Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Midnight Raiders (1)
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Early in the morning, Dang Baek—who had received orders to secure the Celestial Pure Jade Milk—arrived in Soheung at the head of the Black Ox Squad.
Dang Baek had set up a hideout in a small tavern on the northeast outskirts of Soheung. He immediately dispatched his men to track down Sima Geon's whereabouts. By dusk, the subordinates who had scattered in every direction returned to the tavern, each bearing scraps of intelligence.
“A butcher shop? That bastard's running a butcher shop?”
Dang Baek asked, his face the picture of disbelief.
“Yes, sir.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. We confirmed it.”
“Hah!”
Dang Baek let out a hollow laugh.
The sum Sima Geon had shelled out for the Celestial Pure Jade Milk easily topped three hundred nyang in gold.
An unimaginable fortune. The ability to wield that kind of wealth meant he had to possess no small measure of resources.
Dang Baek had braced himself, assuming such riches implied formidable martial prowess as well. But a butcher shop? All he could do was laugh.
“And the Celestial Pure Jade Milk? Any word on whether he's used it?”
This was the crux of the matter. Tension etched across Dang Baek's features as he posed the question.
“We looked into it discreetly. He hasn't touched it yet. But we should move fast.”
Dang Baek's eyebrow twitched.
“What do you mean by that?”
“He's holed up at the Clear Heart Clinic right now.”
“Clear Heart Clinic?”
“Most renowned medical hall not just in Soheung, but the whole region around it.”
At the mention of a medical hall, Dang Baek shot to his feet.
“A medical hall? Doesn't that mean he's already used the Celestial Pure Jade Milk?”
Dang Baek's face drained of color.
“No, not that. Word is, tonight he's using it to cure some girl's illness.”
Relief washed over Dang Baek at the news the Celestial Pure Jade Milk was still safe. He slumped back into his seat, clutching his chest.
“Whew! Feels like I shaved off ten years. Nearly too late there.”
Unlike the eased Dang Baek, his subordinate's expression remained grim as he pressed on.
“That said, there's a problem.”
“Problem? He might use it before we get there? Yeah, can't rule that out. Better move now.”
Dang Baek had just settled on that when he moved to rise.
“Physicians from the Living Immortal Medical House are at the Clear Heart Clinic.”
Dang Baek froze, fixing his subordinate with a piercing glare.
“What the hell is that? Why would Living Immortal Medical House physicians be here? Bad intel?”
“No, sir. We checked multiple times to be sure.”
“So those are the ones using the Celestial Pure Jade Milk to treat the girl tonight...”
Dang Baek's eyes gleamed sharply.
“The Living Immortal Medical House physicians at the Clear Heart Clinic. The same ones who smashed the Thousand Kill Room? The ones who treated the imperial kin in Hangzhou before leaving?”
“Not certain, but it lines up.”
“Goddamn sons of bitches!”
His gut feeling had proven right, and curses spilled unbidden from Dang Baek's lips.
“What now, Leader? We can't just tangle with the Living Immortal Medical House.”
Deputy Leader Hwan Su asked, face set like stone.
The Eagle Tiger Clan boasted fame rivaling the Namgung Clan itself. Yet the Living Immortal Medical House was no easy mark.
Pure martial might? The Eagle Tiger Clan dominated there, no question. But the Living Immortal Medical House's strength stemmed not from blades, but their peerless healing arts.
The name had echoed through the jianghu for centuries now. Righteous, unorthodox, demonic—countless souls across factions had leaned on their aid over those years. It was one place no one dared touch.
“Our lord commanded us to secure the Celestial Pure Jade Milk, come hell or high water.”
“But it's the Living Immortal Medical House. Even the Young Lord would see reason.”
“...”
“One misstep, and we drag disaster on the main house.”
Hwan Su urged hard, fretting over the fallout. But Dang Baek couldn't let go that easily.
The Young Lord he served, Eagle Tiger Jung, was locked in a brutal scrum with his brothers for the successor's seat.
For all his superior talent and broad backing from the clan's retainers, birth order had him slipping in the race.
The Celestial Pure Jade Milk? That could flip the board in a single stroke.
'What to do.'
Best play here: dispatch a messenger bird to the Young Lord for orders. But even at top speed, it'd take a full day for a reply.
Tonight, though—that was when the prize vanished.
'Can't let the Celestial Pure Jade Milk slip.'
Decision made, Dang Baek met Hwan Su's anxious gaze with iron resolve.
“Ever heard the one about theft? It's all good if you don't get caught.”
“Leader!”
Hwan Su recoiled in shock. The Black Ox Squad stood stock-still, unmoved. They lived and died by Dang Baek's word—tomorrow's regrets be damned.
“The Young Lord needs that Celestial Pure Jade Milk. We take it tonight. Hwan Su.”
“Yes, Leader.”
“I get your worry. But no traces left behind? Problem solved.”
Hwan Su caught on instantly.
“Slaughter and purge?”
Killing intent laced his tone.
No swaying Dang Baek now. Hwan Su snapped back to form—the man who'd sever Yama's head on command.
“Right. Living Immortal Medical House and anything that could point back to us. All gone.”
“This place too, then.”
“Hate to stiff the innkeep after the fine spread, but can't be helped.”
“On it.”
Hwan Su flicked his eyes. Two men slipped out, silent as shades.
“Make it quick and painless.”
Dang Baek tossed the words like lavish mercy, drained his cup, and surged to his feet.
“Move out.”
The Clear Heart Clinic lay swathed in night, hushed beyond measure.
Patient groans drifted now and then, fading quick. Even the crickets' ceaseless chorus had stilled.
Sima Geon—whose mere presence commanded the stillness without his knowing—sat cross-legged in the pavilion across from the central ward.
Sima Ho paced the pond's edge below, anxiety plain as he gnawed his nails raw. Cheol Woo—Tai Mountain could crumble and he'd only guffaw—lolled against the railing, arms folded, rocking idly to and fro.
“It'll go fine, yeah?”
Sima Ho halted before Cheol Woo.
“Again with that?”
Cheol Woo scowled, then relented.
“Has to. No two ways about it!”
“Results when?”
“Not even half a gak in. Barely underway.”
Cheol Woo nodded at the ward.
“Hell, 'one gak like three years apart'—feels like a whole sichen already.”
Sima Ho blew a frustrated sigh toward the ward.
Inside: Sima Jin. Treating her: Hwang Yeong, Hwang Jeong, Yu Sa Ha, Gok Ja Yu.
Yu Sa Ha and Gok Ja Yu—Hwang Yeong's guards, useless for the healing—stayed to protect her.
Hwang Yeong's technique for Sima Jin: the Living Immortal Medical House secret, Piercing Heaven Soul Revival.
A golden needle art burning every drop of the user's inner energy. Demanded utter focus. Riskier than qi circulation—one stray nudge spelled doom. Protectors were non-negotiable.
“Quit yapping and wait it out. Your fretting changes zilch...”
Cheol Woo cut off mid-rebuke of Sima Ho.
Sima Geon's presence in the pavilion had shifted—subtle, lost on Sima Ho, crystal to Cheol Woo.
“Trouble, Boss?”
Sima Geon rose slow.
“Unwelcome company.”
“Who?”
Cheol Woo scanned, head cocked.
“Dunno for sure.”
“Far off. Sneaky. But dead certain—they're gunning for here.”
Cheol Woo's face turned to granite.
“Which dogshit scum!”
His scowl warped his fierce mug demonic.
“W-what's happening?”
Sima Ho quavered.
“No biggie. Some idiots blind to the vibe...”
Cheol Woo trailed off again. Sima Ho crumpled mid-listen.
Sima Geon caught him—blood points sealed for sleep—and eased him onto the pavilion floor.
“What sort?”
“Beats me. Hiding ki like pros—not small fry.”
“After the clinic? Or the healers?”
“Dunno. If aiming, probably not them.”
“Not them? Wait—the Ce...lestial Pure Jade Milk?”
Sima Geon brushed past wide-eyed Cheol Woo.
“Check and see. Oh—and not here. Any noise screws the treatment.”
“Obviously.”
Cheol Woo cracked his knuckles, falling in step.
Bamboo grove overlooking the Clear Heart Clinic.
The tavern? Wiped clean. Dang Baek, dashing here nonstop, steadied his breath. To the watcher:
“Where?”
“Central ward. Hurry.”
Dang Baek nodded, eyed his men.
“Priority: Celestial Pure Jade Milk. Living Immortal Medical House: me, Deputy, Team One, Two. Team Three Leader.”
“Yes, Leader.”
“Not one escapes.”
“Got it.”
“Front gate, now.”
“On it.”
Team Three Leader and crew sprang—
“Hey, rat turds!”
Cheol Woo erupted, fist whistling.
Team Three Leader twisted—too late. Fist cratered his face.
Dull thunk. He rocketed back, faster out than in, splatting.
“Who're you!”
Hwan Su, leaders swarmed Cheol Woo and trailing Sima Geon.
Cheol Woo snorted, dug an ear.
“My line. Matching getups for a gangbang? What's your scam?”
Hwan Su and leaders silent, awaiting Dang Baek.
Dang Baek stared at Team Three Leader, sprawled at his feet.
Never a looker alive. Now face—no, head—gone without trace. Unbearable.
'One strike, this mess.'
Human frame's frail.
Myriad weak spots. Life snuffed easy.
'Even then...'
Never seen a skull—the body's toughest bit—burst so.