Chapter 141

Jang Sam-i tried to calm himself down, muttering to himself, “It’s okay… Jang Sam-i, pull yourself together.” Despite being caught with his face and body exposed, it was still manageable. After all, who would think that the familiar servant he grew up with was actually a woman? As long as he didn’t slip up, his identity wouldn’t be revealed.

However, that was beside the point. The gaze from Sima Mantian made Jang Sam-i feel an inexplicable embarrassment, as if he were naked. Fortunately, Sima Mantian didn’t press further about his identity. Instead, he asked, “Hmm~ So, why did you come into my room?”

Jang Sam-i’s pupils shook at the reasonable question. “Ah… that… the master asked me to check on your condition. Thankfully, your fever has gone down…” His gaze shifted to the water basin and towel on the bedside table. “You seem to have sweated a lot. Should I wipe you down?”

It was a hastily made-up excuse, but not a suspicious one. Though a bit odd, it was a plausible situation. However, the last part was a mistake. “Really? Well, I just woke up, so please do.” “…Huh?” Sima Mantian boldly took off his upper sleepwear and turned his back to Jang Sam-i. “Just wipe my back; I’ll handle the rest.”

Jang Sam-i’s face turned red as he frowned at the muscular back of the man who was so different from the boy he once knew. ‘Wait… I offered to wipe him, but he’s being way too casual!’ A silent scream echoed in his mind. In the Young Master’s words, ‘I don’t remember raising such a shameless man!!’

Meanwhile, Sima Mantian’s eyes also wavered as he stared at the wall. ‘…Why did I agree to let someone wipe me down?’ Though he had sweated a lot, possibly due to a strange dream, it wasn’t enough to let a stranger do this. Yet, when he heard the woman’s voice, it felt so familiar that he naturally agreed.

‘Clearly, I’ve never met her before.’ Strangely, he felt no wariness, as if they had known each other for a long time. ‘Or… is it just because she’s a pretty noona?’ Her cynical, calm yet playful demeanor was striking. Enchanting, even. The figure illuminated by the crimson lantern was undeniably beautiful. Honestly, she was his type.

Well, Guhae, Yeonghwa, Sososo, Master Wang Miaoyang, Wolhwa, Poong Ran—they were all his type… Looking at it this way, he really was a Sima Casanova. Now he understood why Jang Sam-i always teased him about it.

Anyway, since he was awake, he wanted to ask some things about his father’s side. The damp towel in Jang Sam-i’s hand carefully wiped Sima Mantian’s back. The hand moved delicately, but Jang Sam-i’s face was flushed, and he bit his lip. Taking care of Sima Mantian wasn’t a new task, so why was he so nervous? It was just his female form.

‘Phew… don’t be nervous. There’s no way he’d recognize me…’ But when Sima Mantian called out, “Jang Sam-i,” his heart sank. “Yes? Huh?! Uh… yes?!” “Is Jang Sam-i okay? I heard he was injured and resting.” Jang Sam-i quickly regained his composure. “Ah… yes, he seems fine now. And he’s always slacking off, so he’s probably just exaggerating.”

As Jang Sam-i, hiding his identity, tried to reassure Sima Mantian with a smile, Sima Mantian’s back stiffened, and he retorted in a slightly hardened voice, “…He’s not just a slacker. He’s actually very caring, even if he acts tough. He probably got hurt because of me this time too.”

Jang Sam-i’s eyes widened. ‘Huh? Huh? Huh?’ The corner of his mouth twitched upward. ‘Is he sulking because I badmouthed Jang Sam-i (me)? Damn… that’s cute!!’ Jang Sam-i, as usual, poked Sima Mantian playfully. ‘Heh~ Young Master, you always scold me, but you actually think that way about me, huh?’ He struggled to hold back the urge to tease him.

Separate from Jang Sam-i’s emotions, Sima Mantian’s eyes grew somber. “…I pushed everyone too hard.” Perhaps it was the early morning air, but he felt inexplicably melancholic. Whether it was the strange familiarity or the lack of connection, his inner thoughts spilled out. “I’m weak, so I pushed those around me… and got them hurt.”

The fact that he was still alive was due to luck, the situation favoring him. He looked down at his palm. If the Heavenly Thunder Qi hadn’t activated at the last moment, he would have died. …And he wouldn’t have been able to save Poong Ran. Guhae, who came to help him, and Uncle Poong Baek might have been in danger too. He survived not because of his strength but because of variables. That fact was shameful and terrifying.

“If luck hadn’t been on my side—” His trembling words were cut off as Sima Mantian’s eyes widened in surprise. “Good~ Good~ You’re so good~” Jang Sam-i tightly hugged Sima Mantian’s slightly trembling back, stopping his foolish words. “I thought you were all grown up, but you’re still shaking over something that didn’t happen. This shows you’re still a kid.”

His gentle hand stroked Sima Mantian’s head, soothing him. Strong, confident, shameless—these were words that symbolized Sima Mantian. But sometimes, very rarely, he would become this disheartened. “Young Master, in Cuju, no one knows where the ball kicked high will land.” Cuju—an ancient form of football popular during the Song Dynasty. “But those who don’t run to catch it will never grab the ball.”

Though unintended, Jang Sam-i’s chest softly touched Sima Mantian’s head. He continued stroking him, whispering tenderly, “I know. You’re not someone who relies on luck; you always work hard. I’ve been watching you from the side.” His desire to comfort Sima Mantian was stronger than hiding his identity, so he unconsciously closed the distance. “…So don’t push yourself too hard.”

The flickering crimson lantern illuminated the overlapping shadows of the two. After a moment, Jang Sam-i, embarrassed, pulled away from Sima Mantian’s back, his face red. “Ahaha… that was… um… I overstepped. Sorry.” Caught off guard, Sima Mantian’s ears also turned slightly red. “No, thank you. I feel better now.” He turned and smiled softly at Jang Sam-i.

It was a relief that he seemed a bit more energized. Regardless, staying in Sima Mantian’s room any longer was dangerous—both in terms of revealing his identity and emotionally. “Young Master, I’ll take my leave now. Sorry for waking you, and sleep well.” But as he left, he made another small mistake. “…I’ll prepare lots of meat dishes for you. Look forward to it.”

Sima Mantian’s body twitched. He looked at Jang Sam-i, who was halfway out the door. “Huh? I thought Yeonghwa or Jang Sam-i prepared my meals. Are you the one doing it now?” “Ah… haha… Of course! I meant to tell Jang Sam-i to prepare lots of meat dishes! Well then, sweet dreams!” With that, Jang Sam-i quickly slipped out of the room.

“Haah…” Leaning against the closed door, he tapped his temple with his right hand. “I’m crazy… I’m crazy… I’m crazy…” He had been by his side since he was ten. Why was his heart racing? “Phew… pull yourself together.” Jang Sam-i walked towards his room. But then he turned ’round and headed to the kitchen instead. He needed to check if there were enough ingredients for the meat dishes he’d prepare for Sima Mantian today.

***

At the Blood Church’s headquarters, the Asura Palace. There, a beautiful six-armed Asura with red skin—the Blood Demon—tossed Ner’s report onto the floor. “So, the mission failed. We lost Gandalva, and Jang Do is dead. A complete failure.” Erzeveta, sipping tea beside him, showed an intrigued expression. “Though there are troublesome aspects, Jang Do was a peak martial artist, and with the demon sword Pure Hook’s assistance, he could momentarily rival the Supreme Peak.”

Her interest was piqued by the name Sima Mantian written in the report. “He was killed by someone who just reached the Supreme Peak during the fight.” The Blood Demon, annoyed at losing a valued subordinate, grabbed a cake from the table and devoured it. “Hmph! Martial artists are the kind who find a way out even in battles where they’d die nine times out of ten.”

The failed mission seemed to have shifted his focus away from Gandalva. “Especially those who reach the Supreme Peak—they can no longer be considered human. They’re more like gods with limited lifespans and no regenerative abilities.” Erzeveta calmly sipped her tea. “Hmm~ That makes it less interesting. Killing monsters is humanity’s role.”

The vampire’s crimson eyes turned from the cake to Sima Mantian’s portrait. “Maybe I should meet him before he becomes a monster.” Following her gaze, the Blood Demon frowned at the portrait. “It’s an annoyingly familiar face.” “…Familiar?” “That despicable Jeoseokcheon. And that human who challenged Jeoseokcheon eighteen years ago.” The Blood Demon said while eating his cake. “It reminds me of the man who dared to defy the heavens.”