Chapter 82

Ant Nest (3)

『Who is the greatest under heaven?』

If someone were to ask that question, it could be narrowed down to a few candidates, yet in the end the answer would inevitably be subjective.

However, if the question were about poison and medicine, there could be only one answer.

The greatest poison sect under heaven—and the greatest medical sect under heaven—was the Tang Clan.

In other words, Tang Clan poison was unrivaled beneath the heavens.

This was common knowledge even to Nangwang, who bore the title of king.

"What are you planning to do?"

Even after ascending to the supreme realm of Hwagyeong, Tang Clan poison was a separate matter entirely.

Throughout its long history, the Tang Clan had ultimately discovered ways to poison even absolute beings who had reached Hwagyeong.

And now, no one knew how far it had advanced.

That was why Nangwang was curious about Cheon Muyang's intention to move toward the oncoming poison.

"Have you ever cut poison before?"

"What?"

How could one possibly cut poison?

At best, Nangwang had only considered driving it away by stirring up wind.

"Don't be ridiculous. Tang Clan poison doesn't scatter in the wind."

Cheon Muyang shook his head.

That wasn't what he meant.

"Literally."

"...?"

Heh.

Smiling faintly, Cheon Muyang stepped forward.

Tang Clan poison had already reached close range.

Those who had been coughing up blood had long since met their deaths.

"I only learned this recently myself, but even poison can be cut."

Huuwoong!

It wasn't the first time.

That was why Cheongwang, too, felt familiar.

He had cut it once—why not a second time?

"Let's see...."

Cheon Muyang examined the grain of the poison.

Compared to the poison he had cut before, this one carried an even more intricate and vicious intent.

"Does this mean you intend to leave no aftermath?"

It was likely Tang Sohye's will.

At that level of malice, Cheon Muyang clicked his tongue.

The Tang Clan was truly dangerous.

Most likely, this poison would naturally dissipate over time as well.

"Perfect."

The ant nest was a flawless trap that left behind no trace whatsoever.

However, they would come to realize one thing.

"Poison, too, can be cut."

Hwoong!

Tang Clan poison surged toward Cheon Muyang.

At that moment, the poison began to swirl violently around Cheongwang as it shot skyward.

Whiiing!

Though no wind should have existed, a vortex formed around Cheongwang.

"Disappear."

The moment Cheon Muyang's will was spoken aloud—

Paaaat!

With blinding radiance, Cheongwang cleaved straight through the grain of the poison.

"...!"

How could this even be described?

Nangwang's eyes went wide.

And he wasn't the only one.

Everyone stared in disbelief.

"Ah...."

Especially Wol-yeong, whose eyesight was exceptional, saw it more clearly than anyone else.

'The poison split.'

She witnessed the grain of the poison being severed.

It didn't matter whether one wielded a sword or a blade.

The fundamental act of cutting something was shared by both.

'And....'

The moment the grain was cut—

the unique hostility embedded within Tang Clan poison melted away like snow.

Wriggle!

Tang Clan poison had indiscriminately devoured all life within the ant nest, friend and foe alike—

like a predator.

And among the lives it had consumed, humans were not the only ones.

Flap!

Near Cheon Muyang's feet,

several bats thought to be dead began flapping their wings once more.

'The poison became medicine.'

The true intent hidden within the poison.

It was poison as medicine—the same kind Cheon Muyang had encountered before.

Cheon Muyang looked at Wol-yeong.

"Did you see it?"

"Yes."

There was no poison anywhere.

The murky mist remained, but it was no longer poison—it was medicine.

"I saw it."

"That's enough."

Cheon Muyang smiled faintly.

At that, everyone except Nangwang fell into deep thought.

"You truly are...."

Even Nangwang could not help but be astonished.

"To think of cutting poison in the first place."

It was an idea completely outside common sense.

Cutting poison?

'How could that even be possible?'

Yet he had done it, right before their eyes.

There was no choice but to marvel.

Tap, tap.

Cheon Muyang tapped his own head lightly with his finger as he spoke.

"A change in perspective."

"...."

In truth, if the Cheongyeondanju had not been poisoned, he would never have thought of such a thing.

"Still, it's amusing that Tang Clan poison would turn out like this."

Not only Nangwang, but the wounds of those who had fought fierce battles began to heal rapidly.

The effect was immense—on par with poison itself.

Even internal injuries felt as though they were being mended.

"Well then, you'd better prepare yourselves."

"This isn't the end?"

"Of course not."

Cheon Muyang shook his head.

What kind of question was that?

"Do you think they'd stop at just this much when dealing with Nangwang?"

"Hmm...."

This poison was indeed extremely lethal, but even they likely had no confidence that it alone could kill Nangwang.

"Most likely, a trump card meant specifically for you is waiting."

The moment Nangwang fell to that trump card would mark the completion of the ant nest trap.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Nangwang laughed.

That boundless competitive spirit of his burned fiercely even while being driven into a corner.

"Then we'd better hurry."

"Why?"

"Because they'll try to destroy the ant nest itself next."

Kugugugugugung!

A thunderous roar echoed.

The entire Mount Hamsan shook.

Rumble!

Cracks spread across the ceiling.

It meant there was no time left.

"I see."

"Let's go."

The only exit was the entrance through which the poison had flowed in.

Huuwoong!

Cheongwang continuously purified Tang Clan poison as it advanced.

And so, Cheon Muyang's group charged straight through the poison filling the cave.

With every breath they took, Tang Clan's toxic energy became medicine, healing them.

"Hm?"

The poison's effect didn't end there.

Not only did it heal wounds—

it even enhanced their internal energy.

"For some reason, I feel more energized."

"Of course. Do you have any idea how many ingredients they must've used to create this extreme poison?"

"Ah."

The poison filling this place was likely among the most lethal of Tang Clan poisons.

That meant its ingredients rivaled those of precious elixirs.

"It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say we're standing in the middle of an elixir right now."

Of course, Cheon Muyang felt nothing at all, having already reached the upper limit of how much stronger one could become through elixirs—but the others were different.

"Take it in aggressively."

It was a peculiar remark, yet everyone understood.

"How profound."

Nangwang wore an expression unlike his usual one.

Rather than competitive fervor, his face resembled that of a Daoist who had attained enlightenment.

"Whether it's poison or medicine, isn't it ultimately a matter of how it's used?"

The boundary between poison and medicine—like the boundary between good and evil, like yin and yang—was subtle and ambiguous.

"...."

A newly posed koan.

For some reason, Cheon Muyang's words lingered in Nangwang's mind.

"Yes. That's right. Whether it's a sword or a blade—ultimately..."

Sword and blade.

What was the point of distinguishing between them?

In the end, they were both weapons.

'And a weapon is merely an extension of one's arm.'

For a fleeting moment, Nangwang vaguely saw a blade as enormous as his own body.

'Is this the realm of nothingness?'

It was faintly visible.

Close enough to touch—yet just out of reach.

Which meant he was still lacking.

Grit.

Nangwang didn't like that.

'That Sword King fellow threw away his own sword.'

Namgung San had given the Emperor Sword to Namgung Seo-hee.

'So why can't I do the same?'

Of course, there was no one to whom he could pass down his blade.

"Nangwang."

"...."

"Not now."

He wanted to close that distance immediately, but Cheon Muyang stopped him.

Indeed, now was not the time.

"What do you take me for? I know."

"Looked like you were right on the verge."

Cheon Muyang smiled.

That made Nangwang bristle for no reason.

"Ahem!"

"That's the exit. Everyone, get ready."

The end of the cave came into view.

The exit was already blocked.

Seeing that, Nangwang asked,

"Where exactly is the exit supposed to be?"

"Oh, come now."

"...?"

"If there isn't one, we make one."

"Ah. Right."

Nangwang laughed.

He had been lost in thought and forgotten that obvious truth.

"If there isn't one, we make one."

Huuwoong!

The sword and blade of Nangwang and Cheon Muyang surged forward with ferocious momentum.

Kwaaang!

The massive boulder blocking the exit shattered and crumbled as if it were tofu.

With a thunderous crash, Cheon Muyang's group once again saw the sky.

"Hoo...."

As they emerged outside, a group was already waiting.

"How unexpected."

Tang Sohye came into view.

Far from being displeased, she looked almost delighted at the sight of all of them emerging alive.

"I never thought I'd see you alive like this."

"Why? Surprised that not a single one of us died?"

"To be honest... yes."

The amount of poison she had released there was staggering.

And that poison—what was it again?

Wasn't it the Seven-Step Soul-Severing Powder , said to kill within seven steps?

"At most, I thought only Hero Nangwang would be a variable."

If anyone were to survive,

she believed it would be Nangwang.

And to deal with Nangwang, Tang Sohye had prepared her final scheme.

"But... it seems a new variable has appeared."

Tang Sohye ran her tongue across her lips.

A flow she had never anticipated.

And the one creating that flow was likely not Nangwang—

'Cheon Muyang....'

It had to be Cheon Muyang.

As proof, the one exchanging words with her now was not Nangwang, but Cheon Muyang.

'Even Nangwang accepts this as natural.'

In other words, even he agreed.

"So, what will you do?"

"Well. I'm still thinking."

A meaningful tone.

As if she were saying she still held control over the situation.

Cheon Muyang's brow twitched.

"Hm...."

He didn't like it.

"Why is that?"

"Because you're mistaken."

"Mistaken?"

"Yes."

Gooooooo—!

From Cheon Muyang's entire body, an aura rose so intense it seemed to warp space itself.

"You don't have a choice."

"...."

"If you don't retreat, you die."

Shoong!

A thin line was drawn through the air.

A sharply flying hidden weapon tore through the air as it shot forward.

"Milord!"

Neung Ryeo-un shouted a warning.

But Cheon Muyang didn't even look at the incoming hidden weapon.

"A feint?"

The true attack was hidden.

Beneath the hidden weapon tearing through the air, another lay concealed.

'Like a snake.'

However—

"Shallow."

Whirlik!

Rather than striking the invisible weapon, he altered its flow.

Then sent it straight back toward where it had come from.

Kaang!

"Kgh!"

A place where nothing should have been.

From there, a figure hiding itself clutched its hand and dropped to the ground.

"You think you can kill me with something this trivial?"

Cheon Muyang sneered.

Watching this, doubt crept into Tang Sohye's mind.

'He's fine after the poison? How?'

She thought it might be mere bluster.

That he was forcibly suppressing the poison—but that didn't seem to be the case.

"...."

At her unabashed stare, Cheon Muyang replied curtly.

"What?"

"You seem quite resistant to poison."

"Ah. A little, maybe?"

Whiiing!

Suddenly, a wind blew.

But it was unmistakably artificial.

"Hah, do you still not understand?"

"...?"

That wind carried poison.

Cheon Muyang faced it alone, but since those behind him could not, he swung Cheongwang.

Huuwoong!

The toxic energy seeped into Cheon Muyang, yet had no effect whatsoever.

At the same time, a transparent barrier formed at a certain point.

The poison was blocked by that barrier.

After confirming the safety of those behind him, Cheon Muyang smiled faintly.

"Poison doesn't work on me."

"...."

Before that immutable truth, Tang Sohye could only bite her lip in frustration.