Perfect Purity Immortal (3)
My question drew a burst of roaring laughter.
“Kahahahaha!”
The Perfect Purity Immortal threw his head back in guffaws, finally turning to face me.
“You're no ordinary fellow.”
“I hear that a lot.”
“Hah, much better than those slimy bastards out there.”
He rose from his seat as he spoke.
“Did you come knowing who I am?”
“Yes.”
“Then is this just a courtesy call?”
“That's part of it, but I also wanted to discuss how best to use the relief supplies I've brought.”
I continued.
“I figured no one would know better than you.”
“Fair enough.”
His response carried a clear note of pride in his own expertise.
“The patients right now have so much fiery heat in their stomachs and intestines that they can't digest properly. Too much cold does the same thing, but heat blocks digestion just as badly.”
“I see.”
“Got any meat or vegetables?”
“Brought it all.”
“Grind the rice into powder, chop the meat and veggies as fine as possible, make porridge, let it cool, and ration it out—at least two ladles a day for adults, one for kids.”
“Got it.”
“Any medicinal herbs?”
“Our merchant group specializes in them.”
“Thoroughly prepared, eh? Anything good for heat syndrome?”
“Yes.”
“Hand those over to me.”
“Understood.”
He eyed me for a moment before asking.
“So, what's really on your mind? You look like you've got a question.”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Fine, I like you, so I'll hear it out. Shoot.”
This was my chance.
He'd invited it himself—I had to ask.
“How do we stop this plague from spreading further?”
“Hm?”
“I want it contained here. That's why I'm asking how to make that happen.”
“You're not asking because you don't know...”
He pondered deeply for a bit, then continued.
“Truth be told, this plague is new to me too, but I know how to treat it. The symptoms differ, but the root cause is the same.”
“The root cause?”
“It's a fever epidemic, so we need to bring down the heat.”
The Perfect Purity Immortal went on.
“The problem is we're short on herbs that can do that.”
“Name what you need, and I'll send someone to fetch it.”
At my words, he listed the herbs, and I jotted them down.
I could have memorized them on the first pass, but that might seem half-hearted.
As I noted the herbs, I realized why the plague had dragged on into winter.
Most of what he requested were winter-harvested varieties.
It was now the ninth lunar month; last year's stocks would be running dry.
Our own inventory's probably getting tight too.
The Perfect Purity Immortal continued.
“Best thing would be spirit herbs, really.”
“Spirit herbs?”
“Ones infused with yin energy. Snow Lotus Herb would be ideal.”
“There are plenty of other yin spirit herbs—why single that one out?”
“One of its effects is restoring the stomach and intestines. It heals organs damaged by excess heat, speeding up recovery.”
“I see.”
“Just two full-rooted stalks would cure everyone here with plenty left over.”
The Perfect Purity Immortal sighed.
“But how do you get something that only grows in deep winter snow at a time like this?”
Actually, we can.
But I kept a straight face.
Among the goods I'd traded with the O-dong Mountain's Jang Dae-su Pavilion Master, there had been Snow Lotus Herb—and a good quantity at that.
Unlike other spirit herbs, it didn't sell well, so we had a hefty stock left.
“Understood.”
I immediately sent a letter to Father via messenger.
Time to get to work.
Hands were desperately short, more than I'd expected.
Even boiling porridge from the rice, meat, and veggies we'd brought, then distributing it house by house, was no small task.
Truth be told, I'd thought someone of my station could sit it out at first.
But seeing the reality, I'd been dead wrong.
It was the kind of crisis where you'd borrow even a cat's paw—what made me think I could slack off?
“Thank you, young master. Bringing food to a hellhole like this...”
“No need for thanks.”
“How can we ever repay this kindness?”
“Just buy plenty from Eunhae Merchant Group later.”
“We will, we swear!”
“Then get better soon. Here, eat up.”
Similar exchanges happened everywhere I went.
Of course, there were squabbles over rations too.
“I saw it earlier! They gave that house more!”
“Strict portion control.”
“Bull! Their son works for Eunhae, right? Why else would he come here? To sneak them extra!”
“Yeah! Exactly!”
“That's not right!”
As the predictable chaos erupted, the staff who'd come with me sighed.
They turned to me with eyes full of awe, like I was some legend. A bit embarrassing.
First, quell the riot.
If this kept repeating, blades might come out.
“You said they gave that house more earlier?”
“Yeah!”
“What exactly?”
“More porridge!”
“When and where did you see this? I warned the staff before we arrived: anyone caught doing that gets fired.”
A white lie, of course.
“Can't fire without proof. Testify in detail—who, what, when, where, how.”
I held out my hand, and Palgap quickly handed over paper and brush.
I set the paper on a plank, took up the brush, and said.
“Ready to record. When was it?”
Under my grilling, he faltered.
Just as I'd figured.
The guy's story was bogus.
Just in case, I'd had every ration meticulously logged per household.
We reconciled the ledgers publicly every day—no room for funny business.
Palgap had muttered, 'If you're gonna do it this way, why scare 'em so bad at first?'
Even if folks had ulterior motives, showing respect in a pinch like this was key.
“Why the silence?”
“W-well...”
“If a staffer messed up, they'll answer for it and get the boot. Speak up.”
“N-no, firing over something like that...”
Then.
“That house's son really did it?”
“Nah, doubt it.”
“I saw him flat-out refuse his mom when she asked for more.”
“Yeah, seemed cold about it.”
I turned to the accuser. As everyone stared him down, he cleared his throat awkwardly.
“M-must've misseen.”
“Is that so?”
Time to turn up the heat.
Crack down now to prevent repeats.
“Fine, we'll call it even. But if you slander our staff with baseless gripes again...”
I swept my gaze over the crowd.
“...you'll learn how nasty my temper can get.”
My warning landed; no more trouble after that. Later, the accused staffer and his family came to thank me.
.
.
.
A few days passed like that.
While preparing the daily porridge rations, a government soldier rushed up.
“Runner from the merchant group.”
“Ah, really?”
I headed straight to the entrance. Goods were piled high ahead, a staffer shouting from afar to minimize contact.
“The supplies you requested.”
“Thanks.”
“Group leader's letter too.”
“Tell Father I'm well.”
“Will do. Stay safe, everyone!”
We began hauling the goods inside one by one.
Among them, the item that drew my eye was in a large box.
I opened it.
Three well-preserved Snow Lotus Herbs lay within.
That's when the Gold Spirit in my sleeve poked its head out, drooling at the sight.
I snatched it up before saliva could drip onto the herbs.
“Not yours.”
“Kku...”
Does this thing eat yin-infused spirit herbs too?
Master said it eats money...
I pulled a silver coin from my pouch and offered it.
“Not that—eat this.”
Its eyes sparkled; it snapped up the silver.
Yeah, money's still its favorite.
I picked up the Snow Lotus box and said to Palgap and the two guards.
“To the Perfect Purity Immortal.”
“Yes, sir.”
.
.
.
Today too, the Perfect Purity Immortal was bustling about with patients.
“Elder, it's me.”
“Back already?”
We were on casual terms after a few visits.
“Yes. Brought the herbs you mentioned.”
“Set 'em by the side.”
I smiled at his words.
“This one's for your eyes only.”
“What's that about?”
“You'll see.”
He took the box I offered, set it on the floor, and lifted the lid.
“......”
“Elder?”
“......”
“You alright?”
“......”
“Feeling unwell somewhere?”
“I lost my composure—no, this is too much! Snow Lotus Herb, and this much of it!”
“Dug deep into our warehouse.”
“Only you could say that so casually.”
“Can this stop the plague?”
“Of course. But...”
“What?”
“This ain't free, is it?”
I grinned wide at his question.
“Right on.”
“So, what's the price?”
“Just say Eunhae Merchant Group is the best. That's plenty.”
“And I can talk about the Snow Lotus?”
“Better to drop hints than shout it. Like, 'Eunhae provided the miracle cure.'”
He chuckled.
“No skin off my back. Deal.”
Then he bellowed to the surrounding physicians.
“What're you lot doing? No potions? Fill those cauldrons with water and boil 'em hard!”
“Yes, sir!”
He kept the Snow Lotus away from them, handling it personally.
Lucky Father came through.
I recalled the letter's contents.
"You little punk, aren't you raiding us too hard? Still, I know you'll bring back even more, so here it is. Take care, don't overdo it."
Eunhae Merchant Group Leader
Grumbly tone, but Father's affection shone through.
The potions were distributed across the relief camp as soon as they were ready, and the plague's momentum began to wane.
As a bonus, Eunhae Merchant Group's fame spread through the camp—just as I'd hoped.
Confirming the plague calming at such speed, I finally caught my breath.
Then Palgap, back from somewhere, approached with a sly grin.
“Young master, hear the talk?”
“What talk?”
“Went to the market quick—folks singing Seonhyeopmirang's praises everywhere.”
“Seonhyeopmirang? Who's that?”
A sour mood hit me.
After all my sweat, why was some rando getting the glory instead of Eunhae?
Palgap doubled over laughing at my reaction.
“Aigoo, young master! You really don't know?”
“Know what?”
“Seonhyeopmirang—'Swordsman Beauty' with a righteous heart. Who else?”
“......Who?”
From Palgap's reaction...
“Me?”
He nodded vigorously.
“Yep.”
“For real?”
“Yep.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep.”
Eunhae's rep rising was expected, but my personal fame without even trying?
And what was Seonhyeopmirang supposed to mean?
Why were the two guards nodding along?
Then a commotion erupted outside. Palgap went to check and returned.
“Uh... Formwen Sect's looking for the Perfect Purity Immortal.”
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