NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3 - The Precious Medicine
In my past life, I would have been awake by now, though the days were shrouded in the haze of sickness. My memories of meeting Grandfather are so fragmented that I can barely recall his face. I’ve heard stories about the Eternal Blood Treasure, a legendary substance that condenses the earth’s energy over ten thousand years into pure yang energy. The power it holds is terrifying—so intense that consuming it without the right balance would make a person burn from the inside out.
If that treasure was part of the medicine given to me, then there must have been something with yin energy mixed in to counteract its force. Such a powerful medicine must have required other rare ingredients to ensure it didn’t harm me.
No wonder they always say our family spends a fortune on my treatments…
“When you see your grandfather, you must thank him sincerely, Ryeon. He gave you something incredibly precious,” my Nanny reminds me, her voice gentle but firm.
“Yes, I will!” I reply, even though the truth is I know so little about Grandfather, Dan Mok-cheon-gi. In the fractured memories I have, he’s a distant figure, always tucked away in the family’s private quarters. I heard that he passed away quietly a few years later.
Was he sick too? The thought lingers in my mind, heavy and unsettling. If the Eternal Blood Treasure was originally meant for him and he never used it, then it must be because creating the right medicine for his condition was nearly impossible. His health must have been worse than anyone let on.
I need to find out what happened to Grandfather. If I’m to protect my family and secure the peaceful, long life I crave, I have to understand the truth.
But what if Grandfather passes away…?
They used to call him the Moonless Sword. In his prime, no one dared challenge the Dan family in Zhejiang Province. But after that battle with the Blood Demon Valley forces, when he was gravely injured, everything changed. Our family’s influence began to fade, slipping away like sand through the fingers.
Adding to our troubles, my father, Dan Mok-hyeon, the only heir, died in a duel with the Geum family a few years ago. His death left our family teetering on the edge, and when Grandfather Dan Mok-cheon passed away soon after, the Dan family’s status plummeted. Without our famous history, we would have just been another family named “Dan.” Perhaps, if things had continued as they were, a few years after my death, we would have faded away completely.
I have to do something with this power! I thought with determination. Before, I never understood why I was sick or why I couldn’t build my inner strength, but now it all made sense.
Wi Ji-chung took a white fur scarf from Nanny Jang and gently wrapped it around my neck before taking my hand.
The residence of the grand elder, my grandfather Dan Mok-cheon-gi, known as Moonlit Abode, was located in the deepest part of the family estate.
* * *
The Moonlit Abode, built from dark zitan wood so deep in color it appeared almost black, exuded a simple elegance. But despite its charm, signs of age and neglect were evident in many corners.
At the entrance, Chief Steward Kang Rip awaited us. He gave me a quick glance before bowing and leading us inside.
As we walked in, the subtle scent of herbs filled the air, and the first thing I noticed was the heavy beaded curtain.
“Father, Ryeon has come to express her gratitude,” Wi Ji-chung said softly, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
“Hm. How is the child’s health?” a rough, heavy voice came from behind the curtain. Grandfather had no intention of drawing it aside.
“Thanks to your care, she’s much better,” Wi Ji-chung replied.
“The doctor said it’s nothing short of a miracle.”
“It wouldn’t have been possible without you and Dr. Dang. Ryeon, give your thanks,” Wi Ji-chung urged.
Though his voice wasn’t warm, it was clear Grandfather was well-informed about my condition. In the past, I had been too bedridden to properly thank him, but now I was determined.
“Yes! I recovered thanks to the medicine you gave me. I’ve come to thank you, Grandfather…” I said, looking up at the beaded curtain and taking a step forward.
“May I come inside to greet you properly? This curtain is in the way,” I added innocently.
There was a brief pause from behind the curtain. The fact that I, who had just recovered from a long illness, was speaking so clearly must have surprised him. Then came a rough, twisted laugh.
“Hm. The little one is bold. Let her in.”
As soon as I received permission, I quickly stepped through the curtain made of small bamboo beads.
“…!”
Grandfather sat quietly in an antique wooden chair. Half of his wrinkled face was covered in a severe burn scar, looking as if red clay had been carelessly smeared on it. His left hand, resting on the armrest, bore similar scars.
This was a familiar face to me. Before I received the Eternal Blood Treasure, he had occasionally visited me quietly while I lay bedridden. But now… seeing him like this up close, the reality of his injuries struck me in a way it hadn’t before.
My goodness. The light makes it hard to see his face. I swallowed hard as a bright notification flashed before my eyes.
*Mind’s Eye Level 3 (up 1 level) achieved.*
*You can now view detailed attributes and skills of others. You can view detailed attributes and skills of yourself based on your achievements.*
Just by facing Grandfather and seeing his face, my Mind’s Eye had advanced to the next level.
The golden aura surrounding him made his features blur, but his sharp, predatory eyes stood out clearly.
I snapped out of my daze when I noticed a dull red glow around his waist.
“Is this something I can see because my Mind’s Eye has reached level 3? Could it be an old injury from his battle with the Blood Demon Valley?” I wondered, adjusting my sleeve and bringing up the Celestial Mirror.
Dan Mok-ryeon
– Harmony: Level 7 – Can blend in unnoticed.
– Mind’s Eye: Level 3 – Can see much more.
– Purification: Level 2 – Can purify vitality.
– Stamina: 5 / 100
– Inner Strength: Not acquired
– External Strength: Not acquired
– Energy: 70 / 100
Each of my abilities now had additional explanations. Mind’s Eye Level 3 indeed allowed me to see more.
Dan Mok-cheon-gi
– Traits: Guardian of the Martial World / Vein Collector / Filled with Regret / Biikjo
– Falling Star Twelve Swords: Level 11 (12 max)
– Infinite Treasure: Level 12
– Meteor Formation: Level 10
– Aptitude and Skills: High-Mid
– Concerns: Dan Mok-ryeon’s health and potential, the declining family, defeating Blood Demon Valley, the achievements of Dan Mok-hyeon and Dan Mok-hyun
I could now see his previously hidden traits and skills. His Falling Star Twelve Swords had originally reached the maximum level, but his injuries prevented him from using its full power.
Quickly regaining my composure, I bowed deeply.
“Thank you for the medicine, Grandfather.”
Grandfather’s eyebrows twitched at my thanks. He stroked his chin and replied, “I gave it to you because I couldn’t use it myself. But that doesn’t mean it’s not precious. Understand? You must work hard to meet the expectations placed on you!”
His powerful voice echoed through the room, and I swallowed a sigh.
How could someone who shone like the sun pass away quietly after just a few years? But now wasn’t the time to dwell on regret.
“Yes, Grandfather! I will work hard!” I promised, my resolve firm. If I could heal Grandfather’s injuries, I might extend his life. And with my powers, I was sure it was possible.
Medicinal herbs often have extreme properties due to the harsh environments they adapt to. For instance, the Eternal Blood Treasure used in my medicine has extreme yang properties. Other ingredients, like the ten-thousand-year-old snow ginseng, have extreme yin properties, while the inner cores of creatures like the human-faced spider or the poisonous horned dragon are extremely toxic. These extreme properties have to be balanced to be used safely; otherwise, they could freeze or burn one’s meridians.
Even after careful refinement, such medicines can’t be consumed carelessly. Excessive power can be as dangerous as poison. Grandfather likely kept the Eternal Blood Treasure because he couldn’t balance its properties with other ingredients.
If you absorb too much energy at once, it becomes toxic. But if it’s absorbed gradually…
My own energy is different. It’s pure and balanced, neither yin nor yang. It can support weak areas and harmonize strong ones.
The reason I collapsed from absorbing too much energy was because I faced a tidal wave of it all at once. But if I refine it and transfer it to Grandfather over time, he could enjoy a long life.
This way, I could use my energy before it overwhelms me, prevent our family from falling into chaos, and repay the debt of the Eternal Blood Treasure.
It’s like hitting three birds with one stone! I thought, excitement bubbling up inside me.