The World’s Greatest Martial Arts Instructor - Chapter 394

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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 394. Now We Return

 

 

 

 

 

Poisoned?

 

They couldn’t feel anything wrong with their bodies, so what did that mean?

 

Such thoughts appeared on each of their faces.

 

Only Pyeong Deok-jo wore a grave expression.

 

“…Are we really poisoned?”

 

Pung Geon’s question broke the silence.

 

“Yes.”

 

Ha Mu-baek answered concisely.

 

“What kind of poison is it?”

 

Yu Gwi-gwang asked after glancing at his comrades.

 

“A poison that turns living people into Jiangshi…”

 

The answer came from Pyeong Deok-jo.

 

“J-Jiangshi?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

The Bongma Members were shocked.

 

And rightfully so.

 

A poison that turns normal people into Jiangshi?

 

They knew that being bitten by a Death Jiangshi’s teeth and getting infected with Jiangshi Poison would turn you into a Jiangshi.

 

That was when directly facing Jiangshi.

 

But becoming a Jiangshi just from inhaling poison?

 

It was absurd.

 

If such poison existed.

 

The world couldn’t be this intact.

 

A hellish scene of chaos would unfold immediately.

 

“That poison was once released in Muchang… Fortunately, we detected signs beforehand and prepared an antidote, so no major disaster occurred.”

 

At Pyeong Deok-jo’s explanation.

 

Their gazes turned to Ha Mu-baek in unison.

 

Antidote.

 

Their eyes were searching for an antidote.

 

“There isn’t one. An antidote. I never thought Jamhon Poison would remain. There’s no way I would have prepared for it.”

 

“Th-then do we have to become Jiangshi like this?”

 

Yu Gwi-gwang’s voice trembled violently.

 

How had they survived.

 

Only to end up like this so futilely.

 

Ha Mu-baek shook his head.

 

“Jamhon Poison. If you’re poisoned by this, you become a Sik Gang-si that constantly tries to eat everything. But you don’t become one just from being poisoned by a small amount. The toxicity must manifest after crossing a critical threshold.”

 

Ha Mu-baek’s gaze turned to the collapsed Maengryong Member.

 

“There are also warning symptoms like that beforehand.”

 

At Ha Mu-baek’s explanation, sighs of relief flowed between the Bongma Corps and Maengryong Corps.

 

“But the poison accumulated in the body doesn’t disappear naturally either. The more Internal Energy you have, the more poison must accumulate. That guy being the one with the weakest Internal Energy among us.”

 

“Then if we face another Poison Jiangshi like that…”

 

Pung Geon’s gaze turned to the Poison Jiangshi that Ha Mu-baek had captured.

 

“Right. If Jamhon Poison inhalation exceeds a certain amount, you lose your reason and become a Sik Gang-si. One that tries to eat everything around it. Whether it’s people or animals.”

 

“Ugh…”

 

Someone’s groan escaped.

 

Ha Mu-baek also frowned as he looked deep into Sanwol Demon Forest.

 

‘I really need to sweep away all these bastards… To think they’d even create Poison Jiangshi that spew Jamhon Poison…’

 

He thought the Blood Cult bastards were truly struggling persistently.

 

Above all, it was quite a serious problem.

 

If there were more of those Poison Jiangshi.

 

And if they roamed throughout Sanwol Demon Forest encountering other Bongma Corps or Maengryong Corps.

 

Countless Sik Gang-si would be created in an instant.

 

Ha Mu-baek expanded his Ki Sense across the entire Sanwol Demon Forest again.

 

And he searched for those showing the same presence as the Poison Jiangshi he had just encountered.

 

There were none.

 

Though he searched thoroughly.

 

The one entity he had captured.

 

This was the only one.

 

“For now, this seems to be all of them…”

 

They had appeared suddenly.

 

Surely the Blood Cult had released them.

 

There was no knowing where or how they had hidden others.

 

‘This is why I said we should have uprooted them back then. Tsk.’

 

As he recalled that time, he frowned again.

 

At Ha Mu-baek’s menacing atmosphere, everyone quietly watched his mood.

 

“Let’s start with detoxification.”

 

Thinking to solve the immediate problem at hand, Ha Mu-baek turned his gaze to the Bongma Corps.

 

“What? You said there’s no antidote…”

 

Yu Gwi-gwang tilted his head as he spoke.

 

“I said there’s no antidote, but I didn’t say I can’t detoxify you, did I?”

 

As Ha Mu-baek said this nonchalantly.

 

Relief and resentment appeared simultaneously on the faces of the Bongma Corps and Maengryong Corps.

 

It was resentment for telling them the most important thing so late.

 

Ha Mu-baek placed his Palm Heart on the Life Gate Acupoint of the Maengryong Member he had knocked unconscious.

 

Moving his Internal Energy to examine his interior.

 

As expected, Jamhon Poison was running rampant.

 

Though it hadn’t manifested yet.

 

Ha Mu-baek’s Qi Energy slowly moved and began crushing the Jamhon Poison.

 

As the All Poisons Immunity energy circulated through the body once, the Jamhon Poison disappeared completely.

 

The time it took was less than half of half an hour.

 

Truly an instant, you could say.

 

It was markedly different from before, in Muchang.

 

Myo Gu-eung, Go Hu-rak.

 

The realm he had gained through fighting them.

 

Thanks to that, dealing with Jamhon Poison had become much easier.

 

“Next.”

 

Ha Mu-baek said as he removed his hand from the Maengryong Member’s Life Gate Acupoint.

 

They glanced at each other slyly.

 

Then they all pushed forward one person.

 

It was Chu Ryang, the youngest.

 

“Don’t worry, there’s no problem detoxifying all of you.”

 

At that sight, Ha Mu-baek chuckled and spoke, then placed his Palm Heart on Chu Ryang’s Life Gate Acupoint.

 

Chu Ryang was on the edge.

 

If he had inhaled just a little more of the Sleep Soul Poison, symptoms would have started appearing like that guy lying over there.

 

With Pung Geon as the last, he had detoxified everyone’s poison.

 

“Report this once you return. I’ll also pass along the news in my own way.”

 

“Yes. Understood.”

 

Pung Geon nodded and answered.

 

“Good. Now we’re going back.”

 

They moved toward the western castle wall.

 

The place where they first met Ha Mu-baek.

 

The captured Poison Jiangshi was dragged along, floating in midair.

 

It didn’t take much time to return to where they had started.

 

It had taken considerable time to reach the place where they fought the Silent Iron Jiangshi.

 

Upon reaching the castle wall.

 

Ha Mu-baek gave the three people a meaningful look.

 

Pung Geon, Yu Gwi-gwang, Gwan Ha-gyeong.

 

The three followed behind Ha Mu-baek.

 

To a place out of sight.

 

Ha Mu-baek blocked sound with his qi.

 

“The Bongma Corps Leader, and the Vice Leader.”

 

Ha Mu-baek mentioned the two people.

 

“Be careful. Looking at what they’re doing, they’re not people you can trust.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Pung Geon answered.

 

He knew it too.

 

No, he hadn’t thought about it before.

 

But after receiving this mission, he had such thoughts.

 

It probably wasn’t just him.

 

Everyone who came here together would think the same.

 

This mission was like that.

 

Either go and all die, or throw away the Maengryong Corps and flee back.

 

“When dealing with untrustworthy bastards, you must hide as much as possible. How you completed your mission, what happened here, what level your skills are at now.”

 

At Ha Mu-baek’s advice, the three nodded simultaneously.

 

“That’s how to survive, and how to win.”

 

With those words, Ha Mu-baek returned to where the group was.

 

The three followed behind him.

 

The group gathered again.

 

“Go.”

 

Ha Mu-baek’s final words.

 

They climbed the castle wall.

 

Though it was a short time, this place now felt like home.

 

“Instructor. We are truly grateful for your kindness.”

 

Pung Geon cupped his fists and bowed deeply.

 

“We thank you for the grace you’ve shown us.”

 

Yu Gwi-gwang and Gwan Ha-gyeong, as well as the now-conscious Maengryong Member.

 

They all cupped their fists and bowed deeply.

 

It was a sincere greeting.

 

Ha Mu-baek nodded slightly.

 

Then he turned around.

 

It seemed like they wouldn’t leave unless he moved first.

 

Pyeong Deok-jo bowed politely to the Bongma Corps group and hurriedly chased after Ha Mu-baek.

 

The Bongma Corps and Maengryong Corps watched that scene quietly.

 

“We’re returning.”

 

Pung Geon said as he turned around.

 

They kicked off from the castle wall and ran north.

 

Toward where the Bongma Corps’ headquarters was located.

 

 

 

Ha Mu-baek, who had re-entered Sanwol Demon Forest, moved without hesitation.

 

As if he had finished all his business.

 

After sweeping through the forest once and returning.

 

Four Death Jiangshi. Four Poison Jiangshi. Four Blood Jiangshi.

 

He had captured this many.

 

He considered taking one Silent Iron Jiangshi, but stopped thinking it was too excessive.

 

They were all loaded into wooden coffins brought in the cargo compartment of the carriage.

 

Thirteen coffins.

 

The cargo compartment was full.

 

After filling all the prepared coffins with jiangshi.

 

Ha Mu-baek climbed onto the roof of the carriage.

 

“Now, let’s go.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Pyeong Deok-jo climbed onto the driver’s seat.

 

The horses that had eaten well and rested fully for a long time snorted.

 

“Hiya!”

 

As Pyeong Deok-jo brought down the reins.

 

Clop clop. Clop clop.

 

The horses began to move.

 

Now they were returning to Gyoryong Hall.

 

Ha Mu-baek glanced back at Sanwol Demon Forest.

 

Poison Jiangshi that spewed Sleep Soul Poison.

 

Another reason had emerged.

 

A reason why the Blood Cult bastards must be uprooted completely.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

“How did it go?”

 

Do Sim-geuk asked Yang Bi-chang.

 

Though it was a sudden question, Yang Bi-chang understood immediately.

 

“Black Squad Two. Only they still have no news.”

 

“The rest?”

 

“They returned after suffering critical damage.”

 

Yang Bi-chang’s face didn’t look good as he answered.

 

However, Do Sim-geuk smiled at those words.

 

Because it was as he had intended.

 

“What about Bongma Corps casualties?”

 

“Three deaths, ten minor injuries, two serious injuries. A total of fifteen casualties occurred.”

 

“Hmm. The damage was greater than expected.”

 

Do Sim-geuk stroked his chin and muttered.

 

According to the picture he had drawn, in the best case scenario, the Bongma Corps might have suffered no damage at all.

 

But the fact that they suffered such damage meant.

 

“There were more idiots than expected. Maybe it’s actually a good thing. If they moved so stupidly before a big task, the damage would have been even greater.”

 

At Do Sim-geuk’s muttering, Yang Bi-chang bowed his head slightly.

 

Though he himself was no different from Do Sim-geuk, he still felt in a corner of his heart that this wasn’t right.

 

“What about the Maengryong Corps?”

 

Then came the question.

 

“Five survivors. That’s all.”

 

That meant the rest were all dead.

 

No, they might have been turned into jiangshi after being defeated by the Death Jiangshi.

 

They could have been defeated by the Blood Jiangshi too.

 

The smile on Do Sim-geuk’s lips deepened.

 

“What’s the condition of those five?”

 

“Three with minor injuries, two with serious injuries.”

 

“What’s the possibility of the seriously injured recovering?”

 

“If proper treatment is provided, both can recover.”

 

At that answer, the smile on Do Sim-geuk’s lips faded.

 

“Really? That’s a bit disappointing… Hmm…”

 

Do Sim-geuk seemed to be pondering.

 

Soon he smiled brightly again.

 

“Well, then after they recover, there will be the next operation.”

 

That smile couldn’t have been more chilling.

 

“By the way, why is there no news from Black Squad Two?”

 

“I don’t know.”

 

There had been no messenger pigeon, and no personnel had returned.

 

Considering the day they left for the operation, they should have returned long ago.

 

Because checking the territory of jiangshi in the Western Forest shouldn’t take this long.

 

“Total annihilation? Or desertion?”

 

Do Sim-geuk muttered while stroking his chin.

 

He was only mentioning terrible possibilities.

 

Then.

 

“D-Dan-ju! Vice Dan-ju!”

 

Someone urgently came looking for Do Sim-geuk’s barracks.

 

“Come in. What’s the matter?”

 

The Bongma Corps warrior who entered by pushing aside the barracks door immediately gave a cupped fist salute and bowed.

 

“Black Squad Two has returned.”

 

They had just been discussing them, and now came news of their return.

 

It was truly coincidental.

 

“Are they ghosts or something? Those bastards.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

The subordinate who came to report asked back at Do Sim-geuk’s muttering.

 

“Never mind. What’s the return situation?”

 

“All members returned safely.”

 

At the immediate response.

 

Do Sim-geuk instantly frowned deeply.

 

It was truly a split second.

 

Only Yang Bi-chang noticed it.

 

“Really? I see. Go now. Tell the squad leader to come report in a moment.”

 

His voice sounded somewhat displeased.

 

“Yes.”

 

The Bongma Member bowed without sensing such an atmosphere and left the barracks.

 

“All members returned safely?”

 

Do Sim-geuk asked while looking at the innocent Yang Bi-chang.

 

“That’s quite remarkable.”

 

Yang Bi-chang also answered as if truly surprised.

 

He had no choice.

 

He too thought the only end to the mission assigned to Black Squad Two would be the total annihilation of the Maengryong Corps.

 

The Maengryong Corps was only four people.

 

With that number, he thought there would be some sacrifice among the Bongma Members too.

 

But all members returned safely.

 

What on earth had happened?

 

“Hmm.”

 

An unpleasant aura began to appear on Do Sim-geuk’s face.

 

It was the complete opposite expression from before.

 

Even though the intended goal of sacrificing the Maengryong Corps must have been achieved.

 

He was showing such an expression at the news of Black Squad Two’s safe return.

 

“There was a five-year veteran from the Maengryong Corps in Black Squad Two, right?”

 

Yang Bi-chang nodded at Do Sim-geuk’s question.

 

“There’s one called Yu Gwi-gwang.”

 

“Then how many five-year veterans are currently safe?”

 

“One seriously injured, one lightly injured, and including Yu Gwi-gwang, three in total.”

 

“So the current survival rate is thirty percent?”

 

Yang Bi-chang’s hair stood on end at Do Sim-geuk’s muttering voice.

 

He could tell without being told.

 

How difficult the next mission would be for the squad that included those three.

 

He would just send them to die.

 

Since they returned alive this time, to an even more hellish place.

—————
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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