Chapter 46

Shinma's Valley (46)

After finishing all the tasks given to her, Samshim stood in front of the birdcage set up in a corner of the valley, wearing a kind smile.

She was personally feeding and taking care of the pigeons she had brought back one or two at a time whenever she visited the village, training them to be messenger pigeons.

"Let's do our best from now on."

In the meantime, the pigeons, which had grown quite fond of her, affectionately rubbed their beaks against Samshim's hand as she filled their feeders.

Suddenly, a voice flew in from somewhere.

"Hey! Do it properly!"

Samshim turned her head to follow the voice.

In the distance, she saw Bangeui looking at her near the hall of Danakseon.

As always, Choaekryang and Hansolhwa were with him.

"Yes, I will."

Bangeui, instead, felt awkward at Samshim's immediate response.

Choaekryang asked Bangeui with a bewildered expression.

"By the way, what did you mean by 'do it properly'?"

"Huh? Just... anything."

Just then, Danakseon, who was coming out of the hall, smiled at Bangeui.

"It's fortunate that Chief Samshim seems to be adapting well."

In contrast, Bangeui had a dubious look.

"Is it because he came back from the dead? Why has he changed so much?"

Choaekryang and Hansolhwa nodded silently.

Indeed, Samshim's demeanor had changed significantly since the treatment for Zhuohuaruema.

There was no trace of the past him, who was called a 'veteran demon.'

"Thanks to Uncle Bangeui."

"Huh?"

Bangeui was taken aback by the unexpected words, but Danakseon continued with a smile.

"You always take the initiative to talk to him. That kindness is one of Uncle Bangeui's strengths."

"Me?"

"Of course. I can vouch for it after watching you for so long."

Unlike Bangeui, who smiled awkwardly, Choaekryang and Hansolhwa frowned in disbelief.

"I can trust and rely on Danakseon as much as I want, but I can't agree with that."

Choaekryang's statement was echoed by Hansolhwa's nod.

On the other hand, Bangeui, feeling pleased with Danakseon's praise, shrugged and grinned at Choaekryang and Hansolhwa.

The two, who had suddenly become annoyed, were about to lash out when Danakseon spoke to the three of them.

"I plan to start intensive treatment today."

"Intensive treatment?"

Danakseon nodded at Bangeui's question.

"I want to try to properly correct the meridians using Weihua therapy. It will likely take more time than usual, so it's best to start soon."

Bangeui, glancing at Choaekryang, soon revealed an unsatisfied expression.

"Um... Danakseon, can we delay the treatment for a few days?"

"Huh? Why?"

"I'm a bit tired."

"What? That's not good."

Surprised, Danakseon hurried to check his pulse, but Bangeui shook his head.

"No, no. It's not a physical issue. It's more like... I'm a bit mentally exhausted?"

Hansolhwa, who had been listening quietly, looked bewildered. To hear the word 'mentally' from Bangeui!

At that moment, Choaekryang's eyes narrowed.

"Are you saying you don't want me to recover?"

Bangeui retorted bluntly at Choaekryang's accusation.

"What do you take me for? Well, as Choaekryang recovers his martial arts, he's become more nagging, more critical, and glares at me more often..."

Choaekryang's eyes turned fierce, but Bangeui was not one to back down.

"Recently, you've been ignoring me more than before!"

Just as Choaekryang was about to retort, Bangeui got in first.

"When are you going to say thank you? Is this how someone who is grateful looks?"

Choaekryang stared at Bangeui for a moment before sighing.

"I'm sorry for making you feel that way."

Choaekryang, who offered an apology, continued with a serious look.

"I'm grateful to you and Sister Hansolhwa. I mean it."

"Does that mean you didn't mean it before?"

"Hey, you! How many times have I said thank you? Do you think it's easy to hear those words from me? Besides you two, only our late master and Danakseon have ever heard them!"

"Words are just words."

"What, man?"

Choaekryang clenched his teeth and asked.

"What do you want?"

"Recognition."

"Recognition?"

"I want you to recognize me as the leader of the Ten Great Evils."

"What?"

Choaekryang, who was flabbergasted, saw a satisfied smile on Bangeui's face.

However, that wasn't the end.

Unexpected obstacles continued to await Choaekryang.

"Me?"

Hansolhwa, who had been quietly observing the two, suddenly interjected.

"Why you too?"

"Since I treated you both, I can't let this fool be the only one who benefits."

"Ha... Why are you doing this too?"

Choaekryang sighed and asked.

"So, what do you want?"

"..."

Hansolhwa remained silent.

"What do you want?"

He asked again, but Hansolhwa still didn't respond.

Choaekryang looked at Hansolhwa skeptically.

"Did you just blurt it out without thinking?"

"No, I have something."

After a moment's hesitation, Hansolhwa spoke.

"Make a wooden statue of me."

"Wooden statue?"

"I want to preserve my current appearance."

Choaekryang nodded, understanding the reason behind her request.

As time passed, she too would age and grow old like ordinary people.

She likely wanted to preserve her most beautiful current appearance.

"Alright. I'll make a stone statue instead. It will last longer."

A faint smile appeared on Hansolhwa's lips.

Satisfied, Danakseon said.

"Shall we start now?"

Danakseon headed to the Mo Ok with the three of them.

Samshim, who had been watching from a distance, smiled warmly at the scene.

It was a peaceful and heartwarming sight.

Who would have thought they were the notorious Blood Venerable and Wandering Grass Choaekryang?

Her heart warmed again.

Now, she was part of their group.

The connection with Danakseon was a stroke of luck for her, who had been expecting her death.

Not only had she overcome Zhuohuaruema, but her severe internal injuries had also been completely healed.

But there was an even greater favor.

Her life, which had been off track, had found its place.

She couldn't forget the favor of Choaekryang and Bangeui, who had always extended a helping hand to her, even when they could have easily ignored her crises.

'How can I repay them?'

It was a favor that could not be repaid even if she were reborn a thousand times.

'For now, I'll do my best with the tasks given to me.'

Samshim moved towards the warehouse set up in a corner of Shinma's Valley.

When she opened the warehouse door, she saw wooden statues piled up everywhere. These were the statues Choaekryang had carved over the past month.

At first, she had taken them to the woodcraft shop in the village one by one, but Samshim had objected.

She had come up with a way to maximize profits.

Already, she had been given full authority over the finances of Shinma's Valley.

After checking the quantity and condition of the wooden statues, Samshim moved to another warehouse.

It was a newly set up medicinal storage warehouse.

As soon as she opened the door, a rich fragrance enveloped her.

When she removed the cloth covering the boxes, rows of wax-sealed medicinal pills were revealed.

Samshim smiled warmly.

The first thing she did after taking on the role of Chief was to ask Danakseon to make medicinal pills.

The Nourishing Pills (保養丸) were made from common herbs to reduce the cost burden, replacing the expensive traditional herbs.

However, their efficacy far surpassed the existing pills traded through the medical guild.

Most importantly, they had no side effects.

'There's no better over-the-counter medicine.'

They had fever-reducing and pain-relieving effects, and even a small amount could calm the mind.

When crushed and applied to wounds, they had excellent blood-stopping properties.

They were practically a panacea.

But the true value of the pills lay elsewhere.

'If the martial artists knew, they would come running with fire in their eyes.'

Having traversed the rugged mountains and forests, Samshim had experienced various injuries, big and small.

Naturally, she had been treated by many doctors.

But she had never encountered such a perfect medicine.

It could be used for both internal and external injuries.

Moreover, its effects were incomparable to existing medicines.

For non-life-threatening internal injuries, taking the pills alone could remarkably improve one's condition.

The same applied to external injuries.

It seemed to concentrate the effects of Gancongjeon (甘蔥煎), which had disinfecting and pain-relieving properties, Dohwasan (桃花散), a blood-stopping agent, and Saenggisam (生肌散), which promoted new skin growth.

No wound medicine she had ever used could match it.

Even the famous Meihua Ointment (梅花膏) of the Huashan Sect was inferior.

"Now it's time for me to do what I'm good at."

She had already planned and prepared everything.

A warm passion flickered in Samshim's eyes.

* * *

That night.

Danakseon, who had been writing in a book for a long time, paused and fell into thought.

Recently, she had developed a desire.

To establish a proper medical guild and treat more patients. But she knew better than anyone how difficult that would be.

Her life was limited to this Shinma's Valley, and the others were martial artists immersed in the world of martial arts.

They were staying here for treatment, but they would eventually leave.

Her dream should not become a shackle for them.

"Master, may I come in?"

Samshim's sudden voice snapped Danakseon out of her thoughts.

"Yes, come in."

As Samshim entered, Danakseon pushed the book on the desk to one side.

"What brings you here at this hour?"

"I plan to start selling the wooden statues and medicinal pills."

Danakseon's expression brightened.

"That's great. The woodcraft shop owner has been asking when he can start receiving the statues."

"I'll talk to him separately. I think we need to change the sales method a bit from before."

Danakseon suddenly felt a bit worried.

She knew about the evil deeds Bangeui had committed in the past to make money.

But she decided to trust Samshim, as she had done so far.

"Since I've given you all the authority, do as you see fit."

Danakseon's smile, filled with complete trust, made Samshim smile quietly.

She felt anew how broad Danakseon's heart was.

'Of course.'

Samshim nodded inwardly.

There was a reason why people like Choaekryang, Bangeui, and Hansolhwa cherished and followed Danakseon.

Danakseon suddenly looked puzzled.

"Is there something else you want to say?"

Samshim cautiously spoke.

"I have one request."

"Please go on."

"There's someone who needs treatment."

"Who is it?"

"His name is Jo Dae-ya, the head of the largest merchant guild in Muwi. He is not only skilled in business but also highly respected and influential in this region."

He was also a crucial figure for the steady value creation through the upcoming business.

Danakseon nodded readily.

"Bring him here."

Samshim bowed with a smile.

"I will."