The flower of Poison Arts is not in administering poison, but in detoxifying it.
The Poison King's words meant one thing.
"Are you saying that So Jeong-rak is not a doctor, but a user of Poison Arts?"
At Geom Mugeuk's words, the Poison King fiddled with the teacup before him and spoke.
"You're the one who figured it out."
Until Geom Mugeuk found the answer, So Jeong-rak was simply a doctor skilled at detoxification.
But the moment Geom Mugeuk discovered that the Enlightened Heart Clinic might be a place that revered the Heavenly Wandering Hermit, the doctor So Jeong-rak became a master of Poison Arts.
However, uncovering that truth would not be easy.
So Jeong-rak had also lived for many long years as a respected doctor.
In some ways, he was more difficult to deal with than the Heavenly Wandering Hermit.
He had placed countless martial artists in the most difficult debt to repay.
The debt of life.
The martial artists whose lives were saved thanks to So Jeong-rak must be all over not just Wuhan, but the entire Central Plains.
Geom Mugeuk asked the Poison King.
"Among poisons, is there one that can control people?"
The Poison King nodded as if it were obvious.
"It's possible if you use Gu Poison."
The Poison King asked Geom Muyang.
"First Young Master, was there one person being controlled? Or were there many?"
"I have seen several so far."
"Were they important figures?"
"No."
After confirming the number and details, the Poison King gave Geom Mugeuk his answer.
"Then it's probably not Gu Poison. The insects that control people are hard to acquire and not easy to handle, so they can't be used indiscriminately."
Geom Mugeuk came to a conclusion.
"Then there must be someone else besides So Jeong-rak with the ability to control people. It's unlikely that So Jeong-rak, who uses both Poison Arts and medical skills, would have also learned evil arts or a Great Art for controlling people."
The Poison King nodded as if in agreement.
If his skill in detoxification surpassed that of a Divine Doctor, then his Poison Arts must have also reached an extreme level.
Since he was also proficient in medical skills, there was no possibility he had learned anything else.
"The Alliance Leader will investigate the Heavenly Wandering Hermit's side, so we must find out about this side."
It would not be a difficult task for the four of them to secretly go in and kill So Jeong-rak.
No, there was no need for all four of them.
To him, who was Immune to All Poisons, So Jeong-rak posed no threat at all.
But the task at hand was to reveal that he was one of the hidden forces.
They had to reveal the fact that he was a poison master who used Poison Arts, not a doctor who practiced medicine.
Then they had to show that evidence to the Martial Alliance Leader.
They had to let the Righteous Path Martial World know the truth.
They couldn't just kill him without evidence and ask people to believe them.
That was the difficult part of this task.
"I plan to approach him."
He thought it was absolutely impossible to uncover the truth from a distance.
The period he had hidden his identity was far too long.
"How?"
At the Demon Buddha's question, Geom Mugeuk replied with a smile.
"What other way is there to approach a doctor? I must go as a patient."
But there was a problem.
According to the information sent from the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion.
"The problem is that I can't attract So Jeong-rak's attention by going as a normal patient. There are so many patients, and I hear there are over twenty doctors working under him. Normal patients find it difficult to even see So Jeong-rak's face. However, those suffering from extreme poison are an exception. The more special the poison, the more it will attract his attention."
In conclusion, it meant that he had to go poisoned with an extreme toxin to properly meet So Jeong-rak.
Naturally, everyone's gaze turned to the Poison King.
"Fortunately, we have someone who can administer a poison for So Jeong-rak to detoxify."
At Geom Mugeuk's words, one corner of the Poison King's mouth lifted slightly.
Geom Mugeuk knew.
He knew the meaning behind the Poison King's smile.
'That bastard dares to detoxify my poison? Does he really think he can?'
Geom Mugeuk knew better than anyone that the Poison King was truly serious when it came to poison.
"I know, I know. If the Poison King administers a poison with intent, no one can ever detoxify it."
At those words, the Poison King's expression hardened.
Because just once, a man he had sworn was dead had come back alive.
Of course, he heard the man hadn't returned in a normal state, but it was an incident that left a deep scar on the Poison King's pride.
"Please give us a poison that he can barely detoxify over a few days. Preferably a poison that will draw his attention."
The Poison King would surely have such a poison.
The problem wasn't the poison, but the patient.
"Who should I administer the poison to?"
At the Poison King's question, the answer was, in fact, already decided.
Geom Mugeuk excluded the Poison King first.
"The Poison King can't step forward himself."
There was a possibility that the opponent would recognize the Poison King.
No matter how he hid it, there would be something that only the two of them could recognize.
"And the Demon Buddha can't step forward either."
With that, Geom Mugeuk slyly glanced at his brother.
"As you know, my brother is tough and endures pain well."
Geom Muyang wore an incredulous expression.
In truth, Geom Mugeuk couldn't do it even if he wanted to.
Because he was Immune to All Poisons, toxins had no effect on him.
The only person in this room who knew that fact was the Poison King.
"I'm the Acting Cult Master, brother."
Then he requested support from the Demon Buddha.
"No matter how great the Poison King is, if he poisons the Acting Cult Master, he'll get a scolding from Father, right?"
The Demon Buddha did not stand by and watch him push it onto Geom Muyang.
"Poisoning the First Young Master would get him into more trouble."
"Why?"
When Geom Mugeuk asked challengingly, the Demon Buddha replied as if it were obvious.
"He's the eldest son, isn't he? The Cult Master always cherished the First Young Master."
"What about me?"
"Well, he probably cherished you too."
"This is too much! My brother scolds me for being disrespectful to you, Demon Buddha, and you only take his side. Are you two in on this together?"
Geom Muyang could tell.
Geom Mugeuk had requested the Demon Buddha's support just to bring up that point.
To let the Demon Buddha know that he had scolded him for being disrespectful.
'Why are you trying so hard? I hated you so much.'
The Demon Buddha was trying his best in his own way.
"You're better at acting sick, aren't you?"
"How would you know an act I've never even tried! And don't you think acting as the patient's guardian is more important?"
Geom Muyang, who had been listening to their conversation with a faint smile, spoke to the Poison King.
"I will do it."
Geom Muyang felt this was like destiny.
He had almost killed Geom Mugeuk with a poisoned hidden weapon.
That was why he was here.
And now, he had to be poisoned.
Was this not fate, demanding he pay the price for that mistake?
"It would be better to bring one of the martial artists from the Safehouse."
To the Demon Buddha's heart that cared for him so much, Geom Muyang said with a faint smile.
"It is alright, Demon Buddha."
"How is it alright? It's not just any poison, but one that will catch his eye. Your body will be greatly damaged. I'd rather do it myself."
He really wanted to do that for him.
How nice it would have been if his own appearance were ordinary at times like this.
Geom Muyang bowed his head respectfully, as if grateful for the sentiment.
He also bowed his head respectfully to the Poison King.
"I ask this of you."
The Poison King, who was watching, gave an unexpected gift.
Would he be the type to just administer poison in a situation like this?
"In the process of treating the poison administered this time, your body will become more resistant to poison. Even if you are hit with the same poison, you will be able to endure it longer than now."
From those words, it was clear that the Poison King was using an extremely precious poison.
Geom Mugeuk quickly stepped forward.
"I'll do it! Poison for my brother! This unloved second son will do it. Where is the justice in this? Does everyone really have to like my brother so much!"
The Demon Buddha's expression finally relaxed as he spoke to the Poison King.
He would take care of the safety issue himself.
"Still, please use a less painful poison."
Geom Mugeuk pouted his lips and made a spiteful comment.
"Then it won't be effective. A poison that makes you scream involuntarily..."
In that moment, a scream burst from Geom Muyang's lips.
"Ugh!"
The Poison King had merely glanced at Geom Muyang once.
In an instant, his face turned pale, and he clutched his chest.
He had already administered the poison.
"Ughhh."
The scream that escaped Geom Muyang was not ordinary.
"Aigoo, you're so impatient!"
Geom Mugeuk quickly hoisted his brother onto his back and dashed outside.
The Demon Buddha was inwardly surprised.
He knew of the Poison King's skill in administering poison, but to have done it right before his eyes without him noticing at all.
Just then, the Poison King spoke nonchalantly.
"The First Young Master will be fine."
That single sentence from the Poison King was more reassuring than any other words.
The Demon Buddha watched the two of them run into the Enlightened Heart Clinic for a moment, then...
"It will take time to treat the poison."
The Demon Buddha knew the best way to repay the Poison King's kindness.
"Let's go dig up some poisonous herbs."
The Enlightened Heart Clinic was much larger than it looked from the outside.
In the large courtyard, like a plaza, were numerous people.
The pungent scent of herbs reached the entrance as the scene there unfolded.
There were patients limping with bandages, doctors in white robes rushing about, workers unloading piles of herbs from carts, women trimming herbs under a tree, and a line of people pounding herbs in mortars.
There were also ordinary people, not martial artists, standing in line.
At a glance, they were people in dire straits.
They said they offered free treatment for the poor and penniless, and it seemed to be true.
Geom Mugeuk, carrying his brother on his back, ran in and shouted.
"My brother has been hit by, by poison!"
A young man nearby ran over.
Judging by his attire, he didn't seem to be an official doctor yet, but someone learning medicine by assisting and helping the doctors.
"This way! Quickly, this way!"
The place the young man led them to was where patients in critical condition were gathered.
"If you wait a moment, a doctor will be here shortly."
The young man had Geom Mugeuk lay his brother on a bed and then rushed off to call someone.
Geom Mugeuk looked around the place.
The twenty or so beds were filled with patients, from people stabbed with swords to those with cracked heads.
It was full of critical patients.
He knew it was a large-scale operation, but the Enlightened Heart Clinic he saw in person was truly bustling.
"Looks like a war is going on somewhere without us."
Geom Muyang heard the words but couldn't answer.
His whole body truly felt like it was burning up.
Since he was fully conscious, he felt the pain in its entirety.
"Brother, are you okay?"
At Geom Mugeuk's question, Geom Muyang cursed with his eyes.
Do I look okay? You try it!
"I really wish I could feel the pain for you."
Contrary to his words, his eyes were smiling.
When else would he get to tease him? It was a clear eye-smile with that intention.
Geom Mugeuk kept talking, thinking that focusing on something else might lessen the pain.
"Inner energy?"
Geom Muyang frowned and nodded.
It meant he could use it.
The intention was to have him use martial arts if an urgent situation arose.
The Poison King had considered everything he needed to in that short time while administering the poison.
Just then, a young doctor came over.
"What poison were you hit with?"
"I don't know. Please, save my brother!"
The doctor examined Geom Muyang's condition.
As he touched his body, Geom Muyang let out a scream.
"Ahhhhhhhh."
For his brother to scream like that meant it was truly painful.
The young doctor was clearly flustered.
He tried to figure out what the poison was and alleviate the pain, but the screams only grew louder.
Without even saying to wait a moment, the doctor ran off.
Looking down at his brother in agony, Geom Mugeuk suddenly wondered what he would do if this situation were real.
What if it wasn't a situation where he could trust that the Poison King had made arrangements?
What if his brother were truly dying before his eyes?
What would he feel then? His chest tightened and a chill ran down his spine, making him realize that his feelings for his brother had deepened considerably.
"The more you endure, the more you'll laugh later. So just bear it a little longer."
His brother's lips mouthed the words.
Shut up!
Soon after, another doctor ran over.
This time, it was a middle-aged doctor, older than the previous one.
He examined Geom Muyang's condition more skillfully than the young man before.
But he too could not stabilize his condition.
It was, in fact, an expected outcome.
How could mere doctors handle the Poison King's poison?
Fortunately, he gave up faster than the young doctor before him.
That alone showed his skill was much higher.
After the middle-aged doctor left, a short while later, he finally arrived.
The moment Geom Mugeuk saw the doctor with a kind face and good stature, he knew.
He was So Jeong-rak.
Instead of a name tag that said So Jeong-rak, he wore wings.
Three or four doctors followed behind him with respectful expressions.
He was someone he had never seen before.
Perhaps the reason the Poison King wasn't among the Twelve Zodiac Kings was because this man existed separately.
So Jeong-rak gave out prescriptions as he passed by the patients.
A single glance at a patient's condition was enough for a prescription to emerge.
"Boil a mixture of half Blue Magnolia and half Seven Star Grass and have him drink it!"
He unwrapped the next patient's bandage, examined the wound, and applied golden salve himself.
"Fortunately, the sword grazed past the organs."
He could tell whether the internal organs were injured or not just by looking at the outside.
It was the same for the next patient.
He personally set the bones of a patient who had fallen from a high place and applied a splint.
He didn't mind getting blood on his body at all.
Wherever his hands touched, the screams of pain subsided.
Geom Mugeuk looked down at Geom Muyang in amazement.
Even in his agony, his brother was watching So Jeong-rak.
Like an immortal descended from the heavens, So Jeong-rak treated patients without hesitation and arrived at Geom Muyang's bed.
Up close, perhaps because of his fine stature, his skin was taut, and his eyes were filled with vital energy.
The unhesitating prescriptions paused for a moment.
As he examined Geom Muyang's condition, he asked Geom Mugeuk, who was beside him.
"This poison, who did he get it from?"
Geom Mugeuk answered him.
"I don't know. My brother has a foul temper, so he has many enemies."
Even while enduring the pain, Geom Muyang could be seen making an incredulous face.
"I heard that you are the best at detoxifying poisons in the Central Plains, Doctor. Please save my brother."
His gaze deepened as he looked down at Geom Muyang.
Surprisingly, So Jeong-rak knew about this poison.
"This poison is one that only three people in the world can detoxify."