“Now speak. Why were you looking for me?”
Once Seokyeom, the slowest eater, finished his meal, the quick-witted servant cleared the table. Taking a sip of the tea brewed by Tang Yu, Seokyeom swallowed it down and his eyes sparkled.
“Brother, you know a lot about poison, right?”
Perhaps it was an unexpected question, as Tang Yu’s hand, which was raising a teacup across from him, froze in midair.
“If there is a poison I do not know, even the Poison King wouldn’t know it.”
The Poison King referred to a master of the same generation as the Tang Family Patriarch. Although currently retired as a Supreme Elder, during his prime, he was a figure who had contested the position of patriarch alongside the current one.
To place himself on equal footing with such an elder meant he was that confident in his skills.
“Then you can help Jo hyung!”
It was a good thing he had subtly prodded his pride. As Seokyeom’s face visibly brightened, Tang Yu’s nostrils twitched imperceptibly. Though he didn’t express it openly, he didn’t seem to mind having his skills acknowledged by his younger brother.
Now that the mood had softened, Seokyeom, who was about to ask about the poison, paused. Come to think of it, Namgung Yun had only mentioned that it was a type of Formless Poison, but had never uttered any other details.
How should I handle this? While he was awkwardly rolling his eyes, Namgung Yun broke the ice first.
“Do you perhaps have an idea regarding this poison?”
With a light clack, Namgung Yun set a vial smaller than a thumb onto the table. At first glance it seemed empty, but looking closely, a black liquid was faintly pooled inside.
He already obtained the poison?
Seokyeom’s eyes widened at the unexpected turn of events. He had assumed that, at best, Namgung Yun would have only found out the characteristics of the poison. But to think he brought the poison itself…
As one could guess from how it barely pooled at the bottom, the poison used in the Namgung Blood Tragedy was exceedingly difficult to obtain. Created solely for the purpose of tearing down the Namgung Clan, it vanished the moment its purpose was served.
Even for Seokyeom, it was only after his tenth playthrough that he barely managed to obtain a clue about the poison. Yet Namgung Yun—who didn’t even have a known ally—possessed a small, yet intact amount of the poison.
The speed of progress could vary depending on skill. But shouldn’t there be a line one shouldn’t cross? To obtain the poison from the Namgung Blood Tragedy, one would have to set foot in the Demonic Cult at minimum.
Seokyeom tried to recall when he had ever even shown his face in the Demonic Cult.
20th playthrough? No… was it the 30th?
Though it was a long time ago and he couldn’t remember clearly, even then, Seokyeom had been called a veteran player. Nevertheless, he couldn’t even fathom the opponent before him. Cold sweat broke out instinctively.
I need to be even more careful from now on.
While Seokyeom raised his guard against Namgung Yun even further, Tang Yu picked up the vial as if intrigued. Intending to unstopper it and smell it, he suddenly recalled that Seokyeom was in the same space and hastily withdrew his hand.
“I will only know for sure after examining it thoroughly. One thing certain is that it is not a poison made by our main clan.”
“You can tell just by looking?”
It was an overly definitive answer after looking at it for only a few seconds. When a doubtful Seokyeom asked, a faint smile appeared at the corners of Tang Yu’s mouth. He seemed to find even a trivial question admirable.
“The poison of our main clan is characterized by its transparent color. If it were Formless Poison, it would naturally have no viscosity either. Seeing as it leaves traces like this, it is certain they forcibly blended it without a thought for harmony.”
“Then… does that mean its origin cannot be known?”
Namgung Yun, who had been listening quietly, asked cautiously. Tang Yu’s infinitely soft gaze transformed in an instant, a sneer—entirely different from when he treated Seokyeom—curling around his lips.
“Hmph, that is not difficult. If it is someone who can handle poison to this extent… excluding our main clan, there are only about two.”
His attitude of spitting words without even throwing a glance was undeniably contemptuous. However, the moment he finished speaking, Namgung Yun stood up from his chair.
“Discarding my shame, this Jo boldly requests. I ask that you reveal the origin of the poison.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, he knelt on the floor, placed his fists on both thighs, and bowed his head deeply.
“If Young Master bestows this favor, I, Jo, will never forget it for the rest of my life.”
It was something that happened in what felt like less than a minute. What on earth is happening? Having suddenly come to witness an authentic wuxia scene firsthand, Seokyeom stared at Namgung Yun in a daze. Looking back at Tang Yu afterward, he was looking down at Namgung Yun with an arrogant gaze, as if it were only natural.
Ah, the quest.
Seokyeom, whose mouth had been slightly agape, realized the situation late. What followed was a natural sequence. Seokyeom knelt alongside Namgung Yun and placed his fists on his thighs as well.
“I request it as well, brother.”
When his treasured younger brother went down onto the cold floor, Tang Yu’s brows—which hadn’t budged—twisted. Unconsciously twitching his hips, he clicked his tongue bitterly and called out his younger brother’s name.
“Gyeom-i.”
“He said it was a truly important matter for Jo hyung.”
It was obvious he had been heard, yet Seokyeom bowed his head deeply to entreat him, leaving Tang Yu with no way to resist. Tang Seokyeom had been an exceptionally gentle and kind child since youth. Of course, the only thing inside that gentle mind was ‘quest,’ but ignorant of his true thoughts, Tang Yu’s heart merely burned black.
“Although I haven’t learned poison arts… I know that you are an incredible master, brother. If you set your mind to it, wouldn’t you be able to find out about that poison in no time?”
At the repeated plea, Tang Yu pressed his forehead. It was as Seokyeom said. Though he would need to see the contents to know the specifics, this was the Tang Clan. If it was a poison that Tang Yu couldn’t uncover, it would be the same wherever else one went. He spoke with a touch of pride.
“Three days will be enough.”
“As expected of brother! You’re amazing.”
Seokyeom looked up at Tang Yu with sparkling eyes, pretending to be touched. In reality, it was a task that would take more than a week, but given Tang Yu’s soaring pride, he would shorten his sleep to meet the deadline. Naturally, the quest would be cleared faster, too.
“Then will it be fine if we just wait three days?”
“I never said I would help him, though.”
A crack appeared on Seokyeom’s beaming face. Wondering if he had misheard, he looked at Tang Yu, but his nonchalant expression remained the same. Acting as if he would grant it earlier, flipping his attitude like turning his hand was absurd.
“Why must I help that fellow?”
Whether his precious younger brother was shocked or not, Tang Yu slowly rested his chin on his hand. Since it was Seokyeom’s request, he would grant it, but doing it for free didn’t sit well with him.
“But brother, Jo hyung saved me.”
“As for that matter, it has already been repaid and then some. Though it is the outer court, I provided him a residence, and did I not inform him that the poison’s origin was not our main clan?”
“That is true, but…”
Seokyeom’s words trailed off at the impeccably correct logic. It was as Tang Yu said. The Tang Clan was originally a closed community, but right now, they were practically in a state of isolation. Furthermore, Namgung Yun was a martial artist of uncertain identity. Merely letting him into the outer court meant bestowing more than enough goodwill.
“If there is anything you desire from me, please speak whatever it may be.”
How should I resolve this? While Seokyeom was contemplating, Namgung Yun stepped forward first. Even in a situation where he ought to be desperate, the moment he held his head high, an unignorable presence could be felt. Even that was displeasing to Tang Yu, who tried to shift his gaze, but unfortunately, at the end of his line of sight was Seokyeom, fidgeting anxiously.
“…Sigh.”
A deep sigh—untypical of him—escaped his lips.
“You will do whatever it is?”
“Yes.”
“Even if I tell you to risk your life?”
“To me, it is a matter worth that much value.”
At the solemn answer, the corner of Tang Yu’s mouth curled up crookedly.
“Then bring back a medicinal herb.”
To think the answer reached after much ordeal was merely a medicinal herb. Namgung Yun, who seemed to ponder carefully, spoke cautiously.
“I presume you are not speaking of a simple medicinal herb.”
“Indeed. It must be a spirit herb unmatched in this world. Whatever it may be, if you bring back something worthy of my expectations, I shall also inform you of the source of this poison.”
<Chapter 4: Dan Hwa-yeong> Main Story Progress: 20%
With those words, the air surged. They had finally received the quest. Discovering the message floating before Namgung Yun, Seokyeom secretly clenched his fist.
[You have received a medicinal herb request from Flying Hand Needle Poison. Rewards will vary depending on Tang Yu’s satisfaction level.]
- At 10% Achievement: Expulsion from the Tang Clan
- At 50% Achievement: Incomplete Secret of the Poison
- At 90% Achievement: Complete Secret of the Poison & Cooperation of the Tang Clan
- At 100% Achievement: Complete Secret of the Poison & Absolute Trust of the Tang Clan
After the lengthy quest rewards surfaced and faded, Seokyeom’s shoulders, which had stiffened with tension, slowly relaxed. Now, all that remained was to use the knowledge Seokyeom possessed to solve the quest.
However, it was right at that moment.
Huh…?
The semi-transparent window flickered slowly, and a new message appeared.
[A Hidden Piece exists for this quest. Would you like to view it?]
The ‘Hidden Piece’ was literally an extra task that was nice to accomplish, but did not need to be forced. However, the rewards granted upon clearing it were immense, making it content that any veteran player would definitely target.
A Hidden Piece that could appear right now… isn’t there only the companion setting?
Standing at a crossroads, Seokyeom fell into thought for a moment. Having played hundreds of times, he had cleared almost every Hidden Piece. He was confident no matter what appeared, but the fact that this was his first time receiving one from Tang Yu weighed on his mind.
Is it because I only chose Tang Clan characters?
Whenever he played the game, the character Seokyeom chose had always belonged to the Tang Clan. Since he himself had been controlling the character who was supposed to grant the quest, he might not have known about the existence of the Hidden Piece until now.
Besides, even if the condition of a companion setting was attached, there was nothing to worry about. Given Tang Yu’s character settings, there was no way he would leave his younger brother’s medicinal herb solely in the hands of an unidentified martial artist.
Then it’s an absolute acceptance.
Having made up his mind, Seokyeom grabbed Namgung Yun’s hand firmly.
