Chapter 194: Because He Picked a Handsome Face
Chapter 194: Because He Picked a Handsome Face
“Hui-ya. You mustn't move yet.”
Madam Sim gently took her daughter’s hand.
As Hui-ya dressed herself, her skin was a map of bruises and scars. The young girl had just suffered the greatest tragedy of her life. Three days ago, on her way to work, she had been mercilessly assaulted—beaten and violated by a man who knew no shame.
“You heard it too, Mother. That bastard was released! He said he’s going to come back and kill us all!”
The man who had committed such an unspeakable crime was Gong Pae, a member of the Beast Faction that controlled the area. He had committed the atrocity in broad daylight, not even bothering with the cover of night.
Despite her broken body, Hui-ya had personally reported him to the local branch of the Murim Alliance. However, she soon received the devastating news that Gong Pae had been released less than three days after his arrest. Even while being dragged to the branch office, he had loudly proclaimed his innocence, shouting for all to hear that he wouldn't leave Hui-ya and her family alone once he got out. The branch office had turned such a monster loose.
“We have to go, Mother.”
Hui-ya staggered to her feet, only to collapse back down as a wave of dizziness hit her. Every inch of her body screamed in pain.
“Where do you think you’re going in that state?”
“We have to! He said he’d kill us!”
Hui-ya’s eyes filled with tears. She had never dreamed the authorities would release him so easily. What are we supposed to do? What on earth can we do?!
Madam Sim pulled her daughter into a tight embrace.
“It’s all because of me. It’s my fault.”
She had raised her two children alone after losing her husband. She had lived a grueling, tenacious life, but a year ago, a fall had severely injured her leg, leaving her crippled.
When she could no longer work, her young son, Seok-yi, who was only ten, started working as a waiter. Her fifteen-year-old daughter, who had been helping at a fabric shop, took on an extra job washing dishes at an inn at night.
They were such good children, working themselves to the bone to provide for their mother and pay for her medicine. And now, such a tragedy had befallen her daughter.
Tears streamed down Madam Sim’s face. She gritted her teeth, trying to stay strong for her daughter, but the tears fell of their own accord.
Hui-ya gritted her teeth and forced herself up again.
“Mother, pack your things. I’ll go get the cart.”
Madam Sim pulled at her hand.
“You go. Take your brother and hide.”
“Mother, we don’t have time for this. You know I won’t leave without you.”
“Where would you go with me in tow? Just hide yourself for a while. Please, I beg you!”
A thousand desperate thoughts raced through Hui-ya’s mind. Where could she go with a crippled mother and a young brother? Should she just act as if she’d been bitten by a mad dog and beg for forgiveness if he showed up? She had no idea what the right choice was.
Someone, please tell me what to do! Please, help me!
At fifteen, the only place she could turn to was the heavens.
Just then, the door burst open. Her younger brother, Seok-yi, ran inside.
“Mother! Sister!”
Seok-yi looked flushed and breathless. Seeing her brother snapped Hui-ya back to reality. She realized that fleeing was the only way to save him.
“Pack your things, Seok-yi.”
“Why? What for?”
“We’re leaving. Only pack the essentials.”
“Sister! Wait! Listen to me first. I asked a martial artist for help. He said he’d help us!”
Both Madam Sim and Hui-ya froze.
“Who? Someone you know?”
“No. I met him for the first time today.”
Hui-ya let out a dejected sigh. A stranger?
“Seok-yi, listen to me. You can’t just ask anyone for a favor like that. What if that martial artist gets killed by the Beast Faction?”
“No. He looked really scary and strong.”
Hui-ya sighed again. “Then where is he? Why did you come alone?”
“He told me to go on ahead.”
“He’s not coming, Seok-yi. He only said that to get rid of a pestering child. Just pack your things.”
She staggered toward the door. Though walking was a struggle, she was determined to get her mother onto the cart and leave. But when she opened the door to step outside, she froze in terror.
Gong Pae was standing in the courtyard, looking absolutely livid.
Hui-ya collapsed to the ground, trembling violently.
Gong Pae spoke with a cold sneer. “You dared to report me? I was stuck in a dungeon for three days because of you, you bitch.”
Over the last three days, whenever Hui-ya thought of Gong Pae, she had wanted nothing more than to kill him. In her imagination, she had stabbed him with a kitchen knife, beaten him with a hammer, and torn his throat out with her teeth. She had killed him hundreds of times in her mind.
But seeing him again in the flesh, her mind went blank with terror. Her entire body shook uncontrollably.
Madam Sim dragged herself out of the room on her hands and knees.
“Listen here, I’m the one who reported you. If you want to blame someone, blame me.”
Gong Pae snorted. “You should worry about yourself, crawling around like a bug. Why the hell are you reporting people?”
When he insulted her mother, Hui-ya let out a piercing scream.
“Shut up! Shut up! Who do you think you are?! Why?! Why did you do it?! Aaaaaah!”
She screamed louder because she was afraid.
“Has this bitch gone crazy? I guess you need a beating to come to your senses.”
As Gong Pae moved to strike her, Seok-yi rushed out of the room.
“Don’t! Don’t touch my sister!”
Seok-yi stood in front of Hui-ya, trying to shield her. Hui-ya tried to pull him behind her, and in their struggle, both of them tumbled backward.
“Look at this pathetic display. What’s the point of living like this? You’re all dying by my hand today. I’ll bury you all in the same hole.”
He pulled out a dagger, the blade gleaming with lethal intent. At the sight of the steel, both Hui-ya and Seok-yi froze.
“Please spare us! Please, just spare my family!”
It was at that very moment, as Hui-ya pleaded for their lives, that a low voice drifted from behind them.
“Shouldn't those words be coming from him instead?”
Gong Pae spun around in surprise to see Geom Mu-geuk and the Fist Demon entering the courtyard.
Gong Pae could tell at a glance that these two were no ordinary martial artists. The moment he locked eyes with the Fist Demon, who was looking at him as if he were a mere insect, the hair on his arms stood on end.
Seok-yi shouted with joy. “Sir! You came! It’s him! He’s here!”
Madam Sim and Hui-ya realized that these were the martial artists Seok-yi had mentioned. Gong Pae also realized that the brat had brought these men here.
“Gentlemen, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I... I care for this woman.”
As Gong Pae tried to spin a lie, Geom Mu-geuk made a shushing gesture.
“Your chance to speak in this life is over. You have exactly one word left, but even that isn't your right to choose.”
Geom Mu-geuk turned to Hui-ya. “Miss, do you want an apology before he dies?”
Before he dies?
Hui-ya looked at Geom Mu-geuk with a startled expression. He gave her a single, firm nod.
Hui-ya shook her head. She didn't even want to share a single word with that man.
“Then he isn't even allowed one last bit of bullshit.”
The moment Gong Pae opened his mouth to speak, Geom Mu-geuk’s Finger Wind struck his Mute Acupoint and Demonic Acupoint. He truly didn't give the man a single chance to utter a sound.
The Fist Demon walked slowly toward Hui-ya. Guessing what he intended to do, Geom Mu-geuk covered Seok-yi’s eyes.
The Fist Demon stood before Hui-ya. Looking up at him, Hui-ya swallowed hard. She had never seen anyone who looked so terrifying.
“Hold out your fist.”
Startled, Hui-ya extended her trembling hand. The Fist Demon’s large, calloused hand wrapped around her small fist. Then, holding her hand within his, he thrust it forward.
Very slowly, the two of them extended a single fist toward Gong Pae.
Just as a look of confusion crossed Gong Pae’s face—What is this?—the air exploded.
Whoooooosh!
Along with a deafening roar of wind!
Thud-thud-thud! Crack! Crunch! Thwack!
Every bone in Gong Pae’s body shattered. From his toes to his arms and legs, his ribs and spine, his shoulder blades and neck—not a single bone was left intact.
‘Aaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!’
It was an agonizing pain unlike anything he had ever experienced. Because his Mute Acupoint was sealed, he couldn't even scream, which only made the agony more intense. Only after enduring the full brunt of that pain did his face finally cave in with a sickening thud, and he collapsed.
All of this was contained within that single strike the Fist Demon had delivered while holding Hui-ya’s hand.
But it wasn't over. As if refusing to allow even his corpse to remain in this house, the Fist Demon flicked his hand, and the body soared into the air. The Fist Demon thrust his other fist toward the sky.
Rumble! Boom!
A sound like a divine thunderclap echoed through the air.
Craaaaash!
An immense surge of Fist Force swept over the corpse. As if by magic, Gong Pae’s body vanished into thin air, leaving not a trace behind.
“Ah...!”
Hui-ya couldn't process what she had just seen. It felt like a hallucination. Then, the Fist Demon squeezed her fist one more time.
In that moment, Hui-ya felt it. The hand enveloping hers seemed to be saying: Live your life with strength from now on.
Hui-ya looked up at the Fist Demon. He was looking down at her with an indifferent expression. She was no longer afraid of his face. He didn't look like an evil ghost; he looked like one of the Four Heavenly Kings statues standing at a temple entrance. He was a guardian deity protecting her from evil.
Seok-yi hadn't seen Gong Pae vanish into dust, but he could sense it. He knew Gong Pae was dead. Geom Mu-geuk felt Seok-yi’s tears falling onto his palm. He removed his hand and turned Seok-yi toward him.
“Continue to live with the same courage you showed today.”
The courage to walk up to the terrifying Fist Demon and ask for help. With that kind of courage, he would surely be able to live a good life.
“Yes, sir.” Seok-yi buried his face in Geom Mu-geuk’s chest. The child was trembling, and Geom Mu-geuk gently stroked his hair.
“Benefactor, please accept my bow.” Hui-ya tried to bow to the Fist Demon, but an invisible force prevented her from doing so.
“There is no need.”
“Please, let me bow. It’s the only thing I can offer.”
“I simply granted your brother’s request.”
With those words, the Fist Demon clasped his hands behind his back and looked up at the sky. Hui-ya looked at Seok-yi, and the boy ran into his sister’s arms.
“Sister.”
“Seok-yi.”
This time, Seok-yi looked at the Fist Demon from his sister’s embrace. The Fist Demon felt the child’s gaze—filled with admiration, respect, and gratitude—but he simply continued to stare at the sky.
Madam Sim expressed her gratitude through her tears. “Thank you. I will never forget this kindness, even after I die.”
Geom Mu-geuk spoke to Madam Sim and Hui-ya. “I know this man belonged to a gang. We’ll take care of the rest, so don’t worry about them anymore.”
And that wasn't the only stroke of luck for the family. Perhaps deciding to see his act of kindness through to the end, the Fist Demon approached Madam Sim and asked abruptly, “Since when?”
“Pardon?”
“Your leg. How long has it been hurting?”
“Oh... it’s been about a year.”
“May I take a look?”
Hui-ya answered quickly on behalf of her bewildered mother. “Please, I beg of you!”
The Fist Demon examined Madam Sim’s leg. “It will hurt, so bear with it.”
Before she could even respond—Crack. Snap. Crunch.
The sound of bones being reset echoed through the room. Madam Sim screamed as her long-stiffened bones were forced back into place, but the pain didn't last long. The Fist Demon’s understanding of human anatomy was even more profound than that of the Demon Doctor.
A moment later, the Fist Demon spoke words that left them stunned. “If you rest for a while, you’ll be able to stand and walk again.”
Madam Sim was too shocked to speak, while Hui-ya and Seok-yi cheered.
“Thank you, Benefactor!”
“Thank you! Thank you so much!”
The three of them wept as they embraced each other in overwhelming emotion. Finally, Geom Mu-geuk handed an envelope to Hui-ya. Inside was enough money for the three of them to open a small shop and make a living.
Hui-ya asked in a trembling voice, “Why are you giving us this?”
“I’m not the one giving it to you. It’s money I’ll be collecting from that bastard’s gang, so take it without any burden.”
How could this money, or even Gong Pae’s death, truly heal her wounds? This incident would likely haunt her for the rest of her life. She would have nightmares, and her distrust of men would be deep. But this was as much as Geom Mu-geuk could do. Please, overcome this and live the rest of your life well.
“Why are you showing us such great kindness?” Hui-ya felt as if all the blessings she had missed out on in life were being given to her at once.
Geom Mu-geuk looked at the Fist Demon and replied, “Because your brother happened to pick that handsome face over there.”
*
After leaving Madam Sim’s home, we headed straight for the Beast Faction. If we didn't clean up the aftermath, Seok-yi’s family would eventually suffer for it.
Before going, I looked into the Beast Faction and found that they were guilty of every crime imaginable. They intimidated the residents, stole their money, beat them, and killed them. They were Black Path thugs who reigned over the area like kings.
Even if those bastards were expected to act that way, the Murim Alliance branch that turned a blind eye was an even bigger problem.
“That fist technique you used earlier was truly magnificent.”
In truth, it was a technique far too profound to be wasted on a lowly wretch like Gong Pae. Nevertheless, the reason the Fist Demon had killed him personally was because of Seok-yi. Since Seok-yi had asked for his help, he had delivered the killing blow himself—so that the boy could live with the pride of knowing his own choice had saved his family.
But what moved me even more was how he had held Hui-ya’s hand to blow the man away. I believe that because of the hand the Fist Demon held, the girl will be able to live a good life. Whenever things get hard, she will remember that large, thick hand.
“I truly respect you.”
“You’re nothing but flattery every time you open your mouth.”
“I mean it, Master.”
I slipped in the word "Master," but he remained an iron wall.
“Nice try, Second Young Master.”
We soon arrived at the manor where the Beast Faction resided. The man guarding the gate caught sight of the Fist Demon and, in a panic, slammed the doors shut and ran inside.
“Emergency! Emergency!”
Hearing the man’s shouts, the Fist Demon said self-deprecatingly, “See that? My face alone is enough to trigger an emergency.”
If it had been Seo Dae-ryong, he would have teased him about that for three days, but as long as the Fist Demon was with me, I didn't intend to let him feel discouraged by his appearance.
“I saw it. I saw the look of admiration that girl gave you earlier.”
Perhaps those words put him in a better mood. The Fist Demon placed his palm against the gate, and with a thunderous boom, the heavy doors were torn apart like scrap paper and sent flying.
The Fist Demon stepped inside first. From behind, his massive frame seemed to fill the entire entrance.