Hee-hee, Mommy? That's Hilarious.
"Hee-hee, mommy? Ah, this is fun. You did well coming out."
Saseon-nyeo, the blue-haired beauty, laughed merrily as she flapped her winged robes. In all her years, she'd heard pleas for mercy countless times—beyond counting. Some begged desperately, others raged in fury. Humanity's myriad faces had paraded before her, each delivering their own pathetic end and unique brand of entertainment.
But to serve her as mother? That was a first.
It caught her off guard, sparking an unexpected delight that unexpectedly softened her cruel heart. She'd originally planned to trap the young warrior in limbo—neither dead nor alive—inside a vessel. His flailing desperation was amusing, and his bootlicking attempts to survive even more ridiculous. Keeping him caged for idle torment would have been entertaining.
"Ahh, I've suddenly got a son. How should I raise him?"
Of course, this family game was just another extension of her play.
"Let's build up your strength first. Who knows? You might even help fulfill my dearest wish."
She had no need to imprison her "son" for study. She could intervene anytime she pleased. Truth be told, she wanted a closer look at that gui qi power of his. Letting him roam free for observation wouldn't be bad at all.
Saseon-nyeo laughed, feeling her heart pound with excitement.
—Saaah...
Soul wraiths swarmed around her with that laughter—the spirits of those turned into corpse ghosts. Where did they come from? Where did they go? Saseon-nyeo yearned to uncover that secret.
"Hee-hee, look at this. How long has it been since my son appeared, and I'm already missing him? Is this a mother's heart?"
* * *
There was a hill. I was gathered there with people, dancing in a circle. Looking closer, they were all familiar faces.
"Auntie's gang and those lackeys?"
Auntie Yeon Mi-pyeong and her thugs—Cheong-sam or O-su-man or whatever. Even the bandits I'd killed before were there. How the fuck are these bastards here?
Their faces were all blank.
That's when I realized. This is a dream.
"A dream, huh."
—Fwaaak!
All eyes turned to me in an instant.
"Hah! Hah!"
Ah, shit, that scared me...!
I bolted upright, gasping for air. Wait—no!
"Gasp...!"
Saseon-nyeo! She'd ambushed me!
"Over there!"
I shot up and scanned my surroundings. Familiar scenery. A shabby inn room—the one I'd checked into.
"Ah...!"
Definitely different from what I'd seen while toyed with by Saseon-nyeo. That place was like some high official's lavish bedroom. Some illusion or sorcery must've warped the space. Seeing it normalized eased my mind a bit. Saseon-nyeo was gone.
"Whew."
Only then could I exhale and relax... No, not really.
I replayed yesterday's events. The moment I closed my eyes after returning, she appeared. Tried to kill me, and I flailed to survive.
"This is insane."
Did I really end up serving that Central Plains archwitch as my mom?
And Saseon-nyeo laughed like it was hilarious and accepted my oath. At the end, she treated me like her son and fed me that Udu Yacha's yodan.
What does she plan to do with me now?
"Gasp!"
Suddenly, my gut churned. Right—the Udu Yacha yodan from yesterday. Its energy was rampaging in my dantian!
—Fwaaaak!
I immediately circulated my qi, performing the Grand Circulation to absorb the new power and integrate it into my body. My inner energy, depleted to rock bottom yesterday, had fully recovered. And thanks to devouring such a mighty yokai's core, my total reserves had swelled even more. The energy was purer, too.
Objectively, I'd grown stronger. But was this a blessing?
"...!"
Taking it slow and steady. I carefully drew in the energy. Thankfully, no qi deviation or internal injuries. My body felt better, vitality surging.
But this wasn't good. Not when I had no idea what Saseon-nyeo might do next.
"Saseon-nyeo...!"
The seductive woman with flowing blue locks. I pictured her. Her translucent fairy robes revealed her pale, flawless skin entirely, and her breasts were huge.
Of course, her beauty was just skin deep!
—Grind!
Thick hatred and boiling rage welled up. That bitch. She'd toyed with me endlessly, threatened to stuff me in a jar for eternal torture and study, humiliating me. I'd felt overwhelming terror and despair.
This humiliation! I wanted to kill her!
My teeth ground together, murderous intent surging. I wanted to slaughter Saseon-nyeo right now.
Mother? Bullshit. I only said it to survive.
But could I even kill a monster like her? Should I give up and submit?
"..."
I didn't want that. What the hell should I do? All I could do was play along with her whims.
Trembling with rage and injustice—
—Creak.
The door opened.
"Hup!"
I flinched, instantly picturing Saseon-nyeo, body jerking in fear.
But it wasn't her.
"Geun-hyeop. Awake?"
"Slept well alone?"
My wives—Serin and Ha-young!
"Guys! Serin! Ha-young!"
"Uh, uh-huh?"
"Eut."
I rushed over and hugged them tight with both arms. I'd missed you so much...!
"Geun-hyeop...? You're soaked in sweat. Nightmare?"
"What? Rough day yesterday?"
The two held me gently. Their warmth melted my heart. This overwhelming comfort washed away my anxiety, steadying my mind.
"Sniff! I really missed you guys!"
"Hee-hee-hee, throwing a tantrum? I'll indulge you today."
"Hey, don't stay over there—come here."
They were doting on me like this. Their love and care shone so clearly.
"Ah, but no time. You gotta head to the walls quick. The corpse ghosts are still attacking."
"Corpse ghosts?"
"Yeah. We're here for the shift change. Wanna play more, but... ugh, so tired. And if you're late, you'll catch hell."
"Oh."
Right. Still wartime. They'd come to relieve the guard. They must be exhausted. I couldn't hold them.
"Yeah... gotta go. Rest well. I'll rack up merits and come back."
"We'll be waiting."
I pushed them into the room to rest and stepped out.
"Alright."
No need to drag them into my hell.
Like this, I had Serin and Ha-young.
Wait.
—Saaak.
Suddenly, crushing dread and anxiety gripped my heart.
"No, can't be."
If Saseon-nyeo targeted me, wouldn't my wives—Serin and Ha-young—be in danger too...?
"Ah!"
No! I can't let that happen!
No matter that Serin was Namgung family nobility or Ha-young a Mosan Sect Taoist—Saseon-nyeo was untouchable! She was a Hwa-gyeong master, a monster even Emperor Hongwu Zhu Yuanzhang feared!
Should I tell them what happened yesterday? No, no! She said keep it secret!
Defy that, and who knows what happens...!
—Tremble.
My body shook, teeth chattering. Madness-level anxiety.
I could handle dying. But those two who loved me suffering horribly...? Unbearable!
"Hoo, hoo!"
Hard to stay sane. I just wanted to empty my mind and forget everything.
—Pa-at.
I bolted.
* * *
—Splash!
My sword cleaved, bisecting a freshly climbing corpse ghost diagonally. I stepped forward, thrusting into another's brow—its skull cap exploded.
Chain Slash. Spinning halfway, I extended my blade—
—Clang!
Three corpse ghosts in the arc shattered in half.
"Ooh! Scream Rakshasa!"
"Waaaaah!"
"Scream Rakshasa! Scream Rakshasa!"
Cheers and chants of my name echoed. Like a trance. I ignored it all, just slashing corpse ghosts relentlessly.
—Gooo...
Inner energy flooded my body, drastically boosting my stamina.
Then, suddenly, my vision shifted.
"Ahh."
Blood-red backdrop. The world turned hellish. Wall soldiers became hell wardens, climbing corpse ghosts—hungry oni. Beyond the walls stretched crimson earth and fiery rivers, a massive demon eye glaring from the blood-sky above.
Where was our savior, Ksitigarbha?
"Grraaah!"
"Kee-eeeek!"
I slashed the charging oni endlessly.
"Scream Rakshasa! Impressive!"
Some monster approached, praising me. Blinking, it was reality again—not hell. A Nachal Bang member.
"Bangju-nim!"
"So strong...!"
Other gang members approached, eyes full of envy. The soldiers too. No wonder—I'd diced every corpse ghost on the walls.
"Nice kills. Nachal Bang leader, huh? I'll remember you."
Even a Gold Brocade Guard underling praised me.
"Thanks."
Words said, but it felt unreal. Body, mind, soul—all off. The Udu Yacha yodan? Or Saseon-nyeo's meddling?
Either way, it was all her fault. Meeting that psycho bitch had carved massive anxiety and fear into my heart.
Can't think straight. Just wanna forget now.
"Uwaaaak!"
"There! Over there!"
Some shout.
"Demon Immortal! It's a Demon Immortal!"
Soldiers pointed skyward in horror. Looking up...
A mummy-like figure in robes floated midair. Ghostflame blazed from both hands.
"What the hell's that guy?"
Saseon-nyeo's subordinate?