Chapter 8 : Seeking the Spiritual Medicine (2)

Chapter 8: Seeking the Spiritual Medicine (2)

As we were coming out after getting the horses, we overheard a group of warriors releasing their horses in the stables and chatting amongst themselves.

"I’ve found out why the elites of the Demonic Path, the Dark Path, and the Unorthodox Factions are gathering near Seven Strings Mountain."

"Yeah? I was wondering why those bastards were swarming there when Wudang is so close by… So, what’s the reason?"

"They say an elixir has been discovered there—one that’s especially appealing to the Demonic and Dark Paths."

"What kind of elixir would appeal to the Demonic or Dark Path?"

Perhaps cautious of being overheard, the man’s voice suddenly dropped.

Naturally, Yong Hwarin and his group focused their internal energy and sharpened their hearing.

But even so, the voice was too low to make out.

Mo Biyoung, clearly curious, muttered to herself.

"What could it be?"

An elixir was a coveted treasure for any martial artist. Of course, someone like Mo Biyoung wouldn’t be disinterested.

Yong Hwarin began digging through his memories from his past life.

‘What was it again…? Around this time, there was that elixir favored by the Demonic or Dark Path…’

In his past life, Yong Hwarin had been physically frail and mostly stayed within his clan, so he hadn’t heard much about events like this. But soon, a particular memory surfaced.

He remembered that the Jaegal Clan had gotten involved, as the event had taken place at Seven Strings Mountain, which lay between Mount Wudang and Yongjung Mountain. At the time, someone had casually mentioned it in relation to his then-fiancée's family.

"Ah, the Demonic Poison Stoneflower."

At his words, the three others turned to look at Yong Hwarin.

"Never heard that name before."

They stared at him with puzzled expressions, surprised he had identified the elixir by name so quickly despite them hearing it only vaguely.

"But Young Master, you’ve never even set foot in the world of martial arts. How do you know all this?"

The tall Jungwook peered down at Yong Hwarin’s crown and asked.

Yong Hwarin ignored Jungwook’s question and explained the Demonic Poison Stoneflower instead.

"I heard there’s a sort of graveyard where the mountain’s poisonous insects go to die. Over hundreds of years, the accumulated toxins form a pool. When that toxic pool hardens, it becomes a Demonic Poison Stone. Eventually, seeds fall on it and a flower blooms—like a lotus. That flower becomes imbued with all sorts of demonic and poisonous energy. That’s the Demonic Poison Stoneflower."

Yong Hwarin paused to catch his breath and continued.

"The root of the flower is far too toxic for humans to consume. But the petals purify that poison, creating the purest form of venom. If someone who practices demonic arts stews the petals and consumes them, their internal energy increases by half a level. I vaguely remember reading in a book that such a flower was once discovered at Seven Strings Mountain."

"So ultimately, that elixir is only useful to practitioners of demonic arts, right?"

Jungwook lost interest upon hearing it was a demonic elixir.

"Exactly."

"Then there’s no reason for us to go that way."

Mo Biyoung preemptively spoke up, clearly worried Yong Hwarin might take an interest in the flower and head to Seven Strings Mountain.

Yong Hwarin, too, had only heard of the event and had no idea who ended up with the elixir.

Even if he joined the scramble, he couldn’t be sure he could seize the elixir from all those top-tier masters of the Demonic Path. Though he was desperate to grow stronger, risking his life wasn’t justified.

Just as he was about to drop interest in the elixir, a spark flashed across his mind.

‘That’s right. After this incident, there was a demonic practitioner who suddenly appeared as a master. Rumors spread that he was the one who obtained the Demonic Poison Stoneflower. But by then, he was so powerful no one dared ask him about it.’

Yong Hwarin smiled subtly as a clue clicked into place.

"Master Sword Demon, I’ve heard you're well-experienced in the martial world. Do you know someone from the Demonic Path named Gocheok?"

Namwook, the one with the thick beard, rubbed his chin and fell into thought.

"Hmm… From what I know, Gocheok is the head of a small-to-mid-level sect in Hubei aligned neither with orthodoxy nor evil."

"Would that sect be the Serpent Dragon Sect?"

At Yong Hwarin’s question, Namwook nodded.

It was unexpected that the Sect Head would know not only someone from Hubei but also about a minor sect there.

Knowing Gocheok was strange too, but such oddities were common, so they brushed it off.

‘So it really was Gocheok of the Serpent Dragon Blade. He must’ve been the one who ultimately obtained the Demonic Poison Stoneflower. He went from first-rate to peak master in just six months, enough to shake up the entire Hubei region. People thought no one had obtained the elixir, but he must’ve taken it after all.’

Yong Hwarin was sure of it.

There was no way someone could leap several stages in martial arts and internal energy within six months without a stroke of fortune.

"If that elixir falls into the hands of the Demonic Path, wouldn’t the martial world in Hubei be in danger?"

The three turned their eyes to Yong Hwarin at his words.

"Hubei has the Wudang Sect, one of the martial world's pillars, and the Jaegal Clan, which stands alongside the major families. There’s no need for us to worry."

Mo Biyoung stepped in again, trying to dissuade him.

"Besides, it’s one of the places we’d pass through on the way to the Jaegal Clan anyway. We might as well stop by. I think the Jaegal Clan is involved in this incident too. Meeting them there and heading to the clan together might be a good move."

Yong Hwarin didn’t need to join the scramble.

If Gocheok was the one to seize it, the best strategy would be to intercept him on his way back to the Serpent Dragon Sect.

"Even if we get that demonic elixir, it’s useless to us."

Mo Biyoung voiced her concern, worried Yong Hwarin might get greedy and dive into the battle.

But Yong Hwarin had a different thought.

That elixir from the Demonic Path might be specially suited for practicing the martial arts of his main family.

Considering the Heavenly Central Sect’s martial arts had their roots in the Demonic Path, it wasn’t unthinkable that an elixir rich in demonic energy would suit its techniques.

They didn’t know that, of course, so they assumed Yong Hwarin was merely curious.

Still, since Yong Hwarin had never caused real trouble or acted recklessly, they couldn’t reject his suggestion outright.

"Fine. But we are not going anywhere near Seven Strings Mountain."

At Mo Biyoung’s firm words, Yong Hwarin grinned brightly.

"Don’t worry. If I try heading toward Seven Strings Mountain, Master Mo, you can tie me down."

"A man’s word—"

"—is worth a thousand gold."

Exchanging a typical phrase used to seal a promise, the two looked at each other.

It was the kind of childish exchange kids made, yet they said it with such sincerity that it made the Two Wook Sword Demons shudder and get goosebumps.

*

"We’ll stay here for a while."

When Yong Hwarin firmly kept his promise, Mo Biyoung sighed in relief.

The Two Wook Sword Demons, however, looked slightly disappointed.

They were warriors who lived up to their "Sword Demon" title—fighting was their joy, and they believed it was the best way to grow stronger.

Missing out on a battle against top-tier demonic masters felt like a waste.

But Yong Hwarin had something else in mind.

At that time, the area around Seven Strings Mountain was like a devil’s den. Heading there without proper martial skills would only make him a sacrificial lamb.

His past life experience of managing a merchant union taught him that well.

‘The one who laughs last is the true winner.’

Yong Hwarin stopped at several inns to find the ones run by the Serpent Dragon Sect.

A few coins to the servers quickly got him the information he needed.

The Serpent Dragon Sect operated five inns and taverns.

"You three, go check each of these inns. Look for the one that doesn’t have many guests but has many horses."

The three returned and reported to Yong Hwarin shortly.

After receiving reports on all five inns, Yong Hwarin picked one.

"The one Master Mo mentioned—isn’t that the one farthest from the Serpent Dragon Sect’s base?"

"Huh? How did you know?"

"If you’re trying to do something in secret, it’s best to be far from your own turf to avoid suspicion."

Yong Hwarin’s previous life experience told him that any fast movement required horses.

And if Gocheok obtained the elixir, he would likely pass through this very inn to smuggle it quietly.

For that, they wouldn’t accept other guests. Anyone disguised as a guest could be after the elixir.

"We’ll stay at this inn for a few days."

Yong Hwarin believed Gocheok would appear at the inn run by the Serpent Dragon Sect. Since he wasn’t heading for Seven Strings Mountain, Mo Biyoung and the Two Wook Sword Demons agreed.

Mo Biyoung hoped that staying here for a few days would keep Yong Hwarin away from the dangerous battle until the elixir scramble ended.

During that time, Yong Hwarin didn’t slack in his training. He had no intention of leaving himself as vulnerable as he’d been in the past.

A martial artist must have the force to protect their clan. A merchant must have the wealth to shield it.

Yong Hwarin understood that truth painfully well.

To prevent the disaster that would strike his family in a year, he needed the elixir. Training through ordinary means would never make him strong enough in time.

Just after unpacking in the inn room, Namwook whispered from the second floor as he looked out over the street.

"Young Master, that man is Gocheok, the Sect Leader of the Serpent Dragon Sect."

Yong Hwarin frowned.

‘What? He should be at Seven Strings Mountain. Why is he here? Did I get something wrong?’

Gocheok was supposed to be desperately chasing after the Demonic Poison Stoneflower by now. If he was here, it meant he wasn’t part of the scramble.

‘Was I wrong?’

Then, someone entered the inn and whispered into Gocheok’s ear.

Their voice was so low that even with enhanced hearing, Yong Hwarin couldn’t make it out.

"Did either of you hear anything?"

The Two Wook Sword Demons shook their heads.

Even with their abilities, the background noise from the guests made it impossible to catch the words.

But Gocheok seemed excited at the end, and his voice carried more strength as he gave an order—just enough for Yong Hwarin, who had his senses heightened, to hear.

Yong Hwarin grinned.

"Gather the Eight Serpent Dragon Swordsmen and the Twelve Serpent Dragon Sabermen quietly. We’re going to pursue them."

Jungwook, who had also focused his hearing, picked up the words.

"Whoa, the Serpent Dragon Sect is putting everything into this. Those two groups are their elite forces."

Yong Hwarin’s face turned solemn as he nodded.

He recalled that the Serpent Dragon Sect had lost most of their power due to this very event.