At Lord Min’s words, I spoke bluntly.
“I want grain.”
“Grain… you say?”
“Yes.”
“Explain in more detail. Just saying that doesn’t tell me anything.”
“For the next three years, please give me one-quarter of your harvest.”
Lord Min’s expression hardened.
Since he owns most of the fertile farmland in this bountiful village, the amount of grain he collects is enormous.
“Ah, you don’t have to decide right now. Your son hasn’t even recovered yet. I’m not so shameless as to demand payment in advance.”
I calmly continued my explanation.
“It’s best to administer the Heavenly Fragrance Nectar at night. After drinking it, he’ll likely sleep deeply for two or three days. Once he wakes up, his illness should be completely cured. Let’s talk again then.”
With that, I cupped my fist in farewell, reopened the window, and exited the Min family estate via the rooftop.
“Well done.”
As I landed lightly beside the outer wall, I heard Escort Guard Jin Yu’s voice nearby.
“Wait long?”
He only smiled at my question.
That smile told me all I needed to know. He’d hidden nearby so well I hadn’t even noticed.
* * *
At that moment.
Min Ik rose from his seat and walked to the tea table. His eyes were locked onto the gourd bottle resting there.
“This is… the Heavenly Fragrance Nectar?”
He picked up the bottle and opened the stopper.
Pop!
In an instant, a rich and mellow aroma spread through the room, beyond words to describe.
His hand trembled.
‘Is this really… the Heavenly Fragrance Nectar?’
With shaking hands, he managed to close the stopper and set the bottle down.
Then he took a deep breath to calm himself.
“Whew.”
Once his mind settled, his thoughts turned to the identity of the young man who had given him this Elixir.
The fact that he hadn’t concealed his face meant he felt no need to.
It also meant he didn’t care if his identity was known.
However, coming in secret like this at night was surely a request to keep the matter confidential.
“Hee-ya.”
At his call, a black-clad masked warrior descended from the ceiling.
He was Min Ik’s bodyguard, and the reason the others had been sent away earlier.
“You called, sir?”
“Did you see the young man who just came into the room?”
“Yes, I did.”
“What did you think?”
“He certainly didn’t seem ordinary. And he knew I was here.”
“What?”
Startled, Min Ik asked again, and the bodyguard known as Hee continued.
“He kept glancing toward where I was hiding.”
“…”
“Also, I couldn’t easily gauge his level. Which means his martial arts are at least equal to mine—possibly greater.”
“…I see.”
Min Ik nodded.
“Do you believe what’s inside this bottle is truly Heavenly Fragrance Nectar?”
“I also caught the scent earlier. It’s nearly identical to the Heavenly Fragrance Nectar I know. And considering how striking his face is, the fact that he didn’t bother hiding it suggests he’s supremely confident.”
“…”
After a moment of thought, Min Ik spoke.
“Try to find out more about him.”
“Understood.”
He picked up the gourd bottle again.
Whether it was fake or not, truthfully, all he could do was grasp at straws.
And if his son could be cured, that much payment was more than acceptable.
Resolving himself, he headed to his son’s quarters.
“You’re still awake?”
“Yes, Father.”
His son was now nine years old.
Usually he struggled to breathe even at rest, but tonight, strangely enough, he didn’t seem to be suffering as much.
“Perhaps because it’s colder tonight, your body seems more at ease.”
“About half a shichen (roughly one hour) ago, I suddenly started feeling much better. So I was studying the lessons I’d been unable to until now.”
“Really?”
Thinking his son’s health simply happened to be better tonight, Min Ik continued.
“The reason I’ve come at this late hour is because I found the medicine that can cure your illness.”
But his son’s face didn’t show much joy.
He, too, had been deceived many times with fake medicines.
He’d even come close to death once, so it wasn’t something he could welcome easily.
But he didn’t refuse either, because he understood his father’s heart.
“Please give it to me. I’ll drink it now.”
At those words, Min Ik handed him the gourd bottle, and the boy opened the stopper.
“…!”
In that moment, the room was filled with a fragrance that left him stunned.
It was the first time he’d ever smelled something so fragrant. The scent alone brought peace to his mind and body.
“It’s called the Heavenly Fragrance Nectar. Just like the records I’ve read, the aroma is truly exceptional.”
Hearing that, the boy’s heart pounded.
He felt hope rising—maybe, just maybe, he could finally be cured this time.
Why wouldn’t he want to recover?
He was the one who suffered most from Solar Meridian Severance.
He’d wanted to give up many times, but couldn’t bring himself to, because of his father’s relentless efforts.
He carefully tilted the gourd and drank the Heavenly Fragrance Nectar.
As soon as he emptied it, his vision began to spin.
Then, overwhelmed by drowsiness, he closed his eyes and drifted off.
Watching his son fall asleep, Min Ik turned his head.
The physician who had entered with him nodded and said,
“It seems to be a detox reaction.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. It matches the symptoms I know of from Heavenly Fragrance Nectar.”
Just as the young man who gave them the Elixir had described.
But relying on just that explanation wasn’t enough to put his heart at ease.
So he personally laid his son onto the bed and remained by his side, watching over him anxiously.
* * *
I was still staying at the inn in Minjang Village.
I’d said it was because of the scenery, suggesting we linger a few more days.
But the real reason I remained was to finalize the deal with Lord Min.
There was no doubt that the Solar Meridian Severance of Lord Min’s son would be cured after drinking the Heavenly Fragrance Nectar.
That would be the perfect moment to strike a deal.
Because when gratitude swells in someone’s heart, that’s when you gain the upper hand in negotiations.
Looking out the window, I spoke.
“Palgap, the weather’s amazing today. Should we go out for a stroll?”
“Huh? A stroll?”
“Yeah. The innkeeper said there’s a perfect spot for a stroll nearby. So…”
I couldn’t finish and ended up chuckling.
Palgap was already standing beside me, politely holding my coat.
“What are you waiting for, sir? Hurry and get changed.”
We arrived at a nearby valley.
It was called Dan-yeong (丹影) Valley, meaning ‘crimson shadow,’ and I could understand why.
The autumn foliage was so vividly red and beautiful that even the shadows seemed tinged with crimson.
“Oh my! This place is incredible.”
Palgap kept exclaiming in awe, and even my Escort Guards were nodding in appreciation—it was truly a scenic spot.
“How do you feel being somewhere like this?”
“It’s wonderful. Thank you for bringing us here.”
Heo Un also seemed delighted.
The scenery was one reason we came here, but the real reason was that Lord Min would be visiting this very place today.
It was certain that his son’s Solar Meridian Severance would be cured, but still—nothing is ever truly certain.
The events from my previous life, where Heavenly Fragrance Nectar led to disaster, taught me not to let my guard down.
So I gave a brief explanation to Escort Guard Jin Yu and asked him to monitor Lord Min’s movements.
It was, in part, to enjoy the scenery, and also to prepare.
You’re wondering how Lord Min knows where I am?
Minjang Village is essentially Lord Min’s territory. If he doesn’t know what’s happening in his own domain, he wouldn’t be able to hold his position for long.
And the fewer people who know I’m meeting with Lord Min, the better.
This secluded place was perfect for that.
As I stood in the pavilion, admiring the view of Dan-yeong Valley, I sensed someone approaching.
Escort Guards Seo Wu and Jin Yu also seemed to notice and looked at me.
I signaled Palgap to take Heo Un down the stairs.
Not long after, three figures approached.
It was Lord Min, the boy I’d seen days earlier, and his bodyguard.
I smiled.
“Nice to see you again.”
“Indeed.”
After greeting him, I gestured for Lord Min to take a seat.
“Would you care for some tea?”
“Gladly.”
Lord Min and the boy joined me in the pavilion, and Palgap returned to serve the tea.
“This is Tieguanyin, distributed by our merchant group.”
“Ah, the fragrance is exquisite.”
I was sure now.
The fact that he didn’t react when I mentioned our merchant group meant he already knew who I was.
I hadn’t covered my face when meeting Lord Min—that was to instill trust.
If he investigated me, he would’ve learned my background.
And I was confident that what he found would only strengthen his trust in me.
“Allow me to introduce him. This boy here is my second son, Min I-jun (閔珥俊).”
“I’m Min I-jun.”
The boy looked intelligent and greeted me politely with a cupped fist.
“Thank you for saving my son’s life.”
Lord Min bowed to me, and Min I-jun once again gave a respectful bow.
“He woke up and the physician confirmed it. They said the Meridian Severance is completely cured.”
“That’s truly a relief.”
Lord Min paused, then told his son and the bodyguard to take a walk nearby.
Understandable—what we were about to discuss wasn’t something a child needed to hear.
“Where in the world did you find such an Elixir?”
It was a question I’d expected, so I answered smoothly.
“Lord Min, as far as I know, asking about the source of an Elixir goes against the customs of the martial world.”
“I see. My apologies. I let my curiosity get the better of me.”
Shaking my head, I calmly spoke again.
“I simply happened upon it by chance and used it as a bargaining chip.”
“I see. A transaction… You wanted grain, didn’t you?”
“That’s right.”
“So then, should I have the agreed-upon grain delivered to the Eunhae Merchant Group over the next three years?”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“The Elixir I gave you wasn’t from the merchant group. It was mine personally. So I believe the benefits should also go to me personally.”
“That’s… fair.”
“I’ll send word separately when the time comes. Please deliver the grain to that location.”
“Understood.”
I pulled the contract from my robes and laid it out.
Lord Min let out a soft gasp of admiration.
“Well! You’re thorough.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
I asked that nothing about today be mentioned to anyone.
We agreed that today’s meeting was simply a courteous greeting to a newcomer who had entered his territory.
Lord Min readily accepted that.
As I watched the figures of Lord Min and his son fade into the distance, I fell into thought.
The boy I saved—Min I-jun—could become an unpredictable variable in the future.
But there’s no doubt that the grain I secured from Lord Min will save many lives.
About two years from now, a devastating famine will strike the Central Plains.
Even though the Emperor performed the twelve rituals to the Heaven, he couldn’t prevent widespread starvation. (TL Note: When calamity strikes, it’s believed the Heaven are displeased with the Emperor, so the Emperor must perform a ritual to appease the Heaven.)
Some who had stockpiled grain opened their storehouses, but most did not.
There were even those who held banquets while people starved to death right outside their gates.
In the end, public sentiment turned violently hostile, and uprisings broke out in several regions.
Even Hubei saw rebellion, but our Eunhae Merchant Group was spared—because we distributed grain.
And in such a time, Jeong-ho’s wedding couldn’t be a grand affair. It was held quietly, almost somberly.
He couldn’t delay it any longer, given his age.
That’s why I’d insisted we make his recent wedding feast dazzling and extravagant.
Though our merchant group survived the unrest in my past life, no one could do good business during such a famine.
Of course, the whole Central Plains suffered, so the loss wasn’t ours alone.
Still, we lacked the resources to help many people, and that regret stayed with me.
That’s why I’m securing grain in advance this time.
Given Lord Min’s character, he’ll surely share some of it with those around him.
So I asked for only one-quarter, accounting for his ability to help others.
I spoke to Palgap.
“Let’s head back now.”
“Yes, sir.”
The next morning, we departed for the main headquarters of the Eunhae Merchant Group.
With that, I’d gained everything there was to gain from this trip to Luoyang.
I felt completely refreshed.
–TL Notes–
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