I Will Become a Phoenix More Noble Than the Emperor - Chapter 24

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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24.

 

 

 

 

Seon-o looked completely different from when she had been seen at the first gateway.

 

Dressed properly in fine clothes with a spotlessly clean face without a speck of dust, Seon-o seemed like a different person from that day.

 

Wi Gong-un gazed at Seon-o’s neat features. Even without any powder applied, her clear face strangely captivated the eye.

 

‘If this face is exposed tomorrow, it will draw even more attention.’

 

With the entire country already buzzing with talk about Seon-o, her refined appearance was an unwelcome element for the Wi Family. However, Wi Gong-un hid his true feelings and smiled kindly.

 

“I am the Young Master of Wi Family, Wi Gong-un. You must be Young Lady Kang.”

 

Only then did Seon-o bow silently in greeting.

 

“I am Kang Seon-o.”

“I heard you came to see Wi I-ryeong.”

 

Wi Gong-un’s voice was kind, but there was puzzlement within it.

 

“Yes, I would like to meet Lord Wi.”

“Wi I-ryeong is currently returning to the capital.”

 

At those words, Seon-o’s mouth opened slightly.

 

‘He hasn’t returned yet?’

 

That couldn’t be.

 

According to the original story, Wi I-ryeong should have returned to the capital yesterday. Carrying the seed from within the broken Yin Stone.

 

“It will probably take about an hour, so why don’t you wait inside.”

 

‘Is he a day late?’

 

Seon-o pondered for a moment then shook her head. She had no intention of staying at the Wi Family Estate for a whole hour.

 

“No. I’ll come back another time.”

 

Seon-o bowed silently again and tried to turn around. However, Wi Gong-un’s words stopped her in her tracks.

 

“You’ve injured your neck.”

 

At those words, Seon-o unconsciously touched her neck with an “Ah.” Whatever poison had been on that demon beast’s tongue at Maehwagak, the very next day red marks appeared where it had wrapped around her neck and hives broke out.

 

She had returned home, called a physician, and tried applying various medicines, but when nothing worked, she had been about to give up. Wi Gong-un narrowed his eyes and examined those red hives carefully.

 

“It’s demon poison. And it’s from a leader demon at that?”

 

It was an accurate diagnosis. Seon-o looked at him in surprise. At her reaction, Wi Gong-un’s eyes curved like crescents.

 

“Would it be alright if I treated it for you?”

 

Seon-o was flustered by the unexpected offer.

 

Wi Gong-un wants to treat me?

 

Seon-o knew Wi Gong-un. That while he smiled so kindly, he was actually cunning and sinister. That there was nothing he wouldn’t do for his family clan, and that he was the man who had interfered with On Gang several times.

 

It was also strange that someone with such sinister nature was praised as being innocent.

 

But…

 

Seon-o knew that while her parents didn’t show it, they kept glancing at her neck. She also knew that for the past two nights, her mother had secretly entered her room and carefully applied medicine to Seon-o’s neck while she slept.

 

‘Right now it’s only the first gateway and there are many watching eyes, so he can’t do anything harmful.’

 

The physician who had come to Seon-o’s house said this wound could only be healed by a very skilled physician. The medical arts skill of Wi Gong-un, the next head of the Wi Family, went without saying.

 

Moreover, Wi Gong-un was a candidate after all. He wouldn’t be low enough to kill a fellow candidate out of personal motives.

 

‘I should also learn more about Wi Gong-un.’

 

Seon-o came to a conclusion.

 

“…Then may I shamelessly ask for your help?”

 

At those words, Wi Gong-un’s eyes glinted strangely. He soon smiled again, folding his eyes as if it were natural.

 

“Please come this way.”

 

* * *

 

Having entered the Wi Family Estate, Seon-o followed Wi Gong-un’s guidance.

 

The mansion that had looked impressive even from the outside revealed overwhelming majesty once she stepped inside.

 

Passing through elaborate stone paths and splendid gardens, Seon-o finally arrived at a beautiful pavilion that appeared to be a separate building. Upon entering, the scent of medicinal herbs that had been subtly spread throughout the entire mansion grew thicker.

 

“Please sit.”

 

Wi Gong-un seated Seon-o in a soft chair, then brought a chair in front of her and positioned himself close to Seon-o.

 

“May I examine your neck closely?”

 

At those words, Seon-o obediently lifted her head. Wi Gong-un showed a brief smile, then smoothly extended his hand and placed two fingers against Seon-o’s neck.

 

He who had been holding his breath as if gauging the situation for a moment cautiously opened his mouth.

 

“However, may I ask what business you have with I-ryeong?”

 

Since it was an expected question, Seon-o answered calmly.

 

“I once received a favor from Master Wi, so I came to pay my respects.”

 

To I-ryeong? Gong-un stared at Seon-o as if surprised. When exactly? For what matter? It was curious, but Seon-o didn’t seem inclined to say more, and Gong-un couldn’t cross the line further.

 

Gong-un, who had focused again on the wound lingering on Seon-o’s neck, frowned.

 

“Oh my.”

 

As his voice became serious, Seon-o tensed and glanced at him.

 

“Is it serious?”

“It’s a deadly poison. It’s poison with sorcery cast on it.”

 

What?

 

“Sorcery…?”

“Yes. Some poisons can have such things cast on them.”

 

Gong-un whispered as if conveying a secret. Of course, this was something Seon-o already knew. It had appeared in the original story. I was careless. I failed to anticipate that the Leader Demon’s tongue would have poison on it, or that sorcery would be cast on that poison.

 

‘Of course, even if I had known, I couldn’t have avoided it.’

 

“What kind of sorcery is it?”

“It causes thirst. If left untreated, you’ll continuously drink water until you die from water poisoning.”

 

At those chilling words, Seon-o’s throat stiffened. She had been particularly thirsty since returning from Maehwagak. Seon-o asked calmly.

 

“Is treatment possible?”

 

Then Gong-un, who had been serious, quietly stared at Seon-o for a moment.

 

Still pressing Seon-o’s neck with his fingertips.

 

That gaze made Seon-o’s heart turn cold.

 

‘…Wait. Damn? From Wi Gong-un’s position, there’s no reason to help.’

 

If left alone, one candidate would disappear on their own, so there was no reason for Gong-un, who wished for I-ryeong’s victory, to bother saving me. However, contrary to Seon-o’s momentary anxiety, Gong-un soon smiled kindly.

 

“Of course. But this poison is so vicious that it must be treated with another poison.”

“Another poison… you say?”

“In other words, having a stronger poison devour the weaker poison. There will be a fierce battle inside your throat.”

 

Gong-un’s voice scattered ominously as if it were a very dangerous thing. When Seon-o tensed and unconsciously swallowed dry saliva, Gong-un smiled again and comforted her.

 

“But don’t worry. This poison will only hurt for a very brief moment before disappearing quickly. I will absorb it.”

 

Having finished speaking, Gong-un withdrew his hand and stood up. He brought a bowl and thin acupuncture needle that were cleanly prepared on the large table in the center of the room and sat in front of Seon-o again.

 

When Gong-un placed the bowl on the side table, a black, sticky liquid rose above the empty bowl. It was poison that gave off a burnt smell. Seon-o swallowed dry saliva while watching that magical scene.

 

That thing, into my neck with that needle?

 

‘No, more than that, can I trust Wi Gong-un?’

 

It was true that a burning thirst was intensifying in her throat. Other physicians couldn’t even detect that sorcery was cast on this poison.

 

If Gong-un’s words were true, I would die futilely before even becoming the phoenix.

 

‘That can’t happen.’

 

No matter how much it was Gong-un, he wouldn’t create a situation where a phoenix candidate died in his own house.

 

Finally, Seon-o clenched her fists tightly and answered.

 

“Please do it.”

 

Then Gong-un smiled as if it were natural and lifted the acupuncture needle. After thoroughly soaking the needle tip in the black poison, he approached Seon-o closely. Gong-un, who slowly examined her white neck as if looking for a place to insert the needle, asked gently.

 

“But did you really not know what kind of poison was on this wound?”

 

At those words like an affectionate whisper, Seon-o, who had been closing her eyes and preparing herself, frowned and opened her eyes.

 

“What do you mean by that…”

 

At that moment, the acupuncture needle plunged deep into Seon-o’s neck.

 

“Huk…”

 

As Seon-o stopped breathing and stiffened, Gong-un moved a little closer and examined her neck carefully. His breath was touching her neck, but she had no time to care about such things due to the lightning-like pain.

 

Her skin was pierced and pain as hot as lava rushed through the gap.

 

“Please endure it a little. It’s being disinfected.”

“Ah… ugh…”

 

Seon-o couldn’t even respond properly and gasped. Gong-un gently took Seon-o’s hand that was floating in the air and trembling.

 

“Easy now. Just a little more. It’s better than dying, isn’t it?”

 

When Seon-o sensed a pleasant tone in Gong-un’s voice, blood rushed to her head.

 

‘This bastard…?’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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