Episode 41: The Five Stone Powder
Hong Geolgae didn’t think much of it, but Tang Mujin and Gwi exchanged a knowing glance.
Tang Mujin mouthed silently, “Are we going to kill them?”
The response came back through a whisper in his mind, “No. We need to find out who’s making the Five Stone Powder.”
The group followed the merchants into the village. The villagers greeted the traders warmly, as if they were just ordinary merchants.
“Five packets of Five Stone Powder, please.”
“Certainly.”
A few people approached, asking for the powder. The merchants sold it with the same casual demeanor as if they were selling rice to those who needed it or cloth to those who required it.
Not many came to buy the powder. By the end of the day, only six people had shown up. However, the powder was so expensive that the merchants still made a considerable amount of money.
As evening fell, an elderly man in worn but once-fine clothes approached.
“I don’t have any money right now, but could I get a packet of Five Stone Powder?”
Unlike the other customers, the old man’s voice lacked confidence. It seemed he had asked for credit more than once before.
The merchants looked troubled.
“Sir, your tab is quite overdue.”
“I’ll pay it back when I have the money. You know how it is.”
The old man’s demeanor was both dignified and desperate. The merchants scratched their heads in discomfort but eventually handed over the powder.
“This is the last time. We can’t just dig up Five Stone Powder from the ground.”
“Of course, of course. Don’t worry. I’ll settle everything next time.”
The old man left, chuckling to himself, but the merchants didn’t seem to believe they’d ever see their money.
Tang Mujin asked the merchants, “Has he taken a lot on credit?”
“Yes, he probably owes us a small fortune by now.”
“Why do you keep giving him the powder?”
“He pleads so desperately, saying he can’t live without it. Sometimes, even merchants have to take a loss. Besides, goods should go to those who need them, right?”
The other merchants nodded, a subtle pride in their expressions. They weren’t just money-driven traders, after all.
Tang Mujin felt a sense of unease at their attitude.
He and Gwi knew what the Five Stone Powder really was—a substance that slowly consumed both mind and body. But to most people, it was just a feel-good medicine, rumored to be a luxury for the wealthy, even said to grant immortality if taken long enough.
The merchants’ views weren’t much different.
But whoever was making the powder had to be a physician, someone who knew its dangers and still chose to produce it.
“Where do you get this powder from?”
“We buy it from Namgajang.”
“Namgajang?”
“Yes, the master there is a great man. He saved our village from starvation.”
Tang Mujin listened intently to their story.
A few years ago, their village had been a typical place, surviving by mining copper from the mountains or panning for iron and gold in the river. But three years ago, a group of bandits took over the mountain, cutting off their livelihood. Two years ago, while seeking help from another village, they met the master of Namgajang.
He provided them with the Five Stone Powder to sell, ensuring they wouldn’t starve.
The merchants spoke of the master with genuine affection.
“Thanks to him, life is much better now. It’s even better than when we were mining. That was dangerous work, and if the yield was low, we’d go hungry. But selling the powder is both profitable and stable.”
They reminisced about the days of breaking ice in winter to pan for gold, many of them bearing frostbitten fingers as proof.
The merchants wrapped up their business and headed to the inn. The three companions also found a small room to rest.
Tang Mujin turned to Gwi, “Are we going to check out Namgajang?”
“Of course. I want to see the face of the person making this stuff.”
Hong Geolgae was still confused by their conversation.
“Why are we going to Namgajang? The buyers and sellers seem happy. No one’s complaining, and the merchants say life is better.”
Tang Mujin hesitated, unsure how to explain, but Gwi cut in with a straightforward answer.
“The powder makes people sick. It drains their energy, clouds their mind, and eventually rots their skin. Selling it is like spreading disease for profit, just like that quack in Jueul Village.”
“Oh.”
Hong Geolgae understood immediately. In Jueul Village, a doctor had poisoned the river to sell his cure.
But Tang Mujin still had doubts. The villagers had turned to Namgajang because the bandits had taken over their mountain.
If they stopped the production of the powder, wouldn’t the villagers lose their means of survival?
Tang Mujin voiced his concern, but Gwi was blunt.
“That’s not my problem.”
“What?”
“I can’t ignore someone spreading disease. How people make a living is their issue.”
“Isn’t that a bit… harsh?”
“Have you ever worried about how people survive on our journey? Neither have I, nor have you. It’s their responsibility.”
With that, Gwi blew out the candle and lay down to sleep.
The next day, they followed the merchants to their village.
The merchants unloaded their goods within the village walls and began distributing them.
Each person took a few coins’ worth of goods, but a few small gold pieces were set aside.
“What are those for?”
“They’re for Namgajang. They don’t give us the powder for free.”
“Hmm.”
If you have the ingredients, making the powder isn’t difficult. Namgajang makes a good profit, and the merchants make another profit on top of that.
Tang Mujin stepped outside to observe the village. The people looked weathered, with many wrinkles and rough hands.
But they all seemed cheerful, and none appeared malnourished. Some wore worn clothes, but none had holes. It seemed true that their situation had improved recently.
Carts were scattered around the village, not loaded with farming tools, suggesting they were used for trading the powder.
‘Hmm.’
Tang Mujin returned inside and asked the merchants where Namgajang was. They looked a bit hesitant.
“Are you planning to sell the powder? More sellers wouldn’t be good for us…”
“Don’t worry. We know how to make it. We just want to meet the master.”
“In that case, just head west over two hills.”
The place they pointed to was only half a day’s journey away.
The group set out immediately, heading towards the village where Namgajang was located.
Namgajang was in the center of the village, but it wasn’t as grand as the Namgung family estate.
Tang Mujin and Hong Geolgae peeked over the walls.
Inside, there were only a few tiled buildings, none large enough to be imposing.
The three headed to the main gate. There were no guards. As they pushed the gate open, a few people finally noticed them.
A man in neat attire approached, his demeanor somewhat rough.
“What brings you here?”
“We’re travelers. We heard we could get Five Stone Powder here.”
“How much are you looking to buy?”
The transaction was so routine that it began without any questions.
And they weren’t dealing in small amounts. The powder must be produced in large quantities.
Tang Mujin showed a coin from his pocket.
“Just enough for this. And we’d like to meet the person who makes it.”
“If you want to meet the master… Please wait a moment. He shouldn’t be busy.”
The man disappeared briefly, then returned, gesturing for them to follow.
“Go inside to the largest building.”
He gave simple directions and returned to his duties. Tang Mujin, Hong Geolgae, and Gwi watched him walk away.
His steps were different from those of an ordinary person.
“That man knows martial arts, doesn’t he?”
“Yes. And he’s not the only one. Everyone here has some training.”
Hearing this, Tang Mujin and Hong Geolgae looked around.
Namgajang was sparsely populated, with no maids in sight. Only a few men in work clothes moved about.
And all of them had a straight posture and light steps.
”…It’s true.”
“There might be a connection between the Black Path and Nam’s family, who have settled on the mountain. They could be in cahoots.”
“Are those people skilled?”
“Among those we can see from here, none surpass you or Hong Geolge in martial prowess.”
“That’s a relief.”
Dang Mujin felt reassured. Even if trouble arose, he believed they could survive.
The three of them entered the building the man had pointed out.
Inside, there were three rooms, but only one seemed to have any presence.
Just as they were about to enter the room with the presence, Gwi stopped and whispered, “You go in first.”
“Why?”
“I have a hunch.”
Surely nothing dangerous would happen the moment they entered. Cautiously, Dang Mujin pushed the door open.
But nothing dangerous occurred. Inside sat a man with an impressive beard, seated with a dignified posture. He addressed Dang Mujin.
“Welcome. You’ve come for the Osuk Mountain, I hear?”
“That’s right. We have some questions, too.”
“You needn’t worry about the quality. It’s not mixed with inferior stones like hyungseok…”
As they spoke, Hong Geolge and Gwi entered. The moment Nam’s family head saw Gwi, his eyes widened, and his face hardened.
Just as Nam’s family head was about to rise, Gwi’s sword was already at his throat.
“It’s been a while, Nam Ryeonbu. Sit down for now.”
Nam Ryeonbu hesitated, not sitting easily. When Gwi nudged the sword slightly, a drop of blood trickled down his throat.
With a pale face, Nam Ryeonbu sat down, fidgeting as if ready to flee. Gwi coldly threatened him.
“Try standing up. I’ll put a hole in your neck before your knees straighten. If you have any complaints, feel free to shout.”
“Do you know each other?”
“Let’s say it’s a one-sided interest. He wouldn’t have wanted to meet me, but I wanted to meet him.”
“How did you come to know each other?”
“It’s simple. He used to make and sell Osuk Mountain, but I lost track of him.”
Nam Ryeonbu spoke with a trembling voice, his demeanor servile.
“Master Lee, is there anything you need?”
“There is. Bring all the Osuk Mountain from Nam’s family.”
Nam Ryeonbu hesitated briefly, but the decision wasn’t hard. Osuk Mountain wasn’t worth more than his life.
When Nam Ryeonbu rang a bell, the man they had encountered earlier returned, asking if anything was needed.
Trying to maintain a natural and dignified posture, Nam Ryeonbu ordered all the Osuk Mountain to be brought. Soon, more than half a kwan of Osuk Mountain was laid before them—nearly three geun in weight.
Nam Ryeonbu spoke with a trembling voice.
“Master.”
“What?”
”…Please spare my life. I won’t make Osuk Mountain again.”
“You have two choices. Eat all the Osuk Mountain here, or destroy it all.”
Of course, consuming even a fraction of that much Osuk Mountain would be fatal.
Nam Ryeonbu carefully fetched two lamps, pouring all the oil over the Osuk Mountain. Then he dropped a spark onto it.
As the four watched, the Osuk Mountain, worth an untold fortune, began to burn with a pungent smell.
Through the flickering flames, Gwi looked at Nam Ryeonbu and asked, “One last question. Is there anyone else who knows how to make Osuk Mountain?”
Nam Ryeonbu shook his head. Gwi smiled with satisfaction and told him, “Alright. You can go.”
Nam Ryeonbu, along with Dang Mujin and Hong Geolge, looked at Gwi with expressions that seemed to ask, ‘Are you really letting him go?’ But Gwi remained seated, unmoving.
Joy spread across Nam Ryeonbu’s face. He knelt and bowed deeply to Gwi.
“Master, I will live righteously.”
“Good.”
But as Nam Ryeonbu began to rise fully, Gwi’s sword flashed like lightning, piercing his throat.
Nam Ryeonbu looked at Gwi, his voice gurgling with blood.
“Why…?”
“I told you, if you stood up, you’d die. You could have crawled out and lived.”
Nam Ryeonbu collapsed. Gwi wiped the blood from his sword on Nam Ryeonbu’s clothes.
“Let’s leave before this becomes a hassle.”
The three quietly left the room.