Protoganist's Sidekick Fights Back-Chapter 48: Su Kang’s Nightmare

Many days later.

He focused on the sensation of breath entering and leaving his body, using it as an anchor for his attention.

The breath was silent, almost imperceptible, reflecting the inner stillness he sought to achieve.

He visualized his mind as a vast, empty chamber—its walls smooth and white, its floor polished to a mirror sheen. This was his inner sanctuary, a space of perfect peace and clarity.

But it wouldn't stay empty. Unbidden images flickered across the pristine surface— Arya's regrets, Bai Yunxi's smile, the burning Su manor. His mind was a whirlwind, a chaotic jumble of thoughts and emotions.

The walls of the sanctuary wavered like smoke as soon as they formed, collapsing in an instant.

He tried again.

It collapsed.

A faint sigh escaped his lips. The weight of his task pressed down on him, heavier than any physical burden.

He needed to clear his mind first. He took deep breaths, steadying himself. There was no need to be impatient. He was laying the groundwork for his soul cultivation and it would took some time.

Su Kang sat cross-legged beneath the dim moonlight, circulating his energy according to the Star Tempering Exercise.

The astral Qi remained distant and indifferent, refusing to yield to his efforts.

He didn't feel any difference.

But Fate's voice echoed coldly in his mind.

"Keep doing this... until your body absorbs the first wisp of astral qi."

This became his daily routine. The process was slow but steady. Days turned into weeks.

He repeated this routine—soul refinement in the day, body strengthening in the night.

This became his daily routine. Slow but steady—soul refinement in the day, body strengthening at night.

He didn't cut himself off completely. He often visited Bai Yunxi, finding comfort in her presence. Their bond deepened with each passing day.

Occasionally, he returned to the Su family's training grounds, watching over the younger disciples as they honed their skills.

Su Kang stood at the edge of the courtyard, hands clasped behind his back.

A boy stumbled mid-swing, his sword trembling in his hands.

"Your grip is too tight," Su Kang spoke, breaking the silence.

The boy flinched, glancing at him nervously.

"If you strangle the sword like that, it'll never listen to you."

Su Kang stepped forward, gently adjusting the boy's fingers on the hilt.

"Relax your wrist. Feel the sword... let it become an extension of your arm. Don't just follow forms blindly—watch the enemy's breathing. Anticipate the next move before it happens."

"A teenage girl with two braids stepped forward, clutching a jade talisman.

"Brother Kang... have you heard any news about Sister Hua?" she asked hesitantly.

Su Kang's gaze softened.

"I heard from the family head... she's been outside for a few months. Most likely, she'll return soon."

Excited murmurs spread through the group.

"She has gone for a long time. Maybe she will surprise us."

"Of course! Sister Hua is already at the peak of Foundation Building. Maybe she'll even break through to the Core Formation realm!"

Su Kang's fingers curled tightly behind his back.

He remembered the day the family obtained the Elixir Formation Pill—a treasure that could guarantee the Core Formation breakthrough.

"You are the one who needs it now, Brother Kang."

"But Sister Hua—"

"I've already decided. You'll become the Su family's pillar in the future."

Her voice had been calm, without the slightest trace of resentment. As if giving up her chance at advancement was the most natural thing in the world.

Even in the future timeline... she had given everything to protect the Su family—her dignity, her honour, and finally, her life.

Su Kang's heart clenched, but his resolve grew firmer.

....

The mountain chamber was silent, save for the distant sigh of the wind. Moonlight spilled across the polished floor, illuminating the lone figure seated at its center.

A single incense stick burned before him, its curling smoke twisting and dissipating into the cool air.

The faint aroma of sandalwood lingered, yet Su Kang's mind was far removed from the physical world.

After weeks of preparation, tonight marked the moment when he would finally lay the foundation for the Sanctuary of the Unwavering Soul.

He inhaled deeply, his breath steady and measured.

Deep within his consciousness, a single spark flickered into existence—the nascent ember of his mental sanctuary.

He guided his soul energy into this mental domain, shaping walls of thought and pillars of willpower, reinforcing them with pure determination.

Yet the moment he tried to expand its boundaries, the fragile structure wavered—then crumbled.

Doubt coiled around his mind like a whispering serpent.

Memories surged forward, dragging him into the depths of the past..

His past life's images came into his mind. The weight of his obligations, his failure as a son

Then he saw his worst nightmare—destruction of his family.

His mother's suicide. Father's death.

Sobbing and begging voices of children.

The laughter of demon cultivators echoed through the bloodied halls.

"Hehehe, the women of your family aren't bad... they lasted two days. They earned two days of life for their children, but it seems no one is coming to save you."

A middle-aged man stepped forward, his robe half undone, his smirk filled with twisted amusement.

"We gave you enough time, but it seems no one is brave enough in this state. No one came to save you guys."

Another man rolled Su Hua's severed head across the floor like a discarded toy.

Her eyes, once filled with pride and determination, were frozen wide open—clouded with despair and unshed tears.

Tear tracks stained her pale cheeks, her delicate features twisted in silent agony.

Even in death, her eyes seemed to ask the question that no one had answered—

Why did no one come?

Su Kang's eyes were already lost without hope; his face was stained with blood tears.

His limbs had been broken, his dantian shattered—forced to watch the massacre unfold.

""Hahaha, then it's time to wrap up our game. Since nobody came to save you guys... and all the women are either dead or tired, they can't entertain us anymore."

The first man shouted loudly, his voice reverberating through the ruined Su manor like a death knell.

Su Kang's unfocused gaze trembled, flickering toward the women huddled in the corner. Their once-pristine robes were torn and stained, their faces hollow with despair.

Suddenly, a voice—hoarse and broken—rang out, shattering the suffocating silence.

"No... please... just one more day... I can still go on..."

It was a woman's voice. A plea for her children.

Her trembling fingers clutching at the man's robes.

"Please... just one more day..."

Her plea broke into ragged sobs.

This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.

Su Kang's soul burned. He wanted to scream. He wanted to tear these bastards apart with his bare hands.

His limbs refused to move.

All he could do... was watch.

Soon their voices turned into curses and shrieks as demon cultivators ripped their bodies.

...

His sanctuary trembled.

The nightmare clawed at his mind, trying to drag him back into despair.

For six weeks, this nightmare had haunted him every time he meditated.

This time, he was prepared.

"I will get my revenge... but first, I must succeed here."

He did not resist the memories. He acknowledged them—letting them drift, distant and formless.

"My soul is my sanctuary. No harm shall enter. No fear shall linger."

The mantra resonated within him, not as mere words, but as an unbreakable truth.

His breathing deepened. His will strengthened.

Time lost all meaning.

Sweat beaded on his brow, his muscles locked in strain, but his mind remained steadfast. The battle within him was unlike any he had fought before.

Pain could be endured. A broken body could be mended.

But the mind? The mind had to be reforged.

As the first light of dawn painted the horizon, something shifted.

The chaos within him stilled.

The darkness cleared.

For the first time, his Sanctuary had taken shape.

His sanctuary had taken form. It was not vast, not yet. But it was real.