Five-Stone Powder
Hong Geol-gae didn't think much of it, but Tang Mujin and Goiyi exchanged glances.
Tang Mujin mouthed words silently.
"Are you going to kill them?"
The reply came back through sound transmission.
—No. We need to find out who's making the Five-Stone Powder.
The group followed the merchants into the village.
The villagers welcomed the merchants warmly, as if they were just ordinary traders.
"Five doses of Five-Stone Powder, please."
"Yes."
A few people came up to request the powder.
The merchants sold it with the same attitude as if they were selling rice to those who needed rice, or cloth to those who needed cloth. It felt natural.
There weren't many buyers. By the end of the day, only six people had come.
But since Five-Stone Powder was so expensive, the merchants still made a considerable amount of money.
And by evening, an old man appeared, wearing clothes that looked costly but were worn out.
"I don't have any money right now, but could I get one dose of Five-Stone Powder?"
Unlike the other customers, the old man's voice lacked confidence. It seemed he had taken the medicine on credit more than once.
The merchants looked troubled.
"Elder, you already owe too much."
"I'll pay once I have money. It's only that I don't have the means right now. You know that."
The old man's manner was both dignified and desperate. The merchants scratched their heads awkwardly but in the end handed him the powder.
"This really is the last time. It's not as if we dig Five-Stone Powder out of the ground."
"Of course, I know. Don't worry. Next time, I'll pay back everything I owe as well."
The old man left happily. But the merchants didn't seem to believe they'd ever get their money.
Tang Mujin asked them:
"Has he borrowed a lot on credit?"
"Yes. He must owe at least one gold coin's worth by now."
"Then why do you keep giving him the medicine?"
"He begs so pitifully, saying he can't live without it. We can't refuse. Besides, money aside, goods should go to those who need them, shouldn't they? Even a merchant sometimes has to take a loss."
The other merchants nodded. Their expressions carried a quiet pride—pride that they weren't merchants who only cared about money.
Tang Mujin felt a sense of dissonance from their attitude.
He and Goiyi knew what Five-Stone Powder really was—something that ate away at both mind and body.
But to most people who weren't physicians, its harm wasn't known.
A drug that made you feel good. A luxury medicine for the rich. A drug rumored to turn you into an immortal if taken long enough.
That was the common perception of Five-Stone Powder. The merchants' views were no different.
Yet whoever made it had to be a physician, and they had made it knowingly, despite its harm.
"Where did you get this medicine?"
"We buy it from Namgajang."
"Namgajang?"
"Yes. The Lord of Namgajang is a great man. Our village nearly starved to death, but he gave us a way to survive."
Tang Mujin listened closely.
A few years ago, the villagers had lived off mining copper from the mountains or panning for iron sand and gold dust from the river.
But about three years ago, a group of Black Path bandits occupied the mountain, cutting them off from their livelihood. Two years ago, while seeking help from other villages, they encountered the Lord of Namgajang.
He gave them Five-Stone Powder to sell, ensuring they wouldn't starve.
The merchants' faces and voices overflowed with gratitude for him.
"Thanks to him, life is much better now. Better than when we risked our lives panning for gold dust. That was dangerous, and if yields dropped, we had no choice but to starve. But selling Five-Stone Powder is profitable and stable."
They spoke of the old days, breaking ice in winter to enter the river. Many merchants bore frostbite scars on their fingers and hands.
After business ended, they entered the inn. The three companions took a small room apart from them.
Tang Mujin immediately asked Goiyi:
"Are you going to Namgajang?"
"Of course. I need to see the face of the bastard making this powder."
Hong Geol-gae couldn't follow their reasoning.
"Why go there? The buyers and sellers of Five-Stone Powder don't seem dissatisfied. No one seems to be wronged. Even the merchants say life's better now."
Tang Mujin hesitated how to explain, but Goiyi put it bluntly.
"Eating Five-Stone Powder makes you sick. Your strength fades, your mind clouds with wicked energy, and eventually your skin rots and you die. Selling it is no different from spreading disease for money. Just like that quack Yeom in Jueul Village."
"Ah."
Hong Geol-gae understood immediately. Back in Jueul Village, Yeom the physician had poisoned the river so people fell ill, then sold them medicine.
But Tang Mujin still had doubts. The villagers had turned to Namgajang because Black Path bandits had taken their mountain and livelihood.
If they stopped Namgajang from producing the powder, wouldn't the villagers lose their way of surviving?
He raised the point, but again Goiyi's response was clear.
"That's none of my concern."
"What?"
"I can't just ignore someone spreading disease. How they make a living is their own problem."
"Isn't that… a bit harsh?"
"On our journey, did you ever worry how people managed to get by? Neither I nor you did. It's natural they should handle it themselves."
With that, Goiyi blew out the candle and lay down to sleep.
The next day, they reached the merchants' village.
The traders unloaded their goods and began dividing them. Each villager received goods worth a few silver coins, but a small pile of gold pieces was set aside.
"What's that gold for?"
"It's for Namgajang. They don't give us Five-Stone Powder for free."
"Hm."
Making Five-Stone Powder wasn't difficult once you had the ingredients in bulk. Namgajang took a sizable cut, then the merchants added theirs on top.
Tang Mujin stepped outside and looked around. The villagers looked weathered, with many wrinkles and rough hands.
But their faces were bright. None were gaunt with illness. Some wore worn clothes, but none had rags full of holes. Life had indeed improved.
Around the village stood several carts, empty of goods. They weren't for farming—clearly, multiple groups went out selling Five-Stone Powder.
Hmm.
Tang Mujin went back and asked the merchants where Namgajang was. They looked uneasy.
"Are you planning to sell Five-Stone Powder? More sellers wouldn't be good…"
"Don't worry. We already know how to make it. We just want to meet your Lord."
"In that case… just head west over two hills."
It was only half a day's journey.
The group immediately set out for Namgajang.
Namgajang stood in the center of the village. Of course, it wasn't as grand as the Namgung Clan estate.
Tang Mujin and Hong Geol-gae hopped up to peek inside over the wall.
Inside were only six or so tiled buildings, none large enough to feel imposing.
The three of them headed toward the main gate of Namgajang. There wasn't even a guard at the entrance. Pushing the gate open slightly and stepping inside, only then did a few people turn their eyes toward them.
A man in neat armor approached. His features looked a bit rough.
"What brings you here?"
"We're travelers passing by. We heard you can get Five-Stone Powder here."
"How much silver would you like to spend?"
The exchange proceeded without any lengthy questioning—proof of how casually Five-Stone Powder was traded here.
And it wasn't a matter of just one or two taels either, but several ounces. They must have been producing an immense quantity of it.
Tang Mujin pulled out a coin and spoke.
"Just enough for the value of one gold coin will do. But more than that, I wish to meet the one who makes the powder."
"If you wish to see the Lord… Please wait a moment. He shouldn't be busy right now."
The man disappeared for a while, then returned at a trot.
"Inside, the largest building. Go in there."
With a brief explanation, he returned to his duties. Tang Mujin, Hong Geol-gae, and Goiyi all stared at his back.
His gait was different from that of ordinary people.
"That man… he seems trained in martial arts, doesn't he?"
"Yeah. And not just him. Everyone inside Namgajang has learned at least some martial arts."
Hearing this, Tang Mujin and Hong Geol-gae looked around carefully.
Compared to its size, Namgajang held very few people inside, and there wasn't a single maid to be seen. Only a few men in worker's clothing moved about.
And yet every one of them stood straight, with light steps.
"…It's true."
"There may be some connection between these people and the Black Path bandits on the mountain. They might even be eating from the same pot."
"Are their levels high?"
"From what I can see, none of them surpass you or Hong Geol-gae."
"That's a relief."
Tang Mujin relaxed. Even if trouble arose, they had a chance of surviving.
The three of them entered the building the man had pointed out.
Inside were three rooms, but only one showed signs of occupancy.
As they approached the occupied room, Goiyi suddenly stopped and whispered.
"You go in first."
"Why?"
"Something feels off."
Surely there wouldn't be danger the moment they stepped in? Tang Mujin cautiously opened the door.
But nothing happened.
Inside sat a man with a well-groomed beard, sitting upright with a dignified air. He spoke to Tang Mujin.
"Welcome. You came for Five-Stone Powder, yes?"
"That's right. I also have some questions."
"Don't worry about the quality. It's not mixed with inferior minerals like feldspar…"
As he spoke, Hong Geol-gae entered, followed by Goiyi. The moment the Lord of Namgajang saw Goiyi, his eyes widened and his face stiffened.
As the Lord tried to spring up, Goiyi's sword was already at his throat.
"It's been a while, Nam Ryeonbu. Sit down."
Nam Ryeonbu, the Lord of Namgajang, hesitated. When Goiyi pressed the blade slightly, a bead of blood rolled down his throat.
Pale-faced, Nam Ryeonbu sat.
Even seated, he fidgeted, shifting as if ready to bolt at any moment. Goiyi coldly threatened him.
"Try standing up. Before your knees straighten, I'll put a hole through your neck. If you've got complaints, go ahead and shout."
"You know each other?" Tang Mujin asked.
"Let's call it one-sided. He didn't want to meet me, but I wanted to meet him."
"How do you know him?"
"Simple. He was making and selling Five-Stone Powder before, but I lost his trail."
Nam Ryeonbu spoke in a trembling, servile voice.
"Elder Lee Chung… is there something you require?"
"There is. Bring out every bit of Five-Stone Powder you have in Namgajang."
Nam Ryeonbu hesitated only briefly—life was worth more than any amount of powder.
He shook a small bell, and the man they'd met earlier returned, asking what was needed.
Nam Ryeonbu, feigning composure, ordered all the powder to be brought. Soon, more than half a gwan of Five-Stone Powder lay before them—about three geun in weight.
Nam Ryeonbu spoke in a trembling voice.
"Elder…"
"What?"
"…Please, just spare my life. I will never make it again."
"You've got two choices. Eat every bit of it here, or destroy it all."
Of course, eating even a fraction of that would be fatal.
Nam Ryeonbu quietly fetched two oil lamps, poured the oil over the pile of powder, and set it aflame.
Before their eyes, the priceless Five-Stone Powder went up in acrid smoke.
Through the wavering flames, Goiyi asked coldly:
"One last question. Besides you, is there anyone else who can make it?"
Nam Ryeonbu shook his head.
Satisfied, Goiyi smiled faintly.
"Good. Go on, then."
Nam Ryeonbu—and even Tang Mujin and Hong Geol-gae—stared at Goiyi with disbelief, as if to ask, Are you really letting him go?
But Goiyi remained seated, unmoving.
Joy spread across Nam Ryeonbu's face. Kneeling, he bowed deeply.
"Elder, I will live righteously from now on."
"Good."
But as Nam Ryeonbu rose fully to his feet, Goiyi's sword flashed like lightning, piercing his throat.
Nam Ryeonbu looked at him, voice gurgling with blood.
"Why…?"
"I told you. Stand up and you die. If you'd crawled out, you might have lived."
Nam Ryeonbu collapsed with a thud.
Goiyi wiped his blade clean on the dead man's robe.
"Let's leave before this becomes troublesome."
The three quietly exited the room.