Late Winter's Piercing Wind (2)
A thick, bitter scent wafted out from inside the wooden box. It was ordinary... no, using the word "ordinary" for an elixir was odd in itself, but anyway. It was a fragrance unlike anything from typical elixirs. I shot Sama Jeong a skeptical glance.
"Doesn't sit right with you?"
"What the hell is this?"
"An elixir made just for you from Tae-eul Gate."
"......The smell—no, the scent—it's like poison."
I vaguely remembered Dang Seohee using a poison with a similar smell once......
As I furrowed my brow, Sama Jeong nodded.
"It could be poison for an ordinary warrior. Eating it would reduce their internal energy a bit."
Huh? This guy's dangerous. Do you have any idea what crazy shit I've pulled to build up this internal energy......?
"But in exchange, you'll never have to worry about broken bones again."
"Never break a bone?"
Sama Jeong raised an eyebrow before asking me.
"Heard of Geumgangcheong?"
"Isn't that the stuff that makes you lose weight?"
Geumgangcheong was honey made when azure flower bees consumed the essence of centuries-old black ebony trees. Strangely, it made you shed fat like you had some illness. But since it only melted away fat without other issues, women used it a lot for beauty. Who wouldn't want to slim down without cutting portions? The catch was finding ancient black ebony groves and the bees living there, making it one of the rarer honeys.
Come to think of it, they said it cleared up your skin too. Anyway, it was hard to get and expensive, but not something a martial artist would bother with. No help for internal energy, just wasting away to skin and bones—what a pathetic sight that'd be. In the jianghu, where looks mattered for seventy percent of your reputation, no warrior would touch Geumgangcheong.
"For civilians, yeah. But do you know why it makes you lose weight?"
Sama Jeong kept nodding at me expectantly as I listened quietly. What? He wants an answer?
"No clue."
I shrugged, and he beamed with smug satisfaction as he launched into his explanation.
"Because it gets absorbed into your bones."
My brow furrowed even deeper without me realizing it. Absorbs vitality...... That's just straight-up poison.
"But know what happens when a martial artist takes Geumgangcheong?"
He trailed off, fishing for my reaction. But seriously, what the hell was this guy on about?
I shot back with a crooked expression. "What happens?"
"Heh heh heh, don't freak out."
Sama Jeong spread his arms wide and added, "It absorbs your energy, then turns your bones as hard as diamond."
"......"
"They say women who've taken Geumgangcheong never break an arm or leg in their lives."
Duh, probably 'cause rich folks who never break arms or legs are the ones who can afford it. I felt like I was listening to a con artist hawking immortality elixir. He didn't give off this vibe when we first met......
"Well? Doesn't it make your mouth water? Wanna pop one right now?"
His eyes glittering, Sama Jeong leaned in close. What the fuck? I pulled my hand from the box and stepped back.
"Pass."
"Huh? Why?"
"Hard bones? So what? Where do I use 'em?"
"You punk! Think about it—your energy's drained, you're in a life-or-death pinch. Then! Even if the enemy's club smashes your arm, it won't break!"
"Martial artists use swords or blades to begin with."
"Ah, right. Hm...... Then maybe bones won't even get cut?"
This guy just made that vague at the end? "Might not get cut"? As my face soured further, he hurriedly continued.
"How about this? You're in a desperate spot, chased by enemies to the edge of a cliff!"
"......"
"You've gotta choose—die to the enemy or fall off the cliff and shatter your bones."
Sama Jeong paused dramatically, then flung open the box with a resolute expression and shoved it under my nose.
"But! You've actually taken an elixir made with Geumgangcheong! So even jumping off the cliff won't shatter your bones! Then you meet some fateful opportunity down there, recover, and get another shot at revenge!"
I'd been wondering how far he'd go, but damn, what nonsense. First off, you don't let yourself get cornered at a cliff by enemies. If you're running, you head for an escape route—that's Martial Artist 101.
I sighed softly and asked, "......Be straight with me. Is this stuff legit?"
The excitement faded from Sama Jeong's eyes, settling calmly.
"......Truth is, I wanted to see what it'd do to a martial artist. It works great on women, but I was curious if it'd be the same for warriors."
"......"
Fuck, he wants to use me as a guinea pig? He waved his hands frantically.
"Ah! No worries though—even if it doesn't work, no side effects. That's for sure!"
I just stared silently, and he let out a small sigh before mumbling, "Well, losing even a tiny bit of energy is a big loss for a warrior. Sorry. You have such a massive dantian, I got greedy......"
He forced a smile. "Don't sweat it. I'll make you better elixirs to replace the ones you gave up. Just give me time to gather materials."
Shoulders slumped, he closed the box and turned away. I watched his dejected back for a moment, then stepped up and snatched the box.
"Huh? You don't mean—?"
It was already made. Waste not. If it really hardened bones, it might help Tae-eul Gate's kids too. And above all.
"Keep your promise."
Who knows—maybe I'd find some fateful opportunity after falling off a cliff. ......Though it'd suck if my bones broke then.
Gulp.
The bitter elixir scraped roughly down my throat.
# After swallowing the elixir, a chill swept through me like a fever, my whole body shivering. I felt the energy firmly lodged in my dantian slowly draining away. At first, I worried it was too much, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. Maybe five years' worth? Huge by my past life's standards, but in this life, it barely registered.
"And?"
"Muscles feel kinda tight?"
Sama Jeong's eyes sparkled as he grilled me on every detail—my expression, my mood, jotting down every bodily change.
"Way easier experimenting on a warrior."
This guy just straight-up called it an experiment? "Alright, next test?"
"......"
Damn, not even hiding it anymore. Ignoring my bewilderment, he hauled in bricks from somewhere and started stacking platforms. Each one rose to waist height, spaced just wide enough for an arm.
"Put your arm here."
"......"
"Huh? Why the stare? Ah, I wasn't clear—sorry. Just testing if your bones are harder now."
......Pretty sure that's not the apology point, but whatever. Still, I was curious too, so I placed my arm on the platform. Annoying situation, but I wanted to know how hard "absorbing energy to diamond-hard" really meant.
......Using my body as the test subject was the issue.
As I set my arm down, he fetched a long club. Thick and worn from use. I looked up at him blankly.
"You got the strength to swing that?"
"I've got some internal energy too. Oh right! Don't circulate yours. Ruins the test."
I should've stopped when I thought a doctor with internal energy? How much?
Crack.
"......"
The sturdy club splintered, dust flying everywhere. Pain hit so hard I couldn't even scream.
Urk! Fuck what the hell!!!
He'd swung so hard the two bricks under the platform crumbled. No doubt my arm was broken. Eyes wide, I was about to freak—
Sama Jeong grinned ear to ear. "See! It didn't break!"
"......"
"This club's made of black ebony—stronger than most steel. It shattered, but your bone's fine! See? Told ya!"
Stunned, I looked down at my arm. Skin reddening from impact, but bone intact. I clenched my fist—full strength. Hurt like dying, but yeah, Geumgangcheong seemed legit. Looked like it'd bruise bad, though.
As I fretted, Sama Jeong inspected my arm and blinked in surprise.
"Hold on a sec."
He dashed inside. At least he planned to treat it. My arm hadn't broken, but blood was trickling—minor for a warrior, serious for civilians.
Tch...... Guy's good at heart.
Just loses it to medicine sometimes. Was that even a flaw? That's what made him so skilled.
Waiting for herbs and salve—
Shing.
An ominous sound made me turn.
"Hya!"
Sama Jeong emerged from inside wielding a long sword. What the—?
"......Weren't you getting salve?"
"Huh? Salve?"
"......"
Beaming like winter sun, he chattered excitedly. "Gotta keep testing! Records say even blades won't fully sever the bone......"
I was wrong. Not passion—this guy's just insane.
Thud—I unleashed Heavenly Lone Walker God Step at full power and bolted from the clinic.
"Hey, where ya going! You! Just once, c'mon......!"
......The madman's voice faded into the distance.
# I spent most of my break at Tae-eul Gate. Half-day training with Baek Hae-gwang, nagging Jang Dowon at his forge about the next divine weapon.
......Dodging Sama Jeong, who wanted to slice my arm, I hung with the kids, and the break flew by. Tough times drag, but sweet rest? Gone in a flash.
Sect leader and division heads suggested a send-off party for our return to the academy, but Dad—who gripped the purse strings—grumbled. Still pissed about Hwangcheon County.
Anyway, since I wasn't the only star—Saryeon and the gold-silver-bronze brothers too—Dad relented for a small feast. Tae-eul Gate disciples, parents, everyone invited for once.
"Jeez, it all worked out—why so worked up?"
Dad, mid-sip, glared and bellowed, "You rotten punk! Know how hard I worked scrubbing your black path stains!?"
Oh, not Jeondeungmun? "Every time Daecheon Merchant Group passes, black path sects tag along as free escorts!"
......Sounds good? "Perfect—saves money, boosts safety, win-win...... Gah!"
I barely dodged the flying cup. Our almighty dad throwing cups? What next?
"You brat! You know how the world works—no flaw? They make one! And you slap on a black path mask yourself......!"
Ah, that worry. I sipped calmly. "Even spotless, haters'll hate."
"......"
"......"
"......"
Huh? What? The feast froze cold. Everyone stared, chatter dead.
Did I say something wrong? Nah...... I ignored the vibe and pressed on. "Always been that way. Prove yourself, rack up wins—some won't buy it, some'll nitpick. Probably forever."
I spoke plainly from experience. Thought topping the academy would change things. Nine Great Sects, Five Families—centuries ruling jianghu. Even unfair standards, forced inequality—I'd smash through, earn respect.
'Like hell......'
But the deeper I breached their walls, the higher I climbed their battlements—the fiercer the checks, threats. Probably ongoing.
"So I stopped caring. Haters gonna hate—better sort enemies from allies quick, right?"
I paused, downed my cup. "Show my true self—enemies emerge fast, allies too. Right?"
No replies. Mostly bitter faces. Sorting allies/enemies? Real allies for Tae-eul Gate? Fundamental doubt.
Then.
"Ex-excuse me?"
Someone entered Daecheon Merchant Group.
"Ah, sorry. We're closed today......"
Gang Chaeseok's words got a headshake. "Not here for business. Delivery."
"Delivery?"
The man nodded, pulling paper from his bosom.
"Gift from Iljumun Lord to young hero Jin Sowoon of Tae-eul Gate."
"......"
"......"
All eyes on me. Gang Chaeseok jumped up, snatched the paper.
"We express our gratitude to young hero Jin Sowoon for preventing in advance the threatening incident that would have caused chaos in the jianghu. Iljumun Lord Jo Seonghyeop."
"......What the."
Gang Chaeseok and Tae-eul folk gawked as another entered, porters laden behind.
"Jin Sowoon here? Delivery from Cheongeombang."
Not over.
"Young hero Jin Sowoon......"
"Jin Sowoon in?"
"Jin So......"
Gifts flooded Daecheon from everywhere. Feasters rose, scrambling to receive.
Most letters praised the Jeondeungmun incident, anticipated future exploits.
Silence fell. Gang Chaeseok, scanning a letter, flushed and looked up.
"No way...... Allies for real?"
Gang Chaeseok mumbled dazedly; Hong Moon-gi laughed loud. "Why so shocked? Just like Sowoon said."
"......"
"Don't wanna open the gifts?"
Instant reversal. Division heads and kids tore into piles, jaws dropping at contents.
"Never felt silk this soft."
"Uh...... Outer Hall Lord, silver moon fox here......"
"Sword in this one!"
I sidled to dazed Dad. "See? Told you."
"......"
"Even tiny flaws—folks who see me right will."
Dad's gaze complex on me. I clapped his shoulder, pointed. "Division heads filching silver moon fox—gonna stop 'em?"
He shook head, chuckled. "......Can't have that."
Feast roaring back—
Thud, thud, thud.
A vicious-looking brute entered. Face screaming "black path," chilling the vibe again.
Swish—some division heads reached for gifted swords.
The brute bellowed center-stage. "This Daecheon Merchant Group?"
"Yes."
Gang Chaeseok stepped forward. "Who're you?"
Ignoring, he whistled. Ten thugs followed, each with long box like coffins.
"Where's great hero Jin Sowoon?"
"......Great hero?"
Gang Chaeseok eyed me for explanation; I had none. New face.
The brute followed his gaze to me, suddenly cupped fists.
"Hall Lord, well since last?"
Huh? Hall Lord? ......To me?
"Boys, set 'em down."
"Yes sir!"
Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.
Ten set boxes down, flung lids. Coins, silver, jewels overflowed.
Brute bowed deep. "Black Dragon Stronghold's tribute to Hall Lord for last year. Late start, meager profits—forgive us."
Fuck what bullshit. "B-Black Dragon Stronghold?"
"Tr-tribute?"
Tae-eul disciples gaped at me horrified. Low voice from behind.
"Tiny...... flaw?"
I turned.
"Black Dragon Stronghold?"
Dad looked ready to kill. No, I swear I had no clue. So fucking unfair.