Daebyeolsan (3)
At the Min Clan Lord's words, I cut straight to the point.
"I want grain."
"Grain... you say?"
"Yes."
"Tell me more. I can't make sense of it just like that."
"For the next three years, give me a quarter of your harvest."
The Min Clan Lord's expression hardened.
As the owner of most of the farmland in this prosperous village, the amount of grain he reaped was enormous.
"Ah, you don't have to decide right now. I'm not so shameless as to demand payment before your son's illness is even cured."
I continued calmly.
"This Heavenly Fragrance Dew Liquor is best taken at night. After drinking it, he'll probably sleep deeply for two or three days. When your son wakes up, all his symptoms will be gone. We can talk then."
With a cupped-fist salute, I opened the window again and slipped out over the rooftops, leaving the Min Clan Manor behind.
"Good work, young master."
As I lightly landed by the wall, Jin Yu Warrior's voice came from beside me.
"You waited a long time?"
He just smiled at my question.
Seeing that, I was certain. He'd hidden so well that even I hadn't noticed him.
* * *
At that moment.
Min Ik rose from his seat and approached the table. His gaze was fixed on the gourd bottle atop it.
"This is... Heavenly Fragrance Dew Liquor?"
He picked up the bottle and uncorked it.
Pop!
A rich, indescribably fragrant aroma spread in all directions.
His hand trembled.
I-is this really Heavenly Fragrance Dew Liquor?
With shaking hands, he barely managed to close the lid and set it down.
Then he took a deep breath to steady himself.
"Hoo!"
Once his mind calmed, his thoughts turned to the identity of the mysterious young man who had given him the elixir.
The fact that he'd come without hiding his face meant he had no need to.
And it also meant he didn't care if Min Ik learned who he was.
But visiting secretly at night like this probably meant he wanted it kept confidential publicly.
"Hui-ya."
At his call, a black-masked warrior dropped down from the ceiling.
His bodyguard, and the reason he'd cleared the area around them.
"You called, my lord?"
"Did you see the young man who just came into the room?"
"Yes, I did."
"What did you make of him?"
"He didn't seem ordinary at all. And he knew I was here."
"What?"
As Min Ik looked shocked, the bodyguard called Hui continued.
"He kept glancing toward where I was."
"......"
"Also, I couldn't easily gauge his realm. That means his martial arts are on par with mine—or higher."
"......I see."
Min Ik nodded.
"Is what's in this bottle really Heavenly Fragrance Dew Liquor?"
"I smelled the aroma earlier too. It matches what I know of it almost perfectly. Plus, for someone with such a striking face, he didn't bother hiding it—that suggests a lot of confidence."
"......"
After a moment's thought, Min Ik said,
"Look into him."
"Understood."
He picked up the bottle.
Fake or real, he had to grasp at any straw.
And if it cured his son's illness, he could certainly meet that demand.
Steeling himself, he headed to his son's quarters.
"Still awake?"
"Yes, Father."
His son was now nine years old.
He usually breathed in labored gasps, but tonight, strangely, he didn't look so strained.
"Maybe because it's gotten chilly—your body feels better, huh?"
"About half a shichen ago, I suddenly felt much better. So I've been studying, something I haven't done in a while."
"Is that so?"
Min Ik just thought his son was having a good day health-wise and continued.
"The reason I came so late at night is because I found medicine that will cure your illness."
But his son's face didn't light up with joy.
He'd been fooled by countless fake remedies before.
He'd even nearly died from some.
So it wasn't exactly welcome—but he knew his father's intentions and wouldn't refuse.
"Give it to me. I'll take it now."
At those words, Min Ik handed over the bottle, and his son uncorked it.
"......!"
The room filled with fragrance, startling the boy.
The unfamiliar scent was incredibly sweet, and it brought a sense of calm to his body and mind.
"It's called Heavenly Fragrance Dew Liquor. The aroma matches what I read about in the texts."
At that, the boy's heart raced.
For the first time, hope swelled that this might actually cure him.
Who wouldn't want to heal their own illness?
The one suffering most from Solar Meridian Blockage Syndrome was him.
He'd wanted to give up, but his father's tireless efforts had kept him going.
Cautiously, he tilted the bottle and drank the Heavenly Fragrance Dew Liquor.
Once it was empty, the world spun before his eyes.
Drowsiness overwhelmed him, and he closed his eyes.
Seeing his son fall deeply asleep, Min Ik turned to the physician who'd entered with him.
The man nodded and said,
"It seems to be the Clarity Manifestation state."
"Really?"
"Yes. It matches the Clarity Manifestation of the Heavenly Fragrance Dew Liquor I know."
It lined up exactly with what the mysterious young man had said.
But that alone wasn't enough to put his mind at ease.
He personally laid his son on the bed and kept vigil by his side, heart pounding.
* * *
I'm still staying at the inn in Min Village.
I told them I wanted to linger a few more days because of the nice scenery.
But the real reason is to finalize the deal with the Min Clan Lord.
His son, who drank the Heavenly Fragrance Dew Liquor I gave him, was certainly cured of his Solar Meridian Blockage Syndrome.
That's when we'll make the deal.
You gain the upper hand in negotiations when they're overflowing with gratitude.
Gazing out the window, I said,
"Palgap. The weather's amazing today—want to go on an outing?"
"Pardon? An outing?"
"Yeah, the innkeeper said there's a great spot nearby for one. So..."
I couldn't finish and chuckled instead.
Palgap was standing there, holding my clothes respectfully.
"What are you doing? Hurry and change."
We arrived at a nearby valley.
Called Dan-yeong Valley, I could see why—even the shadows seemed red.
The autumn leaves were vividly, beautifully crimson.
"Whoa! This place is incredible."
Palgap kept exclaiming, and my bodyguard warriors nodded in agreement at the stunning view.
"How does it feel to come to a place like this?"
"It's wonderful. Thank you for bringing me."
Even Heo Un Gongja was thrilled.
The scenery was one reason, but mainly, the Min Clan Lord was coming here today.
His son's syndrome was definitely cured, but you never know.
An incident from my previous life involving Heavenly Fragrance Dew Liquor had taught me not to let my guard down.
So I'd briefly explained to Jin Yu Warrior and asked him to monitor the Min Clan Lord's movements.
Scouting the views while we were at it.
How would he know I'm here?
The whole Min Village is his territory. If he didn't know what went on there, he couldn't hold his position.
And the fewer people who knew I'd met him, the better.
This remote spot was perfect.
As I admired the Dan-yeong Valley view from the pavilion, I sensed someone approaching.
Seo-u Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior noticed too, glancing at me.
I had Palgap take Heo Un Gongja down below.
Soon, three figures approached.
The Min Clan Lord from a few days ago, a boy, and his bodyguard.
I smiled warmly.
"We meet again."
"Indeed."
I greeted them and invited the Min Clan Lord to sit.
"Care for some tea?"
"Please."
The Min Clan Lord and the boy climbed into the pavilion and sat across from me. Palgap returned with tea.
"It's Tieguanyin from our merchant group."
"Excellent aroma."
I was certain.
No reaction to me mentioning the merchant group meant he already knew who I was.
I'd deliberately shown my face when meeting him—to build trust.
If he'd investigated me, he'd know my background.
And I was confident it would only heighten his trust.
"First, let me introduce him. This is my second son, Min I-jun."
"Min I-jun."
The bright-looking boy gave me a respectful cupped-fist salute.
"Thank you for saving my son's life."
The Min Clan Lord saluted me, and Min I-jun bowed again.
"After he woke, the physician confirmed it. The blockage syndrome is completely cured."
"That's wonderful news."
The Min Clan Lord pondered briefly, then told his son and bodyguard to take a walk around.
Of course—the talk from here wouldn't be for a child's ears.
"Where on earth did you get that elixir?"
As expected, I answered smoothly.
"Clan Lord, I know it's jianghu etiquette not to ask about an elixir's origin."
"You're right. My apologies—curiosity got the better of me."
I shook my head and spoke calmly.
"I just happened to acquire it and put it forward as a bargaining chip for our deal."
"I see. The deal... You wanted grain."
"Yes."
"So, send the promised grain to the Eunhae Merchant Group for the next three years?"
"No."
I shook my head.
"The elixir I gave you was my personal possession, not the merchant group's. So the profit should go to me personally."
"Fair enough."
"I'll send word later. Send the grain there."
"Understood."
I took a contract from my bosom and spread it out.
The Min Clan Lord exclaimed in admiration.
"Hah! Thorough."
"Thank you."
I asked him not to tell anyone about today's business.
Just say he'd stopped by to greet a visiting outsider in his territory. He readily agreed.
Watching the Min Clan Lord and his son disappear into the distance, I fell into thought.
What role Min I-jun—the son I saved—might play in future events was unknown.
But the grain I'd secured from the Min Clan Lord would surely save countless lives.
About two years from now, a severe famine would strike the entire Central Plains.
The Emperor offered sacrifices to heaven twelve times, but couldn't prevent mass starvation.
Some who hoarded grain opened their storehouses, but most didn't.
Some even held banquets while people starved at their gates.
Public sentiment turned dangerously volatile, sparking peasant uprisings in some areas.
Hubei saw one too, but our Eunhae Merchant Group survived unscathed because we'd released grain.
In that chaos, we couldn't hold a grand wedding for Jeong Ho hyung, so it was a simple affair.
He was at an age where we couldn't delay any longer.
That's why I'd insisted on making his recent wedding lavish and grand.
Even though we'd survived the uprising last time, business tanked in that famine.
Not just us—the whole Central Plains suffered.
But we lacked the means to aid more people, and that regret lingered.
That's why I'm stockpiling grain early this time.
Given the Min Clan Lord's character, he'd distribute to those around him too—so I'd asked for only a quarter, considering that.
To Palgap, I said,
"Time to head back."
"Yes, young master."
The next morning, we departed for the Eunhae Merchant Group headquarters.
Thus, I'd gained everything possible from this Luoyang trip.
I felt utterly refreshed.