Chapter 45

Shinma's Selection (45)

A child who has lost their parents is an orphan.

A wife who has lost her husband is a widow.

A husband who has lost his wife is a widower.

But there is no specific term for parents who have lost their children.

Because there was no word to express the unimaginable pain of such a loss.

That was how Samshim felt.

On the day he had to send his infant son away so pointlessly.

Struggling in endless agony, Samshim thought and thought again.

Why did this happen to me?

He had lived as virtuously as possible, fearing that any sin he committed might be passed on to his child. Why did he have to suffer such pain?

He asked the heavens, again and again.

Why me?

The conclusion he reached was one.

Money.

He couldn't call a doctor because he had no money, and he couldn't buy medicine because he had no money.

Holding his son, whose life had been extinguished, and rubbing his cooling cheek, Samshim's heart also lost its light.

After that day, he began to live desperately to earn money.

People called him a cold-blooded man, a heartless being. Perhaps it was inevitable that he would be given such a despicable nickname.

But it didn't matter.

On the day he sent his child away, he realized that things like morality and righteousness were of no help at all.

After a few decades, he had accumulated a considerable amount of money, though not enough to be called a tycoon.

Yet the emptiness remained unfilled.

Instead, it grew like a traveler who couldn't quench his thirst and drank seawater, only to become thirstier.

One day, he accidentally gave food to an unknown orphan on the brink of death. He saw the spark of life beginning to flicker in the child's empty eyes.

It was a moment when he could momentarily forget the emptiness that had tormented him for so long.

After that day, Samshim began to donate all his money to help children who had been thrown out of the protective circle of their parents, as if to atone for his lost child.

The money ran out quickly, and the terrible emptiness returned like hunger.

Samshim began to earn money again, resorting to any means, like a demon.

And he repeated the cycle of spending money to help orphans.

This was perhaps an act filled with vague hope that he could accumulate merit for his lost child, as mentioned in Buddhist teachings.

When the first signs of demonic possession appeared, Samshim immediately guessed the reason.

The dissonance between the body and the mind.

His already unstable demonic cultivation could not withstand the distorted balance between his body and mind. His martial arts were gradually becoming stronger, but his mind was always trapped in the past, since the moment his child died.

So he could accept the result calmly.

'This life is enough...’

Samshim, who had been drifting in a sea of distant thoughts for a long time, suddenly felt a sharp chill pricking his skin.

This was not just a feeling but a substantial danger accompanied by physical force.

It was as if all the blood in his body turned cold.

Samshim, who shivered once, opened his eyes.

It was then that he noticed three pairs of eyes staring at him intently.

“...!”

Startled, Samshim jumped off the bed.

But his body stiffened immediately.

Because a terrifying aura of killing intent, like a barrier, was pressing down on him.

“Are you going to kill me?”

At Samshim's words, the killing intent emitted by Chao E Liang, Fan Jie Wei, and Han Xue Hua grew even thicker.

“Kill the one who made us take Gong Qing Shi You?”

“Are you making fun of us?”

“...”

Samshim couldn't regain his composure at their reactions. Then he suddenly felt puzzled.

“Gong Qing Shi You? Isn't that a legendary elixir? I've never seen such a thing.”

“Of course not. It's already in your stomach.”

At Chao E Liang's words, Fan Jie Wei approached Samshim with a sinister look.

“Why? Do you want to see? If you do, I'll show you.”

Samshim backed up to the wall, staring at Fan Jie Wei's murderous gaze.

It felt like he would tear open his stomach at any moment.

Fan Jie Wei, known as Wang Shan Chao Zi, was more than capable of doing so.

At this moment, the door opened, and Dan E Xian entered. The three people, except for Samshim, tried to suppress their killing intent.

But they didn't forget to throw a word or two at Samshim.

“Look forward to it.”

“I'll treat you as much as the value of Gong Qing Shi You.”

“...”

Samshim finally realized something.

“Really? I took Gong Qing Shi You?”

Dan E Xian smiled and said to Han Xue Hua and Fan Jie Wei.

“Let's start right away.”

At that moment, Samshim lost consciousness.

Chao E Liang, who had approached silently, pressed an acupoint.

Samshim had a dream.

A baby crying uncontrollably in front of him.

But heavy chains were tightly wrapped around the baby's body, restraining it.

They were far too thick for the baby to bear.

‘Huh?’

The baby's appearance was familiar.

‘Jue Ah!’

Samshim hurriedly called out the name and approached the baby. The baby in front of him was none other than his son who had passed away.

He tried to remove the chains, but they wouldn't budge no matter what.

In the end, Samshim had to move along with the chains.

After a long time, when he reached the end of the chains, he was stunned. All the evil deeds he had committed were the roots of the chains, binding his son.

The actions he took to comfort his son and accumulate merit had become karmic retribution, tormenting his son instead.

‘Ah!’

Samshim wept bitterly. And he realized.

‘Baby! My child!’

I'll let you go now.

I can't forget your face and your gestures, but I'll stop here.

Even if I can't fill the endless longing, I'll leave behind the guilt and resentment of this father who tormented you.

Go in peace.

We'll meet again someday.

No matter where, I'll find you.

‘Definitely.’

Snap.

Samshim heard something break.

The chains that had been constricting the baby were breaking one by one in front of him.

And at some point.

The baby's cries that had tormented him so much were no longer heard.

* * *

Samshim slowly opened his eyes.

As he got up, he realized his pillow was soaked with tears.

‘Go in peace.’

Samshim got out of bed, bidding farewell once more.

But it was strange.

Despite having a very troubled dream last night, his body felt refreshed. He hadn't slept so well in a long time.

Thinking about it, it was the first time since he had learned martial arts.

He had chosen demonic cultivation to quickly master martial arts.

The problem was that the side effects of demonic cultivation were severe, as expected of a cultivation method focused on rapid progress.

Especially insomnia and fatigue, which made his temper sharp.

Not feeling rested after sleeping, he couldn't be in a good mood. After decades of such a cycle, his personality naturally became eccentric.

But today was different.

Could a person feel so refreshed just by having a full night's sleep?

“I have received a great favor.”

All of this was thanks to the noble martial arts seniors, including Dan E Xian.

If you owe someone, you should repay them.

Samshim, who had decided to repay more than what he had received, including interest, left the room. Taking a deep breath, he felt the cool, refreshing air fill his lungs.

‘The air is sweet!’

A long-forgotten sense of satisfaction.

It felt like the good energy in the air was seeping into his body.

But the refreshing feeling gradually turned into a chill.

As he turned his head, feeling strange, Samshim met the intense gazes of three people.

‘Favor... right?’

Samshim felt as if his future was being drawn out.

* * *

That afternoon.

Dan E Xian informed Feng Jin Cheng that he would return to the Demon Valley. Feng Jin Cheng couldn't hide his reluctance.

“Can't you stay a bit longer?”

“I want to focus on treating the three of you for a while.”

Feng Jin Cheng couldn't persuade him any further.

“Then I'll visit often.”

“Yes, anytime.”

Feng Jin Cheng offered a carriage, but Dan E Xian declined.

“The carriage can't go up the mountain road. The others also want to walk. We'll take our time and enjoy the scenery, so don't worry too much.”

“I understand. Then please be careful...”

Feng Jin Cheng trailed off as he said goodbye.

In the distance, a huge pile of luggage was swaying precariously as it approached. The load, which looked to be about ten feet high, was being carried by one person.

Feng Jin Cheng turned his head, and so did Dan E Xian.

“Huh?”

Dan E Xian looked at Samshim with a surprised expression.

Various medicinal herbs, medical tools, blankets, clothes, household items, and food. He was carrying all the luggage that had been in the carriage, stacked like a tower.

“Are you going to move all that by yourself?”

With a forced smile, Samshim replied.

“My body is stiff from the comfortable days. I'll treat it as exercise, so don't worry.”

“Don't overdo it...”

“It's fine. I've taken Gong Qing Shi You, so this is nothing.”

Fan Jie Wei, who had appeared, said with a sullen expression. Chao E Liang, who had followed, nodded in agreement.

“If you struggle with something like this, the Gong Qing Shi You must be fake.”

Even Han Xue Hua added a word.

“You should change your nickname. How about 'Gong Qing Shi You Samshim'?”

That's how Samshim's second life began.

* * *

It had been a month since Samshim entered the Demon Valley, but he was still as busy as ever.

He did the laundry, cleaned the toilet, swept the yard, and pulled weeds.

Of course, procuring food and supplies was also his responsibility.

Once a week, he had to clean the halls and the meditation rooms, and fetching firewood for Chao E Liang naturally fell to him.

Despite being a well-known figure in the martial arts world, he was no different from a servant here. Yet Samshim didn't complain at all.

He always did his best with a smile.

This morning was no exception.

A variety of medicinal herbs were laid out on the table.

Chao E Liang, who had been looking at the table with a resigned expression, suddenly noticed something.

“Doctor Dan, there seems to be a new herb today?”

“I changed the herbs a bit because your conditions have improved. It's called Yu Xing Cao, and it's excellent for dispersing stagnant blood.”

With a glimmer of hope, Chao E Liang picked up the herb and brought it to his mouth. He inwardly screamed at the new, terrible taste.

‘I should have known it would be ominous from the name!’

Thanks to the new herb, the already tasteless meal became even more difficult.

Turning his head, he saw Fan Jie Wei also stuffing the herb into his mouth with a grimace, clearly wanting to escape this terrible time as quickly as possible.

In contrast, Han Xue Hua looked completely calm.

Fan Jie Wei glanced at her.

He envied her at this moment, as she couldn't taste anything.

After finishing the meal, Chao E Liang jumped up.

“I've eaten well.”

Then he disappeared like the wind.

Fan Jie Wei, who had been looking at Chao E Liang enviously, was startled when he saw his basket. It was clearly half empty, but it had returned to its original state.

He knew exactly who had done it.

‘This guy?’

During the brief moment he had let his guard down, his share had been taken and he had disappeared.

Chao E Liang, known for his ghost-like speed, had been considered the best thief in the world. If he had been prepared, it might have been different, but in his current relaxed state, he was often caught off guard.

“After all the effort to restore his martial arts, this is how he repays us?”

Fan Jie Wei glared in the direction Chao E Liang had disappeared, but he was already gone.

“Do you want me to eat more if you're struggling?”

Surprised by the unexpected offer, Fan Jie Wei looked at Samshim with wide eyes.

“Do you think this is edible?”

“It's the favor bestowed by the valley master. Even if it's painful, I should accept it with joy.”

“Is this a side effect of Gong Qing Shi You? Why have you changed so much?”

Despite the scolding, Samshim smiled and brought the herb to his mouth.

* * *

Samshim slowly opened his eyes.

As he got up, he realized his pillow was soaked with tears.

‘Go in peace.’

Samshim got out of bed, bidding farewell once more.

But it was strange.

Despite having a very troubled dream last night, his body felt refreshed. He hadn't slept so well in a long time.

Thinking about it, it was the first time since he had learned martial arts.

He had chosen demonic cultivation to quickly master martial arts.

The problem was that the side effects of demonic cultivation were severe, as expected of a cultivation method focused on rapid progress.

Especially insomnia and fatigue, which made his temper sharp.

Not feeling rested after sleeping, he couldn't be in a good mood. After decades of such a cycle, his personality naturally became eccentric.

But today was different.

Could a person feel so refreshed just by having a full night's sleep?

“I have received a great favor.”

All of this was thanks to the noble martial arts seniors, including Dan E Xian.

If you owe someone, you should repay them.

Samshim, who had decided to repay more than what he had received, including interest, left the room. Taking a deep breath, he felt the cool, refreshing air fill his lungs.

‘The air is sweet!’

A long-forgotten sense of satisfaction.

It felt like the good energy in the air was seeping into his body.

But the refreshing feeling gradually turned into a chill.

As he turned his head, feeling strange, Samshim met the intense gazes of three people.

‘Favor... right?’

Samshim felt as if his future was being drawn out.