Chapter 483

**Chapter 483: The Lazy One Challenges (3)**

“…Could you explain that one more time?”

Tang Cheongun’s expression was unreadable.

He looked bewildered, surprised, dismayed… and at the same time, impressed.

It was understandable.

*’What kind of nonsense is this?’*

The Master of the Medical Hall had come with a ridiculous proposal. And this was one of the most serious and prudent members of the Tang Family.

How had it come to this?

*’There’s no need to even think about it.’*

Just seeing the mocking smile of the guy sitting next to the Master of the Medical Hall, it was obvious how it had happened.

*He sold him some medicine, for sure!*

“It’s exactly as I’ve explained,” said the Master of the Medical Hall with a sigh. “I know it sounds absurd and unbelievable, but…”

“…You seem to understand it well.”

“However…”

The Master of the Medical Hall glanced sideways at Wei Yanho, gritted his teeth, and continued, “There’s no denying that, in practical terms, it’s the method with the highest probability of success.”

“Practical?”

*Practical?*

“Have you been exposed to too much of the *Demonic Arts*?”

“I’m in my right mind.”

“Sure, but…”

Tang Cheongun left the sentence unfinished.

Someone like the Master of the Medical Hall wouldn’t lose his mind from being exposed to demonic energies. But his proposal was too outlandish.

“Is it even possible?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know? Listen…”

The Master of the Medical Hall looked him directly in the eyes.

“If we review the history of the martial world and medicine, there’s no precedent. It’s natural that we don’t know what the outcome will be.”

“And you’re still willing to take that risk?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

The Master of the Medical Hall’s answer was firm:

“Because I can’t let them die without doing anything.”

Tang Cheongun couldn’t help but sigh.

There was determination in his voice.

“Patriarch, I’m a doctor. But before I’m a doctor, I’m a member of the Tang Family. I’m ashamed to admit it, but my medical skills aren’t enough to save them. However, I can’t just stand idly by while they die either.”

The Master of the Medical Hall glared at Wei Yanho before continuing:

“If I hadn’t heard this idea, if I hadn’t known about this possibility, maybe I would have given up. But now that I know a path, however small it may be, I can’t ignore it.”

“What if they all die? What will you do then?”

“There will be no remedy.”

“How can you say that?!”

“Then do you prefer that I sit around twiddling my thumbs while I watch them die?” shouted the Master of the Medical Hall, startling Tang Cheongun. It was the first time he had seen him raise his voice like that. “I can’t do it. I’d rather bear the guilt of having killed them with my own hands than do nothing. Patriarch, allow me. I’ll risk my reputation.”

“Well, that…”

Tang Cheongun, setting aside his dignity, scratched his head in frustration.

*’Damn it, what am I supposed to do?’*

It wasn’t an easy decision. Whichever option he chose, it was obvious that he would receive criticism.

*’Why did they have to bring me this problem?’*

His reproachful gaze instinctively turned towards Wei Yanho. If he had been the only one to propose the idea, he could have rejected it without hesitation.

But the Master of the Medical Hall…

Although his rank was lower, in medical matters his authority was greater. The way to treat patients depended entirely on him.

If he ignored his request and the patients died, the damage to his position would be immense. Besides…

*’Strangely, it makes some sense.’*

If the idea hadn’t come from that guy, he might have seriously considered accepting it.

It was reasonable and yet it wasn’t.

That made the decision even more difficult.

If the Master of the Medical Hall insisted so much, he should support him… but why did he have to be convinced by that guy’s nonsense?

“Are you finding it hard to decide?”

“Grr…”

Seeing Wei Yanho’s mocking smile, Tang Cheongun frowned.

*’Damn you.’*

It was incredible how every word of that guy irritated his insides. Even that was a talent.

“You don’t need to worry. If you can’t decide, you can always consult someone who does know.”

“Someone who does know?”

“Yes. The Alliance Leader.”

“Ah…”

Tang Cheongun couldn’t help but groan.

“That… is a brilliant idea.”

“…”

There were many ways to drive someone crazy. Today, Tang Cheongun learned a new one: when everyone around you pushes in a direction you don’t want.

“Did you say it’s brilliant?”

“Mmm, now that you mention it… It’s not that it occurred to me, but I had already considered it, but I hesitated whether I should say it.”

“Yes.”

“When I consumed the elixirs of the *Blood Explosive Dans*, I suffered severe poisoning.”

“What?”

Tang Cheongun’s eyes trembled.

Poisoning?

What was he referring to?

“Did the *Demon Cult* use poison?”

“It wasn’t them… it was me.”

“…What do you mean?”

Cheok Soogwang, Leader of the *Righteous Heavenly Alliance*, shrugged.

“In those times, things were like that. If poison had to be used, it was used. If hidden weapons had to be used, they were used. I hid underground and stabbed the members of the *Demon Cult* in the crotch when they passed by. What did poison matter? Would the Tang Family call me a coward for using it?”

“It’s not that… but why poison?”

“Because I wanted to kill as many as possible. So I poisoned my sword… but in the middle of the chaos, I ended up cutting myself.”

“…”

Tang Cheongun was speechless. Instead, Wei Yanho expressed his opinion sincerely.

“Grandfather Leader, it turns out you’re more interesting than I thought.”

“Oh, really?”

Cheok Soogwang’s kind response made Tang Cheongun’s blood boil.

*’There’s no one sane here!’*

“How did you cut yourself with your own sword?”

“Tsk, tsk.”

Cheok Soogwang looked at him with disdain.

“That’s why you’ll never get far. If you only throw poison or weapons from afar, how are you going to face danger? In the heat of battle, where life hangs by a thread, all kinds of things happen. That’s the struggle of men.”

“…Could it be that the Leader was weak back then? I was much stronger, so I was almost never in danger.”

“You think so?”

“Yes. It’s the most logical thing.”

Cheok Soogwang twisted his lips.

“Then, while that “weak” person that was me got this far, what did you do to remain stagnant?”

“Grrk…”

Tang Cheongun clutched his chest.

There were too many people here capable of driving him crazy.

“So you think there’s a connection between poison and the *Blood Explosive Dans*?”

At the question from the Master of the Medical Hall, Cheok Soogwang shrugged.

“How would I know, an ignorant man? But if there’s something that differentiated me from the others back then, it was that. Maybe there’s a relationship. In any case, I don’t see any harm in trying. It would be ideal if they could verify if any member of the *Demon Cult* who survived the poisoning also consumed the *Blood Explosive Dans*. Too bad that’s not possible.”

“Mmm…”

The Master of the Medical Hall and Wei Yanho nodded at the same time.

“In any case, it’s worth a try,” said Cheok Soogwang.

Wei Yanho looked at Tang Cheongun.

“You see?”

“…”

Tang Cheongun’s face distorted.

He was in a dead end. And the only escape route was blocked by hungry wolves.

*’Damn it.’*

At what point had everything become so complicated?

*’I was an idiot for bringing that guy here…’*

He had brought him because he couldn’t bear the responsibility alone, but why was he the one paying the consequences?

“Decide already. Time is running out. And I’m not just saying that: we really don’t have time. Some could die at any moment.”

“Mmm…”

Tang Cheongun sighed.

But the result was already decided.

If everyone insisted, how could he oppose them alone? If it were an internal family matter, maybe. But Wei Yanho represented the *Righteous Martial Alliance* and Cheok Soogwang the *Righteous Heavenly Alliance*. With what authority could he refuse?

Besides, he didn’t want to stand idly by while the young people of his family died either.

*’I could never bear to see that.’*

They were kids full of life. Like his own children.

It was impossible not to feel pain when seeing them die.

“I’ll allow it. But!”

Tang Cheongun stared at Wei Yanho.

“Save them. At all costs. You must save those kids.”

Wei Yanho stood up.

He made a fist with both hands in a sign of respect.

“I’ll do everything possible.”

Tang Cheongun’s deep sigh echoed in the room.

“Is it really possible?”

“I don’t know.”

“Did you say you’d do everything possible?”

“Yes, but I don’t know what will happen.”

“And should we really proceed?”

“Do you want me to repeat everything from the beginning?”

“No, that’s not…”

Jangil couldn’t hide his unease.

*’If this goes wrong, it won’t be a simple mistake.’*

Sometimes, doing nothing was the best option. In theory, those who tried something deserved praise… but the world rarely followed the rules.

If Wei Yanho failed, everyone would criticize him mercilessly.

*’It will be a disaster.’*

And even more so here, in the Tang Family.

How much resentment did its members accumulate towards Wei Yanho?

*’It’s like carrying firewood and jumping into the fire.’*

Jangil sighed and muttered:

“When you do nothing, it’s a problem. When you do something, it is too.”

You never win.

“Are you really sure?”

“Ugh, why?”

Wei Yanho seemed annoyed, but Jangil couldn’t respond to him as usual.

“You know this isn’t just anything, right?”

“How annoying…”

Wei Yanho clicked his tongue.

“If you’re afraid of criticism, you’ll never do anything.”

“But this won’t be normal criticism.”

“Then what? Do we leave them like that?”

“…”

“If we do nothing, the problem will only get worse. If this only affected the Tang Family, I wouldn’t get involved. But that’s not the case.”

“Even so…”

Wei Yanho sighed.

“What can I do? It’s my fault for being nosy. But I can’t excuse myself if I don’t try. I can justify myself to others, but not to my conscience. And besides…”

He looked at the sky.

“There will be someone who will get angry and ask me how I couldn’t solve something so simple. *Ugh*, do I have to worry even about what happens after I die?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Those things exist.”

Observing Wei Yanho’s back as he walked, Jangil tilted his head.

*’A hero…’*

No matter how he looked at it, that figure didn’t look like that of a hero.

And yet…

“Come on, idiot.”

Jangil ran after him.