Chapter 105: As Long As You Don’t Commit a Crime (1)
San Gong Poison is a tool used by the demonic sects.
However, when it ceases to be San Gong Poison and becomes San Gong ‘Medicine’, and when those administering it are not from the demonic sects but from the government, the situation changes.
-How could the government persecute the martial world like this?
In response to such a question, the government and Murong would reply:
“If it is said that this medicine is only used on those who commit crimes like the martial artists of the demonic sects, even the orthodox sects will have a hard time objecting.”
“That’s true… if it’s only applied to criminals.”
On the road westward in a carriage, Murong Xue idly toyed with a small pill placed before her, answering my words.
“Those who take this are the ones who try to steal the Geukyangji Hwan or use their martial arts to commit crimes. By the current standards of the martial world, they are strictly categorized as ‘demonic sect’ individuals.”
The target of San Gong Medicine is solely criminals.
“Bandits, assassins, rapists, and con artists… Those who use force to rob the lives or possessions of the weak. Now, the state will judge them for their crimes under national law.”
“Then, may I ask something?”
Murong Xue continued to toy with the pill, then extended it towards me.
“If a woman openly flirts with a man while his wife is watching, would it be acceptable to give her this San Gong Medicine?”
“Normally, people would say that’s excessive, but if the ones involved were you and me, the story might change.”
I received the San Gong Medicine from Murong Xue and pretended to administer it to the empty seat beside me.
Of course, no one was there.
Only the two of us occupied the carriage.
“Starting with the Jinju Eon family in Hebei, we will move from place to place. Wherever we go, people targeting me—or you—will surely appear.”
“And if they are martial artists, you’ll give them the San Gong Medicine?”
“Naturally. On what grounds do they think they can interfere in the relationship between a loving couple?”
“Martial arts.”
“Exactly. It all comes down to martial arts.”
Among the crimes caused by martial artists, the most common and heinous ones were related to sexual violence.
“Around 60 years ago — a time sufficient to cultivate the internal energy of one complete cycle of the sexagenary cycle. Back then, all kinds of sex offenders roamed freely.”
Sixty years ago.
Even by official records, the damage caused by martial artists was devastating.
“But didn’t most of them have their manhood severed by the Sword Empress?”
“Indeed. The Sword Empress alone cut down dozens, even hundreds of such criminals. And that’s just the official number. Who knows how many victims there truly were.”
Victims of such crimes rarely came forward publicly.
It was understandable.
Though they were the victims, society would often point fingers at them instead.
And most victims were powerless individuals.
“Martial arts have the power to instantly turn an ordinary person into a formidable force. When used for justice and righteousness, those who wield them will not become the targets of San Gong Medicine.”
“But if they intend to use martial arts to commit such crimes…”
“Then the government will administer the San Gong Medicine, imprison the criminal, and punish them according to the criminal code.”
The government was now acting with thorough precision, beyond what most could imagine.
“Perhaps this is the very core of the current crown prince’s political agenda, as he seeks to become the new emperor.”
The Collapse of the Martial World.
There was a pivotal key in this sweeping plan that extended across the martial world.
“Miss.”
“Yes, Physician.”
“The next emperor plans to use us to evaluate the ideologies of the Nine Great Sects, the Five Grand Clans, and various other influential sects and families.”
Me.
And Murong Xue.
“We will solve everything in our own way — in the way of the Murong family.”
“What we have to do… is probably this, right?”
Murong Xue stood up casually, then straddled my lap, facing me.
“To prove across the entire Central Plains that I am your woman.”
“And I, too, will prove to each sect and family that you are my woman. If anyone denies it or schemes otherwise…”
“The San Gong Medicine will find its way into their mouths soon enough.”
After all, our backing was the imperial palace, and we acted under the emperor’s decree.
“Let’s go. To break the order of the martial world.”
* * *
At that very moment, in the imperial palace.
The court officials had already left for the day, leaving the grand throne room empty. A young man stood gazing at the throne, his expression calm and indifferent.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
Behind him, the most powerful eunuch in the palace, Tai Hwan-gong, approached and bowed with his hands clasped.
“What is it?”
Despite his status, the crown prince addressed the eunuch with respect.
To some, this might have seemed strange or inappropriate, but it wasn’t.
To the crown prince, Tai Hwan-gong was like a grandfather, and the prince was not yet the emperor.
Unless he was displaying imperial dignity in front of other officials, it was natural for their conversations to be somewhat informal, even in the grand palace.
“The ‘Medical Dragon’ and the ‘Most Beautiful One’ have arrived at the Jinju Eon family in Hebei.”
“…So it has begun.”
Even though the news was official, the crown prince’s tone remained calm.
“Are there any movements from those pursuing the Medical Dragon? For example, the Demon Sect?”
“The Demon Sect remains eerily silent. Almost unsettlingly so.”
“…No information at all?”
“Strangely, no.”
At Tai Hwan-gong’s words, the crown prince furrowed his brows.
“Could it be that the Demon Sect is regrouping?”
“While the young sect leader is attempting to rally them, the core members of the sect are fleeing. Although they may try to prevent information from leaking out, they lack the strength to threaten the Central Plains once again.”
“Whew… Truly…”
The crown prince sighed in relief, gathering his composure.
“Good. Then… what about the Medical Dragon’s next destination?”
“It has yet to be revealed, but once they arrive at the Jinju Eon family, the information will gradually spread. Should any issues arise with the Geukyangji Hwan sent by the government, the Medical Dragon will personally intervene.”
“That.”
The crown prince spoke cautiously, as though the topic itself caused him concern.
“The Geukyangji Hwan being distributed across the regions… it’s not the real one, is it?”
“No, Your Highness. While it is indeed a pill called Geukyangji Hwan, it is not the genuine one.”
Tai Hwan-gong gestured with his hand, tracing a small circle in the air.
“It is effective for those suffering from vein blockage, relieving their pain and opening their meridians. However, like the refined Golden Jade Leaf of the Murong family, it is not the true Geukyangji Hwan.”
“…Because of its ‘side effects’?”
“Yes.”
“……Tai Hwan-gong. I still cannot believe it.”
The crown prince turned his conflicted gaze toward the empty throne.
“That my father would… ha.”
“Would you like it?”
“No!”
The crown prince immediately raised his voice in response to Tai Hwan-gong’s suggestive question.
“It’s not that I want something like that. Well, there are things I do want, but…!”
“If Your Highness desires, I, Tai Hwan-gong, can procure one for you.”
At Tai Hwan-gong’s sweet words, the crown prince flinched for a moment.
“Your Highness desires to become the emperor. But apart from that, surely there are personal desires that you hold as well. Please speak to me. If it is possible, I will obtain the Geukyangji Hwan and present it to you.”
“…If you were to do that.”
The crown prince turned his gaze toward Tai Hwan-gong.
“Wouldn’t that mean you would end up in debt to that man — to Murong?”
“…..!”
Tai Hwan-gong’s eyes widened at the crown prince’s words.
Caught off guard, he stood there momentarily with his mouth slightly open, blinking in disbelief.
“I have no intention of doing such a thing. Even if there is something I desire, I will wait until a time in the distant future when it becomes necessary, and I will ask for it then.”
“Your Highness… you are looking far ahead.”
“Yes. It may sound a bit strange to say, but I am still young.”
The crown prince scratched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed.
“…If, by some chance, excessive administrative work causes my hair to fall out.”
His hand, which had just run through his hair, suddenly moved downward.
“Or if old age renders me… unable to perform, then I will simply seek out a physician at that time. Isn’t that right?”
“…Your Highness.”
“No matter how miraculous something may seem, no matter how much an individual may yearn for a miracle…”
With a solemn expression, the crown prince took a step toward the empty throne.
“A ruler must devote themselves to ensuring that the world does not fall into chaos because of such miracles and that the people can focus on their own lives in peace.”
“Your Highness…!”
“That is the path you have taught me, Tai Hwan-gong.”
Tai Hwan-gong gazed at the crown prince standing before the throne, tears silently welling in his eyes.
At that same time…
Somewhere in the empress’s palace, a woman and a young girl lay together on a bed, licking and caressing each other’s tears.
Meanwhile, the palace prepared itself for the coming changes.
“Let us proceed, Tai Hwan-gong. Even if the entire martial world becomes our enemy.”
The imperial palace was bracing for the upheaval of the world.
“To usher in a new era.”
An era led directly by the government.
* * *
On the Road to the Jinju Eon Family
They were on their way to personally deliver the true Geukyangji Hwan, not the temporary remedy that only alleviated vein blockage.
Just then—
“Hahaha! Stop right there!”
A figure appeared.
“If you want to pass this road, hand over your money!”
A bandit.
“We are the Hosekchae! And I am the leader of Hosekchae, Saek Mu-wol!”
“…….?”