Episode 195: The World’s Greatest Healer

Three days later, the promising talents destined to lead the Sima family gathered at Sungcheon Pavilion.

Their ages ranged from late teens to a maximum of thirty. Any older, and the procedure’s effectiveness would diminish; any younger, and they might not withstand the process.

Tang Mujin asked Sima Yugong, “How many are set to undergo the procedure?”

“Fourteen.”

If the Sima family were to categorize their members by talent into first, second, and third tiers, the five who had previously undergone the procedure barely reached the second tier. They might contribute to the family in the future, but they weren’t contenders for key positions or the head of the family.

Even those who had already undergone the procedure were of that caliber, so there was no reason to bestow the procedure on those with even less talent and slower reflexes. After all, a family needs both leaders and followers.

The fourteen gathered here were the true future of the Sima family. If even ten of them could break through the pinnacle, the family’s reputation would soar.

In fact, even if only six or seven managed to surpass the pinnacle, it would be a remarkable achievement.

With just that many additional top-tier masters, the Sima family would temporarily boast over a dozen pinnacle masters, surpassing even the likes of Shaolin or the Beggar Sect in sheer numbers.

And this is just the beginning. As generations pass, the number of masters within the Sima family will only grow. Imagine when they surpass twenty, even thirty pinnacle masters.

And that’s not the end.

If those who break through at a young age dedicate themselves solely to martial arts instead of wasting time on internal energy cultivation, the Sima family could even produce supreme masters.

And why stop there? With a bit of luck, they might have two, maybe even three supreme masters.

‘If more than half of the future Six Lords hail from the Sima family…’

At that point, traditional sects like Shaolin or the Beggar Sect would pose no threat to the Sima family. Just as the Sima family now bows to Shaolin, the day would come when Shaolin would bow to them.

The Sima family’s dominance over Luoyang and the prime lands of the central plains would be a foregone conclusion.

Controlling the vast wealth of the region would be no challenge, making the conquest of the martial world a mere formality.

Sima Yugong felt a strange sense of detachment from reality, yet logically, such a future seemed likely.

Unable to suppress a smile, Sima Yugong cleared his throat and called out, “Who will be the first to undergo the procedure?”

All fourteen raised their hands. It seemed they hadn’t decided on an order among themselves.

They all looked at Tang Mujin and Sima Yugong with eager eyes.

Feigning contemplation, Sima Yugong finally announced, “Ho-hyun, step forward.”

Sima Ho-hyun was a man nearing thirty, the oldest among those gathered and, unfortunately, the least talented. Had he been a year older, he wouldn’t have been included.

But Sima Yugong’s choice was simple: Sima Ho-hyun was his son.

The other talents of the Sima family seemed to have expected this and showed no overt dissatisfaction.

In fact, they seemed relieved that Sima Yugong chose his son first, indicating his confidence in the procedure.

“The rest of you may leave. I’ll select the next candidate five days after the first procedure.”

For five days following Sima Ho-hyun’s procedure, Tang Mujin and Sima Yugong closely monitored his condition.

Aside from a slight decline in health due to an imbalance of yin and yang and a minor loss of energy, there were no significant issues.

“It seems to have gone well.”

Tang Mujin nodded, and Sima Yugong and Sima Ho-hyun shared a satisfied smile. In half a year or so, he would possess enviable internal energy.

The next generation of Sima family talents gathered for their procedures.

Initially, it was one person every five days, but eventually, it became one every three days. Tang Mujin and Sima Yugong’s procedures became faster and proved relatively stable.

Out of the fourteen, only one failed, resulting in one more madman in the dungeons, but that was a far better outcome than expected.

“Excellent.”

Both Sima Yugong and Sima Zheng were thoroughly pleased with the results.

Two days after all procedures were completed.

Tang Mujin’s friends sent word through the servants of the guest house that they intended to leave the Sima family.

To Sima Zheng and Sima Yugong, their timing seemed perfect. They chose to leave after all procedures were completed and the pressure had eased.

To bid farewell to Namgung Myung, Hong Geolgae, and Hyun Gong, Tang Mujin and members of the Sima family gathered.

However, the friends’ expressions were complicated.

“Tang Mujin, are you really staying with the Sima family?”

“Yes. I’ve completed the procedures, but I need to stay for the follow-up treatment. I’ll probably be here for at least another six months.”

“Is that really the reason?”

Hyun Gong asked in a hesitant voice. Though it seemed like a simple question, everyone present understood its underlying meaning.

Sima Lin was clinging tightly to Tang Mujin’s arm.

Namgung Myung added, “What should I tell Dan Seol-young?”

“Don’t tell her anything yet. Just wait.”

The three friends looked at Tang Mujin and Sima Lin, then sighed deeply.

“Take care. We’ll see you later.”

And with that, the farewells were over. Namgung Myung, Hong Geolgae, and Hyun Gong left the Sima family.

Having left early, by nightfall, they had exited Luoyang and entered a secluded mountain path.

There was no sign of life, not even the sound of wild animals or insects.

Ordinary people might have found it eerie and turned back, but the three continued without a word.

As they searched for a suitable place to rest, they encountered a group of over ten black-clad warriors.

Though their faces were covered, it was clear they were from the Sima family.

Namgung Myung scratched his chin, thinking, ‘Six pinnacle masters and five first-rate ones. The first-rate ones must be here to hold us back.’

Though Namgung Myung and Hyun Gong were quite skilled among pinnacle warriors, they couldn’t overcome such overwhelming numbers.

Hyun Gong stepped forward on behalf of his friends and asked in a strangely relaxed voice, “Sima family, what brings you here?”

“We thought the farewell was a bit lacking, so we came to see you off properly.”

The confident reply came, unmistakably, from Sima Zheng. It seemed he had no intention of hiding his identity from the start. Hyun Gong sighed.

“Isn’t this a bit too grand for a farewell?”

“You have a long journey ahead. A modest send-off would be a shame.”

Sima Zheng drew his sword and stepped forward.

The snow around where Sima Zheng stood began to melt, a phenomenon caused by his mastery of the blazing Yang technique.

Sima Zheng launched a dazzling sword strike at Hyun Gong.

Hyun Gong parried the attack with his sword, but Sima Zheng’s internal energy surged through Hyun Gong’s arm.

Hyun Gong quickly countered with his own internal energy, but his palm burned as if thrust into a fire. It was the unique nature of the Sima family’s internal energy technique, the Crimson Flame Divine Art.

Hyun Gong grumbled, “Couldn’t you at least pretend to hide your identity?”

“I’m not one for pretense.”

Just as Sima Zheng was about to strike again, a sword flew between him and Hyun Gong.

Everyone turned to look in the direction the sword had come from.

To their surprise, it was Tang Mujin and Sima Yugong.

‘Sima Yugong? Why bring the healer here?’

Sima Zheng frowned. There was nothing to gain from showing this scene to Tang Mujin.

As Sima Zheng paused, Tang Mujin and Sima Yugong approached. Sima Yugong’s steps lacked vigor, and his sword was sheathed at his waist. It seemed he had been the one to throw the sword.

When they were within eight paces, Tang Mujin spoke.

“Why so surprised? Surely you didn’t think I wouldn’t know you had no intention of letting my friends leave unharmed.”

“Hah!”

It wasn’t an unexpected revelation. That’s why Sima Zheng had left Sima Yugong and Sima Lin with Tang Mujin—to ensure he wouldn’t leave the Sima family.

‘The question is, why did Sima Yugong come here with Tang Mujin?’

But questioning Sima Yugong would have to wait.

“So, are you here to save your friends?”

“Something like that.”

“That’s unfortunate. No matter what you say, I can’t let them go.”

“Is that so.”

Tang Mujin replied nonchalantly, adopting a rather arrogant stance. He leaned casually, draping an arm over Sima Yugong’s shoulder.

The demeanor was unmistakably casual, as if addressing a peer or subordinate rather than a superior, causing the members of the Sama family to frown openly.

Yet, they quickly realized there was something more significant than the gesture itself: Sama Yugong stood there, expressionless, without a hint of displeasure.

Sama Zheng felt an unsettling sense of foreboding.

“Sama Yugong, what’s going on?”

Neither Sama Yugong nor Tang Mujin responded. Instead, Tang Mujin snapped his fingers, and a subtle floral fragrance wafted through the air.

The warriors of the Sama family instinctively covered their noses with their sleeves, suspecting poison. But to their surprise, there was no trace of venom—just a pleasant floral scent.

Sama Yugong’s reaction, however, was different. He stood dazed for a moment before suddenly coughing up blood.

No, calling it “coughing up blood” didn’t quite capture it. It was more like Sama Yugong was squeezing the blood out of himself.

Blood poured from his mouth, and from every pore, staining his clothes red and turning the snow around him crimson.

Faced with this grotesque scene, as if the blood were being drawn out by some unseen force, no one dared to move.

Sama Zheng, trying to regain control of the situation, shouted fiercely.

“What have you done?”

“What do you think? It’s the result of slowly poisoning Sama Yugong over several months.”

“That’s absurd! Are you saying someone like Sama Yugong didn’t realize he was being poisoned?”

“Not all poisons are obvious from the start. Sometimes, harmless substances combine to become lethal. Until he inhaled the scent of the Baiyunmian flower just now, what had accumulated in Sama Yugong’s body wasn’t poison.”

Sama Zheng closed his eyes briefly, then approached Tang Mujin instead of Hyun Gong.

“With the promise of prosperity under the Sama name, why choose a path of death? Even if you beg now, forgiveness is out of the question.”

Tang Mujin scoffed.

“Forgiveness? No, I didn’t come here seeking forgiveness. Now that Sama Yugong is dead, who do you think holds the fate of the Sama family’s future?”

Sama Zheng halted. There were only two healers in the world capable of treating the severed meridians: Tang Mujin and Sama Yugong. And Sama Yugong had just died.

Sama Zheng glared at Tang Mujin.

“You’re not the only one who can treat the severed meridians. Your master, the eccentric Yi Chong, is still around. You might not know, but I’ve known him for a long time.”

Tang Mujin sneered.

“I’m aware of your acquaintance. But such a connection won’t bring back my master, who died years ago, to treat anyone.”

Sama Zheng scrutinized Tang Mujin’s expression, trying to discern if he was lying.

But in Tang Mujin’s eyes, there was no trace of deceit or anxiety—only a distant longing. Sama Zheng felt a faint dizziness.

Yet, he couldn’t afford to show any sign of weakness here.

“Then I’ll seek out the healer of Tianshan. It shouldn’t be too difficult to contact him through a few intermediaries.”

Tang Mujin laughed as if he’d heard the most amusing story.

“You’re behind on the news.”

“What do you mean?”

Tang Mujin drew his sword, using it like a cane, and said, “The era of the three great healers is over. Now begins the era of the world’s greatest healer.”

It was an audacious claim. But more important than his audacity was the implication of his words.

Sama Zheng’s breathing quickened.

Could it be true that the healer of Tianshan is dead? When did this happen? Why? How does this young man know? Or is it even true that both Yi Chong and the healer are dead? Too many thoughts threatened to overwhelm him.

In front of the bewildered Sama Zheng, Tang Mujin smiled slyly.

“How about a simple wager?”

“What kind of wager?”

“The kind doesn’t matter. What matters is the stakes.”

Tang Mujin stepped forward, drawing his sword.

“I’ll wager the future of the Sama family. What will you wager, Elder Sama Zheng?”