The Lazy Young Master of the Jin Clan

“Formless Earth Killing Poison!?”

The old man who had shot up from his seat had his beard trembling.

“So it seems.”

“That… that can’t be!”

Dang Dok, who had come to the venue for the Four Daoist Assembly, had a look of disbelief.

It was only natural, as the Formless Earth Killing Poison was one of the five great exterminating poisons that even the Sichuan Tang Clan, known as the ancestral sect of poison, had only managed to create after a very long time and countless trials and errors.

As Dang Dok staggered, Gwak Myeong, who was sitting next to him, supported him.

“Thank you.”

Dokgo Jeokmyeong, the External General Manager of the Martial Alliance, spoke to Dang Dok, who had barely managed to sit down.

“Nothing is certain yet. The Beggars' Sect only said that it resembled the Formless Earth Killing Poison, not that it is the Formless Earth Killing Poison.”

Although it was said to calm Dang Dok down, his expression was very complicated.

‘Don’t tell me…’

A few months ago, an intruder had appeared in the Sichuan Tang Clan.

What the intruder was after was the Tang Clan’s secret vault, located in the deepest part of the clan.

The Sichuan Tang Clan’s secret vault contained hundreds of traps and mechanisms.

Moreover, a formation created by the best formation masters blocked access to the secret vault.

But that intruder had brazenly broken through all the traps, mechanisms, and formations of the Sichuan Tang Clan and entered the secret vault.

‘I thought they failed because nothing was stolen… was that not it!’

At the time, since nothing was stolen, including the recipes for the five great exterminating poisons stored in the secret vault, it was believed that the intruder had failed to steal anything.

They had kept their mouths shut to prevent the fact that the Tang Clan’s thorough security had been breached from being known to the outside world, but a problem had arisen.

The Hao Sect had created an exterminating poison that resembled the Formless Earth Killing Poison.

And that, by joining hands with the Poison Sect, which was now known to have been annihilated and disappeared.

‘If the Poison Sect really lent their power… it wouldn’t be impossible to create the Formless Earth Killing Poison.’

Dang Dok’s insides were burning black.

At this rate, a great disaster might befall the martial world because the Tang Clan had its recipe stolen.

At that moment, the four temple masters, who had been quietly maintaining their silence, opened their mouths one by one.

The first to speak was Yeom Yoa.

“If it just resembles the Formless Earth Killing Poison, isn’t it not that big of a problem? The Tang Clan knows how to deal with the Formless Earth Killing Poison, right? And you must have the antidote, so isn’t it possible if you just modify it a little to match?”

“That’s right.”

Beom U also nodded in agreement, and the other temple masters also agreed and looked at Dang Dok.

But Gwak Myeong, who felt something strange in his expression, spoke carefully.

“Great Warrior Dang.”

At his call, Dang Dok raised his head.

Gwak Myeong, who met Dang Dok’s eyes, carefully opened his mouth.

“By any chance… is there no antidote for the Formless Earth Killing Poison?”

At Gwak Myeong’s question, the attention of everyone sitting in the room focused on Dang Dok.

The Sichuan Tang Clan possesses the antidote for every poison they create.

This is to deal with crisis situations caused by poison.

But Dang Dok’s answer did not come.

“Great Warrior Dang. Speak. Is there an antidote for the Formless Earth Killing Poison?”

Unable to bear it any longer, Gwak Doyeop asked, and Dang Dok bit his lower lip, squeezed his eyes shut, and then opened them.

“…There is not.”

“…!”

Everyone looked at him with surprised faces.

At that, Dang Dok hurriedly continued.

“It’s not for nothing that the Tang Clan gave the name ‘exterminating poison’ to the five extreme poisons, including the Formless Earth Killing Poison. We have also tried ceaselessly to create antidotes for the five great exterminating poisons… but we have all failed. Even if there is an antidote, it will take at least several years of research to create an antidote for the new exterminating poison created by the Hao Sect.”

An extreme poison for which no antidote exists.

At the news that there was no antidote for the Formless Earth Killing Poison, Dokgo Jeokmyeong shot up from his seat.

“Alliance Leader! We must stop the Four Daoist Assembly right now!”

“That’s right.”

“We cannot put the children in danger.”

The temple masters, who realized the seriousness of the situation, also stood up.

As they agreed with Dokgo Jeokmyeong’s sentiment and demanded the suspension of the Four Daoist Assembly, Gwak Doyeop massaged his temples.

“What reason should I give? That the Poison Sect, which was thought to have disappeared with the Ming Cult, has joined hands with the Hao Sect to create an exterminating poison similar to the Formless Earth Killing Poison, and that they plan to release it at the Four Daoist Assembly?”

“Is there any other way right now!?”

“Then I will ask this time. General Manager.”

Gwak Doyeop clasped his hands and asked in a solemn voice.

“How did we find out that fact?”

“That’s… the Beggars' Sect…”

The General Manager stopped talking.

No matter how excellent the Beggars' Sect’s information network was, there was no way they could find out about the exterminating poison that the Hao Sect and the Poison Sect were secretly preparing.

That meant that someone unknown to the outside world was infiltrating deep into the Hao Sect.

“Even I do not know who he is. But if we stop the Four Daoist Assembly here… who will they suspect?”

“Of course, they will suspect the spy who has infiltrated the Hao Sect.”

“He must have infiltrated deep enough to reach the core of the Hao Sect. That means there will be very few people who can be singled out.”

“He will be in danger.”

“Without him, we cannot uproot the Hao Sect.”

For the sake of him who had infiltrated to the core of the Hao Sect and to completely uproot the Hao Sect, Gwak Doyeop could not stop the Four Daoist Assembly.

“Is there no weakness to the Formless Earth Killing Poison?”

At the Alliance Leader’s question, Dang Dok barely straightened his back.

“There is. The Formless Earth Killing Poison has a powerful killing ability, enough to kill dozens of people in a single breath, but its killing range is not wide. Therefore, the Tang Clan mixes the Formless Earth Killing Poison with sand poison and uses them together.”

“That means… to use the Formless Earth Killing Poison properly, the assassin must approach to close range.”

“That’s right. But according to the Beggars' Sect, they only said it was a poison of a similar type to the Formless Earth Killing Poison, not that it was the exact same poison. Perhaps… there might be properties I don’t know about.”

That was the problem.

If what the Hao Sect and the Poison Sect had created was the Formless Earth Killing Poison, they could prepare and respond accordingly.

But as of yet, there was no way of knowing what they had created.

Therefore, a hasty response might bring about disaster.

Gwak Doyeop looked at the four temple masters in turn with a hardened expression.

“Temple masters, please check the disciples thoroughly once more. Check if there are any assassins hiding using human-skin masks, and prepare for the assassins’ attacks with the Alliance warriors.”

“Understood.”

“External General Manager, inform the Hidden Shadow Unit Leader and the Zantetsu Guard Captain of this fact as well. So that they can report immediately if they see anyone suspicious.”

“Yes, understood.”

“Lastly, Great Warrior Dang, please prepare for any unforeseen circumstances.”

“Understood.”

After taking a breath, Gwak Doyeop spoke softly to everyone.

“Let us all do our best to complete a peaceful Four Daoist Assembly… with not a single victim. I, too, as the Alliance Leader of the Martial Alliance, will do my best.”

***

After the meeting, Dokgo Jeokmyeong met with the Hidden Shadow Unit Leader and the Zantetsu Guard Captain and explained the situation.

The Guard Captain, Gam Ak, grimaced.

“An extreme poison with no antidote…! These wicked bastards! I will stake my honor and my life as the Guard Captain to ensure that there is not a single intruder!”

“Thank you. And, Hidden Shadow Unit Leader.”

Jin Sohyun, disguised as the Hidden Shadow Unit Leader, and Dokgo Jeokmyeong’s eyes met.

“We don’t know what method the assassins will use to infiltrate. I know it’s difficult now, but please put in a little more effort.”

“I will do so.”

“Then I will leave it to you two. The future of the righteous martial world is in your hands.”

Dokgo Jeokmyeong, who had relayed the entire situation, left.

Following that, Gam Ak also left, saying he needed to make the defenses even more thorough, and Jin Sohyun, left alone, went up to the roof of the building where he always sat.

There, the short spears that Gong Hu had brought were neatly arranged.

Jin Sohyun picked up one of them.

‘The feel is different from a flying dagger, as expected.’

Jin Sohyun, who was getting used to the short spear by moving it around, put it down and looked down at the sparring stage.

There, five disciples from each Daoist Temple, a total of ten, had come up to the sparring stage.

Today, the second day of the Four Daoist Assembly, the group competition had begun.

***

“Who do you think will win?”

“Since Young Master Cheon is there, our Blue Dragon Daoist Temple will win without difficulty.”

“Is your shoulder okay?”

“Ahem!”

Peng Sopyeong, who was sitting in the spectator seats with Moyong Susu and watching the sparring stage, carefully touched his bandaged left shoulder.

“Young Lady Namgung didn’t stab deep, so I wasn’t seriously injured.”

“That’s a relief.”

Peng Sopyeong, who had sparred with Namgung Seoru, had been defeated by an overwhelming margin.

It wasn't that Peng Sopyeong’s martial arts skills were lacking.

He possessed outstanding skills even among the more than three hundred late-stage prospects.

It was just that his opponent was not good.

‘Young Lady Namgung… is still fearsome!’

The power of Namgung Seoru, whom he had reunited with after a long time, was beyond imagination.

Not only had her swordsmanship become more solid and exquisite, but her internal energy also seemed to have increased greatly, as the energy gathered on the sword blade was unusual.

Thanks to that, Peng Sopyeong, who was defeated after being stabbed in the shoulder in just ten exchanges, burned with enthusiasm instead of being dejected and listless.

‘I’ll win in the next Four Daoist Assembly!’

While Peng Sopyeong was already burning with determination for next year’s Four Daoist Assembly, Moyong Susu stared at the sparring stage where the group competition was being held.

‘She was still strong.’

The image of Namgung Seoru sparring with Peng Sopyeong was imprinted in her eyes and wouldn't be forgotten.

She, who was already considered one of the best late-stage prospects of the Five Great Clans, had appeared with an even stronger appearance.

“Perhaps this Four Daoist Assembly will be between Young Lady Namgung and Miss Cheon…”

Moyong Susu, who was muttering, blinked her eyes in surprise.

Because a small lark with yellow feathers had flown in front of Moyong Susu, who was waiting for the start of the group competition.

“How pretty!”

The lark chirped with its small beak and landed on Moyong Susu’s knee.

“Hello! Where did you come from?”

As if it had been tamed by human hands, the bird did not fly away even at Moyong Susu’s careful touch.

Rather, it seemed to be enjoying it.

A boy hurriedly approached Moyong Susu, who was delighted at the sight.

“Oops! I’m sorry. Our Nani…!”

“I’m fine. Is this a bird you’re raising, Young Master?”

“Yes… this is my friend, Nani. Nani! Come here!”

As the boy stretched out his hand, the lark flew up lightly.

Watching the lark, which seemed like it was returning to its nest following its mother, Moyong Susu smiled warmly.

“What a cute friend.”

“Yes. But sometimes it’s troublesome because it flies away on its own like this.”

“Still, it follows you like a parent. I’m envious. I am Moyong Susu of the Moyong Clan. I’m a disciple of the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple.”

“Ah, I am Ju O, from the Black Tortoise Daoist Temple. I came from a small sect called the Namrangbang. I didn’t expect to be talking to a young lady from the Moyong Clan, one of the Five Great Clans, here.”

As Ju O blushed and became shy, Moyong Susu smiled gently.

“This is also fate, so would you like to watch together?”

“R-really?”

“Yes!”

“Then… thank you.”

Ju O, who had a small build and a youthful face similar to Yu Oseon, and a petite frame that stimulated maternal instincts, sat next to Moyong Susu and looked at the sparring stage where the group competition was being held.

As if the group competition was about to start, the disciples of the Vermilion Bird Daoist Temple and the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple who had come up to the sparring stage began to warm up.

In the meantime, Ju O lightly scratched the head of the lark, Nani, with his fingertip and said quietly.

“Don’t fly away recklessly, Nani.”

Ju O’s gaze turned back to the sparring stage.

“Not… yet.”

(End of Chapter) 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮