Blazing Agony and Icy Relief
Woo-gang, who had lost consciousness, awoke before long.
But his condition was far from good.
The all-consuming pain that had scorched his body after taking the Supreme Life-Prolonging Pill had faded, but a fierce heat still raged throughout him.
Normally, a fever this intense could threaten a person's life.
Thanks only to the Hyeoncheon Yeolhwa Singong and the pill, he hadn't reached that dire point.
Yet the heat left Woo-gang unable to move properly.
He struggled to steady himself and stand, but he only staggered.
Thud!
Woo-gang leaned on his staff for support.
His vision spun and shook, but it was far easier now.
Si-woo, packing their belongings, watched Woo-gang with worried eyes.
"Gasp!"
At that moment, Woo-gang gasped sharply and lurched violently.
Si-woo rushed over and caught him.
"Are you alright? Can you walk?"
"I'll... try."
At Woo-gang's determination, Si-woo slowly released his grip.
But Woo-gang collapsed again after just a few steps.
"No good. You can't travel far like this. Get on my back."
Si-woo hoisted Woo-gang up by force.
While Woo-gang trained, the seasons had turned full circle into summer.
The sweltering heat amplified the fire in his body, leaving Woo-gang drenched in sweat.
Si-woo's back grew damp too, but he paid it no mind as he departed.
Bang!
The apothecary door flew open.
The owner, reading a book, scowled and looked up.
"What bastard...!"
His curse died as his eyes widened like saucers.
Si-woo burst in, frantic, with Woo-gang slumped limply on his back.
"Get him inside and lay him down!"
The apothecary owner jumped up, shouting. Si-woo carried Woo-gang through the back door.
Creeeak! Thud! Click!
The owner locked the front door and hurried after them.
Si-woo gently laid Woo-gang on the large veranda.
"There's a big basin over there—bring it. Fill it with water too."
"Got it."
Si-woo bustled about at the order.
Meanwhile, the owner checked Woo-gang's pulse.
His body was so scorching it was hard to touch for even a moment; he pulled back quickly.
"You gave him the Supreme Life-Prolonging Pill?"
"Yes. But his state was worse than I expected."
"Consciousness? How long's he been out?"
"Not long after we left."
Si-woo answered while filling the basin.
"Even that pill couldn't handle it? Never heard of that."
The owner muttered, frowning.
Si-woo finished filling the basin and approached.
"Come with me. Water won't cut it."
The owner led Si-woo behind the house.
A small cave there served as storage.
"Ice inside. Bring some out."
"Ice? You have that?"
"Not the time for questions! Hurry!"
Si-woo ducked in at the sharp rebuke and emerged with a block of ice.
"Break it into chunks and put them in the water. We need to soak him."
Si-woo nodded.
Chopping a single block was child's play for him.
Splash! Splash! Splash!
Si-woo tore off huge chunks like dough and dropped them in.
The owner stripped off Woo-gang's sweat-soaked clothes. Si-woo lifted him carefully into the water.
"Temporary fix. This should tame the fever a bit."
Si-woo nodded as the owner spoke.
Even as they watched, the ice melted slowly, shrinking.
"Keep an eye on him. I need to check Master's old books. There must be something better than that pill."
"Alright."
After emergency measures, the owner dashed to the apothecary.
"Whew..."
Si-woo exhaled in slight relief.
He gazed at Woo-gang, sifting through memories.
'He's definitely different from me.'
Si-woo had gone through this too, of course.
His mind had been hazy then, and it was long ago, so details blurred—but nothing like Woo-gang's severity.
"No idea why."
Si-woo murmured softly.
The owner flipped through his master's tomes between customers.
He'd read stacks by now.
Days passed. Woo-gang stayed soaked in ice water.
Si-woo guarded him day and night.
And finally.
"Found it!"
The owner appeared, shouting, bowl of medicine in hand.
Finding and brewing it had taken longer than thought.
Si-woo took the bowl and carefully fed Woo-gang.
Even in his delirious haze, Woo-gang swallowed.
"Effects will kick in soon. He'll start shivering—pull him out then. Prep a bed."
"Will do."
Si-woo nodded.
About thirty minutes later.
"Cold..."
The words slipped from Woo-gang's lips.
Si-woo swiftly lifted him out, dried him, and laid him on the prepared bedding.
Blankets covered, Woo-gang's pained face eased.
He fell asleep like that.
Si-woo confirmed it, then asked the owner.
"That medicine—must it be decocted fresh?"
"For now. I'll find a way to make pills. Won't take long."
"Thanks."
"Save it."
The owner rose curtly.
"Aaaargh!"
That night.
The effects wore off; Woo-gang screamed and writhed.
Si-woo held him. The owner poured in fresh medicine.
His thrashing spilled most of it.
But the owner forced it down. Soon, struggles weakened.
Effects hadn't fully spread; he still groaned in pain.
"Lasts shorter than expected. Taming this heat and balancing needs extreme cold—like freezing everything. Medicine has limits."
"So it's about reaching the North Sea fast."
"Yes. I'll make plenty—hold on a bit."
"Understood."
Si-woo knew the owner's efforts better than anyone.
He could only wait.
Creeeak! Bang!
Si-woo, returning from the apothecary, startled.
Woo-gang, who slept before he left, dragged himself into the yard.
Good—he could move a little now.
But moments later, Woo-gang collapsed after a few steps.
Si-woo rushed over, cradling him up.
"Woo-gang! Woo-gang! Come on, wake up."
At the urgent voice, Woo-gang slowly opened his eyes.
"Grandfather..."
"I'm here. What happened?"
Woo-gang smiled faintly at the question.
"It's been... too long since training."
"Training? In this state?!"
Si-woo's voice rose in frustration.
Admirable, yet heartbreaking—that even in pain-clouded haze, training came first.
"This pain's from entering Muyeom, right? So advancing further should end it..."
Si-woo sighed softly.
"Training's poison now. The more you circulate Hyeoncheon Yeolhwa Singong, the worse the heat. Rest till you recover."
Woo-gang frowned—disappointment? Pain? Unclear.
But he smiled soon after.
"Stopped daily routine—feels itchy. Lying around hurts more."
His voice lacked strength, but iron will laced the whisper.
Si-woo smiled in relief.
"Later training will make you regret this resolve. You'll beg to rest."
"Won't happen."
Woo-gang replied with a strained smile.
"Kid's got spirit. Medicine time."
The owner appeared with a bowl.
Si-woo reached, but Woo-gang took it first.
"Thank you."
"Thanks? Healing's my job."
The owner took the empty bowl.
"Moving better now. Soon you'll be ready to go."
"Good. My thanks."
"Master and disciple, both full of nonsense. Not free, either. You'll pay back double for this—brace yourself!"
"Anytime."
The owner grinned at Si-woo's reply.
"You'll regret that."
Si-woo just smiled.
Afterward, Woo-gang improved rapidly.
Pain returned when effects faded, but steady doses weakened the inner heat.
His face grew serene, as if alive again.
With recovery, Si-woo prepared to depart.
The owner had brewed ample medicine for the North Sea journey.
Departure day arrived.
Considering the long road, the owner readied a cart.
Grumbling, but thorough.
"Thank you for everything."
Woo-gang bowed to him.
"Pain'll return anytime. No slacking till North Sea—take meds without fail."
"Yes. I will."
Short farewell with the owner; Woo-gang boarded first.
"I'll repay this debt."
"You better! I'll collect full price—don't stay away, or I'll chase you for interest too."
Si-woo smiled mysteriously at the words—bittersweet, tinged with sorrow.
"Safe travels. Don't freeze."
"Who do you think I am? Take care."
Brief as always. Si-woo boarded.
The cart rolled off. Unlike usual, the owner watched long before turning away.