Chapter 9

Chapter 9
## Chapter 9: Celestial Pure Jade Milk (3)

While Yu Sa Ha kept the surrounding thugs at bay, Gok Ja Yu shifted his focus, locking onto Ga Deung.

“This is hardly a challenge.”

Gok Ja Yu moved like a ghost, his blade carving through the lackeys in his path so swiftly that not a single smear of gore remained on the steel.

“You really should have retreated when the lady offered you a way out. You’d still be breathing. However, I find this turn of events much more entertaining.”

A paralyzing dread washed over Ga Deung as he stared into Gok Ja Yu’s frigid grin. Still, as a man who had ruled the dark underbelly of Hangzhou for a decade, he possessed enough grit to force that terror into a desperate rage.

Before Gok Ja Yu could utter another word, Ga Deung lunged, bringing his heavy blade down with every ounce of strength he possessed.

“Ha! You have some spirit.”

Recognizing the weight behind the blow, Gok Ja Yu immediately hoisted his own sword to intercept the strike.

Steel met steel in a violent collision, sending a bone-shaking ring through the air.

The sheer power of the downward swing forced Gok Ja Yu’s knee to dip slightly toward the earth.

Ga Deung, conversely, was thrown back by the recoil, unable to handle the feedback of the clash. The skin on his palms split open from the vibration, and blood began to seep between his fingers.

“Raaargh!”

Choking back the metallic taste of blood rising in his throat, Ga Deung threw himself forward once more, looking like a cornered predator with eyes fixed on murder.

This second wave was even more frantic and heavy with killing intent than the first.

Dropping his air of nonchalance, Gok Ja Yu tightened his focus, meeting Ga Deung’s suicidal ferocity with calculated precision.

Ga Deung’s assault was relentless.

His swings appeared erratic and wild, yet they carried a sharpness that forced Gok Ja Yu to retreat a few paces to find his rhythm.

But that was the limit of the thug leader’s ability.

Gok Ja Yu didn’t even have to search for an opening.

Every movement Ga Deung made was a map of his own vulnerabilities.

Taking a measured breath, Gok Ja Yu snapped his sword forward in a direct line.

It was a basic maneuver, yet it sent a jolt of panic through Ga Deung, forcing him to scramble backward.

Gok Ja Yu’s point had threaded the needle through Ga Deung’s defense, aiming straight for his vital center.

Gok Ja Yu had no intention of allowing a reprieve.

Viewing the fact that the duel had lasted this long as a personal failure, he intensified his pressure without mercy.

With every flash of his blade, new gashes appeared on Ga Deung’s frame, spraying the ground with crimson.

Ga Deung fought like a man possessed to regain his footing, but he was completely outmatched.

A blinding flash of agony tore through him as his left arm was severed, spinning into the dirt.

‘Curse it all! The Celestial Pure Jade Milk…’

He had discovered by pure luck that the Water Dragon Merchant Association held the Celestial Pure Jade Milk and had staked everything on seizing it.

He had nursed a quiet ambition: to stop being a puppet in the Hangzhou slums and finally stand on his own as a power the world would respect.

He saw now, far too late, that his reach had exceeded his grasp.

‘It was nothing but greed…’

The thought cut off mid-sentence.

Ga Deung’s head was sent spiraling into the sky by the arc of Gok Ja Yu’s sword.

Gok Ja Yu turned his back, barely glancing at the head as it thudded and rolled into the dust.

By this time, Yu Sa Ha had finished clearing out the remaining interference and approached with a look of utter boredom.

“What took you so long with that trash?”

“The leader had a bit more fight in him than expected.”

Yu Sa Ha raised an eyebrow at Gok Ja Yu’s assessment.

“He was actually skilled?”

“He had a strong will, if nothing else. Anyway, it looks like we have some survivors to deal with.”

Gok Ja Yu gestured toward a handful of criminals who were now on their knees, heads pressed to the ground.

“A few bit the dust, but the rest lost their nerve and surrendered. I was tempted to finish the job, but the young lady gave orders to show mercy.”

“That sounds like her.”

Gok Ja Yu gave a faint, knowing smile, thinking of Hwang Yeong’s soft heart.

“I am in your debt. You truly saved our lives.”

Sima Geon stepped forward to offer his thanks to Hwang Yeong.

“Please, don’t mention it. It was the right thing to do. I’m just relieved we arrived in time.”

A small, genuine smile crossed Sima Geon’s face as he looked at Hwang Yeong’s bright expression.

‘Even in the middle of a slaughter, she talks about being glad to help. She’s quite an unusual woman.’

Sima Geon observed Hwang Yeong with a fresh sense of wonder.

She appeared fatigued from travel, and her silks were dusted with the grime of the road, yet her beauty remained striking. Her eyes, clear and vibrant, had a quality that seemed to pull a person in.

‘Truly… a rare flower.’

As he briefly admired her, Sima Geon felt the prickling, icy glares of Yu Sa Ha and Gok Ja Yu. He quickly lowered his gaze and bowed.

“We ought to properly show our appreciation to our saviors, but we have a pressing matter that requires our immediate attention…”

“Saviors? No, there’s no need for that. Please, continue on your way. We will take care of these men.”

Hwang Yeong remained the picture of grace and etiquette.

“I am Sima Geon. If fate allows, I shall find a way to return this kindness.”

Having shared his name, Sima Geon turned and walked away before Hwang Yeong could even process the introduction. He moved with purpose, never looking back.

Cheol Woo trailed behind him, a smirk on his face.

“‘If fate allows, I shall return this kindness’? Boss, that was a little dramatic, wasn’t it?”

“Keep your mouth shut.”

Sima Geon brushed him off and increased his stride, clearly not in the mood for teasing.

He wasn’t using his true martial speed since Hwang Yeong’s group was still in sight, but he was still moving at a brisk clip.

“What a pair of odd characters.”

Gok Ja Yu watched them vanish into the distance, looking puzzled.

Yu Sa Ha nodded in agreement.

“And rude, too. Regardless of how busy they are, they left this whole mess for us to tidy up.”

Yu Sa Ha was clearly annoyed at having to play jailer to the captured thugs.

“They did ask for leave, and I gave it. To be honest, I was quite terrified…”

Hwang Yeong’s smile vanished instantly as she spoke to Yu Sa Ha.

“What is it, young lady?”

Gok Ja Yu and Yu Sa Ha asked simultaneously.

“Those two… they weren’t afraid at all.”

“What do you mean?”

“Not even a tremor of fear.”

Hwang Yeong looked over the field of corpses and the blood-stained earth.

“There is death everywhere, yet they didn’t show the slightest bit of distress.”

Hwang Yeong stared intently toward the path where Sima Geon had gone.

“The way they acted—as if none of this mattered… It was as if they were merely spectators watching a play that didn’t involve them.”

A sudden shiver traced its way down Hwang Yeong’s spine as she spoke.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

“Please wait just a moment. My master will be with you shortly.”

Oh Hwan spoke as he served the tea. Before the steam could even rise, the door slammed open.

Hwang Jeong had come sprinting the moment he heard Sima Geon had returned, leaving his medical duties mid-task.

“Did you succeed?”

He shouted the question before he was even fully in the room. Sima Geon reached into his robes, produced a small jade container, and held it up.

“Yes. We managed to secure it safely.”

Hwang Jeong collapsed into a chair, the tension leaving his body in a visible wave at the sight of the box.

“That is excellent news. I was terrified that something might go wrong.”

Sima Geon could feel the genuine empathy Hwang Jeong held for his patients.

“I am grateful. And did you receive the visitor you were expecting?”

Sima Geon asked with a warm grin.

“I did, thanks to your help. I truly feel guilty. I should have been the one to go, rather than just sending a message.”

“Nonsense. Providing us with the location of the Celestial Pure Jade Milk was more than enough. You have so many people counting on you here; we couldn’t ask you to ignore them for our sake.”

“I appreciate your kindness. But the young man who usually accompanies you…”

Hwang Jeong noted that Cheol Woo was missing and looked around curiously. Sima Geon took a sip of tea and clarified.

“I sent him to bring my sister here. I told him to make haste, so they should be arriving before long.”

“Ah, I understand.”

Hwang Jeong’s expression turned slightly hesitant.

Detecting a shift in the doctor’s mood, Sima Geon felt a pang of guilt for pushing the schedule and added, “My apologies. Having the Celestial Pure Jade Milk made me eager to start the healing process immediately. We can reschedule if this is a bad time.”

“No, no, you’ve got it all wrong. It’s not a matter of my time or being inconvenienced.”

Hwang Jeong waved his hands frantically to clear up the misunderstanding.

“Do you recall me mentioning a guest was arriving?”

“I do.”

Sima Geon nodded. That guest was the reason Hwang Jeong had stayed in Shaoxing while they went to Hangzhou.

“They are members of my family clan.”

“Your clan…?”

Hwang Jeong hesitated for a second before asking, “Are you familiar with the Living Immortal Medical House?”

Sima Geon’s eyes widened in shock.

The Living Immortal Medical House was legendary, rumored to be able to pull souls back from the brink of death using only medicinal skill. Their reputation was known throughout the land.

Even though he lived a life of steel and combat, Sima Geon was well aware of their prestige.

“I had no idea you were a descendant of the Living Immortal Medical House. I suspected you were special when you managed to stabilize my sister when no one else could, but this is truly impressive.”

As Sima Geon praised him, Hwang Jeong’s face turned red with modesty.

“You overstate my skill. I haven’t cured her; I’ve only managed to keep her condition from worsening.”

Hwang Jeong sighed, regretting that his own lack of talent had prevented him from mastering the full extent of his family’s techniques. If he had, Sima Jin would already be healthy.

“Truthfully, I have reached out to the clan several times regarding your sister’s ailment and asked for a master physician. They were intrigued by the symptoms, but because of the various sicknesses spreading across the Central Plains lately, they couldn’t spare anyone. However…”

Sima Geon leaned forward, his excitement palpable.

“A doctor from the clan has arrived?”

“Precisely. They were traveling back from Nanchang when some business called them to Hangzhou. Since Shaoxing was on their route, they stopped here. I took the opportunity to explain your sister’s case to them.”

Sima Geon, a man who could remain calm in the face of a thousand swords, found his heart racing with anticipation.

“They will finish their work in Hangzhou and return here specifically to perform an examination.”

“Incredible!”

Sima Geon couldn’t suppress his joy.

“This physician is one of our clan’s elite. They are on a completely different level than me. Rather than me attempting to use the Celestial Pure Jade Milk, it would be far better to let them handle the treatment. The chances of success would be significantly higher.”

For many doctors, handing over a patient would be a blow to their ego. Sima Geon was deeply touched that Hwang Jeong put his sister’s life above his own professional pride.

“Thank you. Truly, thank you, Physician. I don’t know how I could ever repay this debt.”

Sima Geon gave a deep, respectful bow.

“Repay me? It is simply the duty of a healer. If anything, I am sorry my own limits have caused this delay. Regardless, I’m glad you agree. They mentioned they would return as soon as their task in Hangzhou is complete, but I can’t give you a precise date. It might take a little time.”

“That is no problem at all. If there is a chance for her to be whole again, I will wait as long as it takes. Days, months—it doesn’t matter.”

Sima Geon was radiant with hope, feeling as though the cure was already within reach.

“Well, it’s not quite…”

Hwang Jeong, knowing the unpredictability of medicine, wanted to warn him that nothing was certain. But seeing the tears of relief and the light in Sima Geon’s eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to break the moment.