novelraw Chapter 165 : Chapter 165
Chapter 165 : Chapter 165
Chapter 165 The Red Sky (8)
“For now, the rest of you please move to the Sado Alliance with the Tang family members. If the black lotus is indeed an ingredient for the Blood Immortal Pill, we can't just stand by and watch.”
“Hmm……”
The Poison King let out a deep sigh and looked around. The Ice Rakshasa, who had been standing beside them listening to the conversation, stepped forward.
“Young Master Jaun. What are you talking about right now?”
“Simply leaving the ingredients for the Blood Immortal Pill behind will only further increase the damage to the Central Plains. We have to deal with the black lotus somehow before it falls into the hands of the Demonic Cult.”
“The Demonic Cult's main force is right at our doorstep……”
“It’s not too late yet. If the cultivation site of the black lotus is not far from here, we, moving in a small group, can get there faster. So, don’t worry, and please lead the Tang family martial artists to the Sado Alliance with the Five Evils.”
“If you must go, I will go with you, Young Master.”
“Right now, you are the only person who can lead the Tang family members to the Sado Alliance. The Five Evils are on their first trip to the Murim and are completely unfamiliar with the geography here. Moreover, even if they do arrive at the Sado Alliance, you are the only one with the authority to bring the Tang family members inside.”
The Ice Rakshasa, who was about to retort, closed her mouth at Jaun’s words. It was certain that if she did not accompany them, they would not be able to find the proper shortcut to the Sado Alliance.
Moreover, even if they managed to arrive at the Sado Alliance, a conflict between the Sado Alliance and the Tang family could even arise if they failed to explain the situation properly.
Jang Sam-sik could lead the Tang family members, but he belonged to the Green Forest, a fairly independent group even within the Sado Alliance. Therefore, she was absolutely necessary to properly sort out the situation.
In the end, unable to do either, the Ice Rakshasa bit her lip and looked at Jaun.
“Don’t you worry. I’ll go with him.”
The Poison King slowly walked out from beside the Ice Rakshasa, who was looking at Jaun.
As the Poison King stepped forward, the group's gaze turned to him.
“I am the only one here who knows exactly where the cultivation site is. Since there is not much time, I have no choice but to go.”
“I will go too, elder.”
“I’ll go as well.”
As Tang Il-bi stepped forward, Chu Myeong-hwa followed suit.
“It's a bit much to come all this way and return with nothing to show for it, isn't it? It's been a long time since I've been in the Murim, so I should at least leave a mark.”
Jaun nodded and then spoke again to the Ice Rakshasa.
“With the people who have stepped forward now, we can definitely make good time, so please don’t worry and head to the Sado Alliance first.”
“……In times like these, it’s helpful to send you off without dragging things out, I suppose.”
At the Ice Rakshasa’s words, Jaun slowly nodded. The Ice Rakshasa, who had been glaring at Jaun for a moment, turned on her heel.
“Honestly…… I’m not going to live to a ripe old age.”
Jaun, who confirmed the Ice Rakshasa’s retreating figure as she shook her head, turned to the Poison King.
“I’m counting on you.”
“Follow me.”
As the Poison King turned and started running toward the side, Jaun, Tang Il-bi, and Chu Myeong-hwa began to follow him.
***
─ TAP-TAP-TAP
The back mountain of Sichuan was a place the Poison King climbed dozens of times a day. Therefore, the group was able to move faster than anyone else.
“It certainly seems…… that one of the places the bastards are heading to is the black lotus cultivation site you mentioned.”
The place the Poison King was heading to was the same as the place a portion of the Demonic Beings were heading to.
As the demonic energy grew closer, a sense of tension began to fill the group's expressions.
“But, how on earth can over a hundred of those bastards…… climb the mountain so quickly.”
The Poison King, who was running ahead, frowned. Despite leading the group on the shortest path, they were not easily outstripping the Demonic Beings climbing from below.
“……This shouldn’t be possible unless someone knows a shortcut.”
At the Poison King’s muttering, Tang Il-bi momentarily bit his lip. After hesitating for a moment, Tang Il-bi opened his mouth toward the back of the Poison King, who was running ahead.
“For some time now, that bastard Yu-pyo’s whereabouts have been unknown. After the rumors that the Demonic Cult bastards had moved, no one in the manor has seen him.”
“Yu-pyo? That can’t be. Something else must have happened. A bastard with the Tang family name, surely he wouldn’t……”
The Poison King immediately denied it and cut himself off, but unless someone from the Tang family was cooperating with the Demonic Cult, there was no way to explain the Demonic Beings' current speed of movement.
After running silently for a while, the Poison King spoke again.
“……What area was Yu-pyo in charge of.”
“The southern part of the Valley of Insects, where the poisonous insects are managed, and the eastern medicinal herb field, where the black lotus cultivation site is located.”
─ GRIND
A harsh grinding sound was heard from the Poison King’s mouth.
“It’s unlikely, but…… if that bastard Yu-pyo is indeed guiding them, the Demonic Beings will arrive there before us.”
After finishing his words, a huge energy began to flow from the Poison King’s body.
“We’ll have to move faster, even if it means expending some strength. Everyone, concentrate on following me.”
As the Poison King’s body shot forward in an instant, the entire group raised their energy and quickly followed him.
“Huff. Huff.”
Hearing the rough breathing from Tang Il-bi’s mouth, Jaun carefully pushed his energy into his back. Tang Il-bi, who had recovered his body with the energy Jaun had given him, wiped the sweat from his forehead and bowed his head slightly to Jaun.
“Thank you. I’ve shown a shameful side of myself.”
“We’re almost there. If you can just hold on a little longer……”
Just beyond the cliff in front of them was the black lotus cultivation site the Poison King had spoken of, but the Demonic Beings’ energy had already occupied the area.
The Poison King, who had been running with his energy raised, slowed down for a moment and turned his head toward Jaun.
“We’re one step…… too late. What will you do now.”
“……The Demonic Beings will surely want to harvest the black lotus without damage and cultivate it in Xinjiang. To consistently produce the Blood Immortal Pill, it would be essential to secure a supply of ingredients in a safe place. We may be a step late, but we can’t just let them continue to produce the Blood Immortal Pill.”
“Does that mean you intend to clash with the Demonic Beings just like this?”
At the Poison King’s words, Jaun nodded.
“Yes. For now, let’s try to destroy the black lotus while avoiding direct conflict as much as possible.”
“Destroying the black lotus, you say……”
The Poison King nodded.
“That much is doable, but there will still be risks.”
“I am prepared for that.”
At Jaun’s words, the Poison King let out a sigh.
“Seeing as they arrived before us, it seems certain that the bastard Yu-pyo led the Demonic Beings. If so, the Tang family bears a great responsibility for the black lotus falling into the hands of the Demonic Cult bastards. We too will do our best to stop them.”
“Thank you. But we must have as few casualties as possible. To continue to fight the Demonic Beings in the future, we have no choice but to consistently bring about the maximum result with the minimum of damage.”
“……If so, there is only one way. Since the black lotus is cultivated in an aquatic cultivation site, we will poison the water.”
At the Poison King’s words, Jaun nodded.
“In that case…… we just need to clear a path. I will take the lead. When the path is cleared, please poison the cultivation site, Poison King.”
The Poison King nodded and stepped aside slightly.
“Be careful. Now, in this Central Plains, the only one who can properly stop those bastards is…… you.”
Jaun smiled slightly and then began to run up the cliff.
***
“Hurry, hurry up!”
“Hey, you there! You have to harvest carefully from the end!”
Jaun, who had quickly crossed the cliff, lowered his body and surveyed the situation. The area around the black lotus cultivation site was filled with Demonic Beings, preparing to harvest the black lotus.
He had to get as close to the cultivation site as possible, but the number of Demonic Beings surrounding the area was too great.
As Jaun was surveying the situation, the Poison King let out a grave groan from behind.
“……That bastard Yu-pyo, really!”
The Poison King’s gaze was directed at one end of the area where the Demonic Beings were gathered.
Beside those with great energy, the figure of a skinny man with his eyes downcast, looking around nervously, could be seen.
“……If it’s Yu-pyo, he knows all the shortcuts in the mountain, so he could have led the Demonic Beings faster than us.”
Tang Il-bi let out a sigh with a complicated expression after confirming Tang Yu-pyo’s appearance.
“Is that all? If he’s here, it will be possible to cultivate the black lotus in the Xinjiang region, just as this child said. The black lotus itself doesn't have much value, so others haven't tried it before, but if you know the cultivation method, it's not impossible to cultivate it elsewhere.”
The Poison King let out a deep sigh.
“……What a shameful thing. How can a bastard who grew up his whole life in the Tang Clan cling to the Demonic Cult bastards and do such a thing.”
The Poison King let out another short sigh after confirming that Tang Yu-pyo, who had moved to one side while looking around nervously, was explaining something earnestly to the Demonic Beings.
“……Hah.”
Tang Il-bi, who was chewing his lip behind them, carefully approached Jaun’s side.
“If possible…… please try not to hurt that child……”
“Shut that mouth!”
Tang Il-bi flinched at the Poison King’s shout, which was uttered as quietly as possible.
“As long as he has clung to the Demonic Beings, that bastard is no longer a member of the Tang family. Have you forgotten that it is the rule of the Tang Clan to repay favors and grudges tenfold!”
At the Poison King’s shout, Tang Il-bi hung his head low.
“Don’t worry about that bastard and move as efficiently as possible. If it comes down to it, getting rid of him is also an option. The black lotus has a peculiar nature, so if you don't know the cultivation method exactly, you will have to go through a lot of trial and error for a long time.”
At the Poison King’s cold words, Tang Il-bi hung his head low.
Jaun, who had been listening to the two's conversation, quickly scanned the surroundings and pointed his finger in one direction.
“That way. It seems we can get the job done with the least amount of damage that way. It’s far from those with strong demonic energy…… and fortunately, it’s also far from where that person named Tang Yu-pyo is.”
The Poison King, who confirmed the direction Jaun was pointing, nodded.
“Good. Let’s break through that way.”
“I will clear the way.”
Chu Myeong-hwa, who had been following quietly behind, opened her tightly shut mouth.
“I will clear the way first, and in that gap, you take that old man and go in.”
At the word “old man” that came out of Chu Myeong-hwa’s mouth, the Poison King and Tang Il-bi’s eyes twitched simultaneously.
“……Where does a ruffian from the Unorthodox Faction dare to speak so carelessly.”
“We have been overlooking your company without properly revealing your identity out of respect for Young Master Jaun!”
At the words uttered by the two at the same time, Chu Myeong-hwa snorted.
“Tang Mun-yu. Do you still not recognize me?”
The Poison King turned his head and looked at Chu Myeong-hwa with narrowed eyes.
“It feels like just yesterday that I was watching you and that bastard Cheol-sam play with poisons……. You’ve grown old too.”
Tang Cheol-sam was the person who had perfected the Tang Clan’s flying dagger techniques to their current state.
He was once considered the top master of the Tang family, along with the Poison King who had mastered poison arts.
Although he had passed away eight years ago due to a chronic illness, he was still a person respected by most of the Tang family members, so sparks flew from the eyes of the Poison King and Tang Il-bi for a moment.
“You wench! How dare you not shut that filthy mouth!”
Unlike Tang Il-bi, who let out a furious shout as quietly as possible, the Poison King’s flushed face instantly calmed down.
The Poison King’s eyes, which were narrowed and scrutinizing Chu Myeong-hwa, lingered on her face for a long time.
“……No way.”
Chu Myeong-hwa, who smiled at the Poison King, rolled her shoulders and loosened her body.
“Seeing as you haven’t achieved rejuvenation yet, despite having that much skill, you must have a stubborn side like that bastard Cheol-sam.”
“Heartless…… Blood Queen?”
The Poison King, who had barely managed to recall his old memories, stared at Chu Myeong-hwa with his mouth agape.
“Hehe, yes. It's me. Why do you think there was no opposition when the Tang family bastards were going to the Sado Alliance? It's because the one who could make that decision was by my side.”
The Poison King, who was staring intently at Chu Myeong-hwa’s face, let out a hollow laugh.
“……I heard you had undergone rejuvenation, but why on earth are you here, elder sister.”
At the word “elder sister” that came out of the Poison King’s mouth, this time Tang Il-bi’s eyes widened.