Chapter 119

Pang Choryeo’s great sword was moving chaotically.

The purple, eerie colors of the fishermen’s true energy started to intermingle.

Purple true energy was a hallmark trait of poison arts.

In reality, how much of that was actually purple poison, who knows, but true energy can’t help but reflect the mind.

When a person thinks of poison, they envision purple, and just like that, the true energies of poison arts take on that form.

Facing an opponent skilled in poison arts is quite a challenge.

Even the tiniest scratch can lead to deadly poisoning, making it natural to be on guard, which results in a defensive stance rather than an offensive one.

“Sister, it’s dangerous!”

With a cute beep-beep sound, something round zipped past Pang Choryeo.

However, the result was anything but cute, as the enemy got hit by a curved projectile, bursting into tears and stumbling without seeing where they were going.

The Tang Family’s Pilyeon, an irregular lotus-shaped projectile, made a ruckus and had a chaotic trajectory, renowned for causing mayhem.

This was no simple weapon, which is why Tang Nan-ah’s achievements as a warrior were not to be underestimated.

Pang Choryeo seized the moment and swung down the sword filled with Qi, sending a fisherman flying while getting torn apart horizontally.

Flowing smoothly, the sword turned to slice through another fisherman’s waist before settling behind Pang Choryeo.

This was the famous preparatory move of the Five Tiger Blade.

Especially when Pang Choryeo, from the Pang Family, wielded the great sword with extraordinary speed, it felt like the ferocity of five tigers unleashed.

Sabotaging the enemy with a swift strike, it was a deadly technique combining weight and speed.

With a single sweep of the blade, it could split a person in half, leaving the stunned fishermen hesitating and stepping back, and this time they started hurling projectiles.

Pang Choryeo’s great sword drew a dense line, forming a net-like shape.

This was the technique known as “Barrier.” When used with a sword, it becomes a “Sword Barrier,” and in this case, with a Dao, it was referred to as a “Dao Barrier.”

The sound of clashing resonated as heavy projectiles bounced off the Dao, while lighter ones were swept away by the wind of the sword.

The fishermen got excited and began throwing more projectiles.

Since a barrier consumes a lot of stamina and energy, they couldn’t keep it up for too long, so they took the chance to throw more projectiles.

However, boasting about projectiles in front of the Sicheon Tang Family was futile.

Tang Nan-ah pulled out a large jar from her bosom.

This had always been a trait of the Tang Family—stuff continuously popping out of their clothes.

The reason the Tang Family inspired fear was precisely because of what lay hidden within those bosoms.

The faces of the fishermen turned pale.

“Storm of Rain and Blossoms! Scatter!”

Someone shouted a warning, but it was too late.

Bang!!! The sound of gunpowder exploding.

Thousands of tiny needles poured forth.

Each needle was coated with a preserved poison.

As they pierced through the body, the dry poison would mix with the blood, melting into a frothy demise shortly after.

Pang Choryeo took a moment to breathe and scanned for Qing.

Qing, having quickly outpaced her, had left the two of them to handle the rear, leading to a brief lull where she wanted to assess the situation quickly.

“Ha. What in the world…”

At that moment, Qing had grabbed a fisherman’s leg and was spinning and threatening him.

Pang Choryeo’s eyes lit up.

That’s the true strength of the body!

Finally, as Qing tilted significantly and threw what she held, a loud “ding” echoed, catching everyone’s attention towards the sound.

-The enemy commander has been defeated!

The round object held high was likely a head.

Did that kid, Qing, enjoy reading the Romance of the Three Kingdoms? I thought, but more pressing was the handling of the fishermen.

“Great Master!”

Someone screamed in anguish while others were demoralized, withdrawing their hands.

Just in time, Qing’s voice rang out again.

-Those who surrender will die peacefully, and those who run will be chased to the end! If you want to live, you’ll die, and if you want to die, you will die!

Such threats were unheard of.

It basically meant “I’ll kill you no matter what.”

Even a mere rat, if cornered, will bite back; yet, isn’t this just provoking the enemies?

However, before Pang Choryeo could lament, the enemies scattered in panic.

Pang Choryeo was impressed.

If they were to die anyway, they must’ve figured scattering gave even one of them a chance to live.

Perhaps Qing’s strategy was……

Amidst all that, another loud voice rang out.

-Where do you think you’re going? You bastards, know you’ll all die!

Pang Choryeo thought again.

A strategy…… must be right?

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There are times when you win battles but lose the war.

This was one of those times.

“Ah. The aquaculture ponds…”

The ponds were completely empty.

All the nets had been cut, and after the five aquaculture ponds had all been moved to the Minjang River.

Yet, it wasn’t a total loss.

At least I learned about the identity of the fishermen.

“The Great Master of the Five Poison Sect, Za-Chill-Joo.”

Qing tilted her head.

How did he get that nickname, “The Most Poisonous of Yunnan”?

Then does the Tang Family’s Great Master have the nickname “Sichuan’s Poisonous River”?

Does the Tang Family have no Great Masters due to being a declining family?

Thinking about it, “Sichuan’s Poisonous River” sounds a bit cool.

“But how did you win? Za-Chill-Joo must be at the late stage of the Supreme Realm, right? Aren’t you at the late peak too? How did you win?”

“Not that impressive honestly. Compared to the Cannibal Demon, there was a massive gap.”

Of course, Qing was already in a state that couldn’t be compared to back then.

Not just her inner strength but her physical capabilities had transcended human limits.

However, the fundamental reason was different.

“Our Qing Ah was just lucky. It seems that out of worry for Qing that he couldn’t use poison.”

Poison practitioners gather poison in their dantian, wrapping it in inner strength.

The higher the mastery of poison arts, the more toxic the poison becomes, but if it’s not effectively contained by one’s inner strength, it can backfire on the user.

Thus, compared to the same level of mastery, poison practitioners without their poison are at a significantly reduced capability.

Because they’re too worried about maintaining their poison, their available inner strength is limited, and they also suffer a decrease in speed and power.

Not only that.

Gathering poison requires extensive knowledge of various toxic substances and a process of bodily absorption.

It’s only natural that their training in weaponry is limited, so they fall far behind in pure martial arts technique.

In battle, if their dantian gets damaged, they can get poisoned by their own poison and end up dying.

“Ugh, sister. If you say it like that…”

Tang Nan-ah couldn’t hide her disappointment.

Speaking like that makes poison arts sound like garbage.

“Of course, this is if we’re excluding the poison. The poison knows no friend or foe, and due to a single hostage, they ended up getting caught off guard. Overall, they are rather tricky to deal with.”

Mixed with poison, true energy can poison just from a mere brush or impact.

And it doesn’t end there.

They release poison quietly and can use a variety of cunning techniques, spit out venom, or sprinkle blood. The risk of poisoning is so high that recklessly clashing with them becomes a challenge.

Exempted from worrying about poisoning, Qing had concluded so basely.

Then, those who handle poison aren’t all that formidable.

So, the Sicheon Tang Family isn’t all that special after all.

Just as Qing was having those thoughts…

Pang Choryeo looked at Qing with a subtle expression.

“But Qing Ah?”

“Yes?”

“I watched you fight, and well, without any ill intent, would you mind hearing me out?”

“What is it?”

Yet Pang Choryeo turned serious.

“Qing Ah. You suit the Dao better than the sword.”

“What?! Me?”

Pang Choryeo replied, filled with conviction.

“Yes, and it should be a very large Dao.”

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Living as a retainer was indeed heavenly.

It would be perfect if only Representative Ho was around.

Then she could have someone do the bathing service, laundry, and even get dressed every morning…

But suddenly, a thought came to mind.

Am I becoming somewhat spoiled lately?

Before heading to the Demon Cult, I used to happily dance swords with the Swordmaster.

Back then, Seomun Qing sparkled with a burning desire to become a master.

Why have I fallen so low?

Thinking about it, it was all because of the lackeys.

Without walking on my own, washing my hands, or getting dressed by myself, I fully became shrink-wrapped.

Reflecting back, it was all part of the Demon Cult’s evil scheme.

When did I start to dislike sweating?

Qing deeply reflected as she thought.

From tomorrow onward, I should go to the Underground Life and Death Arena.

I need to practice against those at the peak level too.

So for today, I’ll rest some more.

As I lay back in bed, one sudden thought popped up.

Ah. I was forgetting about my position as the Underground representative!

Due to this misunderstanding, Qing finally confessed her involuntary impersonation to Pang Choryeo.

“So my Qing Ah was the representative of the Underground? I heard that representative also knows how to wield the great Dao?”

“I left it there because it was cumbersome to carry. Plus, if I wore the Dao while hiding my face, I’d be instantly recognized.”

Qing subtly eyed Pang Choryeo.

Pang Choryeo appeared more pleased.

“Then, that means my Qing Ah has some knowledge of the Dao? Especially the great Dao?”

“Well, I picked one up while passing by—it’s called the Blood Shadow Thunder Dao Technique.”

“Oh? From the Demon King’s Sect?”

“Ah! You know about the Blood Shadow Thunder Dao Technique!”

“How could I not know about a great Dao technique?”

There aren’t many sects that wield great Daos to begin with.

“But how did it connect to that wicked demon cult?”

“I killed a guy called Seomunju and stole it.”

“That’s impressive!! Just in time, I have a backup great Dao, want to have a duel? I’ll overlook your impersonation. What do you say?”

“That would be great!”

Having sweat it all out so freely felt refreshing and reminiscent of the old days.

Besides, Pang Choryeo was an excellent master.

Her training in the Blood Shadow Thunder Dao Technique was progressing well.

Thus, the sound of metal clashing would reverberate throughout the Tang Family daily.

“Qing Ah, shall we explore the Dao together?”

“I want to learn about it!”

Clang clang clang.

“Do you know what the biggest and most beautiful weapon is among all weapons? It’s the great Dao.”

“The great Dao!”

Clang clang.

“Isn’t the name Dao magnificent? It’s how one walks the way of the Dao. Among Dae, the great way is called the great Dao, making it the greatest weapon of all.”

“Let’s go practice the Dao then!”

Clang clang clang.

“Ah. Is there no one to share the Dao with?”

“I’m right here!”

As they huddled together, a woman watched them, shedding tears.

“That woman, with a look of envy. This won’t do…”

Tang Nan-ah’s gaze turned fierce.

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