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Chapter 16
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After Lee Seon resolved to become stronger, Lee Jeong-gwang became absorbed in crafting something.
One day, he roamed the entire mountain, gathering poisonous materials.
Another day, he hauled in bags of fine-quality soil, claiming he had found just what he needed.
What on earth is he making?
When Lee Seon asked, the only response was an ominous smile.
He could sense it wasn’t going to be anything pleasant.
A month later, Lee Jeong-gwang placed a jar in front of Lee Seon.
“There you go. It’s yours.”
After a month of diligently working on something, here was… a Jar.
Lee Seon tapped the jar lightly.
“It feels like there’s a lot in here.”
Lee Jeong-gwang chuckled.
“It’s filled with things that are good for your body.”
“…Are you sure they’re good?”
As Lee Seon tried to lift the lid, Lee Jeong-gwang immediately stopped him.
“Hey! You’ll let the precious toxins escape.”
“…I’m fine with losing a bit of that.”
For Lee Jeong-gwang, crafting this had been a joy.
The reason was simple: medicine usually requires great care to minimize the harmful effects of toxins.
But with Lee Seon, who was immune to most poisons, he could create toxins freely, with no need to limit their potency.
“Is it okay for a doctor to make poison?”
Wasn’t this against medical ethics?
Lee Jeong-gwang replied nonchalantly.
“Sure, this poison might be harmful to others, but for you, it’s beneficial. So, I’m simply making a medicine tailored just for you.”
What kind of logic is that?
Knowing it was pointless to argue, Lee Seon let it go.
But still, what was this jar really for?
He looked at it hesitantly.
It was a well-made jar with a smooth surface and not a single crack.
Very well-crafted, indeed.
No one would ever think a doctor made this.
The old man’s craftsmanship rivalled that of seasoned artisans.
In fact, everything in their home bore his handiwork.
However, in recent years, Lee Seon hadn’t seen him make anything.
And now, after all this time, his creation was this sinister jar and its contents.
“So, this jar contains poison?”
“It’s not just poison. It’s extreme poison.”
Lee Jeong-gwang’s voice was filled with pride.
“I named it Cheondoksoham, the Jar of a Thousand Poisons.”
Lee Seon felt a headache coming on.
Cheondoksoham meant it contained a thousand different poisons.
It was essentially a collection of all manner of toxins, and he was presenting it with such pride.
Is this man really a doctor?
Can a person who’s called a Divine Doctor really enjoy making poison this much?
“Knowing it’s extreme poison makes me even less inclined to eat it.”
Normally, extreme poison would announce itself immediately upon ingestion.
It would assault the senses with an indescribable, nauseating texture and a taste that would make anyone gag.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I put a lot of effort into this. Eat it all, down to the last bit.”
Sure, he had decided to become stronger, but this seemed like a different matter entirely.
Even for Lee Seon, consuming poison was uncomfortable.
He was still human, after all.
Even if he was mostly immune to poison, he didn’t want to willingly ingest it.
It’s like swinging a sword at someone just because they have an impenetrable body.
‘Why, isn’t it fine since you won’t die from it?’
It’s unpleasant, is what it is.
No matter how much poison his stomach could handle, that didn’t mean it wasn’t poison.
If he lost concentration while training, he could be sent straight to the afterlife.
Lee Seon’s expression turned grim.
‘…Look at that, the old man’s eyes are gleaming.’
However, upon seeing Lee Jeong-gwang’s resolute gaze, Lee Seon resigned himself.
Look at those determined, unwavering eyes urging him to take the poison without a hint of hesitation.
That pure white sclera and those steady pupils were asking him,
“Are you really not going to eat it?”
It’s what they call the look of a mad genius.
If there’s an embodiment of the desire to satisfy curiosity, it’s probably this old man.
Had he been more interested in killing than healing, he wouldn’t have been a Divine Doctor; he would have been a Slayer.
But Lee Seon’s own resolve wasn’t weak, either.
After all, his role model had been Lee Jeong-gwang.
Perhaps due to the strong influence of his childhood, Lee Seon had inherited that stubbornness.
Just because someone demanded something didn’t mean he’d go along willingly.
Lee Seon tilted his head defiantly.
“What will you do if I don’t eat it?”
Lee Jeong-gwang, who could storm out of the house at any moment, was not the kind to insist on staying.
He had been cooped up in the house for a month to create this poison, an unusual event in itself.
The old man probably intended to pass the poison to him and then leave.
Lee Seon hadn’t spent all his life in these mountains, after all.
He vaguely remembered the days when he travelled across the martial world, holding Lee Jeong-gwang’s hand.
He knew how deeply the old man was tied to his wanderlust.
What could he do if I refuse to eat it?
He knew there was no chance the old man would stay any longer.
However, Lee Jeong-gwang smirked as if the notion was absurd.
“You think you can avoid it?”
With a snap of his fingers, something emerged from between the trees.
At first glance, it appeared timid, but in reality, it was terrified.
Seeing the Human-Faced Spider in a state of fear was unexpected.
Anyone would find such a sight unsettling.
“I see you after a long time.”
Squeak.
The Human-Faced Spider lowered its gaze meekly and hurried to stand beside Lee Jeong-gwang.
“You seem healthy. I heard about your recent accomplishments. Good job.”
Squeak!
The Human-Faced Spider twisted its massive body around, as if embarrassed.
Despite its enormous size, the spider could do nothing but stay obedient before Lee Jeong-gwang.
“Hello, Jinju?”
However, after glancing briefly at Lee Seon, the spider turned its head away in a huff.
It was clear that it still hadn’t forgiven him.
“This is cheating.”
Noticing Lee Jeong-gwang’s ploy, Lee Seon groaned.
The spider would do anything Lee Jeong-gwang commanded—everything except die, probably.
“What cheating?”
When Lee Jeong-gwang reached out, the spider leaned its head down and rubbed against his hand.
Lee Seon shivered at the old man’s ruthlessness and cunning.
“How heartless, treating a speechless creature so mercilessly.”
Lee Jeong-gwang let out a belly laugh, as if it was the most ridiculous thing he’d ever heard.
“You’re the one who was heartless. What on earth did you do to make Jinju lose a tooth?”
He tapped at a small tooth that was just starting to grow back.
Squeak.
At his words, the Human-Faced Spider quietly teared up.
Him?
Lee Seon’s eyebrow twitched.
He’d only just pulled out one of its fangs to make sure the corpse stayed down.
There was nothing more to say.
“Jinju, keep a close watch. If this guy tries to go somewhere, stick to him constantly.”
The spider nodded extra hard.
The eight eyes, each the size of a fist, glared at him as if intent on avenging its tooth.
“…Can I get some privacy when I need to use the bathroom?”
At Lee Seon’s grumble, Lee Jeong-gwang thought for a moment, then nodded.
“Especially watch him when he goes to the bathroom.”
Squeak!
Lee Seon smacked his forehead.
This is insane.
“If I finish all this, I can finally go out into the martial world, right?”
His eyes burned with determination.
No matter how large the jar was, if he committed himself, he could finish it within half a year.
But then, as if remembering something, Lee Jeong-gwang returned with four more jars.
“Damn it.”
Unable to hold it in, Lee Seon muttered a curse.
This wasn’t just a year’s worth—he could live off this stuff for several years.
“Even water doesn’t need to be drunk in these amounts.”
Lee Jeong-gwang questioned him with a smirk.
“Have you tried it?”
“……”
But Lee Jeong-gwang wasn’t finished.
“Sorry, but there are five more jars over there.”
At this point, it was almost absurd.
Do I really have to eat all this to go out?
If I don’t die of old age first…
“Of course, I’m not saying you have to eat all of it.”
Lee Seon’s eyes brightened at those words.
“So that means…?”
“I told you before, didn’t I? Use Jinju as your benchmark for the bare minimum strength you need.”
“…You weren’t joking about that?”
How could he hold out for one hour against the spider that had effortlessly subdued the ma-in, even in its weakened state?
“I’m not asking you to beat it, just to hold out. Can’t even manage that?”
Lee Jeong-gwang blinked in genuine surprise.
Lee Seon gritted his teeth.
He knew that the old man wasn’t mocking him—it was pure astonishment.
“You’re sure about this? Just survive for one hour?”
“Yeah. Give it your all.”
A searing, intense stare passed between the two, one that could melt steel.
**
Right after saying that, the old man left the mountain.
Today marked exactly one year since that day.
“The day of our showdown has finally arrived.”
Lee Seon prepared himself thoroughly.
This time, he would succeed, no matter what.
357th attempt.
Begin.
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