Chapter 13

Chapter 13
## Chapter 13: Heavenly Yin Divine Meridian (1)

“You’ve certainly made a bold move.”

Sima Hyeon gazed at the shop front, his face a mask of disbelief.

He had pulled into town roughly two days behind schedule following his protection detail, only to find their residence deserted. A cold wave of panic had washed over him when he realized not just Sima Geon, Cheol Woo, and Sima Ho were gone, but Sima Jin as well. His first terrifying thought was that her failing health had taken a turn for the worse.

Fortunately, a neighbor saw him spiraling into a panic and pointed him toward the butcher shop. Had it not been for that timely intervention, he would have sprinted all the way to the Clear Heart Clinic in a desperate search for her.

“Second Brother!”

Sima Jin, who had been busy tidying the shop, beamed with pure delight the moment she spotted Sima Hyeon.

“When did you arrive?”

“Just this moment. Why are you working when you should be resting?”

Sima Hyeon took the broom from her grasp, his tone protective.

“I’m alright… Oh, has anyone told you? Big Brother is the new owner of this shop.”

“I caught wind of it on my way here.”

Sima Jin tried to subtly reclaim the broom.

“Big Brother put a lot of effort into getting this place. I can’t let it stay messy.”

“It’s spotless as it is. That’s enough cleaning.”

Sima Hyeon tossed the broom aside and gave the pouting Sima Jin a warm, laughing pat on the shoulder.

“Where is he?”

“Back in the processing area.”

Concerned she might go back to her chores, Sima Hyeon took her by the hand and guided her further into the establishment.

“Is the shop busy?”

“Not quite yet.”

When Sima Hyeon’s expression darkened, Sima Jin quickly jumped to the shop’s defense.

“The previous proprietor, old Grandpa So, only passed away a short while ago. We’ve only been open for a few days. It’s too soon to expect a crowd.”

“Grandpa So is gone?”

Sima Hyeon had heard about the change in ownership, but the news of So Hyang’s death was a genuine blow.

“Yes, he passed the very night Big Brother took over. They say he went peacefully in his sleep.”

“I see.”

Sima Hyeon gave a slow, somber nod.

While they hadn’t been close, they had shared friendly greetings over the years, and the news sat heavy in his chest. As they walked through the organized front of the shop toward the back, a loud, frustrated shout erupted.

“I told you the blood has to be drained thoroughly! Look at this mess. It’s a disaster.”

“Is that Cheol Woo hyung?”

Sima Hyeon asked, eyes wide with surprise. Sima Jin nodded, giggling.

“Yes. Third Brother is catching heat again.”

“Wait, why is he here?”

“Big Brother brings him in every chance he gets to train him in butchery. Third Brother tries to sneak away constantly, but somehow, he never manages to escape.”

“Good. He needs it.”

Sima Hyeon realized immediately that Sima Geon was using the shop to pull Sima Ho away from the influence of the streets, and the thought pleased him. Just then, Sima Ho’s annoyed voice drifted over.

“Forget it! I cut the throat and let the blood run just like you showed me.”

“Cutting is only the start. I gave you specific instructions to sever the tendons entirely. I explained that quick, proper drainage is the only way to ensure the meat stays high-quality.”

“Fine, I get it! You’re acting like an old nag just because you’re big… Ow!”

Sima Ho’s attempt at talking back was cut short as Cheol Woo clipped him on the back of the head. Sima Ho let out a dramatic wail, claiming he was being murdered.

Knowing Sima Ho’s volatile nature, Sima Hyeon braced for a fight, but Sima Jin didn’t look worried at all. During Sima Hyeon’s absence, Sima Ho had tried to rebel against Cheol Woo’s instruction, only to be soundly defeated. Now, he knew better than to actually swing back.

“And you made another error. Possibly the worst one yet.”

At Sima Geon’s stern voice, Sima Hyeon and Sima Jin peeked into the slaughterhouse.

“What now?”

Sima Ho asked, casting a cautious look at Cheol Woo.

“Looking at this carcass, it’s clear you beat the animal while it was still breathing. Didn’t you?”

Sima Ho’s jaw dropped.

“How… how could you tell?”

“Why would you do such a thing?”

“You have to tenderize livestock like pigs and cows while they’re fresh for the meat to be soft. Anyone who’s dealt with dogs knows that’s the way.”

Sima Ho looked between Sima Geon and a visibly flustered Cheol Woo as if they were the ones missing the point. Sima Geon turned his sharp gaze toward Cheol Woo.

“What were you doing while he was doing that?”

“I… I lost focus for a second.”

“There’s losing focus, and then there’s ignoring the basics. Especially after the old man chewed you out for that exact thing.”

Under Sima Geon’s disappointment, Cheol Woo had no defense. His face turned crimson, and he rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. Sima Ho felt a flicker of joy seeing Cheol Woo get scolded, but his confusion remained.

“Is it actually wrong? I thought everyone knew that.”

“It’s wrong. It’s a total misconception.”

Sima Geon sighed, pointing to the pig suspended from the beam.

“Look at those dark bruises. Those spots trap the blood inside. And if the blood doesn’t leave the body, what happens? Tell him.”

Sima Geon stared at Cheol Woo.

“The… the meat tastes bitter and spoiled.”

Cheol Woo muttered. Having failed to catch the mistake despite scolding Sima Ho earlier, he looked like he wanted to vanish.

“That’s strange. In my experience, tenderizing it like that always made the texture better.”

Sima Ho remained skeptical, clinging to his old habits.

“You aren’t entirely wrong, but the timing is everything. You do that only after the animal is dead and the blood is completely gone. Then the texture improves. But beating a living creature does the opposite. In extreme cases, it makes the meat foul. Think about it—even animals feel terror and pain. That stress creates toxins in the body. Do you really think meat filled with that would taste good?”

Sima Ho shook his head slowly. While his past experiences with dogs made him hesitate, Sima Geon’s logic left him feeling deeply unsettled.

“What do we do with that one then, Boss? If we put that on the counter, Grandpa So will rise from the grave to haunt us.”

Cheol Woo pointed at the bruised pig. It wasn’t even processed yet, but the marks were obvious.

“We could sell it for pennies, but that would ruin the name Grandpa So spent his life building. Give it away to the neighbors. Just make sure to explain why.”

“Understood.”

Cheol Woo agreed immediately, but Sima Ho looked horrified.

“Are you serious? Just giving away expensive meat? No way. Let me handle it. I can find buyers who won’t ask questions and get full price.”

“Be quiet.”

Sima Geon spoke with cold finality, flicking Sima Ho’s forehead before turning toward the door.

“How much longer are you two going to hide back there?”

Sima Hyeon stepped out from behind the pillar looking sheepish, while Sima Jin ran to Sima Geon’s side.

“When did you get back? I was starting to worry the trip had gone sideways.”

Sima Geon asked, smoothing Sima Jin’s hair.

“Just walked in.”

“Any trouble on the road?”

“Exhausted, but as you can see, I’m in one piece.”

Sima Hyeon offered a tired smile. He had come straight from the road, his clothes heavy with travel dust and sweat.

“But Brother, you’ve really turned things upside down. I was only gone a few days. You move fast.”

“That’s just how things shook out. You disappointed?”

Sima Geon gave a small, awkward grin.

“Not at all, just stunned. I never pictured you running a butcher shop. But seeing everyone together like this… it feels right. Even if I did walk in on a comedy routine.”

Sima Hyeon looked over at the sulking Sima Ho.

“Is this a good idea, though? This shop has a big reputation. The previous owner was a master. If you slip up even a little, the neighborhood will tear you apart. Success here is hard-won.”

Sima Geon met his brother’s concern with a confident smile.

“Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing. And if we want to make it, we’re all going to have to work. Every one of us.”

The weight of his gaze made Sima Hyeon and Sima Ho feel a sudden chill. Only Sima Jin, delighted by the image of her brothers working a legitimate trade instead of the Juhae Escort Agency or the Heart Society, was truly happy.

—

“The Living Immortal Medical House? You are certain they said Living Immortal Medical House?”

The middle-aged man demanded, his voice trembling with shock.

“Yes. The prisoners in the cells gave the same account. We double-checked the details—it was definitely them.”

A man with a jagged scar running across his face from eye to mouth bowed low as he answered.

“And did you find out their business in Hangzhou?”

“A member of the imperial family living in retirement there fell seriously ill. It seems the palace made a direct request to the Living Immortal Medical House for his care.”

“And these physicians crossed paths with those thugs on their way to the city?”

“That is correct.”

“What a stroke of misfortune. Still, something feels wrong. The Living Immortal Medical House isn’t known for decapitating people for no reason. And why would they leave the city with their retainers so suddenly? There has to be a deeper motive.”

“I agree.”

The scarred man nodded and took a small step forward. The middle-aged man’s eyes sharpened. That single movement signaled the arrival of critical information.

“Ga Deung was hunting the Celestial Pure Jade Milk.”

The middle-aged man’s face contorted with greed and shock.

“The… Celestial Pure Jade Milk?”

“Yes.”

The brief confirmation allowed the middle-aged man to piece it all together. Ga Deung had discovered that the physicians were carrying the legendary medicine to treat the imperial relative. Blinded by ambition, he had tried to steal it and paid with his life.

“That greedy cockroach. Seeking things far beyond his station. I plucked him from the gutters and made him the shadow king of Hangzhou, only for him to hide this from me.”

The middle-aged man was livid that his subordinate had kept such a prize a secret.

“Where are the physicians now?”

“They departed this morning.”

“Curse it all!”

The man’s mood soured. Their departure meant the treatment was likely finished, and the medicine gone.

“What a waste. The Celestial Pure Jade Milk is a treasure beyond price, and it was thrown away on some fading imperial relic.”

He lifted his cup in irritation.

“It wasn’t used on the clansman. The medicine has a different owner. Our opportunity hasn’t vanished yet.”

The middle-aged man froze, the cup still at his mouth.

“A different owner? It wasn’t the physicians’?”

“No. Ga Deung actually died while he was pursuing the person who currently holds it.”

“Why did you lead with the other story then!”

He barked at his subordinate, draining his drink and leaning in close.

“Who is it? Who has the Celestial Pure Jade Milk?”

“A man by the name of Sima Geon.”

“Sima Geon?”

The name meant nothing to him. As he frowned in confusion, the subordinate continued.

“He hails from Xiaoxing. He purchased the Celestial Pure Jade Milk that the leader of the Water Dragon Merchant Association was hiding, apparently to save his sister’s life.”

“The Water Dragon Merchant Association? Ha, I should have guessed that greedy old merchant had something like that tucked away.”

The middle-aged man sneered, then turned deadly serious.

“This is better. If the Water Dragon Merchant Association still had it, taking it would be a headache. But this is a gift from the heavens. Go and seize it immediately. Spend whatever is necessary… wait, you said it was for a sick sister?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Damn! Time is running out. What kind of illness requires a miracle like that? I pray we aren’t too late.”

He slammed his fist onto the table, his head swimming with regret.

“Medicine of that caliber belongs to those who can truly use it.”

To Yeongho Jung, the man known throughout the land as the Gentleman Sword, the Celestial Pure Jade Milk was the key to his future.

*If I can secure this, it changes everything. It will bolster my own strength, and if I’m lucky, it might even cure the ailment of Little Uncle’s favorite child.*

Curing the son of his influential cousin would win him the undying gratitude of Little Uncle—the clan’s most powerful elder. With that backing, he could finally dismantle his brothers’ schemes in the race for succession and take his place as the head of the Yeongho Clan.

“Do whatever you must. If he has already administered it, bring the girl to me. The Celestial Pure Jade Milk is so potent that its essence will remain in her blood for some time. We can still extract it.”

At Yeongho Jung’s heartless command, Dang Baek—his shadow and personal executioner—bowed deeply.

“It shall be done as you wish, my lord.”