Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Same Bed, Different Dreams (2)
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"This isn't some childish prank from kids. What in the world is this?"
"That's not..."
Nangong Dan tried to make an excuse, but Nangong Hu wouldn't hear it.
"I'm not done speaking yet, Uncle."
"My apologies."
Nangong Dan quickly apologized.
"On your seventieth birthday, no less! Hah! To cause a disturbance at such a joyous occasion. How petty can you get? When I saw the report, I couldn't believe my eyes. I had to double- and triple-check it. I was so ashamed that the mighty Nangong Clan would stoop to something like this that I couldn't even lift my head. Sure, you might feel upset. You might even want to throw a little jab. But that's the kind of thinking for hot-blooded youths who can't see reason. You, Uncle, and all of you here shouldn't be making such judgments. Have you considered what the martial world will think of this? How they'll view our main family?"
No one could open their mouths under Nangong Hu's icy interrogation.
Nangong Hu let out a sigh, his face etched with bitterness as he continued.
"Anyone who knows the relationship between Sword Ghost Senior and me should have known better. How am I supposed to face him now?"
The decades-long bond between Sword Ghost and Sword Saint was famous throughout the martial world, transcending age.
At Nangong Hu's lament, everyone hid their embarrassment, at a loss for what to do.
"Seon-ah."
"Yes, brother."
"What about those who went to the Ha Hu Clan as congratulatory envoys?"
"We've received word that they've set off for the main family."
"Pathetic. Tell them to stay put and wait there."
"Pardon?"
"We can't just let this slide. We need to send a formal letter of apology to the Ha Hu Clan. You'll go back with them and make a proper apology."
"I'll prepare at once."
Nangong Seon bowed politely in response.
At that moment, Nangong Gyeong—who had been silently observing with eyes closed—finally spoke.
"I'll go."
"You, Uncle?"
"It ended without major incident, thankfully, but this isn't something we can brush off lightly. If we're apologizing, we do it right. It's not that I'm dismissing the Azure Cloud Pavilion Leader, but my presence might save a bit more face."
"If you're willing to go, Uncle, we'd be grateful. Please, we leave it to you."
Nangong Hu bowed his head to Nangong Gyeong.
"It'll be nice to see Sword Ghost Senior after so long. Heh heh heh! Still, with his temperament, I'm surprised he let this slide. I might even get an earful from him."
Nangong Gyeong chuckled lightly, but his face suddenly hardened.
He recalled the mysterious figure he had encountered while attacking the Golden Fox Bandit Lair at the Juhae Escort Agency's request—a man he hadn't expected.
'Could it be?'
Even from the brief description before the meeting, the freak who had won the sparring tournament sounded eerily similar to that man.
'I'll know when I see him.'
Nangong Gyeong quietly pushed the thought aside.
"But what about the request from the Murim Alliance? How do you plan to handle that?"
To Nangong Seon's question, Nangong Hu replied as if he had already decided.
"They don't want conflict either, which is why they made a formal request through the Murim Alliance. That's why the Alliance accepted it."
"Aren't you taking this too lightly, Family Head? How can we trust the Heavenly Demon Cult scum?"
Nangong Dan, who had shrunk back from the Ha Hu Clan matter, raised his voice again.
"The Elder is right. How can we trust those Cult bastards? They could stir up trouble in our territory. We can't blindly follow the Murim Alliance's lead, Family Head."
As Elder Nangong Wi voiced his concerns, agreeing murmurs rose from various spots.
"If they stir up trouble..."
Nangong Hu swept his chilling gaze across the assembly.
"Then they pay the appropriate price. Isn't that right?"
His retort silenced the chatterers.
"Cheongpung, Cheonun Unit Leaders, listen up."
"Yes, Family Head."
Two men seated side by side at the lower end shot to their feet and responded.
They were Nangong Hyeok, Leader of the Blue Wind Unit—the Nangong Clan's main force—and Nangong Son, Leader of the Azure Cloud Unit.
While Nangong Hyeok boasted a sturdy build and a ruggedly masculine appearance, Nangong Son had a slight frame with skin as pale as snow, making him seem frail by comparison. Yet appearances were deceiving; within the Nangong Clan, no one dared claim second place to him in ferocity.
"I doubt those bastards have the guts to cause chaos in our territory. Still, as the elders say, prepare for the worst."
"Yes, Family Head."
Nangong Hyeok and Nangong Son bowed in unison.
"Does that settle it?"
Nangong Hu scanned the room. Though dissatisfaction was evident, no one objected.
"Why are they chasing him so relentlessly, bending over backwards like this? Oh, right—a traitor, was it?"
"That's their pretext, but it's nonsense."
Nangong Seon snorted derisively before continuing.
"There's some other reason."
"It'd be nice to know what it is."
Nangong Hu fixed Nangong Seon with a meaningful look.
"It could be dangerous. We might even clash with them."
Nangong Seon shook his head in alarm, but Nangong Hu's gaze didn't waver.
"Do it."
After staring at Nangong Hu for a long moment, a resigned voice escaped Nangong Seon's lips.
"I'll do my best without provoking the Heavenly Demon Cult, but don't get your hopes up."
"No, we absolutely should. Who else is stepping up?"
Nangong Hu burst into hearty laughter. Nangong Seon could only sigh in defeat.
Returning to Soheung, Sima Geon pulled out a pouch brimming with more silver than expected, fulfilling the eager anticipation shining in his younger siblings' eyes.
It was the result of Ha Hu Gok pulling strings, indebted to Sima Geon. The amount was enough for the family to live leisurely for a full year.
As everyone fixated on the money pouch, Sima Geon placed a small wooden box on the table.
"What's that?"
At Sima Ho's question, Sima Geon opened the box.
A thick medicinal scent instantly filled the room.
The box, just over a foot long, was packed with damp moss, and at its center lay a single herb.
Its roots and leaves resembled sand ginseng, but the vivid red hue from stem to root gave it an extraordinary air.
"The aroma is intense. What herb is this?"
Sima Ho sniffed eagerly and reached out.
"Hey! Don't jinx it. It's bad luck."
Cheol Woo swatted Sima Ho's hand with his pot-lid-sized palm.
"Ow! Say something first!"
Sima Ho winced, shaking his swelling hand with a scowl.
"I got it by chance. They called it Millennium Transformation Spirit Herb."
Sima Hyeon reacted first to Sima Geon's words.
"Millennium Transformation Spirit Herb? Back when we treated the youngest's condition, it was just regular Transformation Spirit Herb. If this is the millennium variant..."
Sima Geon smiled at Sima Hyeon's surprise.
"Remember what the physician said? The millennium version has effects far superior to the regular one."
"Of course I do. But by chance? He said it's priceless—you can't buy it even with money."
To Sima Hyeon's skeptical gaze, Sima Geon gestured reassuringly.
"I got really lucky. Turns out the Ha Hu Clan's esteemed elder has a special connection with Elder Sohang. He gave it as a gift."
"A... gift?"
As Sima Hyeon remained dubious, Cheol Woo bellowed.
"Why keep nitpicking? We busted our asses hunting pigs and cows, and they rewarded our hard work. It was meant for Elder Sohang anyway. You can't even imagine how many beasts we slaughtered over those three days. Damn, I can still smell the blood and guts."
Cheol Woo exaggeratedly sniffed himself before raising his voice again.
"Millennium Transformation Spirit Herb? It's a big deal for folks like us, but to the Ha Hu Clan, it's nothing. They're rich enough to feed thousands for free throughout the feast. The sparring tournament prizes were all treasures. They've got herbs rarer than this one that don't even make the list. Right, boss?"
Poking Sima Geon in the side, Cheol Woo prompted him. Sima Geon, lost in thought, nodded absently.
"Y-yeah. Cheol Woo's right."
Unlike the still-suspicious Sima Hyeon, Sima Ho—who hadn't doubted from the start—spoke with exasperation.
"Does it matter how we got it? The real point is we have a herb that can treat the youngest's condition right here."
Sima Ho reached for the box again, flinching at Cheol Woo's glare before grinning sheepishly.
"Anyway, you all worked hard. Brought back a fortune and a precious herb to boot. So, how do we take this?"
Sima Ho pointed at the Millennium Transformation Spirit Herb.
"Just chew it, right?"
Cheol Woo glanced at Sima Geon.
"That might work, but usually, you decoct it. No, we went through hell to get it—we should do it properly. Let's ask the Clear Heart Clinic physician."
Sima Geon turned to Sima Jin with a warm gaze.
"Let's go to the Clear Heart Clinic tomorrow morning. Pay our respects and ask about the proper dosage."
"What do we do? The physician isn't there."
Sima Jin looked troubled.
"The physician's away?"
"Yes. He went to Soju yesterday to treat a patient. Some retired official from the imperial palace who's very ill."
"How long will it take? Wait—how do you know?"
As Sima Jin hesitated at Sima Geon's question, Sima Hyeon stepped in with a smile.
"She devours books like always, but it seems our youngest has taken an interest in medicine too. The Clear Heart Clinic physician welcomes it with open arms."
Sima Geon looked at Sima Jin, who was blushing and bowing her head.
"Do you want to become a physician?"
"No, not exactly. I just want to learn a bit about medicine."
Sima Jin shook her head firmly, but Sima Geon caught the fleeting spark of passion in her eyes before it vanished. He sensed her true aspiration.
"Do whatever you want. Learn what interests you. Don't mind anyone—follow your heart."
Sima Jin nodded slightly, a soft smile blooming at his encouragement.
"But if he left for Soju yesterday, it'll take time to return. Did he say when?"
"At least half a month."
Sima Geon frowned at Sima Jin's answer, eyeing the wooden box on the table.
"Half a month is too late."
"What is?"
Sima Geon pointed at the box in response to Sima Hyeon's question.
"It's wilted a bit since I got it. Less vitality, I'd say."
"Even wrapped in moss?"
"Moss just buys a little time. The moment it's uprooted, it starts dying."
"Then what do we do?"
As Sima Hyeon's face hardened, Cheol Woo yelled as if it were a foolish worry.
"What do you mean? Eat it before it wilts more. We've fed her herbs before, haven't we? There must be a way."
"Not really. We just decocted the medicine from Clear Heart Clinic and gave it to her."
"Then let's decoct it."
Cheol Woo reached decisively for the box, but Sima Ho snatched it away.
"They say half the medicine's power is in the brewing. I'll do it."
Sima Ho dashed out before anyone could stop him.
Sima Hyeon, watching blankly, sighed and stood.
"Sigh, he doesn't even know how to brew it properly."
Though sighing, his expression was bright.
The others felt the same. Hope swelled within them that this herb might cure Sima Jin's intractable condition, which even Celestial Pure Jade Milk and the Living Immortal Medical House had failed to heal.