Chapter 134
“I can’t believe it. How could someone of the League Master’s level, a supreme martial artist, be poisoned and collapse?”
Doyul muttered with a skeptical expression.
“He should already be immune to most poisons.”
“We can’t be certain. While it’s true that the League Master has achieved a near-immunity to poison, the martial world is vast.”
“But still, what kind of poison could possibly—”
Doyul abruptly widened his eyes.
“…The Dang Clan’s secret.”
“Exactly.”
Yerin confirmed with a chilling expression.
The Dang Clan of Sichuan, one of the Five Great Clans, was infamous for their secret poisons.
The Dang Clan’s notoriety stemmed from their ability to poison even those considered immune to all toxins.
‘The mechanism of their secret poison must be…’
Yerin recalled what she knew about the Dang Clan’s secret.
‘It’s said to be crafted by amplifying the extreme coldness of Snowbell grass.’
The poison caused the victim’s body to turn ice-cold, rendering them unconscious within a day if untreated.
Due to its cold nature, it was particularly lethal to martial artists who practiced fire-based techniques.
‘If the poison isn’t neutralized, the victim will eventually fall into eternal sleep.’
According to records, even the most powerful martial artists couldn’t survive more than a month after being poisoned.
Organizing her thoughts, Yerin added, “Moreover, the League Master’s symptoms were alleviated by using Snowfire Pills and Snowbell grass.”
This meant that the poison affecting the League Master was crafted using Snowbell grass.
A poison potent enough to bring the League Master to the brink of death…
‘All the evidence points to the Dang Clan’s secret poison.’
And the only antidote to this poison was—
‘The Millennium Snowfire Pill.’
Fortunately, Yerin had already requested the Northern Ice Palace to procure it.
But whether it would arrive in time was uncertain.
“…”
“…”
A heavy silence filled the room.
After a while, Doyul spoke cautiously.
“For now, it seems we need to head to the Martial Alliance. Madam, will you be all right?”
His voice was laden with concern.
“We’re still in the process of resolving the Dang Clan’s matters. It won’t be easy for you to step away…”
“You’re right.”
Yerin furrowed her brow deeply.
As the acting head of the Dang Clan, she was currently overseeing everything.
The only reason the Dang Clan hadn’t descended into chaos was because Yerin had been holding everything together.
If she disappeared now, she could only imagine the turmoil that would ensue.
‘If I’m not careful, the morale I’ve worked so hard to maintain could collapse completely…’
Yerin let out a deep sigh.
“I should at least discuss this with the chief steward.”
Without delay, she summoned the chief steward.
“What is it, Acting Clan Leader?”
“Well… I may need to leave urgently.”
“Pardon?”
The chief steward looked visibly startled.
It wasn’t intentional, but Yerin now found herself going back on her word. She avoided his gaze and murmured softly, “I’m sorry I can’t explain in detail. I feel terrible about this.”
“Is this related to the urgent message from the Martial Alliance?”
“Yes.”
“In that case, you should go.”
What?
The chief steward’s swift and unwavering response left Yerin more surprised than reassured.
“Are you sure it’s all right? I did promise to personally resolve this situation…”
“If you say it’s necessary, there must be a good reason.”
“…Chief Steward.”
“You’ve already prepared most of the compensations, haven’t you? Carrying them out is something we can manage on our own.”
The chief steward smiled warmly.
“We are already deeply indebted to you, Madam. It would be wrong to demand even more of you.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re too kind.”
Yerin looked at him with gratitude, then nodded.
“I’ll leave Heo Min-woo here as my deputy. If any issues arise, report them to him.”
“Understood.”
“Could you summon Heo Min-woo for me?”
“Yes, of course.”
The chief steward quickly left the room.
Soon after, Hyuk Min-woo appeared, poking his head into the room.
“I heard you called for me, Madam?”
“Yes.”
Yerin nodded and asked, “Do you have any updates on the item I requested from the Northern Ice Palace?”
At this, Min-woo’s expression stiffened slightly.
“If you’re referring to the Millennium Snowfire Pill, it’s such a rare treasure that Vice Leader Seol of the Ice Swords is personally delivering it.”
“I see…”
“Please don’t worry. Vice Leader Seol is one of the Ice Palace’s finest warriors. He’ll arrive soon.”
He added reassuringly.
Hearing this, Yerin felt her chest tighten with emotion.
‘The people of the Northern Ice Palace… never asked why I needed the Millennium Snowfire Pill.’
The pill was the most prized treasure of the Ice Palace.
Yet, neither he nor the palace had once questioned her intentions.
‘And the Ice Palace even…’
They had dispatched a top-tier warrior from their elite Ice Swords to personally deliver their most precious treasure.
‘These people truly trust me.’
The weight of their trust was heavy yet heartwarming.
Feeling her throat tighten, Yerin cleared it awkwardly before speaking.
“Could you send a messenger hawk to instruct the Vice Leader to come directly to the Martial Alliance?”
“I’ll do so immediately. Are you and the Palace Lord heading to the Martial Alliance as well?”
“Yes.”
Yerin nodded, then hesitated.
Should she explain why they were heading to the Martial Alliance and why they needed the Millennium Snowfire Pill?
After all, the people of the Northern Ice Palace deserved to know. They had offered her their most precious treasure without hesitation, even smiling as they did so.
“Well, the reason we’re going to the Martial Alliance is…”
“There’s no need to tell me.”
Min-woo shook his head firmly.
“If it’s important enough for both of you to act personally, it must be critical and confidential.”
“…Hyuk Min-woo.”
“Moreover, considering the need for the Thousand-Year Snowflower Pill, the urgency of the matter goes without saying.”
Finishing his words with a gentle smile, Hyuk Min-woo chuckled softly.
“I’m sure you and Madam will handle it well.”
“…”
Why am I tearing up at a time like this? In front of him, my disciple!
Yerin hastily composed herself.
Then, Doyul playfully added, “If you’re getting emotional, you can just admit it.”
“Do you really have to say that, Doyul?”
Yerin shot a playful glare at him.
Hyuk Min-woo, treating her with the care of a family member, spoke earnestly.
“Please don’t worry about this matter, Madam. Just focus on your well-being.”
He narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Yerin.
“Especially Madam, since you’ve only recently recovered, you must take extra care of your health.”
“You heard that? I get my heart racing every time I think about you, Madam.”
“…I’ll take it to heart.”
With a somewhat guilty look, Yerin responded obediently.
—
A few days later.
Doyul and Yerin entered Hangzhou.
Normally, they would have ridden horses, but this time, they traveled by carriage.
A wagon followed them closely, carrying supplies.
‘If the Snowflower Pill helped ease the League Master’s symptoms, it must be due to the Snowbell Grass contained within.’
That was the reasoning behind gathering all the Snowbell Grass held by the sect.
However, Snowbell Grass was a highly prized medicinal herb even within the sect.
The challenge was convincing the Chief Marshal…
‘Chief Marshal, Snowbell Grass.’
‘Madam Deputy Clan Head, as the acting Clan Head, you have the authority to handle medicinal supplies at your discretion.’
‘…Really?’
Yerin hesitated, blinking blankly.
The Chief Marshal continued without a hint of hesitation.
‘No Marshal would oppose the decisions of the Deputy Clan Head.’
‘So, it’s like that?’
‘Indeed.’
The confident response caused Yerin to involuntarily smile slightly.
‘Thank you.’
‘No need for thanks. I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.’
Without showing any emotion, the Chief Marshal left the room.
Yet, Yerin saw it.
The Chief Marshal’s neck was tinged with a faint red.
“Look, the Wulin League is in sight.”
Lost in her thoughts, Yerin was snapped back to reality by Doyul’s voice.
His tone was somewhat subdued.
“…The atmosphere here doesn’t seem very good.”
In fact, describing it as merely “not good” was an understatement.
The Wulin League was like a mourning hall.
It was no surprise.
The League Master was not just a central figure of the righteous sect but one of the top masters in the White Path Wulin.
‘The fact that the League Master’s condition is in jeopardy is a crisis for the righteous sect.’
Just then, the Wulin League members abruptly blocked their carriage with a menacing air.
