Absolute Regression

Chapter 639: Is Everyone Only Fond of Brother?

The flower of poison arts was not toxicity, but detoxification.

The meaning behind the Poison King's words was singular.

"So you're saying So Jeongrak isn't a physician, but someone who uses poison arts."

At Geom Mugeuk's words, the Poison King fiddled with the teacup placed in front of him and spoke.

"You figured it out."

Until Geom Mugeuk uncovered the truth, So Jeongrak was known as a skilled physician with exceptional detoxification abilities.

But the moment Geom Mugeuk discovered that the Clearheart Clinic might be the pillar supporting the Hermit of Heaven and Earth, the physician So Jeongrak transformed into a master of poison arts.

However, exposing that truth was no simple matter.

After all, So Jeongrak had lived for many years as a respected physician.

In some ways, he was even more difficult to deal with than the Hermit of Heaven and Earth. He had bestowed upon countless martial artists the most burdensome debt of all — the debt of life.

There would be countless martial artists throughout the Central Plains, not just in Wuhan, who owed their lives to So Jeongrak.

Geom Mugeuk asked the Poison King,

"Is there a poison that can control people?"

The Poison King nodded as if it were obvious.

"If one used Parasite Poison, it would be possible."

The Poison King then asked Geom Muyang,

"Great Young Master, was it just one person who was controlled? Or several?"

"I’ve seen multiple so far."

"Any important figures?"

"No."

After confirming both the numbers and the nature of the victims, the Poison King gave his answer to Geom Mugeuk.

"Then it probably wasn’t Parasite Poison. The insects that control people are hard to acquire and even harder to manage. You can’t afford to use them indiscriminately."

Geom Mugeuk drew a conclusion.

"Then there must be someone other than So Jeongrak who possesses the ability to control people. It’s unthinkable that someone like So Jeongrak, who already uses both poison arts and medicine, would also have mastered dark sorcery or a great technique for manipulation."

The Poison King nodded in agreement. If his detoxification skills were even greater than his knowledge of poisons, then his mastery over poison arts must have reached an extreme. On top of that, being proficient in medicine left no room for other arts to be learned.

"The Hermit of Heaven and Earth is being investigated by the Alliance Leader. That leaves this side for us to uncover."

It wouldn’t be difficult for the four of them to infiltrate and kill So Jeongrak. In fact, there was no need for all four to go.

To someone like himself, who was immune to all poisons, So Jeongrak posed no threat whatsoever.

But the real task was to prove that he was the force behind everything.

They had to expose the fact that he wasn’t a physician who practiced medicine — but a poison user who wielded poison arts.

And that evidence had to be presented to the Martial Alliance Leader. The orthodox world had to know the truth.

It wasn’t something they could ask others to believe after killing him without any proof. That was the difficult part of this mission.

"I’m thinking of approaching him."

He believed it would be impossible to uncover the truth from afar. The period during which he had concealed his true identity was far too long.

"How?"

At Demonic Buddha's question, Geom Mugeuk responded with a faint smile.

"What other way is there to approach a physician? One must go as a patient."

However, there was a problem. According to the information sent from the Heavenly Communication Pavilion:

"The issue is that going as an ordinary patient won’t attract So Jeongrak’s attention. He sees far too many patients, and apparently there are over twenty physicians working under him. Ordinary patients barely get to see So Jeongrak’s face. However, those afflicted by a deadly poison are the exception. The more unusual the poison, the more it will draw his attention."

In short, only by being afflicted with a deadly poison could one meet So Jeongrak properly.

Naturally, all eyes turned to the Poison King.

"Fortunately, we happen to have someone here who can administer a poison that So Jeongrak would have to detoxify."

At Geom Mugeuk’s words, the corner of the Poison King's mouth curled up slightly. Geom Mugeuk understood well what that smirk meant.

That bastard thinks he can detoxify my poison? He really believes that’s possible?

Among everyone present, Geom Mugeuk knew best just how serious the Poison King was when it came to poison.

"I know, I know. If the Poison King truly intends to poison someone, no one could possibly detoxify it."

At those words, the Poison King's expression hardened. There was that one time—a person who was supposed to die had returned alive. Though it was said the body hadn’t returned to normal, it had left a deep scar on the Poison King's pride.

"Please prepare a poison that takes several days to barely detoxify. Preferably something that will strongly draw his attention."

The Poison King surely possessed such a poison.

The problem wasn't the poison, but the patient.

"Who will be poisoned?"

Though the answer was practically decided, Geom Mugeuk began by excluding the Poison King.

"You, Poison King, can't go yourself."

There was a possibility that the opponent would recognize the Poison King. No matter how well he disguised himself, there would be something that only two people could recognize.

"Of course, Lord Demonic Buddha can’t go either."

With that, Geom Mugeuk slyly turned his gaze to his older brother.

"As you know, my brother has a strong constitution and tolerates pain well."

Geom Muyang gave him an incredulous look.

The truth was, even if Geom Mugeuk wanted to, he couldn’t do it. Being immune to all poisons, poison wouldn’t affect him. Only the Poison King here knew that fact.

"I’m the acting Cult Leader, brother."

He then turned to Demonic Buddha to ask for backup.

"Even if it’s the Poison King, he’d get scolded by Father for poisoning the acting Cult Leader, right?"

But Demonic Buddha wouldn’t simply let Geom Mugeuk push the burden onto Geom Muyang.

"Poisoning the Great Young Master would get him in more trouble."

"Why?"

When Geom Mugeuk asked in protest, Demonic Buddha answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"He’s the eldest son, isn’t he? The Cult Leader always cherished the Great Young Master more."

"Then, what about me?"

"Well, I'm sure he cherished you too."

"That's too much! Brother scolds me for being disrespectful to Lord Demonic Buddha, and Lord Demonic Buddha always takes brother's side. Were you two conspiring together?"

Geom Muyang could see it clearly.

That Geom Mugeuk had asked Demonic Buddha for support just to say those words. So he could let Demonic Buddha know that he had scolded him for being disrespectful.

‘Why go through all that trouble? I used to hate you so much.’

Demonic Buddha was also making his own efforts in his own way.

"You’re better at pretending to be sick, aren’t you?"

"How would you know when I haven’t even tried it? And did it not occur to you that playing the role of a patient’s guardian might be more important?"

While the two exchanged words, Geom Muyang, wearing a faint smile, turned to the Poison King.

"I’ll do it."

To Geom Muyang, this felt like fate. He had almost killed Geom Mugeuk with a poison-coated hidden weapon. That’s why he had come all the way here.

And now, a situation had arisen where he needed to be poisoned. Perhaps this was fate's way of making him pay for that mistake.

"You should bring in a martial artist from the secluded compound instead."

Seeing how much Demonic Buddha cared for him, Geom Muyang smiled faintly and said,

"It’s alright, Lord Demonic Buddha."

"How is it alright? It’s not just any poison—we’re talking about one that’ll draw So Jeongrak’s attention. Your body will suffer greatly. I’ll do it instead."

He truly wanted to do it. How convenient it would have been if he had a more ordinary appearance at times like this.

Geom Muyang lowered his head politely, as if to express his gratitude for Demonic Buddha’s concern.

He also bowed respectfully to the Poison King.

"Please, I’m in your hands."

The Poison King, who had been watching in silence, gave an unexpected gift. Would someone like him simply administer poison in such a situation?

"Through the process of detoxifying this poison, your body will naturally build a strong resistance. If you're poisoned with the same thing again, you’ll be able to endure it far longer than now."

From those words alone, it was clear that the Poison King planned to use an extremely rare poison.

Geom Mugeuk quickly stepped forward.

"I’ll do it! Poisoning brother?! I, the unloved second son, will take it! This isn't fair at all! Why is it always brother everyone favors!"

Only then did Demonic Buddha’s expression finally relax, and he turned to the Poison King.

"Still, please use a less painful poison."

Pouting, Geom Mugeuk muttered in a teasing tone,

"Then it won't work. We need something that draws a scream naturally..."

At that moment, a scream burst from Geom Muyang’s mouth.

"Ugh!"

The Poison King had only looked at Geom Muyang once.

And in that instant, his face turned pale, and he clutched at his chest. The poison had already been administered.

"Uuuugh..."

The scream that escaped from Geom Muyang was anything but ordinary.

"Ugh, always in such a hurry!"

Geom Mugeuk quickly hoisted his brother onto his back and dashed out.

Demonic Buddha was quietly astonished. He was well aware of the Poison King's poison-administering skills, but to have it done right in front of him without noticing a thing—he hadn’t expected that.

Then the Poison King spoke flatly.

"The Great Young Master will be fine."

That single line from the Poison King was more reassuring than any other.

Demonic Buddha watched the two of them running toward the Clearheart Clinic for a moment and then said,

"Detoxification will take some time."

Demonic Buddha knew the best way to repay the Poison King's favor.

"Let’s go gather some poisonous herbs."

999

The Clearheart Clinic was much larger than it appeared from the outside.

In the vast courtyard that resembled a plaza, there were countless people. The pungent smell of medicine reached all the way to the entrance, where a bustling scene unfolded.

There were patients limping along with bandages wrapped around them, physicians in white robes moving busily, workers unloading bundles of medicinal herbs from carts, women trimming herbs under trees, and rows of people pounding herbs in mortars.

Even non-martial folk were standing in line. One glance revealed their impoverished appearance. It was said they treated the poor for free, and it truly seemed to be the case.

Carrying his brother on his back, Geom Mugeuk rushed into the courtyard and shouted,

"My brother—he's been poisoned! Poisoned!"

A young man nearby came running over. Judging by his appearance, he didn’t seem to be a fully trained physician yet. He appeared to be assisting the doctors and learning medicine.

"This way! Quickly, over here!"

The young man guided them to a section where patients in critical condition were gathered.

"Please wait just a moment. One of the physicians will be here soon."

After helping Geom Muyang onto a bed, the young man rushed off to fetch someone.

Geom Mugeuk looked around the area. All twenty or so beds were filled with patients—some stabbed, others with fractured skulls. The area was filled with the critically injured.

He had known the clinic was large, but seeing it in person, the Clearheart Clinic was truly overwhelmed with work.

"Looks like a war broke out somewhere—except with us."

Geom Muyang heard the words but couldn’t respond. It truly felt as if his entire body were burning. He was fully conscious, which meant he felt every bit of the pain.

"Brother, are you okay?"

At Geom Mugeuk’s question, Geom Muyang cursed at him with his eyes. Okay? Why don’t you try it!

"I really do wish I could be the one in pain instead."

But contrary to his words, his eyes were smiling. If not now, when would he have the chance to tease his brother? The intention behind his grin was all too clear.

Trying to distract him from the pain, Geom Mugeuk kept talking.

"Your internal energy?"

Geom Muyang furrowed his brows and nodded. It meant he could still use it. The intention was likely to make sure he could still use martial arts in case of emergency. The Poison King had taken everything into consideration even while administering the poison in that brief moment.

At that moment, a young physician arrived.

"What kind of poison is it?"

"I don't know. Please, save my brother!"

The physician examined Geom Muyang’s condition. The moment he touched his body, Geom Muyang let out a scream.

"Aaaaaargh!"

For his brother to scream like that—it meant he was in real pain.

The young physician looked visibly flustered. He tried to identify the poison and ease the pain, but the screams only grew louder.

Without even saying a word to wait, the physician bolted out of the room.

Looking down at his brother writhing in agony, Geom Mugeuk suddenly wondered—what if this situation were real? What if the Poison King hadn’t planned this out as carefully as he believed?

What if his brother actually died right in front of his eyes?

The way his chest tightened and his back grew cold told him just how deeply his feelings for his brother had grown.

"The more you endure, the more you'll be able to laugh later. Just hang in there a bit longer."

His brother's lips moved in reply.

Shut up!

Not long after, another physician came rushing in. This time, it was a middle-aged man, older than the last.

He examined Geom Muyang’s condition more skillfully than the young physician had.

But even he couldn’t stabilize Geom Muyang’s condition. Naturally, it was to be expected. How could ordinary physicians treat the Poison King’s poison?

Fortunately, he gave up much quicker than the young physician. That alone proved his skill was far superior.

After the middle-aged physician withdrew, he finally arrived.

The moment Geom Mugeuk saw the well-built man with a kind expression, he knew.

This was So Jeongrak.

Rather than wearing a name tag that said "So Jeongrak," he wore a pair of wings. A few physicians followed behind him with respectful expressions.

He was someone Geom Mugeuk had never seen before. Perhaps the reason there was no Poison King among the Twelve Zodiac Kings was because this man had been occupying a different position altogether.

As So Jeongrak passed by the patients, he gave out prescriptions. Just a single glance at a patient’s condition and he could prescribe treatment.

"Decoct Blue Magnolia and Seven Star Herb in equal parts and have him drink it!"

He unwrapped another patient’s bandage and examined the wound, then personally applied Golden Wound Medicine.

"Fortunately, the blade only grazed the internal organs."

Just by examining the surface, he could tell whether internal organs had been injured.

The next patient was no different.

He personally realigned the bones of a patient who had fallen from a height and applied a splint. Even as blood stained his hands, he showed not the slightest concern.

The moment his hands touched the injured, the screams of pain began to subside.

Geom Mugeuk looked down at Geom Muyang with surprise. Even in such agony, his brother was watching So Jeongrak intently.

Like an immortal descending from the heavens, So Jeongrak treated patient after patient without pause, until he finally reached Geom Muyang’s bed.

Seen up close, his robust build gave his skin a firm, healthy appearance, and his eyes were filled with vitality and focus.

The flow of his seamless treatment paused for the first time.

Examining Geom Muyang’s condition, he turned to Geom Mugeuk and asked,

"This poison—who administered it?"

Geom Mugeuk answered him,

"I don’t know. My brother’s got a terrible temper, so he’s made a lot of enemies."

Despite the pain, Geom Muyang visibly made an incredulous face.

"I’ve heard your name is unrivaled in the Central Plains when it comes to detoxification. Please, I beg you—save my brother."

So Jeongrak’s gaze deepened as he looked down at Geom Muyang. Shockingly, he recognized the poison.

"This poison can only be detoxified by three people in the world."