Chapter 0211 – A Plan in the Middle of No Plan – The Absolute Return

I followed his instructions and completed the tasks meticulously. With my martial arts realm, accomplishing these tasks was naturally easy. Perhaps in the Thousand Poisons Sect, there was no one more satisfying to him than me.

“Do you usually do all this work alone?”

“Exactly.”

“It must be very hard for you then.”

I can see why he wouldn’t want to recruit disciples.

There were too many highly poisonous things stored in his residence, and once the disciples accidentally made any mistakes, the consequences would be unimaginable.

As a matter of fact, the Thousand Poisons Forest had always been under the close surveillance of the Tong Tian Pavilion. Any use of poisons had to be reported, and inventories were regularly counted.

After I had finished mixing the “soul-breaking acid”, I expressed my feelings in a soothing manner: “That was fun! What poison should I mix next?”

Of course, he didn’t believe me.

“In my opinion, instead of being a Heavenly Demon, it would be more appropriate for you to sell your art on the streets.”

“When we go to the Central Plains together next time, why don’t we try out for the theater troupe? With your appearance, you might even get the lead role.”

When the Poison King heard this, his face became very ugly. He seemed to be saying: I’m not even willing to leave this place, and you want me to act?

“It was as if I saw you in your mind’s eye, poisoning the actors on the stage and the audience off it, all of them.”

“What about you? Did you survive?”

I turned to leave, shouting without looking back, “The show is canceled!”

He didn’t pay any attention to me.

The Poison King is indifferent to the affairs of others.

Even when I came with such an important mission, he didn’t even bother to pay attention to it, so one can imagine how withdrawn he is in normal times. In his eyes, other people might just be mole crickets, not worth mentioning.

Of course, he would occasionally ask questions on a whim, just like now. While grinding the poisonous herbs, the Poison King asked carelessly, “Hey, tell me honestly, are you trying to steal my poisonous techniques and then poison your brother to death?”

As I poured water into the vat, I replied, “You know that I’m here, so if my brother was really poisoned, who do you think people would suspect? I’m the one who’s most worried about him being poisoned, right?”

The Poison King didn’t retort, only the grinding of poisonous herbs became louder.

“I’m not interested in poisoning, I’d rather learn something else if I can.”

“Such as?”

He still didn’t look up, focused on the task at hand. I knew that at any moment he could drift off into his own world again, but what I was about to say would definitely be able to pull him back.

“I want to learn the art of detoxification. The essence of Poison Kung Fu is not in administering poison, but in detoxifying it, isn’t it?”

The sound of grinding poisonous herbs came to an abrupt end, and his gaze finally landed on me. This was the most surprised expression that had appeared on his face since I had seen him. Because he hadn’t expected that I would say these words.

“Who told you that?”

It was your disciple, the future King of Poison, who told me.

“It was my own thought. To draw an analogy, the same is true of martial arts; it’s harder to capture alive than it is to kill, isn’t it?”

I challenged him, a challenge that would be most favorable to me, a man of many poisons.

“We might as well have a bet, you choose a poison at random and teach me how to detoxify it. I’ll do the antidote and you’ll administer the poison, how about it? Do you dare to make a bet?”

You’ve been practicing poison for years. Are you afraid of losing to a layman like me? This is a matter of your dignity!

I didn’t say it too bluntly because I knew that overstimulation would only backfire.

Poison King, promise me, bet with me!

As long as he agrees, this bet is mine to win.

However, the Poison King wasn’t as gullible as I thought he would be.

“I refuse.”

Faced with his dry refusal, I couldn’t help but ask, “Why?”

“You think I can’t see your trick? You’re just trying to provoke me into saying something like, ‘If you can undo my poison, it’ll be considered a win for you.’ Right?”

I’m not denying that his insight is truly admirable.

“Then what’s the harm if you let me win once?”

“How do you know you will definitely win? The art of detoxification is also my specialty.”

The Poison King said, and started grinding the poisonous grass again.

“You might as well go back to practicing your barking.”

That evening, I visited my father.

The more I learned about the Poison King, the more powerless I felt. Whenever this happens, I go to see my father, as he always manages to restore my confidence.

I picked the time to visit him when he was about to go to sleep, so once again I saw his pajamas.

“The pattern on this nightgown is different from the last one, ah, this must be the strongest body armor in the martial arts! When the enemy sees this nightgown, they will definitely think, ‘How could Lord Heavenly Demon wear this kind of clothes?’ And then they’ll be dissuaded, so that’s why this is the safest piece of clothing!”

My father looked at me with a “how long are you going to keep talking nonsense?” look, it seems that he is used to my sudden visits.

“Father, you’ve known for a long time that the Poison King wouldn’t be easily convinced by me, right?”

“What? You’ve given up?”

“How could it be? I’ve just never met anyone as closed off to himself as he is.”

A sneer appeared at the corner of my father’s mouth. That’s right, I came here to see his smile.

Seeing his smile made me feel energized and much more relaxed.

Just laugh all you want, I will bring the Poison King to you.

I asked the question I’ve always wanted to ask.

“Father, you hate the Poison King, don’t you?”

Father didn’t admit it or deny it. He loved martial arts, and it was only natural that he hated poisonous kung fu and dementia.

“If you hate him, why do you keep him? Wouldn’t it be better to kill him and be done with it?”

“Because he is the most threatening to the enemy.”

“Will he still rebel? Or go crazy and poison his fellow disciples?”

“If you want to use him as a weapon in my religion, you must take the appropriate risks.”

“And what if my brother and I die because of it?”

“That can’t be helped.”

“That’s the kind of thing only people with a ton of illegitimate children say, right?”

“How do you know I didn’t?”

“Of course you can’t have one! My brother alone is enough to give me a headache.”

A faint smile appeared on his father’s face. If it had been Sima Ming or the Blood Sky Demoness, he probably would have let out a laugh.

“I’ve noticed it before, whenever I’m faced with a problem I can’t solve, I think of you. Well, I’ve met you and it’s time to say goodbye. If I don’t leave again, I might actually have to perform ‘Ungrateful Son’ at the tournament.”

When I finished, I turned to leave, and just then, my father suddenly asked, “Do you think the Poison King is trapped in his own world?”

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