Heir to the Wolf's Blood (4)
The beautifully manicured garden of the Sima Family Manor. This garden was a space Sima Bu had created for his beloved wife. He'd lavished attention on every detail for the flower-loving woman, sparing no expense. There was even a birth tree planted to commemorate the day their Cheon-i—Sima Mancheon—was born.
Which was why Sima Bu's mood was utterly foul right now. He was in a state where he could bury someone alive without a second thought or question.
Oblivious or not to Sima Bu's mood, one of the filthy demonic killers trampled the grass as he approached from behind.
"Long time no see, Sima Clan Head."
A white-haired elder appeared like a ghost, exuding an ominous aura. Sima Bu replied to Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Elder Gu Goak's greeting in a cold voice devoid of emotion.
"If you were coming, you could have at least sent a letter. I'm disappointed, Elder Gu."
"My apologies. I was so thrilled at the thought of snapping your neck, Sima Clan Head, that I forgot to write one. I hope you understand."
"I do. I felt the same joy when I snapped your son's neck, Elder Gu."
A few years back, Gu Goak's son—dispatched to investigate the secretive Sima Family, infamous in name but sparse in deeds—had gone missing. It was a buried case, circumstantial evidence only, no hard proof. Naturally, Sima Bu had killed him. And he'd bribed the other Heavenly Demon Divine Cult elders to sweep it under the rug.
"...So it was you after all. I'll tear your limbs to shreds right now."
"No weaker words than threats of death. If you can, then do it, Kunlun mountain hick."
Gu Goak unleashed his killing intent, glaring at Sima Bu's unguarded back. Truly defenseless—like a commoner who knew no martial arts.
...A commoner?
Something was off, logically speaking. No way the head of a clan that trekked to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains for profit, struck deals with the cult, and allied with the Fire Cult behind their backs was some untrained civilian.
A chilling, eerie sensation crawled up Gu Goak's spine. But by the time he realized, it was too late.
Sima Bu's left arm slipped subtly between his side and right arm, unleashing a palm strike. He erupted with his concealed qi in an instant.
The wolf turns its head and bares its fangs.
A qi like raging waves surged forth, crashing over Gu Goak's entire body. The ferocious wolf's teeth shredded his protective aura to pieces.
"Wh-what?!"
Gu Goak's eyes widened at the unexpected explosive power. The fight was decided there.
He should have leaped back in that moment of shock. Instead, Sima Bu pivoted swiftly on his right foot, raising his right arm and smashing his sharpened elbow straight into Gu Goak's temple.
Crack!—!!
His skull cracked, brain rattled. Balance shattered, vision blurred. His body became full of openings.
In a hazy world where everything doubled, the last thing Gu Goak saw was Sima Bu's arms writhing like vipers hunting prey.
Philtrum, solar plexus, throat, ribs, nasal bone, glabella, humerus, heart, clavicle, femur, navel, and more.
No matter how trained the body, vital points exist. And humans die when they're struck.
An immutable truth, like the sun rising in the east.
Thud—thud—each strike infused with killing intent destroyed flesh. Arms and legs moved solely for murder, no trace of martial scholarship. Only pure, slaughtering violence.
Finally, Gu Goak's body, pushed to its limit, raised the white flag. Losing control, it toppled backward. His mind, screaming unheard death cries, sank into darkness.
...This is one of the four pillars dominating the demonic world's darkness.
Demonic Four Pillars—the four supports upholding the demonic factions. One corner: the Sima Family, akin to the Mangdang Four of old (Wang Mang, Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao, Sima Yi—the villains who doomed Han).
Gu Goak despaired at ruining the cult's grand cause over personal grudge, and feared the Sima Family for hiding such power so thoroughly, before blacking out.
For a Heavenly Demon Divine Cult elder who shook the martial world, it was a pathetically mundane death.
"Come to think of it... I forgot to mention."
Sima Bu wiped the blood from his fists with a handkerchief from his bosom, murmuring coldly to the corpse.
"Don't stand behind me, you worthless cult vermin."
The Sima clan had once risen to pinnacles above ten thousand. Even fallen, their blood endured. Watching self-proclaimed conquerors of the martial world or world-enders—mere kings at best—irked him to no end.
"Master, the cult has surrounded the estate. Your orders?"
To the report from the black-clad figure who appeared like a shadow, Sima Bu gazed coldly at Gu Goak's mangled corpse.
They planned to take my head first, then sweep the rest in one go.
He considered displaying the pulp to demoralize the cultists but shook his head. Their auras marked them as battle-hardened first-rate masters, peaks mixed in—no psychological ploy would suffice. Force against force, shatter them outright.
...Honestly, he wanted to bolt to the mountains, save Cheon-i, and grab Yeomhwa while at it. Plenty of gold left to squeeze from the Fire Cult. The Sima Family's legit business was finally gaining steam—couldn't let the funds dry up.
But no. A leader couldn't show emotion. Never weakness.
He steeled his heart. Resolved himself. His wolf-like amber eyes flashed.
In a low, beastly growl, he commanded his hounds awaiting only his word.
"Order: Teach those Kunlun hicks what happens when you stick your head in a wolf's maw."
Lately, it seemed jumping out of the woods was the trend. Or maybe our backyard has crap feng shui.
Anyway, similar to the black-clad guys from before, but this one in higher-ranking garb slowly closed in like a beast sizing us up before the fight.
"Monsters must die. Isn't that your precious creed, Mukgang?"
Mukgang glanced at Yeomhwa at the mocking jab at his beliefs.
"A monster? To me, she just looks like a girl who loves her brother more than most."
"Thanks for the defense, but... didn't you call Yeomhwa a monster at first and try to kill her on sight?"
"Yeah. Hypocrite."
Mukgang's eyes narrowed at the sore spot. He'd taught Immovable Bright King Step as promised, yet these siblings held grudges like nobody's business.
"...Mancheon, now's not the time for that. Get ready to run with your sister."
Fair point. With Mukgang—who'd dropped five last time—here, I'd gotten complacent. And as if mocking that, black-uniformed cult assassins swarmed from the woods, encircling us.
Seeing one cockroach in the house means the whole place is infested.
I felt Yeomhwa's trembling hand through my collar. Part of me wanted to channel Doraemon's Nobita: "Wahhh~ Mukgangmon~ the Demon fatty's bullying me~ help!" and shake. But no.
I'm the big brother. Can't show weakness before her. Hide the fear, reassure her.
...Man, big bro life's all losses.
As I psyched myself up, the trembling behind me stopped. Yeomhwa let go of my collar.
"Oppa, I'm fine. You run."
Her voice from behind—feigned strength laced with resolve, love, sorrow—hit hard.
"They're after me. As long as I'm here, they won't bother you..."
Worthless words. I cut her off sharply.
"Say that crap one more time, and I'll really get mad. I'll show you what domestic violence means."
Yeomhwa's eyes widened. My usual gentleness made the roughness hit harder.
"I cherish my little sister, protect her, love her. Promised, right? I never give up. So don't you dare."
"Fearless pup who knows no heaven's wrath. Drop the bravado if you wanna live—listen to your sister."
Ugh... damn it... not now.
To the sneering cultist, I declared who I was.
"Heaven? Been flipping it off since birth. I am the one who obscures the heavens—Mancheon."
His smug face froze at my absurd arrogance, assassins speechless. Then thunderous laughter boomed everywhere.
"Kuhaha—hahahahaha!!"
All eyes turned to the laughing Mukgang. I'd seen light chuckles, but this belly laugh? First time.
"...What's so funny?"
Thinking we'd coordinated to mock them, the apparent leader scowled at Mukgang.
Mukgang smiled faintly, answering.
"Isn't it hilarious? Nothing to his name, yet that confidence. He's going places."
Cult gazes locked on Mukgang. A tiny gap in their watch on us.
I got the joke.
"What bullshit—"
One step, and the world halts.
But unlike last time, the assassins didn't crumple easily. These were a cut above—no one flattened out like before. Some crushed immobile, others kneeling, but all cloaked in demonic qi, slowly pushing back the Bright King's pressure.
A powder keg moment.
Yet Mukgang said calmly, as always: "Go."
"...What about you?"
He shed his upper garment. The fierce Fudo Myoo tattoo on his back glared accusingly.
"If you've resolved to protect, ignore the rest. Protect."
No need for thanks now. Later, when we met again.
I scooped Yeomhwa and bolted with Golden Goose Skill, wind-like.
And targeting my back, five Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Black Killer Squad assassins burst from the woods.
The cult's goal: conquer Sima Family, retrieve Fire Cult monster. No need to tangle with the sect's guardian beast.
So they'd hidden, waiting for me to flee exposed. Plan worked.
Now, just sever the defenseless runner's neck.
...But variables happen.
Another assassin struck from behind the Black Killers. Sima Family servant-guard-assassin, Jang Sambung.
While the mantis stalks the defenseless cicada, the oriole targets the mantis's back.
Dozens of iron pellets rained on the Black Killer Squad like buckshot. Death approached from behind.
Shadow Blade's animal instincts screamed danger. The first-rate Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Black Killer Squad assassin, Yeongdo, rolled his eyes wildly.
Then found his out. Arms extended, he grabbed two squadmates' napes and hurled them back as meat shields.
"Yeongdo! You bastard—!?"
Dozens of shots slammed the human umbrellas. Crunch-crack!—bones twisted and snapped as the shields crumpled to the ground.
Sad, sure. But sacrificing two saved the other three from death. Profit.
"Yeongdo, go."
At the new foe, the squad leader swiftly decided, blade on Jang Sambung: two hold the enemy, Yeongdo retrieves the monster.
"As you wish."
Excitement surging, Yeongdo grinned grotesquely, scar twisting, and charged. Fun baby wolf hunt time.