< Episode 41: King of Poisonous Poison (3) >
Inside the manor of King Baek Sa-ha one of the Five Kings.
This place also called the Manor of the Baek Family was crowded with relatives of the Baek Family for the first birthday party.
Even if he did not receive any outside guests his relatives alone numbered dozens.
In the garden guests were preparing food in a temporary outdoor kitchen for a long feast and relatives were sitting at a table drinking and celebrating their first birthday.
While the feast was going on for a while Baek Sa-ha’s wife Lady Jang got up from her seat and headed somewhere when she received an urgent message.
As she walked down the street Mrs. Zhang clicked her tongue and said
“You came here at last.”
“yes. “Because he was in mourning for three years today would have been the only good reason to come.”
The man with slit eyes who appeared to be in his early thirties who answered her question was Baek So-gang the second son of Baek Sa-ha King of the Islands and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The reason they moved the location so quickly was because of sudden guests.
“Did you say the second Confucius and the third lady?”
“yes. “Everyone brought their henchmen with them.”
“Whew. “It looks like you made a plan.”
“What should I do? “I came because I wanted to receive support from my father.”
“I guess so.”
In the current Cheonjihoe the succession battle was becoming increasingly fierce.
Due to rumors that Hoeju’s illness had deepened the movements of his successors became more agile.
Meanwhile none of Hoeju’s disciples supported Baeksaha the king of Seomdok.
That’s why they will try to get some kind of confirmation today.
“This is really troublesome.”
“That’s right. “But wasn’t this a problem that would come sooner or later?”
“Even so don’t you know your father’s disposition?”
“That’s right… hehe.”
Baek Sa-he’s second son Foreign Minister Baek Shao-gang sighed.
As his mother said his father never takes back what he has said.
So I became concerned.
I wonder if four months will happen for no reason.
“Did you share a room?”
In response to Mrs. Jang’s question her second son Baek Sogang nodded her head.
It was inevitable that there would be no way to know what would happen if the two successors were placed in the same reception room.
Then she said.
“When you arrive please join us in one room.”
“yes? But if you do that….”
“If you do it separately it becomes more difficult to refuse.”
“ah….”
“I’d rather show you that you don’t choose anyone when you’re together then they’ll just go away.”
“Mom what you said is correct.”
His second son Baek So-gang seemed to be convinced and nodded his head in response.
It was just as they were trying to climb over the edge of the separate building where the reception room was located.
“Please wait a moment!”
At that time someone hurriedly ran towards them.
He was none other than one of the warriors guarding the entrance to the manor.
“Ma’am Goddess.”
Madam Zhang asked in confusion.
“What’s going on?”
“Well now one more customer has arrived.”
“customer? “Didn’t they tell you to ask for understanding and send them back unless they were relatives or people you had decided in advance?”
“yes. That’s true…”
I gave you instructions in advance so why did you come here?
She said shaking her head.
“If you do send it back.”
“Look at this.”
With those words the warrior guarding the entrance to the manor took something out of his chest.
It’s none other than
“no. that?”
It was the senior plaque at the gate of Sihyeolgok.
And not just one but three senior trophies.
A wrinkle appeared between Mrs. Zhang’s eyebrows as she knew what this meant.
* * *
Jang Neung-ak Hoeju’s second disciple and Wi So-yeon his third disciple gathered in one reception room.
And behind them were their respective henchmen.
“Whoa.”
Jang Neungak sighed as if he was annoyed.
Since he came to the manor first he naturally thought that he would be able to meet Baek Sa-ha the island’s poison king sooner than So-yeon above.
But he had made me wait in the reception room at first and now he called me into the same room.
Thanks to this he felt very uncomfortable.
‘…I don’t know if I should say it’s fortunate or not.’
The uncomfortable thing was the same for Wi So-yeon.
Fortunately the second brother was able to avoid meeting King Seomdog first but persuasion could have been difficult if they faced each other like this.
This is because it could have been a situation where they had to keep each other in check and if they overtly put each other down it could easily lead to an all-out war.
-Drur!
At that time the door opened and a gray-haired woman who appeared to be in her late fifties appeared into the heavily sunken guest room.
Seeing her with a sense of elegance her second disciple Jang Neung-Ak and her third disciple Wi So-Yeon stood up at the same time clasped her hands together and bowed to her with the jirye of her arms.
“I meet the great lady of the Baek family.”
“It’s been a while goddamn.”
Since the two of them were her disciples at her congregation they were already familiar with her.
So-yeon above was also taking off her bamboo ribs and white cotton thread out of respect for Lady Jang the wife of the island’s Dokwang and the godmother of the Baek family.
She struck first.
“Congratulations on your grandchild’s first birthday.”
‘This bitch.’
Jang Neungak frowned slightly then forced a smile and said.
“It’s truly a blessing.”
‘Ahhhh.’
Mrs. Jang clicked her tongue inwardly at the congratulations of these two people.
I don’t know how they can give me congratulatory greetings but still have such a subtle war of nerves.
It was very visible that they were conscious of each other.
Of course I understood it because it was a competitive relationship.
-Sigh!
“thank you. “I am humbled that two of Hoeju’s disciples came to such a shabby place and congratulated me on my grandson’s safety.”
“Of course it is something that should be congratulated. But what about King Seomdog and Lord Soga?”
Jang Neung-ak looked at her second son Baek So-gang her foreign minister and her second son next to her and asked cautiously:
Of course Mrs. Jang who is the godwife can also be said to be the adult of this family but I was curious as to why even Sogaju who could be said to be the true protagonist of the first birthday party did not show up when the successors who could become the heads of the Cheonjihoe in the future came.
This answer was given by his second son Baek Sogang.
“I’m sorry. “Right now we are having a first birthday party and my brother has to attend to his relatives so I couldn’t leave so my mother and I ended up welcoming him.”
“iced coffee. Is that so?”
“yes. “Please understand.”
“Is there any reason to understand and go to sleep? “I came while a party was in progress so it’s natural for me to be busy.”
Wei Xiaoyeon spoke softly with a smile.
Jang Neungak will also lose to this.
“You don’t have to worry. I am not that shameless person. “Hehehe.”
It was a truly amusing sight.
Jang Neungak’s arrogant attitude must have been quite famous within the Cheonjihoe so it felt strange to see him trying to please others like this.
‘I guess that means I need my father’s support that much.’
At that time Jang Neung-Ak pointed to the gift box placed next to her and said.
“But now that I’m here it’s been a while since I’ve been here so I’d like to see the King of Island Poisons even if it’s just out of courtesy.”
Seeing Jang Neung-ak rhyming first Wi So-yeon spoke as if in agreement.
“I think he had the same thoughts about the death penalty as I did. “I also wanted to meet the king of islands in person for the first time in a long time congratulate him and talk about various things.”
Hearing her words Jang Neungak let out a light breath.
I don’t like the idea of interfering in any way.
It looks like he is trying to interfere with his work but do you think he can get away with it so easily?
-Wow!
Jang Neung-ak spread his fan and fanned himself and said.
“I don’t know if it’s really necessary for Samae to be here. “I’m going to meet the king of islands as a representative so why don’t you go back?”
“Is that possible? “This is a place where I can see someone who is like my uncle for the first time in a long time so it would be rude to leave without even seeing his face.”
“Is there any reason to think it’s rude? “Don’t worry I’ll tell you well.”
“no. it’s okay.”
Wi So-yeon refuses outright.
Jang Neungak glared at her fiercely.
Mrs. Jang clicked her tongue as she looked at the two successors who were now openly showing hostility toward each other.
‘The situation I was worried about may happen.’
She seemed to think it wouldn’t work but eventually Mrs. Jang tried to intervene.
“Two minutes…”
At that time a voice was heard from outside the reception room.
“Ma’am Goddess. “A disciple of Lord Amjong has arrived.”
‘!?’
Hearing this Jang Neungak and Wei Soyeon frowned at the same time.
What does this mean?
‘How can he?’
‘He came in?’
The two naturally assumed that Mok Gyeong-un would have returned after only delivering the gift.
But I had no idea how he got into the manor.
Then Mrs. Jang put her hands together towards the two of them bowed her head slightly and opened her mouth.
“I’m sorry but would it be okay if I invited the female sect master’s disciple here for a while?”
“Thursday… what about the disciple of the Amjongju?”
“I think I should ask for the same understanding from the two of you and from Amjongju’s disciple.”
“Same understanding?”
Jang Neung-ak and Wi So-yeon could not hide their surprise at Mrs. Jang’s words.
What on earth are you trying to say?
However they were in a disappointing situation right now and it was difficult to refuse her understanding in order to make themselves look good.
“…I guess so.”
“I’m fine too.”
Eventually the door opened and Mok Gyeong-un appeared.
Mok Gyeong-un bowed her head and bowed her head in greeting to everyone.
“This is Mok Gyeong-un a disciple of Lord Amjong.”
‘…It’s not the usual off-white color.’
Madam Zhang seeing Mo Qingyun’s face couldn’t help but be impressed in her heart.
For the first time she sees the face of a man who feels more beautiful than tall.
But that was only for a moment
“You were a disciple of the Lord Amjong. “I am the wife of Baek Sa-ha.”
“iced coffee. “It was Madam your godwife.”
Mok Kyung-un bowed lightly again with his hands together.
Then she was about to introduce her Jang Neung-ak and Wi So-yeon but Jang Neung-ak waved her hand and she said.
“We already said hello outside. ma’am.”
“Oh is that so?”
“yes. “I said hello to both of you.”
In response to Mo Kyung-yun’s reply Madam Jang pointed to her empty chair and said
“If you do please sit down.”
“yes. thank you.”
Mok Kyung-un went there glanced at everyone and then sat down.
There was Wi So-yeon next to him.
“How did you get in?”
She whispered softly to Mok Kyung-un.
Mok Kyung-un smiled and answered her question.
“I have some business to run.”
“I’m not asking that right now….”
It was before Wi Soyeon’s words had even finished.
Mrs. Jang spoke to all of her guests folding her hands and bowing her head.
She said “I feel like I have to apologize to the guests who have gathered like this and ask for their understanding. As you know our nobleman is currently completing his third year of mourning. So even now we are all wearing mourning clothes.”
Of course no one knew this.
She continued her words.
“Thank you for coming here. “I think it will be difficult for my husband to meet anyone right now.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
Jang Neung-Ak asked with her narrowed eyes.
Mrs. Jang answered his question.
“That’s literally it. My husband is disconnected from the outside world. “That’s why I have no choice but to ask for your understanding.”
“Haonde aren’t you having a first birthday party right now?”
“He didn’t even come to the first birthday party.”
At Mrs. Jang’s words both Jang Nung-ak and Wi So-yeon became speechless.
I took today as an opportunity to come and visit but who would have expected that I would come into the house and be told that I couldn’t meet him.
No matter how much he was a member of the Five Kings it was difficult to understand that he was sent away without even showing his face when he was visited by not only other people but also successors competing for the position of the next leader.
While both of them were feeling uncomfortable due to unexpected variables and were unable to readily answer that they understood Mrs. Jang said to Mok Gyeong-un.
“Similarly the disciple of Lord Amjong also just walked away this time…”
“That seems difficult.”
‘!?’
The intention to refuse comes out before the words are even finished.
Hearing Mo Qingyun’s words like this Madam Jang frowned and looked at Mo Qingyun.
She is Baek Sa-ha’s wife. She asks for understanding so earnestly. What kind of speech habit is this?
“I should have said that I asked for your understanding…”
“I’m sorry but as far as I know the benefit of three senior plaques is determined by conference rules so no one can refuse it.”
“….”
At these words the great lady bit her lower lip.
Mo Gyeong-un’s words were accurate.
Anyone who holds the three chief tablets of the Sihyeolgok Gate can ask for guidance from any official.
And the executive cannot refuse this.
Since it was established as a meeting rule everyone had to accept it.
But the problem was that Baeksaha the king of island poisons was now in a state where no one could meet him.
That’s why she deliberately asked for forgiveness in front of all of Hoeju’s disciples.
They thought that by doing so Mok Gyeong-un would take notice of them and not ask for further instruction.
But that expectation was different.
‘This kid is really….’
Are you clueless? Are you stubborn?
Whatever it was it was really difficult.
Here if Mo Qingyun was allowed to meet as an exception due to the rules of the meeting what would be the position of the successors?
It could literally be said to be a dilemma.
In fact Jang Neung-ak and Wi So-yeon were concentrating on what answer she would give.
The atmosphere was such that if they tried to let only Mok Gyeong-un in saying it was because of meeting rules there would be resistance.
-Sigh!
At that time her second son Baek So-gang who was next to Mrs. Jang grabbed her arm and shook her head.
At this Mrs. Jang let out her long sigh.
‘There’s nothing I can do.’
I tried to reject her and let her go but it seemed difficult.
She might have been better off experiencing it herself.
* * *
Everyone followed Madam Jang and her second son Baek Sogang to the innermost part of the manor.
At the back of the main temple there was a shrine dedicated to ancestors and next to it was what looked like a small outbuilding.
When they arrived in front of this place the second son Baek So-gang asked for their understanding.
“Please wait here for a moment.”
Baek Sogang entered the annex building.
He went inside and came out again after about half an hour.
A light vapor-like thing was rising from his shoulder.
I’m wondering why it’s like that
-Sigh!
The second son Baek Sogang bowed his head several times and said to everyone bowing to everyone.
“Thank you for your patience. “I told my father about Confucius the young lady and a disciple of Amjongju who came to ask for teachings.”
“Are you saying you’ll meet me?”
Jang Neungak asked.
The second son Baek So-gang looked troubled and then opened his mouth.
“…He said he would meet me.”
“oh! “If that’s the case I’ll go first…”
“There is a condition.”
“What?”
Jang Neungak’s voice rose slightly at Baek Sogang’s words.
Even though they could have met because of Mok Gyeong-un he felt uncomfortable because he thought they were just trying to send them away.
But when he told me what the conditions were it was difficult to hide my displeasure no matter how much I came to get his support.
the other side
“May I ask what the conditions are?”
Wei Xiaoyeon calmly asked that.
In any case in the current situation it was thought that it was right for the one who was disappointed to bow down and go in.
In response to her question Baek So-gang went into the annex and took out something again.
It was a small table with a teapot and several teacups on it.
“This is…”
“You can relieve yourself by drinking the tea we provide or you can go in if you decide you can endure more than a bit.”
‘!?’
Everyone could not hide their surprise at his words.
What does this mean?
What does it mean to drink tea and go in if you can handle it?
Meanwhile Wei So-yeon frowned and spoke.
“Is there poison in the teapot?”
“Yes.”
‘what?’
Everyone was agitated by the answer of the second son Baek So-gang.
I was wondering what the conditions were for going inside and meeting them but this was completely unexpected.
Who would have thought they would hand out a glass of poison?
Jang Neungak said as if it was absurd.
“Are you farming now? “If you drink poison and can survive you come in…”
“I’m sorry. However if you cannot do this you may end up in trouble if you go in.”
“failure?”
“Yes. I am revealing this because my father or rather the matriarch said it was okay for me to tell him. “Right now the inside of this annex is full of poisonous air.”
‘!?’
Hearing his words Jang Neungak frowned and looked at the outbuilding.
That place is full of poison?
To him who was puzzled Lady Jang the grand dame of Baek So-gang the second son spoke to him.
“That is why I asked for your understanding. “I did this because I was afraid that if I went in there it would actually cause harm.”
“under….”
“There are only about four people in the house who can go in here including this child. “The inside of the annex was filled with a strong poison that even Baekga people who had learned poison from a young age found difficult to bear so we had no choice but to ask for their understanding.”
“….”
“Do you still want to go in here?”
Jang Neung-ak and Wi So-yeon hesitated for a moment at her words.
It was difficult to understand why the inside was full of poison or why Baek Sa-ha the King of Island Poisons did not come out of there.
However judging from what he said just now it seemed like there would be no chance of meeting him unless he went in there.
‘…It’s poison.’
The only problem was the poison.
Judging from what Mrs. Jang and her second son Baek So-gang said it didn’t seem like it was an ordinary poison.
It was a truly absurd situation.
Do I have to go this far to meet the King of Island Poisons?
‘Damn it.’
Jang Neung Ak shook his head.
I was getting irritated but there was nothing I could do in the current situation.
Once he gets the support of King Seomdok he can definitely push Wi So-yeon out of the competition and furthermore he will be able to compete with Dae-dae-hyung to some extent.
He had no reason to hesitate no matter how reluctant and unpleasant it was.
The only thing I’m worried about is
‘Poison of Baekga.’
I knew that the Baek family led by Baek Sa-ha the King of Island Poisons was one of the best in poison arts in the entire central plains.
I heard that it was a poisonous spell so extreme that it would not be easy to decipher except from the Sacheondang family or the Western Guyang family but I doubted whether I could easily withstand it.
‘Hold on to one corner….’
It might have been difficult if I didn’t protect my five internal organs from the beginning.
Jang Nengye glanced at Wei Xiaoyeon.
She seemed to hesitate as if she were as concerned about it as she was herself.
‘Whoa.’
okay.
In any case if everyone was on equal terms the answer was to step forward first.
That way you can save some face.
It was the moment when Jang Neung-ak who had made up his mind was about to step forward.
-Rurg!
‘!?’
At that time I saw someone filling a glass in front of me first.
He was none other than Mok Gyeong-un.
He never expected that he would suddenly take the initiative.
Meanwhile Baek Sogang the second son of the Baek family said with a somewhat worried expression.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
This poison was no ordinary poison.
The poisonous energy inside the annex was condensed and mixed with water making it difficult for even a decent poison expert to withstand it.
‘The level of internal energy seems to be shallow but if you drink it for no reason it will last at least four months before it can be detoxified…’
That was the Baeksogang of concern.
In terms of feeling what Mok Kyung-un felt was at best just the beginning of the climax.
With this level of resistance there was a high probability that he would not be able to withstand the poison and suffer failure.
Baek Sogang spoke in a whispering voice.
“Confucius Wood. Let me be honest. Don’t overdo it. “I haven’t studied the woodworker’s inner skills yet….”
-Gulp!
At that time Mok Gyeong-un poured the glass in one go.
‘this?’
Baek Xiaogang looked embarrassed.
I tried to give him enough time to build up his endurance but he just passed that extremely poisonous car in one go?
But what he said next was shocking.
“It’s sweet.”
‘!?’
< Episode 41: King of Poisonous Poison (3) > end
ⓒ Hanzhongwolya
