Chapter 55 – Gu Poison

Chapter 55 – Gu Poison

"Do you wish for your arrogant tongue to be severed?"

A cool chill was felt from his neck where the tip of the blade touched.

However, even with the sharp threat, the slightly dilated pupils, faintly stained fingernails, and faint trace of poison could not be hidden. It was certain. Tae Ju-ha was dying. The cause was still unknown, but if it was poison, there would be a way.

San-ho, who found a breakthrough, looked straight into Tae Ju-ha's eyes and spoke.

"I can help you, Chief Stronghold Leader."

"Now that I look, it is not arrogance but madness. What makes a wretch like you dare to help me?"

"First, let me introduce myself again."

"Huh?"

"I am Tang San-ho of the Tang Clan."

"……!!"

Tae Ju-ha asked, widening his eyes. No wonder the energy he exuded was not ordinary; was he a member of a prestigious family?

"The Tang Clan? Does that mean you came from Sichuan?"

"Yes. If it is poison, I will surely have a way."

"Ho… In all my life, I never thought I would see a poison-monger of Sichuan wearing the martial robes of the River Fort."

Tae Ju-ha, who scanned San-ho up and down, clicked his tongue and said.

"Tsk, child. Do you think I do not know the insidious schemes of the orthodox faction bastards? I have no intention of listening to your nonsense any longer."

A fierce murderous intent suddenly erupted from Tae Ju-ha. A stream of fresh blood trickled down from his neck, where the sharp tip of the blade touched.

San-ho calmly took something out from his bosom and held it out to Tae Ju-ha.

"You do not have to believe me. But you will be able to believe this."

It was a sword ornament woven with blue thread. Recognizing it at a glance, Tae Ju-ha asked in a low voice.

"This is… the token of the Flowing Cloud Sword, is it not? How do you possess this?"

"My master gave it to me."

"What?"

Tae Ju-ha, frowning, hesitated for a moment.

"The Flowing Cloud Sword took a disciple, you mean? No, before that, is that man alive?"

"He is in good health. It seems he will be fine for at least another fifty years."

"Ho…"

Letting out a brief sigh, he stroked his chin.

"And how am I to believe that?"

"He said if you cannot believe it, you can come to Drunken Lotus Pavilion to check."

"Drunken Lotus Pavilion? You mean the number one tavern in the Central Plains? Why there…"

Tae Ju-ha suddenly stopped talking.

"Wait. The establishment of Drunken Lotus Pavilion… Should the Flowing Cloud Sword be the owner of Drunken Lotus Pavilion?"

"Yes. He sent Blue Moon Liquor along as a gift."

"Puhahaha! I am learning something interesting on my final journey. To think the Flowing Cloud Sword is alive. And as the owner of a tavern?"

Tae Ju-ha withdrew his sword and laughed for a long time. Blue Moon Liquor was a famous liquor known to be brewed directly by the owner of Drunken Lotus Pavilion, and it was known that no matter how much money one had, one could not even taste it without a connection.

"Indeed. It seems you did not truly come to kill me. Out of respect for the Flowing Cloud Sword, I will spare your life this once. Hand over the Blue Moon Liquor and get lost."

"Why did you not show this to a physician?"

San-ho, who had barely escaped the sharp threat, asked as he stroked his neck.

Tae Ju-ha shook his head at the sight of him refusing to leave despite being spared.

"You are not ordinarily stubborn either."

"……"

"Because the situation would not change even if I showed it. That is why I am trying to clean up Moon-Dominating Stronghold before it worsens. Does that answer your question?"

Tae Ju-ha, who had been contemplating for a moment, suddenly held out his forearm.

"Would you like to take my pulse?"

***

San-ho slowly sent his internal energy into Tae Ju-ha's body.

Originally, infusing internal energy into another person's body was one of the most dangerous actions. This was because, depending on the caster's intention, they could inflict internal injuries or twist the qi pathways at will. Therefore, it was common sense not to easily permit this even to the closest of people, but Tae Ju-ha allowed that dangerous act to San-ho, whom he had met for the first time.

Was it because he was the disciple of the Flowing Cloud Sword, or because of his insistence on helping despite being spared? Or was it because of those eyes filled with confidence?

He had decided to trust another person one last time.

Soon, a gentle energy began to flow through the qi pathways and along the acupoints of Tae Ju-ha.

Without any need to resist, Tae Ju-ha felt his mind and body relax as the warm energy spread throughout his body. It was a gentle energy, enough to make him briefly forget the pain that felt like his internal organs were being sliced.

San-ho closed his eyes and quietly focused his attention.

Had about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea passed?

'Something is strange.'

San-ho, who slowly withdrew his internal energy, tilted his head.

'The symptoms are indeed those of poisoning… but I cannot feel the poison used. What on earth is it?'

Moreover, there was a strange energy that was felt extremely minutely. He definitely knew it. Definitely…

San-ho, who was contemplating for a moment, suddenly met his gaze. No wonder it felt familiar.

"……Gu Poison."

Tae Ju-ha let out a dry breath and raised one corner of his mouth.

Gu poison is a parasite also called Mugo. It parasitizes the subject's body, absorbing their vital energy or gnawing at their internal organs, and its effects are diverse, such as causing pain to slowly lead to death.

"Without a doubt, you are a poison-monger of Sichuan. I did not expect you to find out what even the physicians could not."

Since Gu poison grows by feeding on the subject's internal energy and shapes its body with almost identical energy, it cannot be detected through pulse-taking.

However, Gu poison is also a living thing. Although it was so faint that even physicians found it difficult to detect, it was bound to have its own unique energy. San-ho, who had frequently encountered Gu poison in the Ten Thousand Poisons Hall, remembered that strange energy.

"How did you end up taking in Gu poison?"

"Mmm…"

"……"

"Let's just say trusting another person was a blunder."

Tae Ju-ha, who smiled bitterly, continued.

"Do you understand now? Why I said it was useless to show it to a physician."

Since Gu poison is not an ordinary bug, it is impossible to remove. Since it was clinging to the subject's organs, trying to remove it by force would only lead straight to death. Ultimately, Tae Ju-ha was destined to either meet his death with the Gu poison or live as a puppet while taking the antidote for the rest of his life.

"………"

San-ho, who was lost in deep thought, suddenly opened his mouth.

"The Gu poison. I can get rid of it."

"Ha. I thought you were clever, but do you not know what Gu poison is? It can never end until I die."

"I know. But I have a good method."

"Are you mocking me? Do you think I cannot kill you? I will only spare you once, so do not test your luck."

"Then will you just give up without trying anything? Even though you were lucky enough to meet me."

Tae Ju-ha was dumbfounded by San-ho's extremely confident attitude.

Why is Gu poison evil? It is evil because it can never be removed until the subject dies. But how could it be eliminated? Because it could not be removed, there were already countless people in the Jianghu playing the role of puppets.

'However, for him to walk into a death trap on his own feet and say such a thing… there must be a reason.'

Tae Ju-ha looked straight at San-ho.

If by some chance this statement was true. If there really was a way. Perhaps…

He tried not to expect anything in the end, but a small sliver of hope arose nonetheless. Before long, Tae Ju-ha made up his mind and said resolutely.

"You are saying you can save me."

"Yes. But…"

"……?"

Why is "but" coming out of nowhere?

"It is not free."

Tae Ju-ha only blinked his eyes in the bewilderment that surged like a tidal wave.

He said he would save him so confidently and that there was a good way, but it was conditional? What kind of extraordinary fellow is this?

"I have a condition."

"…Speak."

"Do you know about the Borrowing Flowers to Offer to Buddha?"

"How do you know that?"

Tae Ju-ha muttered in a low voice, his face distorting in an instant.

"Should it be… were you the one who stole the book?"

"No. I only happened to see it by chance. In Ghost Sword Valley, that…"

Just as San-ho was about to explain the origin of the book, Tae Ju-ha waved his hand as if it was unnecessary and cut him off.

"Ha, forget it. It is nothing more than a fabricated story anyway, so what does it matter now?"

"…What?"

He had clearly seen with his own eyes the flower swaying like a creature with reason. A fabricated story?

"I mean the Borrowing Flowers to Offer to Buddha. There is no way such a flower could exist in the world. Besides, the side effects are severe, so even if it exists, it is useless."

"Side effects…?"

"Yes. If you absorb the energy of the Borrowing Flowers to Offer to Buddha that parasitized a martial artist, you can extort their internal energy. But how could a human body be so convenient? Unable to handle the suddenly increased internal energy, the acupoints of the entire body would end up ruined."

"………"

Wow… Shouldn't that kind of precaution be written on the very first page? San-ho, who broke into a cold sweat for a moment, said.

"Do you happen to know who wrote that book?"

"Why are you asking me that?"

"Actually, when I found the book, I saw the three characters of the Fist Demon's name written on the back."

"Ho. Surely you did not board the Red Dragon Ship in this state of affairs just because of that."

"………"

It seemed he was right.

As San-ho wore an embarrassed expression, Tae Ju-ha, who found it absurd, let out a short sigh and said.

"…Follow me. I will show you my library."

After passing through three or four doors following Tae Ju-ha, a small library revealed itself. The books neatly arranged in the bookshelves looked diverse in variety and precious at a glance, and every single one had the three characters of Tae Ju-ha's name written on the back in the same handwriting.

"Collecting strange and miraculous stories of the world is my pleasure. When floating leisurely on the Yangtze River, there is no entertainment quite like it."

The leader of the water bandits has a hobby of collecting books. The Jianghu is truly unpredictable.

'However, this might be an opportunity for me. Since they are books collected without distinguishing between orthodox and unorthodox, I Should look through here.'

San-ho, scanning the library with his eyes, said.

"If I eliminate the Gu poison, please allow me to read the books in this library. That is my condition."

"Ho…"

He did not ask for the precious books, nor did he want massive wealth or spiritual medicine. Simply being allowed to read them was the condition San-ho presented. Tae Ju-ha dismissed his doubts and readily nodded.

"Well, do as you please. But how do you plan to eliminate the Gu poison?"

"Do you know the saying, 'using poison to control poison'?"

An out-of-the-blue question popped out of San-ho's mouth. At the question that could not be predicted even a step ahead, Tae Ju-ha slightly knit his brows.

"You mean fighting poison with poison?"

"That's right. Using that principle, we can eliminate the Gu."

"How?"

"Because the Gu survives on the condition of the subject's life. We just need to create an environment where the Gu cannot survive."

"…How?"

Somehow, he felt an ominous premonition at the words that followed. Tae Ju-ha's brows knit even closer.

"It is simple. You just have to die."

At the words spoken with a bright smile, he gasped in spite of himself.

"………"

I listened to a crazy bastard for nothing.

This is the first time I have seen an assassin recite a murder plan so confidently.

Tae Ju-ha naturally placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"No, you have to listen to me till the end!"

"Listen to what! Are you not saying you will kill me right now!"

"That is true! It is true, but!"

"Will you not let go of this! How dare you try to toy with me with your snake-like tongue?!"

At the rising murderous intent, San-ho hurriedly continued.

"I will bring you back to life!"

"How on earth can you bring a dead person back to life! Even the Divine Physician of Life and Death cannot do such a thing!"

"Because you won't actually be dead! Ah, seriously, calm down a bit!"

At the incomprehensible words, Tae Ju-ha hesitated for a moment.

"What?"

"I will make you temporarily look as if you are dead by using poison. Because once the subject's heart stops, the Gu poison will also die."

"Is that possible?"

"It is a tricky method, but it is possible. If we blend deadly poisons that neutralize each other's toxicity, your breath will stop for a moment, and after that, it will become a state where detoxification is possible."

"………"

Tae Ju-ha's mouth slowly drifted open at the explanation that followed.

To think that neutralizing Gu poison is possible. If this crazy method works, it means that injecting Gu for control by cruel organizations will become impossible. Recalling how the Demonic Sect used Blood Gu to control the Sect long ago, or how the Hao Sect secretly used Yin-Yang Gu when sending spies…

'The dynamic of the Jianghu would be more than overturned.'

It was truly an enormous matter. It meant that almost the only means of control in the Jianghu would disappear. Did this guy in front of him know that fact? How tremendous a statement he had just made.

"No divine physician would have been able to think of such a method."

"Strictly speaking, this is closer to poison arts than medicine."

"…Have you ever tried it?"

"No."

At the extremely confident statement, the spark in Tae Ju-ha's eyes vanished.

At that sight, San-ho tilted his head and asked.

"Do you not believe me?"

"Is that not obvious?"

"Still…"

San-ho, who had just calmly recited the plan to kill him, smiled brightly.

"You don't have any other option anyway."