Chapter 19
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: The Ginseng
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A short while later.
The two of them left the building.
Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi had already finished the hut and were catching their breath.
“I’ll go prepare breakfast then.”
As Dan Ak-seon walked away, Han Seol-hwa stared intently at Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi.
Beom Gye-wi shot her a look full of dissatisfaction.
“What? What is it now?”
“Go wash up.”
Her subsequent words made both their faces crumple.
“You stink.”
“You little!”
Beom Gye-wi shot to his feet. At that moment, Han Seol-hwa opened her mouth.
“Last night…”
Beom Gye-wi immediately turned and headed for the pond.
Cho Ak-ryang reluctantly followed behind him. Then, as if realizing something, Beom Gye-wi turned his head to look at Han Seol-hwa.
“Huh? Did you just speak?”
“Come to think of it…?”
Cho Ak-ryang also stared at Han Seol-hwa with a look of surprise.
A cold telepathic message reached the two of them.
—Wash up. Now.
An hour later.
Dan Ak-seon, having placed a basket full of medicinal herbs on the table, smiled brightly.
“Today’s menu is personalized. Just eat what’s in front of you.”
Beom Gye-wi and Cho Ak-ryang, who had finished bathing and arrived just in time, barely managed to stifle their sighs.
Today, too, was a field of greens.
And sour, bitter, astringent greens at that.
Han Seol-hwa was the first to pick up an herb and bring it to her lips. She began to eat without a word.
Since she couldn't taste anything anyway, it didn't matter much to her.
Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi, on the other hand, tried their best to act nonchalant, but this moment was an ordeal for them.
As they continued their meal, Dan Ak-seon spoke up.
“I think I need to go to the village again today.”
Beom Gye-wi gave him a quizzical look.
“Again? You just went yesterday.”
“There are more people now. And I have something to look into.”
He tried not to show it, but he was inwardly concerned about Pung Jin-seong's well-being.
Beom Gye-wi grinned.
“Then I’ll take you.”
Just then, Han Seol-hwa, who had been eating in silence, spoke.
“No. I’ll go.”
“Why not? That’s my job…”
With a cold expression, Han Seol-hwa cut Beom Gye-wi off.
“You have something else to do.”
“I do?”
“You need to make a bed. Surely you don’t expect me to sleep on the bare floor?”
“Why do I have to make it?”
“Because I know what happened last night?”
Beom Gye-wi was dumbfounded by Han Seol-hwa's blatant blackmail.
But he had no other choice.
The one with a weakness was the one at fault.
Dan Ak-seon smiled and nodded.
“Alright. Then Auntie Han will go with me today.”
After finishing their meal.
Leaving a grumbling Beom Gye-wi behind, Dan Ak-seon and Han Seol-hwa set off for the village.
* * *
Upon entering the village, Dan Ak-seon felt gazes pouring in from all directions. This had never happened before.
But it didn't take long for him to figure out why.
It was because of Han Seol-hwa’s beauty.
Her looks had a charm that captivated people's attention.
Han Seol-hwa, however, was indifferent.
She was used to situations like this.
Dan Ak-seon didn't find the situation entirely bad either.
Usually, it was quite difficult for the small-statured Dan Ak-seon to navigate through the bustling market crowds. But walking with Han Seol-hwa felt like strolling down a wide-open avenue.
Whenever she approached, people, regardless of gender, parted to either side like a receding tide.
Of course, a commotion erupted on the path they left behind.
It was due to the many men who were caught sneaking glances at Han Seol-hwa by their lovers and wives.
They were walking on, leaving the stir behind them, when it happened.
A neatly dressed man approached Han Seol-hwa. Everyone's attention focused on him.
From his hesitant demeanor, his purpose seemed clear.
Most people thought he was going to make a move on Han Seol-hwa.
But unexpectedly, the man stopped not in front of Han Seol-hwa, but in front of Dan Ak-seon.
Dan Ak-seon looked at the man with a puzzled expression.
No matter how he looked, it was definitely someone he had never seen before.
“Can I help you?”
The man smiled affably and offered Dan Ak-seon a steaming skewer.
“I just started my business in front of that stall today.”
“But why are you giving this to me…?”
The man gave an awkward laugh.
“I hope you’ll become a frequent customer.”
The man practically forced the skewer into the bewildered Dan Ak-seon’s hand.
“So many?”
Dan Ak-seon was taken aback.
The man had given him no less than ten skewers. He smiled awkwardly.
“So you can eat your fill.”
Then he quickly turned and ran off somewhere.
After running for some time, he turned into a bent alley where a person was waiting for him.
“You delivered it for sure, right?”
The man nodded at So Jeok-san’s question.
He was a subordinate of the Righteous Hall, led by So Jeok-san.
“Yes. I grilled the best ones and delivered them before they got cold.”
“Have the men keep a close watch. If anything happens to that gentleman, we’re all dead men.”
So Jeok-san shivered.
He was recalling the terrifying face of Beom Gye-wi and the blood-chilling threat he had left that day.
* * *
Half an hour after entering the village.
Dan Ak-seon’s appearance had changed significantly from when he first left the Divine Demon Valley.
A thick fur vest was draped over his light clothes, and his hands were full of all sorts of food and toys.
For some reason, there were an unusual number of people opening new businesses today.
It was clearly a promotion, but he felt as if the promotion was strangely focused solely on him.
Like right now.
A stranger strode up and offered him a Bingtanghulu—red hawthorn berries skewered on bamboo, coated with honey and syrup.
“Have a taste, young master.”
“Thank you. I’ll be sure to pay next time.”
The strange thing was, whenever he asked for the shop's location, they would all awkwardly stammer and hastily leave.
“You must have earned a lot of goodwill. To be welcomed so warmly by the people.”
Han Seol-hwa was inwardly impressed with Dan Ak-seon. This was a welcome that even a respectable knight-errant would rarely experience.
“That’s not it…”
Because of the situation, it was Dan Ak-seon who ended up in a difficult spot. The purpose of his visit to the village was constantly being delayed.
“Auntie, I have a favor to ask.”
When Han Seol-hwa nodded, Dan Ak-seon handed her the things he was holding.
“Could you hold these for a moment? There’s a place I need to stop by.”
As Han Seol-hwa took them, Dan Ak-seon started running somewhere.
He ran with all his might, as if afraid of being caught by someone else.
The place he arrived at was his regular apothecary.
As Dan Ak-seon opened the door and entered, the owner approached with a bright face.
“I was just wondering when you’d show up.”
“You were waiting for me?”
The apothecary owner nodded.
“The head of the Jinseong Medical House left a message for you.”
Dan Ak-seon’s face lit up. He had just been worried about Pung Jin-seong. That was why he had come to the village, hoping to contact him.
“He said you shouldn't come down to the village for the time being, until this catastrophe is resolved.”
“Catastrophe?”
At Dan Ak-seon’s question, the apothecary owner let out a sigh.
“Last night, there was a fire at the Cheonghwa Inn where the warriors of the Martial Alliance were staying.”
As Dan Ak-seon’s eyes widened, the owner continued his explanation.
“It was chaos, the likes of which I’ve never seen. Who would have thought the ever-so-mighty Evil-Shattering Corps of the Martial Alliance would die engulfed in flames?”
“They died?”
“Yes. I heard several wine jars were found all over the fire scene. They must have been too drunk to escape the blaze.”
“...!”
“It was a good thing they had rented out the entire inn, otherwise it could have been a major disaster. The head of the Jinseong Medical House would have been in danger too if he hadn't arrived late.”
While Dan Ak-seon was too shocked to speak, the apothecary owner delivered the rest of the message.
“Family Head Pung said he would come to see you himself after he gets the situation under control. So, as he said, it would be best not to come to the village for a while. The atmosphere here has been grim since yesterday.”
“I see.”
Thinking of Pung Jin-seong, Dan Ak-seon let out a sigh.
He was relieved that he was safe, but it was obvious this incident would cause him even more trouble.
“Thank you for letting me know.”
Dan Ak-seon purchased the necessary medicinal herbs and left the apothecary.
Han Seol-hwa, who was waiting outside, watched Dan Ak-seon’s dejected figure closely.
However, she didn't press him for the reason.
She simply followed silently behind the trudging Dan Ak-seon.
How long had they walked like that?
Just as he was about to leave the alley, Dan Ak-seon stopped dead in his tracks.
It was because of a conversation between the market apothecaries.
“I hear Old Man Wang hit the jackpot this time, didn’t he?”
“Ah, that wild ginseng? I heard it’s well over two hundred years old.”
“What a windfall. At that age, you can name your price, can’t you?”
“Of course! If high-ranking officials find out, they’ll come running with fire in their eyes. They wouldn't refuse even a thousand gold pieces.”
“No wonder. I suddenly felt like climbing a mountain yesterday.”
“A drunkard like you? Ginseng of that quality is a spiritual treasure. You’d be lucky to see one once or twice in your lifetime unless the mountain spirit itself points it out to you.”
Han Seol-hwa looked at Dan Ak-seon with a puzzled expression.
As if he had never been downcast, his face was now flushed with excitement.
“Excuse me, sirs!”
Dan Ak-seon ran over with a thrilled look and joined their conversation.
“Who has the wild ginseng you were just talking about?”
One of the merchants retorted at Dan Ak-seon’s question.
“Why do you want to know?”
“I want to buy it!”
Seeing the merchant’s scoffing expression, a sense of urgency took over Dan Ak-seon, and he pulled a bank note from his robes. It was the 10,000 nyang note he had received from Han Seol-hwa before leaving the Divine Demon Valley.
“Someone is injured. That’s why I absolutely need that ginseng!”
The merchant flinched.
The amount on the note was one thing, but he was more surprised by the peculiar heat shimmering in Dan Ak-seon’s eyes.
“Please, let me meet him.”
An hour later.
The transaction proceeded at lightning speed.
Haggling usually takes time, but after confirming the quality of the ginseng, Dan Ak-seon had promptly offered the entire 10,000 nyang note.
“Hehe.”
Leaving the village, Dan Ak-seon couldn’t hide his smile.
He unwrapped the silk in the box several times to check the ginseng, and occasionally sniffed its scent.
“Are you that happy?”
“Of course.”
Dan Ak-seon nodded.
“This will be a great help in treating the three of you.”
“You are quite bold.”
“Pardon?”
“I just didn’t expect you to spend all ten thousand nyang to get it.”
“Oh, right!”
Dan Ak-seon belatedly remembered the other items he was supposed to buy and wore a troubled expression.
Seeing this, Han Seol-hwa was inwardly dumbfounded.
When practicing medicine, he was calmer than anyone, but right now, he was just a child.
‘They say great wisdom appears foolish…’
One who is greatly wise can sometimes seem like a fool.
Dan Ak-seon was exactly like that right now.
* * *
“What is this?!”
Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi couldn't hide their bewilderment.
It was because of the blankets Han Seol-hwa had handed them, saying they were new ones to replace their tattered ones.
But it was embarrassing to even call these blankets.
They were a colorful patchwork of scrap fabric stitched together haphazardly.
“You expect me to sleep under this rag?”
“You picked this out, didn't you, witch? Just to mess with us!”
As if she didn't even want to waste words on them, Han Seol-hwa responded with telepathy.
—It was the cheapest one. Shut up and use it.
A look of confusion appeared on Beom Gye-wi’s face.
“What happened to all that money?”
Dan Ak-seon answered for her.
“I’m sorry. I spent it all buying the ginseng…”
At Dan Ak-seon’s apology, Beom Gye-wi waved his hands dismissively.
“Huh? No, no. You should buy what you want to buy. Of course, if Doctor Dan wants to buy something, who’s to say otherwise.”
“Hehe, thank you.”
Dan Ak-seon opened the box he had been clutching tightly to his chest.
“Would you like to see? It’s such a fine specimen that even I have only seen its like a few times.”
As Dan Ak-seon proudly took out the ginseng, Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi wore bitter smiles.