The moment Do Joon-soo pushed open the door to their hideout, a wave of pungent, herbal scent hit him like a slap to the face. He blinked, his nostrils flaring as he tried to adjust to the potent aroma. While he is used to the smell of herbs, this one is just too potent.

In the living room, Jeong-min waited, his face a mask of worry.

"I've got to check on the others," Jeong-min said, already heading for the door. "This incident has everyone on edge. I'll be back as soon as I can." With a nod, he was gone, leaving Do Joon-soo alone with the overpowering smell of Joo-won's brewing.

As Do Joon-soo approached the pill refinery, the scent grew so strong it made his eyes water. He found Alchemist Joo standing guard outside, his posture rigid with suspicion.

"What are you doing out here?" Do Joon-soo asked, raising an eyebrow.

Alchemist Joo snorted. "Keeping an eye on our little miracle worker. You're telling me this kid actually cured your arm? More likely the toxin just wore off."

Before Do Joon-soo could retort, the door creaked open. Joo-won's head poked out, his hair mussed and eyes bright with excitement.

"You're back!" he exclaimed. "Did you get everything?"

Do Joon-soo nodded, patting his space wristwatch. "It's all here. Mind if we watch? Maybe even lend a hand?"

Joo-won hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Why not? An extra pair of hands could be useful."

As they entered the refinery, even Alchemist Joo couldn't hide his surprise. The room was a whirlwind of activity, with herbs simmering in various pots and strange contraptions bubbling away. It was clear that this was no child's play – real alchemy was happening here.

"Alright," Joo-won said, rolling up his sleeves. "Let's get to work. We've got a life to save."

The pill refinery hummed with energy as Joo-won worked his magic. Alchemist Joo couldn't tear his eyes away, his jaw slowly dropping as he watched the young boy's hands move with impossible precision. There were no scales, no careful measurements – just Joo-won's fingers dancing through the air, pinching herbs and powders as if he could feel their very essence.

"Impossible," Alchemist Joo muttered under his breath. "This is grand master level technique."

Do Joon-soo nodded, equally mesmerized. "His methods are... unconventional, to say the least."

Alchemist Joo turned to Do Joon-soo, his eyes narrowed. "Where in the name of the Jade Emperor did you find this child?"

"The Unforgiving Gorge," Do Joon-soo replied simply.

A bark of laughter escaped Alchemist Joo. "Oh, come now! That desolate wasteland? You expect me to believe–" His words died as he saw the serious look on Do Joon-soo's face. "You're not jesting, are you?"

Do Joon-soo shook his head. "The Unforgiving Gorge hides more than just poisoned earth, it seems. A hidden dragon lurks in those mists."

Alchemist Joo's expression morphed from disbelief to awe, then to intense curiosity. "A master alchemist, hiding in such a place taught this child? But who could–" His eyes widened as a thought struck him. "You don't think..."

"The former head of the Poison Hall?" Do Joon-soo finished the thought, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's just a guess, but..."

They both turned back to watch Joo-won, the implications of his origins hanging heavy in the air. The young alchemist seemed oblivious to their speculation, lost in his work as he wove together a cure that should have been far beyond his years.

The air in the refinery crackled with anticipation as Joo-won straightened up, wiping beads of sweat from his brow. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he gazed upon the vibrant chrome-colored extract before him. The Copperleaf and Silverflower had yielded their secrets, just as he'd hoped.

Turning to Do Joon-soo, a flicker of pride crossed Joo-won's face. "The preparation is complete," he announced. "Now comes the real challenge – the decoction."

But as quickly as it had appeared, the pride faded, replaced by a furrowed brow. Without Hanjjokkom and its wellspring of Primordial Energy, this advanced alchemy would push him to his limits. He looked at Do Joon-soo, curiosity mingling with concern.

"What's your cultivation level?" Joo-won asked.

Do Joon-soo hesitated, then admitted, "Second stage of the General class."

Joo-won's eyes widened. "That's... incredible for someone your age. Most alchemists barely spare a thought for cultivation, too lost in their studies."

A wry smile tugged at Do Joon-soo's lips. "I was a bit of a martial prodigy as a kid," he explained. "But alchemy... there's something about mixing ingredients, creating something new. It sets my soul on fire."

Joo-won nodded, a hint of envy coloring his voice. "I wish I had that kind of talent."

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Do Joon-soo chuckled, clapping the younger boy on the shoulder. "Don't sell yourself short, kid. That sharp mind of yours? That burning curiosity? Those are an alchemist's true weapons."

Joo-won's face grew serious as he laid out their challenge. "We need to refine the Five Organs Mountain Herb Decoction," he said, his voice hushed with reverence.

Do Joon-soo's eyebrows shot up. "The what now?"

"It's an advanced elixir," Joo-won explained, fidgeting with nervous energy. "Way beyond my cultivation level. I'm stuck at the 8th stage of the Human class."

Alchemist Joo, who'd been lurking nearby, couldn't contain his shock. "The Five Organs Mountain Herb Decoction? That's just a legend!"

Joo-won backpedaled quickly, realizing his slip. "Oh, uh, that's just what my master called it. Probably not the real name?"

Do Joon-soo cut through the awkward moment, his face etched with concern. "We've only got enough herbs for three attempts. If we mess this up..."

"I know," Joo-won said, his voice barely above a whisper. He locked eyes with Do Joon-soo. "That's why I need you. You'll have to channel your mana into me while I work. Too little, and the elixir fails. Too much..." He swallowed hard. "Well, let's just say my heart might not take it."

The air in the refinery crackled with tension as Joo-won and Do Joon-soo prepared for their dangerous dance. Two days of constant focus lay ahead, with lives hanging in the balance. Do Joon-soo's mind raced – if they failed, Li Jing would remain frozen, and his own arm... He pushed the thought away. Failure wasn't an option.

Joo-won approached the cauldron with reverence, carefully adding herbs that looked more like precious gems than plants. He did not take out the Cheonryeong Jeongryeok, not wanting to give poor Alchemist Joo a heart attack on top of everything else.

As Joo-won's hands moved in intricate patterns over the bubbling mixture, Do Joon-soo placed his palms on the boy's back. He closed his eyes, focusing on the delicate flow of mana between them. Too much could be fatal, too little would doom their efforts.

Alchemist Joo couldn't tear his eyes away from the spectacle. Despite his years of experience, he felt like a novice watching a master at work. The thrill of witnessing something entirely new sent shivers down his spine. His pride warred with his insatiable curiosity – here was a mere child creating miracles he'd never dreamed possible.

As the first wisps of ethereal steam rose from the cauldron, Alchemist Joo made a decision. Age and rank be damned – he would learn from this prodigy, even if it meant swallowing his ego. After all, true wisdom lay in recognizing genius, no matter its unlikely source.

The refinery pulsed with energy as Joo-won and Do Joon-soo began their alchemical dance. Herbs shimmered as they cascaded into the cauldron, each one precisely measured by Joo-won's expert hands. Do Joon-soo stood behind him, palms hovering inches from the young alchemist's back, channeling mana in a delicate stream.

Their first attempt ended in bitter disappointment. The concoction turned an ugly, murky brown, its stench making their eyes water. Joo-won's shoulders slumped as he stared at the ruined mixture.

"We can't afford another mistake," Do Joon-soo muttered.

Joo-won nodded, his jaw set with renewed determination. As they reset for their second try, the air grew thick with tension. This time, Joo-won moved with laser focus, each gesture precise and purposeful. Do Joon-soo matched his intensity, carefully modulating the flow of mana.

For two grueling days, they worked without rest. The bubbling of the cauldron became a constant rhythm, punctuated only by their labored breathing. Time seemed to stretch and warp around them as they pushed their bodies to the limit.

Finally, as Joo-won lifted the cauldron from the flames, a burst of brilliant silver light erupted from within. Both alchemists stumbled back, shielding their eyes. As the glow faded, a scent unlike anything they'd experienced before filled the room – powerful and invigorating, yet somehow soothing to the soul.

Blinking away spots from his vision, Do Joon-soo peered into the cauldron. The liquid inside shimmered with an otherworldly radiance. He let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.

"We did it," he whispered.

The refinery gleamed with an otherworldly light as nine vials of liquid silver sat before them. The air hummed with potential, each breath filling their lungs with a scent that promised miracles. Alchemist Joo's fingers twitched, desire warring with duty as he gazed at the precious elixir.

"Drink," Joo-won urged, holding out a vial to Do Joon-soo.

With a deep breath, Do Joon-soo tipped the contents down his throat. Warmth exploded through his body, racing along pathways he'd never known existed. His left arm tingled, dark energy fleeing from restored flesh. But it didn't stop there – he could feel blockages in his meridians dissolving, his very essence becoming cleaner, purer. Do Joon-soo flexed his fingers in awe, realizing his cultivation would never be the same.

Meanwhile, in a shadowy corner of the Capital, a man crumpled to his knees. Blood spattered the ground as he coughed, his face twisted in shock and fury. One of his prized curses had shattered, leaving him reeling. "Impossible," he snarled, dark energy crackling around his fists.

Back in the refinery, Joo-won's voice cut through Do Joon-soo's wonder. "Listen carefully," he instructed, outlining the delicate process of transferring the elixir.

Do Joon-soo nodded, suddenly nervous. He took another vial, the powerful aroma filling his senses as he sipped. Steadying himself, he approached Yi Ji-won's still form. Time seemed to slow as he lowered his face to hers, their lips meeting in this strange, lifesaving kiss.

As he carefully transferred the elixir, Do Joon-soo's mind raced. Would it be enough? Had they done everything right? The weight of Yi Ji-won's life pressed down on him, making each heartbeat feel like an eternity.

All they could do now was wait, and hope that their miracle would be enough to bring her back from the brink.

A soft glow enveloped Yi Ji-won's body, dark wisps of energy fleeing into the air. Her eyelids fluttered, then opened. Do Joon-soo was at her side in an instant, wrapping her in a fierce embrace as tears streaked his cheeks.

"Ji-won," he choked out, his voice thick with emotion. "I thought... I thought I'd lost you forever."

Yi Ji-won blinked, disoriented. "Joon-soo? Why are you crying? What's going on?"

Do Joon-soo took a shaky breath, then poured out the whole story – the curse, the years of suspended animation, and Joo-won's miraculous cure. Yi Ji-won's eyes widened with each revelation.

"Years?" she whispered, her hand trembling in Do Joon-soo's. "I've been... gone for years?"

Do Joon-soo nodded, squeezing her hand. "But you're back now. That's all that matters."

As the reunited couple embraced, Joo-won watched from a distance, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. The fruits of their labor had paid off in the most beautiful way.

Suddenly, Alchemist Joo appeared at Joo-won's side, his eyes gleaming with a desperate light. "Young master," he said, voice low and urgent. "Might I... perhaps... have one of those vials? I'd do anything – become your pill slave, even!"

The room fell silent, all eyes turning to the esteemed alchemist. Do Joon-soo's jaw dropped, unable to believe that someone of Alchemist Joo's standing would make such an offer.