Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 486 (Part 1)



486 (Part 1)

”’Chapter 487 – What to Split.

Right after I collapsed saying I had been poisoned.

The sharp silence in the annex was enough to become a dagger in my heart but ultimately the situation I had anticipated unfolded.

Because in reality I had indeed been poisoned.

“It seems to be the poison of the Euphorbia flower.”

This was what the physician who was examining my body said.

At those words I could hear the sound of people around me gasping.

The Euphorbia flower huh.

The first to react to that was Shin Noya.

[You really used something terrible.]

‘That’s right.’

A hollow laugh escaped me.

The poison of the Euphorbia flower is a rare toxic plant that grows in the northern regions particularly in high altitudes.

It was one of the poisons that even assassins typically did not use when attempting to poison someone.

Its effects include temporarily blocking the flow of qi.

It causes difficulty in breathing and before long the body experiences the pain of burning away and the heart stops.

While its efficacy as a poison is certain as I mentioned earlier it is not a poison typically used for assassination.

The reason is none other than…

‘It’s ridiculously expensive.’

Compared to other toxic plants with similar efficacy the Euphorbia flower is extremely costly due to its rarity.

Moreover a martial artist who has reached a certain level is less likely to die from consuming a poison that blocks qi so they tend to avoid using it.

The remaining issue is that it can leave severe aftereffects.

Such as damaging the qi center.

Or causing chronic issues with the heart making it impossible to use martial arts anymore.

‘This is really frustrating.’

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Thinking that far made it impossible not to laugh.

‘They seem to be more impatient than I expected.’

It wasn’t that I didn’t expect this outcome.

In fact I hoped for this situation and had even guided it to some extent.

But I didn’t expect them to come at me so quickly.

‘Did I show too much?’

Could it be that I revealed I knew too much?

Or perhaps it was because I didn’t bother to shut Nahyi’s mouth?

No matter how you look at it the child of a prestigious family is mingling with a different clan and I never thought they would poison me so casually.

‘This is a warning. That must be it.’

This is the land of the Tang Clan. So don’t act recklessly. That was roughly the meaning.

The reason they used the expensive and less effective Euphorbia flower was also due to the nature of the Tang Clan which would have numerous protocols for serving food to guests. The fact that they still managed to poison me through food was all a warning.

On this land.

I or rather we can deal with you however we want.

No matter what my background is or what level I am at we can touch you so don’t speak carelessly.

The poison of the Euphorbia flower carried this meaning.

Thinking of that made me laugh even more.

‘These ignorant fools.’

Rotten and decayed beings pretending to be noble while engaging in filthy acts.

No matter how you look at it it was absurd to call them orthodox sects centered on righteousness and cooperation.

‘Haha what the hell is going on? Why am I losing interest more and more?’

It was the same in my past life but the more I dug the more I couldn’t understand what was going on.

The desire to overturn everything was bubbling up.

What would those who upheld their beliefs in the past think if they saw this?

I felt like they would understand if I bled to death again.

[… Hey are you perhaps mocking me right now?]

‘Oh no way.’

You sharp-eyed little weasel.

Anyway you immediately noticed when I was talking about myself.

Ah you are a ghost after all.

‘Anyway.’

The situation had unfolded.

I knew this wouldn’t just end as a warning.

Could those who could easily pull off such a thing really just leave it as a warning?

‘No way.’

There was absolutely no way that would happen.

“… Uh… uh… what… what should I do….”

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As I lay there with my eyes closed I heard a whimpering voice.

It was Dang Soyul’s voice.

Since I had just collapsed after swallowing the poison right next to her it was only natural for her to react like that.

“What should we do about our Young Master…. Daddy….”

Tears streamed down Dang Soyul’s face as she sobbed. There weren’t many presences around.

It was just the physician the Poison King and Dang Soyul.

“First we need to assess the situation so you should go back.”

“But…”

“Hurry!”

At the Poison King’s shout Dang Soyul flinched.

After that she seemed at a loss for what to do but eventually stepped outside with hesitant steps.

“… Physician Baek please step outside for a moment.”

“Understood…. Clan Head.”

The Tang Clan’s physician also stepped outside. After a brief moment of silence.

“Ha….”

I could hear the Poison King letting out a deep sigh sounding exhausted.

Hearing that I suddenly sat up.

“Ah I thought I was going to die from frustration.”

“… Ugh?!”

As I abruptly raised my upper body the Poison King who was watching looked genuinely surprised.

“… Gu Gu Mister?”

“Why are you so surprised? I was the one who was more surprised.”

“How on earth…?”

The Poison King’s reaction made me wear a strange expression.

I had assumed he would know I was pretending to be unconscious. But his reaction suggested he didn’t know.

“… Are you okay?”

“Yes I seem to be able to converse.”

For a martial artist of the Poison King’s level it should have been easy to notice something like this.

The fact that he didn’t notice meant.

‘Is this also a change in my body?’

Could it be a phenomenon arising from the transformation technique? Or perhaps an advantage gained from the physical reconstruction?

I wasn’t sure but it was a favorable development.

If even a martial artist of the Hwa-gyeong level couldn’t discern it then it was quite an advantage.

Crack.

As I loosened my body and rolled it around a bit the Poison King spoke to me.

“… First I apologize. I have caused you to experience something unpleasant.”

His sudden apology made me turn my gaze to the Poison King.

From just his eyes it was clear that the apology was sincere.

‘It can’t be helped I suppose.’

The Tang Clan’s reputation in the world is not very good.

After all it was martial arts that used poison and hidden weapons. This is something that others would naturally want to avoid.

Although the Tang Clan’s production and export of weaponry has reduced this perception somewhat.

There are still those who view the Tang Clan as dangerous in the eyes of the world.

That is why they are even more cautious.

The lodging where guests are received.

The food served.

After several assessments it must be ensured that there are no issues.

Even the Poison King had to be careful to avoid any accidents.

‘Now that this has happened so casually he must be burning inside.’

I merely observed the Poison King’s reaction closely.

Still. Just as I always had from the beginning.

I had not erased my suspicions toward the Poison King.

Hiding such feelings I spoke to the Poison King.

“It’s alright. Rather I’m just glad it went as expected.”

“What?”

The Poison King’s eyes shook at my response.

“Expected? What do you mean by that Gu Mister? Could it be….”

Various questions flickered across his expression.

“Are you implying that you did this on purpose?”

Upon realizing the intent behind my words the Poison King looked as if he had received a great shock.

Seeing that I awkwardly replied.

“I didn’t expect it to go this far…. To some extent yes?”

It was an acknowledgment that I had indeed aimed for this.

Upon hearing this the Poison King furrowed his brows deeply and spoke to me.

“What on earth are you trying to achieve with this?”

What was I trying to achieve you ask?

At the Poison King’s question I couldn’t help but click my tongue inwardly.

“Isn’t it a good thing?”

“What…?”

“You must have gained some certainty right?”

“…!”

The Poison King’s eyes widened even more than before upon hearing my words.

The implication that he must have gained certainty that something was happening in the Tang Clan without his knowledge along with an event that would dispel his doubts about what I had said.

He should have gained certainty about something happening without his awareness.

“… So you mean you intentionally consumed poison for that purpose?””’