Chapter 6
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Death (3)
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The bandits, writhing and groaning on the ground, quickly prostrated themselves and begged for mercy.
It was because their lives mattered far more than a momentary pain.
"Please spare us, hero!"
"Our eyes were clouded, and we failed to recognize a master of the martial world. Please forgive our foolish selves."
I fell deep into thought.
What should I do with these scum?
My master had taught me that those who cultivate martial arts should protect the weak and the innocent, stay away from injustice, and become righteous people.
He had also said to forgive those who admitted their wrongs, at least once.
But I had no intention of becoming some righteous saint like my master preached.
Above all, something felt off about letting these bastards go.
They seemed like the type who were weak against the strong but endlessly cruel to the weak.
That was bandits for you.
"If I spare you, you'll just go harm others and plunder their goods again, won't you?"
"No, absolutely not. We were originally farmers and hunters, just trying to make a living. The corrupt officials oppressed us so badly that our families starved day in and day out. We had no choice but to turn to this life. If you just spare our wretched lives this once, we'll never do it again."
These were some silver-tongued bandits.
No—excuse-makers, more like.
I felt my resolve waver more than a little.
Truth be told, ever since I started learning martial arts, I'd never killed anyone.
The only scraps I'd been in were a few fistfights when I'd gone down to a village for food and gotten dragged into some brawl.
"Then why did you come up here? This is a place no one seeks out."
One of the prostrated bandits hesitated before answering.
"Truth is... we're bandits based on Dragon Head Mountain, not far from here. We received orders from our chieftain to expand our territory all the way to the Heavenly Mountain area. We were scouting for a good spot to set up a new camp when we ran into you, hero."
I'd heard of Dragon Head Mountain before.
It was quite a distance from Heavenly Mountain, so I didn't know the exact location, but I'd occasionally heard herb gatherers mention it when they came up the mountain.
"So you're saying you'll head back to Dragon Head Mountain and keep banditry up, then."
"Ah... no! Absolutely not. We swear we won't go back to Dragon Head Mountain. We'll go down the mountain and live as honest folk. If we ever turn to banditry again, may heaven strike us down."
I didn't fully believe them.
But seeing them invoke heaven like that made me think maybe I could give them a chance.
Truth was, I just didn't want to kill.
"Get lost. And never bandit again."
Slinging the wild boar I'd dropped on the ground over my shoulder, I left without a backward glance.
"Thank you. Truly, thank you."
Behind me, I heard the bandits joyfully scrambling away, saved from death.
They probably thought I might change my mind and come after them any second.
By the time I crossed a few ridges and reached home, the sun was already dipping toward the western horizon.
Gwang-u, who had run out from the kitchen where he was cooking rice, spotted the boar on my shoulder and looked greatly disappointed.
"A wild boar? Brother, what about the tiger?"
"None around."
"If I'd gone, I definitely would've caught one... I should've gone..."
Irritation started bubbling up in me.
"Cut it out."
"I was gonna simmer tiger bones into a broth for Master..."
"Ah... you little punk... seriously."
As I scowled, Gwang-u quickly shut his mouth and started sneaking glances at me.
Having lived with this kid for nine whole years now, I knew full well that when he acted like this, there was always something else on his mind.
"What? Spit it out already."
Gwang-u kept eyeing me cautiously before finally speaking up.
"Well... I was hoping to head to the market tomorrow. You went hunting, so let me handle the market run, brother."
"Rice run out?"
"No, not that, but we've got hides piled up to sell, and a bunch of herbs too."
We hadn't caught any tigers lately, but we'd skinned and cured plenty of wolves, foxes, leopards, and weasels.
"Go ahead."
I gave him permission without argument.
Looked like the kid wanted some human contact.
Gwang-u's gloomy face broke into a wide grin.
"Thanks, brother. I'll grill the meat and set the rice right away, so head to your room first."
His eager dash into the kitchen with the boar made me smile despite myself.
Having force-fed Master his midday porridge in Gwang-u's place, I sought shade under a tree for a nap.
Ever since the Great Heavenly Demon started haunting my nights two years ago, my days and nights had flipped.
The first few days, I didn't sleep during the day, but after a while, drowsiness hit me even in broad daylight.
In the end, I had no choice but to catch up on sleep with a one-hour nap after lunch.
After waking from my shaded hour-long snooze, I went inside, helped Master out, and took him outside.
If I didn't handle his needs on time, I'd be scrubbing the whole room with water—a hassle I couldn't afford.
After tending to him and diving into my martial training, the sun had already begun to set.
"What the hell's keeping him? Market shouldn't take this long."
The big village where the market was held was pretty far from Heavenly Mountain, but with Gwang-u's lightness skill, he should've been home by now.
"Tch..."
Growing impatient, I headed to the kitchen and prepped dinner myself.
I simmered meat porridge for Master first, then rice, soup, and wild greens I'd foraged nearby.
By the time the rice was done, I'd fed Master his porridge and filled my own belly when I heard footsteps outside.
"Brother, I'm back."
"Why so late? You hate prepping meals so much you dragged your feet on purpose?"
Gwang-u jumped back at my thunderous expression as I stepped out.
"No way, brother, absolutely not. I stopped by Dragon Head Village on the way back, and it was a total wreck."
"What happened?"
Dragon Head Village was the closest settlement to Heavenly Mountain, home to about twenty households.
When going all the way to the big village felt like too much trouble, we'd get supplies there sometimes.
"They said bandits came down from the mountains last night, killed villagers, and looted all the food and goods. Even took their chickens and dogs."
A cold, heavy weight thudded into my chest at Gwang-u's words.
"How many... how many bandits?"
"Not sure exactly, but around six or seven, I think."
It was them.
Had to be those bastards who'd slaughtered the villagers and stolen everything.
What was there even worth taking in a remote mountain hamlet?
"I... I gotta go down there."
Panicking, unsure what to do, I bolted down the mountain.
"Brother! Where you going? Take me with you!"
"Stay and watch Master."
"No way! I'm coming too!"
Gwang-u tossed aside a rice sack and insisted on following.
I half-ignored him as I raced down the mountain anyway.
The heartrending wails of children who'd lost mothers, or fathers, or siblings still echoed through the village.
The moment I heard them, my legs gave out, and I collapsed limply right there.
'My... fault. These people died because I spared those bastards.'
Hot tears streamed from my eyes.
Gwang-u, who'd followed, looked at me crying in worry.
"Brother, what's wrong? What happened?"
But I couldn't answer.
After sobbing for a long while, I slowly rose to my feet.
"Gwang-u, you head home. I've got somewhere to be."
"Where?"
I took off toward what I guessed was Dragon Head Mountain without replying.
Of course, Gwang-u followed instead of going home.
He sensed something was off about me and stuck close.
"Brother! Where to?"
"Dragon Head Mountain. Go home! You've gotta look after Master!"
In the end, I had to tell him the destination.
But Gwang-u kept pace behind me, asking more.
"Brother! Do you even know where Dragon Head Mountain is? I do."
He'd gone to the big village more often than me, so he must've known the spot.
"Where is it?"
"Pretty far from here! I'll guide you!"
And so, Gwang-u and I ended up heading to Dragon Head Mountain together.
Thud! Thwack! ...
Every punch and kick tore through chests and burst skulls.
No bandit could block or dodge my fists infused with qi.
I hadn't expected them to drop so easily.
Martial arts that were useless against the Great Heavenly Demon wielded absolute power against these bandits.
Kyahhh! Aaaagh! ...
Gwang-u was swatting them down like flies too.
Those hit by his monstrous fists flew three or four zhang before crashing dead.
"Don't kill those ones yet!"
I pinpointed the seven hiding among the bandits.
Each time my finger jabbed out, they trembled in terror.
They'd started by gripping weapons defiantly, but now they fled in every direction seeking escape.
But Gwang-u and I were far faster.
My fists and his pierced fleeing backs and shattered heads.
"Spa... spare..."
Kraaak! Kkak!
Even those groveling for life didn't survive.
Their heads exploded instantly under my qi-wreathed feet.
In my frenzy of slaughter, I realized only seven bandits remained alive in the camp.
The wide courtyard was littered with over fifty corpses.
Red blood trickled down my arms to my fingertips.
"Why... did you kill those innocent villagers?"
The kneeling bandits, heads bowed, said nothing.
They just begged for their one remaining life again.
"Spare us, please. We'll never harm villagers again. Just let us live."
I no longer believed them.
Yet tears flowed from my eyes anyway.
No matter how brutally I killed these scum, the dead villagers wouldn't return.
All that remained was the aching grief of those who remembered and missed them.
"Gather everything of value from the camp. You have one gak."
No sooner had I spoken than the prostrated bandits glanced around and bolted for the thatched huts.
Then Gwang-u approached, still dazed from watching.
"B-brother... these guys are the ones who hit the village?"
"Yeah."
Gwang-u still didn't understand why I'd stormed the camp and massacred them mercilessly.
He'd just followed my lead because I was killing bandits.
Haa...
A long sigh escaped Gwang-u.
I'd never seen him sigh before.
Not even when he lost our spars, though he'd sulk.
"Brother... this is my first time."
Looking over the brutally slain bandits, Gwang-u trembled faintly.
"Mine too..."