The Apothecary's Gruff Hospitality
After leaving the cave, Yeom Si-woo stopped first at a nearby village.
It was a fairly large village bustling with people coming and going.
Once inside, Woo-gang quietly trailed behind Si-woo.
Though his martial arts training had improved him greatly, the stares from so many people still felt uncomfortable.
Impossible as it was, he couldn't shake the illusion that malice lurked in their gazes.
So Woo-gang kept his eyes fixed solely on Si-woo's back, sticking close as he followed.
Si-woo arrived at the Apothecary.
The moment he pushed open the door, a sharp, bitter scent of herbal medicine assaulted their noses.
"What medicine are you after?"
"Golden sore salve, something good for the bones—and if you've got pain relief, that too."
The Apothecary Owner and Si-woo exchanged formal pleasantries.
"Not for you, I take it. For the kid?"
The owner's tone shifted abruptly.
A faint smile played on Si-woo's lips as well.
"Right. For this child. Been a while."
"You waltz in acting like strangers, so I played along—but I can't stomach that nonsense."
Si-woo chuckled softly at the owner's words.
"Introduce yourself. He's an old friend."
"Hello."
The owner eyed Woo-gang's polite bow, then clicked his tongue.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. What twisted fate brought this on the poor boy."
"Water under the bridge."
Si-woo scowled at the physiognomist's prattle.
"Becoming your disciple's tragic enough. Your training methods are a given. Not that it hurts my medicine sales."
"Enough drivel. Just pack the medicine."
The owner scowled back briefly before speaking up.
"Upfront payment."
Si-woo rummaged in his pouch and pulled out coins.
Not long after, the owner returned and thumped several wrapped packages down before Si-woo.
"More than you paid for. Oh—and this."
He tossed something over casually.
Si-woo caught the small pill.
"Don't need this yet."
"Just take it. Saves a round trip."
"You're just too lazy."
Si-woo pocketed it with a retort.
"We'll be off then."
"Already?"
"Have to."
The owner frowned at Si-woo's reply.
"Rest a day or two. Check the boy's condition while you're at it. You've been drilling him like a cornered rat—could turn serious."
Si-woo glanced at Woo-gang.
The owner had a point; the cave training had been brutal.
With all those injuries, a bit of recovery time here wouldn't hurt.
"Fair enough. Customer incoming—we'll head inside."
Si-woo led Woo-gang out the back door, connected to the owner's house.
As they slipped away, the customer entered.
"Gohppul?"
"Yes. Whip it up quick. *Cough! Cough!*"
The owner bustled about.
For a lone bachelor's home, it was impressively spacious.
While Si-woo unpacked in an empty room, Woo-gang wandered the courtyard, marveling at the place.
The finest house he'd ever laid eyes on.
Si-woo smiled, watching Woo-gang's wide-eyed curiosity.
"Might as well recover properly while we're here. That friend's brews pack a punch."
"No aches anywhere."
"No aches? 'I know my own body best'—biggest delusion there is."
The owner, fresh from compounding the medicine, shot back.
He marched straight to Woo-gang and began roughly kneading his arms and legs.
Woo-gang flailed in flustered confusion under the assault.
"Better than expected, though. Solid foundation. Even so... tells me plenty about the grind without asking."
After a thorough once-over, the owner shot Si-woo a glare.
Si-woo offered no defense.
"Hold still."
The owner ducked back into the apothecary, returning shortly with something in hand.
Si-woo's eyes gleamed for a split second, but his face stayed impassive.
"Swallow it."
"Pardon?"
"Down the hatch. 'Better than expected' doesn't mean healthy. Muscles, joints—one more push, and you're at the brink. Keep training like this, and you might lose use of an arm or leg."
"Scaring him half to death?"
The owner glared anew at Si-woo.
"Qi recovery has limits. Hence doctors and drugs. Want the kid? Your call."
"Ahem!"
Si-woo cleared his throat awkwardly as Woo-gang took the pill.
"Circulate right after. You'll get it then."
Woo-gang settled cross-legged on the porch beside Si-woo and popped it in.
The bitter tang filled his mouth, melting smoothly down his throat.
He shut his eyes and began circulating.
The owner sat beside Si-woo, watching.
"Handing those out like candy?"
"Don't read too much. Nothing special—just aids recovery."
"Think I don't know you? No miracle elixir, sure, but damn useful."
"Sharp as ever. Cooped up here, get bored—whip 'em up now and then. And for the record, not that special. Just easing the boy's burden—no need to fuss."
Words aside, it was a pill he'd poured his heart into.
Unknown to the world, but fame would draw sects bidding fortunes.
That was the owner's way—downplaying treasures.
"Appreciate it."
"Spare me the goosebumps. Speaking of—the Goyin Yeommyeonhwan? Only had the one."
"Short on those, I'll swing back. One suffices for now."
The owner nodded, stealing a glance at Woo-gang.
"Spill on the boy. 'No disciples,' you said. How'd he snag you?"
"Long tale."
"Hence the asking."
Si-woo recounted their meeting.
The owner gazed at the meditating Woo-gang with quiet pity.
He knew not the full tale before Si-woo, but it weighed on him all the same.
"Why martial arts for a kid like that? Raise him normal."
"Started to thaw his frozen heart. Nightmares, daily jitters."
"And?"
"He wanted it. Dead serious—no quitting. Mulled it over, then taught."
"Then ditch the archaic hell. Softened my words earlier—for the kid's ears."
"I know."
"And still?"
Si-woo's smile turned bittersweet under the rebuke.
"Admirable, though. Hurts like hell, yet fire never dims—burns fiercer."
"Sigh... boon or bane? Off to that place next?"
"Have to."
"Half-dead again."
"Pray it goes smooth."
"Pray? Act. Gambling lives on luck—preposterous."
Si-woo merely smiled.
"After that..."
"Yeah. Final duty calls."
"Ha... you, your sect—stubborn as rocks. Clinging to nonsense tradition."
"Generations of vows and bonds. Beyond me to break."
"That's the stubborn part. Someone's gotta end it."
"Customer."
The owner scowled fiercely.
"Damn town—sick folks daily. Hold on!"
He stormed off to the shop.
Alone, Si-woo watched Woo-gang, eyes brimming with apology, pride, and more.
Woo-gang's face glowed post-circulation.
The owner's words rang true—he knew at once.
No pains, yet his body had dragged; now it floated, feather-light.
Jump, and he'd graze the sky; bolt out, faster than ever.
"Told you—medicine was smart."
"Yes!"
His voice matched his shine.
"Packing extras—for circulation sessions. Boost future training."
"Thank you."
Woo-gang bowed deeply.
Si-woo shook his head unwittingly at the stockpile of wonders.
"Grueling training demands good food, solid rest. Tough mid-grind, though. Unwind fully here—medicine too. Recover right to conquer what's ahead."
"Yes."
Story heard, the owner itched to heap on more.
That night, a proper meal.
Days' worth wouldn't remake him, but beat starving.
Si-woo cherished his friend's grandson-like fussing.
Speaking it aloud? Scorn as drivel—best swallowed.
Meant for a day, they lingered five.
The owner, gruff yet meticulous, doted on Woo-gang.
Caught what Si-woo overlooked.
Woo-gang savored rare ease.
The owner hid it, but seemed quietly pleased.
Five days gone, they readied to depart.
Woo-gang's face mingled parting regret with training thrill.
"Thanks for everything. Till next."
"Frequent visits curse you. Age teach nothing?"
Grumbles masked his reluctance.
"Swing by with medicine sometime."
"Eons to trek there? My shop run itself?"
Si-woo grinned at the flare-up.
"Farewell."
"Go safe. His drills? Brutal agony. Blind endurance no good. Hurt? Speak. Need rest? Take it. Clear?"
Woo-gang nodded.
Doubtful come training time.
"Linger more, you'll root here. Scram."
"Right. Come, Woo-gang."
Si-woo led him out.
The owner waved from the door, then retreated.
Lingering teary-eyed? Not his style.
Quiet steps later, Si-woo spoke.
"Cares that much—you've won him over. Bonds like these weave your life. Cherish them."
"Yes."
Woo-gang treasured the owner already—regret stung this parting.
"Aid aplenty later. His brews? Proven. Heaven-reading spotty, but solid counsel when stalled."
"Yes."
Woo-gang nodded.
No clue then why Si-woo shared this.