— Chapter 7 —
The sun had long since passed its zenith. Sima Jin, the second son of the Sima Clan, stirred in his bed, scratching his messy hair.
“Haaaah…”
He yawned, blinking his heavy eyelids, and called out in a hoarse voice,
“Is anyone out there?”
“Yes, Young Master.”
A servant opened the door and answered. Sima Jin instructed,
“My throat is parched. Bring me some water.”
The servant bowed and quickly returned with water. Sima Jin gulped it down and rose from his bed. He walked over to a wardrobe and flung it open, revealing rows of extravagant robes.
“Hmm…”
After some deliberation, he selected a dark blue-black robe and leisurely made his way out of his chambers.
The sun hung high in the midday sky. The few servants he passed hurried about their duties. In stark contrast, Sima Jin strolled along at a relaxed pace.
As he crossed the courtyard, he encountered his elder brother, Sima Hyo, the First Young Master, bustling along with a group of servants.
“Jin!”
Sima Hyo’s face creased with worry as he rushed over.
“I heard you came home late last night in the cold. Are you alright?”
“Brother, do I look like a child who can’t take care of himself? I was merely discussing the fate of the world with some esteemed individuals. There’s no need to worry.”
“I understand, but please try not to overdo it. There’s a nasty cold going around…”
Despite Sima Jin’s curt reply, Sima Hyo’s concern remained. However, the servants behind Sima Hyo wore expressions of undisguised disgust. Sima Jin caught their glances and looked away.
The three things the Sima Clan abhorred: Ignorance, Superficial Knowledge, and Laziness.
Sima Jin, embodying all three, was understandably the target of their disdain.
“Jin.”
As Sima Jin turned away, Sima Hyo gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
“No matter what choices you make, I will always be on your side.”
“It’s fine. I can manage on my own. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
Sima Jin brushed his brother’s hand aside and continued on his way. The servants, witnessing his disrespectful behavior, began to whisper amongst themselves.
“Tsk. To think he’s a direct descendant. He’s utterly hopeless.”
“He clearly hasn’t learned proper etiquette.”
“We’d be doomed without the First Young Master. The heavens haven’t abandoned the Sima Clan.”
Sima Hyo, watching his brother’s retreating figure, raised a hand to silence them.
“Don’t say such things. Jin… Jin is…”
He bit his lip, unable to finish the sentence, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and self-reproach.
Meanwhile, Sima Jin, having left the estate, headed towards his usual destination: the Hyangha Pavilion, renowned as the most scenic brothel in the area. He knocked on the entrance.
It was still daylight, well before opening hours. A gruff voice called out from inside,
“Who is it?”
“It’s me, Sima Jin.”
Click.
The door opened immediately. A guard gestured inside.
“Come in.”
Sima Jin entered, hands clasped behind his back. The courtesans, accustomed to his presence, led him to the top floor. He entered the largest room at the end of the hallway.
Creak—
“Oh! Brother Sima has arrived!”
“What took you so long?! We thought you’d forgotten us!”
The room was in a state of disarray. Drunken men and women caroused with the courtesans. Empty wine bottles littered the floor, and clothes lay scattered about. Sima Jin’s face momentarily hardened, then he quickly forced a smile and grabbed a nearby bottle.
“My apologies for being late to this gathering of heroes! Let the festivities truly begin!”
He downed the entire bottle of strong liquor in one gulp. Cheers and applause erupted around him.
“Oooooh!”
“As expected of Brother Sima! Such boldness!”
Several hours later, as darkness fell outside, Sima Jin discreetly excused himself. A man with flushed cheeks, clearly intoxicated, slurred from his left,
“Brother Sima, are you leaving already? You arrived late, what a shame.”
Sima Jin grinned and raised a hand.
“Nonsense! We must celebrate all night! I’m just getting some fresh air. Don’t even think about leaving without me!”
“Oooooh! Such vigor!”
Ignoring the cheers, Sima Jin stumbled down the stairs and headed to the back courtyard. After checking that no one was around, he bent over and vomited into the bushes.
Urgh— Heave—
He retched, then leaned against his knees, gasping for air. He’d never held his liquor well. Even a few drinks would make him nauseous, and anything more than a bottle would result in a splitting headache.
But he had to do this.
This is the right path.
At four, he’d mastered the Records of the Grand Historian. At seven, The Art of War. At ten, he’d distilled the essence of the Seven Military Classics. Sima Jin had once been the pride of the Sima Clan, a prodigy destined for greatness.
One day, as a young boy, excited to discuss the Six Secret Teachings with his brother, he’d overheard a conversation between some servants.
—The Second Young Master will surely be the next Clan Leader, won’t he?
—Of course. The First Young Master is wise, like the Clan Leader, but he can’t compare to the Second Young Master.
—It’s a shame for the First Young Master. He’ll always be overshadowed by his younger brother.
—Still, the emergence of a genius like the Second Young Master is a blessing for the clan… Y-Young Master? How long have you been standing there?!
That day, overhearing their words, Sima Jin had made a decision.
He would turn a blind eye, seal his lips, and hide his true self.
He began neglecting his studies, feigning ignorance. Now, he spent his days carousing with lowlifes, forcing down liquor that his body couldn’t handle.
“You’ve kept me waiting.”
His older brother, though long past the age of majority, had yet to be appointed as the heir. It was because his father and brother still remembered his childhood brilliance, clinging to the hope that he would change.
But that will end this year.
The pressure within the clan was mounting. They could no longer leave the position of heir vacant. He could sense his father’s dwindling expectations. He just had to endure a little longer, and his brother would finally be appointed heir. Once the succession was settled, he would finally be free. No more forced revelry.
…However, there was one nagging concern.
“I don’t know what I’ll do after that.”
The freedom he’d longed for… but would it truly be liberation?
Where were his limits? What was his purpose? Where should he go?
He didn’t know. He’d hidden his true self for so long that he’d lost sight of his own goals.
Huuu—
Sima Jin took a deep breath and looked up at the sky. A single star caught his attention. Unconsciously, he found himself divining its meaning.
“The Constellation of Three Stars.”
It symbolized the fulfillment of long-held desires. Considering the impending appointment of the Sima Clan heir, it seemed fitting.
“Right. My brother’s ascension comes first. I’ll think about myself later.”
Steeling his resolve, Sima Jin shook his head and plastered a vacant, drunken expression on his face. He stumbled back into the Hyangha Pavilion and headed for the top floor.
“Everyone! Let’s move on to the Cheongui Pavilion! I’ll cover the expenses since I was late!”
“Woo-hoo!”
“Brother Sima is the best! Let’s go!”
Surrounded by the revelers, Sima Jin braced himself for another long night of forced merriment.
“Young Master! Young Master!”
“…Ugh.”
His body felt heavy, weighed down by the previous night’s excesses. Someone was shaking him awake. He opened his eyes and looked at the source of the voice.
“…Who are you?”
A familiar face came into view. Confused, Sima Jin looked around. The scattered bodies and empty wine bottles indicated he was still in the brothel. But the servant standing before him should have been back at the estate. It was an odd combination. Sima Jin croaked,
“What are you doing here…?”
Judging by the angle of the sunlight, it was still early morning, perhaps just past sunrise. There was no reason for a servant to seek him out here at this hour. Unless something drastic had happened… something that would shake the very foundations of the clan…
“It’s an emergency! You must return to the estate immediately!”
“Hmm?”
What kind of emergency could there possibly be? He’d spent the night quietly at the brothel. It couldn’t be his fault.
“What happened?”
“I-It’s… you need to see for yourself!”
The servant’s wide eyes and frantic demeanor indicated something serious. Sima Jin shook his head, trying to clear the lingering fog of alcohol, and followed the servant back to the estate.
Something felt amiss the moment he stepped through the gates. It was clearly during working hours, yet numerous servants milled about outside, murmuring and looking distraught. The entire clan seemed to be in a state of upheaval, and their anxious gazes, strangely, were all directed at him.
“…?”
Confused by their stares, Sima Jin followed the servant. He soon found himself facing his uncle.
“You’ve arrived.”
His uncle’s voice was laced with disapproval. Sima Jin gave a slight bow. His uncle sighed, taking in Sima Jin’s disheveled appearance.
“Haah… to think that such a… person has been entrusted with such an important task…”
“Important task?”
Sima Jin tilted his head, puzzled. His uncle tossed him a letter.
“Read this.”
Sima Jin’s gaze slowly drifted downwards. His eyes widened as he read the contents.
[Sima Jin, second son of the Sima Clan, is hereby appointed as the Temporary Deputy Strategist of the Heavenly Demon Cult. You are to report to the cult within seven days and nights to commence your duties…]
He didn’t need to read further. The meaning was crystal clear. His hand trembled as he gripped the letter.
“I’m… the Deputy Strategist…?”
He stared at the letter, dumbfounded, utterly speechless.
——
Translated by Sato
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