Chapter 830: Ilcheonkyo.

KUNG-!

As the steel bar hit the floor, it let out a rough sound.

A man drenched in sweat exhaled, seemingly exhausted, and looked back.

Ilcheonggeom, a middle-aged man with chilling eyes, asked the man, “What is it?”

“What did you say?”

In response to Ilcheonggeom’s question, Mundo Hyuk said while kneeling.

“…The Poison King and the Saint King made contact.”

“The Poison King?”

At Mundo Hyuk’s words, Ilcheonggeom frowned. The Poison King, out of nowhere?

He was too sudden an appearance.

A few years ago, when secret human experiments came to light, the Dangmun sect had admitted their guilt and entered a state of seclusion. And now the Poison King suddenly showed up at the branch?

‘I know Dokkwon is active, but that’s his daughter, so I suppose that’s understandable.’

The head of the family, the Poison King, and the young master shouldn’t have left the clan grounds…

‘Did he come to see his daughter?’

Dangmun’s daughter, who is apparently the deputy leader of the Seongryongdae unit. Did he come to see her?

If so, that would be a valid reason, but…

‘What could it be.’

What business could possibly have brought the Poison King face-to-face with the Saint King?

Especially at this particular time.

‘Could it be… he noticed something?’

A sliver of anxiety surfaced.

Right now, as we were preparing things based on the situation. Why the Poison King, of all the martial artists out there, in this situation?

He wondered if the Saint King had sensed something was amiss.

‘If he did notice, whose doing could it be?’

All sorts of thoughts raced through Ilcheonggeom’s mind.

Was it the Gyecheonmun Master’s scheme from the start? Or did the Saint King do something else again?

Given it’s Sichuan, what’s the possibility of the Poison King’s involvement? If not that…

‘Is it someone’s betrayal?’

Ilcheonggeom glared at Mundo Hyuk with a murderous gaze.

If someone were to betray them, this guy would be the prime suspect.

Should I deal with this guy first before figuring things out? As Ilcheonggeom subtly channeled his internal energy into his hand, ready to move…

“However. For, fortunately, it seems the Poison King and the Saint King didn’t notice the plan.”

“…”

Ilcheonggeom stopped moving at the added words.

“What makes you think that?”

“The teacups were different.”

“Teacups?”

“Yes, I confirmed the Poison King didn’t drink a single sip, while the Saint King emptied his entire cup.”

The Saint King drank all his tea, and the Poison King drank none.

It might seem like a simple difference, but in this situation, it was significant information.

The problem was…

“You couldn’t possibly be sure based on just that.” It was far from enough to be certain.

Even if it looked like the Poison King hadn’t taken a sip, he might have drunk it. Even if not, he’s the Poison King (毒王).

‘Even if he didn’t drink it, the possibility that he sensed it is high.’

Among the King-level martial artists, he might rank low in terms of raw power, but on the battlefield, no one is stronger than the Poison King.

That means poison holds considerable value.

The Poison King was the foremost expert among those who wielded such poisons.

Even if it was in the cup and applied lightly, could the Poison King really not have known?

Ilcheonggeom couldn’t be sure.

And… not being sure meant too many things.

Just then…

“B-but, Sect Leader-nim.”

Mundo Hyuk quickly added, speaking towards Ilcheonggeom.

“If the Poison King noticed, wouldn’t it be impossible for the Saint King to have drunk all the tea?”

If the Poison King had noticed what was prepared, there’s no way the Saint King would have drunk it all.

That was Mundo Hyuk’s point, and it was something Ilcheonggeom found puzzling too.

Furthermore…

“I also think it’s strange that the Saint King just stayed put…”

Even if he had noticed, the Poison King, knowing he drank the poison, wouldn’t have failed to tell the Saint King.

If he knew, the Saint King wouldn’t have stayed quiet in the first place, would he?

He could have overturned the branch right then and there. Yet, for it to still be quiet now was strange.

Does he truly not know?

If so, it’s good news, but no matter how I look at it, it feels unsettling.

‘This is strange.’

Ilcheonggeom felt a strange sensation run down his spine.

Is it a variable? If it’s a variable, I need to create some distance. That way, I can buy time to figure things out.

Including whether he noticed the poison or not.

‘Just what was the Poison King after?’

I need to find out exactly why he visited the Sichuan branch.

Therefore, it would be necessary to pull back briefly for that.

‘…I can’t back down now.’

I’ve already come too far for that.

I’d already made an enemy of him, not to mention joining hands with the Gyecheonmun Master, who is from the demonic sects. And I even planned to use poison through this.

Where else could I possibly go back to?

FLUTTER-!

Ilcheonggeom put on the martial robes lying on the floor and looked at Mundo Hyuk.

‘I have no one to trust.’

Not to mention the Gyecheonmun Master, this guy is no different.

There’s no one I can trust. Does this frustrate me? No.

‘After all, this is how the Central Plains are.’

I’ve learned this through countless experiences.

What matters is solely who lives and who can rise.

From that perspective…

‘This guy is the best I’ve got.’

The martial artist in front of me… Mundo… whatever his name was.

The guy who desperately wants to return to the Cheongryongdae and will show me utmost loyalty.

The others are full of hidden agendas, so this guy is comparatively better.

Especially importantly, dealing with him later is also a factor.

‘He’s the easiest.’

Someone I can dispose of anytime.

Considering that, using him for now was the right move.

Recalling this, Ilcheonggeom smiled slightly and said.

“Member Mun.”

“Yes! Sect Leader-nim.”

“I understand the situation, I’ll look into this part further.”

“Th-that means…”

Ilcheonggeom approached the bewildered Mundo Hyuk and added.

“Do you remember what I told you last time, Member Mun?”

“Y-yes, I remember.”

Mundo Hyuk replied to Ilcheonggeom as if he had been waiting.

“You told me to write down the Cheongryongdae’s movements and send them to the Saint King.”

“You remember well… Just like you. Reliable.”

“Oh, no…”

At Ilcheonggeom’s praise, Mundo Hyuk smiled, seemingly pleased.

Watching him, Ilcheonggeom nodded slightly.

As expected.

‘It seems this guy isn’t the one.’

At least, I can use this guy a bit longer.

Such a thought occurred.

“So, Member Mun, may I ask another favor?”

“Of course…! Anything at all.”

“That’s a relief.”

Ilcheonggeom chuckled and continued speaking to Mundo Hyuk.

“The favor isn’t anything major.”

Tap, tap. Ilcheonggeom patted Mundo Hyuk’s shoulder a few times and said.

“Add one piece of information to this report.”

“Add… what…?”

“That the Cheongryongdae found some unusual information… and that they’ll likely prepare their stance a few days after confirmation. Something like that.”

“…!”

At Ilcheonggeom’s words, Mundo Hyuk immediately understood his intention.

Information? It is being gathered.

The Cheongryongdae is a group composed of strong elites, even among the main forces.

Naturally, their intelligence gathering is excellent, so they’ve probably already acquired a significant amount of information.

Yet, Ilcheonggeom saying this deliberately was no different than leaking information.

Especially false information at that.

---

‘Are they starting to move yet?’

I stroked my chin as I walked forward.

It seemed like they would be attempting something around now.

‘What move will they make?’

They must have already heard the news that the Poison King had visited the branch.

I wonder how Ilcheonggeom will react upon hearing this.

Should he try to distance himself a bit… or push forward regardless?

‘It seems likely he’ll push forward, though…’

Since the guy had done too much to turn back, retreating would just lead off a cliff.

So, from my perspective, it’s as clear as day he’ll choose the latter.

‘But I can’t be entirely sure.’

How he’ll react is ultimately unpredictable.

‘This changes the plan slightly.’

I never expected the Poison King himself to show up at the branch that day, which is why this is even more the case.

Since the unexpected happened, I need to make preparations for it.

‘Hmm.’

That’s why I wasn’t too worried about this aspect.

It’s because I made preparations as soon as the situation arose.

…What’s important is…

‘How far Ilcheonggeom’s suspicion goes.’

The Poison King and I. And the Gyecheonmun Master. Add the Branch Master to that list.

This is roughly the scope of Ilcheonggeom’s suspicion.

I could add a few more people to that, but I’m not overly concerned even about that.

If it stops right there.

If that guy’s suspicion stops right there, then that’s the end of it.

‘Honestly, it would be nice if things went smoothly, but…’

Still, if it’s too easy, it might be a bit boring.

The thought suddenly crossed my mind, like a crazy bastard.

‘Bullshit.’

I shook my head and dismissed it.

It wasn’t a joke; the creeping thoughts were utterly disgusting.

I need to focus.

To do that, I glanced sideways.

“Hmph~ hmph.”

A woman following cheerfully, humming.

Seeing her eased my mind somewhat.

The day after the Poison King’s visit.

Having ordered the members to focus on information gathering rather than training, I headed straight for the Dangmun upon waking up.

Tang Soyeol was with me.

She was the one humming.

Seeing this, I casually asked Tang Soyeol.

“How long has it been since you last went?”

As far as I knew, Tang Soyeol had been away from home for quite a while.

Between her training with the Dark King and her subsequent visit to Hanam.

“…Um… a year or two?”

I chuckled at Tang Soyeol’s uncertain answer.

‘So she must have been deep in training.’

Does that mean she hasn’t been home all this time? It was practically closed-door training.

Then again, it would be hard to reach that level without persevering relentlessly.

Watching Tang Soyeol walk briskly, I thought.

‘She seems close to surpassing the Poison Maiden soon.’

Tang Soyeol from my past life.

It seemed like there wasn’t much time left until she surpassed her.

However…

‘She’s not immune to all poisons.’

The reason the Poison Maiden was so strong was that she had reached the pinnacle of poison arts.

I still remember the space filled with the poisonous aura she emitted.

Just touching it would rot the skin, let alone…

And if one were to inhale it, anyone with a low cultivation level or no resistance would die on the spot.

This was also the reason she could hold out against the Demonic Cult.

Overwhelming lethality covering a wide area and ceaseless energy.

The Poison Maiden, who possessed immunity to all poisons, was such a being.

‘But.’

I wonder how Tang Soyeol is now.

Tang Soyeol walked as if she were elated.

At first glance, she seemed to be half-running, but I narrowed my eyes, watching her feet.

‘I can’t hear her footsteps.’

Even while running like that, not a sound could be heard.

It wasn’t just flat ground; this was a dirt path mixed with stones here and there.

Not making a sound even while walking on such a path means…

‘She’s reached a certain level.’

It’s similar to having nearly mastered stealth techniques.

Of course, it would be difficult to reach the Dark King’s level, but she’s reached an impressive level.

In fact, Tang Soyeol even managed to fool my senses for a moment.

Because of that, she specialized more in stealth arts than poison arts, but I actually thought that was better.

If that happens, at least…

‘She won’t die the same death as in my past life.’

The woman who threw herself away to protect Sichuan.

That’s enough.

That alone would have been sufficient.

“Sect Leader… no, Young Master?”

“Hm?”

“What are you staring at like that?”

“Ah.”

I must have been staring intently at Tang Soyeol without realizing it.

Somehow, Tang Soyeol’s cheeks were also faintly flushed.

I didn’t know it before, but now I know what that reaction means.

I know it, but there’s nothing I can do about it.

At least, not right now.

I averted my gaze slightly and said.

“…It’s nothing. I was just reminiscing a bit.”

“Old thoughts? When?”

“A very, very long time ago.”

“A long time ago… Ah! Was it when we first met?”

“Not exactly… but somewhere around there.”

Like that time I killed you long ago.

These were words I probably could never say.

“If it’s similar… when was that?”

“Let’s go.”

“Ah, yes.”

I pulled Tang Soyeol, who seemed about to ask more, and moved forward.

Our destination was suddenly right before us.

I tilted my head up and looked.

Above the imposing gate, a large nameplate was visible.

Sichuan Dangmun.

It was the prestigious family from my past, visited after a long time.