Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Moxibustion

Moxibustion involves the application of a moxa stick to specific points on the body, which is then burned to provide thermal stimulation.

This therapy offers various benefits, including raising body temperature, promoting blood circulation, and stimulating the corresponding blood vessels, organs, and endocrine glands in the targeted area. These effects can boost immunity.

Moreover, Moxibustion can help alleviate pain, paralysis, and spasms by calming overexcited nerves. Essentially, it acts as a concentrated thermal pack applied to a localized area, commonly used for relieving muscle pain.

In the case of Demian and his glossopharyngeal neuralgia, moxibustion proves to be the perfect solution.

Raciel smiled subtly as he prepared a moxa stick for the session. However, his intention went beyond treating the neuralgia alone.

I need to break the curse embedded in that brand.

As he laid eyes on the brand engraved on Demians back, its shape reminded him of the illustration from the novel, Devil Sword Emperor.

Suddenly, the novels content resurfaced in Raciels mind.

The brand is a symbol of the gladiators contract with a promoter, signifying their affiliation. But in reality, its a malicious control method used on the gladiators.

The brand was more than just a mark indicating the gladiators affiliation; it concealed a small magic circle.

Embedded within the magic circle was a curse. When the branded persons blood circulation became active, the curse would be triggered after an hour, causing excruciating pain.

In essence, after a fierce battle, they were destined to endure unbearable suffering.

Not just Demian, but all the other gladiators too.

However, no one realized that the brand was the source of their agony. They couldnt fathom it, attributing the pain to mere battle aftereffects and relying on painkillers to cope.

Living in deception.

Dying in deception.

Everyone remained oblivious.

Their hard-earned money was squandered on painkillers or handed over to the promoter, plunging them further into debt.

Every day, they fought and fought.

They earned money, yes.

But instead of saving, they accrued debts.

Sigh. Its just like my own experience of working hard but only accumulating debt in my account.

Recalling his painful memories from South Korea, Raciel momentarily succumbed to self-loathing before delving deeper into the novels intricacies.

Nevertheless, the brand is the crux of the issue.

According to the novels contents, harming the brand proved futile. Even if they peeled off the skin bearing the brand, it made no difference.

That makes sense. Theyre gladiators, constantly sustaining injuries. If the brand could be rendered useless by a simple sword scratch, it would lose its purpose in less than a month.

The more he pondered, the more sinister it seemed.

The brand reflected the promoters intention to exploit the gladiators until their demise. Yet, removing it wasnt entirely impossible.

Burning it with intense heat.

Both the brand and the curse were engraved with heat.

Thus, they could be eradicated by subjecting them to the same intensity of heat. In fact, it was the only viable method.

But what about Raciel himself?

Scalding the human body with heat was a familiar practice for Raciel. No, it was more than familiarity.

I do it every day.

That was moxibustion.

Alright, dont be afraid. Just relax.

As Demian lay face down, Raciel positioned the moxa stick on the back, precisely on the brand etched in the left scapula region. The moxa stick had a rounded cone shape, significantly larger than the standard size, ensuring a powerful effect.

Demian winced as he felt a sensation on his back.

Whats happening?

Dont worry, it wont kill you.

.

Are you afraid?

Of course not. But-

But?

I still have my doubts about the effectiveness of such a peculiar treatment.

Do I appear to be a fraud to you?

Naturally.

Demian curled the corners of his mouth.

The object you placed on my back looks like a bunch of crushed, dried grass. I doubt if placing such a thing on my back will ease my pain.

Ah, I see. Satisfy your curiosity through your own experience.

Raciel chuckled mischievously as he lifted the candle from the table. He brought the flickering flame in contact with the top of the moxa stick.

Alright, here we go. Here we go. Here we go.

Huh?

Chiieek-!

The flame transferred to the top of the moxa stick. Demian, who was observing, widened his eyes.

What are you doing?

This is how its done.

Remove it immediately.

He simply smirked and watched as the moxa stick burned brightly. Meanwhile, Demians face became increasingly contorted. And finally, it happened.

So, youre really not going to say anything?

Hey.

Hello?

Say something

Do you want me to speak? See, it hurts more when I shut up.

Tch.

But you should appreciate this. The therapy stick wasnt made easily.

What?

It was made of mugwort. And not just any mugwort. We gathered those that grew by the sea, bathing in the sea breeze. Ideally, it should be aged for more than three years, but we didnt have that much time.

We finely ground it with a mortar and filtered out impurities by pounding it with a pestle. We repeated this process around ten times, continuing until only the white fluff remained. Thanks to this, we produced a high-quality moxa stick, incorporating the perfect balance of moisture, protein nitrogenous compounds, fiber, fat, ash, flavonoid compounds, sesquiterpenes, alcohol, and more.

What

This means were burning you with a meticulously crafted stick, made with exceptional ingredients.

Its done. Just lie down a little longer.

The moxa stick finally burned out.

Raciel carefully brushed away the ash from the burnt stick. The spot where the stick had been placed was now thoroughly reddened.

It was the mark left by the therapy.

Good. Its perfectly cauterized.

A warm smile, reminiscent of a top-tier steak chef, graced the corner of Raciels mouth. The skin had been cooked to perfection(?).

He had used an especially tightly packed moxa stick, one that burned hotter and longer than the standard variety. Perhaps an ordinary person wouldnt have been able to withstand the heat.

But he had faith in Demian.

Just as expected of the novels protagonist.

The protagonists resilience and exceptional strength of will. Raciel had pressed forward, placing his trust in those qualities, and Demian had lived up to those expectations flawlessly. It was thanks to this that they had achieved successful results.

Raciel, having tidied up the moxibustion site, spoke up.

Now that its done, try getting up.

Demian slowly raised his body.

Fortunately(?), he didnt unleash his anger on Raciel. Instead, he sat on the edge of the bed and furrowed his brow deeply.

Hmm?

Then, he turned to look at Raciel. His eyes were filled with disbelief, brimming with surprise.

How did you my back my head

Dont you feel better now? Is everything clear?

Nod.

Demian nodded in affirmation.

He couldnt help but feel incredulous.

The pain had truly vanished completely. The pulling sensation at the back of his head, the numbness that radiated through the entire area behind his ears, and the excruciating pain that made it feel like his eyeballs were about to burst out of their sockets.

It was all gone.

His head felt clear.

Even after taking painkillers, he had never felt this refreshed before. It was a first in many years.

How in the world?

Demian gazed at Raciel.

He had initially thought Raciel was nothing more than a charlatan.

Even when he was instructed to lie down and treated with that peculiar clump of grass, he had held such a belief. Why was he being treated on his back, which had no apparent connection to the pain in the back of his head and face?

He couldnt comprehend it at all. It seemed as if his bare skin had been subjected to a pointless treatment. Countless times, he had contemplated standing up and leaving.

But since Kusman sent him, I wanted to see the outcome.

If the treatment yielded no results, he would break both of Raciels arms. He would ensure that Raciel couldnt walk for a while.

He gritted his teeth and made a solemn vow.

Yet, an unexpected outcome emerged.

He truly hadnt anticipated this.

He was no longer in pain.

Honestly, it was astonishing.

Who on earth, are you?

In the world of the novel, a man known as the Devil Sword Emperor ruled the continent with his singular blade. But here, Demian had awakened to a new realm of moxibustion.

Unbeknownst to himself, for the first time, polite words flowed effortlessly from his lips.