Ugh.
Uh
Thud!
Im So-Byeong swallowed nervously. A thick, mysteriously-colored liquid bubbled inside the slightly blue iron pot.
Each ti Chung Myung stirred the pot in front of him, the ensuing sound echoed through the room. The expression on his face was unreadable, but it was obvious that sothing was being made.
That
Im So-Byeong, after quietly glancing at Chung Myung, spoke up.
How many more
Water!
Yes!
Im So-Byeong dashed with such speed that nobody would have guessed he was ill. Then he snatched up a bottle of water and sprinted ahead of Chung Myung.
Here it is!
But the mont Chung Myung noticed the bottle, he beca infuriated.
Not this one. I wanted a cool one! Cold water with ice cubes in it!
Uh, cool water?
Embarrassed, Im So-Byeong asked reflexively. At this, Chung Myungs eyes widened.
No, this man is eager to see the pill created, but why? Is it because you dont grasp its importance?
No, its not like that at all!
If the blend is even slightly imbalanced, it will overheat! Dont you want to be cured? Have you given up on everything?
H-How can it be?
Then run!
Yes!
Im So-Byeong sprinted away with the speed of lightning.
After a few monts, he returned panting, and a glass of iced water was in his hand.
Hoh. Where did you procure the ice?
I-I obtained it from the cave down there. I conferred with the people there.
Its quite a distance, yet youre back impressively quickly. Hand it over.
Here it is!
Im So-Byeong promptly and respectfully presented the ice. Chung Myung graciously accepted it, idly stirring the pot with one hand.
Without delay, he took a sip.
Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!
Kuaaaak! Astonishingly refreshing!
Im So-Byeong, full of hope and anticipation, was watching intently.
No, was this guy drinking it?
He had assud he would just pour it into the pot right away
What?
Nothing.
Im So-Byeong forced back his tears.
However, the demands from Chung Myung were far from over.
Are you tired because youre hungry?
Would you like so sweets?
Do you think I solely survive on sweets?
I-I apologize.
Also, bring so pancakes.
Im So-Byeongs cheeks started to quiver.
What?
Nothing.
Yet, what could he possibly do? This man was in control of his fate.
The Soul Vitality Pill that Chung Myung was currently crafting was the only known redy for his ailnt. The mont production halted, Im So-Byeongs life would crumble.
Hence, despite his disgust and discontent, he had to endure.
If only this disease could be cured
Oh dear! My hand slipped
EIKKKKKKK!
At that mont, the pot tilted to the side, and a shocked Im So-Byeong hastily braced it with his body.
W-wait! Watch out!
Is it because of hunger? I feel no strength in my hands.
Ughh. Justhold on a mont! Ill be right back!
Oh, whats the rush? Please take your ti.
This guy
Huh?
N-never mind. I will be right back!
Im So-Byeong hurriedly exited again. The disciples of Mount Hua, who observed this, shook their heads in disbelief.
To see the Green Forest King in such a state.
Indeed, just like the Green Forest King.
Neither the na of the North Sea Ice Palace nor that of the Green Forest King held any significance before Chung Myung, the devil - at least to Chung Myung.
Witnessing Chung Myung naturally treating the Green Forest King as his subordinate felt odd.
Why did he need to venture to Mount Hua
Perhaps his life was in danger?
Sasuk, choose between eting Chung Myung or simply dying.
Dying is a good option.
Indeed?
Deep sighs filled the room, reflecting sympathy for Im So-Byeongs predicant.
Swollen eyes.
Cracked lips.
Pale face.
Im So-Byeong resembled a sick personwell, he had been ill for a whilebut he looked even more pitiful in front of the cooking pot.
Contrarily, Chung Myung, who was busily stirring the pot, had been enjoying food and drink, and his face glowed with well-being.
Kuak, my throat is dry again.
There it is.
Uh? Did you prepare this in advance?
Yes, its the Taoists preference.
Long ago, Im So-Byeong stopped questioning if it was acceptable for a Taoist to consu alcohol. It seed pointless to question such a thing about a guy nad Chung Myung.
Upon seeing the alcohol bottle, Chung Myung spoke.
It must be chilled. I prefer it cold.
Wait.
Im So-Byeong clutched the bottle with trembling hands and infused it with Yin qi.
Soon, a thin frost began to form on the bottle, akin to a thin layer of ice.
Here it is.
Kuak, this is rather handy. Having tangled ridians has its advantages. You can cool things down whenever you want! Youll be cool during sumr too. Lucky you.
With rough words, Chung Myung snatched the bottle and imdiately put it to his lips. His uvula bobbed loudly as he gulped.
Kuaak! Such incredible taste! Just like this!
Im So-Byeong rely watched with furrowed eyebrows.
He was the bandit.
That man was the Taoist.
Did heaven consider this? If it had, the roles would be reversed.
Why arrange things this way?
Do you need anything else?
W-what more could there be?
Im So-Byeongs eyes twitched as he watched Chung Myung engrossed in his task, manipulating his hands.
Why
Why was there no sign of completion for that cursed pill!
He had been at it for three days! Three exhausting days!
As a result, he hadnt been able to sleep a wink, and he kept him there, conducting all types of work!
there, Taoist Chung Myung.
Yes?
Are you finishing up?
Seriously!?
He couldnt resist asking, but Chung Myungs anger made him nervous.
Rice must be cooked to beco rice! If you rush it, think it will swiftly beco a al? Is it because youre a bandit who eats raw things? Nothing will work out if you dont have even this much patience!
What kind of rice was boiled for three days? That was enough ti to burn even the slowest cooking porridge.
And bandits cooked, too
Chung Myung shrugged his shoulders and said,
Wait a bit longer. Were nearly finished.
R-really?
Do you suspect that Im lying?
Tears welled in his eyes.
Just how
The bandit, who held in silence honor, wisdom, loyalty, and familial devotion, so unusual for a bandit, was now learning a new way of life under the guidance of a Taoist. This was an unheard-of situation.
Uhhhhh!
At that mont.
It wasnt a lie no, almost as though to validate that falsehoods were uttered only sparingly, a dazzling light radiated from the pot.
Oh!
Simultaneously, a surge of color began to reclaim the face of Im So-Byeong, who looked as if he was on the brink of death.
The brightness that ca out turned to purple; the most gentle purple light filled the entire room.
Its complete!
OHHHHH!
Im So-Byeong leaped from his position, his gaze riveted on the purple dicine bubbling in the pot.
Is this the Soul Vitality Pill?
It is better.
Wow
Im So-Byeong swallowed hard.
Despite the skepticism of it being superior, the liquid before him emitted an unusual aura.
This is the real deal!
Just how many pills had he consud in a bid to cure his illness?
So of those pills were so rare they couldnt be procured even with a thousand gold coins. Yet, none of them had ever enraptured him at re sight. And thats not ntioning this pure, tantalizing aroma reaching his nostrils!
Regardless of its true identity, the Soul Vitality Pill was indeed rare in this world.
Ugh.
Suddenly, Chung Myung kicked the pot, sending it airborne.
Eikkk! Wh-whats happening?
The thick liquid inside splashed outward. In stark contrast to Im So-Byeong, who appeared as if his heart would leap from his chest, Chung Myung coolly unsheathed his sword and sliced through the flying mass.
Paaat!
In a flash, chunks of dicine were sliced into hundreds of pieces, falling to the ground.
F-finally!
At last, the pill assud a perfectly round shape before resting on the ground. Im So-Byeong held his breath as he gazed upon it.
C-can I take it now?
Yes. Its ready.
T-thank you! Taoist!
After an agonizingly long period of hopeful anticipation, he finally managed to claim the pill. He instantly reached out his hand towards it.
However,
Ehhh, not that.
Uh?
That side
Im So-Byeong turned his gaze slightly toward the direction Chung Myung was pointing. Several pills were scattered there at a distance.
those?
Yes.
No, why not these ones?
Chung Myung offered a smile.
The rest are all spiritual pills, while that one is rely dicinal.
Whats the difference?
Ehh! Even patients with similar symptoms require different dicines based on their physical condition, so could we use the sa dicine for a sick person and a healthy person? This is the fundantal principle of dicine.
Hehe. Thus, I prepared it using a special pot because Im extrely ticulous.
Surprisingly, there were two pots.
Im So-Byeong gazed blankly at the second one, his eyes filled with suspicion.
Excuse Taoist?
Yes?
I believe this one appears a bit paler in color.
It all depends on your mood.
The scent appears slightly faint.
Sniff. They seem the sa, though?
can I just not eat it?
Youre always suspicious. Do you think Im up to sothing?
Eventually, Im So-Byeong broke down and cried.
Theres no one else in the world that I can trust.
How could he trust him, of all people hed rather put his faith in anyone but him
In the anti, Chung Myung swiftly swept the sliced pill into a sack he had brought from sowhere. His movents were quick as if to prevent Im So-Byeong from touching it.
Youre taking them already?
Hurry and consu them. I will guide you.
Im So-Byeong cast a doubtful glance at Chung Myung, who had the pill and the bag. However, he eventually acquiesced with a sigh.
Will this truly cure my ailnt?
Stop talking and eat it fast.
I will believe you.
He sat there, cross-legged, a mask of sadness on his face. He felt as if his entire body was teetering on the edge of tension, the audible thrum of his heartbeats clear and resonant.
Please!
He made his decision with a determined expression and placed it in his mouth. With his eyes shut, he began to sense the qi.
Follow my lead.
Im So-Byeong, unable to utter a word, simply nodded. Chung Myung placed his hand on his shoulder, gently infusing him with internal qi.
Woooong!
Soon, an unparalleled amount of qi surged from the body of Im So-Byeong.
The disciples of Mount Hua watched from afar, whispering their surprise.
This cant be a scam.
It cant possibly be since its like that.
Shh. Keep quiet. The qi might be disturbed.
Wooong!
The swirling qi began to rise more and more over ti. This potent force elevated Im So-Byeong an inch off the ground.
The colorless, transparent qi gradually deepened into a rich purple as sweat quickly began to drench Im So-Byeongs body.
Huh!
Despite this, Chung Myung remained intensely focused, observing the qi closely.
Kwaaaak!
Suddenly, a burst of icy air erupted from Im So-Byeongs body like a storm, swirling together with the purple qi.
Ohhh!
T-that!
The Yin qi within his body was expelled all at once.
Kwaaaang!
The ominously swirling qi gradually regained its stability; soon, it enveloped Im So-Byeongs body like a flowing river, twisting around him before it started to reabsorb into his body.
We did it.
Upon letting out a short breath, Chung Myung removed his hand from Im So-Byeongs shoulders and stepped back.
All that remained audible was the deep rhythmic breathing of Im So-Byeong.
A while later.
Im So-Byeong, having completed all of his cultivation, opened his eyes. Simultaneously, there was a vibrant shimr of light.
Surveying his surroundings, he rose slowly.
Woah
Ohhh.
The disciples of Mount Hua, captivated by this spectacle, found themselves startled into disbelief. They failed to comprehend what they were seeing; Im So-Byeongs physical stature and montum seed unchanged. However, it was not his overwhelming power that confounded them but rather the subtle yet palpable shift in his aura.
His vitality was evident, and his complexion was healthy, not sickly and pale.
as expected.
A confident smile surfaced on the face of Im So-Byeong.
They said it was a pill from the heavens, and it seems they werent exaggerating. I owe a great debt to Mount Hua.
eh?
Has his tone of voice changed?
Chung Myung tilted his head slightly, querying,
Is your body fine?
The body is so full of energy. It is going round and round. The terrible feeling of the chest being blocked had vanished! Indeed, it is the Soul Vitality Pill of Yak-seon! It is truly worth ten thousand gold!
Chung Myung opened his eyes, his expression sullen.
Has your voice undergone such a dramatic change?
Hahahaha! Do not worry, Taoist! We are not thankless ones who do not know how to repay like so do. Mount Hua will be known as my benefactor, and I shall uphold that principle. Hahahaha! Uagh! Uh cough! Uh?
The confident look on Im So-Byeongs face hardened slightly, then transford into shock.
Cough! Why cough! Cough! Ughhh!
As he crouched, clutching his waist, blood began to trickle from his mouth. He looked at Chung Myung with a shell-shocked expression, not even thinking about wiping away the blood.
Chung Myung scratched his head, looking sowhat flustered as he said,
It was an improvent, but
He licked his lips.
It concerns the first stage of the disease.
A-a cure?
Dont worry. Normally, treatnt isnt a one-ti thing. A few more doses, and you will be completely fine.
Im So-Byeong was rendered speechless for a few monts. He glanced back and forth between Chung Myung and the pills in his hand as though he had barely regained his senses.
So, then
Yes.
Do I need to pay more?
Yes.
Heh, makes sense.
Im So-Byeong grinned.
Bastard.
Thud.
Observing Im So-Byeongs blend of joy and frustration, Chung Myung smiled proudly before turning towards the disciples of Mount Hua.
Dump him at the physicians station; anywhere will do.
Yes.
Its only fair, right? People should be consistent. Tsk.
Baek Cheon sighed as he watched Im So-Byeong exit with Jo Gul.
Right.
Chung Myung.
You are indeed consistent.
However, your consistency is sowhat excessive
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