Midnight Raiders (1)
Early in the morning, Dangbaek, who had received orders to secure the Azure Pure Stone Oil, arrived in Shaoxing leading the Black Ox Gang.
After setting up a hideout at a small tavern on the northeastern outskirts of Shaoxing, Dangbaek immediately sent his subordinates out to track down the whereabouts of Sima Geon. Around dusk, the men who had scattered in all directions returned to the tavern, each bringing back information.
"A butcher's shop? That guy is running a butcher's shop?"
Dangbaek asked with a look of disbelief.
"Yes."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. We confirmed it."
"Heh!"
Dangbaek let out a hollow laugh.
The amount Sima Geon had spent to purchase the Azure Pure Stone Oil easily exceeded three hundred gold nyang.
It was an unimaginably huge sum. Being able to spend that kind of money clearly meant he possessed formidable wealth.
Assuming that someone with such financial power would also have martial strength, Dangbaek had been on guard—but a butcher's shop? It was laughable.
"What about the Azure Pure Stone Oil? Did he say he used it?"
This was the most critical point. Tension showed on Dangbaek's face as he asked.
"We investigated discreetly and found that it hasn't been used yet. However, we need to hurry."
Dangbaek's eyebrows twitched.
"What do you mean?"
"He is currently staying at Cheongsimwon."
"Cheongsimwon?"
"It's a place with the most famous physician in Shaoxing and the surrounding area."
At the word "physician," Dangbaek sprang to his feet.
"A physician? Then doesn't that mean he's already used the Azure Pure Stone Oil?"
Dangbaek's face turned pale.
"That's not the case. Tonight, they plan to use the Azure Pure Stone Oil to treat a woman's illness."
Hearing that the Azure Pure Stone Oil was still safe, Dangbaek collapsed back into his seat and let out a long sigh of relief.
"Whew! That took ten years off my life. We almost arrived too late."
Unlike Dangbaek, who was relieved, the subordinate continuing his explanation did not look very bright.
"But there's a problem."
"A problem? Are you saying they might use the Azure Pure Stone Oil before we arrive? Yes, that's possible. We can't rule that out. We need to move immediately."
Dangbaek had just reached his own conclusion and was about to stand up when—
"Physicians from the Hwalseon Medical Family are at Cheongsimwon."
Dangbaek froze and shot his subordinate a chilling glare.
"What are you talking about now? Why would physicians from the Hwalseon Medical Family be here? Isn't this bad information?"
"No. I checked several times just in case."
"Then are those the very people who will be using the Azure Pure Stone Oil tonight to treat the woman…?"
Dangbaek's eyes suddenly flashed.
"The Hwalseon Medical Family physicians at Cheongsimwon—are they the ones who destroyed the Thousand Kill Hall? The ones who treated a royal clansman in Hangzhou and then left?"
"I'm not completely certain, but it seems so."
"Damn it!"
When his ominous premonition proved true, curses spilled from Dangbaek's mouth.
"What should we do, Leader? We can't recklessly provoke the Hwalseon Medical Family."
Vice Leader Hwansu asked with a stiff expression.
Although the Yeongho family had a reputation rivaling that of the Namgung family, the Hwalseon Medical Family was no easy opponent either.
In terms of pure martial force, the Yeongho family clearly held the upper hand. However, the strength of the Hwalseon Medical Family lay not in force but in their medical arts.
The name Hwalseon Medical Family had been renowned in the martial world for centuries, and over that long span, countless people—orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic alike—had received their help. Considering this, the Hwalseon Medical Family was one of the places that should never be crossed.
"We received our lord's order to secure the Azure Pure Stone Oil no matter what."
"But the opponent is the Hwalseon Medical Family. Our lord will understand."
"…"
"If things go wrong, it could bring great calamity upon the main family."
Hwansu strongly tried to dissuade him, worried about future repercussions, but Dangbaek could not give up so easily.
The man Dang Baek served, Yeongho Jung, was currently locked in a fierce struggle with his brothers over the position of next clan head.
Although he was the most capable among them and enjoyed broad support from the clan members, he was disadvantaged in seniority, causing him to gradually fall behind in the succession struggle.
The Azure Pure Stone Oil was a powerful asset that could overturn that situation in an instant.
What should I do?
The best choice in the current situation would be to contact Yeongho Jung and receive instructions. However, no matter how quickly they sent a carrier pigeon, it would take at least a day to receive orders.
The problem was that by tonight, the Azure Pure Stone Oil would be gone.
I can never give up the Azure Pure Stone Oil.
Having made his decision, Dangbaek spoke with a hardened expression to Hwansu, who was watching him with concern.
"There's a saying: as long as theft isn't discovered, it's fine."
"Leader!"
Unlike the startled Hwansu, the Black Ox Gang members standing guard around them did not move an inch. For those who lived and died by Dang Baek's orders, future consequences were not a consideration.
"Our lord absolutely needs the Azure Pure Stone Oil. Tonight, we obtain it. Hwansu."
"Yes, Leader."
"I know what you're worried about. But if we leave no evidence behind, that's the end of it."
Hwansu immediately understood what Dangbaek meant.
"Silencing all witnesses?"
Killing intent filled Hwansu's voice.
Knowing that he could not change Dangbaek's resolve, Hwansu returned to his usual self—the man who would take even the King of the Underworld's head if ordered.
"That's right. Not only the Hwalseon Medical Family, but everything that could become evidence will be erased."
"This place as well, I presume."
"I feel sorry for the innkeeper who prepared such good food and wine for us, but it can't be helped."
"I'll take care of it at once."
With a light signal from Hwansu, two subordinates quietly slipped out of the room.
"Send them off peacefully, without pain."
As if he were bestowing a great kindness, Dang Baek casually tossed out the words and drained his final cup. Then he sprang to his feet.
"Let's go."
Shrouded in darkness, Cheongsimwon was quieter than ever.
Occasionally, the groans of patients could be heard, but even those soon fell silent. Even the insects that had been chirping incessantly were now mute.
Sima Geon, who without realizing it exerted an absolute influence on this atmosphere, was sitting cross-legged in the pavilion opposite the central infirmary of Cheongsimwon.
Sima Ho, clearly anxious, kept biting his nails and wandering aimlessly around the pond beneath the pavilion. Even Cheol-woo, who would normally laugh heartily without batting an eye even if Mount Tai were to collapse, stood with his arms folded, leaning against the pavilion railing and swaying back and forth.
"It'll go well, right?"
Sima Ho stopped in front of Cheol-woo and asked.
"Are you asking again?"
Cheol-woo frowned, then answered,
"Of course it will. Absolutely."
"When do you think we'll get the results?"
"Not even half a gak has passed. They probably haven't even really started yet."
Cheolwoo gestured with his chin toward the infirmary.
"Damn it. They say a moment feels like three autumns—feels like at least an hour has passed."
Unable to endure the frustration, Sima Ho sighed and looked toward the infirmary.
Inside the central infirmary were Sima Jin and, to treat her, Hwang Yeong and Hwang Zheng, along with Yoo Sa-ha and Gok Ja-yu.
Yoo Sa-ha and Gok Jayu, who would be of little help in the actual treatment, were present to stand guard over Hwang Yeong.
The golden needle technique Hwang Yeong intended to perform on Sima Jin was the Hwalseon Medical Family's secret art known as Tongcheonhoehon (Heaven-Piercing Soul Restoration).
Tongcheonhoehon is a golden needle technique that mobilizes all of the practitioner's internal energy and requires an extreme level of concentration. Moreover, like circulating internal energy, it is dangerous to perform and can be fatally disrupted by even the slightest external stimulus. For this reason, it is an unspoken rule that it must be carried out with guardians standing watch.
"Stop talking nonsense and wait patiently. Making such a fuss like this won't help at—"
Cheol-woo, who had been scolding Sima Ho, suddenly fell silent.
The aura of Sima Geon, who had been sitting in the pavilion, abruptly changed.
It was a change so subtle that Sima Ho didn't notice it at all, but Cheol-woo sensed it clearly.
"What is it, Boss?"
At Cheol-woo's question, Sima Jian slowly stood up.
"I think we have uninvited guests."
"Uninvited guests?"
Cheol-woo frowned and scanned the surroundings, then tilted his head in confusion.
"I don't really know."
"It's quite far. And fairly well hidden, too. But I'm sure of it. They're definitely targeting this place."
Cheol-woo's expression hardened.
"Those damn bastards!"
As he scowled, Cheol-woo's already frightening face turned downright ferocious.
"What's going on?"Startled by the sudden shift in the situation, Sima Ho asked in a trembling voice.
"It's nothing. Just some crazy idiots who can't read the room—."
Once again, Cheol-woo failed to finish his sentence. Sima Ho, who was supposed to hear the explanation, collapsed limply.
Sima Jian pressed on Sima Ho's acupoint to put him to sleep, then lifted his fallen body and laid him down in the pavilion.
"What kind of people are they?"
"I don't know either. Judging by how well they're concealing their presence, they're not ordinary."
"Are they after Cheongsimwon? Or the physicians from the Hwalseon Medical Family?"
"Hard to say. If they're targeting something, wouldn't it be something else rather than those?"
"Something else? Don't tell me… the Gongsheong Stone Oil?"
Sima Jian spoke as he passed by Cheol-woo, whose eyes had gone wide.
"We'll know for sure once we check. Ah, and not here. Even a little disturbance could negatively affect the treatment."
"That goes without saying."
Cheol-woo cracked his knuckles and followed after Sima Geon.
A bamboo grove overlooking Cheongsimwon at a glance.
After erasing every trace of the tavern where they had been staying, Dangbaek arrived in a single dash. Catching his breath, he asked the subordinate who had been watching Cheongsimwon all day,
"Where are they?"
"At the central ward. We should hurry."
Dang Baek nodded and turned to his men.
"The primary objective is the Gongsheong Stone Oil. I, the vice leader, and Teams One and Two will handle the Hwalseon Medical Family. Team Three leader."
"Yes, Leader."
"Don't let a single one escape."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Secure the main gate first. Move immediately."
"Yes."
Receiving the order, the Team Three leader led his men and dashed off like they were shot from a bow.
Just as Team Three was about to leave the bamboo grove—
"Hey, you rat bastards!"
With a rough shout, Cheol-woo suddenly appeared and swung his fist.
Startled, the Team Three leader twisted his body to avoid the blow, but the punch had already smashed squarely into his face.
With a dull thud, the Team Three leader was sent flying at an even greater speed than when he had charged out, crashing hard into the ground.
"Who the hell are you?!"
In an instant, the guards and team leaders surrounded Cheol-u and the Sima Geon following behind him.
Cheol-u scratched his ear with a look of disdain.
"That's my line. Who are you people, acting crazy in matching outfits like this?"
The guards and team leaders said nothing, waiting for Dang Baek's command.
Dang Baek's gaze was fixed on the Team Three leader lying at his feet.
Even when alive, his face could hardly be called handsome—but now, with his face—no, his head—completely blown away without a trace, the sight was too gruesome to bear.
'To do this with a single blow.'
The human body is quite fragile.
It has countless weak points and can lose its life easily.
'But even so… this.'
He had never seen the hardest part of the human body—the head—burst apart like this.