The Poison Demon’s Strategy for the Martial Tower Chapter 37

Novel: The Poison Demon’s Strategy for the Martial Tower Author: IPPO Updated: Jun 19, 2026

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Now reading: Chapter 37 from The Poison Demon’s Strategy for the Martial Tower, a Action novel by IPPO.

Chapter 37.

The Poison Demon and The Chinese Spy (1)

[National Defense Headquarters — Minister's Office]

"Quite a few applicants again this ti."

Minister Han Seung-pyo was reviewing the list of applicants for the Murim Tower. Satisfaction filled his face.

‘What was that again? They called a parachute minister?!’

He had endured contempt and humiliation all this ti.

The tower assault stalled at the 37th floor. Ti is running out.

Days of being battered relentlessly by the governnt, mbers of the National Assembly, and the press alike.

"Minister Han! Why is there no progress on clearing the 37th floor?"

"We are making efforts."

"Public anxiety is reaching its peak."

"We are making efforts."

"What on earth are the National Defense Headquarters climbers even doing?"

"They are ascending the tower with their lives on the line."

"Rather than that, our country should separately cultivate an elite team, like Arica, China, and Japan."

"That's precisely why I submitted a budget increase request last ti. But you wouldn't appro—"

"Is taxpayer money a joke to you?!"

The confirmation hearing, where they'd explode at him at the top of their lungs.

‘What on earth do you want from ?’

Just as the National Training Center raised national representative athletes, the National Defense Headquarters raised climbers.

But compared to the martial arts sects, they lacked competitiveness.

The biggest problem was the low salary.

The average salary of a National Defense Headquarters climber was around 100 million won.

A high salary by any standard — but no match for the tens of billions, even hundreds of billions, paid out by the sects.

On top of that, a substantial portion of the items the climbers risked their lives to obtain was confiscated by the state.

So who would choose the National Defense Headquarters?

These were turbulent tis.

Patriotism ranked at the very bottom, crushed beneath the weight of money right in front of one's eyes.

As a stopgap asure, they offered a 10% discount at the National Defense Headquarters item exchange — but it was like trying to cover the sky with one's palm.

If anything, a considerable number of dostic climbers were draining away overseas.

And this was not limited to climbers alone.

‘Mass emigration frenzy!’

Headlines plastered across the news and articles.

With only one year and six months remaining on South Korea's Murim Tower clock, everyone was trying to flee abroad.

"Even so, it's only a year or two of difference."

The result of a survival instinct — a desperate desire to live even one year longer.

There were even people trying to cross into North Korea.

North Korea still had ti to spare.

"It's not that they deliberately slowed the clock — it's just that their climbing ability was lacking, so they happened to advance slowly."

The Murim Tower's clock freezes when a floor is successfully cleared. So that frozen ti must be utilized to its fullest.

But with competition breaking out among nations that had succeeded in clearing the upper floors, they rushed upward — and in the end, they had failed to make proper use of the ti, and on top of that, found themselves stuck at 37th floor.

As a result, nations that had slowly worked their way up from the lower floors — simply because they lacked the ability — ended up with far more ti remaining on their Murim Tower clocks. A bizarre situation indeed.

"Minister Han! Were you put up to this by North Korea?!"

"Watch your words!"

Truly humiliating.

National Assembly mber Pyeon Jae-yeong in particular.

The man couldn't wait to tear him apart.

"Minister Han, the title of minister is sothing I now find shaful for you! And the National Murim Tower Administration Headquarters! If it's a headquarters, why is the head called a minister and not a director?!"

Ugh!

The very man he'd wanted to kill just thinking about — that sa man, once the Golden Tower appeared, had grabbed a microphone and ranted before the crowds.

"This is all thanks to the efforts of our Minister Han. Everyone, let us shout together — three cheers for Minister Han!"

He had been busy heaping praise on this side.

Missed calls and ssages, piling up even today.

— This is Assembly mber Pyeon Jae-yeong. Let's et soti, Minister.

His reelection was hanging by a thread, so he was looking to this side for help.

As hard as he tried to hold back, he couldn't.

Snicker snicker.

The corners of his mouth curled up on their own.

All of this was because of—

"The Golden Tower, of course. Indeed! Indeed!"

When the Golden Tower appeared, the one year and six months remaining for South Korea had extended by a full twenty-two months.

South Korea was currently being evaluated as the country with the safest Murim Tower conditions in the world.

The number of citizens who had applied for emigration had halved, and articles had even co out saying that people who had fled were now wanting to return to Korea.

"We must increase the National Defense Headquarters budget further!"

Assembly mber Pyeon Jae-yeong, who had once been so quick to criticize him, was now giving interviews like this every single day.

"Thank you, Golden Tower. O Divine One of the Tower!"

Whoever that person was — please, just appear.

I will put you on my shoulders and do a three-step-one-bow pilgrimage from the Han River all the way to the Nakdong River.

If you're unmarried, I'd even offer up my daughter — so please, just call father-in-law once.

Ah, but I can't be certain you're a man, can I?

No matter. That's fine too.

‘Grinning from ear to ear.’

Minister Han felt a joy so overwhelming it seed like the hair that had been nearly all gone would grow back.

The number of applicants for Murim Tower climbing had also surged dramatically.

At this rate, one could continue to expect a bright future ahead.

Perhaps even the Blue House could be within my grasp……?

Just as Minister Han was indulging in that dream, sothing caught his eye.

"……Hm?"

Sothing strange had caught his attention.

[Murim Tower Qualified Applicant List]

Among the nas, one person had delayed their qualification exam.

Kim Tae-yang.

"Chief Han!"

He called for Chief Han.

The cast on her right arm — she was in the process of having it removed.

"How's the arm?"

"It's fine."

"Your dication?"

"I'm taking it. It'll be better soon."

But she still looked uncomfortable, clearly still in pain.

Minister Han let out a short sigh and pointed to the na Kim Tae-yang.

"Who's this? Why did they push back their qualification exam?"

"Doesn't it happen occasionally, people who postpone out of nerves?"

At her answer, Minister Han stroked his chin.

"That's not exactly a common case, is it?"

With the rise of the Golden Tower, the surge of applicants taking the exam had exploded.

On top of that, everyone was energized and brimming with confidence.

Yet in this climate, pushing back the qualification exam?

She answered.

"As many people have increased, so have the strange ones."

"Who?"

"Last ti…… There was even soone who ca with a fish-shaped pastry as a bribe."

"A fish-shaped pastry?"

"Yes."

"Pfft-hahaha! There was soone like that?"

Minister Han was at a loss for words.

"What was that person's na?"

"I don't know. They disappeared quickly."

"Hmm."

Minister Han looked over the list again.

Kim Tae-yang.

For so reason, the na kept nagging at him.

"Shall I look into it?"

Minister Han thought for a mont, then shook his head.

"Leave it. I already have plenty on my plate. Still no news on 37th floor?"

"That's correct."

"I have a call scheduled with the U.S. Secretary of State this evening. I'm thinking of trying to get the antidote."

"The price won't be small. Last ti, they asked us to cut tariffs on the U.S. to 0% and raise them on China to 100%, didn't they?"

"Now we have a card of our own, too."

"We still don't know the secret of the Golden Tower ourselves."

Minister Han interlaced his fingers and spoke.

"Not that — 21st floor."

"……Ah."

She nodded.

The secret thod for clearing 21st floor at the Red grade.

The embargo deadline still had quite a bit of ti left, but it was only right to make use of what could realistically be used.

The finer details could be adjusted as needed.

"The 21st floor assault is progressing smoothly, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is. We've been organizing small teams and sending them in continuously."

"Status?"

"Red is tough, but Scarlet is now sothing we can achieve without much trouble. The rewards are considerable — even I'd want to go back to 21st floor if I could."

"Good. Make the most of the remaining ti. It's a once-in-a-lifeti opportunity."

"Yes!"

Chief Han answered with vigor.

"Keep sending in the talented ones. Use 21st floor as leverage — try recruiting from overseas, too."

"Understood."

"Any progress on identifying the naless hero?"

"We're continuing to check, but there's been no progress. We're investigating overseas climbers."

Minister Han nodded.

"Keep a close eye on the brothers, Choi Jae-jun and Choi Jae-hwa of the Goryeo Sword Sect. The answer may lie there."

The brothers who had revealed the secret of 21st floor.

Minister Han rubbed his two hands together and let out his true thoughts.

"My thinking is…… The naless hero and the Golden Tower are clearly connected."

"……"

"Could there be a sect composed of hidden masters living in seclusion?"

"I'm not sure."

"For now, just secure that person. We might be able to create our own Golden Tower."

"I will do my best, Minister."

Minister Han looked at her and asked.

"When it's just the two of us, are you going to keep doing that?"

"……"

"It's alright. It's alright. Co on! Stop that and just let it out, cleanly."

At his urging, Chief Han hesitated, then smiled and answered.

"Yes, Dad."

"Hehehe. Go back to the hospital."

"Yes……"

Chief Han's eyes shone.

Father and daughter confird each other's expectations.

Minister Han pointed at her and asked.

"But do you truly have no intention of getting married?"

"What are you talking about? Given the state of things."

"Well, even so, you should be dating a little…… You keep getting older, and all you do every single day is work. Really."

"Oh co on. There's no one to date, no one who catches my eye."

At her answer, Minister Han let out a sigh.

He was well aware that his own daughter was an irreplaceable talent.

But his feelings as a father were a different matter entirely.

Perhaps sensing that, Chief Han added in an embarrassed voice.

"Well, it's not that I'd never do it, no matter what."

"Really?"

"Soone I can respect — especially soone as genuinely wonderful as you, Dad — if I find soone like that, I'll date them then. Get married, too."

"Goodness, my daughter has no intention of getting married! Your standards are far too high. Where else would you find a man as wonderful as this father of yours?"

Outside, he was the National Defense Headquarters minister said to make even flying birds fall from the sky — but before her, he was a father who could show such affectionate playfulness.

She laughed again.

"For now, let's figure out that tower first."

"Right."

Having witnessed the Golden Tower and the secret thod for clearing 21st floor, his way of thinking was changing.

He felt that the tower still held many secrets they had yet to uncover.

Minister Han quietly prayed.

"O Divine One of the Tower……"

Please watch over us.

* * *

Ting!

【Soone is revering you as the Divine One of the Tower. 100 Happiness】

Oh. Divine One of the Tower?

I set down my switch and felt my interest piqued at the amusing notification that had appeared after so long.

What manner of noble soul would be reverencing .

【Soone imagines a future in which they send their daughter to you. 100 Happiness】

……Madman.

"Huh, huh……. Senior……. D-do you have good news?"

The Choi brothers, sweating as though rain were pouring from them, asked .

"Did anyone tell you to stop?"

"I-I'm sorry!"

"Mind your own business, and add 1,000 repetitions of Horse Stance Steps."

"Ugh! Yes!"

"Ugh, brother! Seriously……"

Choi Jae-jun and Choi Jae-hwa bickered with each other.

I was training them.

I had given them energy dicines, but I was still uneasy all the sa.

My precious chaebol subordinates, Numbers 1 and 2.

Losing them in so absurd way was out of the question.

"The most important thing for a martial artist is the lower body! Two legs like load-bearing pillars are the foundation of all martial arts!"

"Yes!"

"Once Horse Stance Steps are done — 300 round trips of the Polaris Eighteen Steps!"

"Aaaugh!"

"500 repetitions!"

"Yes!"

I had even gone so far as to teach them the latter half of the Polaris Eighteen Steps' secret principles.

There was nothing to lose.

The Steps of the Absolute, which I had been unable to use due to insufficient internal energy, I could now employ little by little.

……It was all thanks to the Samgeuk Yeonokro.

Of course, I had charged them handsoly, on the grounds that it was a secret-art footwork technique.

Truly, if one is going to tutor, chaebol tutoring is the best.

Bong Ju-min, wasn't it?

That National Defense Headquarters guard I'd beaten up the other day, and the others too — their footwork was utterly wretched.

The Choi brothers weren't much better.

"I need to teach them how to walk and run first."

When the repetition drills were done and the brothers collapsed from exhaustion—

"Sparring begins now."

"Khk……"

The brothers' cries of anguish reached my ears.

I know. I know you want to train in peak condition.

That's how it must have been all this ti.

But that was precisely why these brothers were still the sa as before.

"There is no peak condition on the battlefield! Only blood and flesh — and the worst-case scenario!"

"Yes!"

When their breath was coming in ragged gasps—

"Take one of these each."

"Th-thank you."

"You know my account number?"

"Yes."

Feed them the energy dicine, circulate and cultivate.

The mont it was done—

"500 more repetitions!"

"It's too hard……!"

"If you want to quit, give up on the ascent! No one told you to climb!"

"……!"

"You said you wanted to feel that thrill! That euphoria of being alive!"

"That's right!"

"Then 800 repetitions, go! How many?!"

"800!"

"900!"

"9…… 900!"

There may be shortcuts for clearing 21st floor — but there are none for becoming stronger.

The sweet cries of the chaebol scions.

Pain and screams — familiar as ever, and I was glad for it.

A righteous teacher? Not quite……

I really am a Demon Instructor.

Swish.

I glanced out the window.

People in plain clothes.

They were in disguise — but they were visible to my eyes.

‘So they caught the scent.’

They were people sent by the National Defense Headquarters.

I wasn't worried.

Wearing my Dark Moon Mask and silently scaling the wall to take to the mountain — there was no chance of exposure.

* * *

The next day, late afternoon.

I stopped by the National Defense Headquarters and tried on my artificial energy center.

A chanical device about the size of a palm.

If I wore this at my navel and ascended the tower, internal energy accumulated automatically with every enemy killed.

The energy stored through the artificial energy center.

This was the world's third energy source — and in and of itself, money.

"No matter how I look at it, I don't like it."

Killing those within the Murim Tower and siphoning their energy. It feels wrong.

It gave the feeling of killing people and harvesting their souls.

"It's not like it's the Star-Devouring Grand Technique."

Ding-dong.

A text ssage arrived.

It was from the National Defense Headquarters.

— Congratulations on becoming a Qualified Climber.

Once you have obtained climber qualification, you must ascend 1st floor of the Murim Tower within 2 months.

Solo ascent is strictly prohibited. If you have no sect affiliation, the National Defense Headquarters will arrange a team for you, so please be sure to apply.

A asure put in place to prevent people from obtaining qualification and never ascending the tower.

For , ascending the tower was simple enough — but there was sothing I was worried about.

My current tower ascent progress stood at having cleared 16th floor's Shadowless Divine Thief.

"But what if I ascend the National Defense Headquarters' Murim Tower?"

I had no certainty that I would start again from 1st floor.

【Entering 16th floor of Murim Tower (South Korea).】

The ssage had clearly appeared like that.

It wasn't as if South Korea's Murim Tower had two of them.

So if I entered 16th floor while my teammates entered 1st floor—

I'd be exposed.

No need to take that risk.

"So I had it all figured out ahead of ti."