A loud laugh echoed at my response.
“Kuahahahaha!”
The Ragged Sage Physician burst out laughing, finally turning to show me his face.
“You’re not ordinary, are you?”
“I hear that a lot.”
“Yeah, yeah. Much better than those shady types who come sneaking around.”
He stood up as he spoke.
“Did you come here knowing who I am?”
“I did.”
“Then are you here just to say hello?”
“That’s part of it, but I also came to discuss how best to distribute the relief supplies I brought.”
I continued.
“Since I figured you’d know better than anyone.”
“That’s true.”
I could see the pride he had in his own abilities.
“Right now, the patients are filled with heat in their stomach and intestines, so they can’t digest anything properly. When cold Qi fills the body, digestion stops, but heat does the same.”
“I see.”
“Did you bring meat and vegetables too?”
“I brought plenty.”
“Grind the rice into powder. Chop the meat and vegetables as small as possible. Make porridge, let it cool, and make sure each adult gets two ladles a day, kids get one.”
“Understood.”
“Did you also bring medicinal herbs?”
“Herbs are one of our merchant group’s specialties.”
“Impressive preparation. Do you have herbs that help with reducing heat?”
“Yes.”
“Then give them to me.”
“Of course.”
The Ragged Sage Physician stared at me for a moment, then asked,
“So? What is it you want to ask me? You’ve got that look.”
“You’re right.”
“Well, I like you, so I’ll listen. What’s your question?”
This was my chance.
He asked me directly, so I should ask.
“What must be done to stop this plague from spreading any further?”
“Hmm?”
“I hope this plague ends right here. That’s why I’m asking how we can stop it.”
“You don’t strike me as someone who’d ask because you don’t know…”
He went silent for a moment, deep in thought, then continued.
“Truth is, I’ve never seen this plague before either. But it’s not like I don’t know how to treat it. The symptoms are different, but the root cause is the same.”
“The same root cause?”
“This is a fever disease. You fight fever by cooling it down.”
The Ragged Sage Physician continued.
“The problem is… there aren’t enough herbs that can reduce heat.”
“If you tell me which herbs are needed, I’ll send someone to fetch them.”
At my words, he listed the herbs, and I wrote them down.
Honestly, I could memorize them all in one go… but writing them down showed sincerity.
As I wrote, I realized why this plague had dragged on until winter.
Most of the herbs he requested were harvested during winter.
And now… it was the ninth month. Supplies from last winter were almost certainly depleted.
‘Looks like even our inventory’s probably running low.’
The Ragged Sage Physician sighed and continued.
“Honestly, the best would be an elixir.”
“An elixir?”
“Yeah. One infused with yin Qi. If we could get our hands on Snowmist Grass (雪魂草), that’d be perfect.”
“There are plenty of yin-type elixirs. Is there a reason you specifically mention Snowmist Grass?”
“One of Snowmist Grass’s effects is healing the stomach. It rapidly restores organs damaged by excessive heat and speeds up recovery.”
“I see.”
“Just two full plants with the roots intact would be enough to treat everyone here.”
The Ragged Sage Physician sighed heavily.
“But… it only grows in snow-covered areas in the dead of winter. Where would we possibly find it now?”
Actually, I could.
But I kept a straight face.
Among the goods I’d traded with Chieftain Jang Dae-su of Odon Mountain, there was Snowmist Grass. Quite a lot of it, too.
It didn’t sell very well compared to other spiritual herbs, so we had plenty in stock.
“I understand.”
I immediately sent a letter to Father requesting the herbs.
Now… time to get to work.
There were far too few hands for the job.
Cooking porridge with the rice, meat, and vegetables we brought, then going door-to-door distributing it, was no easy task.
Honestly, part of me thought, ‘Surely I don’t have to do this myself.’
But once I saw it firsthand… I realized how wrong that thought was.
In a situation this dire, where even a cat’s paw would help, how could I sit back and do nothing?
“Thank you, Young Master. Bringing food to such a difficult place…”
“Don’t mention it.”
“I don’t know how we can ever repay this kindness.”
“Just buy lots from the Eunhae Merchant Group in the future.”
“I’ll be sure to.”
“Then you better get well soon. Eat up.”
Similar conversations happened everywhere I went.
Of course, there were disputes about distribution.
“I saw it! You gave that house extra!”
“We’re distributing equally.”
“Don’t give me that! Isn’t their son working for the Eunhae Merchant Group? Why else would he be here? He must be getting extra!”
“That’s right!”
“You call yourself human?!”
Just as I expected, this kind of situation was bound to happen.
The employees who came with me sighed.
Then they turned to look at me.
With eyes like they were looking at someone incredible… honestly, it was a bit much.
First things first… I needed to calm this mess.
If this kept happening, it could escalate into someone pulling a knife.
“You said we gave that house extra, right?”
“That’s right!”
“What exactly did we give them more of?”
“More porridge! You scooped them extra!”
“When did you see that? Before I came here, I warned the staff. If something like that happens, they’ll be fired.”
Of course, that was a lie.
“But I can’t fire someone unfairly without proof. So, I’ll need a statement. Tell me exactly when, where, and how it happened.”
I extended my hand, and Palgap quickly handed me paper and a brush.
Placing the paper on a board, I grabbed the brush.
“I’m ready to write it down. So, when was it?”
The man hesitated.
Just as I expected.
He was lying.
Just in case, I had every distribution meticulously recorded for each household.
And every day, we reviewed the records publicly with everyone watching. There was no room for cheating.
Seeing this, Palgap once asked me, “If you were going to do this anyway, why’d you scare us so much at the start?”
Even if I had my own reasons, in a situation like this, showing respect and transparency was crucial.
“Why won’t you answer?”
“W-well…”
“If an employee did something wrong, we’ll take responsibility and fire them. So why won’t you speak? Go ahead.”
“N-no… there’s no need to fire someone over something like this…”
Right then.
“Are you really saying their son did that?”
“I don’t think so.”
“I saw it earlier. When the mother asked for more, he flat-out refused.”
“Yeah, I heard him too. He was pretty firm about it.”
I turned my head to look straight at the man causing the commotion.
Not just me—everyone turned their gaze on him.
He cleared his throat awkwardly.
“M-must’ve been… my mistake.”
“Is that so?”
Time to turn the pressure up.
This is when you draw the line, or it’ll happen again.
“Alright. Let’s pretend this never happened. But if anyone tries to stir up nonsense like this again and slanders one of my employees…”
I slowly swept my gaze across the crowd.
“You’ll learn just how nasty my temper can get.”
My warning must’ve worked because there were no more incidents like that afterward.
That same employee and his family later came to thank me.
.
.
.
A few days passed like that.
While I was helping prepare porridge, a government soldier came running.
“Sir, someone from the merchant group has arrived.”
“Ah, is that so?”
I immediately headed toward the entrance.
To avoid close contact, the employee stood at a distance, with a pile of goods between us, and called out.
“These are the supplies you requested!”
“Thank you.”
“There’s also a letter from the Merchant Lord.”
“Please tell Father I’m doing well.”
“Understood. Stay safe, everyone!”
We started carrying the supplies inside one by one.
The item that drew my attention most was the large box.
I opened it.
Inside were three perfectly preserved Snowmist Grass (雪魂草).
Just then, Geumryeong peeked its head out of my sleeve and drooled as it stared at the herbs.
I quickly grabbed Geumryeong before its drool could touch them.
“Not for you.”
“Kuu…”
‘Wait… does this thing eat yin-infused spiritual herbs too?’
Master said it only ate money though…
I pulled a silver tael from my pouch.
“Not this. Eat this instead.”
Geumryeong’s eyes instantly lit up, and it snapped up the silver tael with a flick of its tongue.
‘Yeah… you definitely love money the most.’
I grabbed the box containing the Snowmist Grass and turned to Palgap and the two escorts.
“Let’s go see the Ragged Sage Physician.”
“Understood.”
.
.
.
As always, the Ragged Sage Physician was busy tending to patients.
“Elder, I’m back.”
“Oh, you’re here.”
He’s gotten quite casual with me after a few meetings.
“Yes. I brought the herbs you asked for.”
“Set them down over there.”
I smiled.
“I think you should take a look at this one yourself.”
“What is it?”
“You’ll understand when you see it.”
The Ragged Sage Physician took the box from me and placed it on the floor.
The moment he opened the lid—
“…”
“Elder?”
“…”
“Are you alright?”
“…”
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“Did… Did I just disgrace myself? No… No, this is just… outrageous! You brought… you brought this much Snowmist Grass?!”
“I just took some from our warehouse.”
“You’re probably the only one in the world who can say something like that so casually.”
“So… with this, can we stop the plague?”
“Of course. But…”
“What’s wrong?”
“This isn’t free, is it?”
I grinned.
“You’re right.”
“So what’s the price?”
“Just say, ‘The Eunhae Merchant Group is the best.’ That’s more than enough.”
“Then… is it fine if I talk about the Snowmist Grass?”
“I’d prefer you slip it into conversation rather than blatantly say it. Like, ‘The Eunhae Merchant Group provided the miracle cure,’ something like that.”
The old man chuckled.
“Well, it doesn’t cost me anything. Fine.”
Then he shouted at the other physicians around him.
“What are you doing?! Get that pot filled with water and start boiling right now!”
“Yes, sir!”
He didn’t let anyone else touch the Snowmist Grass and handled it personally.
‘Thank goodness.’
‘Good thing Father agreed to my request.’
I recalled the letter Father had sent.
[You little rascal. Are you seriously emptying the warehouse? But… knowing you, I figured you’d ask for even more, so I sent it. Take care of yourself and don’t overdo it.]
Grumbling words on the surface… but filled with Father’s affection.
As soon as the medicine was prepared, it was distributed throughout Yichang, and the plague finally started to subside.
At the same time, the reputation of the Eunhae Merchant Group spread rapidly across the entire region—exactly as I’d hoped.
Seeing how quickly the plague was calming down, I finally let out a breath of relief.
Right then, Palgap came over, grinning like a fool.
“Young Master, did you hear?”
“Hear what?”
“I just got back from the market, and everyone there’s singing praises of someone called the Handsome Young Hero (善俠美郞).”
“Handsome Young Hero? Who’s that?”
I suddenly felt annoyed.
‘After everything I’ve done… why’s someone else getting the credit instead of the Eunhae Merchant Group?’
But seeing my reaction, Palgap burst out laughing.
“Oh, dear Young Master. You really don’t know, do you?”
“Know what?”
“Handsome Young Hero… Who do you think they’re talking about?”
“…Who?”
Judging by Palgap’s expression…
“Wait… me?”
Palgap nodded.
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“You’re serious?”
“Absolutely.”
‘No, sure… it’s good that the merchant group’s reputation is rising, but… why’s my personal reputation rising too when I didn’t even intend it?’
‘And seriously, what is Handsome Young Hero supposed to be?’
Even the two escort guards nodded at the nickname like it was perfectly normal.
Right then, loud noises erupted from outside.
Palgap stepped out to check and quickly came back.
“Uh… Young Master… the Thorn Gate Sect’s here looking for the Ragged Sage Physician.”
–TL Notes–
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