The Chairman of Pharmaceutical Company is a Poison King - Chapter 80

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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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Chapter 80: After Entering the Palace (2)

 

Daily life in Gurye remained unchanged.

 

It was a long-awaited rest.

 

The New Seoul branch was running stably thanks to explosive sales growth, and with the war over, there were no more requests for demon investigations from the Imperial Intelligence Agency.

 

I just rolled around in bed with Ilisambaeyi, ate a Seondo when hungry, and when bored, went to department stores or marts to buy gifts for Dok-seon Danggumak and stored them in the Infinite Space.

 

I planned to eat exactly one Seondo per day.

 

Though faint, I felt my immortal energy gradually increasing bit by bit.

 

In fact, the Infinite Space was expanding, even if minutely.

 

It was about time to develop a new drug.

 

I already had a drug in mind.

 

I’d been considering it for a while.

 

A treatment for mana rejection syndrome.

 

I couldn’t help but be drawn to it.

 

I myself had been a mana rejecter until recently.

 

But even for Tae-ju, it was extremely difficult, so I’d only been contemplating it.

 

Why was it difficult? Because mana rejection syndrome is a congenital disease.

 

Even in Gangho Murim, there’s a condition called ‘blocked meridian syndrome.’

 

It’s an extremely difficult disease to cure there too.

 

They say it can be cured by artificially opening the blood vessels and achieving proper circulation, but how easy is that?

 

Blocked meridian syndrome causes blocked blood vessels, preventing qi circulation, leading to gradual weakening and death before reaching the early twenties.

 

Up to this point, it seems similar to mana rejection syndrome, but they’re fundamentally different.

 

Blocked meridian syndrome prevents qi accumulation and circulation, while mana rejection syndrome makes mana itself act as poison.

 

In other words, it’s even harder to treat than blocked meridian syndrome.

 

Nevertheless, I had found a clue.

 

Seondo?

 

That won’t work.

 

How many mana rejecters are there in the Empire alone?

 

At minimum 2 million, possibly more.

 

And it’s uncertain whether Seondo would even be effective for mana rejecters.

 

Then what?

 

I could use someone who successfully overcame mana rejection syndrome as a case study, examining how they were cured.

 

Who would that be?

 

Isn’t there one right here?

 

Taehong Bio Chairman Kim Tae-ju.

 

Tae-ju overcame mana rejection syndrome with poison.

 

Of course, it was possible because of the supreme martial art Honweonmusangdokryeongong, but essentially, poison changed his constitution.

 

The answer lies in poison.

 

Let’s make poison, not antidotes.

 

Use poison to improve the constitution of mana rejecters.

 

For that, I need more poison.

 

New poisons I’ve never experienced before.

 

Go to the seaside to make soup with plenty of fresh pufferfish roe, catch various snakes and let them sink their fangs into my forearms, go to Jirisan wilderness and poke mutant giant hornet nests to get stung.

 

‘I should go abroad at least once…’

 

I want to taste poisons created in different environments.

 

Truly tropical climates hotter than subtropical Gurye, or deserts.

 

Scorpions, poisonous spiders, poisonous ants, various reptiles and amphibians, and poisonous plants.

 

Going abroad isn’t difficult.

 

I have the Swordsman’s sword, the Ten Thousand Li Flying Sword.

 

I’ll plan the schedule after the victory ceremony ends.

 

Meanwhile, Tae-ju heard news of the victory ceremony’s postponement through the media.

 

Also reports that the Emperor’s illness was serious.

 

‘What? Didn’t he eat the Seondo?’

 

Or maybe eating the Seondo made his symptoms worse.

 

Just as I picked up my smartphone to investigate, Secretary Geum Su-ho contacted me first.

 

“Hello? Secretary Geum.”

 

– Did you hear the news too? The thing is…

 

Geum Su-ho explained the situation to Tae-ju.

 

The Seondo was effective, thank you so much, he’s taking time for complete recovery, so the victory ceremony was postponed…

 

– His Majesty is currently in solitary retreat, driving out the demonic energy. That’s why I’m calling instead. Chairman Kim, thank you so much. Thanks to you, we’ve eliminated two demonic stakes.

 

Only two?

 

“How many were there in total?”

 

– Seven. Only five left. It’s just a matter of time now.

 

It’s taking too long.

 

Can he eliminate all the stakes before the victory ceremony?

 

I had loudly proclaimed that the Emperor was healthy.

 

‘It looks like I lied.’

 

Just showing improvement isn’t enough.

 

He needs to return to exactly how he was before.

 

Also, Tae-ju was curious.

 

How strong the Emperor was when healthy.

 

Since he said it’s just a matter of time anyway, let’s speed it up instead of waiting.

 

“Hmm, I have some liquor I’ve been drinking… drinking that might show faster results.”

 

Immortal wine made from 50 Seondo.

 

I transferred the wine from the jar into soju bottles.

 

That produced eight bottles.

 

Each bottle should have about the immortal energy of six peaches.

 

I drank two bottles, gave one each to Brother Baek Hong-pyo, General Manager Baek Seo-yeon, and my disciples Soon-cheol and Changghun, leaving two bottles now.

 

– …Liquor? Is that also precious?

 

“Yes.”

 

– Like the peaches?

 

“More precious than that, and impossible to obtain.”

 

– Uh, hmm…

 

“Shall I give you some? I have exactly one bottle left.”

 

– Actually, His Majesty has been wondering how to repay the debt he owes you. So it’s too shameless to readily ask for it.

 

“You can buy it from me.”

 

– Oh! I see. Then what should we pay with? Money? Gold? Jewels?

 

“I’m a bit short on Elite mana crystals these days.”

 

– Understood. I’ll go to Gurye right away.

 

I didn’t even say how many.

 

He wouldn’t come with just one, would he?

 

Let’s see.

 

Secretary Geum Su-ho arrived in Gurye three hours after hanging up the phone, apparently using aircraft rather than trains.

 

Tae-ju met with Geum Su-ho at Taehong Bio headquarters.

 

As soon as they met, Geum Su-ho handed Tae-ju two travel suitcases he’d brought.

 

“I brought them.”

 

“…What’s this?”

 

“I brought them from the Imperial Palace vault. About 100 for now. To bring more, I’d have to leave records in the ledger.”

 

“…”

 

A whopping 100 Elite mana crystals.

 

Items that won’t even be recorded.

 

Considering the Empire’s history of expanding territory while fighting magical beasts, the number of crystals accumulated over time must be countless and tremendous.

 

‘…This exceeds my expectations.’

 

Of course, it’s still lacking compared to the immortal wine.

 

Tae-ju took out a bottle of immortal wine from his coat pocket that he had previously retrieved from his infinite storage.

 

“Here it is.”

 

“…Soju?”

 

“It’s just a soju bottle on the outside. The contents are different.”

 

“Ah!”

 

“Please share this with His Majesty as well.”

 

“…Huh?”

 

Geum Su-ho took out his smartphone as if remembering something.

 

“C-could you repeat that?”

 

“What…?”

 

“What you just said.”

 

Tae-ju tilted his head.

 

‘What did I say? I just told him to share it with His Majesty… Ah!’

 

Could it be?

 

“By any chance, didn’t you get to eat the peach?”

 

“….”

 

“Not even a bite?”

 

“….”

 

It seems that way.

 

The Emperor probably used his authority to stop him.

 

I can understand both the Emperor’s feelings and Geum Su-ho’s feelings.

 

So he spoke clearly into the smartphone where the recording app was running again.

 

“His Majesty the Emperor and Secretary Geum, please make sure you both share it together.”

 

Only then did Geum Su-ho show a satisfied smile.

 

Honestly, he looks pitiful.

 

He’s the second most powerful person after the Emperor.

 

I hope he gets to eat it this time.

 

* * *

 

Paju Domain.

 

General Kim Woong-bang was absorbed in work in his office late into the night.

 

Though it’s a small domain, there’s a lot to do.

 

Basic administrative work, taxes and financial accounting, public safety, domain construction, welfare for domain residents….

 

There’s even more besides this.

 

The domains granted by the Emperor are mostly located near magical beast concentration areas.

 

Paju Domain is the same.

 

The area that was once called the DMZ.

 

Next to it, Yeoncheon Territory and Cheorwon Territory are also near the DMZ.

 

They must periodically subjugate magical beasts to control their numbers.

 

Because of this, the domain’s budget slowly melts away.

 

Subjugation requires enormous costs.

 

The cost of hiring the Territorial Standing Army including Awakened and Compatible ones, or civilian mercenaries, weapons and equipment, combat consumables… Some can be covered by selling magical beast byproducts, but it’s still always insufficient.

 

The reason for struggling with the budget every year like this is due to Paju Domain’s limitations.

 

With no notable profitable industries, infrastructure is lacking, and the number of domain residents who are the main source of tax revenue is also not many.

 

So today too, Kim Woong-bang couldn’t even think of sleeping as he squeezed the budget.

 

Suddenly!

 

Knock knock.

 

The sound of someone knocking on the office door.

 

“Do you still have a lot of work left?”

 

It was Honda Mitsui, the lady of Paju Domain.

 

“Almost finished. Why didn’t you go to bed first?”

 

“How could I? The head of the household is still working.”

 

She placed a steaming hot teacup on the desk.

 

“It’s mana ten-treasure decoction. Drink this while you work.”

 

“…Hmm.”

 

Kim Woong-bang stared intently at the medicinal drink Mitsui had brought.

 

His expression seemed somewhat disappointed.

 

“Sigh.”

 

After letting out a deep sigh, he looked at her face.

 

“You seem to have made up your mind.”

 

“What?”

 

“You’ve decided to cross the line after all?”

 

“…Wh-what do you mean?”

 

“You underestimate a Master too much.”

 

Kim Woong-bang stopped what he was doing and stood up from his seat.

 

Mitsui flinched and took a step back.

 

Suddenly her husband looked different.

 

“I understand. I must have looked pathetic with my incompetent and indecisive personality, having to ask my in-laws for help every time.”

 

“Honey! Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?”

 

“But this isn’t right, is it? Trying to feed poison to your husband.”

 

“…Ah.”

 

Mitsui was flustered.

 

Her eyes shook mercilessly.

 

How did he find out?

 

However.

 

“Wh-what are you saying? Are you saying I was trying to poison you or something?”

 

“Then why don’t you drink this medicinal drink yourself? Right here, right now.”

 

“….”

 

Mitsui squeezed her eyes shut.

 

“Your behavior has been strange ever since you met Tae-ju at the Imperial Palace gate. Besides, you’re not a Compatible. A Master can easily detect the killing intent harbored by a Compatible.”

 

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

 

“Then try drinking it.”

 

“…Ahhh.”

 

Thud!

 

Mitsui collapsed to the floor.

 

Everything was exposed.

 

“H-honey, please listen to me. I must have lost my mind for a moment. F-father, father ordered me to do it.”

 

“I know. Of course you wouldn’t have planned this alone.”

 

“…Th-then?”

 

Kim Woong-bang spoke with a cold expression.

 

“But before that! Did you think I wouldn’t know that you tried to kill Tae-ju? I didn’t make an issue of it then. Tae-ju didn’t die, and I wanted to maintain our family too. But that was my mistake.”

 

Mitsui’s complexion turned deathly pale.

 

Her husband knew after all.

 

Everything!

 

There was no way out.

 

Except to beg for forgiveness.

 

“P-please forgive me. For the sake of all the years we’ve lived together, just once….”

 

“Sigh, there’s only one forgiveness I can give you.”

 

“What…?”

 

“I won’t kill you. Pack your things immediately and leave for Kyushu. I’ll send the divorce papers later.”

 

“…”

 

Divorce.

 

As soon as she heard those words, Mitsui’s expression turned venomous.

 

“Are you planning to kick me out and bring Tae-ju back? To pass the domain to that bastard?”

 

“You still haven’t come to your senses. Do you think Tae-ju would even care about this measly domain?”

 

“What…?”

 

This measly domain.

 

She had tried to kill her stepson and even her husband for this.

 

“Word is going around that His Majesty will grant Gurye City to Tae-ju. He’s almost certain to become the greatest contributor in this war.”

 

“Th-that’s ridiculous!”

 

“If you had just stayed quiet, everything would have worked out naturally. But your impatience and your father’s ruined everything.”

 

Mitsui glared at Kim Woong-bang with eyes filled with resentment and said.

 

“It’s all my fault to the very end. You did nothing wrong?”

 

“…Too much. So much that I want to drink this poison right now.”

 

“Why don’t you do it now then.”

 

“I alone wouldn’t be enough. Let’s slowly wither away together.”

 

Finally unable to contain her anger, Mitsui’s body trembled violently.

 

“Just you wait! I won’t let this slide.”

 

And that day, she left Paju Domain with her two sons Kim Tae-pyeong and Kim Tae-cheon.

 

* * *

 

In the Immortal Realm, a discussion broke out about what swordsmanship the Swordsman would demonstrate.

 

“If it’s the Swordsman’s sword technique, there’s only one! The Heavenly Escape Sword Technique!”

 

The Swordsman spoke triumphantly.

 

But Danggumak sighed deeply and said.

 

“Are you out of your mind? I said we need sword techniques that ordinary people can learn! You need to choose something they can follow.”

 

“Oh… right. Then the Taiji Wisdom Sword?”

 

“That’s also rejected. How many martial artists would understand the secrets?”

 

“The Thirty-Six Swords Under Heaven?”

 

“Not a chance. Only the sect leader of Zongnan Sect would learn that.”

 

“What about the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique?”

 

“Something even easier than that.”

 

True to his Taoist origins, supreme Daoist techniques flowed endlessly from the Swordsman’s mouth.

 

What was finally adopted was the Demon Subduing Sword Technique.

 

It was easier to learn compared to the previously mentioned techniques, and above all, they liked the name that meant subduing demons.

 

The immortals gathered to select a filming location.

 

They avoided places with backlighting, and when lighting was insufficient, they used magic to add more light.

 

They also prepared a script.

 

Danggumak wrote it himself after getting the Swordsman’s approval.

 

The video cameraman was Demon Valley Immortal.

 

Being an immortal with an exceptionally good mind, he quickly mastered how to use it after fiddling with the tablet a few times.

 

Danggumak also took on the dubbing role.

 

This was because the Swordsman didn’t know the language of the Samhan Empire.

 

Finally, the Swordsman stood in front of the tablet lens.

 

Danggumak raised his hand high.

 

“Ready…”

 

Everyone held their breath.

 

“Action!”

 

The camera app started running.

 

With piercing eyes, a long beard fluttering in the wind, sword tip pointing downward, the Swordsman took a step forward.

 

“Demon Subduing Sword Technique First Form, Strike Sword Warning Demons, swing the sword to drive away evil spirits.”

 

As soon as Danggumak’s words ended, the Swordsman’s sword embroidered the air.

 

Commentary began simultaneously.

 

“Start the technique by striking the enemy hard with the flat of the sword. At this time, step forward with the right foot, putting one part of energy into the Quchi acupoint, one part into the Laogong acupoint, while closing the Hegu acupoint and through the Shaoze acupoint…”

 

The filming of the first form was repeated 4 times.

 

From the front, from the right, from the left, from behind.

 

And.

 

“Cut!”

 

“Good work.”

 

“You worked hard.”

 

“As expected of the Swordsman! This will be finished quickly.”

 

The Swordsman rushed over eagerly as soon as he finished demonstrating the technique.

 

“Dok-seon, was it okay?”

 

“It came out very well.”

 

“Let me see.”

 

The recorded video played on the tablet.

 

The immortals also crowded around to watch together.

 

But the Swordsman’s face gradually hardened.

 

“Hmm…”

 

He didn’t seem satisfied.

 

“Let’s do it again.”

 

“Hm? Why…?”

 

“The expression is no good. Too stiff. Not natural.”

 

“Expression isn’t what’s important right now.”

 

“It’s important to me! Let’s do it again.”

 

“…”

 

It seemed like the filming would take a long time.

 

The immortals seemed to feel the same way as they each made comments.

 

“Does he think he’s an actor?”

 

“If he’s going to be like that, he should have done makeup first.”

 

“At this rate, we might end up filming a feature-length movie.”

 

“Tsk tsk, so that’s the celebrity disease we’ve only heard about.”

 

However, the Swordsman didn’t even pretend to listen.

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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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