Episode 191: The Sima Family

The man who followed Sima Yugong was plump and appeared to be in his early thirties.

Tang Mujin asked Sima Yugong in a somewhat reluctant tone, “And where did you find this gentleman?”

The plump man answered in Sima Yugong’s stead, “I used to run a small business near Luha in the south. I’ve been suffering from a chronic illness for years, and through a connection with the Sima family’s trading company, I ended up here.”

“Luha? That’s quite a distance, isn’t it?”

“Well, it’s still within Henan. I hear the Sima family’s trading company does business as far as Anhui and Hubei.”

Sima Yugong interrupted the man’s story, “Tang, I didn’t mean to burden you like this… but after hearing his plight, I couldn’t just ignore it. He seemed like he wouldn’t last long without help. But I understand if you have your own reasons and choose to decline.”

The plump man was startled by Sima Yugong’s words. “Sir! Are you telling me to just die?”

“Not at all. I’ve received some training myself, so I can attempt to treat you. I may not be as skilled as the Medicine Dragon, but I can manage.”

In matters of life and death, desperation often takes precedence over pride. The plump man chose to plead with Tang Mujin instead of relying on Sima Yugong’s skills.

“Medicine Dragon? Are you the Medicine Dragon, sir? I’ve heard you never turn away the sick! Please, I beg you!”

Being called “sir” by someone at least ten years his senior felt strange to Tang Mujin. While he hesitated, the plump man fumbled at his waist, producing a gold piece and several silver coins, offering them to Tang Mujin. For a small-time merchant, this was surely a significant expense.

“I’ll pay you! Please, think of it as saving a poor soul’s life, just this once…”

Tang Mujin pressed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. Treating one more patient wasn’t difficult, just time-consuming.

What bothered him was the unusually high number of patients with the same condition that Sima Yugong kept bringing.

‘It’s possible that this condition is more common than I thought. I don’t check every unhealthy person I meet. Still, it’s odd how they keep appearing like this.’

Despite his misgivings, Tang Mujin couldn’t bring himself to abandon someone whose life was at risk.

With a resigned click of his tongue, he finally replied, “First, let’s confirm if it’s really the condition you mentioned. Since Sima Yugong has already examined you, it’s likely correct, but as a physician, I need to see for myself to be sure.”

Seeing Tang Mujin’s willingness, the man prostrated himself on the dirt floor, bowing deeply. “Thank you, thank you!”

“Please, get up. Everyone’s watching.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Let’s go inside.”

“Understood!”

Tang Mujin and Sima Yugong led the man into the inn, just as they had done for the past month.

It took nearly another fortnight to complete the man’s treatment.

Once again, there were no complications, and the middle-aged man was saved.

“Thanks to you, I survived. Medicine Dragon, sir! I’ll make sure your good deeds are known far and wide!”

Tang Mujin quickly waved his hands dismissively. If word spread and more patients came flocking, who knew when he’d be able to return home?

“Oh, it’s fine. Just keep what happened here to yourself and focus on recovering when you return home.”

“I will!”

The third patient with the condition left, repeatedly bowing to Tang Mujin. Now, only Tang Mujin and Sima Yugong remained in the inn.

Tang Mujin observed Sima Yugong closely.

‘It seems about time for him to bring in a fourth patient.’

However, Sima Yugong didn’t mention a fourth patient. Instead, he bowed slightly to Tang Mujin, expressing his gratitude.

“I’ve received so much help. It’s been a great fortune to broaden my knowledge. I don’t know when I’ll fully master what you’ve taught me…”

“It won’t take long. You’re already a fine physician. By the way, it seems there isn’t a fourth patient, is there?”

Tang Mujin probed gently, and Sima Yugong chuckled awkwardly.

“I do call myself a physician, so if a new patient appears, I should handle it myself. After observing similar treatments three times, I should be able to mimic it well enough.”

Seeing Sima Yugong’s warm smile, Tang Mujin’s suspicions eased a little.

After all, there was no benefit for the Sima family to spend money treating outsiders. Perhaps, like his father or the mysterious figure, Sima Yugong was simply someone who couldn’t turn away a patient, even at a loss.

“I’m glad I could be of help.”

“Help? That’s an understatement. You’re too modest.”

“Ha ha. Is that so?”

Sima Yugong then asked Tang Mujin, “So, what are your plans now?”

“I suppose it’s time to return home and resume my duties as a physician.”

“Sichuan Province, right?”

“Yes.”

“That’ll be quite a journey. Are you planning to leave today?”

Tang Mujin glanced outside. The sun was setting, casting a reddish glow over the rooftops.

If they left now, they’d have to find another inn before even leaving Luoyang.

“I need to discuss it with my friends, but we’ll likely depart after breakfast tomorrow.”

“I see. I hope we meet again. Have a pleasant evening.”

With a meaningful smile, Sima Yugong left the inn.

That evening, Tang Mujin and his companions indulged in a feast, drinking until their faces were flushed, before retreating to their rooms.

They needed to enjoy themselves while they could, as they wouldn’t have such luxuries until they reached Sichuan, or at least until they boarded a ship on the Yangtze River.

Unlike when they first arrived, the four of them didn’t cram into one or two rooms. A few days ago, Sima Yugong had rented the entire inn for Tang Mujin and his friends.

Considering that renting the whole inn would also affect the adjacent tavern’s business, Sima Yugong must have paid a considerable sum.

Tang Mujin lay in the dark room, closing his eyes.

The inn was deathly quiet, suggesting his friends in the other rooms were already asleep.

Before long, Tang Mujin too drifted into slumber.

He wasn’t sure how much time had passed when he heard the sound of footsteps, carefully treading on the inn’s wooden floor.

It wasn’t the footsteps of Hong Geolge or Hyun Gong. Those two weren’t the type to tiptoe around sleeping friends.

‘Must be Namgung Myung.’

Since Namgung Myung had become accustomed to his role as a gentleman thief, he had developed a habit of moving silently wherever he went.

Even tonight, it seemed he couldn’t shake the habit and had gone for a night stroll.

‘Even after drinking.’

Since learning that the head of the Golden Pavilion wasn’t looking for him, Namgung Myung had been boldly exploring Luoyang’s night streets.

He’d often spout nonsense about how thrilling it was, not knowing when a master might appear.

‘I hope he doesn’t complain about being too tired to walk tomorrow.’

Tang Mujin thought as he turned over in his sleep.

But then, he heard the faint creak of a door. It was the sound of a door opening. Not the door to Namgung Myung’s room next door, but the door to Tang Mujin’s own room.

A small set of footsteps entered the room, and the door closed quietly behind them.

Namgung Myung’s audacious behavior snapped Tang Mujin fully awake.

‘That rascal Namgung Myung. Is he trying to rob me too?’

Amused, Tang Mujin kept his eyes closed, pretending to be deeply asleep, waiting for Namgung Myung to make his move.

‘I won’t be caught off guard.’

He planned to spring up and catch Namgung Myung the moment he touched his well-packed belongings. It would be a story to tease him with for a lifetime!

However, the intruder, whom he assumed to be Namgung Myung, simply stood still after closing the door, making no further moves.

Tang Mujin squinted slightly but couldn’t see the intruder. The room was too dark, and he was lying on his side.

Instead, he sharpened his senses, focusing intently on any movement.

It was his sense of smell that first detected something amiss.

If Namgung Myung had returned from a night out, the room should have been filled with the musty scent of a man and the smell of sweat.

But instead of sweat, there was a strangely sweet fragrance.

This wasn’t just a question of whether it was Namgung Myung or not; it wasn’t the scent of a man at all.

Realizing this, Tang Mujin’s heart nearly stopped in shock.

Since his mother passed away long ago, there had only ever been one woman who could enter his room.

‘First, subdue the intruder.’

Tang Mujin sprang up, kicking off his bedding and grabbing the sword he kept by his side.

In a single breath, he thrust the sword toward the intruder’s neck.

The intruder only reacted in surprise just before the sword touched their neck.

‘Their reaction is slow, and their movements aren’t efficient. They’re not highly skilled.’

Tang Mujin relaxed his grip on the sword. He was confident he could handle the situation if it escalated.

Of course, that didn’t mean he was going to let the intruder off easily.

Dang Mujin reached out with his left hand, grabbing a fistful of his opponent’s long hair, while the sword in his right hand pressed coldly against her neck. The woman froze, feeling the chill of the blade.

“Hic!”

A hiccup escaped her lips.

Dang Mujin quickly assessed the situation.

First, his opponent was indeed a woman.

Second, she wasn’t an assassin sent to kill him. There might be incompetent assassins in the world, but none who would hiccup out of fear.

Still, Dang Mujin didn’t lower his guard. In a low voice, he said, “Your life depends on your next words. Explain who you are and why you’re hiding here, in one sentence.”

The woman trembled, hesitating for a moment before speaking.

“Sama… Hic!”

She reflexively clamped her hands over her mouth, as if hiccuping were a grave offense, seemingly forgetting the sword at her throat.

Dang Mujin quickly deduced, ‘Could she be connected to the Sama clan?’

He used a subtle technique to slightly open the window, letting moonlight spill in. He held her hair up to the light. Though the moonlight was dim, he thought he saw a strange reddish tint in her hair.

‘She doesn’t seem like she’s here to harm me.’

He whispered softly, “Don’t resist.”

The woman shivered slightly, fearing what might happen next.

But contrary to her fears, Dang Mujin had no intention of harming her. Instead, he unceremoniously pushed her out of the room. He stood just inside the door, observing her under the dim light of the inn’s hallway.

Her long hair, which he had gripped tightly, was slightly disheveled. Yet, it was well-kept, flowing smoothly despite the rough handling. Under the light, the reddish hue in her hair was more pronounced.

‘She must be from the Sama clan.’

She appeared to be in her early twenties, petite even for a woman, but her features were strikingly delicate and clear. Anyone would call her a beauty.

Her attire was oddly thin and flimsy for the cold winter night, suggesting she was indeed from the Sama clan, known for their resistance to cold.

’…But why is she here?’

Dang Mujin looked at her with a puzzled expression. The woman squirmed as if she were desperate to use the restroom.

“Um… Can I come inside? I’d like to talk in there…”

Naturally, Dang Mujin refused her request outright.

“No.”

“What?”

She seemed genuinely surprised by his refusal.

Dang Mujin chuckled at her reaction, finding it absurd.

‘What kind of person assumes they can just waltz into my room?’

He frowned and said, “No strange women in my bedroom. Stand there and answer me. Why did you sneak in? Depending on your answer, you might lose your head.”

His sword was still in his right hand, its presence a chilling reminder that he wasn’t joking.

The woman struggled to suppress her hiccups as she spoke.

“My name is Sama Rin.”

“Even if you tell me your name, I don’t know who you are.”

“My uncle is Lord Sama Yugong.”

That information wasn’t particularly helpful either. Sama Yugong had dozens of nieces and nephews.

“Not who you are, but why you’re here.”

Sama Rin glanced at Dang Mujin, gauging his reaction before speaking.

“Could you possibly create a ‘jeolmaek’ for me?”