“Yoon Ho, how much do you know about dealing with poison?”
Leaving the rescheduling to me, Hwa Rin nodded and then brought up what might happen soon.
“I have some resistance to poison because of my inner energy, but why?”
While poison seems like an all-purpose weapon in the Martial Arts World, the truth is that above a certain level, masters have their own ways to deal with it.
Ding!
“Ah, those cherry tomatoes. The weight has changed while I was momentarily away.”
Because martial artists develop their senses, they can immediately detect subtle differences in smells or tastes, quickly realizing when an opponent has used poison.
Hmm!
“Indeed, pufferfish eggs! A jewel-like taste worth risking my life for.”
Even if one doesn’t master poison techniques, one’s body can be enhanced through inner energy, granting enough resistance to withhold poison that would instantly kill an ordinary person.
“So you don’t know how to expel poison once it’s in your body, right?”
“I’m not a master, so I don’t know how to expel poison using inner energy.”
Expelling poison is a classic technique in martial arts. Even though a martial artist with inner energy has more resistance to poison than an ordinary person, there are limits if they haven’t trained in a poison technique.
The most common method for martial artists to solve poison exposure is to force the poison out using inner energy.
“If we go to the Sichuan Tang Family, we never know what could happen. They might experiment with your resistance to poison from their bloodline on you.”
“If the wretched heir on the brink of death dies, could they really go that far since I’m the only remaining bloodline?”
“Who knows? But they’re mad enough that it’s possible.”
Hwa Rin had gotten herself into this predicament by tricking one of those madmen, so it was hard to feel reassured.
“Can’t we end this over some pineapple pizza right in front of us?”
If you want, I could even add extra pineapple toppings. Hot sauce and pickles would need to be prepared in large amounts, though. I muttered with a small sigh.
“We really don’t know what will happen. I can teach you how to expel poison when I get poisoned.”
It’d be nice if I learned how to expel poison. But there’s a problem.
“Isn’t that something only people with a lot of inner energy can do? I have barely any, so I can’t even use Light Body Movement.”
“You don’t know how to use Light Body Movement, or you just don’t have the inner energy to use it? That can’t be true. You have enough inner energy stored up for several years.”
“Between 2 and 3 years, maybe?”
Gathering inner energy in the martial arts world is like studying English. You need to cultivate inner energy every morning and evening for 60 years in good air and water to reach one level.
Various sects boast about their inner energy techniques as if they were commercial ads! “Our school’s technique has 1.2 times the efficiency of widely available methods! Ours has 1.5 times the efficiency, and at a certain level, it comes with a bonus of craziness!” But regardless, daily practice is a must.
The strict curriculum from the esteemed sect’s meal-providing Taoist masters ensures that practitioners keep training from a young age, but things change once they enter society.
Their skills become stagnant, they struggle to gather inner energy, and as they get busier with social life, training gradually becomes a nuisance. As adults, there are fewer people scolding them. They start slacking off on training.
Of course, there are those who consistently cultivate their inner energy every morning and evening. Ultimately, it’s a matter of willpower.
It’s like a working adult coming home isn’t turning on their computer but rather opening a book to study English.
I, too, have had times when I couldn’t cultivate due to work, but I nevertheless trained consistently in martial arts.
“That’s a smaller amount than I expected. Didn’t you proclaim you’d become the Barbarian Punch, defeating bandits? I figured with all that inner energy, you’d know how to enhance your body instead of not knowing how to use Light Body Movement.”
That’s thanks to having a good teacher and the methods of the Ascension sect.
“Though my inner energy may be lacking, I know how to manage it to that extent.”
“Then that’s enough. I’ll tell you about the vision of the Sichuan Tang Family. Even with less inner energy, your skill in managing it seems fine, so you’ll be able to quickly learn how to expel poison.”
“Ooh. But isn’t it dangerous to carelessly share secret martial arts techniques?”
“Whatever. Whether you live or die, you’re going to pretend to be a bastard child of the Sichuan Tang Family, so it doesn’t matter if you learn this level of martial arts.”
“Indeed.”
If we’re found out, I’m dead, but if not, no one would care if I learned the direct martial arts of the Sichuan Tang Family.
“First, sit cross-legged and practice the method I’m going to tell you.”
“Got it.”
I focused my inner energy according to Hwa Rin’s guidance. I had to detect any abnormalities in my body and expel them with my inner energy.
I understood the general process, but it was tougher than I thought.
“Can you do it? If you observe your body and clearly assess its condition, it should be easy. Once you grasp the method, you don’t even need to sit in a position.”
“I understand the method, but I don’t think I can do it right away. Hwa Rin, if you guide my Vital Energy flow, I’ll give it a try.”
Hwa Rin started guiding the flow of Vital Energy and I followed her lead. I asked her to use the methods that everyone who had previously taught me martial arts had used.
“Vital Energy guide? You think I’m some kind of incredible master?”
Hwa Rin looked at me as if she couldn’t believe it.
“Can’t Hwa Rin do it?”
What’s wrong with her? Someone of Tang Hwa Rin’s caliber should be unrivaled among our peers.
“It’s not just me; no one in my age range could do it. If someone carelessly tries to guide Vital Energy, it could distort their energy channels or lead to internal injury. I can observe the flow of Vital Energy, but guiding it is the domain of masters.”
Is it like the difference between giving driving lessons and critiquing a friend parking from outside?
“I heard that some people can do it.”
I knew of two specific individuals who could.
“Did you hear some bizarre rumor? To try and guide Vital Energy among people our age, one would need to be a genius with the qualities of a Grand Master or at the level of a master in energy sensing and control. There’s no way such a person exists.”
“Is that so?”
For a moment, I had forgotten that the two who taught me martial arts are among the top geniuses in this world.
I’ve apparently gained a good amount of fortune. I’ve grown up eating ginseng like candy, learned the methods of Ascension, and met great teachers. I’ve got a story that rivals a martial arts novel’s protagonist.
In reality, I’m just a barbarian writer.
“Don’t be too disappointed; let’s try using this instead.”
Thinking I was feeling down, Hwa Rin pulled a bottle of alcohol from somewhere and handed it to me.
“Let’s drink and forget our worries?”
“What? Drinking is a kind of poison too. Try to expel it.”
Ah, so this is the method used when the main character in martial arts novels has the inner strength to expel alcohol but chooses not to, right?
I accepted the cup from Hwa Rin and took a drink.
“This is tasty. Where did this alcohol come from?”
It’s pleasantly sweet with a nice touch of bitterness – good alcohol.
“Choi, the Head of Guards, gave it to me.”
Hwa Rin seemed a little embarrassed as she poured the drink and avoided eye contact.
“Hmm? Why did the Head of Guards give it to you?”
“He said it was for when I felt frustrated.”
“What do you mean?”
“Stop asking pointless questions and just eat the snacks!”
Hwa Rin hurriedly stuffed some jerky into my mouth even as she hurriedly changed the subject.
Did Choi give it to Hwa Rin for when she’s frustrated with work? But it seems too sweet for that; the alcohol content feels low.
Since it tasted good, I kept drinking.
“This doesn’t feel strong enough to do anything… Huh?”
“Be careful.”
As I was about to get up, I lost my balance, and Hwa Rin caught me.
What is it? This seems stronger than I thought? I let my guard down because it tasted good. Is this some kind of “sit-down” alcohol or “lady killer” drink?
“I’ve told you the method, so just try again tomorrow. Today has been tiring, and you might get drunk easily.”
Worried that I might not be able to keep my balance, Hwa Rin spoke with concern.
“Is it okay to wait until tomorrow for something important? We’ll have to do it now. Why postpone? Sit me down. I’m going to try it.”
“…For a friend’s matter?”
Why is she so disappointed? Even though I explained it well, is she still displeased that I risked my life for a friend?
“Our lives are on the line, and my friend’s helplessness is also at stake. There’s a huge obstacle now, so we can’t sit back and wait. We need to use unconventional methods to push through.”
“Isn’t it necessary to use unconventional methods when a huge obstacle appears?”
Hwa Rin looked a little shocked by my words.
“Yeah.”
When I nodded, Hwa Rin lowered her head and stared at me for a moment with a troubled expression.
What’s going on?
“……Then should I help you use unconventional methods?”
Hwa Rin spoke with a determined tone as if she had made a resolution.
“What are you talking about? Hwa Rin, what are you doing?”
Hwa Rin partially unbuttoned her top and pushed the fabric slightly off her shoulders. Suddenly, a steep canyon of temptation appeared.
“If your blood flows faster, you can feel more of the alcohol inside you.”
Hwa Rin turned her face away, looking bashful.
“No. That’s…”
I could clearly feel my blood rushing faster. The heat was building up in my head, greatly amplifying the alcohol’s effects. Hwa Rin, the issue is that when the blood rushes like this, it tends to focus elsewhere.
But Hwa Rin didn’t seem like she was done here.
“I’ll hold your hand and help guide the Vital Energy flow too! Ah, sit down.”
The canyon was approaching me.
“That’s okay. Ah….”
I startled up and lost my balance, tumbling toward Hwa Rin, who widened her eyes in surprise and pulled me in for a hug.
“Eek!”
My face was about to touch the magnificent canyon.
My nose plunged into the depths of a scent only I could feel. What is happening? This isn’t just the protagonist of The Rise of the Tang Family, right?
If I blow this, won’t there be a thunderous echo? They call it nose-dive, but if I were to die like this, I would surely have no regrets.
Hwa Rin, you should push me away quickly so I can apologize. Why isn’t she pushing me away? Is she frozen with shock too?
Thump thump. I could hear Hwa Rin’s racing heart. In sync, my heart began to race as well.
I could distinctly feel the alcohol entering my system, numbing my brain.
“Hwa Rin, I’ve realized.”
In a moment of silence, I carefully lifted my head to look at the blushing Hwa Rin.
“Uh?”
“Thank you. Always.”
In an attempt to not make the atmosphere awkward, I carefully brushed her face. Hwa Rin’s face turned crimson.
“Eh? Ehhhh?”
Hwa Rin’s mouth widened in shock.
“Now, let’s sleep.”
“What? If you say let’s sleep, how can I sleep well?”
Does she not want to? Hwa Rin spoke this while lying down on her bed, not even covering with a blanket, casting glances at me.
Is she saying she wants to sleep, or not?
“It’s cold. Just cover yourself and sleep. I’m going to sleep, too.”
“Uh?”
Hwa Rin looked at me with a flushed face as if she didn’t understand something.
“Since I got to learn how to expel poison, let’s sleep now.”
Without looking back, I climbed into my bed and covered myself with a blanket.
As Hwa Rin said, once I was able to observe the abnormalities in my body, this was an easy process. I managed to swiftly expel the intoxication from my system.
This is nice. It feels like I’ve gotten a step closer to being a martial artist.
Hwa Rin stared at me blankly, a look of comprehension dawned upon her face finally as her expression twisted in a most unflattering manner.
“Seriously! I can’t believe this! You’re such a damn bastard!”
Finally, Hwa Rin got mad about my face touch and ground her teeth, covering herself with a blanket.
What’s up with her? Why’s she still looking my way without sleeping? Is she really angry?
I’ll need to apologize when she wakes up tomorrow.
—–
“Prepare for departure tomorrow morning.”
The guard unit chief visited me late at night, just like yesterday.
“Please give us a few more days. There’s too much to handle.”
I had been busy managing affairs since morning in preparation for departure, but time was running short.
“What could possibly be more important than this?”
“I’ve heard there isn’t even a carriage for us to ride. Both Hwa Rin and I need protection, and it’s best if our faces aren’t exposed, so I’ll handle the work until we can get a carriage.”
It’s not just me with work; you have things to do too. Let’s compromise on a day or two.
“A carriage can be procured along the way.”
Anyway, he wasn’t willing to budge.
The guard chief continued to glare at me, regardless of the onlookers and the noise coming from somewhere.
“Can’t you concede this once?”
“You called us here.”
I didn’t summon any of you.
If I were in a situation like a horror movie, playing with a Ouija board and accidentally calling a ghost, or if I were trapped in a suspicious board game scenario, I wouldn’t be able to complain.
I continued the silent staring contest with the guard chief, maintaining the nerve battle.
“Guard Chief!”
Bursting into our tense standoff, a guard from the Tang Family rushed in.
“What is it?”
“It’s bad! You need to come outside and see!”
The guard pointed outside, startled.
“I don’t know what’s happening, but let’s go together.”
The truth was, I already knew, but the guard chief and I headed toward the entrance of the Tea Bookstore.
“Are those the Sichuan Tang Family folks?”
“The Tang Family! That scumbag is from the Tang Family!”
“Blocking the release of The Rise of the Tang Family Volume 3!”
“Trying to shut down the Tea Bookstore?! That can never be allowed!”
“We won’t let the Sichuan Tang Family go!!!”
“What is going on here…”
What greeted the eyes of the guard chief and the Tang Family was a massive crowd surrounding the Tea and Book Club, screaming angrily.
