Episode 9: Taste a Little Poison
As Won Seung sat down next to the Poison Master, he asked, “So, does that mean others are also hiding their true abilities?”
“Indeed. Everyone has their own secret techniques, and they don’t reveal them to anyone. If exposed, they might even kill the witness.”
“Hmm. So, if I ever become an assassin and try to kill someone, I should assume they’re hiding their true skills.”
The Poison Master nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. He was pleased that his disciple understood two things from just one lesson.
“Exactly. Underestimating your enemy is like inviting disaster. Even when you think you’re sure, you should reassess. The more skilled someone is, the more they have hidden.”
The Poison Master suddenly thought of the Poison King. They were arch-enemies and believed they knew each other’s capabilities, but when they clashed, they were both surprised. They used poisons the other hadn’t anticipated, and both ended up severely injured.
The Poison Master considered himself defeated because his internal injuries were far worse, and he was dying because of them. The Poison King had likely already recovered. Thinking about it made him clench his teeth.
‘Can this kid… defeat the Poison King in my stead?’
It would take at least thirty years. By then, who knows if the Poison King would still be alive?
‘Defeating the Poison King’s successor would suffice.’
If Won Seung, at his age, surpassed twenty years of internal energy, it was entirely possible. The Poison Master, satisfied, looked at Won Seung and said, “The medicine’s effects will last, so focus on your breathing exercises for a month. We’ll take the next dose then.”
But Won Seung had different thoughts. The second dose only gave him the equivalent of six or seven years of internal energy, so the third would likely yield just three years.
‘It’s a waste to use such precious medicine for just that.’
Won Seung spoke up, “Master, I felt the effects diminish with the second pill. The third might not work at all. Why don’t you take it? Your cough has worsened lately.”
The unexpected suggestion left the Poison Master staring at Won Seung, touched by his disciple’s concern.
In his lifetime, the Poison Master had never heard anyone express worry for him. He was too strong and feared for anyone to care. People feared him, not worried about him.
A moment of silence passed.
As the Poison Master stared at him, Won Seung felt uneasy, wondering if he had said something wrong and was about to kneel.
“I’m sorry. I just thought—”
“No, I was just lost in thought.”
The Poison Master waved his hand to stop Won Seung from kneeling. He was simply moved by his young disciple’s concern.
Few would refuse such a rare medicine. Though he was giving it to his disciple without regret, hoping to see his achievements before he died, it wasn’t without some reluctance.
‘This kid seems kinder than I thought.’
He knew Won Seung was smart and ambitious, which is why he chose him as a disciple. But if he was too kind by nature, it could be problematic. Still, he couldn’t help but feel warmth in his heart at that moment.
The Poison Master composed himself and forced a smile. “Heh, for someone like me, that medicine is useless. I’d be better off eating poison.”
It was somewhat true. His internal energy spanned a hundred years. Though over sixty, he had consumed countless poisons to become a poison master, doubling his power. Even the most potent elixirs were like a drop in the ocean for him.
Won Seung was serious. “Then, is there no medicine that can heal you?”
The Poison Master’s condition was indeed dire, almost miraculous that he was alive. Having consumed various poisons to become a poison master, trying to neutralize the Poison King’s Invisible Poison had disrupted the balance of toxins in his body. Suppressing one poison would cause another to erupt.
Balancing hundreds of poisons was impossible. Neutralizing them was out of the question. Even if he managed to remove them all, his body would be left a mere shell, likely bedridden for life. He couldn’t accept dying that way after a lifetime of dominance.
But he didn’t want to shatter his young disciple’s hope.
“You could create a poison that heals me.”
He ruffled Won Seung’s unruly hair.
“I’ll definitely make it. Teach me about poisons quickly.”
Won Seung replied, his eyes shining.
Moved by the Poison Master’s generosity, Won Seung felt grateful.
For a child to hide his feelings and not connect with anyone for years was incredibly difficult. Naturally, he wanted someone to rely on. In this isolated mountain, such a person was precious.
While other children bonded and relied on each other, Won Seung didn’t, which made him lonelier and perhaps more resentful towards Instructor Jang and the instructors.
But when the initially terrifying Poison Master treated him well, Won Seung’s heart softened.
He genuinely wanted to create medicine for the Poison Master.
When Won Seung returned to his room, the Poison Master tossed and turned all night before making a decision at dawn.
The next day.
After confirming that Won Seung had memorized his writings, the Poison Master took five books and burned them in the hearth. Burning the records of a lifetime felt like burning his own body.
The books quickly turned to ash, and the Poison Master felt a great weight lifted. He realized he had unknowingly felt burdened by leaving behind these records.
Everything was now in his young disciple’s mind. He couldn’t let the boy die. He planned to prevent him from becoming an assassin.
When Won Seung went to train, the Poison Master sought out Instructor Jang.
“I need some blank books. Good quality, durable paper, at least five hundred sheets.”
Blank books referred to books with nothing written in them.
Instructor Jang’s eyes gleamed with greed, something anyone could see.
‘The old monster must be nearing death, thinking of leaving his legacy.’
Instructor Jang, secretly delighted, said, “Of course. I’ll send someone to get them. But what do you need them for? If I know the purpose, I can get the right kind.”
“No need to know the details. Just regular book size will do.”
“Understood. Is the Poison Boy useful?”
“He’s quite clever and serves well. I plan to teach him a few poison techniques.”
Instructor Jang flinched in surprise. “Are you planning to take him as a disciple?”
The Poison Master scoffed. “Hmph! He’s just over ten. If I taught him poison arts, he’d die in a few years. I’ll just teach him some basic poison techniques so he won’t be in danger. He served me, so it’s the least I can do.”
Though disappointed, Instructor Jang nodded as if nothing was wrong. “Learning your poison techniques would be a great fortune for him. I’m sure he’ll become a Ten Perfections. I’m very hopeful.”
The Poison Master scoffed again. “You dream big. If becoming a Ten Perfections were that easy, it would be strange that none have appeared until now.”
The Poison Master saw through Instructor Jang’s intentions. He was worried the Poison Master might take Won Seung out of training to serve him, so he preemptively suggested he was a candidate for a Ten Perfections.
Having confirmed Instructor Jang’s intentions, the Poison Master stood up.
“I’m working on a new poison, so let me know before sending anyone. There’s no point blaming me if they get poisoned.”
“Understood.”
Instructor Jang agreed outwardly but had other thoughts. He was an ambitious man, his eyes gleaming with greed.
The Poison Master was secretly pleased.
‘Of course.’
He knew Instructor Jang had long coveted his poison arts. Now he had set a trap with his legacy, just waiting for Instructor Jang to fall into it.
A few days later.
Instructor Jang sent the blank books to the Poison Master’s quarters and had a trusted subordinate secretly observe him. After a few days, the subordinate reported, “Nothing unusual. He just writes for an hour or two each day.”
Instructor Jang was delighted that his guess was correct. The Poison Master was documenting his poison arts.
He called for Won Seung.
“Is serving the Poison Master difficult?”
“It’s not hard. I just have to be careful with the poisons.”
“If you need anything, let me know. The Poison Master is a very wise man, so take good care of him. I’ll inform the kitchen to ensure you always have meat in your meals.”
“Yes. He’s already promised to teach me poison techniques. So, he’s like a master to me.”
Won Seung replied as instructed by the Poison Master.
Their poison training took place at night, unbeknownst to anyone.
Instructor Jang couldn’t imagine that after a day of grueling training, Won Seung would still learn poison techniques late into the night.
“Learning even one of his poison techniques will ensure you live well.”
“Aren’t I supposed to become a Ten Perfections?”
“Being a poison master among the Ten Perfections would be even better.”
“I understand. I won’t disappoint you.”
Won Seung reassured Instructor Jang.
*
Won Seung took the third Meridian Cleansing Pill Pill. This time, his internal energy increased by about three years.
Disappointed, Won Seung heard the Poison Master say, “The first and second doses were potent, so the third was bound to be weaker. But with your natural training, you’ve gained twenty-five years of internal energy, which is a significant achievement. From now on, consuming small amounts of poison will gradually increase your power, so don’t be disheartened.”
“What? Eating poison? Are you saying I should become a poison master?”
The Poison Master shook his head.
“Becoming a poison master is very difficult and risky. You could die if you’re not careful. You need at least sixty years of internal energy.”
Becoming a poison master comes with many restrictions. First, you must give up marriage. The Poison Master had to endure everything to revive his fallen sect, but he didn’t want to make his young disciple a poison master.
His defeat to the Poison King also influenced this decision. Even as a poison master, he lost to the Poison King, who wasn’t one. Realizing that becoming a poison master wasn’t the ultimate path, he wanted to find a different way for his disciple.
“Then why do I need to eat poison?”