Chapter 258: Dreaming Of Being Different From The Other Party (2)
Chapter 257 – Dreaming Of Being Different From The Other Party (2)
Mok Cheon-ak fell into deep thought with his brow deeply furrowed.
Everyone was looking at him.
Considering the situation, he should obviously return to the Alliance.
However…….
Mok Cheon-ak raised his head and looked at Namgung Cheon, who was grinning broadly.
That fellow who would not even be enough to chew and swallow.
His father had also caused more trouble than expected, but the son was not easy either. No, if anything, he was even worse.
‘To think that I must return to the Alliance leaving that fellow behind.’
He turned back to Tang Go-ryun with a complicated gaze.
Tang Go-ryun’s expression was calm.
‘The Tang Patriarch is someone whose inner thoughts are not easily known.’
Although they had talked first, it was not yet certain what his true intentions were.
If Namgung Cheon shared a secret conversation with the Tang Patriarch after he left this place, there was no telling what the outcome would be.
Still, he could not stay in the Tang Clan at this point when the Black Mist Coalition had seized all of the north.
Just then, Namgung Cheon suddenly asked.
“By the way, why did the Alliance Leader come to the Tang Clan?”
“That is… it is no big deal. Since the Black Mist Coalition is unusual, I came in the sense that the Tang Clan’s help will be needed in the future.”
“I see. Indeed, since the Alliance Leader is surely not a stray cat, that must be the reason.”
“You speak very interestingly.”
“Oh. Is that so? I am glad if you felt amused by my few words in this harsh world.”
“Indeed, it is interesting. However, be careful. In this Jianghu, a misunderstanding arises from a single empty joke, and lives go back and forth because of a private misunderstanding.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Namgung Cheon replied with his lips curled up.
Mok Cheon-ak nodded and looked back at Namgung Geom and Namgung Cheon.
“Then, would you two leave the room for a moment? Because I have an urgent matter to discuss with Patriarch Tang.”
At that, this time Namgung Cheon grinned and did not budge.
“What is the conversation about?”
“To discuss the grand affairs of the Jianghu with Patriarch Tang……”
“Then what does it matter? Let us talk together. If it is a grand affair of the Jianghu, wouldn’t a clever idea come out more if there are more heads?”
A completely opposite situation from last night.
Namgung Cheon crossed his arms and smiled faintly.
‘How is it? You old geezer! Do you know how I felt yesterday?’
Mok Cheon-ak frowned and advised in a rather stern tone.
“Young Patriarch. This is a conversation between adults. For you to cut in, it is still……”
“Ah, I see! Then I shall excuse myself. Grandfather, do finish your conversation and come.”
“I will do so.”
As Namgung Geom nodded, Mok Cheon-ak let out a hollow laugh and shook his head.
Somehow, it felt like Namgung Geom’s personality was resembling Namgung Cheon’s.
As things turned out this way, Tang Go-ryun also assumed an awkward expression and stopped Namgung Geom.
“Patriarch Namgung. I am truly sorry. It seems the Alliance Leader has an urgent matter to discuss with me alone, so would you give us a moment?”
It was a clear request to leave.
As Namgung Geom frowned as if genuinely offended, Tang Go-ryun offered a poor excuse.
“Because it is a matter where our clan’s secrets might be revealed.”
“Mmh. Are you sharing even the Tang Clan’s secrets with the Alliance? If so, can that really be called a secret?”
As Namgung Geom pushed sharply, this time Namgung Cheon added to it.
“Could there be a reason why our clan must absolutely not cut into the conversation between you two?”
“Hahaha. What kind of story would there be?”
“Well, we wouldn’t know that. Because even if one can know the depth of a thousand-fathom water, one cannot know the depth of a human mind.”
“It seems we have bought an unnecessary misunderstanding. No such thing will happen.”
Tang Go-ryun turned to the Alliance Leader as if seeking agreement.
Mok Cheon-ak spoke with a stiffened expression.
“Actually, our Alliance has set up an operation regarding the Black Mist Coalition. This is a secret matter, and it is a part where the Tang Clan’s cooperation is needed. So, although I am sorry, I would be grateful if you two would leave the room for a moment. As security is an important matter.”
At this point, Namgung Geom did not insist any longer.
“If that is indeed the case, we shall leave. Let us go, Cheon.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
Only after the two left the Patriarch’s Pavilion did Tang Go-ryun breathe a sigh of relief.
However, as if Mok Cheon-ak was still in a bad mood, he wore a cold expression.
“Namgung Cheon, that boy is a truly cunning fellow.”
“Mmh. Do you really think the Namgung Clan has joined hands with the Demonic Cult, Alliance Leader?”
“Could it be that Patriarch Tang also doubts me?”
“How could that be? It is just that I do not understand why the Demonic Cult chose the Namgung Clan of all places. Moreover, choosing the Namgung Clan to manufacture the Demonic God Pill……”
“Isn’t the Namgung Clan precisely the one that has nothing left now? Moreover, the Namgung Clan harbors some resentment toward the Alliance. It is the best prey for the Demonic Cult to aim for. However, that information reached the ears of the unorthodox martial artists, and that disaster occurred this time.”
“That is the analysis of the Heavenly Brain Hall.”
“Indeed.”
“I understand.”
“Therefore, the Demonic God Pill must never fall into their hands. Since that would mean the resurrection of the Demonic Cult. If the Demonic Cult resurrects, wouldn’t this Sichuan be the most dangerous place?”
Tang Go-ryun nodded heavily.
That was true.
Since the headquarters of the Demonic Cult was located near Tibet, whenever they appeared, Sichuan was always the first to fall into danger.
Of course, since there were outstanding sects like the Qingcheng Sect and the Emei Sect in Sichuan alone, they would not be easily defeated, but there was no harm in being careful.
“Since my situation is like this, I have no choice but to return to the Alliance, but please know that my trust in Patriarch Tang is great.”
“I understand, Alliance Leader.”
Tang Go-ryun replied while putting aside his heavy heart.
Even so, Mok Cheon-ak lingered for a moment as if about to say something, but stopped.
Steps that did not fall easily.
Would it feel like leaving a fish in front of a cat?
Still, as if anxious, Mok Cheon-ak grabbed Tang Go-ryun’s hand.
“I leave it in your hands, Patriarch Tang.”
“Do not worry.”
Tang Go-ryun nodded.
However, Mok Cheon-ak was thinking of something else in his heart.
‘Even so, I cannot leave while only trusting the Tang Patriarch. It is a good thing I prepared a backup plan.’
* * *
When the Alliance Leader returned to the Alliance the next day, Namgung Cheon was able to spend his time with a more relaxed mind.
Since the stray cat aiming for the fish had disappeared, he was relieved for now. He did not go to check the Poison Management Hall daily either.
He did not visit Tang Go-ryun to deliberately drive a wedge between him and the Alliance Leader.
Originally, food eaten in a hurry would cause indigestion.
It would be fine to act while watching for the right time.
Relatively leisurely days flowed like that.
During the day, he hung out open-mindedly with the Tang Clan martial artists, training and sparring together.
Under the circumstances where he was known as the Dragon of the Jianghu, Namgung Cheon was also highly popular among the Tang Clan martial artists.
However, since watching other sects’ training was an impolite act, he deliberately strolled around the provincial capital of Sichuan during formal training hours.
And when evening came, he surely strengthened the Azure Emerald Skill through qi meditation without fail.
Because to fully absorb the energy of the Demonic God Pill, the achievement of the Azure Emerald Skill was more important than anything else.
It was exactly when five days had passed like that.
Tang Go-ryun called Namgung Cheon and Namgung Geom to the Patriarch’s Pavilion.
When the two went, Tang Go-ryun was lost in thought, unable to erase his troubled expression.
“What is the matter?”
“A bit of a problem has arisen.”
“What kind of problem is it?”
“It seems it will be difficult to manufacture the Demonic God Pill at this rate.”
At the unexpected answer, Namgung Cheon and Namgung Geom looked at each other.
‘Have they already made and siphoned off the Demonic God Pill?’
Namgung Cheon stared blankly at Tang Go-ryun and asked.
“What is the reason?”
“It took a full three days just to analyze the spiritual pills that will be the ingredients in the Poison Management Hall. You also know that when it comes to medicine and poison, our clan is the first under heaven. However……”
“However?”
“There are ingredients that are mainly circulated only in the unorthodox paths or heretical cults, and since these are hard to find even in the Central Plains, our clan does not know them perfectly.”
“And?”
“Analyzing the spiritual pill you provided, there are two or three components included that our clan does not know well. The problem is the ratio and combination method of these components……”
“So it is hard to find out.”
Tang Go-ryun nodded.
Looking at his expression and tone, it did not seem like he was lying.
However, it was necessary to check if he was deliberately stalling for time.
Namgung Cheon let out a deep sigh and asked.
“I heard the Tang Clan is sweeping up all kinds of herbs under heaven. Then, don’t you know about those components to some extent?”
“It is as you say. The ones our clan has obtained so far are full of rare things. Tranquil Grass, Golden Orchid, Wuji Epiphyllum, Ice-Clear Rock Honey, Double-Headed Centipede Venom, Crane Spirit Grass… anyway, it is full of things whose names are hard to hear even once.”
“And?”
“Do you know what these have in common?”
“……?”
“They are natural. The ones the Tang Clan obtained are natural to the end. However, the ingredients you brought are artificially processed. Unless they are unorthodox martial artists as skilled in poison as the Tang Clan, or those Demonic Cult fellows……”
“Mmh. I see.”
Namgung Cheon nodded and fell into thought.
Looking at Tang Go-ryun’s attitude, this also did not seem like a lie.
“Is there absolutely no way?”
“If time and ingredients are given, we will make it eventually. However, the problem is that there are not many ingredients. At this rate, we might exhaust all the ingredients and fail to make the Demonic God Pill in the end.”
“That shouldn’t happen……”
“Is there no clever way?”
“Even if you ask me that……”
As Namgung Cheon expressed difficulty, Tang Go-ryun tilted his head in his mind.
‘Strange.’
What Tang Go-ryun said was all true. Trying to remake the Demonic God Pill by recombining ingredients that had already gone through human hands and been processed, it was difficult to clearly understand its characteristics and components.
However, notifying Namgung Cheon of this fact also included another intention.
To find out if the Namgung Clan had indeed joined hands with the Demonic Cult.
If the Namgung Clan had joined hands with the Demonic Cult, wouldn’t they drag in a demonic person somehow?
Tang Go-ryun adjusted his gaze and asked again.
“By any chance, is there anyone you know who has deep knowledge about spiritual pills made by sorcery?”
“Ayy, there is no such person.”
“Indeed?”
As Tang Go-ryun swallowed relief and regret at the same time, Namgung Cheon mumbled as if talking to himself.
“It seems the Thousand Poison Elder would know a bit.”
“The Thousand Poison Elder.”
A dismissive smile brushed Tang Go-ryun’s lips.
It was true that the Thousand Poison Elder was known to be knowledgeable about poison among the unorthodox martial artists.
However, he was not someone to be compared to the Tang Clan. Well, that Thousand Poison Elder would think otherwise, though.
‘Indeed, since the Thousand Poison Elder would have handled many poisons different from our clan, he might find a way.’
While Tang Go-ryun thought to himself, Namgung Cheon suddenly raised his head as if something occurred to him.
“Ah! A good idea occurred to me!”
“What is it?”
“Among the ingredients you just mentioned, isn’t there something about two heads?”
“Mmh? Two heads……?”
“Yes! That double head! Oh-something… what was it?”
“By any chance… are you talking about the Double-Headed Centipede Venom?”
“Ah, right! That! That! Is that the venom of a centipede with two heads? Is it extremely hard to get?”
“It is, but… what about it?”
“Because the Thousand Poison Elder desperately wanted to have that! If the Thousand Poison Elder still has not found that yet……”
“……?”
“Why don’t you spread a rumor that the Tang Clan has the Double-Headed Centipede Venom? If it is hard to find someone to cooperate, you can just make him come on his own feet.”
Tang Go-ryun asked with a bewildered expression.
“Would the Thousand Poison Elder really visit our clan for just that much?”
“That crazy old geezer definitely will. I know him well.”
At that, this time Namgung Geom and Tang Go-ryun frowned at the same time and uttered the same words.
“How do you know well?”
“How do you know well?”
“Uh… that is……”
Namgung Cheon scratched the back of his head and grinned.
“I learned about the Thousand Poison Elder from a book.”
“From a book……?”
“Yes. I picked up and read a book sold in the market, and there was such content. The title was… ‘Crazy Martial Artists of This Era’… or was it?”
“What kind of books do you read? Moreover, can that be trusted?”
“Still, since it is a win-win, why don’t you try it?”
At Namgung Cheon’s words, Namgung Geom and Tang Go-ryun stared at each other for a moment.
Of course, even until then, the two did not think this method proposed by Namgung Cheon would work so quickly.