Chapter 95: The Scent of Civilization

Long ago, Poison Valley had vied with the Tang Clan of Sichuan for the seat of the foremost poison masters.

But as the Tang Clan gradually rose to become a prestigious household of Sichuan and was recognized as a pillar of the orthodox sects, Poison Valley was naturally pushed into the shadows.

When it came purely to the deadliness of poisons, Poison Valley still held the upper hand, yet their methods were too cruel, and their means of refinement were deemed impure. Thus, public acclaim was reserved solely for the Tang Clan.

‘Poison is poison, after all.’

A man with a deathly pale face let out a cold smile as he tipped a teacup brewed with poisonous herbs.

A sharp, stinging sensation pricked the tip of his tongue. This was the unique fragrance of poison tea, a taste only those who had attained Myriad Poison Immunity could savor.

“So then, what brings you to my valley in such haste before the due date?”

The Valley Lord of Poison Valley, Jang Hon, downed the poison brew as he questioned his unwelcome guests.

They were peak experts from the Central Plains, cloaked in crimson headscarves, exuding a blade-sharp murderous aura.

“Why is the production of Yin-Yang Parasite delayed?”

“The Blood Cult Leader is most displeased.”

Though this was supposed to be a cooperative relationship, the martial artists of the Blood Cult opened with words of rebuke.

At some point they had demanded more poisons and poison pellets, and when their demands were unmet, they flew into anger.

“Delayed, you say? As far as I recall, our Poison Valley has always delivered a fixed amount on schedule.”

The Blood Cult was indeed the largest supporter of Poison Valley at present, but they were also the most troublesome to deal with.

“It is insufficient.”

“For the next phase of the grand undertaking, far more is required.”

Madmen, impossible to fathom. Rumors had long said they had committed bizarre acts under some obsession.

“And why such urgency? Is this the aftershock of the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament? I heard you were thoroughly trounced by some Dog-Beating something.”

At the mention of their disgrace, the Blood Cult experts’ faces hardened, their killing intent rising.

“Dog-Beating Dragon… tch.”

“It was mere carelessness.”

Grinding their teeth, they revealed deep hostility toward this so-called Dog-Beating Dragon.

‘So, that fellow did indeed land a proper blow against the Blood Cult.’

“Carelessness, is it.”

Jang Hon gazed down into his teacup, now lukewarm.

“We need at least double the parasites. And as we discussed before—‘that’—as well as the Corpse-Bone Poison.”

The demands were piling higher and higher. ‘That’ and the Corpse-Bone Poison, no less.

Not the Divine Pivot Clan… were they planning to raise something instead?

“I will take it that you mean to comply.”

From the tone of their words, it seemed their failed plot had left the Blood Cult desperate.

To demand such a sudden increase in supply could only mean they were in dire straits.

‘Perhaps this is the chance to achieve what I’ve long desired.’

In the end, it was they who were pressed. Another’s crisis was always one’s opportunity.

A sinister smile spread across Valley Lord Jang Hon’s lips.

“As I said, it is difficult for Poison Valley to increase production any further.”

“Make it happen. Nothing in this world is impossible.”

“Find a way, Valley Lord Jang Hon.”

The Blood Cult experts pressed forward, bulldozing with unreasonable demands.

“That is not so easy. Thanks to certain interlopers, it has been difficult to expand production.”

Jang Hon spoke with the expression of an angler baiting his hook.

“And who might these interlopers be…?”

At the mention of obstacles, the Blood Cult experts inquired with chilling expressions.

“The Yin-Yang Parasite and most other venomous materials are harvested from Mount Evil Spirit. But that region is the territory of the Palace of Southern Beasts, who command troublesome predators.”

These Miao tribes had dwelled in Nanman long before Poison Valley’s founding.

Bounding through the mountains and jungles as if they were their own homes, they constantly hindered the collection of venoms. It had been a source of endless headaches.

“If those fellows were removed, I daresay we could increase production twofold, even threefold.”

“……How much more exactly?”

“If we could harvest venoms freely without interference, perhaps two or three times the current output.”

For years, they had been in constant friction with the Palace of Southern Beasts.

Their territories overlapped, and both sides had used each other’s people as test subjects for poisons or as feed for beasts. At this point, to call them mortal enemies was no exaggeration.

“So if you desire increased production, then you must lend us some aid.”

“……Hmph.”

The Blood Cult experts exchanged glances beneath their crimson scarves.

After a bout of whispered telepathy, one of them finally spoke as representative.

“Threefold increase, you swear this is certain?”

“Of course. That is, if you aid us in striking down the Palace of Southern Beasts.”

The rumors that the Blood Cult forged peak martial artists from human flesh must have been true—three peak experts stood before him now.

Even their followers possessed formidable qi.

Ordinarily, Jang Hon would be forced to retreat, driven back in every skirmish by that damned Crimson Blood Bear who was immune to poison.

But with these reinforcements, the tide would turn.

Perhaps at last, those beast-reeking savages could be driven from Nanman.

“……Very well. We shall help.”

“But the promise you made must be upheld.”

With only the Palace Head to boast of as a true expert, the Palace of Southern Beasts had no one formidable enough to stop such a coalition.

Jang Hon rose to his feet in delight, his expression brightening.

“Of course, my promise shall be kept. A wise decision indeed.”

Now, even if he wished to lose, it would be impossible.

In truth, there was no need for multiple factions in such a venom-soaked wilderness.

One was plenty.

“Heh, we too shall gather our numbers.”

Thus, the time had come for the Palace of Southern Beasts to vanish from Nanman.

“Oppa, your eating habits are just like our Blood Panda’s.”

My stomach was growling to death, but this damned Nanman—with its overgrown plains, mountains, thickets, and forests—made it impossible to move at my usual pace.

So on the way to the village, I had been stuffing myself with mushrooms, tree bark, fruits, even insects.

Watching me all the while, Maeng Seol finally spoke in fascination.

“You’re saying my eating habits are like that beast’s… no, like that dainty Blood Panda’s?”

Though it wore a simple expression, its overwhelming bulk, predatory fangs, and claws were impossible to hide.

I glanced at the bloodstained beast—one that looked as if it could rip apart a man in an instant—and wondered what resemblance she could possibly be referring to.

“You’ve been picking out only the poisonous ones since earlier.”

As if I did that on purpose.

Here, the harmless ones and the poisonous ones looked far too similar—so I had no choice but to eat whatever I grabbed.

“Then you should’ve warned me before I ate them.”

“But still……”

“Should I say… it’s fascinating, so I just want to keep watching.”

They were ones similar to Tang Yeo-hye.

Indeed, those who lived close to poison all seemed to have twisted personalities.

“Ku-heung…? Kuhuoeok!”

Then, at that moment, the Blood Panda suddenly burst out from the thickets with the force of a raging torrent.

It smashed through everything in its path and leapt upward like a swallow taking to water.

Kkweeeek! Kkweeaaak!

From beyond the shattered trees and billowing dust came the pitiful death cries of some wild beast.

Steeling myself, I approached to find a massive boar limp in the jaws of the Blood Panda.

“…Looks like one I’ve seen before.”

From its crimson hide and massive bulk, I recognized it as the Blood Boar I had once spotted near Black Pine Fungus.

Back then it was so hard to find I had to scour the entire forest for it. Yet here, it appeared like any ordinary wild beast.

Crunch. Crunch.

The Blood Panda tore the flesh from bone, devouring its prey with terrifying ease.

With savage ferocity, it crunched down bones whole. Then, like candy, it popped the Blood Boar’s poisonous inner core into its mouth—a core that had left Tang Yeo-hye unable to move for hours when she had tried to digest it.

Covered in blood, the beast wore an oddly radiant expression, savoring the venom surging through its body.

“Kids, this panda doesn’t go around biting people, right?”

At first, it felt almost endearing since it had saved me. But the longer I watched, the more savage it appeared.

I resolved never to provoke it.

“Probably not?”

“At least it never bit us.”

“Probably not?” That kind of answer did not ease my mind in the least.

I swallowed hard as the Blood Boar’s head split in two, falling with a thud.

The Blood Panda had finished its meal in the blink of an eye.

“Looks like it’s regained its strength.”

“I think now it can even carry Hyung.”

The twins, perched on its broad shoulders, said so proudly.

And indeed, the Blood Panda crouched low, gesturing for me to climb on.

“Honestly, Hyung, you’re too slow.”

“It’s super fast when you ride it.”

I had thought I was carving a decent path with my Dog-Beating Staff, but clearly to children of this land, my pace was laughable.

“Father told us to come back before sundown.”

“At this rate, we might be late. So come on, Oppa, ride with us.”

From the sound of it, they were just ordinary village kids worried about being scolded by their parents.

“What does your father do in the village?”

There was no way the head of a household owning such a beast was an ordinary man.

“He’s the Palace Head of the Palace of Southern Beasts.”

“His name is Maeng Hogon.”

“…I figured as much.”

No wonder they had grown up carefree.

They were the Palace Head’s children.

“Here, hurry.”

“The Blood Panda says it’s getting bored waiting.”

Two blood-red eyes stared straight at me, its back spread wide in invitation.

The pandas I’d seen in zoos had been adorable. This one… not so much.

“…Pardon my intrusion.”

“Kuhuheung!”

I cautiously climbed onto its back, gripping its bristling fur.

With two children on its shoulders and a grown man astride its back, the Blood Panda rose to its full height.

Thump, thump, thump!

Its heavy footfalls thundered.

With a body the size of a house and claws like scythes, the Blood Panda rampaged forward, shattering every obstacle in its way.

“Kuhuooong!”

Like a war chariot crushing small obstructions flat, the dense jungle yielded helplessly before its mass and might.

The speed was on a completely different level from the sweaty effort I had made earlier.

“How is it, Oppa? Fast, right?”

“Our Blood Panda’s the best, isn’t it, Hyung?”

Their proud voices rang out from either side, and indeed, it was impressive.

Had I such a beast, I too would have boasted of it everywhere.

“Kuhuooong!”

It bounded up the mountain at a tremendous pace, then with unbelievable power leapt clean over a hill.

Thud!

But as it landed, the sight before me stole a gasp.

What I had thought was a hill was actually the outer rim of a raised basin.

Inside spread a vast plain with a sizeable village.

Harmonious houses of stone and timber. People peacefully tilling their fields.

A fragrance of civilization found in the heart of the jungle.

“This is the Palace of Southern Beasts.”

“Welcome.”

The twins grinned, eager to boast about their village at my astonishment.

“Oh my, isn’t that Maeng Pyo and Maeng Seol? Where have you two been? Off playing in the mountains again without a word?”

A passing woman spotted the Blood Panda and immediately scolded the twins as if it were a daily occurrence.

Clearly, such a beast was no big deal here.

“These days Poison Valley is acting up more, so you must be more caref….”

But mid-scold, her gaze fell on me riding the Blood Panda. Her face stiffened.

“Who… is that?”

“An outsider.”

“We picked him up on the way.”

Children really did have a way with words. They made me sound like lost property.

“……”

The woman’s face grew grim. She stumbled back, then suddenly turned and sprinted away.

That didn’t look good.

“Kids, we’ll be fine, right?”

“Probably?”

“Can’t say for sure.”

Their unconvincing answers from both sides did nothing to ease my unease.

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