Chapter 31

At Yeonghwa’s unexpected request, Mukgang, with an indifferent expression, glanced between Yeonghwa and me before nodding.

“I understand. I will teach you the Fudo Myo-o Step.”

Though it’s good to have something good… I felt suspicious at how easily he agreed to teach the Fudo Myo-o Step and scrutinized Mukgang’s face.

However, whether he agreed easily because he promised to grant any request or because the martial art wasn’t as secure as expected, I couldn’t tell from Mukgang’s calm expression.

I couldn’t read him. It felt like staring at a rock.

“However, I will start teaching you tomorrow.”

Mukgang said this while looking down at the rough men sprawled on the ground with emotionless eyes.

“…I will deal with them now. So, return to this place tomorrow.”

Whether he’s a villain or a saint, showing a child the scene of beating people up isn’t appropriate. Emotionally and educationally, it’s not good.

And he doesn’t seem like the type to run away in the middle of the night to avoid teaching martial arts.

“He’s not the type to break a promise and run away. Brother, let’s leave for now.”

Yeonghwa, seemingly sharing the same thought, carefully grabbed my sleeve and looked up at me. It’s truly a good thing when opinions align.

I looked up at the blue sky. Looking back, though it was a short time, a lot had happened. If it were a novel, it would probably be around 9,000 words.

The identity of the fire from Yeonghwa’s hand, why Mukgang called Yeonghwa a monster—these things were on my mind, but—

I looked at Yeonghwa, who tilted her head and looked at me. She’s cute.

Without realizing it, a gentle smile formed on my face. I softly patted Yeonghwa’s head.

“Alright, let’s go home.”

For now, I’m grateful to have survived today. Let’s eat a hearty meal and rest. I’m exhausted.

***

As the siblings walked away, Mukgang, hidden in the shadows of the dark forest, spoke to someone who had been endlessly watching him, waiting for an opportunity.

“They’re gone. Why don’t you come out now?”

“…You noticed? I can’t keep up with you.”

A man with an ordinary face, ordinary build, and ordinary appearance walked out of the forest calmly.

He was Jang Sam, a servant, bodyguard, and assassin of the Sima Family.

“Please don’t misunderstand. It seems our young master and lady have caused you trouble. I was wondering how to repay you.”

“That’s between me and those kids. You don’t need to worry about it.”

Despite threatening the Sima Family in their own front yard, Mukgang’s attitude was unbelievably bold, causing the forest to stir. Dozens of assassins exuded killing intent.

Mukgang took a step forward, countering the invisible energy that flew at him like arrows, and pressed it down.

“So, are you going to fight?”

At Mukgang’s provocation, a steel ball rolled out of Jang Sam’s sleeve and loaded between his index finger and thumb.

“…I wouldn’t mind.”

It was a tense situation. But suddenly, Mukgang released his energy first, showing no intention to fight, and spoke to Jang Sam.

“Enough. Just send my regards to Sima Bu.”

“What should I tell him?”

“Tell him he raised his child well. A tiger son of a dog father.”

“…I’m worried about your life, so I’ll leave out the last part.”

“And since I did what you should have done, you clean up the mess.”

“Of course. We’ll clean it up. I’ll make sure to inform the family head of your efforts.”

Jang Sam glanced at the Demon Sect members lying unconscious on the ground and signaled to the other assassins to take care of them. Then, he bowed to Mukgang with a servile smile.

“Then, we’ll take our leave now.”

With the Demon Sect members unconscious, the Sima Family assassins gone, and the siblings departed, Mukgang sat alone on a rock. He recalled the face of the boy he had ended up teaching martial arts to.

I thought he looked familiar at first glance. Who would have thought he was Sima Bu’s son? Judging by his age, he must be the second son.

Even if he’s the second son, since the first is a fake son, an adopted child, he’s the true heir of Sima Bu’s bloodline.

…Who would have thought I’d be teaching the Fudo Myo-o to the future head of the Sima Family? Life is truly unpredictable.

The image of the girl who boldly made an outrageous request for her brother came to mind. A hollow laugh escaped.

“She wasn’t a monster, but a fox.”

I was completely outplayed.

***

On the way down the mountain, I carefully observed Yeonghwa.

“…Was it that obvious that I wanted to learn the Fudo Myo-o Step?”

Come to think of it, Guhae once said that it’s obvious when I like something. She said my eyes sparkle like stars.

…I wonder how Guhae is doing.

Honestly, considering Guhae’s talent, she’s probably not at a level where I need to worry, but in my memories, Guhae is a chubby, adorable baby, so I can’t help but worry.

“Brother, what are you thinking so deeply about?”

Yeonghwa, who was holding my sleeve and matching my pace, looked at me with a curious expression, tilting her head.

“Ah… actually, I feel a bit sorry for you.”

It’s not easy for a master like Mukgang to grant a request. Using such a rare opportunity for me… It feels like I stole my sister’s candy, so I feel guilty.

So, I shared this thought with Yeonghwa.

Yeonghwa covered her mouth with her pretty hand and laughed quietly. Then, she looked at me with affection in her beautiful red eyes.

“Brother, are you happy when I’m happy?”

It was a sudden question, but it wasn’t one to hesitate over, so I nodded without hesitation.

“Of course. If you’re happy, I’m happy too.”

At my firm answer, Yeonghwa smiled brightly, bathed in the red glow of the sunset.

“I feel the same way. So, you don’t need to worry at all.”

Yeonghwa placed a hand gently on her chest, feeling her happily beating heart. Then, with a look of having been struck, she smiled at me, who was looking at her with a moved expression.

…Honestly, I wasn’t interested in Mukgang’s promise from the beginning.

Because today, Yeonghwa found a treasure more precious than any gift from Fudo Myo-o.

In her beautiful red eyes, now tinged with greed, only Sima Mantian was reflected.

***

The next morning. As soon as dawn broke, I had a quick breakfast and headed up the mountain.

With the sole intention of perfectly mastering the Fudo Myo-o Step, I resisted the urge to ask Yeonghwa about the details last night and got a good night’s sleep. I kept my thoughts simple and managed my physical condition.

It’s not perfect, but it’s the best condition I can be in.

“Hey~ I’m here.”

Mukgang, who was meditating cross-legged on a rock, opened his eyes at my voice and greeted me indifferently.

“You’re here. Then let’s start right away.”

“Uh… I’d be happy to learn quickly, but since you’re teaching me martial arts, shouldn’t you accept me as a disciple first?”

“I’m a guardian lion of the esoteric sect. Becoming my disciple means joining the esoteric sect. So, let’s skip that part.”

I definitely don’t want to join some suspicious religion like the esoteric sect. Since it wasn’t a bad deal for me, I nodded in agreement.

“Sure, that’s fine with me. So, what do we do first? Should we warm up?”

“First, we start with meditation to clear your mind.”

…Right off the bat, it’s something I’m not confident in.

From deep within, I heard the mocking laughter of Double Hands Fighting.

***

After about five hours of learning the breathing technique for the Fudo Myo-o Step from Mukgang and meditating…

…I realized something was wrong.

“Sir, is this right? It doesn’t feel like it.”

“Right now, you’re a rock. Rocks don’t talk.”

‘No… how can a person be a rock? A person is a person.’

I had a lot to say, but since he wasn’t the type to listen, I kept my mouth shut and focused on my breathing again.

For the past five hours, I’ve been sitting cross-legged next to Mukgang, just meditating.

At first, I thought it would be an easy training method since it was just sitting still and breathing. But now, I’d rather be moving my body.

According to Mukgang, to use the Fudo Myo-o Step, you need to contain the energy of Fudo Myo-o in your dantian.

However, ordinary humans can’t accept the energy of Fudo Myo-o. So, you must become a natural object.

You must become like a rock or a tree—motionless, thoughtless, sleepless, and eventually forgetting to breathe on your own. Only when you reach this state of meditation can you contain the energy of Fudo Myo-o and perform the Fudo Myo-o Step.

“…Sigh.”

A sigh escaped from deep within.

Well, I expected the training process to be tough since it’s such a powerful martial art, but this is a different kind of hardship.

Sima Mantian, the genius who deceives even the heavens. This is a crisis.