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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Returning Home (2)
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"It's definitely a big city. Even the vibe feels totally different, Boss."
Cheol Woo said, his eyes darting all over the bustling street.
"Yeah."
Sima Geon gave a faint smile, his face pale.
After learning of his mother's death, he had sobbed through two full days and nights. His haggard state was beyond compare to just a few days earlier.
Unlike the excited Cheol Woo, Sima Geon paid little mind to the crowded avenue. Now that they'd reached Soheung, his sole focus was his family.
Sima Geon pulled a single sheet of paper from his bosom, scribbled with the family's new address. It was vital information he'd obtained thanks to Jang Seong, the second son of Jang Lok, who had set down roots in Soheung.
As dusk settled, the pair arrived before a rundown house in Uga Village, roughly ten li north of Soheung Prefecture's heart.
Sima Geon's brows furrowed at the sight of the decrepit place.
If Jang Seong's intel was solid, his siblings were living right here.
The hardships his family must have endured hit him like a wave, his chest aching fiercely.
He'd seemed ready to kick the door down and charge in, yet for some reason, he lingered before the gate, hesitating. His hand, outstretched toward it, flinched back several times.
"What's up, Boss?"
Cheol Woo asked, his face full of confusion.
"Dunno."
Sima Geon shook his head, letting out a long breath.
His heart pounded wildly.
What if his siblings had forgotten him? What if they resented him?
Seeing Sima Geon frozen like that, Cheol Woo burst into a hollow chuckle.
"No way—you scared? Heh heh! Haven't seen you like this in forever, Boss. Weren't you just strolling through enemy swarms like it was a walk in the park?"
"That's not the same."
"What's different? Just fling the gate open. Shout you're back. Done."
"It's... not that simple."
Sima Geon managed a wry smile. He couldn't stall forever, though, so he slowly extended his hand.
His fingers were just brushing the gate.
"Who... are you?"
The sudden voice halted his hand cold.
His face turned slowly, already rigid.
A girl who looked about fifteen or sixteen stared at Sima Geon and Cheol Woo, fear etched on her features.
Her trembling eyes were darker and clearer than obsidian, her nose bridge sharp enough to slice a finger.
Her brows arched like a new moon, her jawline slim and elegant, her lips cherry-red.
A stunning beauty, one in a million. Yet her skin was whiter than her eyes, her frame so delicate she might blow away in a breeze.
"Whoa! Damn! She's gorgeous!"
Cheol Woo blurted it out without thinking.
Sima Geon's gaze locked on her face—his left hand whipped into Cheol Woo's ribs.
Cheol Woo's massive frame stumbled back, the ground thumping with each step.
"What the hell, Boss?"
Cheol Woo yelped, flustered, but Sima Geon said nothing. He just stared intently at the girl's face.
A cherished face from the depths of his memory surfaced, overlaying hers.
Sima Geon knew it instantly: this was Sima Jin, his unforgettable four-year-old sister who'd trailed after him, begging for piggyback rides—even in his dreams.
"Who are you looking for?"
She asked again. Catching her unease, Sima Geon forced the brightest smile he could.
"You're Jin, right? Sima Jin."
Against his intent, Sima Jin recoiled in terror—a stranger knowing her name.
"How... do you know my name?"
Sima Jin edged back, poised to bolt, but passion-blinded Sima Geon missed it entirely.
"Your brothers are Hyeon and Ho. I'm your..."
She spun away before he finished. He snatched her arm on instinct.
"Let go! Let me go!"
She thrashed in panic; his grip tightened without thinking.
"Ow! It hurts!"
Her pained cry jolted him—he released her instantly.
"I-I..."
Sima Geon floundered. As excuses bubbled up, a beastly roar exploded from behind.
"You filthy bastards!"
Sima Ho barreled in like thunder, fist swinging at Sima Geon.
Sima Geon twisted aside; the punch sliced empty air.
Sima Ho wobbled, then steadied—and yanked Sima Jin's arm, pulling her behind him.
"What the fuck are you?"
Sima Ho's blazing eyes flicked between Sima Geon and Cheol Woo.
They lingered longer on Cheol Woo, wary of his rough mug and hulking size.
"Sima... Ho?"
Sima Geon cocked his head.
Childish traces lingered, but second or third brother? Hard to say.
His hesitation screamed suspicion.
"Blood Axe Sect scum?"
Sima Ho's face turned glacial.
A knife gleamed in his hand—drawn unnoticed. Palm-sized, but plenty threatening.
"Little bro!"
Sima Jin clutched his arm, startled.
"Don't worry—stay back. Now!"
He shoved her aside, licked the blade, and grinned coldly.
"Good play. To gut Tongsim Society, you'd hit the pillar: me, Mad Tiger. But family? I'll show you what happens when you poke Tongsim's rabid tiger."
His feral aura screamed imminent charge—intimidating as hell.
"Haa."
Sima Geon sighed deeply; Cheol Woo snickered.
"Blood Axe Sect, eh, Boss."
"..."
"Tongsim Society? Mad Tiger? Heh heh! Dude's nuts for sure."
"Shut it."
Sima Geon shot him a look, but no real anger.
His eyes actually twinkled.
Pity the heartfelt reunion devolved into chaos, but hey—it was fine.
Tongsim's mad tiger or housecat? Whatever.
Shady crew? Disappointing, sure. But twelve years later, seeing his siblings? Pure dream stuff.
"You ignoring me?!"
Sima Ho, feeling dissed, raged at Sima Geon.
Then—a frantic shout from behind.
"Stop!"
Too late. Sima Ho's strike loomed at Sima Geon's nose. Nothing happened, naturally. He wasn't the type to eat that.
A slight lean dodged it; Sima Ho staggered from his own momentum.
"Stop, Ho! Cut it out!"
Sima Hyeon stormed up, furious, snatching the knife from the unsteady Sima Ho.
"What the hell? Why carry shit like this?"
"Let go—they're Blood Axe killers after me."
Sima Ho scowled, lunging for the blade.
Sima Hyeon whirled and chucked it away.
"Bro!"
Sima Ho bellowed; Sima Hyeon smacked his head sternly.
"Knife fight on Mom's death day?!"
"Let attackers walk free?"
Sima Hyeon sighed.
"Ambushers advertise to the neighborhood?"
"Huh?"
"They asked around for us. Folks on the way home all said visitors came by."
"To set up the ambush on..."
"You ambush without knowing the address? Even then, you'd sneak—not blab everywhere."
"W-Well, yeah, but..."
Sima Ho shrank, sensing the weirdness.
"No buts. You assumed and fucked up big. You even worth ambushing?"
"What? I'm Tongsim..."
"Shut up. When'd you start packing that?"
Sima Hyeon jabbed at the tossed knife.
Sima Ho dodged his glare.
"Blood Axe pricks rampaging lately. Kids got hurt bad."
"Told you to quit. How long this pointless crap?"
"We settled it—you your path, me mine."
Sima Hyeon raised his voice, dead serious.
"How long you gonna act childish... Later. We'll talk."
Frustrated sigh, then he turned to Sima Geon.
"Kid brother's screw-up. Sorry."
"Nah, it's cool."
The casual bro-talk felt natural—no one batted an eye.
Sima Geon laid a hand on his brother's head.
Sima Hyeon stiffened, pulling back—Sima Geon stroked gently.
"Our snot-nosed bro's all grown. Playing big brother now."
His voice brimmed with pity, pride, joy, sorrow—Sima Hyeon's frame quivered.
Only one soul ever called him snot-nosed.
Gone long ago. Thought forever lost.
'No... way!'
Sima Hyeon gaped at Sima Geon. Face half-forgotten? Nah—memories surged crystal-clear.
"N-No friggin' way!"
His eyes shook madly.
His idolized big bro's face.
Tried burying it, thinking gone forever—but unforgettable.
Changed plenty, but not beyond recognition.
"Forgot me already?"
Sima Geon grinned.
"B-Big... bro?"
Tears misted Sima Hyeon's eyes.
"Yeah. Your brother."
"Really you? You're back?"
Hot tears poured down.
"Yeah. I'm home."
"Bro!"
Sima Hyeon crushed him in a hug.
Sima Geon held the sobbing boy close, patting his back.
"Sorry. Way too long, huh?"