Chapter 639: Is It Fair for Everyone to Only Like My Brother?

TL: FoodieMonster007

The true art of poison lies not in its administration but in its detoxification. What the Poison King said could only mean one thing.

"So you're saying So Cheongrak isn't a physician, but a user of poison arts," Geom Mugeuk stated.

In response to Geom Mugeuk's words, the Poison King fiddled with the teacup before him and spoke.

"You're the one who figured it out."

Until Geom Mugeuk found the answer, So Cheongrak was a physician skilled in detoxification. However, the moment Geom Mugeuk found the answer that the Clear Heart Hospital might be a place that supports the Heaven's Edge Hermit, the physician So Cheongrak became a master of poison arts.

However, proving that fact would not be an easy task. So Cheongrak had, after all, lived for many long years as a respected physician.

In some ways, he was a more difficult opponent than the Heaven's Edge Hermit. He had placed countless martial artists under the most difficult debt to repay. A life debt.

The number of martial artists whose lives were saved by So Cheongrak was surely immense, not just in Wuhan but across the entire Central Plains.

Geom Mugeuk asked the Poison King, "Is there a poison that can control people?"

The Poison King nodded as if the answer was obvious. "It's possible if one uses Gu poison."

The Poison King then turned to Geom Muyang. "First Young Lord, was it one person who was controlled? Or were there many?"

"I've seen several so far," Geom Muyang replied.

"Were they important figures?"

"No."

After confirming the number and other details, the Poison King gave Geom Mugeuk his answer. "Then it's unlikely they used Gu poison. The insects that control people are hard to find and not easy to handle, so they can't be used indiscriminately."

Geom Mugeuk reached a conclusion. "Then there must be someone else besides So Cheongrak with the ability to control people. It's unlikely that So Cheongrak, who uses both poison arts and medical skills, would have also mastered manipulative evil arts or other grand techniques."

The Poison King nodded in agreement. If his skill in detoxification surpassed that of a divine physician, his poison arts must have also reached an extreme level. Since he was also proficient in medicine, there was no possibility he had learned anything else.

"The Chairman will investigate the Heaven's Edge Hermit's side," Geom Mugeuk said. "So we'll have to figure this side out ourselves."

It would not be difficult for the four of them to sneak in and assassinate So Cheongrak. In fact, there was no need for all four of them to go.

To him, who possessed Myriad Poison Immunity, So Cheongrak was no threat at all.

The real task, however, was to reveal that he was the power behind the scenes. They needed to expose the fact that he was not a physician who practiced medicine, but a poison master who practiced poison arts.

They had to present that evidence to the leader of the Murim Alliance and let the orthodox sects of the murim know the truth. They could not just kill him without proof and ask everyone to trust them. That was precisely what made this task so difficult.

"I'm thinking of approaching him," Geom Mugeuk announced.

He believed it was impossible to uncover the truth from a distance. The time So Cheongrak had spent hiding his identity was far too long.

"How?" the Demonic Buddha asked.

Geom Mugeuk replied to the Demonic Buddha's question with a smile. "What other way is there to approach a physician? We have to go as a patient."

There was a problem, however, according to the information sent from the All-Knowing Hall.

"The problem is, we can't attract So Cheongrak's attention by going as an ordinary patient. There are too many patients, and they say there are over twenty physicians working under So Cheongrak. Ordinary patients have a hard time even seeing his face. However, those afflicted by extreme poisons are an exception. The more special the poison, the more it will draw his interest."

In short, this meant one of them had to be poisoned with an extreme toxin to secure a proper meeting with So Cheongrak.

Naturally, everyone's gaze turned to the Poison King.

"Fortunately, we have someone who can administer a poison for So Cheongrak to detoxify," Geom Mugeuk said.

At Geom Mugeuk's words, a corner of the Poison King's mouth lifted slightly. Geom Mugeuk understood. He knew the meaning behind the Poison King's smile.

That bastard dares to detoxify my poison? Does he really think he can?

Geom Mugeuk knew better than anyone that the Poison King was truly serious when it came to poison.

"I know, I know. If the Poison King administers a poison with intent, no one can ever detoxify it."

At those words, the Poison King's expression hardened. There was one time, just once, when someone he had guaranteed would die had returned alive. Of course, they said he hadn't returned in a normal state, but it was an incident that had left a deep wound on the Poison King's pride.

"Please use a poison that can barely be detoxified over several days," Geom Mugeuk requested. "Preferably one that will catch his eye."

The Poison King would surely have such a poison. The problem was not the poison, but the patient.

"Who do I administer it to?" the Poison King asked.

The answer to the Poison King's question was, in truth, already decided.

Geom Mugeuk excluded the Poison King first. "The Poison King can't go himself."

There was a chance the opponent would recognize the Poison King. No matter how he concealed his identity, there might be something only the two of them could recognize.

"And the Demonic Buddha can't step up either." Saying this, Geom Mugeuk glanced stealthily at his brother. "As you know, my brother is tough, so he can endure pain well."

Geom Muyang wore a dumbfounded expression.

In truth, Geom Mugeuk couldn't do it even if he wanted to. Because he had Myriad Poison Immunity, poison had no effect on him. The only person here who knew that fact was the Poison King.

"I'm the Acting Cult Leader, brother," Geom Mugeuk declared. He then requested support from the Demonic Buddha. "Even if it's the Poison King, he'd get scolded by Father if he poisoned the Acting Cult Leader, right?"

The Demonic Buddha did not just stand by and watch him push the task onto Geom Muyang. "Poisoning the First Young Lord would get him into more trouble."

"Why?" Geom Mugeuk asked demandingly.

The Demonic Buddha answered as if it were obvious. "He's the eldest son, isn't he? The Cult Leader always doted on the First Young Lord."

"What about me?"

"Well, he probably doted on you too."

"This is too much! My brother scolds me for being rude to the Demonic Buddha, and the Demonic Buddha only takes my brother's side. Did you two conspire?"

Geom Muyang could tell. Geom Mugeuk had requested the Demonic Buddha's support just to say those words. He wanted the Demonic Buddha to know that he had scolded him for being disrespectful.

Why are you trying so hard? I hated you so much.

The Demonic Buddha, for his part, was also trying his best. "You're better at acting sick, aren't you?"

"How would you know? I've never even tried! And don't you think acting as the patient's guardian is more important?"

Geom Muyang, who had been listening to their conversation with a faint smile, turned to the Poison King. "I'll do it."

Geom Muyang felt this was like destiny. He had almost killed Geom Mugeuk with poison-laced hidden weapons. That was the reason he was here.

Now, a situation had arisen where he had to be poisoned. Perhaps this was fate telling him to pay the price for his mistake.

"You should just bring one of the martial artists from the safehouse instead," the Demonic Buddha suggested.

Touched by how much the Demonic Buddha cared for him, Geom Muyang smiled faintly. "It's alright, Demonic Buddha."

"How can it be alright? It's not just any poison, but one that will catch his eye. Your body will be severely damaged. I'd rather do it myself."

He truly wanted to take his place. How nice it would have been if his appearance were ordinary at times like this.

As if grateful for the sentiment, Geom Muyang bowed his head politely. He then bowed politely to the Poison King as well. "Please, I ask this of you."

The Poison King, who was watching, gave him an unexpected gift. Was he the type to simply administer poison in a situation like this?

"In the process of treating the poison I'm about to administer, your body will develop a strong resistance to it. Even if you're hit with the same poison again, you'll be able to endure it longer than you can now."

From those words, they could tell that the Poison King was going to use an extremely precious poison.

Geom Mugeuk quickly stepped forward. "I'll do it! Poison my brother? This unloved second son will do it. Where is the justice in this? Does everyone really have to like my brother so much!"

The Demonic Buddha finally relaxed his expression and spoke to the Poison King, knowing he would handle the safety issue well. "Still, please use a less painful poison."

Geom Mugeuk pouted and made a spiteful remark. "Then it won't be effective. A poison that makes you scream on its own…"

In that instant, a scream burst from Geom Muyang's lips.

"……"

The Poison King had merely glanced at Geom Muyang.

In a flash, Geom Muyang's face turned pale and he clutched his chest. He had been poisoned before anyone realized it.

"Uuuuugh."

The scream that escaped Geom Muyang was no ordinary one.

"Aigoo, you're so impatient!" Geom Mugeuk exclaimed. He quickly hoisted his brother onto his back and dashed outside.

The Demonic Buddha was inwardly shocked. He was well aware of the Poison King's skill in administering poison, but he had not noticed it at all, even when it happened right before his eyes.

Just then, the Poison King said nonchalantly, "The First Young Lord will be fine."

That single sentence from the Poison King was more reassuring than any other words.

The Demonic Buddha watched the two brothers run toward the Clear Heart Hospital for a moment.

He thought, It will take time to treat the poison.

The Demonic Buddha knew the best way to repay the Poison King's favor.

"Let's go dig up some poison herbs."

The Clear Heart Hospital was much larger than it appeared from the outside. In the large, plaza-like courtyard, there were countless people. The pungent scent of medicine wafted all the way to the entrance as the scene unfolded.

There were patients in bandages limping along, physicians in white robes bustling about, workers unloading piles of herbs from carts, women trimming herbs under trees, and people lined up, pounding herbs in mortars.

There were also ordinary people, not martial artists, standing in line. They were clearly destitute at a glance. It seemed true that they offered free treatment to the poor and penniless.

Geom Mugeuk, still carrying his brother on his back, ran into the place and shouted, "My brother has been, been poisoned!"

A young man nearby ran over. Judging by his appearance, he did not seem to be a full-fledged physician yet, but someone learning medicine by assisting the physicians.

"This way! Hurry, over here!"

The place the young man led them to was an area where patients in critical condition were gathered.

"If you wait just a moment, a physician will be here soon."

After helping Geom Mugeuk lay Geom Muyang on a bed, the young man hurried off to call for someone.

Geom Mugeuk looked around the area. About twenty beds were filled with patients, from people stabbed with swords to those with cracked skulls. It was full of critical patients.

He knew it was large in scale, but seeing it in person, the Clear Heart Hospital was truly bustling with activity.

"Looks like a war is going on somewhere without us," he muttered.

Geom Muyang heard him but couldn't answer. It truly felt as if his entire body was on fire. Since he was fully conscious, he felt the pain in its entirety.

"Brother, are you okay?"

In response to Geom Mugeuk's question, Geom Muyang cursed him with his eyes. Do I look okay? You try it!

"I really wish I could be in pain for you."

Contrary to his words, his eyes were smiling. When else would I get to tease him if not now? The intent was clear in his smiling eyes.

Thinking the pain might lessen if he focused on something else, Geom Mugeuk kept talking to him. "Your inner arts?"

Geom Muyang frowned and nodded. It meant he could use them. The intention was for him to be able to use his martial arts in case of an emergency. The Poison King had considered everything while administering the poison in that short time.

Just then, a young physician came over. "What kind of poison is it?"

"I don't know. Please, save my brother!"

The physician examined Geom Muyang's condition. When he touched his body, Geom Muyang let out a scream.

"Aaaaaaaargh."

For his brother to scream like this meant he was in real pain.

The young physician was clearly flustered. He tried to identify the poison and lessen the pain, but the screams only grew louder. Without even a word to wait, the physician ran off.

Looking down at his suffering brother, Geom Mugeuk suddenly wondered what he would do if this situation were real. What if it was not a situation where he could trust that the Poison King had arranged everything?

What if his brother were truly dying before his eyes?

How would he feel then? His chest tightened and a chill ran down his spine, making him realize that his feelings for his brother had deepened considerably.

"You'll laugh later as much as you endure now. So just bear it a little longer."

His brother's lips mouthed a reply.

Shut up!

Soon, another physician rushed over. This time, it was a middle-aged physician, older than the last one. He examined Geom Muyang's condition more skillfully than the young man before him.

However, he too failed to stabilize his condition. It was an expected result. How could mere physicians handle the Poison King's poison?

Fortunately, he gave up faster than the young physician. That alone showed that his skills were far superior.

Not long after the middle-aged physician left, he finally arrived.

The moment Geom Mugeuk saw the physician with a kind face and a fine build, he knew. He knew that this was So Cheongrak.

Instead of a name tag that read So Cheongrak, he seemed to be wearing wings. Three or four physicians followed him on either side with deferential expressions.

He had never seen the man before. A thought occurred to him that perhaps the reason the Poison King was not among the Twelve Zodiac Kings was because this man existed separately.

So Cheongrak passed by the patients, giving out prescriptions. A single glance at a patient's condition was all it took for him to prescribe a treatment.

"Boil a mixture of half the Greenwood Lotus and half the Seven Star Grass and have him drink it!"

He unwrapped the next patient's bandages, examined the wound, and personally applied an ointment for cuts.

"Fortunately, the sword only grazed the organs."

He could tell whether the internal organs were injured just by looking at the outside. It was the same with the next patient.

He personally set the bones of a patient who had fallen from a high place and applied a splint. He did not mind getting blood on himself at all. As his hands touched them, the screams of pain subsided.

Geom Mugeuk looked down at Geom Muyang in amazement. Even in his agony, his brother was watching So Cheongrak.

Treating patients without hesitation like a celestial being descended from the heavens, So Cheongrak arrived at Geom Muyang's bed.

Seen up close, perhaps due to his fine build, his skin was taut and his eyes were full of vitality. His unhesitating prescriptions came to a brief halt.

As he examined Geom Muyang's condition, he asked Geom Mugeuk, who was standing beside him, "This poison, who did this to him?"

Geom Mugeuk answered him. "I don't know. My brother has a nasty temper, so he has many enemies."

Geom Mugeuk could see Geom Muyang making a dumbfounded face, even while enduring the pain.

"I heard you're the best physician in the Central Plains when it comes to detoxification. Please, save my brother."

His gaze deepened as he looked down at Geom Muyang. Surprisingly, So Cheongrak knew about this poison.

"This is a poison that only three people in the world can detoxify."