Divorced Heavenly Demon - Chapter 7

The sun had long been high in the sky. Sima Jin, the second young master of the Sima House, reluctantly rose from his bed and scratched his disheveled hair.

“Ha-am….”

After letting out a long yawn, he blinked his eyes open with difficulty and spoke in a hoarse voice.

“Is anyone out there?”

“Yes, young master.”

When the servant opened the door and responded, Sima Jin gave instructions.

“My throat feels parched. Bring me a glass of water.”

As the servant, with his head bowed, left and quickly returned with water, Sima Jin drank it all at once and then rose from his seat. After walking a few steps, he abruptly opened the wardrobe, revealing a line of flamboyant robes.

“Hmm….”

After some deliberation, Sima Jin donned a dark blue robe and slowly stepped out of his sleeping quarters. It was midday with the sun at its peak. The household staff, occasionally visible, were busily moving about with their tasks. In contrast to them, Sima Jin continued with leisurely steps.

As he crossed the compound, he encountered the first young master, Sima Hyo, who was moving about busily with the staff.

“Jin!”

Upon spotting Sima Jin, Sima Hyo quickly approached with a worried face.

“I heard you came in late last night when it was chilly. Are you feeling alright?”

“Brother, do I look like a child who can’t take care of his own health? I was just discussing the fate of the world with some eminent figures, and it got late. I’m perfectly fine.”

“I understand how you feel, but please don’t overdo it. There’s been a recent outbreak of colds, and more people are falling ill each day….”

Despite Sima Jin’s curt response, Sima Hyo still showed concern for him. However, the eyes of the staff standing behind Sima Hyo were filled with disdain. Noticing their gaze, Sima Jin looked away.

There are three things the Sima family despises: ignorance, profound knowledge, and laziness. Sima Jin, embodying all of these traits, was not favored by their gaze.

“Jin.”

When Sima Jin turned a silent gaze away, Sima Hyo gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

“No matter what choices you make, I will always stand by your side.”

“It’s alright. I can manage on my own. Please go on your way.”

Brushing off the hand, Sima Jin continued on his path. The household staff, taken aback by his impolite behavior, began to gossip about Sima Jin.

“Tch. To think he’s from the direct line of the main house. Such folly.”

“Just look at him; he hasn’t even properly learned etiquette.”

“If it weren’t for the first young master, the family would be in great trouble. Heaven has not abandoned the Sima house.”

While the staff clicked their tongues and gossiped, Sima Hyo, who had been watching Sima Jin’s receding figure, raised his hand to silence them.

“Don’t say such things. Jin… Jin is….”

Biting his lip, Sima Hyo could not finish his words. His eyes were filled with deep fondness and self-reproach.

Meanwhile, Sima Jin continued towards his usual destination after leaving the estate. He headed to a place called Hyanghwa-ru, known for having the best scenery among the brothels in the vicinity, and knocked on the entrance. It was daytime, and they hadn’t started business yet. A deep voice resonated from inside.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Sima Jin.”

With a click, Weis opened the door and gestured inside with his hand.

“Come in, sir.”

Sima Jin, with his hands behind his back, naturally entered Hyanghwa-ru. The courtesans, familiar with him, guided him to the top floor. Upon reaching the top, Sima Jin headed to a large room located at the very end.

Creek—

“Oh! Brother Sima is here!”

“Why are you so late today? We almost died waiting!”

Upon entering the room, it was already in disarray. Intoxicated men and women were carousing with the courtesans. Countless bottles lay scattered on the floor, and clothes were strewn about haphazardly. Sima Jin briefly frowned at the scene but quickly raised the corners of his mouth and grabbed a nearby bottle.

“I apologize for being late to this gathering of heroes! Let’s start anew from now!”

As soon as Sima Jin finished speaking and downed a bottle of strong liquor in one go, claps and cheers erupted around him.

“Oooooh!”

“Indeed, nothing beats Brother Sima’s straightforwardness!”

After the welcoming ceremony, Sima Jin spent several hours at the drinking party until the outside had become dark. Half-unbuttoned, Sima Jin subtly rose to his feet. From his left, a man whose cheeks were flushed asked in a deeply intoxicated voice.

“Ah, Brother Sima, are you already leaving? It feels too short since you arrived late.”

Chuckling, Sima Jin raised his hand and said,

“Oh, we should party all night long, shouldn’t we? I’ll just go get some fresh air, so don’t even think about heading home!”

“Woohoo! No one can match the vigor of Brother Sima!”

Leaving the cheers behind, Sima Jin staggered down the stairs and headed towards the back garden of Hyanghwa-ru. After checking to ensure no one was around, he bent over and vomited into the bushes.

Blech— Bleeergh—

After retching for some time, Sima Jin clutched his knees and breathed heavily. His body was not the type to handle alcohol well. Even just one or two drinks would make him feel nauseated, and after more than a bottle, he’d have splitting headaches. Yet he felt he had no choice but to do this.

‘This is the right path.’

Sima Jin had excelled in studies from a young age—mastering the “Records of the Historian” at four, finishing Sun Tzu’s Art of War by seven, and comprehending the essence of the Seven Military Classics by ten, he was once celebrated as a future cornerstone of the Sima House.

Amidst his displays of talent during his childhood, as he was happily on his way to discuss the Six Principles with his brother, he accidentally overheard the staff’s candid conversations.

—The next head of the family will be the young master, right?

—Definitely. The first young master is wise, but he can’t compare to the second young master.

—It’s a pity; he’s kind, but he’ll always be overshadowed by the second young master.

—Still, having an extraordinary genius like the second young master emerge is a great fortune for the main house… Oh, young master? Since when were you here?!

Ever since eavesdropping on that conversation, Sima Jin decided. He’d avert his eyes, seal his lips, and hide his inner thoughts. That’s why he distanced himself from studies to dissuade everyone and now mingled with unruly individuals, drinking excessively even though it didn’t suit him.

“It’s been a long time waiting.”

His older brother had long reached adulthood but had yet to assume the position of the apparent heir. The reasons for this were likely his father and brother, who, remembering his childhood days, awaited his change. Nevertheless, it was bound to end this year.

The family atmosphere was growing tense, and it was becoming impossible to leave the position of apparent heir vacant. Even his father seemed to have relinquished his expectations for him. Just a little longer, and the first young master, his brother, would ascend as the apparent heir. Once the successor was determined, his actions would become freer. No longer would he have to forcibly attend drinking parties… though there was one thing that weighed on his mind.

“After that, what should I do? I don’t even know.”

After tasting freedom for the first time in ages, it, too, might not be complete liberation. What are his limits? What is his purpose? Where is he meant to go? He didn’t know. Having lived concealing his true intentions for so long, he had lost sight of his goals.

Huuup—

Drawing a shaky breath, Sima Jin lifted his head to gaze at the sky. Then, a star peculiarly caught his attention.

Unintentionally making a prediction, he slowly parted his lips.

“Orion.”

It signified the fulfillment of long-held desires. Considering that the Sima House would soon decide its heir, it was an apt sign for him.

“Yes, ensuring my brother’s ascension as the apparent heir comes first. I’ll think about my matters afterward.”

Resolved, Sima Jin shook his head and immediately shifted his expression. With a face as blurred as it would be for any drunkard, he re-entered Hyanghwa-ru and staggered his way to the top floor.

“Everyone! How about we head to Cheongyi-ru next? Since I was late today, I’ll cover all the costs!”

“Wow!”

“There’s no one like Brother Sima! Let’s move the party immediately!”

Once again blending with the others, Sima Jin spent yet another long night saturated with alcohol and cheers.

* * *

“Young master! Young master!”

“Ugh.”

The fatigue from last night made his entire body feel heavy, as if weighed down by a boulder. Yet, as someone shook and woke him, Sima Jin reluctantly opened his eyes and looked toward the source of the voice.

“…Who are you?”

A familiar face entered his vision; seeing him, Sima Jin glanced around in puzzlement. Judging by the sprawled men and women and the scattered bottles, he was still in a brothel.

And the servant in front of him was someone who should have been at the main house. The unusual combination made Sima Jin ask in a cracked voice.

“Why are you here…?”

Judging by the angle at which sunlight poured in, it was early, likely just past dawn. There was no reason for a servant to come looking for him here at this hour unless something significant enough to shake the family had occurred…

“It’s urgent! You must return to the house immediately!”

“Hm?”

What could possibly have happened to create such urgency? He was quietly at the brothel last night, so it couldn’t be his fault.

“What is it?”

“Uh, well, you just need to hurry back!”

Judging by the servant’s trembling pupils and frantic demeanor, something unusual had indeed occurred. Shaking off his inebriation, Sima Jin quickly followed him back to the estate. However, something was off right from the entrance.

Although it was indeed working hours, unlike usual, countless staff members were outside, unable to hide their anxious feelings, and buzzing with concern. The entire family seemed to be in turmoil, and their perplexed gazes, strangely, all converged on him.

“…?”

Baffled by their penetrating stares, Sima Jin followed the servant until he soon faced his uncle.

“Are you here?”

His uncle questioned in a displeased tone, to which Sima Jin nodded weakly. Observing Sima Jin’s disheveled state, his uncle let out a long sigh.

“Hah, why a task of such importance to someone like him….”

“An important task?”

When Sima Jin tilted his head in confusion, his uncle casually handed him a letter.

“Read it.”

After a brief glance at his uncle, Sima Jin slowly shifted his gaze downward. And upon seeing the letter, his eyes widened as though they would tear apart.

[We appoint Sima Jin of the Sima House as the temporary vice military commander of our sect. Within seven nights, you must arrive…]

Even without reading to the end, the letter’s meaning was clear. Sima Jin’s hands trembled violently as he held the letter.

“To think I’m… a vice military commander…”

Staring at the letter with a slack-jawed expression, Sima Jin found himself in disbelief at the unfathomable news.