Besieged on All Sides (3)
Having gauged everyone's expressions, Hanbin began his explanation with an I figured as much look on his face.
"This is a special antidote for emergencies. So..."
As Hanbin explained, everyone stared down at the necklaces clutched in their hands.
The current plague had arisen from diluting a poisonous herb brought from the north and mixing it into the grain and drinking water.
Of course, he didn't mention the specific name, Heolhyeolcho.
What if someone used the poison straight from the herb without diluting it?
The moment poisoning set in, their fingertips and toes would go numb and start rotting away.
Hanbin described the symptoms in detail, and everyone shuddered in horror.
Jo Ho whispered into Jang Sam's ear.
"It really rots you from the inside out? Jang Sam, that's what the young master just said, right?"
"That's what I heard too, Jo Ho."
"Ah, damn it! So this is how we go?"
Jo Ho let out a scream. The rest of the Red Blood Alliance Tiger Squad reacted much the same.
Just hearing about it conjured up gruesome scenes in their minds.
Those who died that way would look exactly like the plague victims, after all.
Seeing their faces, Hanbin continued.
"And that's why..."
The solution was simple.
Oral antidotes wouldn't cut it.
The antidote had to spread deep into their meridians faster than the Heolhyeolcho poison could propagate.
And that's what this necklace was for.
Listening to the explanation, Jo Ho swallowed dryly without realizing it.
He had a feeling this mission might be his last.
He quietly gazed at the necklace in his hand.
Using it was straightforward.
Strike the bottom hard, and a needle would pop out.
The antidote would flow in through that needle.
Jo Ho looped the necklace back around his neck, popped open the lid, and inserted the pill.
If they got hit with the poison Hanbin described, this thing would absolutely be their lifeline.
So why did a chill still creep down his spine?
Plus, the very idea of stabbing a needle straight into your meridians was bizarre.
Oral antidotes were common enough, but injecting one directly into the bloodstream? That was a first.
Once Hanbin finished explaining, the Red Blood Alliance Tiger Squad members exchanged silent glances.
They fiddled with their necklaces, throats bobbing nervously.
Then Jo Ho tilted his head and shot up his hand.
"Young master, so what exactly is this antidote made of?"
"That's a very apt question given the circumstances, Jo Ho."
"......"
Everyone stared wordlessly at Hanbin's lips, waiting for what came next.
Amused by their reactions, Hanbin went on.
"That's a secret, naturally. But it's made from ingredients you couldn't buy for all the gold in the world, so treasure it."
At his words, they all gripped their necklaces tightly.
Jang Ja-myeong, who had been listening, quietly turned his head.
In his view, only half of what Hanbin had just said rang true.
It was made from radishes grown at Cheonsu Manor.
Yellow radishes that had absorbed extreme yang energy, concentrated with a few medicinal herbs—that was the antidote.
Heolhyeolcho was a poison that eroded the body with Negative energy.
It was the polar opposite of radishes grown absorbing extreme yang energy at Cheonsu Manor.
This antidote worked on the principle of extreme yin and yang neutralizing each other naturally.
And the key ingredient? The utterly commonplace radishes from Cheonsu Manor.
How many times had they pulled them up after maxing out on yang energy and replanted?
The warehouse was piled high with them.
Half of those warehouse radishes had come here to this inn.
And he calls it something you couldn't buy for a fortune?
Well, technically true since Hanbin wouldn't sell them, but Jang Ja-myeong couldn't shake the feeling he'd been had.
That said, the Cheonsu Manor radishes weren't ineffective.
They might not match a thousand-year-old hyssop, but they carried spiritual energy on par with a century-old one.
So Hanbin's claim was half-right, at least.
Jang Ja-myeong glanced sideways.
There sat Geom-o, the newcomer, nodding off after pulling all-nighters with him for days.
He worried about Geom-o's frail stamina.
With stamina like that...
As he fretted over Geom-o, Jang Ja-myeong tilted his own head.
Had he ever been this fit?
No matter how he thought about it, no.
Considering the all-nighters Hanbin had them pulling, he should be a wreck by now.
Why am I still so spry?
He eyed the pills he'd made.
Could it be?
This robust health probably had something to do with those yang-infused radishes.
Unthinkingly, Jang Ja-myeong looked toward Hanbin.
Gazing at him, he muttered to himself.
"There's something there... Did he maybe inherit some divine physician's legacy?"
That's when Se Jaeo spoke up from beside him.
"Something where? And what's this about a divine physician, Physician Jang?"
"Ah, Swordmaster Se, it's nothing. Just exhausted from a few sleepless nights. But with you here, I feel secure."
"Sorry, I can't stick around much longer."
"What do you mean?"
"Keep this between us, Physician Jang. I'm planning to bail from here. The Plum Blossom Token matters, but nothing's more important than my life, right?"
"You're bailing?"
"Voice too loud."
"Take me with you..."
"I'll come back later depending on the situation. Too dangerous to go together now."
"Ah, got it."
Jang Ja-myeong nodded weakly.
As he and Se Jaeo whispered back and forth, Hanbin—who had finished his briefing—clapped to draw eyes.
Clap!
"The Red Blood Alliance Tiger Squad's mission is to protect the merchants under Hebei Paeng Family management. No matter what, we keep our people safe. From now on, spread the word to the merchants in your assigned zones."
With that, Hanbin snapped his fingers.
Snap!
In sync, So Daeseop and Sim Miho distributed letters and packages to the squad members.
They checked their assigned areas.
Once everyone dispersed for their missions, only a few remained indoors.
Se Jaeo glanced quietly at Jang Ja-myeong, signaling farewell.
Jang Ja-myeong nodded back, regret in his eyes.
As they exchanged looks...
Hanbin watched them, arms crossed.
Feeling his gaze, Se Jaeo turned with a start.
"Ah, Young Master Paeng. Something to say...?"
Hanbin smiled affably at the trailing question.
"I've got a favor to ask, Swordmaster."
His tone brimmed with unusual goodwill.
Se Jaeo eyed him suspiciously.
"A favor? If it's scouting the plague, count me out, Young Master Paeng."
He shook his head firmly.
Even after Hanbin explained this wasn't a real contagion but a poisoning incident, Se Jaeo couldn't buy it.
The scenes he'd witnessed returning here matched plague rumors to a T.
The feverish suffering, the red spots popping up everywhere—it screamed plague.
Se Jaeo resolved to slip out now and return later for his Plum Blossom Token.
For the Huangbo family's sole heir and Volcanic Sect's Plum Blossom Swordsman, it was too risky.
Simply put, he had too much to lose.
Plus, Hanbin had never once tried to stop him from leaving.
He'd just stayed here like a hostage, hunting for his token and sword.
Seeing Se Jaeo's hardened expression, Hanbin waved it off.
"No dangerous mission, Swordmaster Se."
"Then what exactly do you want?"
"Just deliver this before you leave the village."
"Me leaving the village? I can't..."
"I overheard you and Physician Jang earlier. Does the Plum Blossom Swordsman need to risk himself here? On your way out, hand this pouch to whoever's in charge of the blockade."
"If it's just that, sure, why not."
Se Jaeo nodded magnanimously, then cleared his throat.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
"Don't worry. We'll meet again when things improve. And you probably won't need this."
Se Jaeo unclasped his necklace and handed it to Hanbin.
The special antidote necklace.
Hanbin waved it away.
"What if something happens outside the village? Keep it."
"Mm, alright then."
With that, Se Jaeo bolted from the inn.
Whoosh.
So fast he left no afterimage, like clouds scattering in the wind.
Crossing the empty marketplace, Se Jaeo clicked his tongue.
Not a soul in the streets that had teemed with life just days ago.
"Tch, definitely the plague. Feels bad ditching everyone alone, but no choice..."
He picked up speed.
How far had he gone? As his inner power waned, the village entrance came into view.
There, imperial troops had set up a makeshift checkpoint, blocking anyone trying to leave.
Precaution against the plague, no doubt—all faces cloth-masked.
Se Jaeo scanned for an officer.
To deliver Hanbin's leather pouch.
As he looked around...
Someone emerged from a tent behind the checkpoint.
Spotting Se Jaeo, he called out in a raspy voice.
"Isn't that the fourth son?"
"Fourth son?"
Se Jaeo narrowed his eyes in surprise.
The man lowered his face cloth.
Se Jaeo's eyes widened.
It was Kang Yu-chan.
The Geumuiwi leader.
Kang Yu-chan closed the distance in a flash.
"What brings you here?"
"Young Master Paeng sent me with something for the leader."
"Hm, so he actually sent it."
"Pardon? What do you..."
Before Se Jaeo finished, Kang Yu-chan extended his hand expectantly.
"Hand it over first."
"Here."
Se Jaeo quickly passed the leather pouch. Kang Yu-chan pulled out the red bloodstone inside and inspected it.
Holding it close, he nodded.
"Hm, it's genuine. The Myriad Horse Token."
"Myriad Horse Token?"
As Se Jaeo tilted his head, Kang Yu-chan explained cheerfully.
"It's called the Myriad Horse Token. For him to use it so readily—Young Master Paeng is a true loyalist, haha."
Gazing delightedly at the token, Se Jaeo asked incredulously.
"He's not a bad guy, but how's Young Master Paeng a loyalist?"
"Heard of the Myriad Horse Token?"
"My knowledge is limited; never heard of it."
"It's imperial authority to command ten thousand cavalry. Meaning ten thousand troops, as mounted soldiers."
"How does Young Master Paeng have such power?"
"Didn't you see? Back when I was delivering it to him."
"Ah."
"Even more shocking—it's one-use only. Ten thousand troops could save a whole clan. Yet he used it for the nation."
Kang Yu-chan summoned an adjutant, handed over the token, and issued orders.
"Mobilize all troops in Hebei Province. Seal not just this entrance but the entire perimeter thoroughly!"
"Understood."
Watching the troops spring into action, Se Jaeo gaped.
"Gasp."
Then Kang Yu-chan asked.
"What about you?"
Sweat beaded on Se Jaeo's forehead.