SYM 81
by Emerlyn“Are you aware that your condition is abnormal, Master?”
“…Me?”
Cheong-un carefully broached the subject, unsure how Eun-hyeon would react.
“Yes. You are not your usual self.”
“…Yes, I am a bit strange.”
“You, you were aware?”
Cheong-un was quite surprised and asked again. Eun-hyeon himself knew that his condition was abnormal?
Compared to Cheong-un’s cautious approach, Eun-hyeon answered nonchalantly.
“It’s hard to think deeply, and I can’t control the sudden surges of impulse. I did think something was wrong.”
“Do you have any idea why?”
“I think it’s probably because of the poison. I am resistant to the Hongbaek Sect’s poison, so I avoided becoming a Semi-Reanimated Corpse, but I couldn’t completely remove the poison, and it seems like what’s left is having some effect.”
Cheong-un was also aware that there was an alien poison remaining inside Eun-hyeon’s body.
The poison itself could be expelled through the circulation of Qi, but it was difficult to forcibly expel what had seeped into the Minute Meridians. He was afraid that forcing it out would be dangerous if the energy moved too much, so he couldn’t push it out further.
Cheong-un scrutinized Eun-hyeon’s complexion.
He was a little pale from the aftereffects of last night, but fortunately, he didn’t seem to be in particularly bad shape.
“Is there anything else that’s bothering you?”
“…Hmm. Not really, so far?”
“Still, it’s best to be careful. If it’s affecting your mood or judgment, that means it’s affecting your head, so we should call a doctor to remove it completely.”
Eun-hyeon nodded, but inwardly doubted that it would be so easy.
Basically, to reach a certain level in Martial Arts, one had to be proficient in the human body. Cheong-un, with his skill, was more skilled in medicine than most doctors.
If Cheong-un couldn’t solve the problem, they would have to call someone like a divine physician, but no one knew where a divine physician was, so it was impossible.
“Well, I’m fine for now.”
“I’ve already ordered them to bring in medicine to replenish your energy starting today.”
“Medicine? Ugh.”
Eun-hyeon grimaced openly at the word “medicine.” He usually disliked bitter tastes, but he had never expressed his emotions so openly like a child, which slightly embarrassed Cheong-un.
“I’ll have them prepare some sweets to cleanse your palate separately. And a doctor will probably arrive today or tomorrow. I’ll have him take your pulse as soon as he arrives, so don’t worry about it and just sleep.”
It was funny that the one who had pushed him harder than anyone last night was saying such things, but Eun-hyeon nodded. He was already tired anyway.
As Eun-hyeon’s eyes drooped sleepily, Cheong-un got up.
Although he had lost his reason and pounced on him last night, Eun-hyeon’s condition was not normal now. Cheong-un left Eun-hyeon’s room with a complicated expression.
“Amhon. Have you found the location of the divine physician?”
“I’m sorry. I’ve looked into it, but I haven’t found it yet.”
“Then what about the Demonic Sect’s Physician Ma?”
“Physician Ma departed as soon as he received the Heavenly Demon’s summons, so he will probably arrive by this evening.”
“I understand. And for the time being, make sure the sleeping incense in Master’s room doesn’t go out.”
He had lit sleeping incense next to Eun-hyeon because he wasn’t confident that he could restrain himself if Eun-hyeon pounced on him again. How could he resist when the person he had loved all his life was seducing him?
Cheong-un glanced at the room where Eun-hyeon was lying and hardened his face.
He was the person he had never forgotten for that long time, not even for a single moment. Now, he had no intention of letting go, no matter what.
“Master. That’s why I told you, that it’s no use regretting it.”
Cheong-un stared at the room where Eun-hyeon was lying for a long time before getting up from his seat.
* * *
“Hmm, this is a truly peculiar state.”
“Peculiar?”
Physician Ma, who was called the Demonic Physician within the Demonic Sect for his outstanding medical skills, arrived in the early evening.
Physician Ma arrived at the manor with two Demonic Sect guards.
Physician Ma was exhausted from riding a horse and using light body skill to run repeatedly, but Cheong-un pushed him into Eun-hyeon’s residence as soon as he arrived.
Physician Ma took Eun-hyeon’s pulse and then took out silver needles and inserted them all over Eun-hyeon’s body. Most of the needles were small and thin, but some were almost a foot long.
“Look at this. The fact that the silver needles have turned black means that there is poison remaining in the body.”
Physician Ma held up the blackened needles.
Cheong-un’s brow furrowed.
“Can you treat it?”
Physician Ma nodded.
“I heard that this poison was used by the Hongbaek Sect.”
“That’s right.”
“I once analyzed the Hongbaek Sect’s poison that the Heavenly Demon sent to the sect. It’s a strange combination that I’ve never seen used as a poison before. In fact, it’s closer to an anesthetic.”
“…An anesthetic?”
“Yes. According to my analysis, the Hongbaek Sect’s poison was closer to an anesthetic that blocks pain. At the same time, it stimulates the head differently, preventing the body and head from connecting. This is how the Hongbaek Sect creates Semi-Reanimated Corpses. I think the poison this person is addicted to is of a similar type.”
“Then detoxify him immediately.”
When he recalled Eun-hyeon’s seductive appearance last night, he briefly had the absurd thought that it might be nice to stay in this state a little longer. Eun-hyeon’s appearance of seducing him was that shocking. But Cheong-un quickly corrected his mind. He couldn’t know what other effects the poison remaining in his body might have.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t detoxify him immediately.”
Cheong-un looked at Physician Ma. Physician Ma, who never bowed his head to anyone in the Demonic Sect and always spoke his mind, was sweating profusely in front of the Heavenly Demon.
Physician Ma wiped the constantly flowing sweat with a handkerchief and bowed his head.
“Upon closer inspection, most of the poison has already been discharged, and only a little seems to remain in the Minute Meridians and the head. This will be naturally discharged over time.”
“Until then, do you mean he has to stay in this state?”
“Y-yes. But from what I see now, even if he’s addicted, all that happens is that his reason weakens and he becomes more impulsive than usual, so there won’t be any major problems. If there was a little more poison left, it could have been a problem, but there’s no problem now.”
“Physician Ma. Does that mean that this poison doesn’t control a person’s thoughts or mind at will?”
What Cheong-un was most curious about was this.
Was the fact that Eun-hyeon had intertwined bodies with him not due to the influence of the poison?
“No. If it’s the amount of poison remaining in the body now, it will only make him angrier or more excited more easily, and make him spill the stories inside. Um, to put it in an analogy, it’s similar to being drunk. However, it just takes a little longer for the alcohol to wear off.”
The corners of Cheong-un’s lips slightly lifted at those words.
“Physician Ma, can we then say that the words and actions of a person in an addicted state are their hidden true feelings?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Hmm, then this poison can be seen as a kind of truth serum.”
A look of surprise flashed in Physician Ma’s eyes.
“As expected of the Heavenly Demon! This subordinate’s thoughts were short, and I didn’t even think about that part, but if we make a truth serum with this poison, it will be effective! It’s an unknown combination, so there will be almost no guys with resistance…!”
Cheong-un didn’t say that thinking about that part, but Physician Ma looked at Cheong-un with eyes full of emotion.
“This subordinate will follow the Heavenly Demon’s will and definitely create a new truth serum with this poison. Since it’s an unknown combination, it will be a truth serum that no one has prepared for!”
“Yes, Physician Ma, work hard and research it.”
Cheong-un waved his hand at Physician Ma as if he was annoyed, and Physician Ma bowed his head and retreated.
Cheong-un sent everyone out and sat on the bed where Eun-hyeon was sleeping, looking at him.
He had a face worthy of being the son of the most beautiful person in the world, but what caught his eye was not his appearance. If it was Master, he wouldn’t care even if he was ugly rather than the most beautiful person in the world.
Cheong-un slowly stroked Eun-hyeon’s hair with his hand.
“Master, was that your true feeling?”
The corners of Cheong-un’s lips kept rising.
He kept picturing the way he was looking for him and seducing him.
“I will never let go of this hand, no matter what happens now.”
Cheong-un slowly lowered his head and kissed Eun-hyeon’s forehead.