Surviving as a Cripple in Murim – Chapter 38

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Teottry
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The beautifully landscaped gardens of the Sima estate.

Sima Bu had created this garden for his beloved wife. He had spared no expense, carefully selecting each flower and ornament to please her.

There was even a tree planted to commemorate the birth of Cheon-i (Sima Bu and Jang Chun-hwa’s nickname for Mancheon).

Therefore, Sima Bu was in a foul mood. He was feeling murderous.

As if sensing his dark mood, one of the vile assassins stepped onto the carefully manicured lawn and approached him from behind.

“It’s been a while, Sima Bu.”

A white-haired old man, radiating a menacing aura, appeared as if from thin air.

Sima Bu responded to Elder Qiu Chuji of the Heavenly Demon Sect’s greeting in a cold, emotionless voice.

“You could have sent a letter to inform me of your arrival. I’m feeling rather neglected, Elder Qiu.”

“My apologies. I was too preoccupied with the joyous anticipation of taking your head to bother with such formalities. I trust you understand.”

“I do. I felt the same way when I took your son’s head.”

Years ago, Elder Qiu’s son had been sent to investigate the Sima family, a secretive clan with a formidable reputation but little to show for it. He had disappeared without a trace.

It was a case that had been closed due to lack of evidence, though suspicion lingered.

Naturally, Sima Bu had been the one who killed him. He had then bribed the other elders of the Heavenly Demon Sect to bury the matter.

“So… it was you. I will tear you limb from limb.”

“There are no words more impotent than empty threats. Try it if you can, you Kunlun mountain bumpkin.”

Qiu Chuji glared at Sima Bu’s unguarded back, his killing intent radiating outwards. He was completely unguarded, like a commoner with no knowledge of martial arts.

‘A commoner?’

Something felt wrong. This didn’t make sense.

It was inconceivable that the head of a clan who had ventured into the Ten Thousand Great Mountains to establish trade with the Heavenly Demon Sect, and who had also forged an alliance with the Zoroastrian cult, would be a commoner with no martial arts skills.

A chilling premonition ran down Qiu Chuji’s spine. But it was too late.

Sima Bu’s left arm shot out from between his right arm and his side, unleashing a palm strike, his hidden energy erupting outwards.

Wolf’s Gaze Divine Art – Wolf’s Bared Fangs – A sudden, explosive release of energy, like a wolf baring its fangs.

A wave of energy, as powerful as a crashing wave, slammed into Qiu Chuji, the ferocious wolf’s fangs tearing through his protective qi.

“Wh-What?!”

Qiu Chuji’s eyes widened in shock at the unexpected power. The battle was already lost. He should have created distance the moment he felt the surge of energy.

Sima Bu pivoted on his right foot, spinning swiftly, his right arm rising, his elbow striking Qiu Chuji’s temple with pinpoint accuracy.

Crack—!!

His skull fractured, his brain rattled within its bony cage. His balance faltered, his vision blurred. His defenses crumbled.

The world swam before his eyes, everything doubled, indistinct. The last thing he saw was Sima Bu’s arms, moving like a viper preparing to strike.

The Spirit Serpent Fist.

Philtrum, solar plexus, Adam’s apple, ribs, nasal bone, glabella, upper arm, heart, clavicle, femur, navel…

No matter how well-trained the body, vital points remained. And striking those vital points could kill.

It was an immutable truth, as certain as the sun rising in the east.

Strike after strike, each blow infused with killing intent, aimed at shattering bone and tearing flesh. His arms and legs moved with ruthless efficiency, focused solely on the task of killing.

Finally, Qiu Chuji’s battered body surrendered, collapsing to the ground, no longer under his control.

His mind, too, succumbed to the darkness, his final, silent scream unheard.

‘So… this is the power of one of the Four Pillars of the Demonic Sects.’

The Four Pillars of the Demonic Sects – The four clans that supported the demonic sects.

The Sima family, one of the Four Traitorous Ministers (Wang Mang, Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao, and Sima Yi) who had brought down the Han dynasty.

As darkness claimed him, Qiu Chuji felt a surge of despair at having failed the Heavenly Demon Sect due to his personal vendetta, and a chilling fear of the Sima family, who had concealed their true power so effectively for so long.

It was an ignominious death for an elder of the Heavenly Demon Sect, a man who had once instilled fear in the hearts of many.

“I seem to have forgotten to mention something.”

Sima Bu wiped the blood from his fists with a handkerchief, then looked down at the corpse and spoke in a low, cold voice.

“Don’t stand behind me, you pathetic demonic scum.”

He was a Sima, a descendant of those who had once stood at the pinnacle of power. Though their clan had fallen from grace, their bloodline remained.

It was laughable to hear these insignificant fools, who had never even achieved the status of kings, let alone emperors, prattle on about conquering the martial world, about bringing about the world’s end.

“Master, the Heavenly Demon Sect has surrounded the estate. Your orders?”

A figure, clad entirely in black, appeared as if from thin air and reported to Sima Bu, who looked down at Qiu Chuji’s mangled corpse with cold, calculating eyes.

‘They intended to take my head first, then eliminate the rest.’

He briefly considered using Qiu Chuji’s corpse as a psychological weapon to demoralize the enemy, but dismissed the idea.

Judging from the energy he sensed, these weren’t the type to be swayed by such tactics. They were seasoned killers, elite martial artists, some even at the peak of their abilities.

He would have to meet force with force.

He wanted to run to the mountains, to save Cheon-i. And Yeonhwa, if possible.

He still had much to gain from the Zoroastrian cult. The Sima family’s rise to prominence had only just begun. He couldn’t afford to lose their financial backing.

But he couldn’t. A leader couldn’t afford to show weakness, to be swayed by emotions.

He steeled his resolve, preparing for battle.

His amber eyes, like those of a wolf, gleamed with a predatory light. He addressed his hunting dogs, who awaited his command, their voices low and guttural, eager for the hunt.

“This is my command: show those Kunlun mountain bumpkin what happens when they stick their heads into a wolf’s maw.”

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Suddenly emerging from forests seemed to be the latest trend. Or perhaps the feng shui of their mountain was just bad.

In any case, a man dressed in similar attire to the men from before, but in clothing that denoted a higher rank, approached them slowly, sizing them up like a predator, before speaking.

“You intend to kill the monster. Isn’t that your noble conviction, Muk-gang?”

Muk-gang glanced at Yeonhwa at the sarcastic remark.

“Does she look like a monster to you? I see only a girl who is excessively fond of her older brother.”

“While I appreciate the defense, you did try to kill Yeonhwa the moment you saw her, calling her a monster.”

“He did. He’s shameless.”

Muk-gang’s eyes narrowed at the pointed remark. He had fulfilled his promise and taught Mancheon the Fudo Myo-o Steps, and yet they continued to hold a grudge. They were a persistent pair.

“Mancheon, this is not the time for such bickering. Prepare to escape with your sister.”

He had perhaps been a little too complacent, relying on Muk-gang’s presence, the man who had effortlessly defeated five assassins at once. And as if to mock his complacency, a swarm of Heavenly Demon Sect assassins, dressed in matching black uniforms, emerged from the forest, surrounding them.

Seeing a few cockroaches meant the entire house was infested.

He felt Yeonhwa’s hand trembling against his sleeve.

He wanted to cower and cry like Nobita calling for Doraemon, wailing, “Wahhh~ Muk-gang-emon~ Giant is bullying me~ Help me~!” But he couldn’t.

He was her older brother.

He couldn’t show weakness in front of his younger sister. He had to conceal his fear and reassure her.

It was a thankless role.

As he steeled his resolve, the trembling against his sleeve ceased. Yeonhwa had released her grip on his robe.

“Older Brother, I’ll be fine. You should escape.”

He heard her voice behind him, forced bravado laced with affection and sorrow.

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

He cut her off, his voice firm, unwilling to listen to such defeatist talk.

“If you say such foolish things again, I will get angry. I’ll show you what domestic violence looks like.”

Yeonhwa’s eyes widened. The harsh tone, so unlike Mancheon’s usual gentle demeanor, startled her.

“Cherish, protect, and love your younger sister. That was our promise. I will not abandon you. So don’t give up.”

“Such a heavenly empty bravado. If you value your life, heed your sister’s words and surrender.”

Hey, asshole… This was an important moment, so he shouldn’t interrupt.

He looked at the arrogant assassin, a sneer playing on his lips, and declared his identity.

“Heaven? I abandoned that notion the day I was born. I am Mancheon (Deceiving the Heavens), he who obscures the heavens.”

As the assassins stared at him, dumbfounded by his audacity, a booming laugh echoed through the forest.

“Guffaw- HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”

All eyes turned towards the source of the laughter. Muk-gang was laughing, a hearty, unrestrained laughter he had never witnessed before.

“What’s so funny?”

The apparent leader of the assassins, thinking they were being mocked, glared at Muk-gang and demanded an explanation. Muk-gang smiled faintly and replied.

“Isn’t it amusing? He has nothing, and yet he’s so full of confidence. He’ll go far.”

The assassins’ attention was focused on Muk-gang. Their guard, their focus on him and Yeonhwa, had slipped, creating a small opening. He understood the meaning of Muk-gang’s laughter.

“What nonsense—”

Fudo Myo-o Steps.

With a single step, time seemed to stop. But the assassins didn’t collapse as easily as the previous group. These were not the same caliber of opponents.

While some were immobilized, their bodies pinned, unable to move, or forced to their knees, none of them collapsed completely. They channeled their demonic energy, resisting the pressure of the Wisdom King’s energy, slowly pushing back.

It was a critical moment. But Muk-gang spoke to them in his usual calm voice.

“Go.”

“What about… you?”

Muk-gang removed his shirt in response to his question. The fierce visage of Fudo Myo-o, tattooed on his back, seemed to glare at him.

“If you’ve made up your mind to protect someone, then do not concern yourself with anything else. Protect them.”

He didn’t thank Muk-gang. He would do so later, when they met again. Hoping for such a reunion, he scooped Yeonhwa into his arms, executed the Golden Goose Technique, and fled, moving like the wind.

And as he fled, five assassins of the Heavenly Demon Sect’s Black Assassination Unit emerged from the forest, their eyes on Mancheon’s retreating back.

Their objective was to eliminate the Sima family and retrieve the monster of the Zoroastrian cult. There was no need to engage the Dharma protector of Esoteric Buddhism.

So, they had waited, concealed, for Mancheon to flee, leaving himself vulnerable. Their plan had worked. Now, all they had to do was take his head.

But… there were always unforeseen variables. Another assassin emerged from the forest, his eyes on the Black Assassination Unit.

Jang Sam-bung, servant, bodyguard, and assassin of the Sima family.

While the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole waits behind.

Dozens of metal balls rained down upon the assassins like a hailstorm.

Death approached from behind. Yeong-do’s instincts screamed danger.

Yeong-do, a first-class assassin of the Heavenly Demon Sect’s Black Assassination Unit, quickly assessed the situation and acted decisively.

He grabbed two of his companions by the necks and threw them behind him.

“Yeong-do! You bastard—?!”

Dozens of projectiles slammed into his makeshift meat shields.

Crack-! Crunch-!!

Bones snapped and splintered as his comrades, who had served as his shield, crumpled to the ground. It was a tragic loss.

But he had sacrificed two lives to save five, including his own. It was a net gain.

“Yeong-do, go.”

The leader of the Black Assassination Unit, seeing the new enemy, drew his sword and issued a swift command. Two of the remaining three assassins would engage the enemy while Yeong-do retrieved the Zoroastrian monster.

“As you command.”

At the signal, Yeong-do, his scarred face contorted in a grotesque grin, dashed forward.

It was time for a joyous little wolf hunt.

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Hunter being hunted😏