158. Thanks. You'll Be Blessed.
Cheondokmun was originally the successor to Manhwagok, renowned for its medicines. Dokgoe had a deep interest in crafting spirit elixirs as well. By a stroke of chance, he'd obtained a crumb of Daehwandan and poured every effort into unraveling its secret formula. But the fragment had been too small, leaving much undiscovered.
'Kekeke... Master, your disciple will crack the Daehwandan formula and fulfill your dying wish.'
Won Seung examined the book, confirming the 105 ingredients Dokgoe had identified. He then took out the jade box containing the Daehwandan and peeled away the silk wrapping. Encased in gold foil, the radiant golden pill revealed its brilliant luster.
The medicine room filled with a clear, ethereal fragrance.
"Oh, oh..."
Won Seung picked up a thin knife and sliced the Daehwandan in half. Any martial artist who saw this would call him insane. The truth of Daehwandan was to pop it straight into your mouth the moment you laid eyes on it. Cutting it? Even a single crumb could grant years of inner energy...
Won Seung felt the pang too. Swallowing it whole would mean thirty years of cultivation at once—ninety years total. But if he could just uncover its formula...
He halved one piece again, then ground it into powder. Taking a pinch onto his palm, he touched it to the tip of his tongue. A bitter tang mingled with the pure fragrance, overwhelming his mouth and nose.
'Mm... To identify 105 ingredients from mere crumbs. Master truly was a genius.'
Won Seung strained to detect traces of the 105 ingredients Master had noted through taste and scent, but he could only distinguish around fifty.
'No good. I need to gather all 105 first.'
A check of the medicine storeroom revealed only about thirty kinds on hand.
Won Seung carefully rewrapped the half pill, the quarter piece, and the powder in fresh silk, placed them back in the jade box, and sealed it with wax to preserve the potency.
That night,
Too excited to sleep, Won Seung tossed and turned before finally getting up to circulate his energy through the night.
He wolfed down breakfast and hurriedly saddled his horse.
Arriving at the outer city's money exchange in Hwangdo, Won Seung checked his balance. It was a secret account Ogu had set up separately.
'Whoa, he stacked up this much already?'
Nearly two thousand silver taels—an enormous sum. It came from black society funds siphoned by the fake black society boss Ogu, plus dividends from the Sangyang North Wharf labor guild shares, and more.
Black Dao really pays off.
"One thousand in silver notes—mix in tens and hundreds."
"Let me see your identity token."
He still looked young to be demanding such a fortune, so the manager himself stepped out.
As the manager haughtily requested the token, Won Seung flashed his seal.
"I'm a Hyeongbu investigator."
"Ah, sorry! It's just such a large amount, protocol requires verification."
The manager's attitude flipped instantly as he handed over the notes.
Won Seung bought four large pouches, slung them over his horse's hindquarters, and headed to Hwangdo's medicine street.
Hwangdo's medicine street was said to hold every herb under heaven. If it wasn't here, it was buried deep in some mountain wilds.
Shops spilled their wares out into the open air. Won Seung galloped through, sweeping up everything on his mental list—not just the 105 for Daehwandan, but ingredients for Boheoldan and Cheonghyeol Bogyunghwan too.
He even bought poison materials. For toxic ones, they checked his identity, but flashing the Hyeongbu seal got him them without question.
Pouches bulging, Won Seung exited the street and bumped into a familiar face.
"Jangmun?"
Hwang U-yun, laden with his own herb pouches, stared in surprise. He was Gong I-gwan's disciple.
"Shh!"
Won Seung pressed a finger to his lips and dragged Hwang U-yun into an alley.
"I've got circumstances, so call me 'Hyungnim' for now. I'm going by Joo Neung here."
"I'm older, so shouldn't it be Joo Dongsaeng?"
Hwang U-yun replied with gentle propriety.
This guy's too damn serious.
"Shut it. Call me Hyungnim like I said."
"Yes."
"What brings you to Hwangdo?"
"I came with Master. We're meeting Grandmaster and fellow disciples. Master was looking for you—er, Joo Hyungnim—quite eagerly."
Ah... Now he recalled the letter from Ogu. Gong I-gwan was coming to meet sect brothers, so he'd sent travel funds... but to Hwangdo?
"Uga Clinic in Hwangdo's Saga District is run by Third Junior Uncle."
"Uga Clinic?"
Dok Sabu's juniors were Jang Go On and U Mun-bi. Probably U Mun-bi's place. That made him Won Seung's junior uncle.
"Master and some sect brothers are gathered there now. Grandmaster will arrive soon too. Everyone by the fifteenth."
Jang Go On too? Hmm. A full Cheondokmun reunion.
Hwang U-yun said,
"Meeting you like this is perfect. Let me guide you to Uga Clinic."
"No. I'll go once everyone's assembled."
Won Seung waved him off. He couldn't just barge in without gauging reactions—especially disguised.
"Do you know where it is?"
"Of course."
Hwangdo was like his own palm.
Won Seung parted with Hwang U-yun and returned home.
Im Cho-ye tilted her head at the bulging pouches.
"What's all this?"
"For making your Boheoldan."
"That tiny pill needs all this?"
"And even better ones."
Im Cho-ye gazed at him with admiring eyes.
"Oppa can do anything. Official in a flash, elixir master too."
"I know. I've got talents. But just admire—no more."
Won Seung retreated to his inner chambers, shut the door, and moved the herbs to the medicine room.
Right now, only crafting Daehwandan mattered. He skipped dinner, sorting furiously.
Finishing, he emerged to find Im Cho-ye entering, head cocked.
"Wasn't here earlier—where'd it go?"
"You're too old to barge into a man's room."
"Dinner time. You've skipped meals—what? Where'd all those herbs vanish to?"
"Mm..."
Having a housemate's inconvenient.
Im Cho-ye rolled her eyes.
"Wait... You broke through the hidden room wall. Secret space here!"
Won Seung scowled fiercely.
"You know the secret now... No choice. Die."
Im Cho-ye gaped in shock, then laughed, groveling dramatically.
"Spare me and I'll do anything. Lips sealed till death."
"Fine. Set the table then."
"Don't wanna!"
She stuck out her tongue and fled.
"Take this! Dragon-Tiger Wind-Cloud Palm!"
"Eek! Creepy Uncle Gi!"
Im Cho-ye ran; Won Seung chased. She'd trained enough to move gracefully for a girl, but at thirteen, still childish—perhaps from a lonely upbringing.
The next day,
A knock revealed homeless Jang Chil.
"Food, please."
"Whoa... Some beggar. Shouldn't you at least carry a can?"
"Beggars' Sect turf too harsh. They took my can."
Jang Chil barged in.
Won Seung fetched food from the kitchen and served it. Curious Im Cho-ye peeked, watching.
"Poor homeless guy. Hungry, so feeding him. Quit staring—study."
As she left, Jang Chil eyed her back.
"She's young."
"Yeah. Thirteen."
Jang Chil frowned.
"You can't do that. Marry a mature woman. Not kidnapped or anything, right?"
A chill ran down Won Seung's spine. This guy's the one who killed thirty-seven human traffickers.
"Crazy bastard, what nonsense. She's my little sister."
"Mm. You had a sister?"
Jang Chil looked blankly surprised.
"Friend's sister."
"Ah."
Jang Chil scarfed food, belched.
"Bi Ryu-hyang got hired at Sacheon Escort Agency, like you said. Dongho-gun contacted—joined Murim Alliance. Some Bicchal Corps."
"Bicchal Corps?"
Secret inspection team, by the sound.
"Coming to Hwangdo soon. Heard some Je Gal Clan scholar died near here."
Ah... Murim Alliance mobilized for Je Gal Mun's death. Shows their clout.
Won Seung nodded.
"Where you crashing?"
"Mangwol House."
"I gave you money."
"..."
"One question. That split cash back then... what'd you do with it?"
"..."
"Gave it home?"
Jang Chil snorted.
"You ignore my words? No traces."
"Gave it secretly."
"Damn, you're something. Handing cash to the family that sold you."
"..."
Jang Chil paused, then said,
"Mom's sick. Don't remember much, but she's Mom."
"..."
No arguing that.
"What's wrong with her?"
"Dunno. Sickly since I left."
"..."
Jang Chil looked glum. Won Seung handed over three fresh Boheoldan pills.
"Give her these. For civilians, one a month."
Hagok County was a day's ride from Hwangdo.
"Sent herbs before, but..."
"These are leagues better. Priciest ingredients."
Jang Chil stared at the pills, pocketed them, and stood.
"Thanks. You'll be blessed."
After Jang Chil left, Mu Gi-an arrived.
Face haggard. He seized Won Seung's hand, pleading.
"My fault. Can't sleep a wink."
"Spying with such weak nerves?"
They'd agreed casual speech, but Won Seung kept distance knowing he was Jinyiwei spy.
Won Seung scoffed.
"Not a spy."
He pulled something from his bosom.
"This... Universal antidote from scouring Hwangdo clinics. Won't cure fully, but buys time."
"Mm..."
The antidote softened Won Seung's heart.
"Told Jang Cheon-ho you're dying. Said antidote from poisoner's killer. He's investigating."
"...?"
"Jinyiwei's not watching maliciously. You met those rioters then. Might return, so surveillance."
As if.
Naive or brainless? Why would almighty Jinyiwei protect me?
"They're hunting that Sa-do Gongja. Turns out his grandpa was high official. Clan wiped by Jinyiwei for treason. Hates them and the court. Must catch him. So watching you."
"Yeah?"
Won Seung took the pill. Mu Gi-an brightened slightly.
"Don't think this squares us. I'll haunt you as a ghost if you die."
"Got it. What else you want?"