Chapter 331: Did You Dig Up the Poisonous Herbs?

TL: FoodieMonster007

A rushing palm technique slammed into the upright giant dao. A loud BANG echoed, but the giant dao did not break.

"Don't be afraid! The moment you fear, you die!" the Blood Heaven Blade Demon shouted.

Seo Daeryong had blocked the palm technique, holding the giant dao up like a shield. This was the same giant dao the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had gifted him, the one his master had used in his youth.

"Alright, here I come again!"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon unleashed an even more powerful palm technique.

Seo Daeryong infused qi into the giant dao and held it upright.

KWAKWANG!

The attack was stronger than before, but he held his ground.

Fear gripped Seo Daeryong from behind the upright blade. The attack felt like it would tear his arms off. He thought he might die if a stronger one came.

What if Master is overestimating me? Should I tell him I can't block anymore?

Then, the characters engraved on the blade's edge caught Seo Daeryong's eye.

Peerless (無雙).

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon had carved them in his youth. Seo Daeryong could feel his master's mindset from those days, the will to never lose contained in those two characters.

Right, I'll endure! Even if my arms break, I'll endure!

He clenched his teeth and drew up his qi. An even stronger palm technique flew at him.

SHWAAAAAAK!

The merciless attack collided with Seo Daeryong's will.

A moment later.

KNOCK KNOCK.

The sound of someone knocking on the blade made Seo Daeryong come to his senses. He lifted his head. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stood beside the blade, looking down at him.

Did I lose consciousness while standing?

"Are you alive?"

"I think so."

Seo Daeryong's face was pale, his arms trembling uncontrollably.

"Did I block it?"

"……"

Overjoyed, Seo Daeryong tried to raise both hands but screamed. His entire body ached too much to move, not just his arms. The pain was so intense he felt like he might die.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon pressed the hilt of the blade. The giant dao plunged into the ground with a THUD.

He seated Seo Daeryong against the dao and infused qi into his chest to treat his injuries. If Seo Daeryong had blocked one more time, he would have died.

"You were afraid the blade would break, weren't you?"

"……"

Seo Daeryong answered honestly.

"It's natural to be afraid, but you must believe," the Blood Heaven Blade Demon said. "You must have faith that you can block any attack with my blade. The Heaven Destroying Demonic Blade Technique begins and ends with that belief."

"I'll keep that in mind."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon took a pill from his robes and offered it to Seo Daeryong.

"Take it."

"What is this?"

"It's the Demonic Essence Pill."

Seo Daeryong startled at the words 'the Demonic Essence Pill'. The Demonic Essence Pill was a miracle herb representing the Demonic Cult. It was the same one Geom Mugeuk had obtained from the Little Heaven Cave.

"I asked the Cult Leader and got one specially."

"Something so precious! I can't."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon glared at Seo Daeryong and spoke coldly.

"Then is my disciple not precious?"

Seo Daeryong flinched.

"No, sir!"

"Then take it."

Surprised and flustered, Seo Daeryong could no longer refuse. He took the Demonic Essence Pill and circulated his internal arts, dissolving its medicinal effects.

The pill's energy circulated through his blood vessels, becoming a great inner art stored in his qi center.

When Seo Daeryong slowly opened his eyes, his gaze had deepened. A profound inner art, incomparable to before, stirred within him. He was so moved he couldn't tell if it was a dream or reality. He never thought he would take a miracle herb like the Demonic Essence Pill in his lifetime.

Seo Daeryong rose and bowed deeply to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

"I'll never forget the grace you've shown me."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon had given him his own youthful blade and now the Demonic Essence Pill. He truly considered Seo Daeryong his successor.

This is the result of getting drunk at the Alluring Inn and clinging to his trouser leg. I will not let go of that hand until I die.

"You need this level of inner art to handle the latter half of the Heaven Destroying Demonic Blade Technique," the Blood Heaven Blade Demon said. "The training from now on will be much harder."

"I'll definitely succeed."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon nodded proudly. He knew Seo Daeryong worked hard, even cutting back on his duties as Sanzu Hall Director and his sleep. If he overcame this hurdle, Seo Daeryong would become a true master.

The two left the training ground. Walking side by side, each with a giant dao on his back, they exuded an overwhelming aura.

"Is there still no news from the Young Cult Leader?"

"I received word that he's on his way back, but I don't know exactly when he'll arrive."

Seo Daeryong missed Geom Mugeuk terribly. He had even appeared in his dream a few days ago.

I need to meet him quickly and boast about how Master bestowed the Demonic Essence Pill upon me.

Just then, a blade ghost from the Southern Blade Sect reported to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

"The Young Cult Leader is said to have arrived."

Seo Daeryong's expression brightened.

"Go on," the Blood Heaven Blade Demon said.

"……"

Wanting to see Geom Mugeuk before he met the Cult Leader, Seo Daeryong dashed off like the wind.

In his haste, he missed the gladness on the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's face, a look equal to his own. All Seo Daeryong wanted was to see Geom Mugeuk.

"Why the late-blooming passion?" the Drunken Demon asked.

The Flower Sword Supreme emptied her cup instead of answering. "It's nice to drink after so long."

The two were at the Drunken Dream Palace in the Great Drunken Forest.

"What's with the martial arts training?" he asked. "Is the Murim Alliance invading? Or is there some sword-wielding bastard you need to impress?"

Even without rumors, her appearance told the story. It was a look that would have been unimaginable in the past.

She once wore only pristine white, but now she sat before the Drunken Demon without makeup, her gray martial arts uniform stained with dirt. She had been training right up until she arrived.

"I'm the Sword Supreme, after all. I have to see it through with the sword."

"So why? Why all of a sudden?"

The Flower Sword Supreme poured wine into her own cup.

"What's the big deal about a martial artist training?"

The words 'Because I'm ashamed' rose in her throat, but she couldn't say them. The Drunken Demon would pry into every detail, and she couldn't give him that answer.

The matter with Sa Woojong was shameful. Her past self, so concerned with appearances, was also shameful. Looking back, her conflicts with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon were the same.

"Still, it's good to see."

The Drunken Demon's words lifted her spirits.

"I hear you've been cutting back on drinking and training lately too?"

The Drunken Demon was no longer just a drunkard. Now that he controlled his drinking, the look in his eyes was different. He wasn't the type to sit and drink alone while everyone else changed.

"This is all because of the Young Cult Leader."

The Flower Sword Supreme smiled faintly. It was true. She and the other Demon Supremes had changed because of the Young Cult Leader.

"It's about time for him to arrive, isn't it?"

"He'll get here when he gets here."

The Flower Sword Supreme guessed why the Drunken Demon was sulking.

This time, Geom Mugeuk had taken the Demonic Buddha with him when he left the cult. The Drunken Demon must have secretly hoped to be asked along. Besides, didn't the Demonic Buddha support the First Young Lord? She could see his disappointment. He was good at spouting nonsense when drunk, but not at showing his emotions like this.

Young Cult Leader, it seems it really is because of you.

The Flower Sword Supreme drained her last cup and rose.

"Why? Leaving already?"

"I have to train."

"No! You haven't been here in a while, stay and hang out longer."

"Next time. Today's training is important."

The Drunken Demon drained another cup at her words.

"The Young Cult Leader abandons me, my friend abandons me. Right, my only friend is alcohol."

The Flower Sword Supreme looked at Yeo Bin, one of the three great drunkards, walking toward them.

"Is that really so?"

The Drunken Demon knew what she meant but didn't look away from his cup.

Yeo Bin approached and reported politely.

"The Young Cult Leader is said to have returned."

The Drunken Demon shot up from his seat.

"Where are you going?"

"My little brother went all the way to the Outer Regions and came back. I have to go see him."

To the Flower Sword Supreme, his words sounded like, Let's see how well he did, going without me!

"Don't go and make a drunken scene!"

"Am I a child, to make a scene there?"

The Drunken Demon leaped up and crossed the lake using Flying Over Water.

Right, everyone else had taken turns leaving the cult with Geom Mugeuk. It's understandable that he'd be upset, since he'd never gone once despite their brotherly relationship.

The Flower Sword Supreme boarded a ferry with Yeo Bin.

"He's a handful, isn't he?"

Yeo Bin, who was rowing, knew she meant the Drunken Demon and smiled faintly.

The Flower Sword Supreme usually never spoke to her, but today she had something to say. She spoke as a fellow woman, and also out of affection for the Drunken Demon.

"I regret my past self. Please, don't be like that."

Though much was left unsaid, Yeo Bin understood.

The boat carrying the Flower Sword Supreme quietly crossed the misty lake.

Poisonous smoke rose from various places in the Thousand Poisons Forest. It was a special training day for the poison users. Most who came to train wore one to three poison pouches on their waists.

Due to the nature of poison arts, they could not often train by spreading poison externally like this. Because there was nothing as dangerous as a poison user with clumsy skills. So, when they did train, it was under the strict control of the Seniors. When they released poison, Seniors with at least five poison pouches would immediately neutralize it. Because if the poisonous smoke were to be carried outside by the wind, a terrible incident could occur. Neutralizing poison is always more difficult than releasing it.

A short distance away, another training was underway. They entered a poison-filled space, concocted an antidote from prepared herbs, and then exited. It was a perilous training where being late meant death. Seniors with seven or more poison pouches directly supervised this place.

In another area, training in throwing poisoned hidden weapons was in full swing. One had to master the art of hidden weapons before using poison freely. The instructing Senior explained the most common cause of death for poison users. The number one cause of death for a poison user is dying from their own poison!

After one round of training, all the poison users gathered. The Poison King stepped before them.

"In a real fight, when martial artists face us, there are two reactions. They either run without looking back, or they charge at us fiercely. Their only thought is to kill us before we can spread our poison. Because they attack while holding their breath, most of you will be defeated without even getting a chance to use your poison properly. At best, it's a take you down with me situation."

The Poison King standing before them was completely different from his usual self. For this moment, he had come out of his own world to instruct his subordinates. The rookies did not truly understand the meaning of the twelve poison pouches on his waist. Their respect would grow as the number of pouches increased.

"The most important martial art for a poison user isn't releasing poison or using hidden weapons. It is movement arts. If they chase you, you must run while releasing poison. If they run, you must chase them even faster. You must evade an opponent swinging a sword while holding their breath. Your lives depend on that battle against time. Understand?"

A thunderous reply came from the poison users.

"Alright, then let's begin training."

At his word, the Senior poison users began the movement arts training. The Poison King stood silently, watching them.

Just then, Sangseon came to report.

"The Young Cult Leader has retur…"

Before he could finish, the Poison King vanished. Everyone witnessed firsthand what the Poison King's movement arts were like.

I stood at the cult's entrance and took a deep breath. Our Cult has a unique smell. When I return after being away, that scent brings a sense of relief, a feeling that I'm finally back.

The first person to greet us was Seo Daeryong.

"Young Cult Leader!"

If we had been alone, he would have rushed in and hugged me. Instead, Seo Daeryong approached with a composed face.

"Did you have a good trip?"

"Have you been well, Director?"

His true feelings came through telepathy.

[I missed you! Please take me with you next time!]

[Who will guard the Sanzu River Hall?]

[It runs just fine without me! I'm going with you no matter what! I'm telling you right now!]

[Alright, let's go. We'll cross a room full of the Blood Poison Python and thousands of poisonous snakes. We'll pass through a place where a giant evil spirit tries to stomp you to a pulp. You should also enjoy the thrill of your own shadow rising up to kill you.]

[……]

[……]

[Unfortunately, I must protect the Sanzu River Hall. For some reason, the organization just doesn't run without me.]

How could I not know his desire to go out with me? He must miss the time we went to the Young Dragon Tournament together.

So hurry up and get stronger, my right-hand man!

If Seo Daeryong was the first to welcome me, then the Poison King was the first to welcome the Demonic Buddha.

He rushed over like the wind and landed before us. He urgently asked the Demonic Buddha, "My poisonous herbs! Did you dig up the poisonous herbs?"

I blocked the Poison King's path. "I'm back. I've returned safely from the life-threatening Outer Regions!"

The Poison King pushed me aside and looked only at the Demonic Buddha.

The Demonic Buddha's eyes lit up as he faced him. This was the very moment the Demonic Buddha had gone through all that trouble for.

"Here they are."

The Demonic Buddha set down the box he had been carrying. The Poison King squatted before it. Seo Daeryong and I also squatted down to watch. When he slowly opened the box, poisonous herbs were laid out in a row.

"Oh! You dug up so many? The Cold Poison Grass and even the Brave Buddha Grass! This Little Poison Grass is really hard to find. Thank you. Thank you so much."

The Poison King was overjoyed, as if he could jump. He wasn't just putting on a happy face. He was genuinely happy about obtaining the poisonous herbs.

How could the Demonic Buddha have been neglectful in his task?

"Truly a heaven-sent talent."

"I was lucky."

The Poison King finally glanced at me.

"What did you dig up?"

I would have loved to answer his completely unexpectant gaze with, 'I dug up more'.

Instead, I pointed to one of the herbs the Demonic Buddha had dug up. "When we were digging that one, I was the one who suggested we dig on that mountain. If it weren't for me…"

The Poison King ignored my lame excuse and gathered the box. He said to the Demonic Buddha, "Come over for a meal later!"

"Let's do that."

Their gazes intertwined. I shouted into the space between them.

"I'm going too!"

But the Poison King left without answering.

As the Demonic Buddha watched the Poison King's retreating back, his face showed no trace of the hardship he had endured.

"I knew it would be like this," I said. "You should have given me just one root. You're so heartless, Demonic Buddha!"

Just then, someone spoke from behind.

"Then you should go with someone kind next time."

I turned to see the Drunken Demon walking toward us.

The Demonic Buddha looked at me meaningfully.

"Now it's your turn to take credit."