The World’s Greatest Martial Arts Instructor - Chapter 355

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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 355. There Was None

 

 

Dang Ja-cheong frowned as he searched through his memories for a long time.

No matter how much he racked his brain, there was no way such poison arts could exist.

He wasn’t even certain of the poison well’s existence, yet poison arts that utilized a poison well…

Dang Ja-cheong shook his head repeatedly.

Ha Mu-baek quietly observed Dang Ja-cheong.

[Let’s go out for now.]

At Dang Ja-cheong’s sound transmission, the two men climbed back up.

Dang Ji-yeon was waiting for them in the distance, restlessly pacing.

Ha Mu-baek moved the rock again to close the entrance.

Just circulating internal energy to remove the poison energy from their bodies was no ordinary task.

Ha Mu-baek accomplished it without difficulty.

But Dang Ja-cheong had to consume nearly all his internal energy to barely shake off the poison energy.

Immediately after, he had to enter energy circulation and breathing to recover his internal energy.

“How was it?”

“There was a poison well, but there wasn’t.”

Dang Ji-yeon’s complexion also turned grave as she immediately understood the meaning of Dang Ja-cheong’s words.

“How could the poison well…”

“Is this even possible?”

Ha Mu-baek was also serious. So much so that he unconsciously infused internal energy into his voice.

The internal energy of Infinite Ruyi penetrated Dang Ja-cheong’s ears.

Originally, Ha Mu-baek’s purpose was to escort Dang Ja-cheong and Dang Ji-yeon.

However, after encountering the poison energy in that underground cave, this was no ordinary matter.

And now the poison well had disappeared.

What if it had entered the Central Plains?

“I’ve been continuously searching through all the knowledge I possess… but there’s nothing. At least within the scope of what I know, it’s impossible… wait.”

Suddenly, Dang Ja-cheong stopped speaking and searched his memories again.

An old memory buried deep in his recollections.

When Dang Ja-cheong was a child, around the time he wasn’t even ten years old? Around that time.

At a gathering of Sichuan sects.

A figure he had met came to mind.

Why did a fragment of childhood memory suddenly surface at Ha Mu-baek’s question?

He couldn’t tell.

The reason wasn’t important.

Dang Ja-cheong focused on the memory that had suddenly emerged.

 

“Hehe. So you’re the child called Ja-cheong from the Tang Family. I hear you have tremendous talent?”

“You flatter me. But who might you be, elder?”

“Ah, my. I’ve committed a breach of etiquette. I am called Yayul Han.”

Yayul was not a Central Plains surname.

It was a surname from the foreign lands, specifically from the northern nomadic tribes, so how could he be at a gathering of Sichuan sects.

Just as he was about to tilt his head in confusion.

Recalling a memory about a renowned figure he had heard from his father, he hurriedly performed a cupped fist salute and bowed his head.

“Dang Ja-cheong of the Tang Family pays respects to the Poison Saint, Lord of Cheondok Valley.”

“Hehehe. No, no. I was wrong to speak so suddenly.”

Dang Ja-cheong looked at Yayul Han, who burst into such laughter, with sparkling eyes.

The elderly man was currently acknowledged as number one under heaven when it came to poisons.

The title of Poison Saint contained respect for such a person.

At Dang Ja-cheong’s sparkling gaze, Yayul Han smiled warmly once more.

“Why are you like that? Do you have something to say to me?”

Dang Ja-cheong hesitantly nodded his head.

The number one under heaven in poisons.

A question that even the adults of the noble family couldn’t answer for him.

Could Yayul Han before his eyes perhaps provide an answer?

“Don’t be shy and speak up.”

Yayul Han spoke with a kind face.

“Th-that… Do, do poison wells truly exist?”

At young Dang Ja-cheong’s question, Yayul Han still maintained his kind expression.

Poison wells.

A dream that anyone who learns poison arts has in childhood.

And as they grow into adults, they realize it’s nothing more than fantasy and return to reality.

Young Dang Ja-cheong still held fantasies about poison wells.

Yayul Han quietly observed Dang Ja-cheong.

The eldest son of the Tang Family Head.

A child who would become the Tang Family Head in the future.

His talent was already renowned throughout all under heaven, beyond just Sichuan.

This child was asking him with dreams in his heart.

Whether poison wells truly existed.

After a brief silence, Yayul Han’s lips moved.

“Our valley’s strongest poison art is called the Brilliant Poison Art.”

This was a story he already knew well.

Cheondok Valley’s Brilliant Poison Art.

Wasn’t it an ultimate technique with high renown throughout all under heaven?

The Soul-Stealing Spirit-Draining Brilliant Poison Art.

A peerless poison art that could compete with the Tang Family’s Ten Thousand Streams Return to Origin Poison Art.

“Unknown to the world, the valley lord has mastered two types of Brilliant Poison Arts. One is the Soul-Stealing Spirit-Draining Brilliant Poison Art that you know well.”

“Master!”

At that moment, there was a voice calling for Yayul Han from afar.

It was two young men.

Myo Gu-eung and Wang Sa-geon.

The first disciple and second disciple.

The two were hurriedly approaching to find Yayul Han.

“What’s the matter?”

“They say the gathering of sect leaders will begin soon.”

As the valley lord of Cheondok Valley, Yayul Han had to participate in that gathering.

“I see. Then I must go.”

Yayul Han nodded as he spoke.

Disappointment appeared on Dang Ja-cheong’s face at this sight.

“You should greet each other too. This is the Grand Young Master of the Tang Family, Young Master Dang Ja-cheong. These children are my inadequate disciples, Myo Gu-eung and Wang Sa-geon.”

The three exchanged cupped fist salutes.

Though Dang Ja-cheong was still young, his status was extraordinary.

As the eldest son of the young Tang Family Head, he was the current Grand Young Master of the Tang Family.

That was Dang Ja-cheong’s position.

“It’s my first time meeting you. I am Ja-cheong of the Tang Family.”

“I am Myo Gu-eung, the grand disciple of Cheondok Valley.”

“I am Wang Sa-geon, the second disciple.”

Therefore, the two of them also exchanged proper greetings with Dang Ja-cheong.

And Dang Ja-cheong’s gaze turned once again toward Yayul Han’s mouth.

The story had been interrupted by the disciples’ appearance.

He needed to hear the rest of the story he had been listening to.

Perhaps reading such intent in Dang Ja-cheong’s eyes, Yayul Han’s story continued.

“And there is one more famous poison art… the past masters called it a truly absurd poison art.”

Dang Ja-cheong’s eyes sparkled as he focused on Yayul Han’s story.

“It’s a poison art for handling poison wells.”

Dang Ja-cheong’s body trembled.

On the other hand, at Yayul Han’s words, Myo Gu-eung and Wang Sa-geon’s faces turned pale.

It was because their master was casually telling the sect’s secrets to the grand young master of another sect.

“Let this serve as the answer to your question. However, this is a secret among secrets of Bongok, so do not tell anyone. Not even your father. I am telling you this because I trust the Tang Family’s grand young master.”

Dang Ja-cheong performed a cupped fist salute and bowed his waist.

“I promise you.”

“Good. Then let us go.”

Yayul Han took the lead and left that place first.

Myo Gu-eung hurriedly followed behind him.

However, Wang Sa-geon could not take a step.

It was because of the Tang Family’s grand young master who had learned Cheondok Valley’s secret.

In truth, it was an absurd story as their master had said.

From Wang Sa-geon’s perspective, that was more of a problem.

The fact that Cheondok Valley had such an absurd secret, and that the Tang Family’s grand young master had learned of it.

That fact was also quite shameful to him.

Finally, before taking a step.

“Grand Young Master. Master’s words were merely a joke. So please forget them.”

He could only leave that one remark like an afterthought.

 

That was right.

That day, it seemed Yayul Han had not simply extracted a promise from him.

The promise not to tell anyone.

Though it was a promise made on his honor.

But to think he couldn’t remember the poison art that could handle poison wells.

There must have been some power within that promise that Dang Ja-cheong was unaware of.

Nevertheless, he seemed to vaguely remember only that he had heard a definitive answer about the existence of poison wells.

As if carved into his instincts.

That day.

After hearing that answer, hadn’t Dang Ja-cheong been able to research poison wells throughout his entire life?

Surely it was because of that answer.

Yet forgetting about the poison art was probably because Yayul Han had made some arrangement for him that day.

He didn’t know what power Ha Mu-baek’s voice had that broke that arrangement and made him recall these memories like this.

But he had found a clue.

“It seems we must go to Cheondok Valley.”

Dang Ja-cheong’s answer came after a long while.

“Understood.”

Ha Mu-baek replied.

Though he could have asked for the reason, his face showed he simply trusted.

“Um, but what about that place?”

The poison well had disappeared.

But the poison remained.

Dang Ja-cheong looked at the rock that blocked the cave entrance.

“Let’s just leave it for now.”

The answer came from Ha Mu-baek’s mouth.

The Tang Family grandfather and grandson’s gazes turned toward Ha Mu-baek.

“Even if it’s poison, it depends on how it’s used. Having discovered it like this, the Tang Family might find a way to use it. Perhaps a new poison well might form in that place.”

“…”

Dang Ja-cheong said nothing.

“And above all, don’t we have no way to deal with the poison in that place?”

There were no words to answer the following question.

“Let’s do that for now.”

Thus, the three people headed back toward Sichuan Province.

Their destination was Heungmun, located near the border with Guizhou Province.

It was Cheondok Valley of Gwangheung Mountain.

 

***

 

“So this is Dongting Lake! Indeed!”

Myo Gu-eung, who had climbed Yueyang Tower, let out an exclamation of admiration.

This was a place he had so wanted to visit in his youth.

However, he couldn’t leave Sichuan Province because he was focused on cultivation.

He had dreams of touring various places throughout the Central Plains.

He never imagined he would fulfill it like this.

Cultivation, cultivation, and more cultivation.

And the end of that was.

The betrayal of his fellow disciple and sect.

While losing both eyes and barely escaping to Namman, he thought he would never again see the bright lands of the Central Plains.

To think he could capture the magnificent scenery of Dongting Lake with his own two eyes like this.

People enjoying boat rides, people savoring food at Yueyang Tower, those who had cast fishing lines by Dongting Lake, those slowly strolling along the lakeside.

They all looked truly peaceful and happy.

“Yes. This is the Central Plains.”

The Central Plains that Myo Gu-eung had dreamed of, that very image was now unfolding before his eyes.

“…Yes. This is the Central Plains.”

As he muttered like that once more, strange anger and murderous intent slowly began to bloom in Myo Gu-eung’s heart.

Even when he was barely continuing his life in despair and hardship, the people of this land must have lived so peacefully and happily.

“Oh my.”

However, he quickly came to his senses.

If he had nurtured his murderous intent a little more, poison energy would have flowed out.

At that moment, Yueyang Tower would have become a pavilion of death.

He barely endured it.

“No, that’s not right. The Central Plains isn’t the turn yet. Cheondok Valley comes first.”

A cruel smile formed at the corner of his mouth as he lifted his wine cup.

“Have they gathered by now? Or have they fled? Or do they know nothing at all? I should go and see soon.”

Much time had passed since he had put the bait of Namman’s crisis into the trap called Cheondok Valley.

Now it was time to check what was inside the trap.

While waiting, he had also toured the Central Plains, which had been his long-cherished wish in his youth.

Now it was time to do what needed to be done.

Myo Gu-eung emptied his last cup and rose from his seat.

Slowly descending the stairs, he moved his steps toward Sichuan Province.

 

“Gasp!”

Ha Seol-ran was startled during her cultivation.

Her sudden action drew the attention of the Seventh Group Cadets to her.

Since it was group cultivation time, not group training.

Those present here were only the Seventh Group, Twentieth Group, and Han Seol-bing.

“What’s wrong?”

Han Seol-bing was the first to approach.

“Well, that… I suddenly felt tremendous malice and a terrible energy for a moment before it disappeared…”

Ha Seol-ran’s gaze turned toward where Dongting Lake was located.

Even though she hadn’t extended her Ki Sense that far.

What had caught her Ki Sense.

That terrifying and terrible malice.

And some ominous power that surpassed even that.

‘It wouldn’t be related to Elder Brother, would it?’

Ha Seol-ran’s eyes shook anxiously.

For some reason she couldn’t understand.

She had the thought that the power she felt earlier might somehow harm or trouble Elder Brother.

Perhaps because of that.

Her complexion had turned pale white.

Her already jade-white skin had turned completely white, beyond paleness.

“You should rest for a bit.”

Han Seol-bing led her to the shade of a tree in the corner of the Training Ground.

Since the Cadets knew her abilities to some extent.

A trace of anxiety also appeared on the faces of those watching her.

 

***

 

“This place hasn’t changed.”

Decades had passed.

They say even mountains and rivers change in ten years.

If there was anything different, it was only the faces of the people guarding this place.

Everything else was just the same.

Exactly as it was when he spent his youth here.

Because of that, he could move familiarly and comfortably.

There would be no one to recognize Myo Gu-eung.

He headed to the largest Inn in Heungmun.

There were no newly built inns in between, and no inns that had disappeared.

How could this be possible.

Though it was a small city on the outskirts of Sichuan, to have so little change.

“The name has changed.”

Myo Gu-eung’s gaze turned to the Inn’s signboard.

It should have been Heungmun Inn.

Now it had changed to Dragon Phoenix Inn, so the owner must have changed.

Receiving the Shopkeeper’s warm welcome, he headed to the best Guest Room on the Top Floor.

The Room was the same.

Nothing had changed from when he stayed here during his valley master days.

He opened the window and looked at the tall Mountain.

Gwangheung Mountain.

The Mountain where Cheondok Valley was located, a place no different from his hometown.

“I’ve returned. Cheondok Valley.”

Myo Gu-eung muttered calmly while looking at the Mountain.

“Soon I’ll erase you with my own hands.”

It was a mutter without any emotion.

He had waited long enough.

He had sufficiently toured Sichuan Province and the Central Plains.

Now it was time to reap the harvest.

Whether his target was in the trap or not, it didn’t matter.

Cheondok Valley was the beginning.

Next would be the Central Plains.

“Was it Gyoryong Hall?”

Muchang near Dongting Lake.

The martial artist training institution of the Jeongcheon Alliance located there.

The sight of them sweating and training diligently somehow stirred something in Myo Gu-eung’s heart.

“The Central Plains can start from there.”

A slight smile appeared on Myo Gu-eung’s lips.

 

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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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