“A gift this perfect—I’ve never received one like it in my life.”
The Poison Demon’s demeanor had changed completely from earlier, like night and day.
The only ones allowed into the Poison Demon’s private room were me and Cho Ryang. I had already assigned separate tasks to Saweol and Tak Horak.
“I’m glad you liked it.”
“Even in the Martial World, it’s impossible to obtain such a rare creature. Just how did you tame it?”
The Poison Demon looked fondly at the One-Horned Blossom Serpent resting on the table. Ordinarily, a creature like that would bare its fangs and hiss aggressively when surrounded by humans. But this one remained calm and docile.
“It’s all thanks to him.”
I gestured to Cho Ryang, who stood beside me looking very tense.
“That child?”
“Yes. This is Cho Ryang. He possesses the ability to tame mystic beasts.”
“Impossible…”
At that moment, a green light shimmered in the Poison Demon’s eyes. Simultaneously, a massive green serpent appeared behind him as a projected image. Its vertically slit pupils radiated such dread that anyone making eye contact would feel their heart drop in terror.
[That’s his mental image.]
‘Seriously, every Transcendent Peak martial artist pulls out their mental image at the drop of a hat.’
Of course, the moment I sensed something, I had already drawn on the Heavenly Demon Divine Art to prepare myself.
“Whoa! So cool!”
Cho Ryang simply marveled at the sight of the snake. It was kind of hilarious—when we first met, he’d seemed like a hot-blooded teen. Now, he was just a full-blown animal lover who lost his mind at the sight of exotic beasts.
“He’s unaffected by a mental image and even possesses strange abilities… Could it be—”
“His Upper Dantian has awakened.”
At my words, the Poison Demon’s expression turned to shock.
“Even among Transcendent Peak experts, not everyone knows about the Upper Dantian. I must reevaluate you, Corps Master.”
“You flatter me.”
Of course, I had only just learned about it from Do Il-gwang not long ago. Thankfully, Cho Ryang had enough tact not to mention that.
“At any rate, if his Upper Dantian is open, that explains it. Then…”
The Poison Demon spoke in a subtle tone.
“Would you consider handing the boy over to me? If you agree to this condition, I’ll consider all previous tensions null and void.”
The desire to take in talented individuals as disciples was universal among martial artists. Just like Do Il-gwang, the Poison Demon wanted Cho Ryang.
“I’m afraid I can’t agree to that.”
“What?”
“This child has already pledged his loyalty to me.”
“Surely, a mutual agreement between the two parties could change that.”
“He swore that loyalty before the Supreme One. It’s not something that can be undone.”
“Gghh… This is why Cultists are so inflexible.”
It might sound blasphemous coming from a Cult member, but since the Poison Demon had extensive knowledge of the Martial World, he could say such things. In the Martial World, it was common for children to be sold off to martial sects.
“Then what shall we do?”
Just like that, the Poison Demon found himself on the losing side of the negotiation.
“First, I want to express my condolences about your disciple. It was a result of an unavoidable mission…”
“Forget about that guy. He had too much greed for his talent. Bound to die soon anyway. Let’s talk about something more constructive.”
For someone who’d been so hostile just minutes ago, he changed his tune quickly. But that just showed how remarkable Cho Ryang’s ability was.
“Very well, I’ll get straight to the point.”
I presented several proposals. After listening to them, the Poison Demon frowned and asked,
“May I take your pulse for a moment?”
“I’m not injured.”
“It’s just that your ideas are so insane, I wondered if you might be sick. Are you seriously suggesting these things?”
I nodded firmly.
“Yes. I’m serious.”
“Well, there’s no loss on my end, so I don’t mind… Your family is quite entertaining.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
“However, I do have one condition. I don’t mind if the boy visits once a month to tame my poisonous beasts, but…”
The Poison Demon pointed at Cho Ryang.
“Even if he becomes a retainer of the Sado Family later, I must at least register him as my formal disciple. If that’s settled, I have no objections.”
[He’s trying a cheap trick.]
Skybreaker murmured. I agreed.
Named disciple.
A “named disciple” was someone who bore the title of a disciple but didn’t necessarily learn martial arts directly from their master. It was just a formal label.
[Given Cho Ryang’s ability, it won’t be long before he rises in prominence. The Poison Demon’s just laying claim early to bask in the credit later.]
I relayed everything to Cho Ryang through internal voice transmission. Then—
“That’s fine with me!”
“Oh?”
The Poison Demon raised an intrigued brow.
Cho Ryang stepped forward and responded directly.
“If I’m the Poison Demon’s disciple, no one will dare look down on me, right?”
“Hmph! Of course! Who dares insult a disciple of mine? I’ll reduce them to a puddle of blood in an instant!”
“But… if I’m going to handle poisonous creatures, I can’t risk being poisoned. Even if they listen to me, their venom might affect me…”
“Kahahah! Don’t worry about that! I’ll teach you poison arts myself. Even just the basics of my own poison cultivation will completely shield you from toxins! But you’d better be diligent, no laziness!”
The Poison Demon laughed heartily. Cho Ryang winked discreetly at me.
‘That’s the survival instinct of someone raised in hardship, huh?’
With just a few words, he had secured the Poison Demon’s personal poison arts. Of course, the Poison Demon probably knew Cho Ryang was scheming a bit—but he didn’t mind. In fact, that cleverness seemed to please him.
“Very good. Then let me offer you another gift, as a gesture of goodwill.”
The Poison Demon brought out a large chest.
“This is…”
“Demon Spirit Pills. Each one grants five years' worth of internal energy. There are 120 pills in total—just the right number for the Black Shadow Corps.”
While the Black Shadow Corps had high martial standards, their short history meant they suffered in some areas—namely, that their internal energy levels were still low.
“They won’t do much for me, but…”
Even someone like Saweol would benefit massively from five years of internal energy. It would double her ability to use powerful techniques like Steel Energy Art.
“I’ll accept them with gratitude. Then, about the Black Crow Fan…”
“Who cares about such trivial things? If the Supreme One hasn’t forbidden it, you can use it freely.”
“Thank you.”
I bowed with the traditional pogon martial salute. The Poison Demon widened his eyes in surprise, then burst into laughter and returned the salute.
That gesture wasn’t a Cultist’s greeting, but one from the Martial World.
“You’re more likable than I thought, Corps Master. I look forward to seeing what you do.”
***
“We should’ve heard something by now.”
Sado Family’s Clan Head, Sado Muyeol, paced his room with a nervous expression.
Watching him, the First Elder sipped his tea.
“Compose yourself, Clan Head.”
“How can I? We should’ve gotten word long ago, but nothing’s come.”
“Even if you fidget like a dog needing to relieve itself, what will be will be. The arrow’s already been loosed. All we can do now is wait.”
Though the First Elder spoke calmly, he was just as anxious inside.
‘Knowing the Poison Demon’s personality, if something had gone wrong, we’d have heard by now.’
They had set this trap because they understood how temperamental he was.
Even the spies they had planted had gone silent.
‘Did he use the Black Shadow Corps to handle everything…? Impressive preparation.’
Still, the Poison Demon was a different matter entirely.
“We should prepare for the worst, Clan Head.”
“The worst?”
“If there’s still no word, that may mean he survived the Poison Demon’s test.”
“Impossible! Not all Transcendent Peaks are equal!”
“He may be stronger than we thought. But even so, he must’ve taken some kind of critical damage.”
“Then…”
Sado Muyeol and the First Elder spoke in unison.
“It’s the perfect time to strike.”
Even a Transcendent Peak expert couldn’t use their full power while poisoned. If they gathered the family’s martial artists, they’d have a real shot.
“He may be strong, but he’s a festering wound. If we don’t cut it out, it’ll rot the whole body.”
“A rare moment of sense, First Elder.”
Of course, it was nonsense.
It was Sado Gwang who had elevated the Sado Family to one of the Six Demon Families, and Sado Hwan, as a Transcendent Peak expert, had kept them there. Without him, they’d lose their seat entirely.
But blinded by power, they cared more about short-term gain than long-term survival.
“Each Elder will dispatch two martial units.”
“Then I’ll send Muyeong-do and our other top fighters.”
“I assume you won’t do something foolish like holding back forces ‘just in case.’ Defeating Sado Hwan comes first.”
“Exactly. I’m even sending my strongest, Muyeong-do.”
With that, Sado Muyeol and the First Elder summoned their forces—waiting for Sado Hwan’s return.
And soon after—
“Sado Hwan has returned! He’s been sighted approaching the main compound!”
“Really? What condition is he in?”
“Apparently… he urgently requested a palanquin. He’s arriving in one right now.”
“Is that so? Hahahaha!”
Sado Muyeol and the First Elder burst into laughter.
“A Transcendent Peak expert riding in a palanquin?”
“For someone who loves showing off to ride in a palanquin—he must have suffered serious damage. Everyone, listen up!”
Sado Muyeol shouted. Outside the Clan Head’s hall, the grounds were packed with martial artists—over three hundred in total. Among them were more than sixty Peak-level experts, essentially all that the Clan Head and Elders could mobilize.
“If he tries to return to the Black Shadow Hall, intercept him and bring him here. And…”
He trailed off, but everyone knew what he meant.
“He was wounded by the Poison Demon. Whoever lands the killing blow shall be gifted his sword!”
At that, the martial artists’ eyes gleamed with greed.
Everyone had heard of Sado Hwan’s sword. It was famous, especially after he had clashed with the Clan Head’s faction before.
And then—
The Sixth Elder entered the hall.
“Sado Hwan is here! He’s coming directly to the Clan Head’s residence!”
“Everyone, prepare yourselves!”
A palanquin carrying Sado Hwan arrived at the courtyard.
Sado Muyeol unsheathed his sword and proclaimed boldly:
“Sado Hwan! You’ve inflicted irreparable harm upon this family for your selfish ambitions! Therefore, I, Sado Muyeol, Clan Head of the Sado Family, along with the Elders’ Council, hereby strip you of your title. Come down from that palanquin and accept your punishment!”
As his long-winded speech ended—
Creeeak—
The door of the palanquin slid open.
And then—
“Quite the grand welcome.”
Of course, Sado Hwan stepped out in perfect condition.
“H-how…?!”
“You said I harmed the family?”
Sado Hwan’s eyes were terrifyingly cold as he swept his gaze across the crowd.
Hundreds against one.
But the pressure he exuded crushed them all.
“At the Poison Demon’s banquet, he made a declaration. As punishment for the Clan Head and Elders’ attempt to manipulate him, the Sado Family shall forever be denied any elixirs or treatment from him. Tell me—who has harmed the family?”
Murmurs spread through the martial artists.
The Cult was a den of battle fanatics. Naturally, they were sensitive to medicine and healing.
To lose access to the Poison Demon’s treatments—equal in quality to those of the Demon Medical Hall—was a catastrophic loss.
“You fools.”
“Until now, I’ve respected you as elders. But…”
Sado Hwan drew his sword. A jet-black blade, one that seemed to absorb all light, floated into the air.
“That’s sword flight!”
“Transcendent Peak!”
The sword pointed straight at Sado Muyeol.
“Sado Muyeol, Clan Head of the Sado Family, and all members of the Elders’ Council—your actions have inflicted irreversible damage upon our house. As the rightful Young Lord, I can no longer overlook this. Therefore, I declare—”
As sword energy surged from Skybreaker—
Kuwaaaaang!
A tremendous pressure shook the entire hall. The walls groaned as if about to collapse.
“From now on—I am the Clan Head of the Sado Family.”