Raising the Heavenly Demon's Realm (1)
I never intended to brag about my accomplishments to Baek Hwaryeong from the start. Why would I? After all, there were already more than enough places to flaunt my happiness. I could have preached to the viewers watching my stream about how soft, warm, fluffy, and utterly delightful Neungneung-i felt. I could have enjoyed that happiness together with everyone there, stroking her fur to our hearts' content.
I had already done all my bragging elsewhere, so why on earth would I go out of my way to seek out Baek Hwaryeong and poke at her nerves? I am not so uncultured a person as that.
So how did things end up like this? To explain, I suppose I should start with the fact that Baek Hwaryeong came looking for me first.
After thoroughly enjoying myself on the Thread streamer server, I entered the world of Hwaryong Muin. The reason was simple. I intended to prepare a proper punishment for Enry. I planned to hammer into that fellow's mind exactly what his little gamble had wrought. Scaring him was one thing, but engraving it into his skull was an entirely different matter. Thorough preparation was necessary, was it not?
With that thought in mind, I logged into the world of Hwaryong Muin, only to find that a certain guest had already made herself at home in the main hall of Mount Hua. It was Baek Hwaryeong. The fellow was sitting there sipping tea served by Baekju, waiting for me.
It wasn't particularly unusual. She visited Mount Hua from time to time to pass the hours. Her reasons varied each visit. One day she claimed she had come to see her benefactor. On another, she demanded delicious food. And on yet another, she devoted herself entirely to playing pranks on Baru. There was only one common thread: after finishing her little amusements, she would always demand a spar with me.
In my opinion, everything else was merely an excuse. Her true goal was that duel. Having once stood at the same realm as Baek Hwaryeong, how could I not understand her feelings? Just think about it. She currently sat at the undisputed peak of the world. Of course, figures like Geomseon and other recluses could exchange blows with her on equal footing, but equal footing was all it was. There was no one left who could overwhelm the current Baek Hwaryeong and impart teachings upon her.
Worse still, due to various environmental constraints, even finding someone capable of matching her was difficult. And into that reality, I had dropped from the heavens like a gift. A being who had reached a realm she could scarcely imagine. One who wielded the same Heavenly Demon Divine Art as she did. Someone she could actually converse with, who would spar with her whenever she wished. An opponent against whom she could unleash her full power without worrying about holding back.
Faced with such a situation, how could Baek Hwaryeong's eyes not roll back in her head? Knowing all this, I usually accommodated her requests for a spar. It wasn't as if dueling her brought me only loss. In this day and age, where else could I find someone who gave me the joy of battle as much as she did? Besides, the path before her still stretched long and bright. If I kept sparring with her, wouldn't the day eventually come when she could take my head?
That was why, upon seeing her sitting there with a bored expression, sipping her tea, I immediately knew she had come for another duel today. The moment she sensed my presence, she turned her head and flashed a grin. There was no way I could miss it.
Grumbling, she stuck her long pipe between her lips. I took a seat across from her. As if she'd been waiting for it, Baekju placed a teacup in front of me.
That Han Seo-woo fellow. Always going on about how busy he is, yet when it comes to what his master wants, he's suddenly so enthusiastic. Just you wait. Next time we meet, I'll do my utmost to torment you. I'll make sure to engrave into your bones that I am far more terrifying than Baek Hwaryeong.
My brow furrowed slightly. I put the pipe to my mouth, only to realize it wasn't lighting. I wondered why for a moment before remembering this wasn't Thread and let out a hollow laugh. I'd grown far too accustomed to that self-igniting pipe.
Before I could do anything else, Baek Hwaryeong used Samadhi True Fire to light the tobacco leaves for me. Calling me a fool? Her vocabulary is rather bold.
It seemed Baek Hwaryeong had heard various stories from Han Seo-woo, as she was quite familiar with the concept of the outside world. Therefore, whenever I brought up such topics, she showed curiosity rather than doubt.
And that was how I ended up telling Baek Hwaryeong about Thread. She had shown curiosity first, so I asked if she wanted to hear it. She gave permission, so I began. Of course, once I started extolling Neungneung-i's cuteness and the incomparable softness of her fur, my tongue ran rather long. It was quite entertaining to watch her expression shift from envy to growing irritation.
However, I cannot say the karma of that entire process belonged solely to me. After all, I had only spoken at length with her explicit permission.
By the time the story ended, Baek Hwaryeong ground her teeth audibly as she threatened me, as if to show just how angry she was.
Naturally, I didn't feel even the slightest threat from her words. What tiger in the world would fear a newborn puppy?
With those words, Baek Hwaryeong stood up and strode outside without hesitation. Hmm. It seems her fists will burn hotter than usual today. How interesting.
I was about to follow her with a smirk when I stopped at the sight of Baru blocking the doorway. I had known she was on the roof of this house, but had she been awake? I'd assumed she was sleeping as usual.
I greeted her with a smile, but Baru only looked up at me with a displeased expression. What was this? Why did she look so upset? Had I done something to her? I thought back carefully, but nothing came to mind. At most, perhaps the fact that I'd been spending less time in Hwaryong Muin lately because of Thread. But it wasn't as if that was anything new for me.
As I pondered over her clearly discontented face, Baru walked right up to me with deliberate steps. Then she revealed the ears and tails she usually kept hidden and thrust her head toward me.
Wait. Hold on. So Baru was jealous right now? Because I had just been praising Neungneung-i's charms to Baek Hwaryeong?
"Puhahaha."
Once I realized it, the realization brought both joy and warmth, and laughter spilled out of me unbidden. Haah. What am I supposed to do with this adorable little thing?
Her cheeks flushed bright red, which I found so endearing that I ruffled her head rather roughly. Baru complained that my hand was too rough, but she didn't pull her head away. More than that, her tails were swishing wildly of their own accord, suggesting my touch wasn't entirely unpleasant.
Baru. To me, you are number one. After all, you're the only one who approaches me without fear.
Neungneung-i's fur was certainly charming, but she was only appealing in the sense of being a warm, living doll. How could I feel affection for a beast that trembled in terror every time she looked at me? But you, Baru, are special. If I were to list the best things I did after coming to the modern world, meeting you after entering the world of Hwaryong Muin would be at the very top without question. So there's no need to worry.
After asking Baru to wait, I headed toward Baek Hwaryeong, only to find her expression had soured even further.
I stand atop a battlefield that could rightly be called scorched earth, gazing at my mangled hand. I had layered internal energy over it and used various subtle techniques to deflect the attacks, yet the burden transmitted to my hand was still significant. Was it because I had shown her the path forward? Her growth truly is rapid. Considering how the higher one's realm, the slower growth becomes, this is truly astonishing. At this rate, it won't be long before she can proudly claim to be the strongest under heaven.
Well. She still can't reach me yet, though.
I quietly observe Baek Hwaryeong, who lies sprawled on the ground, unable to move even a fingertip. She had been staring at the sky, catching her ragged breath, but eventually staggered upright.
It had been a rather sincere compliment, but Baek Hwaryeong only grumbled as if it displeased her. She reached into her robes to pull out her long pipe to soothe her irritation, but upon seeing the wreckage of her belongings, she sighed and tossed them to the ground.
I handed her one of the spare pipes I had prepared. She accepted it and lit it, sending smoke curling into the air.