Chapter 10

The Demon's Selection (10)

A few days later.

Dan Aekseon returned to the village.

It was to obtain medicinal herbs for Bae Gweui, who was about to embark on a journey.

"Huh?"

Dan Aekseon, who opened the box handed by Mr. Lim, the owner of the herbal shop, couldn't hide his surprise.

"You managed to get the Dragon's Name Grass? I thought it was out of stock..."

"I got lucky."

"It seems all the luck in the world comes to you, Uncle."

Dan Aekseon stared at Mr. Lim.

Mr. Lim tried hard to avoid his gaze.

"Uncle."

"Yes?"

"Did you happen to get it from Jinseong Clinic?"

Mr. Lim stammered, feeling uneasy.

"Well, that is..."

Just as he was about to make an excuse, Dan Aekseon spoke first.

"I don't mind you doing business with Jinseong Clinic, but please don't get the herbs I asked for from there. If you do this again, I won't do any business with you in the future."

"O-Okay, I understand. I'll make sure of it."

Only after getting a clear answer did Dan Aekseon leave the herbal shop. Outside the entrance, Bae Gweui was waiting as usual.

"Did you get what you wanted?"

Bae Gweui asked, and Dan Aekseon nodded.

"Yes. Now, once I hand over the wooden statues, my business will be done."

Bae Gweui turned towards the woodcraft shop.

As Dan Aekseon entered, the owner, Mr. Lim, greeted him warmly.

"Welcome back."

"Hello, Uncle. Are the wooden statues selling well?"

"They're selling like hotcakes."

The wooden statues carved by Chao Aekliang were incredibly popular.

The statues, which exuded a sense of menace, were excellent talismans. Traditionally, people would write the names of deities or spirits on their doors to ward off evil.

However, the price of these talismans was quite high.

The red ink used to write on the talismans, made from cinnabar, was very expensive.

Thus, Chao Aekliang's wooden statues became a popular alternative for commoners.

"Good to hear. I have fifty this time."

"Thank you. But do you plan to continue doing business with me in the future?"

"Yes, I do."

"In that case, I'll offer you a better price. The profit margin is small, but I can sell more."

"Thank you."

With that, Dan Aekseon finished his business in the village.

Upon returning to Shinma Valley, Dan Aekseon headed straight for the hall. A short while later, he gathered his bedding and went to Chao Aekliang's room.

Chao Aekliang greeted Dan Aekseon with a gentle look.

"Is it already this time?"

Dan Aekseon replied with a slightly apologetic face.

"Today's treatment might be a bit difficult."

Chao Aekliang sensed something ominous.

Sure enough.

"Today, we're doing it the mother's way."

"......!"

Chao Aekliang's eyes wavered. After all, unlike the divine acupuncture, the demon's acupuncture was excruciatingly painful.

"Are you scared?"

Chao Aekliang flinched.

"Of course not. Who do you think I am?"

Chao Aekliang spoke loudly.

But as soon as the acupuncture began, he screamed inwardly.

Despite his efforts to maintain his composure, cold sweat poured down his face.

The pain was that unbearable.

"Ugh..."

At that moment, Dan Aekseon let out a strange sigh.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"

Dan Aekseon looked troubled.

"The heat should be rising in your head, but it's not happening easily."

"Last time, you said you would follow the principle of water rising and fire descending, making your head cold and your lower abdomen hot."

"In your case, the water qi is depleted. In other words, your kidney energy is weak, causing an imbalance in the flow of qi. Therefore, we need to deliberately raise the heat to your head and then use the needles to bring it down, forcing the circulation of qi."

Only then did Chao Aekliang understand Dan Aekseon's intention.

He was using artificial qi circulation to treat the injury.

"However, maintaining the state of upper heat and lower cold is not easy."

At that moment, Bae Gweui suddenly entered the room.

Chao Aekliang frowned.

"Out. Can't you see I'm being treated?"

Bae Gweui retorted sharply.

"Hey, I just came to say goodbye before I leave, and you treat me like this?"

"Where are you going?"

"To bring that crazy woman!"

"Speak more respectfully in front of Doctor Dan."

"Hmph! People should live as they are. I don't want to be as sly as you, Chao."

"Sly? Me?"

"Your words and actions are completely different when Doctor Dan is around and when he's not."

Just a few words made Chao Aekliang's heart boil.

"Can't you kick him out? At least he listens to Doctor Dan."

"Just a moment."

Dan Aekseon's eyes sparkled.

The rising qi he felt through the needles was gradually intensifying.

"Uncle Bae, sit over there."

"Huh? Why?"

Though confused, Bae Gweui followed Dan Aekseon's instructions.

After seating Bae Gweui opposite Chao Aekliang, Dan Aekseon instructed them.

"Can you make eye contact?"

Chao Aekliang frowned.

Facing Bae Gweui so closely made him feel inexplicably angry.

"Hehe."

In contrast, Bae Gweui started to grin.

Seeing Chao Aekliang's discomfort made him feel oddly pleased. At that moment, Dan Aekseon exclaimed.

"Got it! The heat is gathering in your head!"

"Just from looking at that guy's face?"

Chao Aekliang asked, and Dan Aekseon nodded.

"The fire in the heart is greatly influenced by emotions, like when you fall in love or get angry."

Bae Gweui was taken aback.

"No wonder! He kept rubbing my skin when he was riding me before!"

"What nonsense! I did it out of anger!"

"Why are you angry?"

"Indeed... why?"

Chao Aekliang was flustered. He had never really thought about the reason deeply.

"Alright."

At that moment, Dan Aekseon withdrew the needles and asked.

"How do you feel?"

After checking his body for a moment, Chao Aekliang nodded.

"Compared to the beginning, my body feels much lighter. But..."

"But what?"

"I feel terrible."

Dan Aekseon smiled and looked at Bae Gweui.

"Are you leaving now?"

"Yeah, I'm about to."

"Then wait a moment. With the materials ready, I can make the pills quickly."

Gathering his bedding, Dan Aekseon ran towards the hall.

A short while later, Dan Aekseon returned and handed a small box to Bae Gweui.

"Take one every four days, before your qi cultivation. If there are no special problems, this should last you two months."

After a moment of thought, Dan Aekseon added.

"If you start bleeding, take two immediately."

"Understood."

As Bae Gweui turned to leave, Dan Aekseon asked.

"What did I say?"

"Huh?"

"The precautions I just mentioned. Repeat them."

"Um... take one every four days, and before qi cultivation, take two if you start bleeding?"

Chao Aekliang, who was standing nearby, shook his head.

"Can you really let him go alone?"

At that moment, Dan Aekseon took out a neatly folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Bae Gweui.

"Just in case, I wrote down the precautions. Check them every day."

"Hehe. I should have done that earlier."

Bae Gweui laughed, feeling a bit embarrassed, and then immediately took off.

"I'll definitely bring that woman back!"

Bae Gweui's voice quickly faded into the distance.

* * *

On the fourth day after Bae Gweui left Shinma Valley.

Dan Aekseon looked at the tall tree where Bae Gweui used to hang upside down.

"Is he doing well? I'm worried."

They say you don't know where you came from, but you know where you grew up. Bae Gweui's absence was more significant than expected.

Especially on days like today, after returning from the village, it was even more noticeable.

Not only was he concerned, but Bae Gweui's absence also brought unexpected problems.

Chao Aekliang's treatment effects were noticeably poor.

Using the principle of upper heat and lower cold to artificially regulate the flow of true qi inevitably affected his psychological state.

Without Bae Gweui, there were fewer opportunities to get angry.

Faced with this unexpected problem, Chao Aekliang himself started to feel anxious.

"Today, it should be a bit better..."

Holding his bedding, Dan Aekseon headed to Chao Aekliang's room. Chao Aekliang was carving a large log in the middle of the valley.

"Uncle, what are you doing?"

Chao Aekliang lifted the chisel and hammer he was holding.

"Obviously, I'm carving a wooden statue."

"Don't overdo it."

"I'm fine. I don't even sweat doing this now."

"Can I watch?"

"Of course, but be careful and don't come too close."

As Dan Aekseon settled down, Chao Aekliang resumed his work.

Thud! Clang!

Chao Aekliang's chisel and hammer moved without stopping, and wood chips flew in all directions.

After a while,

The log gradually took on a clear shape. Only then did Dan Aekseon realize it was a life-sized mannequin.

After roughly shaping it, Chao Aekliang put down the chisel and hammer and picked up a short knife.

He then began to carve in earnest.

His movements were incredibly delicate and fast, and soon wood dust piled up around him.

Dan Aekseon exclaimed in amazement.

"Wow! It's really the same."

The wooden statue, perfectly brought to life by Chao Aekliang's hands, was none other than Bae Gweui.

The pose, the twisted smile, and the menacing eyes were all vividly lifelike.

Dan Aekseon smiled.

"Looks like you miss him a lot. You were always bickering when you were together."

At that moment, Chao Aekliang approached the wooden statue.

"Spit!"

Chao Aekliang spat at the wooden statue.

"I think I can start the treatment now. Just looking at this face makes me boil with anger."

Dan Aekseon chuckled.

"Did you make it for that?"

On one hand, it was ridiculous, but on the other, it was impressive.

Chao Aekliang had found a way to aid his treatment. Fortunately, his efforts paid off.

"It's effective."

The qi transmitted through the needles felt much more vibrant.

After the treatment, Chao Aekliang, as usual, began his qi cultivation. Dan Aekseon got up to prepare a meal.

A short while later,

Dan Aekseon handed a basket to Chao Aekliang.

"From now on, this will be your meal."

Chao Aekliang frowned upon seeing the contents of the basket.

"Is this a meal? It looks like just wild greens to me."

Dan Aekseon smiled softly.

"That's why I also prepared a dish."

Dan Aekseon took out a bowl from the basket.

Curious, Chao Aekliang opened the lid and was inwardly amazed. The bowl contained a murky broth, with only a dried flower as the solid ingredient.

Upon closer inspection, it resembled the Lingra flowers blooming at the entrance of the valley.

"Usually, you don't call something cooked this way a dish, right?"

To Chao Aekliang's question, Dan Aekseon replied nonchalantly.

"What's the difference? Whether you steam, dry, boil, or cook, it's all the same."

"......"

Chao Aekliang stared at Dan Aekseon.

'I should have known from when he was grilling meat...'

Indeed, his cooking skills were absurdly poor.

At that moment, Dan Aekseon spoke.

"You said you want to recover quickly, right? There's nothing better for clearing blood stasis and protecting the meridians."

Reluctantly, Chao Aekliang picked up a herb and put it in his mouth.

As he chewed, his face contorted.

"This is... extremely bitter."

It was far too bitter to swallow.

No matter how effective it was for treating internal injuries, the taste was so unbearable that even he hesitated.

At that moment, Dan Aekseon subtly moved to the side.

Chao Aekliang's eyes caught the wooden statue of Bae Gweui, grinning mockingly.

Dan Aekseon smiled.

"Enjoy it while looking at it."

At those words, Chao Aekliang's eyes changed. Suddenly, anger surged, and his determination grew.

"Just wait, you. Once I recover my martial arts..."

Chao Aekliang swallowed the herb he was chewing.

His face contorted in agony, but each time he looked at Bae Gweui's wooden statue, he strengthened his resolve.

In that moment, he understood the heart of King Goujian of Yue, who tasted bile to avenge his humiliation. Chao Aekliang, practicing self-discipline and determination, looked at Dan Aekseon.

"I might have to leave for a while soon."

"Where are you going?"

"To gather some information."

Chao Aekliang continued.

"I need to keep an eye on the movements of the Wulin Alliance."

"Your presence here could be known by them."

"Don't worry about that. I have a way."

"How long will it take?"

"Five days should be enough."

Dan Aekseon nodded.

"Then I'll prepare the medicine in advance."

"Thank you."

With that, Chao Aekliang resumed his meal of herbs.