Chapter 5

Chapter 5
## Chapter 5

### Chapter Title: Returning Home (2)

—

“This is certainly a massive metropolis. The atmosphere is on a different level, Boss.”

Cheol Woo remarked, his gaze sweeping across the vibrant, crowded thoroughfare.

“It is.”

Sima Geon offered a ghost of a grin, though his complexion remained ashen.

Following the news of his mother’s passing, he had spent two entire days and nights consumed by grief. His gaunt appearance was a stark transformation from his state just a short time ago.

In contrast to Cheol Woo’s high spirits, Sima Geon paid little attention to the teeming masses on the boulevard. Now that they had arrived in Soheung, his heart was set entirely on his kin.

From within his robes, Sima Geon retrieved a lone scrap of paper containing the family’s current residence. This crucial detail had been secured through Jang Seong, the second son of Jang Lok, who had established himself within Soheung.

As twilight began to fall, the duo stood before a crumbling residence in Uga Village, situated about ten li north of the center of Soheung Prefecture.

Sima Geon’s expression darkened as he took in the sight of the dilapidated structure.

If the information from Jang Seong was accurate, his siblings were dwelling within these broken walls.

The weight of the struggles his family must have faced crashed over him, causing a sharp pang in his chest.

Though he looked as if he might smash through the entrance in his haste, he found himself lingering at the threshold, paralyzed by doubt. Several times, his hand reached for the gate only to retreat.

“What’s the matter, Boss?”

Cheol Woo inquired, looking genuinely puzzled.

“I’m not sure.”

Sima Geon shook his head, exhaling a heavy breath.

His heart was racing uncontrollably.

He wondered if his siblings still remembered him. Or perhaps they held bitterness in their hearts toward him?

Observing Sima Geon’s uncharacteristic hesitation, Cheol Woo let out a dry laugh.

“Don’t tell me—are you actually nervous? Ha! I haven’t seen you act like this in years, Boss. Weren’t you just walking through ranks of enemies like you were taking a casual stroll?”

“This is different.”

“How so? Just push the door open. Announce your arrival. It’s simple.”

“It… isn’t that easy.”

Sima Geon gave a strained smile. Knowing he couldn’t wait indefinitely, he finally moved his hand forward.

His fingertips were just about to make contact with the wood.

“Who… are you people?”

The unexpected voice caused him to freeze instantly.

He turned his head slowly, his features already tensed.

A young girl, perhaps fifteen or sixteen years of age, stood watching Sima Geon and Cheol Woo, her face clouded with apprehension.

Her flickering eyes were deeper and more luminous than polished obsidian, and the bridge of her nose was sharp and defined.

Her eyebrows were shaped like delicate crescents, her jawline was narrow and refined, and her lips were the color of ripe cherries.

She was a rare, striking beauty. However, her skin was paler than the whites of her eyes, and her physique appeared so fragile that a strong gust of wind might knock her down.

“Wow! Holy cow! She’s incredible!”

Cheol Woo exclaimed, the words slipping out before he could stop them.

Sima Geon’s eyes were fixed on the girl—his left elbow suddenly drove into Cheol Woo’s midsection.

The massive man stumbled backward, his heavy boots thudding against the dirt.

“What was that for, Boss?”

Cheol Woo cried out, startled, but Sima Geon ignored him. He remained focused entirely on the girl’s countenance.

A beloved face from the recesses of his past emerged, blending perfectly with the girl standing before him.

Sima Geon recognized her at once: this was Sima Jin, the unforgettable four-year-old sister who used to follow him everywhere, pleading for rides on his back—the same sister who visited him in his slumber.

“Who is it you are seeking?”

She questioned him again. Sensing her growing discomfort, Sima Geon tried to project the warmest smile he could manage.

“You’re Jin, aren’t you? Sima Jin.”

Contrary to his hopes, Sima Jin recoiled in alarm—terrified that a total stranger knew her identity.

“How… do you know who I am?”

Sima Jin began to back away, ready to flee, but Sima Geon was too overwhelmed by emotion to notice her fear.

“Your brothers are Hyeon and Ho. I am your…”

She turned to run before he could finish. Instinctively, he reached out and grabbed her arm.

“Let me go! Get away from me!”

She struggled wildly in a panic; his hold tightened unintentionally.

“Ow! You’re hurting me!”

Her cry of pain snapped him out of it—he let go of her immediately.

“I-I’m sorry…”

Sima Geon struggled for words. As he tried to explain, a ferocious shout erupted from behind them.

“You disgusting thugs!”

Sima Ho charged toward them like a whirlwind, a fist aimed directly at Sima Geon.

Sima Geon shifted his weight; the blow whistled past harmlessly.

Sima Ho lost his balance for a moment, regained his footing—and quickly pulled Sima Jin behind his back.

“Who the hell do you think you are?”

Sima Ho’s furious eyes darted between Sima Geon and Cheol Woo.

He spent more time eyeing Cheol Woo, clearly wary of the man’s rugged looks and intimidating stature.

“Sima… Ho?”

Sima Geon tilted his head.

Features of the child he knew remained, but was this the second or third brother? He couldn’t quite tell.

His pause only fueled the boy’s suspicion.

“Are you trash from the Blood Axe Sect?”

Sima Ho’s expression turned cold.

A blade suddenly appeared in his hand—drawn so fast it was barely visible. It was small, but it looked lethal enough.

“Little brother!”

Sima Jin grabbed his sleeve, horrified.

“Don’t worry—stay back. Get inside now!”

He nudged her away, ran his tongue along the edge of the blade, and gave a chilling smirk.

“Smart move. To take down the Tongsim Society, you figured you’d go for the foundation: me, the Mad Tiger. But you touched my family? I’ll show you the consequences of provoking the Tongsim’s rabid tiger.”

The wild energy he projected suggested he was about to attack—he was genuinely menacing.

“Haa.”

Sima Geon sighed heavily; Cheol Woo couldn’t help but chuckle.

“The Blood Axe Sect, huh, Boss?”

“…”

“Tongsim Society? Mad Tiger? Ha ha! This kid is definitely out of his mind.”

“Be quiet.”

Sima Geon glanced at him, though without any real malice.

In fact, there was a spark of amusement in his eyes.

It was unfortunate that the reunion had turned into such a mess, but it didn’t matter.

Whether he was the mad tiger of the Tongsim Society or a common alley cat, it was all the same.

A criminal gang? That was disappointing, certainly. But after twelve long years, finally seeing his siblings? It felt like a dream.

“Are you ignoring me?!”

Sima Ho, feeling insulted, roared at Sima Geon.

Then—a desperate yell came from further away.

“Stop this!”

It was too late. Sima Ho’s blade swung toward Sima Geon’s face. Naturally, nothing connected. Sima Geon wasn’t someone who would be hit by such a move.

With a simple lean, he evaded the strike; Sima Ho nearly fell over from the force of his own swing.

“Stop, Ho! That’s enough!”

Sima Hyeon arrived on the scene, looking livid, and snatched the weapon from the stumbling Sima Ho.

“What is this? Why are you carrying a weapon like this?”

“Give it back—those are Blood Axe assassins sent for me.”

Sima Ho glared, reaching for the knife.

Sima Hyeon turned and threw the blade far away.

“Brother!”

Sima Ho shouted; Sima Hyeon delivered a sharp smack to his head.

“You’re starting a knife fight on the anniversary of Mother’s death?!”

“Am I supposed to just let them attack us?”

Sima Hyeon let out a sigh.

“Do you really think assassins would announce themselves to the whole neighborhood?”

“What?”

“They’ve been asking around for us. The neighbors I passed on the way home said we had visitors.”

“That’s just part of the plan to…”

“Who plans an ambush without even knowing the right house? And if they did, they’d be quiet about it—not telling everyone their business.”

“W-Well, fine, but…”

Sima Ho faltered, realizing how strange it sounded.

“No excuses. You made an assumption and made a fool of yourself. Are you even important enough to be assassinated?”

“What? I’m the leader of Tongsim…”

“Shut your mouth. When did you start carrying that around anyway?”

Sima Hyeon pointed toward where the knife had landed.

Sima Ho looked away, avoiding his gaze.

“The Blood Axe idiots have been making moves lately. Some of the kids got hurt pretty bad.”

“I told you to leave that life. How much longer are you going to waste time with this?”

“We already agreed—you go your way, and I’ll go mine.”

Sima Hyeon’s voice dropped, becoming deeply serious.

“How much longer are you going to act like a child… Forget it. We’ll talk later.”

He sighed in frustration and finally turned toward Sima Geon.

“My brother made a mistake. I apologize.”

“It’s no problem.”

The informal way they spoke felt strangely natural—neither of them seemed to notice the breach in etiquette.

Sima Geon reached out and placed a hand on his brother’s head.

Sima Hyeon flinched and started to pull away—but Sima Geon began to stroke his hair softly.

“Our little snot-nosed brother has grown up. You’re playing the part of the big brother now.”

His voice was thick with emotion—pity, pride, happiness, and grief all at once—and Sima Hyeon began to tremble.

There was only one person who had ever used that nickname for him.

Someone who had vanished a long time ago. Someone he thought was gone forever.

‘It can’t… be!’

Sima Hyeon stared at Sima Geon, his mouth agape. Was the face partially forgotten? No—the memories came flooding back with perfect clarity.

“N-No way! It’s impossible!”

His eyes shook with disbelief.

This was the face of the older brother he had idolized.

He had tried to bury the memory, believing he would never see him again—but it was a face he could never truly forget.

He had changed a great deal, but he was still recognizable.

“Have you forgotten me already?”

Sima Geon smiled.

“B-Big… brother?”

Sima Hyeon’s vision blurred with tears.

“Yes. It’s your brother.”

“Is it really you? You’ve come back?”

Warm tears began to stream down his face.

“Yes. I’ve come home.”

“Brother!”

Sima Hyeon threw himself into a tight embrace.

Sima Geon held the weeping boy against him, gently patting his back.

“I’m sorry. I stayed away far too long, didn’t I?”