Episode 15: Why Was Osa Killed?
The temperature dropped day by day, and soon snow began to fall.
Poison Master was tidying up his apothecary. He was deciding what to keep and what to discard, all the while pondering how to keep Won Seung uninvolved.
“Take this with you.”
Poison Master handed over some precious herbs and poisons to Won Seung.
Won Seung watched with a heavy heart as Poison Master organized his things. Though he didn’t show it, he sensed that Poison Master had made a grave decision. However, he didn’t realize it was for his own sake.
If he had known, Won Seung would have stopped him at all costs. He would rather become a Ten Perfections than watch his master die.
So, Poison Master didn’t reveal his plan. Instead, he spoke casually about martial arts and poison techniques, as he usually did.
After spending half a month sorting out his affairs, Poison Master woke up early, dressed neatly, and called for Won Seung.
In Poison Master’s hand was a small dagger. The blade, sheathed in a leather scabbard, was about the size of a palm.
“There aren’t many weapons I can leave you. Take this dagger. The handle is hollow, so it’s useful for carrying poison.”
Won Seung accepted the dagger.
The two sat facing each other, sipping tea while gazing at the snow-covered garden. After finishing their tea, Poison Master spoke.
“Now, head down to the lower dormitory.”
Won Seung knew this would be the last time he saw Poison Master.
“Where are you going? I should know if I want to find you later.”
“You’ll find out in due time. There’s no rush.”
With those words, Won Seung silently bowed and packed his belongings to head to the lower dormitory. He didn’t forget to take the poison bottles and a few other poisons he had prepared.
Poison Master picked up the bundle he had prepared and, leaning on his staff, set out.
As Won Seung paused on his way to the dormitory and looked back, he saw a lonely sight. An old man struggling down the snow-covered path.
‘What did the old man pack to make that bundle so heavy?’
Won Seung felt the bundle on Poison Master’s shoulder was unbearably heavy. Just as he considered going to help, Poison Master looked back and waved him off.
It was a gesture to hurry along.
“Take care. I’ll definitely come find you.”
Won Seung murmured as he turned away.
*
While Won Seung was unpacking his belongings with a heavy heart in the lower dormitory, Poison Master was seated in Instructor Jang’s office.
The wooden buildings had their shutters closed against the winter cold, making the interiors dark. However, Instructor Jang’s office was brightly lit by lamps on the walls and a thick candle on the table.
“The winter chill in the mountains is too much for this old man to bear. I’m thinking of leaving today.”
Instructor Jang was already aware of Poison Master’s recent activities. He had also prepared for this day.
“Have you forgotten the agreement with the main sect? I believe you were supposed to seek permission from the main sect before leaving. Moreover, there’s still some of the advanced poison technique course left, isn’t there?”
The sudden halt in lessons left a bit of the advanced poison course unfinished. Poison Master chuckled.
“I’ve prepared for that. I’ve instructed Number Fifty on what to teach for the remaining half-year. Number Fifty will take over.”
Instructor Jang gave a peculiar smile.
“Number Fifty is sure to become a Ten Perfections. He’s already a master of poison before even leaving the training center.”
“He served me diligently, so it’s only right.”
The two exchanged veiled words.
“As you know, there’s not much to offer in the mountains, but a good tea has come in, so have a cup before you go.”
“Ha, do you dare drink tea with me?”
“Why would a senior use poison on this junior?”
Instructor Jang personally prepared the tea.
As he handed over the teacup, Instructor Jang asked directly.
“I can’t fathom what wrong I’ve done to you to be in such a dire situation.”
There was a mix of determination and malice in Instructor Jang’s eyes.
Poison Master calmly took a sip of tea.
“There are many reasons for a person to die. How many in the martial world truly know why they’re dying?”
Instructor Jang steeled his resolve. Poison Master was indeed planning to kill him. Instructor Jang sighed deeply.
“That’s why they say one can’t die with their eyes closed. But I can’t accept that. I need to know why I’m dying.”
Poison Master glared at Instructor Jang.
“Why did you kill Osa?”
Osa was the poison apprentice who served Poison Master before Won Seung.
Before coming here, Poison Master taught poison at the fourth assassin training center, where he took Osa as his apprentice. He brought Osa along when he moved to the fifth training center.
One day, Osa mistakenly consumed poison and died.
Instructor Jang laughed heartily.
“Is it really because of Osa? You and I both know he wasn’t fit to be your successor.”
Instructor Jang neither admitted nor denied killing Osa. Poison Master sighed deeply.
“He may have been lacking, but he served me with all his heart. As I was leaving the mountains, his death weighed on my mind.”
“I can’t understand why you’re asking me about Osa’s death.”
Poison Master narrowed his eyes. His cold gaze seemed to pierce Instructor Jang.
“When I heard you wanted to raise Number Fifty as a Ten Perfections, I knew immediately. You wanted me to take in Number Fifty and teach him poison techniques. That’s why you tempted and killed Osa.”
Instructor Jang didn’t deny it and changed the subject.
“Number Fifty is indeed smarter than Osa. Hasn’t he served you well? Moreover, he’s inherited your progress, so he might become famous for his poison skills.”
“Hmph! Do you think I played into your hands? No matter how clever Number Fifty is, he’ll become your pawn. Do you think I truly taught him properly? With his skills, he couldn’t even handle a servant from the Tang family.”
Instructor Jang frowned, took a sip from his teacup, and spoke.
“You saved Number Fifty from death and even gave him a pill to gain twenty years of internal power. Do you think I believe that? You must have taught him properly. That’s why you entrusted him with your duties.”
“That was just a reward for his sincere service. I am clear about my debts and grudges. That’s why you must die.”
Poison Master chuckled.
“Is that so?”
Instructor Jang put down his teacup and stretched his back.
A fox bared its teeth before an old tiger.
“So how do you plan to kill me? Surely you didn’t poison the tea, did you? If so, it was a wasted effort.”
Poison Master flinched, his expression hardening as Instructor Jang laughed loudly.
“I’m aware of your renowned poison skills. But there aren’t many poisons you brought to this mountain. How many deadly poisons can you make with that?”
As soon as Instructor Jang finished speaking, he kicked the floor, sliding back in his chair.
Then, three people sprang out like lightning from the ceiling, the screen, and behind the bookshelf, brandishing swords.
Though Poison Master was a master of poison, he was also a martial arts expert. Even in a dire situation, he wouldn’t fall easily to an ambush by top-tier assassins.
Poison Master leaned back in his chair, kicking the table. The table slid away, knocking over the lamp and candle. Oil spilled onto the floor, catching fire.
Poison Master used his staff to deflect the sword of the attacker dropping from the ceiling, striking the top of his head with the staff’s end. He then spun around, kicking the head of the attacker charging from the right.
Thud! Thud!
Two heads burst open. Meanwhile, the sword of the attacker from the left reached Poison Master’s face. Poison Master spun, dodging the sword, and aimed an elbow strike at the attacker’s chest, but—
Thud!
A metal spike embedded in his elbow with a sound. The attacker had used a small shield to block Poison Master’s elbow strike, and the spike on the shield destroyed his elbow joint. Despite the pain, Poison Master gathered his internal power and spun his body.
At that moment, a sword silently pierced Poison Master’s chest.
Thud!
The sword pierced Poison Master’s heart.
Instructor Jang was standing before Poison Master, his sword embedded in Poison Master’s chest.
“Ugh! Puh!”
At the same time, a fountain of blood erupted from Poison Master’s mouth.
Poison Master’s blood splattered over Instructor Jang’s face.
“Heh heh.”
Having captured a poison master comparable to a top-tier martial artist, Instructor Jang wiped the blood from his face with his sleeve, a triumphant smile on his lips.
“All your fangs are gone. You were a paper tiger.”
Poison Master’s eyes, bloodshot, clung to the sword piercing his chest with both hands.
“Did you forget I was a Red Blood Mountain assassin? You couldn’t have guessed. This plan was devised with two sacrifices in mind. You acted just as I hoped. This is the result.”
Instructor Jang twisted the sword.
Poison Master, feeling his heart split, spat out another mouthful of blood.
“I even prepared for your use of poison. Right now, I’m holding a poison antidote in my mouth, and I’ve swallowed a handful of antidotes, so I’m practically full. That’s why you have no choice but to die here.”
Poison Master tried to speak, but the blood gushing out prevented him.
If Instructor Jang had heard, he would have been horrified.
- Your plan was also my plan. You will die too!
Even if he had heard, he couldn’t have avoided his fate.
Thud.
As Poison Master’s knees hit the floor, Instructor Jang felt a burning sensation on his face and dizziness, causing him to stagger.
The assassin with the shield shouted in alarm.
“Instructor! Your face…!”
To their shock, Instructor Jang’s face, covered in Poison Master’s blood, was burning away.
In his dying moments, Poison Master had infused his blood with the poisons he possessed, spraying it like a fountain onto Instructor Jang’s face.
Even though Instructor Jang had the antidote in his mouth and had taken antidotes, he couldn’t stop the myriad of poisons from penetrating his skin, dissolving his bones, and burning his brain.
“Aaaah!”
Instructor Jang screamed, clawing at his face as if to tear it off, and collapsed, his head melting away in an instant.
Poison Master, kneeling in a pool of blood, chuckled and turned to the remaining assassin.
The assassin, despite having committed numerous assassinations, had never witnessed such a gruesome scene. Terrified that Poison Master might unleash another blood fountain, he screamed and smashed through the window, fleeing outside.
Poison Master, meanwhile, looked at the corpse of Instructor Jang, whose head had melted away, and muttered.
“I told you, didn’t I? That I would kill you before spring came. You should have known I keep my word.”
Though the vow to kill before spring was a personal promise, something Instructor Jang couldn’t have known, Poison Master felt compelled to say it. He then threw his bundle towards the spreading fire.
The bundle caught fire.
Boom!
With an explosive sound, the flames quickly engulfed the entire wooden building.
Instructors rushing to the scene were unable to approach due to the fierce blaze.