****
While Yu Sa Ha blocked the enemies' attacks, Gok Ja Yu moved in, targeting Ga Deung.
"Pathetic."
Gok Ja Yu's sword had sliced through several foes blocking his path in the blink of an eye, yet not a single drop of blood stained its blade.
"You should have fled when the young lady showed mercy. You might have survived that way. But this situation is even more intriguing."
Ga Deung tasted a heart-shrinking terror at Gok Ja Yu's cold smile. Yet the man who had dominated Hangzhou's nights for nearly a decade had the guts to transmute that fear into rage.
Before Gok Ja Yu finished speaking, Ga Deung launched himself forward, slashing down with all his might.
"Ho! Not bad."
Sensing the formidable momentum, Gok Ja Yu immediately raised his sword.
The blade and sword clashed in midair, producing a deafening clang.
Gok Ja Yu's knee bent slightly under the full-force blow, but Ga Deung staggered, unable to withstand the shock. His grip burst open, blood streaming from his hand.
"Kraaaah!"
Forcing down the blood rising in his throat, Ga Deung charged like a wild beast, his eyes blazing with murderous fury.
His movements and the power in his blade were even more ferocious than the first strike.
Gok Ja Yu discarded his underestimation and responded with utmost caution to Ga Deung's desperate onslaught.
Ga Deung's attacks flowed without pause.
They seemed wild and reckless, yet sharp enough to force Gok Ja Yu to briefly retreat and assess.
But that was the extent of it.
There was no need to seek out weaknesses.
Every motion exposed glaring flaws.
Gok Ja Yu drew a short breath and thrust his sword forward.
Despite the simple motion, Ga Deung recoiled in panic.
Gok Ja Yu's sword had bypassed his blade, aiming straight for his heart.
Gok Ja Yu had no intention of letting Ga Deung retreat.
Considering it a disgrace that the fight had dragged on this long, he pressed the attack relentlessly.
With each sword stroke, wounds bloomed on Ga Deung's body, blood spraying in all directions.
Ga Deung desperately tried to turn the tide, but there was nothing he could do.
He saw his left arm fly off amid searing pain, as if burned by fire.
'Damn it! Pure Clear Stone Milk...'
He had confirmed by sheer coincidence that the Water Dragon Merchant Association possessed Pure Clear Stone Milk and schemed endlessly to obtain it.
He dreamed a modest dream of escaping Hangzhou's underworld, no longer a puppet, but spreading his wings toward the world on his own terms.
He realized too late that it was all in vain.
'It was greed...'
His thoughts ended there.
Gok Ja Yu's sword sent Ga Deung's head soaring into the air.
Gok Ja Yu turned slowly, indifferently watching the head roll limply across the ground.
By then, Yu Sa Ha had finished mopping up the surroundings and spoke with a bored expression.
"What took you so damn long?"
"The boss was a boss, after all."
Yu Sa Ha looked surprised at Gok Ja Yu's reply.
"He was that decent?"
"He had some spirit, at least. But looks like we've got prisoners."
Gok Ja Yu pointed to a few rogues kneeling with heads bowed.
"Once a few dropped, the rest tossed their weapons. I wanted to cut them all down, but the young lady said to spare them."
"Yeah, that's our young lady."
Gok Ja Yu smiled naturally at the thought of Hwang Yeong's kind heart.
"Thank you. You've saved our lives."
Sima Geon expressed his gratitude to Hwang Yeong.
"No, no. It was only natural. I'm just glad we could help."
A faint smile touched Sima Geon's lips at Hwang Yeong's radiant smile.
'She's glad she could help despite getting dragged into this mess. What an interesting young lady.'
Sima Geon regarded Hwang Yeong with renewed curiosity.
She looked a bit weary from the long journey, with faint dust on her clothes, but it did nothing to dim her beauty. Her bright, transparent eyes were especially captivating, drawing one in with just a glance.
'Whew! A true beauty.'
As the thought of her loveliness crossed his mind, Sima Geon noticed the chilling stares from Yu Sa Ha and Gok Ja Yu and quickly bowed his head.
"We should properly thank our benefactors, but we have urgent matters..."
"Benefactors? Oh, please. Hurry on, then. We'll handle these thugs."
Hwang Yeong maintained her perfect courtesy to the end.
"I am Sima Geon. If the chance arises, I will surely repay this kindness."
Suddenly revealing his name, Sima Geon spun on his heel while Hwang Yeong was slightly taken aback. Without a hint of hesitation, he strode away.
Cheol U hurried after him, chuckling.
"'If the chance arises, I will surely repay this kindness'? Boss, that sounds kinda itchy."
"Shut it."
Sima Geon waved him off dismissively and quickened his pace, not wanting to banter.
He wasn't showing his full speed with Hwang Yeong and the others watching, but it was swift enough.
"Strange fellows."
Gok Ja Yu watched the two disappear into the distance, his expression puzzled.
Yu Sa Ha agreed.
"Rude ones, too. No matter how urgent, they caused this mess—they should clean it up before leaving."
Yu Sa Ha clearly wasn't thrilled about being left to deal with the remaining prisoners.
"They did ask permission. I agreed. Honestly, how scared were..."
Hwang Yeong's smile faded abruptly as she soothed Yu Sa Ha.
"What's wrong, young lady?"
Gok Ja Yu and Yu Sa Ha asked in unison.
"They weren't scared. Those two."
"Pardon?"
"Not even a little."
Hwang Yeong continued, surveying the corpses strewn about.
"Despite all these men bleeding out and dying, they showed no agitation whatsoever."
Hwang Yeong whipped her head toward the direction Sima Geon had vanished.
"That air of total detachment... Yes, it was like they were just casual onlookers."
A chill crept over Hwang Yeong's body as she murmured.
***
"Please wait a moment. Master will be here soon."
O Hwan said as he set down the tea. Before he finished, the door burst open.
Hwang Jeong had rushed over upon hearing Sima Geon had arrived, abandoning his patient.
"Did you get it?"
Sima Geon pulled a small jade box from his bosom and showed it to Hwang Jeong, who had shouted the moment the door opened.
"Yes. Fortunately, we retrieved it safely."
Hwang Jeong slumped into a seat, tension draining from his face at the sight of the box.
"That's wonderful. I was so anxious, fearing something might go wrong."
Sima Geon felt Hwang Jeong's genuine concern for his patient in his chest.
"Thank you. Did you welcome the guest who was coming?"
Sima Geon asked with a bright smile.
"Thanks to you. I feel so ashamed. I should have gone myself, but all I did was deliver a letter."
"Nonsense. Telling us how to obtain the Pure Clear Stone Milk was more than enough. Besides, with so many patients relying on you, how could you tend only to our selfishness?"
"Thank you for understanding. But the young companion who was with you..."
Noticing Cheol U's absence—the one who always stuck by Sima Geon—Hwang Jeong looked puzzled. Sima Geon set down his teacup and explained.
"I sent the youngest to fetch him. I told him to hurry, so he'll arrive soon."
"Ah, I see."
Hwang Jeong's demeanor seemed awkward.
Sensing some unspoken difficulty in his attitude, Sima Geon apologized, wondering if he'd been too focused on their own convenience.
"I'm sorry. With the Pure Clear Stone Milk in hand, I thought we should start treatment right away, so I rushed. I'll visit again at a time convenient for you."
"Oh, no, you've misunderstood. It's not that I'm short on time or inconvenienced."
Hwang Jeong waved his hands hurriedly, flustered.
"Do you remember me mentioning a guest was coming?"
"Yes."
Sima Geon nodded matter-of-factly. That's why Hwang Jeong had stayed in Shao Xing while they went to Hangzhou for the Pure Clear Stone Milk—he had agreed to help.
"They were from my main family."
"Your main family...?"
Hwang Jeong paused before asking cautiously.
"Have you heard of the Living Immortal Physician Family?"
Sima Geon stared at Hwang Jeong in astonishment.
The Living Immortal Physician Family, famed across the land for their medical prowess alone, could even revive the dead.
Though their paths differed, Sima Geon, immersed in the martial world, had no reason not to know of them.
"I didn't realize you were from the Living Immortal Physician Family. I've suspected since you treated my youngest, whose condition baffled everyone else, but you're truly remarkable."
As Sima Geon marveled openly, Hwang Jeong blushed with embarrassment.
"You're too kind. Far from treating her, I've barely managed to maintain the status quo."
Hwang Jeong lamented his failure to fully master the family's arts due to his own shortcomings. Had he done so, he could have cured Sima Jin's ailment.
"Honestly, I consulted the main family several times about your sister's condition and even requested a physician. They showed great interest due to its uniqueness, but with plagues raging across the Central Plains these past few years, they lacked the manpower. However..."
Excited, Sima Geon cut in eagerly.
"A physician from the main family has come."
"Yes. She finished her duties in Nan Chang and was returning home when urgent business arose in Hangzhou. Since Shao Xing lies on the route, she stopped by. I discussed your sister's illness with her."
Sima Geon, who maintained composure before thousands of foes, swallowed hard, unable to hide his tension.
"She'll finish in Hangzhou and return here to examine your sister."
"Ah!"
An exclamation escaped Sima Geon.
"She's one of the main family's top physicians, far beyond my half-learned skills. Rather than me attempting treatment with the Pure Clear Stone Milk, it's better to entrust her. Her chances of success are much higher."
Handing over his patient to another might wound a physician's pride, but Sima Geon was moved once more by Hwang Jeong's prioritization of the patient's life over ego.
"Thank you. Thank you so much, Physician. I don't know how to repay this kindness."
Sima Geon bowed deeply with utmost sincerity.
"Kindness? It's just my duty as a physician. If anything, I apologize for my inadequacies leading to this point. Anyway, I appreciate your understanding. She said she'd finish quickly and return, but I can't say exactly when. It might take some time."
"Don't worry. As long as she can be cured, what's waiting a few days? I'll wait as long as it takes."
Sima Geon buzzed with excitement, as if Sima Jin's recovery was imminent.
"No, it's not that..."
Hwang Jeong knew well the peril of promising cures as a physician. He wanted to warn that it might not work out but fell silent. He couldn't bear to dampen Sima Geon's joy and gratitude, with tears welling in his eyes.