Chapter 193
Chapter 193
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 193
Chapter Title: Sima Clan
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Nangong Ming had never entered the Thunder Prison himself, nor did he know exactly who was locked inside. The only clue was the faint wails echoing from within.
But people have instincts.
Instincts have one crucial trait: unlike hunches about good situations, instincts about bad ones hit the mark with uncanny accuracy.
And to Nangong Ming, few situations felt worse than the instinct gnawing at him now.
Nangong Ming lay flat on a rooftop far from the Thunder Prison, observing the jailer guarding its entrance for a long while before returning to the guest quarters.
*
Since arriving at the Sima Clan, Dang Mujin had devoted himself to research alongside Sima Yugong for a month and a half.
As a result, five young members of the Sima Clan, including Sima Rin, had developed minor flaws in their meridians. They had become patients with artificially induced meridian blockage.
However, the timing for treating their meridian blockage varied for each.
The first one to receive treatment had just finished today.
He had been treated exactly one month after the artificial blockage was induced and achieved better-than-expected results. Even just five or seven days of focused Qi Circulation and Breathing from now on would yield internal energy equivalent to over a year of dedicated cultivation.
One person was scheduled for treatment after three months of blockage, and Sima Rin after six months.
But the remaining two were the problem.
"The two of them decided to hold out longer?"
At Dang Mujin's question, Sima Yugong nodded.
"Yes. They probably figure they don't know when you'll return, so they want to push it as far as possible."
There had been no such talk until Dang Mujin created the artificial meridian blockages.
They had been rational up until the procedure, but once they experienced the blockage and saw the possibilities, their greed grew. Dang Mujin clicked his tongue at their foolish judgment.
"They have no idea how agonizing it will be or what side effects might arise. Aren't they treating their own lives too lightly?"
"That's exactly why they're acting so recklessly. They want to push the meridian blockage to its limits before standards for the procedure are set."
"Foolish behavior."
"I know. But I understand their feelings. All five who underwent it last time were deeply frustrated by their lack of internal energy."
Dang Mujin could understand their thinking intellectually, but not emotionally. He had hardly ever struggled due to insufficient internal energy.
Most of Dang Mujin's internal energy had come easily from Black Peony and Great Return Pills, not Qi Circulation and Breathing.
Dang Mujin shook his head slowly.
"If they die from this, it's on them."
"I know. Who could blame you? Speaking of which, those two actually left the Sima Clan on their own whim. They probably don't want to be caught and treated early... But don't worry too much. If it gets unbearable, they'll come back."
A few words like that weren't enough to ease his mind. As Dang Mujin scratched the back of his head irritably, Sima Yugong smiled faintly and changed the subject.
"By the way, any progress with Rin?"
"None at all, and there won't be. I have a wife and kids back home."
Lately, Sima Rin had been circling Dang Mujin without any pretense of hiding it. With cultivation difficult due to the meridian blockage, she seemed to be pouring all her free time into him.
Dang Mujin even felt a twinge of fear. Though he lacked much experience building rapport with women, he'd never encountered anyone this aggressively forward.
"She was lurking around my quarters late into the night. Wandering in the cold with damaged meridians is a sure way to ruin her health. Please tell her to stay warm and go to bed early."
"If you're that worried, why not invite her into your warm room?"
Dang Mujin scowled deeply at Sima Yugong's words. Sima Yugong immediately backpedaled.
"It's a joke—don't get mad. But that's not for me to meddle in. How can I discourage a young girl's feelings?"
"At least hint to her that it's hopeless."
Dang Mujin wrapped up his work and stepped outside briefly.
Since the project with Dang Mujin and Sima Yugong had captured the Sima Clan's full attention, people glanced at him curiously the moment he appeared. Sima Rin was naturally among them.
Spotting her, Dang Mujin subtly backed away toward the building. Better to avoid entanglement than try persuading her with words.
At that moment, a transmission reached Dang Mujin's ear.
- Dang Mujin. Something serious is happening. Tonight, find an opportunity and come up to the rooftops. Act normal for now and go inside.
An unannounced transmission.
Yet Dang Mujin instantly knew the sender. Only one person in the world would suggest the rooftops as a meeting spot.
Dang Mujin entered the building naturally while thinking.
'No sign of it?'
Whatever it was, it didn't seem like a minor prank. Before Sima Rin could approach closer, Dang Mujin quickly slid the door shut.
*
Just before dawn, Dang Mujin rose from his bed.
Unlike his friends staying separately in the guest quarters, Dang Mujin's lodgings in the Soaring Heaven Pavilion doubled as the Sima Clan's medical room and Sima Yugong's residence.
With Sima Yugong surely asleep in the next room, Dang Mujin had to move as quietly as possible.
He closed the sliding door and scanned the surroundings. Even at this late hour, several people were milling about near the pavilion.
They appeared busy with their own tasks at a glance, but Dang Mujin sometimes suspected they were surveilling him.
Dang Mujin leaped lightly onto the rooftop. Nangong Ming wasn't there. But Dang Mujin didn't panic.
After a few breaths, another transmission came.
- Follow without being seen.
Dang Mujin looked around. In the darkness, a shadowy figure moved stealthily across the rooftops. Dang Mujin followed Nangong Ming.
Soon, the two stopped near a small building at the edge of the Sima Clan grounds.
It looked like a tiny outhouse at first glance. But no outhouse would have a guard at its entrance.
Remote location. Stark, unadorned appearance. Having been imprisoned underground before, Dang Mujin recognized it immediately. It was an underground Thunder Prison.
Dang Mujin tiptoed closer and peered inside the small structure resembling an outhouse. Inside was a wooden door separating the surface from the underground.
Dang Mujin whispered to Nangong Ming.
"Why bring me to the Thunder Prison?"
"People are locked inside."
"Criminals, right?"
"Not ordinary ones. It's just a hunch, but it seems connected to your research."
"Who would they lock up? And how do you even know?"
"It's just a feeling for now... Wait and see."
The two lay flat on the rooftop and waited.
Unable to bear the cold, the jailer guarding the entrance leaned against the Thunder Prison wall with a dazed expression.
How much time passed? The jailer straightened up and shuffled toward a small building opposite the prison—specifically, toward the furnace for heating the kang attached to it.
With the prison visible if he turned around, it seemed a good spot to warm himself briefly by the fire.
As the jailer headed to the furnace, the two slipped silently toward the prison.
Before the jailer could notice, they quickly lifted the lid-like door and descended underground.
Joy at their successful entry was short-lived as raucous wails assaulted Dang Mujin's ears.
"What is that noise?"
"Time to find out."
Dang Mujin and Nangong Ming cautiously explored the interior. At least a dozen people were bound with shackles on wrists and ankles.
Their hair hung unkempt, and from its length and their beards, they could gauge how long they'd been imprisoned.
Half seemed mad, while the other half huddled like beasts against the walls, asleep. At the deepest cell, bones lay piled carelessly. Likely remains of those who died in the prison.
'How many died to leave that many bones?'
With grim expressions, they scanned the area. Then Dang Mujin spotted a familiar face.
A portly man—the third patient Dang Mujin had treated for meridian blockage at the inn—was lost in mania, howling.
Nangong Ming narrowed his eyes.
"Dang Mujin. Didn't you complete his treatment perfectly?"
"The treatment itself was flawless. I can't predict long-term prognosis, but it shouldn't have caused issues this soon..."
Dang Mujin reached through the bars to grasp the man's hand.
But the frenzied man didn't recognize him, shaking and thrashing wildly. Impossible to examine in this state.
"Wait a moment."
Nangong Ming picked up a few small pebbles from the floor in his right hand, then flicked them with his fingers at the portly man.
The pebbles struck acupoints without error, and the man slumped into unconsciousness. A flicked-pebble acupoint strike.
Impressive even against an untrained civilian—Dang Mujin doubted he could replicate it.
'This guy's been sharpening his skills.'
Glancing at Nangong Ming, Dang Mujin reached out again and gripped the man's wrist.
Dang Mujin's internal energy flowed into the man. Soon, he detected anomalies in the meridians.
'The treated meridians are fine. But new flaws have formed. And not just one or two.'
Dang Mujin released the wrist and gritted his teeth.
"What? What's wrong?"
"The treatment was fine. But someone else induced new blockages and botched it."
Not a solo act. No individual could procure so many test subjects or imprison them in the Thunder Prison alone.
Breathing raggedly, Dang Mujin continued scanning.
Then, two lunatics caught his eye—less disheveled, wearing warm padded clothes.
"These two are different."
Nangong Ming didn't know them, but Dang Mujin did.
"...They're later-generation disciples of the Sima Clan whom Sima Yugong and I gave the meridian blockage to."
Nangong Ming gave a wry smile.
"Mujin, just so we're clear, I don't need that meridian blockage treatment."
"Who said anything?"
"Anyway, why are they locked up here?"
"Sima Yugong said they chose to delay treatment voluntarily. But now it looks like he said that to hide the problems from me."
Dang Mujin and Sima Yugong had induced blockages in five people.
Two had gone mad and ended up imprisoned, one succeeded and gained internal energy. The other two teetered on the edge.
His breathing grew labored, like he'd sprinted full-tilt.
'This wasn't the outcome I wanted.'
As Dang Mujin reeled in confusion, a desperate cry came from behind.
"Save us!"
Dang Mujin turned. Another familiar face: Wang Jincheong, the first child he'd treated. In the adjacent cell, the second female patient slept.
Dang Mujin whispered softly.
"Wang Jincheong! You're alive. What happened?"
"I finished treatment and was heading home when Sima Clan people grabbed me again. Then the old man with my brother did something to me, and my condition worsened... That man over there is similar; he went mad recently."
"Stay still for a moment."
Dang Mujin examined Wang Jincheong's meridians.
Sure enough, flaws dotted them, with yang energy imbalanced and excessive. A precarious state.
Releasing the wrist, Dang Mujin stood, hand on his sword hilt. The bars weren't too thick—he could cut through.
"I'll get you out now. Step back a bit."
But before he could draw, Nangong Ming grabbed his shoulder.
"Wait."
"Why?"
"The whole Sima Clan seems involved. Right?"
"From the circumstances, yes."
"Then rescuing just this kid and fleeing won't solve it."
"Why not?"
"If we escape with him, the Sima Clan will send pursuers. Agreed?"
"I won't get caught."
"That makes it worse. Without you, Sima Yugong won't stop this madness. Am I wrong?"
Dang Mujin froze. Nangong Ming was spot on.
Dizziness hit. He'd only sought to help through research. He never imagined this result.
Dang Mujin waved it off.
"No. Sima Yugong knows how dangerous this is. He won't continue."
Nangong Ming stared, then swung his right palm to slap Dang Mujin awake.
But Dang Mujin instinctively twisted away.
Nangong Ming raised his hand again.
"Hey, don't dodge. One good smack will clear your head."
"...No need. I dodged, but I'm clear-headed now."
Dang Mujin's mind raced, reassessing.
Sima Yugong—and the Sima Clan—knew two later-generation disciples had gone mad. Yet no one moved to stop the research.
Simple reason: They believed the gains outweighed the sacrifices.
Was the Sima Clan sacrificing for all in the Central Plains?
Noble, perhaps, but unlikely. More probable they aimed to monopolize results and surge ahead.
'No. That's worth verifying later.'
As Dang Mujin pondered, Nangong Ming spoke.
"Let's settle one thing here."
"What?"
"Do you plan to continue this research?"
"Am I crazy?"
Satisfied, Nangong Ming grinned.
"Then you'll just wash your hands and run?"
"No. This research shouldn't happen. The results might be impressive, but there's no guarantee they'll benefit everyone."
"So how will you stop it?"
Dang Mujin closed his eyes, deep in thought.
Soon, clarity came.
"At minimum, Sima Yugong must die. Kill him and find a way to escape alive."
Dang Mujin knelt and asked Wang Jincheong.
"Wang Jincheong. How are the symptoms?"
"My chest feels tight sometimes, but nothing else odd."
Dang Mujin studied him.
Wang Jincheong seemed unaware, but he felt the cold less than others, judging by his thin clothes and mild shivering.
Proof his yang energy instability was worsening.
Dang Mujin placed fingers on both shoulders, releasing a transparent liquid from his fingertips. Even shackled like others, his tongue could reach here.
He spread the medicine thinly on the shoulders.
"Soon, headaches will come. When they're unbearable, lick where I applied it. It'll hold you for a while. Don't lick both at once. Left first, then right if needed."
Wang Jincheong paled.
"What? You're not getting me out now?"
"Sorry. Not yet."
"Please...!"
Wang Jincheong was a child, unable to fully grasp the situation.
Even explaining fully might not help.
'Had I overestimated a child's mental fortitude?'
No—even an adult might react similarly.
As Dang Mujin agonized, Nangong Ming moved his prosthetic to draw the boy's attention.
"Hey, Wang kid."
Nangong Ming flashed a playful smile.
"No need to be so scared. Remember Hong Geolgae?"
Wang Jincheong had followed Hong Geolgae unusually well, and Nangong Ming knew it.
"...Yes."
"I'm staying in the Sima Clan with Hong Geolgae right now. I'm the type who can ditch anyone in a pinch and run. But Hong Geolgae won't abandon you. You think so too, right?"
Mentioning Hong Geolgae visibly calmed Wang Jincheong's trembling.
Eyes squeezed shut, he nodded. Nangong Ming reached out, stroking the boy's greasy hair.
"Good. Just hold on a bit. We'll get you out as soon as possible."
Next, Dang Mujin woke the woman in the adjacent cell and applied the medicine to her shoulders too.
*
The two slipped out of the Thunder Prison cautiously. Prepared to knock out the jailer stealthily with poison if needed, but luckily, he dozed by the furnace.
Dang Mujin burned to rush and kill Sima Yugong immediately. But the cold wind restored his calm, cooling his fiery rage beneath a steely expression.
Nangong Ming asked.
"What now?"
"I'll think of a way."
"...Right."
"Nangong Ming."
"Yeah?"
"As a kid, I thought I was pretty smart."
To Nangong Ming, Dang Mujin's intellect fell short of genius.
But not foolish.
In fact, as Dang Mujin said, he was sharp. A fool couldn't master medicine, and Dang Mujin's situational judgment had proven quick.
Nangong Ming chuckled.
"What, want praise?"
"No. Meeting Elder Goe made me realize I'm not as smart as him."
"Fair. That elder was special."
"He would've seen through this scheme, laughed, and left. But I can't."
Nangong Ming glanced over. Dang Mujin's face showed no expression.
"Accepting that changed my thinking. Since I can't dodge every trick, I need another approach."
"What approach?"
"Make sure they never think to deceive again."
Nangong Ming looked aside. Unlike before, Dang Mujin grinned slyly.
"What are you planning?"
"Who knows."
Dang Mujin said no more, leaping across the rooftops.