Chapter 93: The Grotesque Man
If I followed my instincts, I would've grabbed those two right then and beaten the truth out of them.
But I had to hold back.
For now, I'm the only one who can detect the residual scent of the Soul-Dissolving Pill.
The Soul-Dissolving Pill.
A special pill created by the Shadow Corps.
I couldn't mention its name yet.
If I'm careless... instead of catching them, I'll be the one whose identity gets questioned first.
And I couldn't pressure Qin Yueshu or the physician using the decoction as evidence either.
That bowl alone couldn't expose the truth.
The amount of Soul-Dissolving Pill mixed into it was clearly very small.
There wouldn't be any obvious symptoms visible to the eye.
Not yet.
I need proper evidence.
After making up my mind, I carefully addressed Myeong Chiwon.
“Merchant Group Head, I think you should rest properly today.”
“Until your qi and blood stabilize, you should avoid exerting yourself as much as possible.”
The elderly physician also nodded.
“That's correct.”
“The Merchant Group Head has only just regained consciousness. He should focus on resting now.”
Myeong Chiwon gave a bitter smile as though he had no choice.
“Understood....”
He lay back down on the bed.
The others in the room quietly began leaving as well.
The moment we stepped out of Myeong Chiwon's residence...
Qin Yueshu turned toward Myeongjeon.
“The matter of Kunlun's medicinal supplies has been resolved now.”
Her voice was cold.
Myeongjeon forced a smile.
“I can only be grateful for the Merchant Group Head's generosity.”
Qin Yueshu's eyes narrowed slightly.
“If your business here is finished...”
She paused.
“then I suppose it's time for you to leave.”
"..."
It was a roundabout way of telling him to get out of the Myeong Family Merchant Group as soon as possible.
A short silence followed.
Qin Yueshu looked at Myeongjeon once more.
“I trust you understand what I mean.”
Then she shifted her gaze toward Jin Gwangung.
“We still have matters to attend to...”
“so we'll excuse ourselves first.”
Jin Gwangung grunted.
“Hmm. Do as you please.”
Qin Yueshu and Myeong Munhyeok offered him a polite farewell...
then quickly left.
We returned to the detached residence where we were staying.
The moment we arrived...
Jin Gwangung turned toward me.
“All right.”
His tone was demanding.
“Explain yourself.”
I blinked.
“Explain what?”
“Don't play dumb.”
He frowned.
“Why did you suddenly start talking nonsense about examining Myeong Chiwon's qi channels?”
Hyeongwon and Myeongjeon were staring at me too.
Both looked curious.
I gave them the answer I'd prepared beforehand.
“Something felt... suspicious.”
Jin Gwangung's eyebrow twitched.
“Suspicious?”
“What was suspicious?”
I answered calmly.
“The medicinal decoction that was brought into the room.”
“The decoction?”
“Merchant Group Head Myeong Chiwon had only just awakened...”
I continued,
“so how did Lady Qin Yueshu already have a restorative decoction prepared?”
Jin Gwangung snorted.
“She probably told the physician beforehand—”
“That's exactly what I find suspicious.”
I slowly explained the points that bothered me.
“When the Merchant Group Head regained consciousness...”
“the first people to check his condition were Myeongjeon and that physician.”
Jin Gwangung nodded.
“Right.”
“Lady Qin Yueshu and Myeong Munhyeok entered the room after us.”
“That's true.”
Jin Gwangung sounded thoughtful now.
I continued.
“But Lady Qin Yueshu prepared a restorative medicine before even personally checking the Merchant Group Head's condition.”
Hyeongwon frowned.
“Couldn't that happen?”
“Maybe Lady Qin Yueshu is simply the type who prepares things in advance—”
I shook my head.
“Someone she cares about has just awakened after being unconscious for a long time.”
“Wouldn't a normal person check their condition first?”
I looked directly at him.
“But she immediately prepared medicine without doing that.”
“I find that stranger.”
Jin Gwangung rubbed his chin while considering my words.
“So what exactly are you trying to say?”
I took a deep breath.
Then spoke slowly.
“I think there may be another reason behind Merchant Group Head Myeong Chiwon losing consciousness.”
The instant I finished...
Jin Gwangung's eyes sharpened.
“...You mean?”
I slowly nodded.
“I'm suspicious of Lady Qin Yueshu.”
The air around us immediately turned cold.
Myeongjeon's expression stiffened.
“M-Martial Uncle....”
I kept my voice calm.
“Of course, this is only my personal theory.”
That was what I said aloud.
But inwardly...
I was already convinced.
The brief panic I'd seen in Qin Yueshu's eyes when I stopped Myeong Chiwon from drinking that decoction.
I remembered it clearly.
I continued cautiously.
“But if my theory is right...”
“the Merchant Group Head could be put in danger again.”
Then I added,
“And if he loses consciousness again...”
“the promise to continue supplying medicinal herbs to Kunlun could disappear at any time.”
Jin Gwangung clicked his tongue irritably.
“So what are you suggesting?”
He frowned.
“Are you saying we should imprison Lady Qin Yueshu just because you find her suspicious?”
“Of course not.”
I looked straight at him.
“Master.”
“We still have some time before we're expected at Mount Hua, don't we?”
Jin Gwangung nodded.
“About four days.”
I met his gaze.
“Then give me those four days.”
“I'll resolve this matter before then.”
That evening...
Qin Yueshu suddenly visited the detached residence where we were staying.
The moment she saw us, she spoke quietly.
“I happened to be nearby, so I thought I'd stop in.”
Then she added,
“I was also curious about your future schedule while you remain here as guests.”
On the surface...
she was pretending it was merely a polite visit.
But her real intention was obvious.
She's telling us to leave already.
Her words were courteous...
but the unspoken message was basically telling us to get out.
