Chapter 37: Kim Tae-hui's Devotion

Kim Tae-hui spent two nights at the hospital, but each day he remained highly anxious, resulting in very shallow sleep. Despite being an experienced hunter with more courage than most, the constant police surveillance outside his door and the presence of guards following him everywhere made it understandably difficult for anyone to feel secure under such intense scrutiny. Amidst Kim Tae-hui’s unease, on the third day, he was informed that he could be discharged.

His family members were busy packing up his belongings in the hospital room while Kim Tae-hui sat in a wheelchair, eyeing the young man before him with both fear and caution.

The individual had already introduced himself; his name was Shan Ye.

“I can leave just like that?” Kim Tae-hui sounded incredulous.

Shan Ye glanced up and smiled, “Why, do you wish to stay here longer? The poor food and lack of rest aren’t conducive to your recovery.”

“Are you really so kind-hearted?”

Kim Tae-hui’s question, clearly laced with suspicion, made Shan Ye chuckle. “Mr. Kim, have you misunderstood something? You are a lawful citizen of the Li Kingdom, and we are its security forces. As long as you haven’t committed any crimes, our purpose is to protect you, not harm you.”

Kim Tae-hui clearly didn’t believe this sentiment. As a stubborn middle-aged man, he retorted, “Don’t think I’m unaware of your intentions. What do you plan to do with the Mountain God? Let me tell you, the Mountain God is benevolent, protecting the entire Xiangping Mountain. If you dare to commit acts that invoke divine wrath and public outrage, you will surely face the consequences.”

“Mr. Kim, do you really think we’re like the foolish villains from your dramas? Naturally, if possible, we would want to meet this ‘Mountain God’ you speak of. However, until we have more information about Him, we won’t take any rash actions.

If it’s confirmed that He truly is the Mountain God of Xiangping Mountain, we’d be willing to collaborate with Him. This could be peacefully resolved as a win-win situation. Why would we foolishly choose to provoke Him first?”

“Uh…”

Seeing the speechless Kim Tae-hui, Shan Ye gently patted his shoulder. “After you leave the hospital, the guard squad will generally not disturb you anymore. You can go ahead and do whatever you wish.”

Before Kim Tae-hui could fully comprehend, Shan Ye had already strolled away, hands casually tucked into his pockets.

The discharge process went smoothly. Throughout the journey, Kim Tae-hui kept nervously scanning his surroundings but found no sign of the guard squad tailing him. Finally, upon reaching home, he sighed in relief.

At that moment, Yamano sat casually on a swivel chair. In front of him, about a dozen workstations displayed clear video footage from Kim Tae-hwi’s departure from the hospital until his arrival home.

These videos were meticulously preserved without missing a single frame. Currently, high-definition feeds showed every corner of Kim Tae-hwi’s house, including the bathroom.

Kim Tae-hwi had no idea about this surveillance, nor did Yamano’s family know it was happening.

After having lunch at home, Kim Tae-hui couldn’t remain idle any longer. In his wheelchair, he insisted that his son, Kim Se-gyeon, take him to the Mountain Shrine. At home, Kim Tae-hui’s word was almost law, and Kim Se-gyeon, with his quiet and reserved nature, hesitated to dissuade him despite concerns about his father’s health. Seeing the solemn expression on Kim Tae-hui’s face, Se-gyeon dared not speak up.

Xiangping Mountain once boasted a thriving Mountain Shrine, where villagers who relied on the mountain for sustenance would frequently pay their respects. Each year, they even held a dedicated festival to honor the Mountain God.

However, as the villagers no longer depended solely on the mountain, and local authorities prohibited unauthorized hunting and extraction of rare plants, the Mountain Shrine gradually fell into obscurity.

The shrine itself was small, situated before an ancient tree, measuring only around four or five square meters. Inside stood a statue of the Mountain God with indistinct facial features. Beside it lay an aged wooden board, faintly inscribed with three characters - “Jian Xiangping,” which served as the name of the Mountain God.

“Se-gyeon,” Kim Tae-hui called out to his son.

Kim Se-gyeon promptly cleaned the area around the shrine and carefully placed the offerings they brought inside.

Once everything was set, Kim Tae-hui struggled to get off his wheelchair, disregarding his wounds, and devoutly knelt before the Mountain Shrine. “It is our fault; we have neglected your worship and sacrifices over these years. Please forgive us.”

Kim Seok-joon frowned; deep down, he wasn’t entirely convinced of the existence of mountain deities but dared not express it aloud.

After a devout prayer, Kim Tae-hwi rose and declared, “I have decided to contribute funds for rebuilding your temple and statue. From now on, we will serve you with unwavering devotion. Please accept me as your faithful servant.”

Kim Tae-hwi was sincere about this decision, and upon returning home, he shared his plans with his family.

Naturally, chaos ensued at first. His wife accused him of losing his mind, insisting that using all their savings and even considering mortgaging their house was absurd.

“This is my final decision! No further discussion!” Unexpectedly firm, Kim Tae-hwi stood his ground, disregarding the opposition from his wife and children.

Meanwhile, back at the hotel:

Duan Wenxuan had been making appearances regularly over these few days, not by choice, but because the cherry blossom garden was now sealed off. Tourists couldn’t visit even if they wanted to. However, instead of leaving, many chose to stay, intrigued by the unfolding events.

The reason was simple - Li Kingdom’s newspapers were filled with stories about a mountain spirit appearing near the cherry blossom garden, prompting intensified investigations by the kingdom’s guards.

Recalling the Little Peak Mountain incident where waves of reckless individuals kept emerging, similar behavior persisted today, with many still attempting to trespass on Little Peak Mountain. The same applied here; even after news spread about the situation in the Li Kingdom, people from other countries tried various means to enter and investigate the circumstances.