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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Teottry
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To everyone’s surprise, Muk-gang, his face impassive, glanced at Yeonhwa, then at Mancheon, and nodded in response to Yeonhwa’s unexpected request.
“Very well. I will teach you the Fudo Myo-o Steps.”
While he was happy to learn the technique… Muk-gang’s ready agreement aroused his suspicion, and he studied the man’s face.
But Muk-gang’s expression remained unreadable, giving no indication of whether he had agreed so readily because he had promised to fulfill any request, or because the technique wasn’t as closely guarded as he had initially assumed.
He was completely unreadable, like a blank stone wall.
“However, I will begin the instruction tomorrow.”
Muk-gang said, glancing down at the unconscious, scarred men sprawled on the ground, his gaze devoid of emotion.
“I will dispose of these men now. Return to this place tomorrow.”
Regardless of whether they were good or evil, it wouldn’t be appropriate to expose children to such a gruesome scene. It would be detrimental to their emotional and psychological well-being.
And he didn’t seem like the type to renege on his promise and flee in the night.
“He won’t run away. Older Brother, let’s go.”
Yeonhwa, seemingly sharing his thoughts, gently tugged at his robe and looked up at him. It was always a good thing when they were in agreement.
He looked up at the clear blue sky. So much had happened in such a short time. If this were a novel, it would probably be around 9,000 words.
He was curious about the nature of the flames Yeonhwa had produced, and why Muk-gang had called her a monster, but…
He looked at Yeonhwa, who was tilting her head and looking at him curiously. Adorable.
He smiled unconsciously, a gentle, affectionate smile, and reached out to stroke her hair.
“Alright, let’s go home.”
He was grateful to have survived the day. He would enjoy a hearty meal and get some rest. He was exhausted.
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As the amicable siblings departed, Muk-gang addressed the figure hidden in the shadows of the forest, who had been relentlessly observing him, waiting for an opening.
“They’re gone. You can come out now.”
“You noticed me? Impressive.”
A man of ordinary appearance and build, dressed as a servant, emerged from the forest.
Jang Sam-bung, servant, bodyguard, and assassin of the Sima household.
“I apologize for any inconvenience my young master and mistress may have caused. We are deeply grateful for your understanding.”
“That is a matter between myself and those children. You needn’t concern yourselves with it.”
The forest bristled with hostility at the man’s audacity, threatening a member of the Sima family on their own territory. Dozens of hidden assassins radiated killing intent.
Muk-gang took a single step forward, meeting the onslaught of invisible, hostile energy head-on, crushing it beneath his heel.
“So, are you going to attack?”
At Muk-gang’s provocation, a metal ball rolled out of Jang Sam’s sleeve, landing between his thumb and forefinger.
“If I must.”
The air crackled with tension. But then, Muk-gang unexpectedly relaxed his stance, signaling his unwillingness to fight, and addressed Jang Sam.
“There’s no need. Just give Sima Bu a message from me.”
“And what message shall I deliver?”
“Tell him he’s raised his son well. Like father, like son.”
“Out of concern for your well-being, I will omit the latter part of your message.”
“And since I’ve taken care of a matter that should have been handled by you, I’ll leave the cleanup to your people.”
“Of course. That is our responsibility. I will be sure to convey your efforts to the lord as well.”
Jang Sam glanced at the unconscious, crumpled forms of the Heavenly Demon Sect assassins, signaling the other hidden assassins to collect them. Then, with a servile, ingratiating smile, he bowed to Muk-gang.
“Then, if you’ll excuse us, we’ll take our leave.”
With the unconscious assassins, the Sima assassins, and the amicable siblings gone, Muk-gang sat down on a nearby rock and thought about the boy he had inadvertently agreed to instruct.
He had thought the boy looked familiar, but he hadn’t realized he was Sima Bu’s son. Judging by his age, he must be the second son.
Though technically the second son, the eldest was an adopted son, a non-blood relative, making this boy the true heir.
He never thought he would one day impart the teachings of Fudo Myo-o to the future lord of the Sima household. Life was full of surprises.
He recalled the girl, who, despite the danger she had been in, had boldly demanded a favor for her older brother. He chuckled dryly.
“Not a monster, but a fox.”
He had been thoroughly outmaneuvered.
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As they descended the mountain, he cautiously observed Yeonhwa.
‘Was I that obvious about wanting to learn the Fudo Myo-o Steps?’
Come to think of it, Gwahae had said he was easy to read, that his eyes sparkled like stars when he was excited about something.
He wondered how Gwahae was doing.
Considering her talent, she was unlikely to be in any real danger, but in his memories, Gwahae was still the adorable, chubby-cheeked baby dragon he had taken under his wing, so he couldn’t help but worry.
“Older Brother, what are you thinking about so intently?”
Yeonhwa, who had been walking beside him, matching his pace, her hand resting lightly on his sleeve, tilted her head and looked at him curiously.
“Ah… well, I feel a little bad for you.”
It was rare for a master of Muk-gang’s caliber to grant a favor. And for her to use such a rare opportunity for him… he was grateful, but it felt a bit like he had stolen candy from a child.
As he shared his thoughts with Yeonhwa,
She covered her mouth with her hand and giggled softly. Then, her beautiful red eyes sparkling with affection, she looked at him.
“Does it make you happy to see me happy, Older Brother?”
It was an unexpected question, but one he didn’t need to hesitate over, so he nodded without a second thought.
“Of course. Your happiness is my happiness.”
At his immediate affirmation, Yeonhwa smiled brightly, her face bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun.
“Mine too. So you needn’t worry about it.”
Placing a hand over her heart, she felt the joyful flutter within her chest. She smiled, mirroring the touched, almost awestruck expression on her older brother’s face.
Truth be told, she hadn’t cared about Muk-gang’s offer from the beginning.
After all, she had found something far more precious than any technique Fudo Myo-o could offer.
Her beautiful red eyes, now gleaming with a possessive light, reflected the image of Mancheon, and Mancheon alone.
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The next morning, as soon as the sun rose, he ate a quick breakfast of wall gecko pills and set off for the mountains.
Driven by the single-minded desire to master the Fudo Myo-o Steps, he had resisted the urge to question Yeonhwa about the previous day’s events and had gone to bed early, clearing his mind and ensuring he was well-rested.
He wasn’t in perfect condition, but he was as close as he could get.
“Yo! I’m here!”
Muk-gang, who had been meditating on a rock, opened his eyes at the sound of his voice and greeted him in his usual indifferent tone.
“You’ve arrived. Then let us begin.”
“Um… while I appreciate the expediency, shouldn’t there be some sort of formal bowing ritual before you impart your teachings?”
“I am a Dharma protector of Esoteric Buddhism. Accepting you as my disciple would make you a member of the Esoteric Buddhist sect. Therefore, we will skip that part.”
He certainly wasn’t interested in joining a potentially shady religious organization like Esoteric Buddhism, so he readily agreed, nodding his head.
“Fine by me. So, what do we do first? Warm-up exercises?”
“First, we clear the mind of distracting thoughts through meditation.”
He had been assigned his least favorite activity right off the bat.
He could practically hear the mocking laughter of Twin Hand Combat echoing in his mind.
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Five hours later, after learning the breathing techniques required for the Fudo Myo-o Steps and meditating under Muk-gang’s guidance…
he realized… something was wrong.
“Hey, are you sure about this? This doesn’t seem right.”
“You are a rock. Rocks do not speak.”
‘But… I’m not a rock. I’m a person.’
He had a lot he wanted to say, but Muk-gang wasn’t listening, so he closed his mouth and focused on his breathing.
He had been sitting in a meditative posture beside Muk-gang for five hours.
Initially, he had thought it would be an easy exercise, just sitting still and breathing, but now he longed for the physical exertion of his usual training.
According to Muk-gang, to execute the Fudo Myo-o Steps, one needed to channel the energy of Fudo Myo-o into their dantian.
However, ordinary humans could not contain the energy of a Wisdom King. Therefore, one had to become like an inanimate object, like nature itself.
Like a rock or a tree, unmoving, unthinking, unsleeping, reaching a state of meditative trance where even the act of breathing became unconscious, only then could one channel the energy of Fudo Myo-o and execute the Fudo Myo-o Steps.
“Haah…”
He sighed internally.
He had expected the training to be difficult, considering the power of the technique, but this was a different kind of challenge altogether.
Sima Mancheon, the genius who deceived even the heavens, was facing a crisis.
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Ugh, I know how you feel bro… the practice need to be more challenging!😏
Thanks Teot!