“Baek-ah.”

The old man’s figure, bathed in the brilliant moonlight, was the very picture of solitude.

Whenever Moyong Baek, the head of the Moyong Family, saw this side of the old man, he was overcome with a sense of awe.

“Yes, Father.”

With a solemn voice, Moyong Baek listened intently to his father.

“There are now ten years remaining.”

“In ten years, Father, you will undoubtedly become the greatest under heaven. Everyone in the Orthodox Martial Alliance believes it without a shred of doubt.”

“That is a misjudgment.”

“Father…”

“That old fiend, the Heavenly Demon, is a Martial God the likes of which the world will never see again. He reached the pinnacle of demonic arts before he was even a man grown. He transcended them more than twenty years ago, and has now reached the ultimate state of martial arts. It is an unprecedented achievement, the first and last of its kind in history.”

“Father!”

Disbelief clouded Moyong Baek’s eyes.

He had never once imagined his father’s defeat, not even in his dreams.

“However, Baek-ah. You need not worry so.”

“…”

“While I cannot be certain of victory, I will never accept certain defeat.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“A life-and-death battle is not decided by the hierarchy of martial skill alone. Though I may not be able to match the Heavenly Demon’s realm, I intend to overturn the outcome with a sheer obsession to win at all costs.”

His father’s words sent a surge of emotion through Moyong Baek.

“Therefore, I intend to leave the family. This is not to say I will enter secluded cultivation. I simply wish to escape the heavy burdens and anxieties weighing on my shoulders.”

“Father!”

“Please, take care of yourself.”

At dawn that day.

Leaving the lingering shadows of the pitch-black night behind him, the God of War, Moyong Cheon, departed from the Moyong Family estate.

Could this have been the turn of fate, leading him to meet the second God of War…?

***

One year later…

The God of War, Moyong Cheon, was spending the most tranquil days of his life.

After leaving the Moyong Family, he had settled on Samryun Peak of Mount Daeak in Sichuan. He had cleared away the overgrown vegetation, built a log cabin with a sturdy frame on the barren ground, planted a small vegetable patch, tended to a few fruit trees, and even created a cozy flower garden.

His daily life was simple.

He would wake in the morning to tend the garden and tidy the area around his estate, then sit cross-legged in a sunny spot to meditate. Sometimes, his meditation would last for more than two days.

Each time, only a single thought occupied his mind.

‘Can I defeat the Heavenly Demon?’

His meditation was all about the once-in-a-lifetime duel that would take place in nine years.

‘Can I…’

For a year, Moyong Cheon had been asking himself this question, but he still could not find an answer.

However, a new amusement had recently entered his life.

‘Heh heh, I wonder if I’ll see So-ah and Im-yi today.’

It was his meetings with an orphaned boy and girl he had recently befriended. Whenever he went to the marketplace to buy food, he would see the two children begging in a corner.

Moyong Cheon felt a strong sense of pity for the orphans, who looked to be around the same age as his own granddaughter.

While he was naturally a compassionate person, he felt a particular fondness for them because of their jade-like beauty and remarkable intelligence.

And for good reason. The orphan boy and girl, So-ah and Im-yi, knew how to read.

In Deokyang County, where most children couldn’t attend school due to their families’ poverty even if they had parents, it was more than a little strange for orphans who survived by begging to be literate.

Moreover, the children, who possessed faces of striking beauty, were surprisingly cheerful and friendly for orphans. They would jump for joy whenever Moyong Cheon bought them sweets or a bowl of noodles and pressed a few iron coins into their hands.

For Moyong Cheon, who was entering the twilight of his life, watching the children’s happiness was a source of deep contentment.

***

‘Oh?’

Having come out to the marketplace as usual, Moyong Cheon couldn’t help but be a little surprised.

So-ah and Im-yi, who were always begging in a corner of the market, were today sitting comfortably in a tavern, devouring expensive food.

Furthermore, the children were wearing neat new clothes instead of their usual rags.

Moyong Cheon’s gaze naturally shifted to the man sitting across from them.

‘They’re such adorable children, I suppose they’ve found adoptive parents.’

Moyong Cheon guessed as much.

And he thought it was a truly fortunate turn of events.

Just then.

“Oh…?”

“It’s the Living Buddha Grandpa!”

So-ah and Im-yi spotted Moyong Cheon and, their faces brightening, stood up and waved.

Moyong Cheon smiled benevolently and walked toward the children.

“Heh heh, Living Buddha Grandpa? What is the meaning of that?”

“Grandpa, you always buy us delicious things and give us money. You must be a Buddha who came down from heaven, so you’re the Living Buddha Grandpa!”

“Hehe.”

It seemed So-ah and Im-yi had come up with a nickname for Moyong Cheon on their own.

The sight was so endearing that Moyong Cheon ruffled their hair and patted their shoulders.

At that, the middle-aged man sitting opposite the children slowly spoke up.

“Do you know these children?”

“We just happened to get acquainted while passing by. And you are…?”

“Ah, I am the chief steward of Lord Nam, the former magistrate of Deokyang County. And you, old sir?”

“I am but a nameless old man who drifted here from another land and lives in the mountains. You would not know my name even if I told you.”

“I see.”

The man, who identified himself as Lord Nam’s chief steward, lost interest and looked away once he deemed Moyong Cheon to be insignificant.

Moyong Cheon turned back to So-ah and Im-yi.

“Wearing new clothes, you look no less distinguished than the treasured children of a noble family.”

“Heehee, the chief steward bought these clothes for us.”

“We don’t have to beg anymore, Grandpa!”

Moyong Cheon nodded, smiling continuously.

“Ho ho, so this Lord Nam has decided to take you in.”

“Yes. Starting today, Im-yi and I will be working as soji [cleaners or general laborers] at Lord Nam’s residence!”

“Isn’t that great, Grandpa?!”

“Yes. It is truly wonderful. Go and grow up to be fine people, all right?”

“Yes!”

“You stay healthy too, Grandpa! Lord Nam’s residence is in Sodamgol, so we’ll be able to see you again!”

Moyong Cheon simply held the children’s hands tightly without a word.

The touch of the nine-year-olds’ small, fern-like hands was truly warm.

‘Grow up healthy. So-ah, Im-yi.’

Though their connection was brief, Moyong Cheon felt a mix of wistfulness and relief as he turned to leave the tavern.

In that instant,

“Living Buddha Grandpa!”

So-ah and Im-yi called out to the departing Moyong Cheon.

“…”

Moyong Cheon turned back around.

In his vision, he saw So-ah and Im-yi, smiling innocently and waving their hands just as they had before.

“Goodbye!”

***

“Tsk tsk, he’s taking another one. That perverted bastard.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You don’t know? I’m talking about So-ah and Im-yi.”

Moyong Cheon, who had been diligently shopping for meat and vegetables, happened to overhear the conversation of two men at a corner of the marketplace.

But when the names So-ah and Im-yi came from their lips, Moyong Cheon subtly narrowed his eyes and sharpened his hearing.

Though they were far away, for Moyong Cheon, whose every physical faculty had reached a divine level, it was as easy as breathing.

“Is there anyone in Sodamgol who doesn’t know So-ah and Im-yi? Of course, I know them. But what about them?”

“Well, I heard So-ah and Im-yi went to Lord Nam’s house today.”

“Isn’t that a good thing? Lord Nam is the richest man in Sodamgol, so he’ll take the children in, feed them, clothe them, and give them a place to sleep. It’s a huge relief.”

At that, one of the men glanced around before speaking in a low voice.

“Lord Nam is a pervert who lusts after children. He’s a crazy bastard who doesn’t care if they’re boys or girls…”

“Hah…!”

Just then.

In the blink of an eye, Moyong Cheon was standing right in front of the two men, speaking with a grave expression.

“May I ask you something?”

“Wh-What?”

The men were startled witless by Moyong Cheon, who had approached without a sound.

“That talk about Lord Nam being a pervert… is it true?”

“Uh… old sir.”

“I am not trying to interrogate you. Just tell me the truth as it is.”

“It… It’s true, but it’s an open secret…”

“That is enough.”

“Ah… yes…”

“I have one more question.”

“…”

“Where is this Lord Nam’s house?”

***

The sun set, and night fell.

So-ah and Im-yi were a little nervous, as it was their first night staying at Lord Nam’s residence, but their tension soon melted away.

“Hahaha! Once you’ve washed off the grime and put on new clothes, it’s hard to believe you were ever beggars. What beautiful children you are.”

This was because Lord Nam himself had called So-ah and Im-yi to his quarters, personally fed them delicious food, and showered them with affection, stroking their hair.

‘Lord Nam is a really good person.’

‘I have to work hard and repay his kindness!’

With such thoughts, So-ah and Im-yi poured wine into Lord Nam’s empty cup.

“Kekeke, would So-ah and Im-yi like a drink as well?”

“What?!”

“We’re only nine… Wine is a bit… hehe.”

“It’s fine. Don’t be like that, have a drink. You need some wine to enjoy yourselves, don’t you?”

Lord Nam’s gaze suddenly changed.

It was a gaze stained with vile lust.

But the innocent So-ah and Im-yi merely tilted their heads in confusion.

Just then.

Slither!

Lord Nam’s hand went to So-ah’s waist, then began to move down toward his lower body.

“Uh… Lord Nam?”

So-ah shuddered at the filthy, foreign sensation and tried to pull away.

But Lord Nam grabbed the back of So-ah’s neck and ripped his shirt to shreds.

Rip, rip!

“Lord Nam… why are you doing this?”

Fear filled So-ah’s eyes.

But Lord Nam, drooling, pushed his face close to So-ah’s.

“Ah… Don’t! Why are you doing this!!”

So-ah finally realized that Lord Nam was not normal and began to struggle violently.

Im-yi, utterly shocked, stared with wide eyes and tried to throw open the door.

But Lord Nam’s door would not open.

“Kekeke, it’s no use, my dear. I’ve already locked it.”

Ignoring Lord Nam’s words, Im-yi pounded on the door and screamed.

“Help! Is anyone there? Please, help me!”

But her cries only returned as empty echoes.

“I told you it’s no use, you little bitch!”

Lord Nam, who had been about to kiss So-ah’s face, threw him aside and approached Im-yi. He grabbed her by the hair and shouted.

“What? You don’t like me? Why do you refuse when I’m trying to teach you pleasure? You lowly things… How dare you!”

It was then.

—CRASH!

The firmly shut door to Lord Nam’s room was blasted into unrecognizable splinters.

“Wh-What is this!”

What entered the horrified Lord Nam’s eyes was an old man with snow-white hair.

Spotting the old man, So-ah and Im-yi cried out.

“Gr-Grandpa!”

“Living Buddha, Grandpa!”

Then they scurried over, grabbed the old man—Moyong Cheon—by the legs, and buried themselves in his embrace.

With a sorrowful gaze, Moyong Cheon took off his own outer robe and wrapped it around So-ah’s upper body.

Presently,

“Go outside for a moment.”

He said to the children in a gentle voice.

So-ah and Im-yi, sobbing, nodded and left the room.

Only after the children were gone did Moyong Cheon speak softly to Lord Nam.

“Were you very surprised?”

“You… Who are you?”

“I am a physician who heals the sick.”

“What?!”

“I hear your… tastes are rather peculiar. That is an illness. And so, I have come to cure it.”

“You son of a bitch!”

Lord Nam spat out a string of curses.

Though his perversions were widely rumored, no one had ever dared to say it to his face, and he felt both shame and rage simultaneously.

However.

“This will hurt a great deal. The treatment for that illness is quite rough, you see.”

“What are you talking about, you old geezer!”

“First, I shall tear off that wretched appendage of yours.”

Moyong Cheon’s medical arts began to unfold.

“Ugh… Aaaargh!!!”

His technique was truly a procedure worthy of being called an act of benevolence.

“Wh-What are you… Help me… Somebody, help!”

And from that day on…

Lord Nam was never again able to use his lower body, never again able to see, and never again able to stand on his own two feet.

***

The moonlight was exceptionally desolate.

Huddled in a corner of Lord Nam’s estate, So-ah and Im-yi sobbed quietly, holding each other’s small hands for comfort.

“So-ah… are you okay?”

“Yeah… I’m okay. Are you, Im-yi?”

“Me too.”

Just then.

Color returned to the children’s faces.

The Living Buddha Grandpa had appeared before their eyes.

“So-ah… Im-yi…”

“Grandpa!”

“Grandpa… hic…”

Overcome with sorrow, So-ah and Im-yi burst into tears.

Watching them, Moyong Cheon steeled his resolve.

A heavy, solemn voice flowed softly from his lips.

“Will you come with me?”

“…”

“If you follow me, you may not have a grand mansion like this, but you will have a cozy home to shelter you from the rain and a yard where you can run and play as much as you like. You can also admire the flowers in a pretty garden.”

“Grandpa…”

“And…”

Moyong Cheon held the children’s hands tightly.

“Never again. No one in this world will ever be able to torment you again. This grandpa will make absolutely certain of it.”

(End of Chapter)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep