The Heavenly Demon Heads to the Spirit Realm (5)
After the woman from the outside world vanished into the fading twilight, Geomseon called out the name of his old friend. There was not a trace of warmth in his voice—only rebuke.
Jongsen, who knew him well, did not brush it off with his usual laughter. His expression grew serious.
“The gate to the Spirit Realm has been destroyed.”
“So it has.”
“This is no laughing matter. You understand what this gate symbolizes for us, do you not?”
The Spirit Realm Gate was not merely a door leading to the immortal world. It represented ascension itself—the place of longing that those who dreamed of becoming immortals spent their entire lives yearning to reach, the very boundary dividing heaven and earth. For such a place to be shattered by an outsider’s hand was no different from a direct threat to the dignity of the immortals.
“Of course I understand.”
No matter how lightly Jongsen carried himself, he was one of the oldest immortals. How could he not know the significance of the gate to the Spirit Realm?
“Then why—”
“Come now, Geomseon. Were you not the one who allowed the woman to approach the gate in the first place?”
“I never imagined she would act so far beyond common sense!”
Even from Geomseon’s perspective, this part felt deeply unfair. The woman he had observed was someone who had reached a certain realm. How could he possibly have predicted that a person possessing the wisdom of martial arts would make such a mad choice?
“So you bear no guilt?”
“...I acknowledge that I share in the fault.”
Geomseon was willing to admit his own share of responsibility. After all, the woman had only been able to touch the Spirit Realm Gate because he had permitted it.
“However, that does not erase the woman’s own offense.”
When Geomseon spoke in a low voice, Jongsen smiled.
“It was a jest. I am not trying to cast blame on you.”
“Then what exactly are you trying to say?”
Jongsen covered the corner of his mouth with his plantain fan and continued.
“Geomseon. Think about it carefully. Could we possibly hold that insane woman accountable?”
“...”
“Let us examine it point by point. She is a martial artist skilled enough to defeat you, Geomseon. Moreover, as an outsider, she does not fear death and can continue her relentless frontal assault indefinitely.”
“True.”
“Geomseon, my friend. Could we stop her? I am asking whether it would even be possible to halt her if she crossed the gate to the Spirit Realm, climbed the stairs, and invaded the immortal world itself.”
Geomseon could not answer. The moment he pictured the woman charging forward without any concept of death, his words failed him.
It was impossible. No matter how the immortals combined their strength, there would be a limit. Eventually, the Spirit Realm would fall. By the hand of a single person.
What was even more terrifying was that the woman had not yet fully recovered her power. If she were to regain a body befitting her realm, what then? Even now the thought brought only despair—if that day ever came...
“It is a simple cost-benefit analysis. Better to allow one exceptional case than to face the destruction of the Spirit Realm.”
“There is no greater calamity.”
A nightmare that even immortals who had transcended mortal flesh could not stop.
“Still, it is fortunate. A calamity that can at least be reasoned with.”
At Jongsen’s soft chuckle, Geomseon let out a long sigh. To think he must consider it fortunate that communication was possible. How long had it been since he felt such helplessness after reaching this realm? He was still weak. Far too weak.
“And what I said earlier was not merely an attempt to avoid the situation.”
“What you said earlier?”
“That the woman’s words held some truth.”
Jongsen turned to look at the Spirit Realm Gate, one of its panels now completely gone.
“The Spirit Realm Gate is not something that can be destroyed simply because one wishes to break it. The fact that it has been shattered can only mean that heaven itself has granted her the qualification.”
“What nonsense. She was simply so ferocious that even heaven could not contain her.”
“That, too, is quite the impressive feat.”
Hearing Geomseon grumble, Jongsen shook with laughter, his belly quivering.
Hwaryeong Surprise Live!
No way lololololol
Saying she’s going to the Spirit Realm for Taoist magic training. Is this for real? The idea is way too extraordinary.
So Lady Hwaryeong really did give up on magic after all.
A no-correction magician really is a trash character. Instead of beating your head trying to learn that, it’s way better to learn Taoist magic from cute little Baru. For real.
Why is Geomseon there?
I thought he hadn’t been seen in the bamboo forest lately. So he ran away?
Rematch! Rematch!
Heavenly Demon VS Geomseon. It’s starting on Hwaryeong’s stream!
Whoa...
This is seriously better than most Apis pro matches, isn’t it? The eye candy is insane.
Heavenly Demon Punch!
The haters doubted Lady Hwaryeong, but she proved her strength with her own power, didn’t she?
But you opened it anyway?
You opened it because a path appeared, right?
So are we going to the Spirit Realm now?
When I came back to my senses after waking from death, I found myself back at the base of Mount Sinseon-geo. Since the conversation had gone well, all that remained was to take Baru and head into the Spirit Realm.
As I stood up and stretched lightly, I suddenly remembered that the stream was still live. I had been so focused on the fight with Geomseon that I’d fallen into a state of no-self. The chat could entertain itself, but I should have at least acknowledged the donations.
Thinking that, I opened the chat window only to find complete chaos.
Yeah, I figured it would be like this. But why is everyone talking about betting? I didn’t even have time to open any bets.
I opened it.
“What? Enry. Were you watching the stream?”
What time is it right now? A good, well-behaved child should be sleeping.
If you turn off the stream again while I’m growing up, just watch what happens!
“I won’t.”
After going through all that trouble last time, did he think I would do it again? Back then I had simply wanted to enjoy some solitary reflection. Now I have to show you all the Spirit Realm—why would I turn off the stream?
I gave Enry a vague reply and checked the donations that had poured in while I was fighting Geomseon. There were a disgusting number of them. Just reading them all would take forever.
“First, I offer my thanks to everyone who sent donations. If I start mentioning them now, there will be no end, so I will thank you all together when the stream ends.”
When I said this, replies came back saying I didn’t need to worry about it, but this was a matter of sincerity.
Still, I wondered how much donation money had piled up. I hadn’t checked separately, but it seemed like quite a lot. I set the question aside for now and called for Baru again.
A fox-eared girl with her cheeks puffed out appeared before me. She had taken human form, arms crossed, clearly angry. It seemed she was here to protest. She must have been upset that I had suddenly sent her away.
“Baru.”
“What is it? Do you have something to say to this useless burden who only gets in the way?”
She was sulking. And quite seriously at that.
“It was an unavoidable choice for your safety. Please understand.”
“Do I need to understand?”
“Umm… well, you see…”
Calming someone else’s hurt feelings was still a difficult task. After all, I had no history of paying attention to such things.
While I was pondering how to lift Baru’s mood, she suddenly let out a small laugh.
“It was a jest. How could I not know that?”
“...This fellow.”
“You have caused me plenty of trouble. Should I not cause you some trouble in return?”
I was so annoyed that she had dared to tease me that I wanted to mess up her hair, but Baru only laughed. I would definitely repay this humiliation someday.
“So what happened? Did you win?”
“Yes. I won. I also received permission from the one called Jongsen to enter the Spirit Realm.”
“Is that true?!”
Baru’s eyes sparkled. It seemed that, one way or another, she had wanted to see the Spirit Realm at least once.
“Let us go quickly! The Spirit Realm! To think I would have the chance to go there!”
Her tails wagged furiously as she ran over and spread both arms, asking to be held. I embraced Baru and stepped through the air toward the Spirit Realm Gate.
As we passed through the Taoist barrier just like before and entered, I saw the immortals still lingering on the rocky mountain. I had thought Baru, who revered immortals, would be amazed at the sight, but her gaze was fixed elsewhere.
“Um… Min-ga.”
“What is it?”
“Why is that gate broken?”
“I broke it. It dared to stand in my way, so I taught it its place.”
Baru, who had been sitting on my shoulder, hopped down to the ground, stood in front of me, pointed her staff at me, and shouted.
“What kind of insane thing have you done?!”