"Who are those three people?"
At Geom Mugeuk's question, So Jeong-rak responded not with an answer, but with a suspicious look.
"This isn't a poison one encounters easily, even if one wished for it."
He stared intently at Geom Mugeuk and asked.
"Who are you?"
So Jeong-rak wore an expression as if he truly did not know Geom Mugeuk's identity.
Did he truly not know? Or was he pretending not to know?
Just by his outward appearance, it was impossible to tell what kind of person he was.
Geom Mugeuk had told Jin Ha-gun.
That they would even know he had met the Alliance Leader.
He thought that this So Jeong-rak might know him as well.
If not, even that would be part of the mastermind's intended plan.
That was how much Geom Mugeuk did not underestimate his current opponent.
"I am Geom Yeon of the Western Path Sect of Gansu. This is my brother."
For now, Geom Mugeuk revealed his identity using the name and sect he always used for disguises.
"How did he get poisoned?"
Geom Mugeuk spoke honestly.
"We were drinking tea at the tavern across the street when my brother suddenly cried out in pain and collapsed."
There would be witnesses who saw him carrying his brother out from there, so it would be easily confirmed.
"But can we afford to waste time like this? My brother is dying!"
Even in that moment, Geom Muyang was gritting his teeth and enduring the pain.
Despite seeing this, So Jeong-rak did not seem particularly rushed.
It seemed he knew this was not a poison that killed instantly.
Then, a decisive remark.
"Endure it. The more it hurts, the more beneficial it will be for you."
From those words, it was clear.
He knew exactly what this poison was.
"Ah! To see this poison here. I had never heard of it being used in this era, so I thought it was a lost poison."
Geom Mugeuk saw an undeniable passion flash across So Jeong-rak's face.
So Jeong-rak explained to the Doctors who had followed him.
"The poison this man is afflicted with is called the Five Despairs Divine Poison. It is a poison made by mixing the powdered form of an Eight-Colored Centipede with the inner core of a Great Yin Blood Python."
The Eight-Colored Centipede was a venomous centipede with eight colors, known to be as long as an adult's height, and the Great Yin Blood Python was a spiritual creature that lived only in regions where Extreme Yin energy flowed.
So, this Five Despairs Divine Poison was made by mixing two spiritual creatures that were difficult to see even once in a lifetime.
Hearing his explanation, Geom Muyang was inwardly moved.
'The Poison King really gave me a precious poison.'
The pain was so great that he had forgotten the Poison King's words about gaining a strong resistance to poison after the treatment was over.
It must be because it was such a precious poison that it had such an effect.
Of course, Geom Muyang knew.
He hadn't been administered this poison because he was liked.
It was likely because of his relationship with his younger brother.
So Jeong-rak's explanation continued.
"Once poisoned by the Five Despairs Divine Poison, one suffers extreme pain as if burning in fire for seven days, and on the final seventh day, they die feeling the pain of all their meridians freezing over."
So Jeong-rak, who had been explaining to the Doctors, turned his head to look at Geom Mugeuk and said.
"It is an extreme poison for which no antidote in the world works."
Geom Mugeuk fell to his knees, grabbing his leg and pleading.
"Please save my brother! He is my only brother. Please tell me you are one of those three people!"
Then, So Jeong-rak helped Geom Mugeuk to his feet.
"That's right. I am one of those three people."
Geom Mugeuk rejoiced and grabbed his hand.
"What a relief! Doctor! Thank you. Thank you so much."
Even when Geom Mugeuk touched him, he did not resist at all.
Instead, he gripped Geom Mugeuk's hand tightly and said.
"In that sense, your brother is a very lucky man. There are only three people in the Central Plains who can detoxify it, and he was poisoned near where one of them is."
At that, Geom Mugeuk released the hand he was holding and took a step back.
"Then does that mean my brother was poisoned because of you, Doctor?"
"What? What are you suddenly talking about?"
Not only So Jeong-rak, but the Doctors behind him also hardened their expressions.
Their faces seemed to say, how dare you speak to So Jeong-rak like that.
Geom Mugeuk, however, raised his voice.
"No matter how foul my brother's temper is and how many enemies he has, how could he coincidentally be struck by such a rare poison in a tavern right in front of the Enlightened Heart Clinic? This is someone challenging you, Doctor. 'Can you detoxify this poison!' Isn't that it?"
When Geom Mugeuk confronted him, So Jeong-rak could not offer a rebuttal.
"Take responsibility. Save my brother! If my brother dies, I will tell everyone in the world! That you let my brother die!"
Lying down, Geom Muyang shook his head despite his pain.
He was on the same side, but how could someone be so shameless?
"Save my brother!"
So Jeong-rak was flustered.
Even though it was a situation where he could have gotten angry and kicked them out without any recourse.
"Alright. I will detoxify it for you."
So Jeong-rak had the Doctors who came with him bring medicine, herbs, and treatment tools.
Truly, just looking at him, he seemed like an innocent and pure person who had likely spent his entire life studying medicine.
Even while being unreasonable and throwing a tantrum, Geom Mugeuk did not miss a single glance or word from So Jeong-rak.
How he reacted and spoke.
Where did this confidence come from, to not mind at all even when his leg and hand were grabbed? Are you really just an ordinary Doctor?
A moment later, the Doctors brought the medicines, herbs, and vials he had asked for.
"This treatment requires a great deal of luck. It's such a difficult detoxification that even a slight mistake in the herb combination will lead to failure."
So Jeong-rak briefly closed his eyes and organized his thoughts.
He had naturally assumed the antidote would be made alone in a separate room after dismissing everyone.
"Now, listen carefully to what I say from now on."
So Jeong-rak began to create the antidote while explaining to the Doctors.
At this sight, Geom Mugeuk and Geom Muyang looked at each other.
Even amidst his pain, his brother looked surprised, as if this was truly unexpected.
"You said only three people in the world can detoxify this poison, yet you're revealing it to everyone?"
Not only the Doctors, but even he and his brother were listening, as were other patients.
The reason So Jeong-rak gave was even more surprising.
"It's not a secret recipe for making poison, so what's the point of hoarding the method for making an antidote? As a Doctor, what's there to be proud of in being the only one who can detoxify something?"
He then said to the Doctors.
"When it comes to saving people, do not have your own secret methods. Spread the knowledge far and wide to save even one more life that doesn't need to be lost."
"We will keep that in mind!"
The faces of the Doctors were filled with respect.
He carefully combined the ingredients.
Of course, there were hurdles in the process.
When the combination didn't go as he intended, he would fall into deep thought for a long time.
Geom Mugeuk truly had not expected to come here and watch him create the antidote.
And to do so while teaching the Doctors, no less.
If the amount was even slightly off, he would make it again.
If the ingredients were not fresh, he would bring new ones and make it again.
If the color he envisioned did not appear, he would combine them again.
He was so focused that his entire body was soon drenched in sweat.
Perhaps because of his large build, he sweated a lot.
After two hours of effort, the antidote was finally made.
So Jeong-rak took a deep breath and administered the antidote to Geom Muyang.
Everyone watched with bated breath.
As the pain subsided, Geom Muyang's face became somewhat more comfortable.
"It's a success."
At that, the other patients there all cheered and clapped.
"The antidote must be taken three times over three days. I will come again tomorrow morning."
So Jeong-rak was completely exhausted and staggered as he walked.
The Doctors supported him by both arms and walked out with him.
Geom Mugeuk, who was watching his retreating back, looked down at Geom Muyang and said.
"Somehow, I feel like we're the villains."
With a face that said he felt like he could finally live, Geom Muyang replied in a weak voice.
"We are villains."
The next day, So Jeong-rak again carefully prepared the medicine.
It took even longer than the first day.
He would ask the Doctors questions and have them mix the ingredients themselves in the middle of the process.
He was truly sincere about educating his junior Doctors.
"You should be making it yourself! What do those people know!"
Geom Mugeuk's shouting was futile.
"It's fine, they are making it as I instruct."
"What do you mean, it's fine? Can't you see their hands are shaking?"
Despite Geom Mugeuk's protests, he did not give up on having his junior Doctors do it.
"Who are the other two people you said could make the antidote?"
At that, So Jeong-rak paused the mixing and looked at Geom Mugeuk.
"Surely the Martial Alliance's Divine Doctor is one of them?"
Knowing it wasn't true, he casually mentioned him, but So Jeong-rak shook his head.
"In terms of medical skill alone, no one can match the Divine Doctor of the Martial Alliance or the Demon Doctor of the Demon Sect. However, just because one's medical skill is the best doesn't mean they are the best at detoxifying poisons. That is a separate issue."
Then, a name very welcome to Geom Mugeuk's ears came out.
"There is a person called the Insect Doctor. She is someone who treats illnesses using poisonous insects. She would certainly be able to treat this poison."
Yes, how could she, the one who made him immune to all poisons, be left out?
If his brother had been in a dire situation from a real extreme poison, he would have carried him on his back and run to her using Swift Step.
'Insect Doctor! I hope you are well.'
He wondered if Pyo Gi-gwang, who had become her disciple, was massaging her shoulders well.
"Who is the other person?"
After a brief pause, he spoke.
He was much more cautious than when he had mentioned the Insect Doctor.
"The Poison King of the Demon Sect."
Geom Mugeuk carefully observed his expression and words when he mentioned the Poison King.
"Do you know about the Poison King?"
"I've never seen him. But I have heard of his reputation."
"What kind of person is the Poison King?"
As if he didn't even want to think about it, he once again directed the Doctors to mix the ingredients.
"If you keep this up, I'll carry my brother and go to the Insect Doctor. Where does she live? Do you think I can't find the Demon Sect?"
But it was no use.
And so, the second day's antidote, made by So Jeong-rak with his junior Doctors, was completed.
He confidently administered the completed antidote to Geom Muyang.
His complexion returned even more than the previous day.
"It's a success."
Geom Mugeuk was relieved.
"I apologize for shouting earlier."
"It's alright."
"Tomorrow, I'll make it. Along with that patient with the broken arm over there."
At that joke, So Jeong-rak smiled brightly.
With the smile added, he looked like a genuinely good person.
To the point where suspicion felt apologetic.
"As I said before, your brother is a very lucky man."
Geom Mugeuk's gaze turned to his brother.
"I always thought my brother was a very unlucky person."
How could a person who was pushed out of the succession for the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect because of his younger brother be lucky?
At that moment, Geom Muyang spoke softly.
"I also think I'm lucky."
Others might think he was saying this because he had met So Jeong-rak.
But Geom Muyang's answer held a different meaning.
'Having a younger brother like you is also a stroke of good luck.'
To have survived without dying after losing that succession battle.
Given his personality, living would not have felt like living, but because he lost to a great opponent, he didn't feel much sense of injustice.
"Then, I'll see you tomorrow for the final treatment."
That day too, Geom Mugeuk wandered around the Enlightened Heart Clinic, observing the place.
The patients were too pained to be aware, and the Doctors were too busy to be aware.
So Jeong-rak was busy, and the other Doctors were busy too.
Patients poured in endlessly.
In the midst of life and death, there was no room for suspicion to creep in.
He looked everywhere, but he could not find anything suspicious.
The only suspicious person in this Enlightened Heart Clinic was himself.
"Are you alright?"
At Geom Mugeuk's question, Geom Muyang nodded.
The pain that felt like his whole body was on fire had vanished without a trace.
After taking the third and final antidote, he was fully recovered.
So Jeong-rak had not made a single mistake in three days.
"You are truly a Divine Doctor!"
When Geom Mugeuk expressed his admiration, So Jeong-rak smiled.
Geom Muyang also expressed his gratitude to him.
"Thank you so much. How can I repay this debt of gratitude?"
At that, Geom Mugeuk said from the side.
"What are you asking? You should repay it with money. How much is the treatment fee?"
Considering the poison, he thought the price would be whatever he named.
"Just go. I am grateful to you for giving me the opportunity to detoxify such a precious poison."
So Jeong-rak patted Geom Mugeuk's shoulder.
"I was truly moved by your sincere heart for your brother. Continue to live well."
After giving such a bright smile, So Jeong-rak turned away.
On the first day, a well-built Doctor had walked towards him; now, an immortal was walking away.
Geom Mugeuk and Geom Muyang left the Enlightened Heart Clinic and started walking towards their lodging.
"It seems we were wrong about So Jeong-rak."
He was truly a Divine Doctor sent from the heavens.
If it had been any other poison than the Five Despairs Divine Poison, they would have truly wasted their efforts for three days.
But thanks to the effects of the Five Despairs Divine Poison, he had gained a strong resistance to poison.
At that moment, unexpected words came from Geom Mugeuk's mouth.
"That man is definitely a practitioner of the Poison Arts."
Feeling that he was not joking, Geom Muyang stopped walking.
On the first day, he was in too much pain to be fully aware, but even then, he had watched and listened to So Jeong-rak carefully.
In his judgment, there was nothing to be suspicious about.
If anything, that in itself was suspicious.
But to be certain he was a practitioner of the Poison Arts? For what reason?
Geom Mugeuk calmly stated his reasons.
"When he confirmed that your poison was the Five Despairs Divine Poison, he was genuinely happy. That joy was clearly not of a Doctor, but of a master of the Poison Arts."
Geom Muyang nodded, but he felt that it wasn't enough evidence to prove he was a poison master.
"Since he's famous for detoxification, he might have been pleased to encounter a rare poison."
When Geom Muyang cautiously said this, Geom Mugeuk brought up another piece of evidence.
"Remember what he said on the first day? He said he thought the Five Despairs Divine Poison was lost because it hadn't appeared in this era. Describing a poison as 'lost' is something practitioners of the Poison Arts would say."
Geom Muyang tilted his head.
"He's very interested in poisons, so he might have phrased it that way."
That wasn't the only thing that made Geom Mugeuk suspicious.
"He explained the poison in such detail, so why didn't he mention that?"
"Mention what?"
"The person who can administer this poison. If he said only three people can detoxify it, it would have been natural to say who could administer it as well."
This time, Geom Muyang also nodded.
"He didn't say it because he already knew who it was?"
This conjecture seemed plausible.
But all three points were just circumstantial evidence, with no definitive proof.
"Aren't you just seeing it as more suspicious because you've already concluded he's the mastermind from the start?"
"No, it's definitely him."
For the first time, Geom Muyang felt like he was seeing a flaw in his younger brother.
A feeling that he was trying to force his argument to fit his own narrative.
'So you have this side to you too.'
He didn't dislike it.
Until now, he had only shown a disgustingly perfect side.
Yes, there needs to be a gap like this for me to help.
As they were walking, Geom Mugeuk spoke as if he had just remembered something.
"Ah, there was one more thing."
"What is it?"
You don't have to pretend to be this perfect with me.
"When we were saying goodbye earlier, he patted my shoulder and..."
He thought it would be another circumstantial suspicion.
But shocking words came from Geom Mugeuk's mouth.
"He poisoned me."
"..."
After a moment of blank expression, Geom Muyang shouted.
"You should have said that first!"