Myst, Might, Mayhem (Novel) - Chapter 142 - Annihilation Poison King (2)

Chapter 142 – Annihilation Poison King (2)

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Translated by Jinmu

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Because he was in the midst of the three-year mourning period, no one had succeeded in making contact with Baek Sa-ha, the Annihilation Poison King.

The same was true for Wi So-yeon, the Society Leader’s third disciple.

No matter that she possessed the qualification to become the next Society Leader, it still did not measure up to the authority of one of the Five Kings, who were upper executives of the Heaven and Earth Society.

That was why, until now, she had had no proper justification and thus no chance to make contact with the Annihilation Poison King.

But at last, an opportunity to meet him had arisen.

That was because today was none other than the first-birthday feast of Baek Oh-chan, the grandson of Baek Sa-ha, the Annihilation Poison King.

If I miss this opportunity, it will be difficult until the end of the three-year mourning period.

Among the Five Kings, the upper executives, the only one who supported her was Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade.

If she obtained the support of Baek Sa-ha, the Annihilation Poison King, she would in one stroke secure a support base capable of contending to some extent with that of the second disciple, Jang Neung-ak.

But then,

“Miss.”

The man beside her, who looked to be in his mid-thirties and wore an impressive beard, tilted his head.

At that, she turned her head and,

Ah…

Saw a group coming along the road from the southwest.

That group was none other than the second disciple, Jang Neung-ak, and the confidants he led.

The Five Peaks Assembly.

First Peak, Go Yeon-hu of the Paegwon Unit, Eternal Overlord Devil Fist.

Second Peak, the Eyeless Sword, Wi Maeng-cheon.

Third Peak, Ho Jong-hyeok, grand unit leader of the Bu Myeol Unit, Five Hard Axes Annihilation.

Fourth Peak, Seo Hye-in, leader of the Choyeon Unit.

Fifth Peak, Jeo Mo-pal of Giant Rock Fist.

All of them were younger talents of great renown even within the Heaven and Earth Society.

Among them, the one recognized as outstanding above the rest was Go Yeon-hu of the First Peak, Eternal Overlord Devil Fist.

He was one of the Five Tigers, hailed as the greatest younger talent in the Heaven and Earth Society, and his father was Go Yeon-byeok, the Guardian Sect Master, one of the Three Sect Masters charged with all the Society’s defenses.

He brought all his confidants…no, only four?

Second Peak Wi Maeng-cheon was nowhere to be seen.

Though blind, he was famous because he possessed overwhelmingly great swordsmanship.

In any case, judging from the fact that he had brought his confidants along like that, their purpose seemed to be the same.

…The Annihilation Poison King.

To win Baek Sa-ha over.

But then she frowned with strong hostility.

Why is he acting like that?

The reason was that Jang Neung-ak was glaring with killing intent in his eyes at her and at Wu Ho-rang standing at her right.

She did not know it, but Jang Neung-ak had reason enough for it.

Could it be that bastard?

The man in his mid-thirties with the short beard at whom Jang Neung-ak was glaring.

He was none other than Wu Ho-rang, the eldest disciple of Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade, one of the Five Kings, and grand unit leader of the Jue Que Corps.

He was Wi So-yeon’s confidant and one of the Five Tigers, the greatest younger talents of the Heaven and Earth Society.

He had already reached the transcendent peak in his mid-twenties, and it would not have been an exaggeration to say his martial prowess had already reached the executive level.

Following behind him were Yang Il of the Misty Sea Sword House and Gi Ok-ryeon, first daughter of Nurturing Rock Valley Master Gi Hae, and they too were quite skilled as upper-tier younger talents.

But in Jang Neung-ak’s eyes, only Wu Ho-rang entered his sight.

If it was you who killed Maeng-cheon, then I too will cut off your head and soak that bitch Wi So-yeon’s bed in your blood.

Feeling such intense killing intent and hostility, Wu Ho-rang too grew more alert.

Unknowingly, his hand was about to move toward his blade,

“Keep your composure.”

“Ah.”

At Wi So-yeon’s low warning, he lowered his hand again.

If he rose to the provocation and trouble broke out here, the plan would go awry.

He was not the only one thinking that.

“My lord. First calm your excitement. We cannot yet say with certainty that he is the culprit, and if a disturbance is caused here, it will only bring offense to the Annihilation Poison King.”

“…Understood.”

At the advice of Go Yeon-hu of the First Peak, Jang Neung-ak nodded.

No matter how agitated he was, he was not without enough judgment to know at least that much.

As they were drawing closer like that, someone entered Jang Neung-ak’s sight.

“Ho. Mok Gyeong-un.”

It was none other than Mok Gyeong-un.

Just like him, Wi So-yeon too had been so preoccupied with watching Jang Neung-ak that only then did she discover Mok Gyeong-un near the entrance to the Annihilation Poison King’s estate.

Mok Gyeong-un?

Why had he come here?

He had not yet entered under anyone’s faction, after all.

While she was feeling puzzled, Jang Neung-ak waved at Mok Gyeong-un with a smiling face.

“Have you been doing well?”

At the sight of him speaking in a friendly way, Wi So-yeon frowned.

What is this?

I was sure things had not gone well then, so why is Elder Brother acting so favorably as though they are close?

Could it be that in the meantime he tried to recruit him again?

Feeling a trace of unease, she too greeted Mok Gyeong-un so as not to lose out.

“It has been a while. Have you been well?”

A while?

At Wi So-yeon’s greeting, this time Jang Neung-ak frowned.

And what is this supposed to mean now?

Could this woman have already made contact with this brat I had my eye on?

How dare she covet what is mine?

The thought made Jang Neung-ak’s anger begin to rise again.

Meanwhile Mok Gyeong-un lowered his head and greeted them with a cupped-fist salute.

“I, Mok Gyeong-un, disciple of the Shadow Sect Master, offer my greetings to Young Master Jang Neung-ak and Lady Wi So-yeon.”

“Good.”

“Very well.”

Because they ended up answering his greeting at the same time, the second disciple Jang Neung-ak and the third disciple Wi So-yeon found themselves, against their intentions, looking at each other.

At that, Wi So-yeon brought her hands together and bowed her head lightly in greeting.

“I greet Elder Brother.”

“Hm. You look very well.”

Unlike Wi So-yeon, who offered a polite greeting because she was in a position where she had to observe courtesy toward a superior, Jang Neung-ak was openly curt.

Since she was already used to such a manner from him, she did not particularly mind it.

“The same is true of Elder Brother as well.”

“What?”

Because he was already suspicious of her on account of the dead Wi Maeng-cheon, Jang Neung-ak’s tone rose slightly.

Worried about this, Go Yeon-hu of the First Peak quietly tried to stop him once more.

“My lord. Not here.”

-Creak!

At those words, Jang Neung-ak ground his teeth and shook his head.

Because the matter had happened only a few shijin earlier, it was hard for his anger to settle easily.

But for the greater cause, he had to endure it now.

So, turning his head away from Wi So-yeon as if he found even the sight of her detestable, Jang Neung-ak said to Mok Gyeong-un,

“You should still have much to do if you mean to earn trust. What brings you here?”

At that question, Wi So-yeon too looked at Mok Gyeong-un.

As it happened, she too had been curious about exactly that.

So Mok Gyeong-un pointed to the large wooden chest on the back of the guard warrior Seok-jung and answered,

“As you can see, I came by order of the Shadow Sect Master to deliver a first-birthday gift and pay my respects to Lord Baek Sa-ha, the Annihilation Poison King.”

“Ho. Is that so? Then we are here on the same business.”

“Ah. So you are.”

“But surely you have not found some other companion in the meantime?”

Jang Neung-ak openly shot a glare at Wi So-yeon once before asking Mok Gyeong-un.

It was no different from directly asking whether he had made contact with other successors rather than with him.

At that, Mok Gyeong-un smiled faintly and answered,

“How could that be?”

“…”

At that answer, Wi So-yeon lightly frowned.

Had Mok Gyeong-un’s heart somehow inclined not toward her but toward Jang Neung-ak?

If that was so, it would become rather troublesome.

The Shadow Sect, which controlled intelligence, was also quite important.

At that moment, Jang Neung-ak, wearing a triumphant expression as if he had won, shot a look at Wi So-yeon and said,

“Good. Good. I have high expectations of you.”

-Clench!

Strength entered Wi So-yeon’s hand.

Normally she was not the sort to rise to such childish provocations or contests of nerves.

However, it was hard to tolerate the rival striving for the position of Society Leader trying to snatch away something she herself was aiming for in this way.

So she said,

“Mok Gyeong-un.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“You are still keeping well the plaque I gave you, are you not?”

What she had originally had no intention of revealing, she now revealed.

At those words, the expression of Jang Neung-ak, who had been looking triumphant until just a moment before, instantly hardened into something fierce.

A plaque? What in the world is that supposed to mean right now?

A plaque?

He was not the only one to react to those words.

Wu Ho-rang, called Wi So-yeon’s right arm and eldest disciple of Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade, frowned and looked at Mok Gyeong-un as well.

Until now he had believed that he alone had received a plaque from her.

Yet now this pretty boy of a youngster had received one from the lady?

“Yes. I am keeping it well.”

This brat…

At that answer from Mok Gyeong-un, Jang Neung-ak felt his temper sour.

Just moments ago he had answered as if he had not drawn close to any other successor, and yet now he was saying he had received a plaque from that damned woman?

This was not something that could simply be let pass.

“You…”

Jang Neung-ak was just about to reveal his displeasure toward Mok Gyeong-un when,

“My lord. Should we not first take part in the feast and offer our congratulations to Lord Annihilation Poison King?”

“…”

At those words from Ho Jong-hyeok, grand unit leader of the Bu Myeol Unit and Third Peak, Jang Neung-ak closed his mouth.

That was right. This was not the place for this now.

It would not be too late even after first meeting the Annihilation Poison King and reaching an understanding.

If he missed today, the opportunity would vanish for a long time.

“…Let us speak a little later.”

At those words, Mok Gyeong-un gave a small nod of acknowledgment.

Then Jang Neung-ak snorted, turned his head sharply, and headed to the estate entrance ahead of everyone else.

At the sight of him like that, Mok Gyeong-un smiled as though it were nothing.

Then this time Wi So-yeon spoke.

“Did you not say you dislike conflict?”

“Yes. That is so.”

“Yet it seems your position has changed somewhat from then.”

“How could that be? My thinking has not changed at all.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Wi So-yeon stared at Mok Gyeong-un, then shook her head from side to side before saying,

“Very well. I will believe that. Still, not to Second Elder Brother. It was not to yield you to him that I let you go then.”

At those words, a crease formed between the brows of Wu Ho-rang, eldest disciple of Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade.

He found it irritating that she was so openly coveting Mok Gyeong-un.

However, unlike his junior Yeop Wi-seon, he possessed a certain maturity and calm, so he did not reveal his feelings.

“Another matter is more urgent for the moment, so let us speak later.”

With those words, she too hurried into the estate entrance.

If she did not hurry, Second Elder Brother Jang Neung-ak would steal the initiative.

Once they had gone in ahead, the guard warrior Seok-jung, perhaps because he had been so tense, stumbled as if his legs had gone weak.

-Tak!

Mok Gyeong-un caught his arm.

“Ah. You should be careful. It is a precious gift.”

“M-my apologies.”

Seok-jung clicked his tongue inwardly.

Mok Gyeong-un had only become the Shadow Sect Master’s disciple a short time ago, yet already two of the Society Leader’s successors coveted him and were openly engaging in a contest of nerves.

The person concerned was perfectly calm, while he himself felt like trembling instead.

Is he really unaffected?

Receiving the attention of those two was quite a burden.

The moment even one of them turned against him, it was certain trouble would arise.

Meanwhile Mok Gyeong-un said,

“Then shall we go in as well?”

“…Understood.”

I do not know.

In any case, what could a lowly man like me do?

It was easiest simply to do as ordered.

Just as they were about to enter through the estate gate,

“Stop.”

The warriors guarding the gate crossed their scabbards and blocked the way.

The atmosphere was markedly different from how they had just let Jang Neung-ak’s party and Wi So-yeon’s party pass without issue.

“For what business are you trying to enter?”

“Ah. I am Mok Gyeong-un, disciple of the Shadow Sect Master. As you can see, I have come by my master’s order to present a gift for the Baek Clan’s auspicious occasion.”

At those words, one of the warriors gave a cupped-fist salute to Mok Gyeong-un and said,

“So you are the Shadow Sect Master’s disciple.”

“Yes.”

“I am sorry, but the gift you brought should be left here…”

The warrior pointed to the paper on the table set just inside the gate and continued,

“If you write the names of the Shadow Sect Master and the disciple here in the visitor record, you may go.”

“Pardon?”

Mok Gyeong-un tilted his head.

Did that not mean simply leave the gift here and go back?

So Mok Gyeong-un scratched his head as if troubled and said,

“It would be a little awkward to simply leave the gift and go.”

“Though today is indeed an auspicious day for the Baek Clan, it is still within the three-year mourning period, so Lord Annihilation Poison King has ordered that, apart from relatives and a few selected individuals, most guests are to be asked for their understanding.”

It seemed that among those selected individuals, even the Society Leader’s disciples were included.

To be blocked from the entrance like this.

“Ah. Is that so?”

“Then please simply return…”

“I am sorry, but it will be difficult for me to simply return as well.”

“Huh…are you making light of the words of Lord Annihilation Poison King?”

The warrior raised his voice and spoke in warning.

At that, Mok Gyeong-un shrugged and,

“How could I? Then I suppose I shall visit under a different capacity.”

“What? A different capacity?”

-Tak!

At that moment Mok Gyeong-un took something from inside his robe and placed it on the table.

!

The warrior’s eyes widened on seeing it.

They were none other than the three head plaques received from Corpse Blood Valley.

To see not one but three head plaques, of which obtaining even one was hard enough, it was only natural to be shocked.

Mok Gyeong-un smiled faintly at the speechless warrior and said,

“I intend to ask Lord Baek Sa-ha, the Annihilation Poison King, for instruction. Can that be refused as well?”