RDSC 03

~Chapter 03~

. Strange Kidnappers (2)

Rustle, rustle.

“Hoooh…”

A gasp escaped from Physician Heo’s lips as he went out with Seokdu to boil medicinal herbs.

Just as he was about to put the pot over the fire and light the furnace to boil the herbs, Seokdu stopped him, pushed him aside, and grabbed the bottom of the pot.

Moments later, his hand began to glow faintly red, and soon the water started to boil, steam rising upward.

“…Um, excuse me.”

As Seokdu boiled the water with his fiery inner energy, he turned toward the physician and asked:

“How long do I do this?”
“Ah… i-it should be done now. It needs to cool a bit, so set it down over there.”

Thud.

Despite the water inside still bubbling furiously, Seokdu set the pot down with ease, showing no sign of discomfort.

The physician raised his eyebrows in astonishment.

“Ah, doesn’t it burn?”
“Why would it?”
“…”
“I’m hotter than it is.”

…Was that a joke, or was he serious?

Seokdu extinguished the flame-like energy that had been wrapped around his hand. The physician quietly observed him, then, after some thought, cautiously spoke.

“Ahem… By chance, could you also light this furnace for me? You can use the firewood over here.”
“This wood?”
“Y-yes. Just place it in this furnace and light it… that’s right.”

He pointed to the furnace connected to a chimney in the roof, used only when large amounts of medicine or food were being prepared in a big cauldron.

If smoke rose unexpectedly from that chimney at dawn, someone would surely notice and come.

For example… the warriors of Hyeongdo Sect.

Directly across from his home was the Hyeongdo Sect, one of the orthodox sects of the Namak region.

For an aging physician like him, carrying large amounts of herbs or managing a huge cauldron was difficult, so whenever needed, warriors from Hyeongdo would come lend a hand.

And in turn, whenever sudden injuries arose, Physician Heo willingly offered his aid, regardless of time or place.

If the sect warriors recognized this signal, they could easily subdue a few child kidnappers in the blink of an eye.

Surely he won’t notice that I’m trying to send a distress signal?

Nervously glancing at Seokdu, the physician was relieved when the man, as dim-witted as expected, obediently lit the furnace he wanted.

Seokdu simply wrapped his fiery aura around the wood and grasped it lightly, and the dry logs caught fire in an instant.

Crackle, crackle.

“Oooh…”

Watching the smoke billowing up the chimney, the physician smiled in satisfaction.

At that moment, Seokdu’s voice came from the side.

“So, how long does this need to cool?”
“Mm? Ah… j-just a little longer now.”
“…Waiting’s boring. Baby.”

Seokdu stood beside him, arms folded across his thick chest, grumbling like a boulder planted in place.

Looking at his steadfast figure, the physician tried again, voice tinged with hope.

“Ahem… You may go inside now, I can handle the rest—”
“No!”

Seokdu suddenly glared, shouting so fiercely that the physician flinched back in fright.

“It’s my elder brother’s order.”
“A-ah… understood.”

…He almost wet himself.

He had tried to trick this fool into leaving, but the man’s serious response was far more frightening than expected.

…I’d better behave quietly from now on.

He had done all he could. If he wanted to live long enough to testify against these kidnappers later, he needed to stay alive.

Sighing shortly, the physician prayed someone had noticed his signal.

Slurp, slurp.

“Oooh… look, he’s drinking!”
“Yes, I see.”
“…So cute.”
“Didn’t you say it was just mild exhaustion? Stop fussing so much—oof!”

Guangpae shoved a rolled cloth into the baby’s mouth, kicking Heukpyo on the side as he complained.

It was a fake pacifier, made by rolling cloth and shaping the tip into a small bulb.

Dipping it into the decoction, Guangpae placed it in the baby’s mouth. Though the child had whined at first, he soon grew accustomed and began sucking eagerly.

Slurp, slurp.

The baby’s cheeks flushed rosy red, puffing adorably.

Now wide-eyed and alert, he looked curiously at the faces gathered around him.

That sight was… much cuter than even the Black Heavenly Four Fiends had expected.

“Uh? Big brother, I think he’s done?”
“R-really?”

Guangpae swiftly pulled the cloth out, soaked it again, and quickly placed it back before the child could cry.

The baby, soothed once more, peacefully resumed sucking.

“Phew… what a little thing.”

Guangpae, amazed at how easily the child was satisfied, turned to Physician Heo.

“Physician.”
“Y-yes? What is it?”
“What did you put in this water to make him drink so well? Medicine usually tastes bitter.”
“Ah… since a baby must drink it, I mostly used licorice root.”

Since the exhaustion only required restoring energy, there was no need for bitter herbs.

Yet Guangpae, apparently ignorant of such basic knowledge, nodded in satisfaction.
“Oooh, I see. Licorice, huh? We should feed him this often.”

The physician swallowed a sigh.

“…Licorice only masks bitterness and provides temporary energy. What the baby truly needs is proper nutrition—he must be fed real food at the right times.”
“Food? You mean like… milk?”
“Not all children rely on milk. Judging by his teeth, he seems about one year old. At that age, he can eat porridge or soft foods.”
“Porridge? Where do we get that? At the inn?”
“No… you make it, something like rice gruel that’s easy to digest. The inn won’t have it. You’ll have to prepare it yourselves.”
“Hmm… fine. So basically, mushy food like porridge.”

…I swear I’m going to die of frustration.

With fools like these raising him, I truly fear for this child.

At least they didn’t seem malicious, which was some small relief. But ignorance could be as dangerous as cruelty.

Unaware of his peril, the baby simply laughed brightly.

Giggle, giggle.

“Uh? Big brother, he’s laughing.”
“Hmph… that licorice must be wonderful stuff.”
“So cute…!”
“Stop fussing… Haven’t you ever seen a baby laugh before? …Though it’s my first time too.”

The physician clutched his chest in silent agony.

At that moment, ten gold pieces were placed before him.

Clatter.

“Take it.”
“This is…? What is this?”
“What else? Your fee. You saved the child’s life tonight.”
“T-this much, for medicine?”

The physician’s eyes widened at the unexpected fortune. Such a vast sum, for nothing more than treating mild exhaustion?

Would men who throw away this much gold really kidnap a child for money?

Something didn’t add up.

Still bewildered, he pushed back nine coins, leaving only one.

“This is too much. Even considering the late hour, this is far beyond fair payment.”
“Strange. First time I’ve seen someone refuse money. Even if it’s a child, saving a life isn’t cheap.”
“It wasn’t saving a life. I merely restored him from fatigue—”
“That is saving him. Had he stayed in our hands without your help, what do you think would’ve happened?”
“B-but still… my conscience as a physician cannot accept more…”

Thud, thud, thud.

“Physician Heo! Are you inside?”
“We are from Hyeongdo Sect! Please open the door!”
“Ah…”

At the sudden voices outside, the physician gulped nervously.

The Black Heavenly Fiends all turned to look at him.

Sweating under their silent pressure, he forced a laugh and stood up.

“Ahem… I had forgotten, the Hyeongdo Sect was due to collect medicine tonight. One moment…”

Bang.

“There you are, Physician. We are warriors from Hyeongdo Sect. We came by to see if you required assistance with anything.”

Three warriors in white uniforms, swords at their waists, bowed politely.

The physician longed to shout for help, but under the fiends’ gaze, he cautiously greeted them.

“Mm… no, not much help is needed tonight…”

Yet his sweating and nervous glances behind him betrayed the truth.

The sect warriors, noting this, peered into the room where the Black Fiends sat.

“Those men inside… Where are they from?”
“What business is it of yours?”

Guangpae sneered.

“You mind your own matters. Don’t poke into what’s none of your concern.”
“You…!”

One warrior bristled, hand moving to his sword, but the eldest among them raised a hand to restrain him.

Keeping calm, he addressed Guangpae.

“You four look like senior martial artists. Forgive me, but may I ask your sect affiliation?”
“Hmph, at least you’re old enough to see clearly. But why should we tell you?”
“As I said, we are disciples of Hyeongdo Sect. This physician is our long-time ally. If… he is being threatened by people of the unorthodox path, we cannot stand idly by.”

“Oh-ho?”

Guangpae’s lips curled, but the others wore cold expressions.

Baekryeong spoke first.
“Shall I kill them?”
“Kill them? Did you not hear? This is an orthodox sect’s territory.”
“Still… kill them anyway.”

While Baekryeong only suggested, Heukpyo stood, hand reaching for his sword.
“The cleanest solution is annihilation. No loose ends.”
“I said no. Do you plan to kill the physician as well?”
“Why not? He’s clearly signaled them already…”

As Heukpyo gripped his blade, Seokdu seized his wrist.
“Stop, Heukpyo.”
“Let go, Seokdu.”
“It’s elder brother’s order.”
“…Didn’t you hear me? Let go.”

Heukpyo’s eyes turned ice-cold, his killing aura surging. Seokdu stiffened but met his glare with equal force.

Even this silent clash made the Hyeongdo warriors blanch, struggling to breathe.

W-what is this…
I… I can’t breathe…

Then—

Bwoooom!

A half-circle wave of energy burst from Guangpae, striking both men.

“Urgh…!”
“…!”

The two staggered, their murderous standoff broken.

“Enough, both of you.”

“Yes, elder brother.”
“…Forgive me, elder brother.”

They bowed their heads.

Guangpae turned his steps toward the trembling Hyeongdo disciples.