The Heavenly Mountain Snow Ginseng was completely different from any medicinal herb I had ever seen. I wasn't even holding it to my nose, yet from a short distance away, its cool energy and fragrance distinctly stimulated my senses.
"How is it?"
"Let me take a closer look."
"Sit down and have a look."
As we sat across from each other at the table, Ban Ho-yang presented the snow ginseng. While Do Gwang-il held the snow ginseng in his hand and examined it, I studied Ban Ho-yang carefully.
"Where did you acquire such a precious spiritual herb?"
"There are ways."
"Could it be you've come from the Heavenly Mountains?"
I had never been involved with the Demonic Sect, but I knew well enough that getting entangled with them would be a huge headache. The dark paths were already crawling with cruel murderers and all sorts of madmen. The Demonic Sect of the Heavenly Mountains was on a different level.
They were infamous for things like slicing open the bellies of living children to eat their livers, and drinking the blood of virgins to practice their demonic arts. In any case, they had a notorious reputation for being less than human. I had even witnessed it with my own two eyes.
The Great Demon of the Demonic Sect, the Explosive Flame Demon, Mok Saryong. The memory of that demonic warrior of the age smashing a person's head with his fist and tearing a heart from their chest was still as vivid as hell in my mind. Ban Ho-yang was no monster like Mok Saryong.
He had no overwhelming aura, and I couldn't sense any refined energy from him. The words he spoke were not mixed with the rough and foreign accent of the borderlands. Still, if he came from the Heavenly Mountains, it was not something to be taken lightly.
Seeing me stare at him intently with a tense face, Ban Ho-yang twisted the corners of his mouth into a grin.
"Why? Are you scared I might be some man-eating Great Demon? This snow ginseng may be from the Heavenly Mountains, but I have never once set foot outside the Central Plains in my life. Just because a treasure comes from the Heavenly Mountains, is there a law that only the Demonic Sect can possess it? Goods have a way of circulating."
Having finished his inspection, Do Gwang-il returned the snow ginseng to Ban Ho-yang.
"Is it authentic?"
"It is. It's a Heavenly Mountain Snow Ginseng."
Ban Ho-yang placed the wooden box in his bosom and boasted grandly.
"You know your goods. There are many types of snow ginseng in the world, but among them, the one from the Heavenly Mountains is considered the best. Not all snow ginsengs are the same, you see."
As Ban Ho-yang preened, Do Gwang-il retorted.
"You know that well. Even Heavenly Mountain Snow Ginsengs have grades. This one has too many of its fine roots broken off. It seems they were in a hurry when they dug it up. Thirty percent of a ginseng's energy is in its roots, so its effectiveness will be diminished. Looking at its size and the rings on its head, it appears to be about forty years old. A snow ginseng only shows its true value when it's at least a hundred years old. At best, this is a mid-grade item. About 80 silver taels should be right."
Ban Ho-yang flared up at the scathing critique.
"What? Has this old man gone senile! To dare treat a treasure from the Heavenly Mountains, which could easily fetch 300 silver taels anywhere, as a low-quality item!"
Do Gwang-il, as if his job was done, closed his mouth and gave me a look. It was a signal that it was fine to purchase it. How should I get my hands on this snow ginseng…
I had planned to buy it with money, but an unexpected new option had arisen. Using Won Seo-gang. I could haggle a bit to lower the price, then say I was short on the remaining balance and arrange to trade in a few days, then bring Won Seo-gang to that meeting.
If things went well, I would get the Heavenly Mountain Snow Ginseng for free, and Won Seo-gang could resolve his grudge. More than anything, not knowing Ban Ho-yang's identity was extremely unsettling. It was certain he was under the protection of the Black Night Gang, and it was possible the Demonic Sect was truly behind him.
A clash with the Black Night Gang. Forming a grudge with someone connected to the Demonic Sect. Neither was a wise course of action.
How far could I trust Won Seo-gang? I knew almost nothing about Won Seo-gang. He was a considerable master, his character wasn't bad, and he held a deep grudge against Ban Ho-yang.
That was all. I had no idea where he came from or what he did. It was better to just pay the price cleanly than to get caught up in the grudge between the two just to save a little money.
Won Seo-gang, being an outsider, could just leave if things went sour, but I had to continue living in my hometown, the Western Village. I could always earn more money by taking jobs from the Underworld Information Clan.
"I'll give you 100 silver taels."
"Forget it! No deal!"
Enraged, Ban Ho-yang slammed his fist on the table and shot to his feet. He turned and headed for the door.
"I will pay you immediately on the spot with a banknote issued by the Golden slips."
Ban Ho-yang stopped in his tracks and turned his head. His face was contorted fiercely, but a hint of desperation he couldn't hide showed in his slightly wavering eyes. Why would he risk coming out to sell the snow ginseng, knowing that Won Seo-gang was after him?
What if he was paying for his stay at the Black Night Gang and had run out of money… He might be kicked out soon.
"No matter how rare the Heavenly Mountain Snow ginseng is, it's not an item that sells easily, is it? Only those looking for it would seek it out. What will you do?"
It seemed he really was desperate for money. Ban Ho-yang gritted his teeth as if I had hit a nerve, then strode over and held out his hand.
"Let me see the banknote."
"Take out the snow ginseng."
Ban Ho-yang placed the wooden box on the table with a thud. I also took out my pouch and handed the whole thing over. Previously, I had received ten banknotes worth 10 silver taels each from the pavilion master and had used one on the spot.
Before leaving the Western Village, I had bought one more from the Underworld Information Clan, bringing the total back to exactly ten. After checking the banknotes, Ban Ho-yang clenched his fist and glared at me as if he wanted to kill me.
He growled as if he might draw his blade, but perhaps realizing we were no pushovers, he simply turned his body. The door he flung open slammed shut with a loud bang. After Ban Ho-yang left, I picked up the snow ginseng.
Holding it directly, it was clear this was no ordinary herb.
"Didn't you pay too much for this?"
"I bought it cheap. It's the first time in my life I've ever seen someone drive a price down so hard."
"Didn't you say it was mid-grade?"
"Only by Heavenly Mountain standards. Compared to other snow ginsengs, it's a high-grade item. It's probably worth about 300 silver taels. That fellow must have been in quite a hurry. To sell it at a bargain even after checking the market price."
I tucked the snow ginseng into my robes and stood up. When we came out of the private room, the apothecary bowed deeply and guided us to the back door. Seeing his beaming face, it seemed he had managed to get a very handsome commission from Ban Ho-yang.
When I returned to the inn, a wave of anxiety washed over me. I didn't know what might happen or when. I wanted to put the Heavenly Mountain Snow Ginseng in my stomach right away.
Do Gwang-il shook his head.
"The snow ginseng is a spiritual herb of extreme Yin. If you consume it as is, your meridians and internal organs will freeze from the fierce Yin energy, and you'll die of hypothermia. You must prepare it with medicinal herbs that have Yang energy before consuming it."
Information has a way of leaking out. Naturally, I expected thieves and prepared thoroughly. I blocked the door with a table and dozed off in short bursts with my long blade in my arms.
As if to mock my vigilance, the inn was quiet all night. * The next morning, we left early for the Western Village in the same carriage as yesterday. As the city grew distant, a wide-open field unfolded.
The ripening grains under the summer sun swayed and rippled in the wind. In the distance of the quiet and peaceful scenery, a cloud of dust rose. Thinking it might be travelers heading to the Western Village, I watched intently, and gradually, their forms became clear.
Ten martial artists on horseback. They were galloping toward us. I remembered Ban Ho-yang's face from yesterday, how he had gritted his teeth.
Of course.
It wasn't a transaction of one or two coins; it wouldn't be a black market if it ended this cleanly. I had felt uneasy that nothing had happened last night, but now that a band of robbers had appeared, I could finally relax.
"Look at all the annoying flies swarming in."
Do Gwang-il clicked his tongue, his brow furrowed. I went to the front and called the driver.
"Robbers are approaching."
The driver turned his head with a surprised look. His expression hardened after he confirmed the number of thieves. We were far from the city, so there were no witnesses or anywhere to call for help.
In that time, the men drew closer. A carriage pulled by a single horse could not shake them. If we continued like this, they would catch up before we reached the Western Village.
I had no idea about their level of martial ability or what weapons they used. It would be one thing to face them with swords, but being surrounded by multiple riders would make the fight difficult. In a situation like this, heading for the mountains is the best option.
If we cross the mountains, they won't be able to pursue us further. Or we could lure them somewhere, set a trap… Suddenly, a suitable place came to mind.
"That black inn from yesterday. I'm sure there's a trap under the floorboards."
The creaking sound was definitely different. The space under the floor was surely empty. Perhaps thinking it was better than climbing the mountains, Do Gwang-il nodded his head.
"Let's go to that inn from yesterday."
"Eh? There? ... Understood."
The driver seemed reluctant but drove the carriage without another word. He whipped the horse to go as fast as possible, trying to avoid being caught by the robbers. The shabby inn had its flag hanging out again today.
The driver stopped the carriage in front of the door and fled into the mountains. As we entered, the same man from yesterday walked out from the kitchen.
"Welcome....."
Without a word, I rushed forward and struck the man's solar plexus with my sheathed blade. I tied the hands and feet of the man, who collapsed in one blow, threw him into the kitchen, and checked behind the counter. There had to be a device to activate the trap.
When I lifted the cloth covering it, a tilted iron lever appeared. A long groove was carved out so it could be pulled sideways.
"Found it."
Meanwhile, Do Gwang-il had gone to the table at the very back of the inn and set down his pack. I hid my body below the counter. A moment later, the sound of horse hooves came from outside.
Robbers with weapons in hand rushed into the inn. None of them even bothered to wear masks, openly revealing their vile faces. It wasn't because it was hot.
Since they planned to rob and kill us anyway, there was no need to hide.
"Hehehe, did you stop by the inn for a drink before you die? What a pity. There's no one here."
The robbers licked their lips and slowly approached Do Gwang-il. This inn had an unusually wide space between the tables. That empty space was probably the trap.
As they were about to step over it, I pulled the iron lever with all my might.
Thwaaang!!
The floorboards between the tables split open to both sides.
"Uwaaack!"
The robbers, the ground beneath them gone, fell into the trap with short screams. The four men standing outside the trap stumbled back in terror. Do Gwang-il swung his sword like lightning, cutting down two of them.
I quickly moved to the side and drew my long blade. I cut down one man as he turned and kicked another into the trap. I went outside and scanned the surroundings.
No stragglers were in sight. I entered the kitchen. I had intended to ask about the black inn, but the man was already dead, white foam frothing from his mouth.
It seemed he had bitten down on a poison pill. Searching the kitchen, I found stairs hidden next to the storeroom. As I descended the semi-circular stairs, groans of pain echoed eerily.
At the end of the stairs was an iron-barred gate. Looking up from beyond the bars, the depth was at least five yards. At this height, even a master couldn't escape unscathed.
Five of them had died instantly from smashed heads, while three writhed with broken limbs. The remaining two couldn't get up, likely having injured their spines. I opened the iron bars.
As I entered, a few of the still-conscious robbers pleaded for mercy.
"Please spare me......"
"Who sent you?"
"We were just hired."
"By whom?"
"I don't know his name. I really don't know."
"We were just told to retrieve an item."
"What item?"
"Something about a snow ginseng."
"Where were you told to bring the item once you found it?"
"...... The Black Night Gang. We were told to go to the Black Night Gang in the Western Village."
After asking all I needed, I picked up a sword from the floor and killed them one by one by stabbing them in the neck. The robbers made gurgling sounds as they trembled, then fell silent. After confirming they were dead, I searched their belongings.
For robbers, they had a decent amount of silver. In total, there were 7 silver taels, 300 coins, and three banknotes worth 1 silver tael each. I gathered the swords, wrapped them in a cloth, and tied it tightly with a rope.
I went back up to the inn. Do Gwang-il was looking at the gaping trap in the middle of the inn with a strange expression.
"A trap for catching martial artists."
The main business of a black inn is human trafficking. They mostly kidnapped children and women. Occasionally, they would target martial artists like this.
Many people want to learn martial arts to become strong, but places that teach properly were rare. So, masters of high martial ability could name their price. That man probably managed the inn alone, and when a suitable master came in, he would activate the trap to drop them into the basement.
Then his accomplices would come and drag the person away. If Do Gwang-il and I had carelessly walked into the inn yesterday and passed over that spot, we would have fallen into the basement and broken our legs. After that, we would have been tortured until we died, forced to reveal all the martial arts we possessed.
If you only trust in your own martial arts and fail to watch your step, you end up dying because of those very martial arts. How many masters must have met a futile end here? As I was about to turn away, it occurred to me that someone else might find this place.
I threw the body of the man who had bitten the poison pill into the trap and returned the iron lever to its original position. The mechanism activated, and the floorboards slowly rose back up. I collected the spoils of war and went outside.
The driver who had fled into the mountains had returned and was gathering the scattered horses. Three had disappeared somewhere, and seven remained. Now that their owners were dead, all these horses were mine.
"Can you dispose of these horses at the Underworld Information Clan?"
"These are post horses."
The driver showed me the brand of a post station seared onto a horse's rump. Could these robbers have brazenly attacked a post station, killed the officials, and stolen the horses? They probably paid to borrow them.
It was illegal, but it was the business of officials to line their pockets by any means necessary.
"So, you can't dispose of them?"
"It's not that I can't. It's just that the commission will be a bit steep to handle the fallout."
"How much can I get?"
"About 3 silver taels per horse."
"Then please dispose of them that way."
21 silver taels for the horses. Including what I got from the dead men, it came to 31 silver taels and 300 coins. I had recouped about a third of the 100 silver taels I spent on the Heavenly Mountain Snow Ginseng.
After taking a short rest and drinking some water, we tied the horses in a line to the carriage and set off again. The driver stopped the carriage on a small mountain near the Western Village. Leading seven horses into town would be too conspicuous.
Do Gwang-il and I stayed to guard the horses while the driver went alone in the carriage and brought back a group of men from the Underworld Information Clan. Each took a horse and, after a slight delay between each person, headed for the Western Village.
It was around evening, when the sunset was casting a red glow, that he returned with the carriage. We didn't go straight home but crossed through the town. I wanted to obtain inner energy as soon as possible.
I had to find a physician to prepare the Heavenly Mountain Snow Ginseng. Only one physician came to mind. Physician Sang, a former military physician who had saved Gu-sam when he was on the verge of death.
I had heard where he lived before.