Chapter 4
_Whoosh!_
Yeo Un-hwi was currently on his way home.
And he was using an incredibly fast qinggong technique.
The journey that had taken him three days and nights of almost non-stop walking now took less than half a day to return. Though he still had a bit further to go, he would arrive soon.
Despite this amazing speed, Un-hwi felt anxious.
It was because of the fifteen-day timeframe he had promised Paeng Seo-yeon.
Just after emerging from the Martial God's cave, Un-hwi had stopped at a nearby village inn to satisfy his hunger. As he slurped down a freshly made bowl of noodles, he overheard a conversation between some merchants sitting nearby.
He learned that two more days had passed beyond the time he had calculated.
_...Why?_
His calculations should have been perfect.
In his past life, Un-hwi had been unconscious for significantly less than fifteen days after absorbing the golden sphere in the Martial God's cave.
So he had allowed fifteen days as a buffer when seeking out the cave this time.
But now over fifteen days had passed, plus two more?
This can't be.
Alarmed, Un-hwi hurriedly stuffed the remaining noodles in his mouth and rushed to set out on the road again.
Some might say being late by just a day or two was no big deal, but his wife had trusted him and let him go for fifteen days without asking questions.
He didn't want to make her worry unnecessarily.
Well... it was already too late for that now.
_In any case..._
I'll have to increase my speed even more.
_Whoosh!_
Un-hwi's form shot forward even faster.
"Hey, my wife stewed a bunch of chicken today. Want to come over and eat?"
"Oh, sounds good. I'll bring some of the new kimchi I made. Should I bring some alcohol too?"
"Come on, man. Drinking in the middle of the day? Your wife will give you an earful."
"Ah, right. That's too bad."
"But we've got the evening, don't we?"
"Huh? She won't scold you then?"
"Well, I'll at least have an excuse. I can say I held out until nighttime."
"What? You're even worse than me. Hahaha."
_Smack!_
"Ow! Who just hit my back... Oh, honey."
"I stewed chicken because you've been looking weak lately, and here you are planning to drink with your friend?"
"Oh no, that's not it. He suggested it and I told him off for thinking about drinking in the morning."
"And you were planning to drink at night instead?"
"...Oh? You heard that? Heh heh."
The woman glared daggers before turning on her heel and walking away.
"Well, hurry up. The chicken's getting cold."
"Ah, yes dear. I understand. You should head home and grab that kimchi too."
"Haha, alright. I'll go on ahead. Be there soon."
_Sodam Village._
Located at the foot of an unnamed small mountain, this rural village was as peaceful as ever today.
Though they might seem to bicker on the surface, there was no village that looked after and embraced each other quite like this one.
It was truly a warm village overflowing with affection.
"Hello!"
"Oh my, if it isn't our Yul! Did you go to the market with your mom?"
"Yes!"
"Aren't you just the prettiest thing. What should auntie give you? Let's see... Ah, that's right. Our Yul likes rice cakes, doesn't she?"
"Yes! I love rice cakes."
"Is that so? Here you go. Make sure to chew well."
"Thank you! I'll enjoy it!"
Paeng Seo-yeon, who was holding Yul's hand, smiled gratefully and bowed before slowly walking on.
The villagers watched their retreating figures and chatted amongst themselves.
"My, how lovely. Don't you think?"
"You mean Yul? Or Yul's mother?"
"Why, both of course."
"That's right. How do they manage to grow even more beautiful as time passes?"
"It must be because they're so loved, don't you think? By that wonderful husband?"
"What about me?"
"Hm?"
"I'm loved plenty by my husband too, you know."
"Ugh, well. I suppose I should go finish up the housework."
"Hey! Are you really going to be like this?"
When that family first came to the village, everyone had doubted whether they would be able to settle in.
For one, Paeng Seo-yeon had an air about her that suggested she came from a noble family.
No matter how much she tried to hide it, such things weren't easily concealed.
Moreover, her husband was clearly a scholar devoted to his studies.
He had a slender build and always wore a kind smile.
Neither of them seemed suited for life in such a small village.
Truthfully, the villagers had welcomed having someone to teach reading and writing.
But still, everyone had thought they wouldn't last long here.
However, before they knew it, quite some time had passed since that family had settled in the village.
In that time, Yul had been born, and they had completely integrated into village life.
All the villagers adored that family.
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen Yul's father around lately."
"He's probably off teaching in the next village over. He does that sometimes, doesn't he?"
"I suppose so."
Given how small the village was, it made sense that a rare scholar would be in demand.
But even accounting for that, he seemed to have been gone for quite a while now.
Seo-yeon heard it all.
Her senses were far sharper than those of ordinary people.
A worried expression had settled on her face.
What could have happened?
He wasn't the type to break promises.
It wasn't like him to suddenly say he'd be gone for fifteen days without explanation, but she had let him go without question because she trusted him.
Could something have gone wrong...
Seo-yeon shook her head.
There was no use dwelling on negative thoughts right now.
Don't think bad thoughts. He'll be back soon.
She steeled her resolve.
_Just then..._
_Clamour!_
The village entrance was unusually noisy.
And there stood three unfamiliar men with swords, wearing vicious smiles.
In that moment, Seo-yeon's eyes narrowed.
"What on earth are you saying?"
"What do you mean? Why is such a simple thing so hard to understand?"
No Jin-mu, the village chief of Sodam Village, wore an exasperated expression.
These men had barged into the village asking for him, and now they were saying this nonsense.
"So you're saying you'll protect our village from bandits, and we should pay you a monthly tribute for it?"
"My, 'tribute' is such a harsh word. There's a much nicer term - 'protection fee.' Don't you think?"
"That's right. Look here, village chief. Even when you're just sitting around, skilled warriors like us are offering to protect you. Where else would you find such a good deal? Compared to what we're offering, that tribute - no, protection fee - is hardly worth fretting over. Let's discuss this amicably..."
"I'm sorry, but," the village chief cut in.
"We don't need your protection."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Until now, our village hasn't really suffered from bandits. And even on the rare occasions we have, the men of the village have banded together to handle it well. So..."
"Ah, so you're saying you don't need us?"
"...We appreciate the sentiment, but we must decline."
"Ha, haha. My, this village must be quite well off, eh? Don't you think?"
"You said it. What should we do, boss?"
"Hmm."
The man who appeared to be the leader of the three warriors stepped forward.
He had been quietly standing in the back until now.
"I understand what the village chief is saying. Yes, that makes sense."
"Thank you for understanding."
"Well then, let me rephrase."
"Pardon?"
"From now on."
"Urk!"
The man suddenly grabbed the village chief by the collar.
His eyes glinted as he stared at the chief.
"Think of us as bandits. Understand?"
He shoved the village chief, sending him tumbling to the ground.
"Oof!"
"Elder!"
The villagers rushed over to help the chief up.
At the very least, he was old enough to be their father.
"What do you think you're doing?!"
The villagers shouted angrily.
But the warriors paid them no mind, instead grinning menacingly.
"Well, the conditions have changed a bit, but it's simple. From now on, have money ready around this time each month. Otherwise, you'll find yourselves robbed by us."
"How can you do this? It's not right!"
"Not right? Says who? We just made this nice new law, so you'd better follow it. Got it?"
_Snicker._
In an instant, those who had come offering to protect the village had transformed into a band of thieves.
Faced with this absurd situation, the villagers were at a loss for what to do.
_Just then..._
"You thieving bastards, how dare you come here."
It was a very large, strapping man.
The villagers' faces brightened when he stepped forward.
He was known throughout the village for his incredible natural strength.
"Oh, Mr. Lee has come out."
"I was wondering where he'd gone. This is perfect!"
The warriors looked exasperated.
"And who might you be?"
"If you apologize and leave quietly now, we'll forget this ever happened. So get lost."
Mr. Lee glared down at the warriors as he spoke.
He had beaten up troublemakers several times before, so he was brimming with confidence.
But far from being intimidated, the warriors laughed at him.
"Ha. What's this beanpole saying?"
"He says he'll let us off if we leave now?"
"Oh my, how scary."
_Snicker._
"You bastards!"
As Mr. Lee reached to grab his collar, the leader nimbly stepped back.
Taking advantage of Mr. Lee's momentary loss of balance, he thrust his foot forward, kicking him hard in the solar plexus.
"Guh!"
_One strike_.
With that single blow, Mr. Lee clutched his chest and crumpled to the ground.
_Thwack._
Seizing the momentum, the warrior rushed forward and kicked the fallen Mr. Lee in the jaw.
_Crack._
With a sickening sound, Mr. Lee's jawbone dislocated.
"Urrrgh!"
He writhed on the ground in agony.
"Hey, beanpole."
The leader smirked down at him.
"What was that you were saying earlier? Something about letting us off if we leave quietly?"
_Thud!_
"Why don't you try saying it again? Huh?"
_Wham!_
_Thud! Thud!_
"Urrrgh... P-please, spare me."
"Where did all that bravado from earlier go? Huh? You get hit a few times and start begging? What a pathetic excuse for a man! Ptoo!"
The leader spat, and the two warriors behind him began stomping on Mr. Lee, cackling all the while.
"Mommy?"
Paeng Seo-yeon's face was grim as she quickly covered Yul's eyes.
She wanted to intervene right away, but she was conflicted about whether that was truly the best course of action for the village, and if it might cause other problems.
Moreover, Yul was with her right now.
_Wham, thud!_
_Wham, thud!_
"Urgh... P-please... st-"
The brutal beating continued unabated.
The people of Sodam Village were just ordinary farmers.
In the face of such relentless, overwhelming violence, there was nothing they could do.
Except tremble in fear.
This is bad. He'll die at this rate.
Unable to stand by any longer, Paeng Seo-yeon was about to step forward when-
"How much."
_Flinch._
The beating that had seemed endless suddenly stopped.
The village chief squeezed his eyes shut.
"How much do you want?"
The leader turned to look at the village chief.
"What did you just say, chief?"
"...We'll give you whatever you want. Please, just stop."
"Oho?"
Dirty smiles spread across the warriors' faces.
"Now we're talking."
_Snicker._
It was the moment a nightmare began in Sodam Village, which had always seemed destined for eternal peace.