Chapter 38

The beautifully decorated garden of the Sima Family. This garden is a space created by the Sima Family Head for his beloved wife. He meticulously cared for it, spending a fortune to create a place filled with flowers for his wife, who adored them. There is even a commemorative tree planted to celebrate the birth of their child, Sima Mantian.

However, the Sima Family Head’s mood is currently foul. He is in a state where he could bury someone without a second thought. Whether aware of his mood or not, one of the dirty murderers steps on the grass and grabs the Sima Family Head from behind.

“Long time no see, Family Head Sima.”

A white-haired old man with an eerie presence appears like a ghost. The Sima Family Head responds coldly to the greetings of Gu Gao’e, an elder of the Heavenly Demon God Sect.

“If you were coming, you could have sent a letter. Disappointing, Elder Gu.”

“Sorry. I was too excited about the thought of cutting off your head to bother with a letter. I hope you understand.”

“I understand. I also felt great joy when I cut off your son’s head.”

Years ago, Gu Gao’e’s son went missing while investigating the secretive Sima Family. With no evidence, the case was buried. Naturally, the Sima Family Head killed him and bribed other elders of the Heavenly Demon God Sect to cover it up.

“…So it was you after all. I’ll tear you limb from limb right now.”

“Empty threats are the weakest. If you can do it, try it, you mountain bumpkin.”

Gu Gao’e exudes killing intent as he looks at the defenseless back of the Sima Family Head. It’s a truly defenseless back, almost like that of an ordinary person.

‘…An ordinary person?’

Something feels off. The head of a family that came to the Ten Thousand Mountains to make deals with the sect and secretly allied with the Baehwa Church couldn’t possibly be an ordinary person who hasn’t learned martial arts.

A chilling sensation runs down Gu Gao’e’s spine. But by the time he realizes, it’s already too late.

The Sima Family Head’s left arm slips out from his side, and he unleashes a palm strike. The hidden energy explodes in an instant.

Nanggo Shinkong – Nanggo Chua – The wolf turns its head and bares its fangs.

A wave of rough energy crashes over Gu Gao’e’s body. The fierce wolf’s teeth tear through his protective energy.

“What- what is this?!”

Gu Gao’e’s eyes widen in shock at the unexpected explosive power. The battle is over. He should have created distance instead of panicking.

The Sima Family Head pivots on his right foot, swiftly turning his body. At the same time, he raises his right arm and strikes Gu Gao’e’s temple with a sharp elbow.

Crack-!!

The skull fractures, and the brain shakes. Balance is lost, and vision blurs. The body becomes full of openings.

In the hazy world where everything appears double, the last thing Gu Gao’e sees is the Sima Family Head’s arms moving like a snake targeting its prey.

Spirit Snake Fist

Nose, solar plexus, throat, ribs, nasal bone, forehead, upper arm, heart, collarbone, thigh, navel, and more.

No matter how much one trains their body, vital points exist. And hitting these points can kill a person.

It’s an immutable truth, like the sun rising in the east.

One strike after another, each filled with killing intent, destroys the body. Arms and legs move busily, performing the single task of killing.

There is no ‘learning’ in martial arts here. Only pure martial prowess for slaughter exists.

Finally, Gu Gao’e’s body raises the white flag. The body, having lost control, slowly collapses backward.

The spirit also utters a final cry, sinking into darkness.

‘…This is one of the four families ruling the darkness of the Evil Faction.’

The Four Pillars of the Evil Faction – the four families supporting the Evil Faction.

One of them is the Sima Family, part of the infamous figures who brought down the Han Dynasty.

Gu Gao’e feels despair for jeopardizing the sect’s grand plans due to personal grudges and fear towards the Sima Family, which has hidden its power so thoroughly, before losing consciousness.

For an elder of the Heavenly Demon God Sect who shook the martial world, it was a truly pitiful death.

“By the way… I forgot to say something.”

The Sima Family Head takes out a handkerchief, wipes the blood from his fist, and coldly recites to the corpse.

“Don’t stand behind me, you worthless Demon Sect scum.”

Once at the pinnacle of power, the Sima Family’s bloodline remains unbroken, even in decline.

In the long history, seeing those who couldn’t even become kings talk about conquering the martial world or ending the world is absurd.

“Master, the Demon Sect has surrounded the estate. Please give your orders.”

A black-clad figure suddenly appears and reports. The Sima Family Head looks down at Gu Gao’e’s corpse with cold eyes.

‘They planned to cut off my head first and then sweep everything away.’

He briefly considers showing Gu Gao’e’s mangled corpse to the Demon Sect scum to demoralize them but quickly shakes his head.

From the energy he senses, these are not opponents who can be dealt with through psychological tactics. They are first-rate experts, some even at the peak.

In the end, it must be a clash of strength.

…Honestly, he wants to run to the mountains to save Sima Mantian. And if possible, save Yeonghwa too.

There’s still much gold to extract from the Baehwa Church. The Sima Family’s legitimate business is just gaining momentum. The funding must not be cut off.

But he can’t show emotional weakness as a leader. He must never show vulnerability.

He steels his heart and prepares himself.

The Sima Family Head’s amber eyes, reminiscent of a wolf, gleam. In a low, beast-like voice, he commands the hunting dogs awaiting their master’s orders.

“The order is given. Show those mountain bumpkins what happens when you stick your head into a wolf’s mouth.”

***

It seems like suddenly appearing from the forest is in fashion these days. Or maybe our backyard is just really unlucky.

Anyway, a man dressed similarly to the black-clad men from before, but in higher-ranking attire, approaches us slowly, measuring the distance like a beast before the fight.

“Monsters are to be killed. Isn’t that your proud belief, Mukgang?”

Mukgang slightly turns his head to look at Yeonghwa at the sarcastic remark.

“Do you see a monster? All I see is a girl who loves her brother too much.”

“Thanks for defending me, but you also tried to kill Yeonghwa on sight, calling her a monster.”

“That’s right. Shameless.”

Mukgang’s eyes narrow at the painful jab. He taught them the Fudo Myo-o Step as promised, but these siblings really hold grudges.

“…Mantian, now is not the time for this. Get ready to run with your sister.”

Having Mukgang, who took down five men in an instant last time, by our side made us a bit complacent. And as if mocking my complacency, the forest is swarming with black-clad assassins from the Demon Sect surrounding us.

Seeing a cockroach in the house means the whole house is infested.

I feel Yeonghwa’s trembling hand through my sleeve.

I wish I could cry out like Nobita calling Doraemon, “Waaah~ Mukgangemon~ the Demon Sect bullies are after us~ help!” but I can’t.

Because I’m the older brother.

I must not show weakness in front of my sister. I must hide my fear and reassure her.

…It’s really a losing role in many ways.

As I steel myself as the older brother, the trembling from behind stops. Yeonghwa lets go of my sleeve.

“Brother, I’ll be fine. You run.”

A voice filled with resolve, affection, and sadness comes from behind me, trying to sound strong.

“They’re after me. As long as I’m here, they won’t bother you…”

I cut her off with a firm voice, not wanting to hear more.

“If you say that nonsense one more time, I’ll really get angry. I’ll show you what domestic violence is.”

Yeonghwa’s eyes widen. The rough voice hits harder because Mantian has always been gentle.

“I promised to cherish, protect, and love my sister. I will never give up. So don’t you give up either.”

“You brat who doesn’t fear the heavens. If you don’t want to die, stop the bravado and listen to your sister.”

Damn it… this is an important moment. Don’t interrupt.

I proudly declare who I am to the mocking Demon Sect scum.

“The heavens? I’ve been blocking them since birth. I am Mantian, the one who obscures the heavens.”

The assassins are momentarily speechless at the audacity, and a thunderous laughter spreads around.

“Keuh- Hahahahaha!!”

Everyone’s gaze turns to the source of the laughter. Mukgang is laughing heartily. I’ve seen him smile lightly, but never laugh like this.

“…What’s so funny?”

The leader-like assassin, thinking we’re playing a prank on them, asks with a stiff face. Mukgang answers with a faint smile.

“Isn’t it funny? How can he be so confident with nothing? He’s going to be great.”

All eyes of the Demon Sect focus on Mukgang. A slight gap opens in their surveillance of me and Yeonghwa. I understand the meaning of the laughter.

“What nonsense-”

『Fudo Myo-o Step』

With a single step, the world stops. But the assassins don’t fall as easily as last time. These are on a different level.

Some are immobilized, some kneel, but none collapse like before. They resist the Fudo Myo-o’s energy with their demonic aura.

It’s a critical moment. But Mukgang speaks to us in his usual calm voice.

“Go.”

“…What about you?”

In response to my question, Mukgang removes his upper garment. The fierce face of Fudo Myo-o on his back scolds me.

“If you’ve decided to protect, don’t worry about anything else. Protect.”

I don’t say thank you. I’ll do it when we meet again. I pray for that as I carry Yeonghwa and run like the wind using the Golden Eye Technique.

And as Mantian’s back is targeted, five assassins from the Demon Sect’s Black Killing Squad emerge from the forest.

The Demon Sect’s goal is the subjugation of the Sima Family and the retrieval of the Baehwa Church’s monster. There’s no need to fight the sect’s guardian lion.

So they hid their presence, waiting for Mantian to flee. The plan succeeded. Now, they just need to strike the defenseless Mantian’s neck in one go.

…But variables always arise. Another assassin emerges from the forest, targeting the Black Killing Squad from behind.

It’s Jang Sambong, the Sima Family’s servant, guard, and assassin.

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind – while the mantis targets the defenseless cicada, the oriole targets the mantis.

Dozens of iron balls rain down on the Black Killing Squad members.

Death approaches from behind. Shadow Blade’s animalistic senses scream danger.

The eyes of Shadow Blade, a first-class assassin of the Demon Sect’s Black Killing Squad, roll wildly. He quickly finds a way out.

He stretches out his arms, grabs the necks of two squad members, and throws them backward.

“Shadow Blade! You bastard-!?”

Dozens of pellets hit the human umbrella.

Crack-! Splat-!!

The sound of bones twisting and breaking echoes as the human shields collapse to the ground. A truly sad sight.

But sacrificing two to save five is still a gain.

“Shadow Blade, go.”

With the new enemy’s appearance, the Black Killing Squad leader quickly judges, pointing his sword at Jang Sam. Two of the remaining three will handle the enemy while Shadow Blade retrieves the Baehwa Church’s monster.

“As you wish.”

At the signal, Shadow Blade, his face distorted with a grotesque smile, dashes out.

It’s time for a fun little wolf hunt.