The city of Yeongyak Do glittered beneath the night sky, its towering alchemical spires reaching toward the stars. But beneath the veneer of prosperity, a war raged in the shadows.

Seven districts carved up the city like a misshapen pie. Five flew the banners of the Poison Faction. Their street patrolled by alchemists with vials of deadly concoctions at their hips. Only two remained loyal to the Medicinal Faction, islands of healing in a sea of toxins.

The imbalance was stark.

Gold flowed like water through the Poison-controlled streets, while the Medicinal districts struggled with crumbling infrastructure and dwindling supplies. Whispers of discontent grew louder with each passing day.

As the clock struck midnight, shadows detached themselves from darkened alleyways. The Hidden Path moved like smoke on the wind, their bodies fluid as they leapt from rooftop to rooftop. No lock could stop them, no guard could spot them.

They navigated the labyrinthine streets as if guided by an unseen map, their movements a silent dance through a city that never truly slept. In their wake, they left only the faintest whisper of change on the wind.

For tonight, the Hidden Path carried more than just their usual secrets. They bore the hopes of a city longing for balance, and the first sparks of a revolution that would shake Yeongyak Do to its very foundations.

…

The lanterns of the Jade Dragon tavern cast a warm glow over the five figures huddled in the corner. Their voices were hushed, but their qi crackled with restless energy.

"Senior Sister Hyeol-Ran, what news from the capital?" Joo-won asked. Despite being a prodigy in alchemical arts, herespected the members of this rag tag group like his equal.

Hyeol-Ran's delicate features belied her iron will. She tapped the table, leaving faint scorch marks. "The Poison Faction grows bolder. They seek to monopolize the Hwaninseokcho."

Do Joon-soo frowned. "Those bastards! Don't they know that herb is vital for curing the Five Venoms Plague?"

Yi Gwan and Baek Woojin exchanged glances, their eyes carrying the weight of cultivators who had walked the treacherous path of jianghu for decades.

"Such is the way of power," Baek Woojin sighed, stroking his beard. "But our Hidden Path shall not waver."

Just then, a shadow flickered at the window. In a blink, a masked figure appeared, bowing deeply.

"Hyeol-Ran, the documents you requested," the figure whispered, producing a scroll bound with crimson thread.

Hyeol-Ran unfurled the scroll, the tavern fell silent, as if the very air held its breath.

Hyeol-Ran slammed the documents on the table, making their drinks jump. "Guys, it's worse than we thought. Alchemist Mang-Dok's gone full crazy."

"What?" Joo-won leaned in, nearly knocking over his iced tea.

"He's poisoning shopkeepers!" Hyeol-Ran's eyes flashed. "Forty-two stores, all coughing up monthly 'protection' fees for the antidote."

"That slimy bastard!" Do Joon-soo growled, his muscular frame tensing. "Some alchemist he is. More like a two-bit thug with a fancy title. No wonder he’s been monopolizing the Hwaninseokcho"

Baek Woojin nodded grimly. "And the Alchemist Union just lets it slide. No wonder we bailed on those pushovers."

"First District's turning into Mang-Dok's personal piggy bank," Yi Gwan muttered. "We gotta shut this operation down, fast."

Joo-won's face suddenly lit up. "Wait, I've got it! What if we swooped in with our own antidote? We could free these folks right out from under Mang-Dok's scaly nose!"

Hyeol-Ran's eyes flashed with concern. "Hold up, Joo-won. Clever idea, but way too risky. If Snake-Face catches on, we're toast. We're not ready to take on the Five Poisons and that Alchemist Poong. Not with the Medicine Faction getting squeezed. Plus we don’t have any resources to go toe to toe with them."

Joo-won's shoulders slumped. Great plan, genius. Real smooth.

The next day, Joo-won, Yi Ji-won, and Do Joon-soo weave through Yeongyak Do's bustling streets. Their destination: a tiny herb shop, the Hidden Path's secret base. But they had an unwanted shadow.

"Young Master Joo-won!" Alchemist Joo's nasally voice made Joo-won wince. "About that Five Organs Mountain Decoction..."

"Still no," Joo-won grumbled.

Do Joon-soo elbowed him. "Hey, maybe we shouldn't be so quick to brush him off. We need all the allies we can get right now."

Yi Ji-won nodded, her usually serene face pinched with worry. "He did help me out..."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

…

The buzz of chatter hit them before they even rounded the corner. A knot of people huddled outside Old Man Lee's trinket shop, faces pinched with worry.

"What's the deal?" Joo-won muttered, elbowing his way through.

His breath caught. There, sprawled on the dusty street, lay Old Man Lee. The shopkeeper's skin glistened with sweat, his chest barely moving.

Do Joon-soo's eyes widened. "Poison," he hissed. "No doubt about it."

"Mang-Dok's goons," a woman whispered, her voice trembling. "Lee couldn't cough up this month's 'protection' fee."

Joo-won's fists clenched. He locked eyes with Do Joon-soo, a silent understanding passing between them.

"We can't just—" Yi Ji-won started, but Joo-won was already moving.

He knelt beside Old Man Lee, fingers dancing over pressure points. Joo-won closed his eyes, channeling his qi. With a swift jab, he drove his energy into Lee's meridians.

Seconds crawled by like hours. Then—

Lee's body convulsed. A glob of sickly green gunk splattered onto the cobblestones. The crowd recoiled, gagging at the stench.

But Lee's breathing steadied, color returning to his cheeks. As he drifted into healing sleep, the onlookers melted away, not wanting to get involved.

Joo-won stood, wiping his brow. "That was too close."

Do Joon-soo clapped him on the back. "Nice work, but we've got bigger fish to fry. Mang-Dok's gonna notice his poison failed."

Yi Ji-won nodded grimly. "Looks like our plans just got a lot more complicated."

As they hurried toward their original destination, Joo-won's mind raced. The Hidden Path had just painted a target on its back. But maybe, just maybe, they'd also found their first allies in this poisoned city.

The bell above the door wheezed as they entered the tiny shop. Joo-won's nose wrinkled at the musty smell of neglect.

"Yeesh," Do Joon-soo muttered, eyeing the peeling wallpaper. "How's this place still standing?"

An ancient man hunched behind the counter, his wispy beard quivering as he eyed the newcomers suspiciously.

Yi Ji-won stepped forward, her voice gentle. "Elder, how has business been lately?"

The old man's sigh seemed to deflate him further. "Ever since that snake Mang-Dok slithered in, folks are too scared to shop anywhere else. One wrong move and—" He dragged a finger across his throat.

Joo-won's mind raced, pieces of a plan slowly clicking into place. His eyes landed on the overflowing trash bin.

"Hold up," he said, diving in elbow-deep. He emerged, triumphant, clutching a fistful of limp greens.

"Uh, you planning on making a salad?" Do Joon-soo arched an eyebrow.

Joo-won ignored him, practically bouncing over to the shopkeeper. "Sir, why'd you toss these?"

Joo-won's eyes widened as he sifted through the "trash." Purple wild grass, fiery lotus leaves, and delicate Argentum blossoms – a treasure trove masquerading as compost.

"Holy cow," he whispered, mind racing. "This stuff's gold!"

The old shopkeeper leaned forward, squinting. "You hit your head, boy? That's rubbish."

Joo-won grinned, practically vibrating with excitement. "Sir, mind if I take this off your hands? Trust me, people are gonna be fighting over these 'weeds' real soon."

He sprinted over to Hyeol-Ran, nearly tripping over his own feet. "Hyeol-Ran! I've got it! We can use all this stuff the alchemists toss out. It's perfect!"

Hyeol-Ran raised an eyebrow, looking from Joo-won's manic grin to the wilted plants in his hands. "Uh, you sure about this? It looks like garbage to me."

"Exactly!" Joo-won exclaimed. "But that's where they're wrong. This purple grass? Mental energy booster. Argentum flowers? Bone tonic. And don't get me started on these lotus leaves!"

Hyeol-Ran's skepticism wavered. "I dunno..."

"C'mon," Joo-won pleaded. "What've we got to lose? If I'm wrong, it's just more compost. But if I'm right..." His eyes gleamed with possibility.

Hyeol-Ran sighed, a smile tugging at her lips. "Alright, alchemist boy. Show us what you've got."

…

The next few days were a whirlwind. The Hidden Path crew descended on the tiny shop like a horde of caffeinated pixies. Yi Ji-won wielded a paintbrush like a master swordsman, transforming the dreary exterior into a riot of cheerful colors. Do Joon-soo's muscles bulged as he hauled in crates of Joo-won's "miracle weeds."

"The Veiled Cauldron," Joo-won announced proudly, unveiling the freshly carved sign. "Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

Inside, the transformation was even more dramatic. Gone were the cobwebs and clutter, replaced by gleaming shelves and the soothing scent of herbs. The once-gloomy shop now felt like stepping into a secret garden.

"Not bad," Hyeol-Ran admitted, running a finger along a spotless counter. "But will it be enough to take on Snake-Face and his goons?"

Joo-won's grin was infectious. "Just wait till people see what these 'useless weeds' can do. We're about to shake things up in this town."

As the team stood back to admire their handiwork, a mixture of excitement and nervousness buzzed in the air. The Veiled Cauldron was ready for business, but would Yeongyak Do be ready for them?

Joo-won's hands danced over the cauldron, a conductor orchestrating a symphony of scents and colors. His friends watched, wide-eyed, as he transformed their "useless weeds" into something magical.

"No way I’m using the Heavenly Dragon's Breath, too risky," he murmured, measuring out dried petals.

He narrated each step to the people watching him, his voice steady despite the excitement bubbling inside.

"A pinch of wild grass here, three lotus leaves there..."

Herbal mist covered the space as concoctions simmered. Joo-won barely paused, already onto the next creation. His fingers whipped up a pearly cream, smooth as silk.

"Pearl Cream – bye-bye freckles, hello flawless skin in just three days!"

“Why are we selling Pearl Cream again?”Hyel-Ran questioned this kid’s judgment. It seems that she has overestimated his smartness.

“Beauty products are the easiest to sell. Right now, we need to spread the news about our shop. News spread wider and faster among female shoppers. Moreover, it would be difficult to encourage the cultivators to choose an unknown apothecary like us,” Joo-won explained

But they didn’t stop there…

They worked like a well-oiled machine, churning out Heartsease Aromatics and glittering Moonsilver Pills. With each explanation, their excitement grew. This was it – their secret weapon against the Poison Alchemists.

Yi Gwan's eyes gleamed. "We'll undercut those snake oil salesmen. Superior quality, lower prices – the people will love it!"

Hyeol-Ran snapped into action, barking orders to the Hidden Path crew. "Spread the word! I want everyone buzzing about these miracle cures by sunrise!"