn't Exist

TL: FoodieMonster007

If resurrecting the Blood Cult wasn't the goal, then what was it all for?

Jo Baekta wondered about that.

"Why did that man push me to unify the Outer Regions?"

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and the Demonic Buddha looked just as confused as Jo Baekta. All eyes naturally turned to Geom Mugeuk.

"Why is everyone looking at me?"

"Aren't you our Young Cult Leader? The one who sees through all the universe's secrets?"

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was joking, certain Geom Mugeuk wouldn't know, but Geom Mugeuk saw right through the jest.

"I have a guess."

Geom Mugeuk called it a guess, but he was certain.

"It's because of the New Champions Smithy."

Everyone looked puzzled. Jo Baekta spoke to Geom Mugeuk.

"That's where our Cult secretly had its weapons and armor made."

"I know. I've already been there with your Master. We also found the Big Bro's workshop in the basement."

Jo Baekta's face flushed red. The New Champions Smithy was a critical part of his shameful past.

"It seems that man planned to use the war to make the New Champions Smithy the greatest smithy in the Outer Regions."

This guess was based on his life before regression, where the New Champions Smithy had actually become the greatest smithy in the Central Plains.

"The war would've lasted a long time. The New Champions Smithy would have secretly sold weapons to the forces opposing the Heavenly Wind Cult, too."

After all, nothing made a smithy wealthier than a long war.

"Investigate it later. If you find any proof that the New Champions Smithy contacted other factions in the Outer Regions, my guess will be correct."

Jo Baekta felt those words were true. While inciting Jo Baekta, the Illusion King had constantly stressed thorough war preparations through the New Champions Smithy and told him to prepare for a long conflict. In the end, that bastard had used him completely.

"Speaking of the New Champions Smithy, there's one last thing to confirm."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader guessed what Geom Mugeuk wanted to confirm and sent a telepathic message.

[I'll do it myself.]

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader stared into Jo Baekta's eyes and asked calmly.

"What happened to Elder Seong?"

At first, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader had been doubtful, but now he believed Jo Baekta hadn't killed Elder Seong. During the hostage situation, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader remembered why he had chosen Jo Baekta in the first place.

So the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was certain. Though the Illusion King had deluded Jo Baekta into chasing a vain dream, Jo Baekta was not the kind of person to commit such an act.

"What are you talking about? Did something happen to Elder Seong?"

"He's currently missing."

Jo Baekta's reaction made it clear he hadn't killed Elder Seong.

"Don't tell me! Was it that man's doing?"

Geom Mugeuk felt even more relieved than the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader. If Jo Baekta had killed Elder Seong, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader could not have forgiven his disciple.

And no matter the punishment, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader would have suffered an irreversible wound to his heart.

Jo Baekta blamed himself, his face gloomy.

"Ah! If something happened to Elder Seong, it's my fault. If I hadn't gotten tangled up with that man, Elder Seong would've never left the cult. I didn't even know he was missing."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader comforted his disciple.

"His fate isn't known yet, so don't blame yourself too much."

The four of them then left the Illusion King's residence.

As they headed for the Cult Leader's hall, a martial artist delivered a messenger pigeon and left. It was from Go Wol, who would put the finishing touch on this incident.

"Strategist Go found out where Elder Seong is."

Both the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and Jo Baekta were startled.

"Is he alive?"

"Yes, he's alive."

"Where is he?"

Geom Mugeuk mentioned the same place again.

"The New Champions Smithy."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and Jo Baekta, along with the Heavenly Wind Cult's masters, wiped out the New Champions Smithy. They safely rescued Elder Seong, who was trapped in the basement.

In the process, all masters associated with the Illusion King lost their lives.

The workers who knew nothing were spared and scattered. Just as the Illusion King vanished, the New Champions Smithy also disappeared from the murim.

While the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and Jo Baekta reunited with Elder Seong, I wandered a nameless mountain in the Outer Regions with the Demonic Buddha, searching for poisonous herbs. The Heavenly Wind Cult's affairs were now their own to resolve.

The medicinal herbs in the Outer Regions were different from those in the Central Plains.

Even if it wasn't the right herb, the Demonic Buddha carefully examined any new one he saw. He drew the herbs on paper and noted their traits, just as the Poison King had organized his own findings.

I thought the Demonic Buddha might truly enjoy this work, but I also thought he might be immersing himself in herb gathering to protect himself, as if he couldn't bear it otherwise. I couldn't know what was in his heart.

"Could this be the herb?"

The Demonic Buddha came over to check at my shout.

"It's identical! I've finally found it! Poison King, just you wait! I'm coming back with the herb I found! Not the one the Demonic Buddha found, but the one I found!"

The Demonic Buddha had memorized all the herbs, so I was the one checking the paper. The Demonic Buddha compared the herb in the drawing with the one I had found.

"It looks similar, but this isn't it."

"Jealousy and obstruction won't work on me. Get away from the poisonous herb!"

"It's supposed to have five leaves, but doesn't this one have six? Look here. It's even noted that the six-leafed ones are common."

"I had a hard time finding even this common one! Isn't this too difficult? We haven't found a single one in two hours."

"If it were that easy to find, I wouldn't have asked for your help."

"Aigoo, my back."

The Demonic Buddha bent over again, examining the grasses.

"Stop whining. That's the same back that was fine after being beaten with the Iron Blood Heaven Destroying Art."

"Is a working back the same as a fighting back? I can't search anymore! I can't do it!"

Geom Mugeuk flopped down on a rock.

"What a fine thing to do while an adult is working."

"The view of the sky from here is nice. You should lie down for a bit, too."

The drifting clouds were peaceful. This brief rest felt precious. Of course, I couldn't just rest while the Demonic Buddha was working.

I shot up and spread the drawings of the poisonous herbs around me.

"I've never seen plants like this in my life. This is the Poison King's way of messing with us! I'll bet my wrist that a poisonous herb like this doesn't exist."

Just then, as if on cue, the Demonic Buddha held up a poisonous herb.

"Found it!"

When I compared the herb the Demonic Buddha brought with the drawing, it was identical.

"It really existed."

"Which wrist is it?"

"I guess I should only make bets with the Demonic Buddha after I achieve an indestructible body."

The Demonic Buddha placed the herb on the rock and ran off to dig for more.

"You just dug one up! Take a break before you dig for more!"

The Demonic Buddha ignored my words and diligently scanned the area.

I sat on the rock and silently watched the Demonic Buddha gather herbs. Come to think of it, the Demonic Buddha was always moving busily on those short legs. It was the same when he tried to make his brother the successor, and it was the same now as he dug for herbs. He was a naturally diligent person.

"Found another one!"

The Demonic Buddha returned with another poisonous herb. It was also one of the herbs on the paper.

"You set this up, didn't you? You hid the poisonous herbs here beforehand and planned this to get my wrist!"

It was astonishing how well the Demonic Buddha found these poisonous herbs.

"Isn't that why the Poison King asked me for this favor?"

As the Demonic Buddha was about to dig for more, I grabbed him and forced him to take a break.

The Demonic Buddha pretended to give in. He dusted off his hands and sat on the edge of the rock to rest.

"You coming with me this time has been a really big help."

"Me? I was just a folding screen."

"A folding screen that protected our lives."

After a brief pause, the Demonic Buddha asked.

"Hey, Young Cult Leader."

"……"

"Who are the ones behind this incident?"

The Demonic Buddha had heard me tell Jo Baekta that our Cult's Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme and the Murim Alliance Chairman's grandson were targeted.

"A certain organization is secretly operating within the murim's important organizations, trying to establish its roots. We still don't know what organization it is."

"Does the Cult Leader know?"

Go Wol shared all information with the All-Knowing Hall. Naturally, Go Wol knew a certain organization operated in the shadows.

"Since the Head Strategist knows, Father probably knows as well."

The Demonic Buddha nodded, looking relaxed. This must be the faith the Demon Supremes had in Father.

"They're the ones who roped in a successor to the Blood Cult's orthodox illusion arts. Be careful from now on."

"Are you worried about me?"

"You have to protect our Cult well so I can keep living this kind of life, don't you think?"

The Demonic Buddha ended his short break and set out to find more herbs. I shouted after him.

"Please let me say I found just one of these roots! That way I can go back and brag, too! Please!"

The Demonic Buddha pretended not to hear. He bent down and moved deeper into the thicket.

When I returned after digging up the poisonous herbs, Jo Baekta was waiting for Geom Mugeuk in the Cult Leader's hall.

"I asked for you because I have something to tell you, Young Cult Leader."

With Elder Seong's safe return, Jo Baekta's expression was bright. Compared to when I first met him, he seemed like a different person. This must be his true self.

Jo Baekta slowly looked around the Cult Leader's hall.

"I felt the Master's bewilderment when he first saw this place. He must have been surprised since I completely renovated it. In fact, I was aiming for that when my resentment for the Master was at its height. Still, I don't plan on changing this Cult Leader's hall. The old hall was frankly very outdated."

Jo Baekta had properly accepted his master's advice to live for himself.

"I plan to live diligently here."

"I believe the Cult Leader will do well."

"Thank you so much for your help this time. If I get the chance, I'll definitely repay this debt."

"I did it for your Master. There's no need to thank me."

"That's why I'm even more grateful."

After all, Geom Mugeuk wasn't the only one who had grown closer to the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader through this incident.

"In that spirit, I'd like to give you a gift, Young Cult Leader."

When Jo Baekta manipulated the grandmaster's chair, the four walls rose to reveal divine artifacts.

"Choose one from our Cult's divine artifacts."

"Are you serious?"

"I am."

What was a divine artifact in comparison? Geom Mugeuk had saved his life and even restored his relationship with his master.

Still, Geom Mugeuk found Jo Baekta's offer unexpected.

"May I really choose one?"

"Of course. However, the Echoing Thunder Bell is not an option."

"I know that much, but does the Master know about this?"

"Why? Do I need the Master's permission?"

"That's not it. Just don't regret it. I'm not one to refuse a gift."

"Hurry and choose before I change my mind."

Geom Mugeuk looked at the divine artifacts. He first went to the Echoing Thunder Bell to greet the evil spirits.

I'll be leaving soon, so I won't be able to see you all anymore.

The evil spirits of the Echoing Thunder Bell now felt like friends, just like the evil spirits of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.

Next time, I'll return with Go Wol.

Geom Mugeuk examined the divine artifacts one by one. He had seen them all before when the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader gave him the Blood God Pill and the Top-Quality Heavenly Silk.

If he were to choose, the Blood God Divine Robe first caught his eye. It was a treasured armor worn like a cloak and impervious to blades. If not that, there was the Flaming Pill. It was less effective than the Blood God Pill but could still greatly boost one's inner arts.

Geom Mugeuk walked slowly, looking over the divine artifacts again.

As he circled the hall, he felt a faint vibration in his chest.

"……"

To his surprise, the Secret Box in his robes had vibrated slightly. This was the first time it had reacted since he obtained it.

Geom Mugeuk could tell the Secret Box was reacting to the divine artifact before him. To be certain, he moved away and approached again. It vibrated faintly once more in front of that same divine artifact.

The divine artifact the Secret Box reacted to was a black iron orb, slightly smaller than a fist.

"What kind of divine artifact is this?"

"It's called the Black Orb because it looks like a black eyeball."

"What is it used for?"

"I don't know. It's been passed down in our Cult for a very long time."

Geom Mugeuk had seen it before but had simply passed it by.

Only with the Secret Box nearby could he know the two objects were related.

What if this Black Orb is the key to unlocking the secret of the Secret Box?

If so, it made sense why the secret remained unsolved. None of the previous Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Leaders who possessed the Secret Box would have ever come near the Black Orb.

The thought that he might unlock the Secret Box's secret made his heart pound.

"I'll choose this one."

"Are you sure about that one? The previous Cult Leaders researched it extensively but concluded it was just an iron bead."

"But it was still placed among the divine artifacts, wasn't it? That makes it seem even more special."

"I didn't expect you to interpret it that way."

"I'll take this."

Geom Mugeuk took the Black Orb. As if confirming his choice, the iron box in his robes vibrated once more.

"Thank you for the precious gift."

Geom Mugeuk accepted this as fate. Obtaining the iron box, coming to the Outer Regions, and receiving a divine artifact from Jo Baekta. If Geom Mugeuk hadn't saved Jo Baekta, he would not have obtained the Black Orb.

Just then, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader entered the hall.

"What's that?"

Geom Mugeuk quickly tucked the Black Orb into his robes.

"Don't tell me. You didn't squeeze a divine artifact out of my disciple, too, did you?"

"I didn't squeeze it out of him. The Cult Leader gave it to me as a gift."

"By whose authority!"

"Not the retired Cult Leader's authority, but the current Cult Leader's right here!"

Geom Mugeuk said, swiftly darting away to escape.

"From now on, when you curse me, you can include this incident, too!"

Sure enough, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader immediately shouted.

"Stop! You shameless Young Cult Leader, robbing both master and disciple blind!"

Of course, Geom Mugeuk left the Cult Leader's hall without a single glance back.

Left alone with his disciple, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's vein-popping expression softened into a gentle one.

"Thank you for granting my request."