Chapter 139

Chapter 139
Chapter: 139

Chapter Title: Dreaming of Revenge (2)

—

“Haa!”

A heavy breath escaped the lips of Jin Sanyo as the silhouette of the Immortal Cave appeared in his sight.

He was no stranger to the Myriad Poisons Valley, having traversed its paths for a long time, and he had stepped across the threshold of the Immortal Cave on several previous occasions. However, the weight pressing down on his shoulders had never felt as crushing as it did on this day.

“The instability of his mind seems to have intensified. I truly wonder if this interaction will proceed without incident.”

It was common knowledge that anyone practicing the Immortal Myriad Poisons Spirit Control Art on living breathing humans could not possess a sound mind, but rumors suggested that ever since a specimen had broken free recently, the master of the cave had descended into a daily state of uncontrollable fury.

“Regardless, there is no alternative. I must follow the instructions I was given.”

He paused to draw a deep, stabilizing breath before moving closer to the Immortal Cave.

Though he was keenly aware of the peril, the journey was mandatory. Despite the danger, he did not look entirely hopeless; he possessed a secret leverage that gave him confidence.

The moment Jin Sanyo crossed into the interior of the Immortal Cave, a piercing voice sliced through the air.

“State your identity.”

“It is I, Valley Lord.”

“I received no word of your arrival. What brings you to this place?”

“I have come to deliver a message to the Valley Lord.”

“Enter.”

Navigating the ink-black corridor, he eventually reached a wide chamber bathed in the intense glow of numerous torches, making the underground space as radiant as high noon.

In the center of this hall, Um Jeok-so was reclining within a square tub measuring a zhang on each side, casually gesturing with one hand. With every shift of his body, liquid darker than the darkest coal spilled over the edges.

Jin Sanyo felt a lump form in his throat as he realized the swirling fluid in the basin was concentrated venom.

‘Has he truly lost his mind to this extent?’

Witnessing Um Jeok-so submerged in a bath of pure toxins, Jin Sanyo realized with a jolt that the man’s insanity was far more profound than the reports suggested. Naturally, he was careful to maintain a neutral expression.

“Speak the message,” Um Jeok-so commanded in a relaxed tone.

He remained partially reclined in the liquid, making no effort to show courtesy to his visitor.

“There is a task required of the Valley Lord. To be precise, we have need of the martial capabilities of the Poison Blood Fiends. We are aware they are not yet fully processed, but the current state of affairs is dire, leaving us with no other options.”

Jin Sanyo shifted his gaze toward the twelve Poison Blood Fiends who lay motionless, resembling corpses, in a far corner of the chamber.

“The Poison Blood Fiends, you say.”

Um Jeok-so let out a soft laugh and produced a sharp snap with his fingers. Immediately, the Poison Blood Fiends rose as one, forming a silent line behind their master.

Their eyes were voids of blackness and their skin possessed a ghostly pallor, devoid of any hint of vitality.

‘They are still among the living.’

The slight movement of their chests and the rhythm of their shallow breathing confirmed they were not merely animated cadavers.

“Ah! Their complexions have transitioned from that charred blackness back to a natural hue. It appears the transformation was a complete triumph.”

“Indeed. The procedure was finalized just a short while ago. The birth of the perfect Poison Blood Fiends is now a reality.”

A look of deep pride crossed Um Jeok-so’s face.

“You have my praise. After such immense effort, success is finally yours.”

“Your contributions were vital. Without the steady supply of resources, I could not have reached this milestone so rapidly.”

Um Jeok-so acknowledged him with a dismissive wave of his hand.

The requirements for perfecting the Immortal Myriad Poisons Spirit Control Art were staggering. The necessary components were not only ruinously expensive but many were items that could not be acquired through mere wealth. Jin Sanyo had been the one to provide those rare materials.

Failing to detect the subtle malice beneath Um Jeok-so’s mild smile, Jin Sanyo allowed a grin to spread across his face.

“Hahaha! Gathering those ingredients was certainly a monumental task. I am glad you recognize the effort. Yet, what are materials without a master’s hand? Ultimately, it was the Valley Lord’s genius that brought the Poison Blood Fiends to life.”

“You can stop with the hollow praise.”

The biting sarcasm in the response caused Jin Sanyo’s smile to falter.

“Now, what exactly is it you require?”

“Launch an assault on the Heavenly Demon Cult.”

“The Heavenly Demon Cult?” Um Jeok-so repeated, his interest piqued.

“More specifically, you are to strike the demonic units currently stationed in the vicinity of Sacheon.”

“Is that the extent of it?”

Hearing the question, Jin Sanyo paused for a second before exhaling forcefully.

“And you must frame the Sacheon Tang Clan for the attack.”

“Hoh. The Sacheon Tang Clan.” Um Jeok-so’s grin widened significantly.

“Leave no evidence behind except for traces of poison arts. Naturally, leaving a survivor or two to act as witnesses would be ideal.”

“I grasp the intent. But to what end? They are already engaged in a conflict. Since they are already at each other’s throats, why bother with this deception?”

Um Jeok-so was as of yet unaware that the Zhuge Clan had already informed the wider martial world of the resurgence of the Blood Cult.

“Detailed reasons are unnecessary, are they not? Just honor the agreement: we assisted in the perfection of the Immortal Myriad Poisons Spirit Control Art, and in exchange, you provide us with your support.”

“And what follows if I choose to decline?”

“Are you suggesting you would violate our covenant?” Jin Sanyo’s voice grew louder with agitation.

“Covenants are merely words waiting to be discarded, are they not?”

Confronted with such blatant disrespect, Jin Sanyo’s features twisted in anger.

“Should you choose to betray our deal, I will be forced to compel your obedience.”

“You seem quite certain of your leverage.”

“Naturally.”

Um Jeok-so erupted into a fit of manic laughter at the sheer arrogance displayed by Jin Sanyo.

He suddenly ducked his head, submerging himself entirely within the poisonous bath.

When Um Jeok-so’s head broke the surface again, he held a scorpion the size of a man’s fist between his teeth.

“If your confidence stems from that parasite you attempted to hide inside me, then I am truly underwhelmed.”

Jin Sanyo’s eyes stretched wide in terror. He instinctively attempted to trigger the gu hidden within his own hair.

There was no reaction from Um Jeok-so.

‘This is not possible!’

Jin Sanyo stood there, mouth agape.

A gu under control should never be able to ignore a direct command. The agony of such a creature stirring within one’s skull was meant to be an unbearable torture for any mortal.

“Whatever trick you are attempting, it is futile. Any insect that entered this body perished an eternity ago.”

Um Jeok-so tapped his temple and continued to laugh.

“Even if it had survived, the outcome would remain unchanged. Why do you think I have remained in this tub?”

He flicked a spray of the toxic water toward Jin Sanyo.

When the liquid touched Jin Sanyo’s garment, the fabric began to melt away instantly, causing him to jump back in panic.

“I-It cannot be… the Immortal Myriad Poisons Spirit Control Art…”

“Precisely. With a successful subject already established, the risk of failure was minimal, and the process was accelerated. The agony was indeed sharp, but I found it rather stimulating. The most important distinction? Unlike these mindless thralls, my consciousness remains intact.”

Um Jeok-so tapped his head once more.

“To put it simply, you have failed. Your plan to turn me into your subservient pet has crumbled.”

Stepping out of the basin, Um Jeok-so moved toward Jin Sanyo with predatory intent.

As Jin Sanyo was pressed against the stone wall, Um Jeok-so’s hand clamped firmly around his throat.

“The very moment you attempted to infect my mind with that creature, our agreement was voided. And even if you hadn’t, I never intended to maintain a partnership with the filth of the Blood Cult.”

Upon hearing the name “Blood Cult,” Jin Sanyo’s face was filled with utter shock.

“H-How did you…”

“Soul-Stealing Poison.”

The freezing stare of Um Jeok-so made Jin Sanyo’s blood run cold.

“As the Myriad Poisons Valley Lord, do you think I could ever forget the Soul-Stealing Poison of the Blood Cult that once plagued our kin? If I did, I would be unworthy of my title.”

“Uwaaaah!”

Realizing he had been outmaneuvered from the start, Jin Sanyo struggled violently, but the grip on his throat was absolute.

“I suppose I should thank you. As a gesture of my ‘gratitude,’ I will give you exactly what you were looking for: a chance to struggle. That was your goal, was it not?”

Without another word, Um Jeok-so threw him bodily into the vat of poison.

Jin Sanyo’s features distorted in excruciating pain as a scream tore from his throat. He flailed for a few moments before his movements ceased entirely.

A swarm of venomous pests converged on his body as it sank beneath the dark surface.

Watching with a cold, detached expression, Um Jeok-so whispered to himself.

“Next will be you, the Divine Demon Division Leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult.”

The eyes of Um Jeok-so, now fueled entirely by a thirst for retribution, were hauntingly calm.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

“Mu Eop! Are you attempting to flee?”

Mu Eop responded to Gwa Yu’s shout with a mocking sneer.

“You arrogant brat! Do you truly believe I am running away out of fear for a common worm like you?”

Mu Eop’s attention was not fixed on Gwa Yu, but rather on Cheol Woo, who was currently exhibiting the terrifying power of the Reverse Eruption Aura Demonic Formation.

“You shall perish by my blade.”

The memory of the moment his sword ended the life of his third brother remained seared into Gwa Yu’s mind.

A level of murderous intent that Gwa Yu had never before displayed began to radiate from his eyes.

“So, you seek vengeance for that pathetic dog of a brother who died while waiting for you.”

“Silence!”

“What a pity. Revenge will never truly satisfy a soul as bitter as yours.”

Mu Eop held his curved short sword at a sharp angle, a cruel smile on his lips.

“You made a mistake returning to this place. You might have managed to preserve your miserable life otherwise.”

Mu Eop leveled his weapon at Gwa Yu.

A wave of killing intent surged forth.

Gwa Yu could feel the genuine strength behind Mu Eop’s aura, a level of skill that was nearly on par with the highest tier of assassins.

At that moment, a final cry of desperation echoed through the air, followed by a sudden, heavy silence.

Realizing that his subordinates had all been eliminated by the attackers, Mu Eop retracted his hostile aura from Gwa Yu. Carefully avoiding any opening for a counter-strike, he observed the movements of the other intruders and began a strategic retreat into the woods.

“If you have the courage, come and find me.”

With those parting words, Mu Eop dissolved into the shadows of the forest.

Gwa Yu pursued him without a second thought.

Upon entering the thicket, Gwa Yu bit his lip in frustration as Mu Eop seemed to vanish instantly.

The veil of night had fallen, and even with the dense cover of the trees, losing track of a target at such a short distance meant his own skills were still lacking. The disparity in their experience was undeniable.

Still, he could not afford to stand paralyzed.

Steering clear of obvious places where Mu Eop might be lurking, Gwa Yu moved with purpose.

Having been trained as an assassin of the Blood Forest himself, Gwa Yu suppressed his presence, sought cover, and sharpened every one of his senses to track the disappeared Mu Eop.

A heavy stillness settled over the area.

The only sounds were the rustle of leaves in the wind and the distant noise of insects.

Despite pushing his senses to their limit, he found no sign of his quarry. It was the hallmark of an elite killer; Mu Eop had successfully erased his existence from the environment.

Unable to find a trail, Gwa Yu struggled against a rising tide of impatience, forcing himself to remain composed. He knew better than anyone that a single reckless step would lead to his death.

‘This cunning bastard.’

Just as Gwa Yu had lost sight of Mu Eop, Mu Eop had also lost the exact position of Gwa Yu. He could roughly estimate his location, but he lacked certainty. Striking without a clear target would invite a deadly reprisal.

The novice who had once followed the elite assassin Black Dark on his maiden mission had clearly evolved, and now he posed a genuine threat to Mu Eop’s survival.

‘How intriguing. Let us see whose resolve breaks first.’

While he acknowledged Gwa Yu’s improvement, Mu Eop did not for a moment consider the possibility of losing. However, the memory of the monsters who had slaughtered his men remained a nagging concern at the back of his mind.

Yet, both he and Gwa Yu were completely unaware that Sima Geon, the commander of those very monsters, was silently observing them from the nearby shadows.