Chapter 116
Chapter 116
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: The Shrine God's Trust (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Heavenly Demon cupped his palms together in a circle, enclosing half of the orb.
Go Eunjin pressed her palms against his and wrapped around the remaining half.
Normally, this would have been an impossible position, but thanks to the Heavenly Axis Fluid Body Technique that had shrunk their heights to match, the two could stand shoulder to shoulder.
Wooong.
As soon as their palms touched it, a faint, mysterious glow spread from the orb.
The light felt warm enough to penetrate through their palms and illuminate even the darkest corners of their chests.
“Just put it in there?”
The Heavenly Demon pointed at the divine fixture hanging from the ceiling, emitting a mystical golden light. With their drastically reduced size, the ceiling loomed like an impossibly distant height.
“That’s right. Very reverently, and carefully.”
Nodding, the Heavenly Demon moved with exaggerated slowness.
Go Eunjin matched his pace, moving just as slowly, but in that instant, her eyes met the stern gaze of the Heavenly Demon.
“Pfft.”
Her burst of laughter caused the orb to lose its glow, suddenly growing as heavy as hundreds of tons in an instant.
Thud.
As the orb crashed to the floor, the Heavenly Demon bellowed in fury.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Ah, sorry. But how was I supposed to know you’d change your face too?”
“What nonsense is this?”
“Look in a mirror.”
The Heavenly Demon checked his reflection in the glass of the decorative cabinet in the living room.
There stared back a child with a stern expression.
“What happened to this seat’s face?”
Not only had his body shrunk—his eyes had become rounder, and his cheeks puffed out.
Frowning only made him look like a cute, muscular kid throwing a tantrum, not the fearsome Heavenly Demon.
“Didn’t you do it on purpose?”
“No.”
The Heavenly Demon couldn’t comprehend it.
He had merely expended some internal energy to activate the Fluid Body Technique, yet not only had his clothes shrunk, but his face had actually grown younger.
“Is it because this is the Earth God’s home?”
It made sense.
Even though the shrine god had moved and the divine power no longer surged, any dwelling of the Earth God was sacred ground.
Perhaps it had influenced the Heavenly Demon’s true energy, which utilized both yin and yang.
“In that case, avoid looking at my face as much as possible.”
“Pfft.”
This time, even his voice had turned adorably childish.
“Kahahahat!”
The bright, childlike tone emerging from him sent Go Eunjin clutching her stomach in laughter.
“What’s so funny, Muscle Mon? Don’t I look ridiculously cute now?”
“Quiet.”
The Heavenly Demon shouted with a solemn expression, but it only made Go Eunjin laugh even harder.
“Let’s get started.”
Standing before the wooden box, Go Eunjin said with a serious face.
Her cheeks were slightly swollen from laughing too hard and getting smacked by the Heavenly Demon’s palm wind.
Whoosh.
As the two carefully lifted the orb and moved, they simultaneously leaped into the air.
Clack. Chiming rang out.
Carefully inserting the orb produced a mystical sound, and the once-dim interior brightened brilliantly.
“Whoa.”
The Heavenly Demon let out a sigh of awe at the sight.
The light flowing from the divine fixture wasn’t artificial human-made glow—it was soft, comforting natural light akin to sunlight.
Landing back on the ground, Go Eunjin pointed at the star-shaped orb in the wooden box.
“Slot this sparkling star-like one into the master bedroom fixture, and it’ll be perfect.”
Chiming rang out.
Placing the star-shaped orb into the master bedroom’s divine fixture conjured a night sky across the ceiling, as if stars were pouring down.
The Heavenly Demon couldn’t close his mouth at the mystical scene.
“Indeed… so this is the lighting of the divine realm.”
The radiance from the orb wasn’t mere light—it captured the subtle hues of nature.
“Varied lights create a single landscape.”
“What’s that supposed to mean all of a sudden?”
“The most important thing in interior decorating—interiors—is light. Lighting.”
The Heavenly Demon recalled a line from an interior design book he’d read recently.
“Even identical renovations feel different based on the lighting used. Lighting is the most crucial element in interiors.”
“Is that so?”
“Exactly. There’s even a saying that if you want big impact on a budget, just swap the lighting.”
Light moves the human heart.
Poets draw inspiration from beautiful scenery, and martial artists grasp the principles of martial arts from cascading waterfalls.
And such scenery arises from differences in light.
Afterward, the Heavenly Demon and Go Eunjin diligently inserted orbs into the divine fixtures one by one. With each orb placed, the house grew progressively brighter and more beautiful.
The interior became more refined yet cozy, the finishes gleaming brighter.
A subtle sunset glow emanated from the floor, warm afternoon sunlight filled the living room, cozy evening stars lit the bedrooms, and balcony poured with morning sunlight-like brilliance.
“We’re almost done now.”
Only four orbs remained in the wooden box.
“These two flashy ones go in the entryway.”
Go Eunjin carefully cupped her palms around the dazzlingly shining orb. The Heavenly Demon slowly enclosed it with one hand and walked toward the entryway.
“Just slot it in carefully.”
Go Eunjin prepared to jump. But suddenly, the Heavenly Demon peered into the orb in his hand.
“Wait.”
The orb’s colors were vibrant, yet it seemed to hold a light that deepened one’s thoughts. Pondering deeply, the Heavenly Demon shook his head.
“No, not the entryway—this one goes over there.”
He pointed to the study adjacent to the master bedroom.
“This light looks intense but invites contemplation. Naturally, it belongs there.”
“Who puts flashy lighting in a study?”
Go Eunjin pointed to the sunset-hued orb in the box.
“This subtle glow is what the study needs.”
“Won’t it be too dim?”
“Studies are supposed to be a bit dim and subdued for the perfect vibe.”
“You know nothing about interiors. Light isn’t just about dim or bright.”
Sneering, the Heavenly Demon pointed at the study.
“Lighting changes mood by position too. See? The fixture’s at the wall’s edge. That spot was chosen to soften the brilliant light into gentle curves.”
“What are you talking about? It’s just split because the study’s big.”
“Far from it. The varying heights create stability for deep reflection.”
“In a flashy spot?”
“Ultimate enlightenment comes amid chaos. This light is perfect for the study.”
Go Eunjin scowled.
“You’re overthinking it.”
“Overthinking? What does that mean?”
“Over-sense! Excessive imagination.”
Sweeping her hand toward the study, she continued.
“This is a home. The Earth God isn’t some monk cultivating the Dao. They’ll just read books normally in the study.”
“The Earth God isn’t ordinary. They might seek enlightenment beyond monks.”
The argument dragged on.
Sighing in exasperation, Go Eunjin snapped.
“Ah, whatever. Do what you want.”
“I will.”
“Nyeh nyeh nyeh.”
Sticking out her tongue, Go Eunjin made the Heavenly Demon glare.
“Don’t act so insolently before this seat again.”
“Insolently? Who do you think you are, a king?”
“This seat is the Heavenly Demon. And your senior.”
Ssssh.
But as their bickering continued, smoke began rising from the orb held between their overlapped hands.
Yet neither noticed.
“Argh, you’ve gotta make sense!”
Go Eunjin grumbled irritably.
“Who’d come help a muscle mon like you out of fondness? I’m only here because the boss asked.”
“Orders aren’t requests. This seat commanded you.”
“I don’t accept it. First time installing divine fixtures, and you call yourself senior?”
“The store books are all general interiors. Nothing on divine realm interiors.”
“So what’s that got to do with me? Boomer muscle monster… Huh?”
Mid-shout, white smoke billowed before Go Eunjin’s eyes.
Looking down, the once-sunset-hued divine orb poured out scorching heat.
“Oh no, the divine orb…”
“What? Why’s this orb heating up?”
“Because Muscle Mon keeps spouting nonsense!”
“Are you insane?”
The Heavenly Demon’s smirk made Go Eunjin yell.
“It’s not that—if you hold a divine orb gathering nature’s light and pour impure words and energy into it…”
Whirrr!
Before she finished, a low vibration spread with brilliant light.
Boom!
A massive explosion hurled the Heavenly Demon and Go Eunjin out the entryway door.
“Urgh.”
Lying in the garden, Go Eunjin groaned.
Her body still sparked and smoked faintly.
“Groooan.”
“What is this? Why did the orb explode?”
The Heavenly Demon, standing farther away, rose and asked. Go Eunjin shot up from the ground.
“Isn’t it because you kept injecting impure energy while holding a divine orb of nature’s light?!”
“Explode?”
Blinking, the Heavenly Demon made Go Eunjin’s eyes widen too. If the divine orb had exploded? Lost its light and burst?
Exchanging glances, they dashed back into the entryway.
“Phew.”
“Haa.”
Both sighed in relief simultaneously.
Fortunately, the exploded divine orb lay on the entryway floor, slowly regaining its original glow.
“…….”
Go Eunjin nodded at the Heavenly Demon, silently agreeing to heed her senior.
“…….”
The Heavenly Demon pressed his lips and nodded back. No more words—just finish the rest.
Clinking. Click.
They inserted orbs into the study and entryway.
Finally, the Heavenly Demon and Go Eunjin completed all the lighting installations. Beaming with pride, they surveyed the transformed interior.
“Now it’s done!”
“Indeed.”
Their faces lit up at the brighter space. Just adding lights felt like the full renovation’s satisfying finale.
“Then let’s head back.”
Turning, the Heavenly Demon exited first. Walking to where he’d parked the Lamas, he suddenly felt an odd unease.
The gut instinct signaling something gravely wrong—like a martial artist’s intuition.
“But you know.”
Sure enough, Go Eunjin’s voice came from behind.
“We let go of hands after the explosion.”
Right.
Post-explosion, they’d moved orbs without holding hands. Yet they remained shrunk.
“How long are we staying small?”
“Indeed.”
Dread surged, but the Heavenly Demon calmly gathered energy. He recited the Heavenly Axis Fluid Body Technique’s reversal mantra, Wanfa Guoyi, to restore his muscles and bones.
Gurgle. Crackle.
Muscles shifted, bones creaked loudly. But his body didn’t return.
“What’s wrong?”
“Don’t rush. Wait.”
Extending his hand, the Heavenly Demon tried circulating energy calmly again.
Still no response—instead, one meridian felt more blocked.
‘This…’
Using inner observation, he pinpointed it and his eyes flashed.
The sensation from that meridian matched the chill from holding the nature-light orb alone.
“So that’s it.”
He recalled the divine orb’s explosion. Clearly, the burst power had clogged his meridians.
“Found a way?”
At Go Eunjin’s question, he nodded nonchalantly.
“No worries. Just temporary meridian blockage.”
“Then when will we return?”
“Who knows.”
Silence stretched in the shrine god’s yard.
“What nonsense is this now?”
To Go Eunjin’s question, the Heavenly Demon replied flatly.
“Not just this seat—you too remain shrunk, so the explosion’s strange power clogged our meridians.”
“What do we do?”
“No worries. Seems temporary.”
…But after five minutes, ten… even an hour, the blockages persisted.
“What happened?!”
Crouching and glaring at the dimming sky, Go Eunjin exploded.
“When can we go back to normal?!”
Her patience gone, she jabbed at the shrunken Heavenly Demon’s face.
“I just came to help with lights!”
Watching her outburst, the Heavenly Demon smacked his lips.
No words could justify it now. After a moment’s thought, he nodded resolutely.
“Fine. No choice.”
“What?”
“We adventure.”
“Adventure?”
“Follow me.”
Striding back inside, the Heavenly Demon pointed at the entryway ceiling orb.
“Grab it like before.”
“No way…”
“Yes. Hold the divine orb again, trigger another explosion. This seat will use that force to unblock the meridians.”
“What if it breaks the orb?”
“That’s why it’s an adventure.”
Uncharacteristically smiling broadly, the Heavenly Demon added.
“No worries. It withstood that blast unscathed.”
His grin chilled Go Eunjin—like a water ghost’s smile luring the virtuous to hell.
“Mm.”
Reluctantly, she joined him in removing the divine orb and stepping outside.
“Now, begin.”
“Begin what?”
“Gray eyes. What you’re good at.”
“What am I good at?”
“Getting annoyed, blaming others, spewing unpleasant words.”
Provoked deliberately, Go Eunjin’s eyes rolled back white.
“You call that talk?!”
Her shouting face bulged with thick veins like a rotten sweet potato.
“I came to help, and you pull boomer crap. Shrink us and can’t fix it, then blame me?!”
“Well done.”
“Well done my ass! Muscle Mon, manage that tofu brain of yours. Spouting nonsense every day…”
Mid-rant, she felt heat on her hand.
“Huh?”
Regaining senses and looking at the orb—
Flash! KABOOM!
Intense light and a far greater explosion erupted.
“Groooaaan.”
Flung beyond the fence, Go Eunjin groaned on the ground.
If the first blast was like being stepped on, this felt like being beaten with an iron club all over.
“What the…?”
Staggering up, she rubbed her eyes and looked around.
The shrine god’s house, perfect for a child, now towered like a skyscraper.
“No way…”
Staring incredulously at her body, Go Eunjin gaped.
“We got even smaller?!”