Myst, Might, Mayhem (Novel) - Chapter 143 - Annihilation Poison King (3)

Chapter 143 – Annihilation Poison King (3)

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Translated by Jinmu

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Inside the estate of Baek Sa-ha, the Annihilation Poison King, one of the Five Kings.

This place, also called the Baek Clan estate, was crowded with members of the Baek Clan gathered for the first-birthday feast.

Even without receiving outside guests, there were still easily several dozen people just among the relatives.

In the garden, cooks were busily preparing food in a temporary outdoor kitchen for the feast, and the relatives sat at tables, raising cups and celebrating the first-birthday feast.

While the feast was in full swing, Lady Jang, the wife of Baek Sa-ha, rose from her seat at an urgent message and headed somewhere.

As she walked, Lady Jang clicked her tongue and said,

“They came after all.”

“Yes. Since we are in the three-year mourning period, today would have been the only proper pretext for coming.”

The man replying to her, who looked to be in his early thirties and had slanted eyes, was Baek So-gang, Baek Sa-ha’s second son and the Outer General Chief.

The reason they were moving places so hurriedly was because of these sudden guests.

“You said the second young master and the third young lady?”

“Yes. Each brought along their own confidants.”

“Huu. It seems they came resolved.”

“What can one do? They came because they want Father’s support.”

“That must be it.”

The current Heaven and Earth Society was growing ever fiercer in its succession struggle.

Because of the rumor that the Society Leader’s illness had grown worse, the movements of the successors had become all the more swift and keen.

In the midst of that, Baek Sa-ha, the Annihilation Poison King and head of the house, had not supported any of the Society Leader’s disciples.

That was why today they would try no matter what to hear a definite answer.

“This is truly troublesome.”

“Indeed it is. Still, was it not a problem that would come eventually anyway?”

“Even so, do you not know your father’s temperament?”

“That is…huu.”

Baek So-gang, the second son and Outer General Chief, let out a sigh.

As his mother had said, Father absolutely never took back words once he had spoken them.

That was why he was worried.

He feared some unnecessary incident might occur.

“Did you divide the rooms?”

At Lady Jang’s question, second son Baek So-gang nodded.

He had had no choice.

If they put the two successors in the same reception room from the start, there was no knowing what might happen.

At that, she said,

“When they arrive, put them together in one room.”

“Pardon? But if we do that…”

“If they are separated, it will become even harder to refuse them.”

“Ah…”

“Rather, when they are together, we must show them that we are choosing neither side. Only then will they withdraw obediently.”

“Your words are entirely correct, Mother.”

Second son Baek So-gang too nodded in agreement, having understood.

Just as they were about to pass beyond the hall of the detached building where the reception rooms were,

“Please wait a moment!”

At that moment, someone came running toward them in haste.

He was none other than one of the warriors guarding the estate entrance.

“Madam of the Great House.”

Lady Jang asked in puzzlement,

“What is it?”

“Th-that is, another guest has just arrived.”

“A guest? Had I not said that unless it was relatives or those arranged in advance, they were to be asked for their understanding and turned back?”

“Yes, that is true, but…”

If orders had already been given in advance, why had he come all the way here?

She shook her head from side to side and said,

“Then send him back.”

“Please look at this.”

With those words, the warrior guarding the estate entrance took something out from his robes.

It was none other than,

“No. That is?”

One of the head plaques from the gates of Corpse Blood Valley.

And not one, but three head plaques.

Knowing what that signified, lines formed between Lady Jang’s brows.

* * *

The Society Leader’s second disciple Jang Neung-ak and third disciple Wi So-yeon had ended up gathered in a single reception room.

And behind them sat each of their confidants.

“Huu.”

Jang Neung-ak let out a sigh as if annoyed.

Because he had entered the estate first, he had thought naturally that he would be able to meet Baek Sa-ha, the Annihilation Poison King, faster than Wi So-yeon.

Yet after making him wait in the reception room with difficulty, now they were calling them into the same room.

As a result, he was in a very foul mood.

Whether I should call it fortunate or not.

It was the same for Wi So-yeon in terms of feeling displeased.

Fortunately, it seemed she would be spared the outcome of Second Elder Brother meeting the Annihilation Poison King first, but if they faced him together like this, persuading him might become difficult.

That was because the situation might force them to hold one another in check, and if they openly tried to belittle one another, it might develop into full-scale conflict.

-Slide.

At that moment, the door opened and into the reception room, already heavily settled with tension, appeared a dignified middle-aged lady with graying hair who looked to be in her late fifties.

Seeing her, second disciple Jang Neung-ak and third disciple Wi So-yeon simultaneously rose and greeted her with cupped-fist salutes.

“We greet the Madam of the Great House of the Baek Clan.”

“Madam, it has been a long time.”

As disciples of the Society Leader, both already knew her by sight.

Out of respect for Lady Jang, wife of the Annihilation Poison King and matriarch of the Baek Clan, Wi So-yeon had even removed her bamboo hat and white face veil.

She struck first.

“Congratulations on your grandson’s first-birthday feast.”

This woman…

Jang Neung-ak frowned slightly, then immediately forced a smile and said,

“A truly joyous occasion.”

Ahhh.

At the congratulations from the two of them, Lady Jang clicked her tongue inwardly.

She could not understand how they could be offering congratulations while engaging in such a subtle contest of nerves.

It was all too plain to the eye how much they were conscious of one another.

Of course, since they were rivals, she understood it.

-Sshk.

“Thank you. For the two disciples of the Society Leader to come all the way to this humble place and congratulate the safe growth of my grandson, I can only feel deeply moved.”

“Of course it is something to congratulate. Yet where are Lord Annihilation Poison King and the young head of the house?”

Jang Neung-ak carefully asked as he looked at second son Baek So-gang, who stood at Lady Jang’s side as the Outer General Chief.

Of course, Lady Jang too was an elder of this house, but even so, successors who could one day become the Society Leader of the Heaven and Earth Society had come to visit, so it was strange that not even the young head of the house, who might be called the true protagonist of the first-birthday feast, had shown himself.

This answer was given by second son Baek So-gang.

“My apologies. As the first-birthday feast is under way and Elder Brother has to attend to the relatives, he could not extricate himself in time, so Mother and I came to receive you.”

“Ah. Is that so?”

“Yes. We ask for your understanding.”

“There is no reason to speak of understanding or not. Since we came in the middle of the feast, naturally you would be busy.”

Wi So-yeon said softly with a smile.

Not to be outdone, Jang Neung-ak added,

“Do not trouble yourselves. I am not so shameless a person as to take offense over that. Huhuhu.”

It was quite an amusing sight.

Jang Neung-ak’s arrogant attitude was already rather famous within the Heaven and Earth Society, yet here he was, trying to flatter them to this extent, almost enough to make one feel sorry for him.

It must mean he needs Father’s support that badly.

At that moment Jang Neung-ak pointed to the gift chest set down beside him and said,

“Since we have come this far, I would like, if only as a matter of courtesy after such a long time, to see Lord Annihilation Poison King in person.”

At the sight of Jang Neung-ak taking the lead, Wi So-yeon chimed in as if to answer him,

“It seems Elder Brother thought the same as I did. I too wanted to see Lord Annihilation Poison King in person after such a long time, offer my congratulations, and speak with him of this and that.”

At those words from her, Jang Neung-ak let out a faint breath.

He did not like that she kept inserting herself no matter what.

She seemed intent on obstructing what he meant to do, but did she think things would go so easily?

-Snap!

Jang Neung-ak opened his fan and fanned himself as he said,

“I do not see why you in particular need to remain here, Junior Sister. I will meet Lord Annihilation Poison King on your behalf, so why not return?”

“How could that be? This is a chance to see a man who is as an uncle to me after a long time. To leave without even seeing his face would rather be discourteous.”

“And why think it discourteous? I will explain things properly, so do not worry.”

“No. That will not be necessary.”

Wi So-yeon refused him outright.

Jang Neung-ak glared at her savagely.

Watching the two successors who were now openly showing hostility toward one another, Lady Jang clicked her tongue inwardly.

The very situation I feared may come to pass.

Apparently deciding this could not continue, Lady Jang finally moved to intervene.

“You two…”

At that moment, a voice came from outside the reception room.

“Madam of the Great House. The Shadow Sect Master’s disciple has arrived.”

!

Hearing this, both Jang Neung-ak and Wi So-yeon frowned at once.

What was that supposed to mean?

How did he?

That brat got in?

Both had naturally assumed Mok Gyeong-un would simply deliver the gift and return.

So they had no idea by what method he had managed to enter the estate.

Meanwhile Lady Jang brought both hands together and bowed lightly toward the two of them as she said,

“I am sorry, but would it be acceptable if I briefly summoned the Shadow Sect Master’s disciple here as well?”

“Mok…no, how is it that the Shadow Sect Master’s disciple…”

“I think I will have to ask the same understanding of him as of the two of you.”

“The same understanding?”

At those words from Lady Jang, neither Jang Neung-ak nor Wi So-yeon could hide their puzzlement.

Just what was she trying to say?

But they were the ones in the weaker position now, and since they had to make as favorable an impression as possible, it was difficult to refuse her request.

“…As you wish.”

“I too have no objection.”

Soon the door opened and Mok Gyeong-un appeared.

Mok Gyeong-un gave a cupped-fist salute to everyone present and lowered his head in greeting.

“I am Mok Gyeong-un, disciple of the Shadow Sect Master.”

…He is no ordinary beauty.

Seeing Mok Gyeong-un’s face, Lady Jang could not help but inwardly admire him.

It was the first time she had seen a man’s face that felt less handsome than beautiful.

But that lasted only a moment,

“So you are the Shadow Sect Master’s disciple. I am the wife of Lord Baek Sa-ha.”

“Ah. So you are the Madam of the Great House.”

Mok Gyeong-un again made a light nod of greeting with both hands together.

Lady Jang was just about to introduce Jang Neung-ak and Wi So-yeon, but Jang Neung-ak waved a hand and said,

“We have already exchanged greetings outside, Madam.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“Yes. I have already greeted both of them.”

At Mok Gyeong-un’s answer, Lady Jang pointed to an empty chair and said,

“Then sit.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Mok Gyeong-un went over there, glanced once at everyone present, and sat down.

Wi So-yeon was seated beside him, and

“How did you get in?”

She whispered softly to Mok Gyeong-un.

At her question, Mok Gyeong-un smiled faintly and answered,

“Because I had business to attend to.”

“That is not what I am asking…”

Before Wi So-yeon’s words could even finish,

Lady Jang bowed her head toward all the guests present with both hands together and said,

“I am sorry, but I believe I must ask the assembled guests for their understanding. As you know, my husband is presently observing the three-year mourning period. That is why all of us are still wearing mourning garments even now.”

Of course, there was no one present who did not know that.

She continued,

“Thank you for coming in this way. However, I do not think my husband is in a position to meet anyone right now.”

“…What exactly do you mean by that?”

Jang Neung-ak asked with narrowed eyes.

To that question, Lady Jang answered,

“Exactly what I said. My husband is living cut off from the outside world. That is why I am unavoidably asking for your understanding.”

“But are you not holding a first-birthday feast even now?”

“He did not even come out for the first-birthday feast.”

At those words from Lady Jang, both Jang Neung-ak and Wi So-yeon fell silent.

They had come here seizing on today as an opportunity, yet who would have expected that after entering the house itself, they would hear that they still could not meet him?

Even if he was one of the Five Kings, it was hard to understand that he would send away without even showing his face the very successors competing for the post of next Society Leader.

As both of them, their temper worsened by this unforeseen variable, hesitated and could not readily say they understood, Lady Jang said to Mok Gyeong-un,

“Likewise, this time the Shadow Sect Master’s disciple should simply withdr…”

“That will be difficult.”

!

A refusal that came before she had even finished speaking.

At those words from Mok Gyeong-un, Lady Jang frowned as she looked at him.

What kind of manner of speaking was this, when she, the wife of Baek Sa-ha, was asking so earnestly for understanding?

“I clearly said that I was asking for your understan…”

“I am sorry, but as I understand it, the privilege tied to three head plaques is set down in the Society’s rules, which means no one may refuse it.”

“…”

At those words, the Madam of the Great House bit her lower lip hard.

Mok Gyeong-un was exactly right.

A person holding three head plaques from the gates of Corpse Blood Valley could ask any executive whatsoever for instruction.

And that executive could not refuse it.

Because it was fixed by the Society’s rules, everyone had to accept it.

But the problem was that at present Baek Sa-ha, the Annihilation Poison King, was in no state to meet anyone at all.

That was why she had deliberately tried to ask for understanding in a tactful way before all present, including the Society Leader’s disciples.

She had thought that if she did so, Mok Gyeong-un would, at least from watching the others’ reaction, no longer insist on receiving instruction.

But that expectation had gone awry.

This child truly…

Was he lacking in tact? Or merely stubborn?

Whatever it was, this had become truly troublesome.

If she let only Mok Gyeong-un in as an exception on the grounds of the Society’s rules, what then would happen to the standing of the successors?

It was, literally, a deadlock.

In fact, both Jang Neung-ak and Wi So-yeon were intently watching to see what sort of answer she would give.

If she tried to let in only Mok Gyeong-un on the grounds of the Society’s rules, the atmosphere was such that they would surely object.

-Sshk.

At that moment, Baek So-gang, standing beside Lady Jang, tugged at her sleeve and shook his head.

At that, Lady Jang let out a long sigh.

There is no helping it.

She had meant to refuse and send them away at her own level, but that no longer seemed possible.

It might be better instead to let them experience it directly.

* * *

Everyone followed Lady Jang and second son Baek So-gang toward the innermost part of the estate.

Behind the main hall stood a shrine enshrining the ancestors, and beside it stood a small detached building.

When they arrived in front of it, second son Baek So-gang asked for their understanding.

“Please wait here a moment.”

Baek So-gang went inside the detached building.

Only after about half a gak had passed did he come back out.

But from his shoulders, a faint steam-like vapor was rising.

As they were wondering why that was,

-Sshk.

Baek So-gang bowed several times with a cupped-fist salute toward all of them and said,

“Thank you for waiting. I have spoken to my father about the young master, the young lady, and also the Shadow Sect Master’s disciple who has come to request instruction.”

“Will he meet us?”

Jang Neung-ak asked.

At that, Baek So-gang wore a troubled expression, then spoke.

“…He says he will meet you.”

“Oh! If that is so, then I will go in first…”

“However, there is a condition.”

“What?”

At Baek So-gang’s words, Jang Neung-ak’s voice rose slightly.

He was already in a foul mood because he thought they had tried to send them away even though they clearly could be met, all because of Mok Gyeong-un.

So now, to talk about conditions on top of that, even though he had come here seeking support, it was hard to hide his displeasure.

By contrast,

“May I ask what the condition is?”

Wi So-yeon asked calmly.

That was because she judged that in the current situation, the one in need had to bend.

At her question, Baek So-gang went back inside the detached building and brought something else out.

It was a small table, and atop it sat a teapot and several teacups.

“This is…”

“If you drink the tea I pour and can either neutralize it with your inner force or endure for more than one gak, then you may enter.”

!

At those words, none of them could hide their bewilderment.

What sort of meaning was this?

What was this supposed to mean, that if they drank the tea and could endure, they could go in?

Then Wi So-yeon furrowed her fine brows and said,

“Is what is inside the teapot poison?”

“That is correct.”

What?

At that answer from second son Baek So-gang, everyone stirred.

They had been wondering just what the condition for going in to meet him might be, and this was something no one had expected.

Who would have imagined someone would present them with a poisoned cup?

Jang Neung-ak said as if in utter disbelief,

“Are you making sport of us? To say that if we drink poison and endure, we may enter, what kind of…”

“My apologies. However, if you cannot do this, then going in may only bring you greater trouble.”

“Trouble?”

“Yes. My father, or rather the head of the house, said it was acceptable to explain this, so I will tell you. Right now the inside of this detached building is filled with poisonous aura.”

!

At those words, Jang Neung-ak frowned and looked at the detached building.

That inside was filled with poisonous aura?

To the puzzled man, Lady Jang, rather than second son Baek So-gang, spoke.

“That is why I asked for your understanding. I did so because I feared that going inside might instead bring you harm.”

“Ha…”

“Even within our own household, there are at most four people, including this child, who can enter. Because the inside of the detached building is filled with such strong poisonous aura that even members of the Baek Clan who trained in poison arts from childhood find it difficult to endure, I had no choice but to ask for your understanding.”

“…”

“Even so, do you still wish to go in?”

At those words, both Jang Neung-ak and Wi So-yeon hesitated for a moment.

They could not know why the inside was filled with poisonous aura or why Baek Sa-ha, the Annihilation Poison King, was not coming out of there.

But from the way things were being said, if they did not go inside, it seemed there would be no chance to meet him.

…Poison.

The issue, however, was poison.

Judging from what Lady Jang and second son Baek So-gang were saying, it did not seem to be ordinary poisonous aura.

It was a truly absurd situation.

Did they really have to go this far just to meet the Annihilation Poison King?

Damn it.

Jang Neung-ak shook his head from side to side.

His irritation surged, but in the present situation there was no helping it.

If he obtained the support of the Annihilation Poison King, he could decisively push Wi So-yeon out of the competition, and furthermore come to contend to some degree with his eldest martial brother.

No matter how unpleasant and distasteful it was, there was no reason to hesitate.

The only concern was,

The poison of the Baek Clan.

He knew that the poison arts of the Baek Clan, led by Baek Sa-ha, the Annihilation Poison King, were counted among the top three in the Central Plains.

He had heard that it was a vicious poison art so terrible that without being from the Sichuan Tang Clan or the Guyang Clan of the Western Regions, detoxifying it was far from easy, so he wondered whether it would really be possible to withstand it.

To endure for one gak…

If he did not from the outset protect his five viscera and six bowels with inner force, it might prove difficult.

Jang Neung-ak glanced sideways at Wi So-yeon.

She too appeared to be hesitating with the same concern in mind.

Huu.

Right.

Since the conditions were equal for all, the answer was to step forward first.

That way he could at least preserve a certain amount of face.

Just as the resolved Jang Neung-ak was about to step forward,

-Pour.

!

At that moment he saw someone already filling a cup first.

It was none other than Mok Gyeong-un.

He had not expected him to step forward first so suddenly.

At that, second son Baek So-gang said with a somewhat worried expression,

“Are you really certain you are fine with this?”

This poison was no ordinary poison.

It was made by condensing the poisonous aura that filled the detached building and mixing it into water, to a degree that even experts in poison arts would find difficult to endure.

He seems to have only shallow internal power, so if he drinks it and some trouble occurs before it can be neutralized…

That was Baek So-gang’s concern.

To his qi-sense, what he felt from Mok Gyeong-un was at most only the level of someone at the entrance to the peak realm.

With this level of internal power, the chances were high that he would fail to endure the poison and meet with disgrace.

Thus Baek So-gang tried to dissuade him in a whispering voice.

“Young Master Mok. I will speak frankly. Do not overdo it. With your present level of internal power…”

-Gulp!

At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un emptied the cup in a single draught.

This is bad.

Baek So-gang’s expression turned flustered.

He had meant to give him time to raise his inner force sufficiently, yet he had simply swallowed in one go that poisonous tea, nearly equal to an extreme poison.

But what he said next was even more astonishing.

“It is rather sweet.”