Episode 7: Becoming the Poison Master’s Disciple
“A natural death… So that’s the pinnacle of the Ten Perfections.”
Won Seung feigned admiration but was puzzled inside.
‘Is that all it takes to be revered as a Ten Perfections?’
Growing up in the Won household until the age of six, Won Seung had heard all sorts of sinister rumors circulating in the imperial capital. Such rumors were often the topic of conversation when chatting with the servants.
Naturally, he had heard the gossip about people who died under mysterious circumstances. How many cases were there where someone died, yet no culprit was found, leaving the case unsolved?
‘If what you say is true, then the capital is crawling with Ten Perfections.’
Unaware of Won Seung’s mockery, Instructor Jang continued speaking.
“Once you become a Ten Perfections, you’re treated differently. You can do whatever you want. If you desire indulgence, you can lose yourself in pleasure for ten days and nights. If you want to sleep on gold, you can furnish your bed with it.”
When Won Seung stared blankly, Instructor Jang realized his mistake. How much could an eleven-year-old child, raised in isolation in the mountains, know about the temptations of indulgence or gold?
Clearing his throat, Instructor Jang adjusted his tone.
“What I mean is, even as a top-class assassin, everyone looks up to you and fears you. But as a Ten Perfections, you can truly live as you please. You can eat whatever you want.”
When the explanation was simplified to a child’s level, Won Seung nodded.
“Then why are you telling me this? Are you suggesting I become a Ten Perfections?”
Instructor Jang nodded and pointed to Won Seung’s evaluation on the table.
“Becoming a Ten Perfections isn’t difficult because of a lack of martial arts skills. It’s because, while their martial arts are excellent, they lack in poetry, calligraphy, painting, music, or strategy. But you’ve already received top marks in poetry, calligraphy, painting, music, poison skills, light footwork, and hidden weaponry. It means you’re smart and talented.”
“What?”
Won Seung was surprised to hear he received top marks in light footwork and hidden weaponry. He had worked hard just to rank tenth. But top marks? Something must be wrong.
Unbeknownst to Won Seung, there was a bit of manipulation involved.
Instructor Jang often inquired about trainees he was interested in, including Won Seung, to the instructors. The perceptive instructors tended to give favorable evaluations to those trainees.
Instructor Jang spoke sternly.
“Don’t doubt it. The instructors’ evaluations are accurate. It’s just that you need to develop your martial arts more, so I’ve placed you in the Yong Group.”
The Yong Group consisted of children who focused on strength.
“The Yong Group will concentrate on learning swordsmanship, saber techniques, and martial arts. If you receive top marks here as well, you can become a Ten Perfections. But if you slack off and can’t keep up with the training, you might die….”
Instructor Jang’s slight threat was clear. He intended to package and produce Won Seung as a Ten Perfections by any means necessary.
Won Seung, hiding his true feelings, replied, “So you’re saying I’m a candidate to become a Ten Perfections?”
“If not… you’ll have to die. If you don’t meet expectations, it’ll be disappointing, and who knows what I’ll do then.”
Seeing Instructor Jang’s menacing gaze, Won Seung bowed his head.
“Thank you for your kind words. Though I’m lacking, I’ll do my best to meet your expectations.”
Of course, he had no intention of becoming a Ten Perfections. He only said it out of fear that Instructor Jang might suddenly change his mind and harm him.
Instructor Jang, satisfied, smiled.
“Alright, you can go.”
Won Seung left Instructor Jang’s office.
Looking at Won Seung’s evaluation on the table, Instructor Jang was filled with hope.
‘A dragon can emerge from a small stream.’
About a decade ago, the main headquarters had invested heavily after being continuously outperformed by the rival assassin organization, Sea Mist Sect. They decided to establish five assassin training centers and produce top-class assassins every two years.
The place Instructor Jang was in charge of was the fifth and final training center. Of the four centers that started earlier, two had completed ten years and produced assassins.
However, the results were not as good as expected, leading to great disappointment at the headquarters. Although they had produced some first-rate assassins, considering the funds invested, it was almost a failure.
The first training center admitted a hundred trainees, but only sixteen survived. Fortunately, one top-class assassin emerged. Without that, the remaining training centers might have been shut down.
The second training center, which produced assassins this year, failed to produce a top-class assassin. Due to the harsh training at the first center, which resulted in high casualties, they eased the training level and obtained thirty-one assassins, eighteen of whom were first-rate. However, failing to produce a top-class assassin was still considered a half-failure.
The headquarters desired top-class assassins. Sea Mist Sect had three top-class assassins.
‘But here, we have four potential top-class candidates. And if a Ten Perfections emerges?’
Instructor Jang’s face twisted into a sinister smile. The results were promising, thanks to the efforts he had put in. In reality, the training reflected the lessons learned from the previous four centers’ trial and error, but who would care about that?
At this rate, the results would be outstanding, and he could expect a reward. Imagining himself promoted to a high-ranking position at the headquarters, he felt elated.
‘Raise a Ten Perfections and use it as a stepping stone to success!’
With Won Seung’s abilities, he was confident.
‘Martial arts can be trained. But intelligence… that’s innate. That kid must become a Ten Perfections.’
He briefly considered finding some miraculous medicine to enhance Won Seung’s body and internal energy, and thought of the Poison Master.
Perhaps the Poison Master could find a way to supplement Won Seung’s body and enhance his internal energy?
But he quickly shook his head.
Asking the Poison Master for a miraculous medicine could result in becoming a mere splash of blood.
The only hope was for Won Seung to perform his duties well and earn the Poison Master’s favor.
*
After being divided into groups, Won Seung’s daily life became even more grueling.
The instructors, having observed the children in the Yong Group for four years, immediately handed them suitable weapons.
Won Seung received a long sword. Among the various weapons like short swords, sabers, and daggers, the long sword was the most challenging.
Won Seung was skilled in throwing daggers and using short swords. However, the reason he was given a long sword as his primary weapon was that a Ten Perfections should possess martial skills capable of facing and defeating top martial artists in direct combat. Since martial artists typically wielded long swords or great sabers, he was instructed to master the long sword to counter them.
Other children besides Won Seung also received long swords, so they didn’t notice that he was receiving special treatment.
Having learned basic sword techniques like the Three Talents Sword and Six Harmonies Sword, wielding a sword wasn’t particularly difficult. The children who received long swords learned the Splitting Light Sword Technique. This technique was characterized by its fast and precise sword paths.
After learning sword techniques in the morning, they had to learn various other skills in the afternoon.
‘Learning never ends….’
They had already learned poetry, calligraphy, painting, music, poison skills, hidden weaponry, light footwork, water skills, and stealth techniques, but there was always something new to learn. Some things made them question why they were even learning them.
‘Blacksmithing, cooking, and woodworking are worth learning. They’d be useful when disguising as a chef or carpenter. They’re fun and practical skills. But this is a bit much, isn’t it?’
Won Seung grumbled while learning embroidery and sewing, tasks typically associated with women.
The most challenging subjects for the children were mechanisms and formations. Understanding the principles of mechanisms and formations and finding ways to dismantle them was mind-bogglingly difficult. But they couldn’t avoid learning them.
The instructors actually placed the children in mechanisms and formations. Some children fell victim to traps or were mesmerized by formations and fell off cliffs. To survive, they had to learn somehow. It was a merciless and brutal training regimen.
Training didn’t stop even in the harsh winter. They underwent extreme training, like hiding in snowdrifts for three days or diving into frozen rivers.
Over ten children died that winter alone, and by spring, about sixty children remained. In five years, forty children had died.
The instructors buried the deceased children on a low hill visible from the training center. Without mounds or tombstones, there was no way to know who was buried where. They simply returned to the earth.
The children shuddered at the thought that they might one day be buried there too. Enduring the hellish training, Won Seung’s anger deepened and solidified.
*
“Cough, cough….”
When spring arrived, the Poison Master’s cough worsened. The cold he caught during the winter hadn’t improved. Won Seung brewed a medicinal decoction daily with licorice, ginger, and herbs given by the Poison Master.
“Why hasn’t your cough improved, Master, even though the weather’s warmed up?”
Won Seung asked while handing over the decoction, and the Poison Master furrowed his brows. He could feel his lifespan shortening after enduring the harsh winter cold.
There was no more time to hesitate. After drinking the decoction, the Poison Master handed the empty bowl to Won Seung and looked at him.
‘If it’s this kid….’
Could he continue his legacy and avenge himself against the Poison King?
In truth, Won Seung had considerable potential. However, the fact that he was an assassin was troubling. The headquarters wouldn’t let go of a talented assassin they had invested so much in.
The implication was clear. This kid would continue his killing spree until he eventually got caught and killed. Even if he became a Ten Perfections, he would eventually fail and die. This meant that his poison skills would be lost as well.
But there was no other choice. At this point, going out into the world to find a new disciple was daunting. Besides, even if he searched the world, he might not easily find a talent like the one in front of him.
“Put the bowl away and come to the herb room.”
Won Seung washed the bowl and placed it by the well before heading to the herb room.
The Poison Master was unwrapping a bundle of thick books wrapped in plain cloth. There were five books in total.
“I’ve taught you the basics of poison in the course. With that, you won’t easily fall victim to poisons in the martial world. If there’s someone you want to kill, you can do it without anyone knowing. But killing masters at the pinnacle is difficult.”
“Are you saying poisons don’t work on top masters?”
Why wouldn’t poisons work on top masters? Their bodies weren’t made of steel.
“Top masters have extremely keen senses and exceptional internal energy control. Their sense of smell and taste are highly developed, making it difficult to poison them. Even if you do, they can expel or limit the poison’s effects with their internal energy. They can trap the poison in a part of their body and kill you with their martial skills in the meantime.”
“For such masters, you’d need a sure-fire poison.”
“Exactly.”
The Poison Master held up one of the books.
“These five books contain the poison techniques I’ve researched my entire life. Start reading and engrave them in your mind. Once you’ve mastered these five books, even masters at the pinnacle or beyond won’t be able to ignore your poisons.”
“Wow!”