Not Easy
Not easy.
Edward the black mage.
He was as good as dead already.
He had devolved into a mere conduit somewhere, linking souls to the hidden mastermind—the true doctor behind it all—transmitting demonic energy.
And so, pitifully, his body began crumbling away bit by bit.
A bad guy.
Worse than even the Heavenly Demon.
What?
A great being?
A petty, vile bastard.
The kind who sacrifices his own subordinates without hesitation for his goals, yet calls himself great?
As if a creep like that would ever show his face directly.
"...I was too hasty. I admit my mistake."
"Quit the games. Let's see your face. Where are you? I'll come to you myself."
"Wait. You'll meet me soon enough."
"Why wait? Let's meet right now. I'm not exactly free all day."
"Don't be impatient. Don't I need time to prepare a proper welcome?"
Prepare? What the hell are you planning?
"Well, whatever. If I smash up the Black Mafia, you'll have to show yourself anyway."
"Do as you please."
In that instant!
Edward's flesh began turning to dust and vanishing.
Fssshhh...
Whew, cutting off the tail, huh?
Only his clothes remained; the body was gone.
Should've snapped a photo.
Then he could've investigated based on the face.
He checked the pockets just in case, but nothing.
This won't be easy to track.
Not easy.
Different from the Heavenly Demon case.
That one's soul wasn't stuck in Avici Hell or anything.
Still, he had the Black Mafia lead. Digging there would turn up something.
Guess I'll have to head back to Europe soon.
Not right now, though. Later.
More pressing matters first.
He had to make the Mana Rejection Cure.
Couldn't step away.
The heavenly flowers Dang Gunak was shipping needed stocking in the reagent vault.
If I go to Europe, it'd be the second time?
Last time was a quick trip to Free Barcelona to take down the Heavenly Demon.
Too rushed to sightsee properly.
Europe must have tons of department stores, right?
In this world where monster outbreaks made trade tougher than before.
They'd have all sorts of rare stuff—Europe, famous for luxury goods.
Fresh drops you couldn't find in the Samhan Empire everywhere.
For Taeju, shopping was serious business. He needed to send the finest, most diverse goods to the immortal realm.
Gotta hit the Amerian Republic too...
Of course, for shopping.
As the black mage Edward crumbled to ash, one item caught Taeju's eye amid the remains.
Oh! Dropped an item, huh.
A thick ring.
Obviously a magic item.
Mana crystal embedded like a gem.
Elite grade?
An elite item. Wonder what it does.
Pocket it for now.
Oh right, what about the floor below?
Still fighting?
No worries with Yi Sam-baek there, but...
Better check quick.
Jeong Yeonhui, now a Master.
Thus able to wield ganggi.
Mana, skills—none of it fell short against her foe anymore.
Not even weapons.
The Great Heavenly Sword, unbreakable even by ganggi.
Light bursting from the blade flooded the room.
Demonic Sword Technique at great accomplishment.
Moyeong-gang wore a desperate look, barely dodging.
But nowhere was safe.
Of all times...
Awakening to Master right now.
He'd figured he could still win.
Just a fresh-leveled Master, right?
But that damn skill.
No openings for counterattack.
Even movement sealed off.
The sword wove a net around him.
Suddenly.
"What the—!"
Slash!
Moyeong-gang's fingernails sliced off like wooden chopsticks.
"Gasp!"
The blade didn't stop.
Slash!
Elbow severed.
Thud. His right arm hit the floor.
"W-Wait a sec!"
Moyeong-gang retreated frantically.
"It was just business! No grudge against your father, I swear."
He didn't want to die.
Not this hard-won life.
Two centuries as a mine.
Even bowed his head obsequiously during Black Mafia turf wars to survive.
"There was a commission! A commission!"
"Who commissioned it?"
"Fuck! Took it off the deep web..."
"No name?"
"Just a promissory..."
No need to hear more.
Slash!
Jeong Yeonhui's sword arced in a circle.
Thump! Roll roll roll.
Moyeong-gang's head tumbled across the floor.
"Nyaaang."
Ilbaek let out a satisfied mewl.
"Thanks, Ilbaek."
Whoosh!
Taeju appeared on scene.
She got him.
Honestly thought it'd be tough.
She hadn't even reached Master yet... wait.
"Whoa!"
"Ah! Chairman, you're here?"
"When did you hit Master?"
"Thanks to you..."
"Congrats. Show me the full Demonic Sword Technique sometime."
Show it to Geomseon.
"I'll demo it now."
"Mind if I record?"
"Go ahead."
Taeju pulled out his air realm smartphone—for comms with Dang Gunak—and filmed Jeong Yeonhui's Demonic Sword Technique showcase.
Earth's Sword Queen.
Wonder what Geomseon would think.
Anyway, all wrapped up. Time to call the corpse cleanup crew.
Taeju dialed Imperial Intelligence Deputy Director Moon Kyungshik.
Immortal Realm.
Seowangmo of the Peach Blossom Palace followed the same routine every day.
Up in the morning, quick wash-up, then to the vanity.
"What concept today?"
"No-makeup makeup. Heavy looks are too much."
"Yes, ma'am."
Her attendants swarmed: base makeup, color, one curling her hair from behind.
Now, pick an outfit.
Her private dressing room in the palace.
"...Nothing to wear."
The usual dilemma.
Dresses, dresses, pants, shirts—over a hundred pieces combined, but this?
The Earth elite women in her favorite dramas had multiples of that.
Her dressing room felt downright shabby by comparison.
Proper shopping today.
New arrivals?
Dokseon's infinite space must be bursting with fresh drops.
But he doled them out stingily.
One per day, just enough to tease.
Infuriating, yet impossible to hate.
That sly, unflappable charm pried open her wallet like no other. Probably unrivaled under heaven.
"Let's go."
Seowangmo boarded her flower sedan.
Passing the peach garden, Geomseon's new road came into view.
What a wild, utterly bizarre immortal.
Built roads across the entire immortal realm just to ride his motorcycle. Still expanding.
Half-mad, really.
Then!
Vroooom!
"Outta the way!!!"
"Whoaaa!"
"Slow down! You're causing accidents."
"Instinct. Can't help it."
Celestials.
Heartwarming just to see.
Kids you could only spot in the heavenly realm before.
Now romping through the immortal realm like home.
"Kids, slow down—Her Majesty Seowangmo's passing."
Haemnak Seonyeo was with them.
How adorably pure.
Seeing her like this alone brought joy.
Changes in the immortal realm.
Not even the Supreme Emperor could stop it.
Dokseon already held the momentum.
The multiplex loomed ahead.
Her pace quickened.
"Hurry."
But?
"Hm?"
The road to the multiplex.
Wide empty lots on both sides roped off with gold cords.
Piles of lumber and flat stones everywhere.
What now...
Almost there.
Parked the sedan out front, entered. Juseon greeted with a beaming smile.
"Welcome. Seowangmo, as radiant as ever."
Sudden?
"Thought I'd treat you to a drink today. Care for one?"
"...Try me."
Juseon poured mixers into a shaker, shook with expert flair.
Clink clink!
Into a dainty glass.
"Top Earth women's favorite: Peach Crush cocktail."
"...Peach Crush?"
"Peachy aroma packed in. Low proof, suits you."
Why the sudden kindness?
Not sober?
Juseon Taepaek Seonin.
Still reeked of booze.
Immortal realm's infamous drunkard, alcohol fiend.
"Give it a taste. On the house."
Free, so why not.
"Made with celestial nectar juice. Safe."
"Sweet. Nice scent."
"Heh heh, knew you'd like it."
Then, wistful gaze.
"Know my dream?"
"What?"
"Brewing Peach Crush with heavenly peaches. So, any spares..."
"None. Don't even dream."
What cheek.
Celestial nectar, maybe. But heavenly peaches? No.
Not even for this whole multiplex.
Seowangmo stood abruptly.
Headed for the stairs to the second floor.
Suddenly, Geomseon lounging against the wall by the stairs.
"Long time, Seowangmo."
Geomseon again...
"You know I've been building roads lately?"
"I know."
"Oh! Then how about a road right to your inner courtyard..."
"A road? For what? Nothing to ride."
"No worries. I'll gift you my bike."
"...You want me riding a motorcycle?"
"Easier to drive than you think. You'll pick it up quick..."
What scheme is this?
Juseon, now Geomseon.
"Anyway, need to survey for construction. Set a date to enter your courtyard for road plans..."
"No need. Hate motorcycles too."
"Ah, don't decide so fast."
"Move aside?"
"...Fine."
Not just Geomseon.
Upstairs, Gwigok Seonin and Galhong Seonin.
As if for her ears.
"Hey, Gwigok! Heard you made an ultimate barrier formation?"
"Yup. Kun gon mu ryang hon won tae eul cheon ra man sang jin."
"Oho, name alone screams power. Purpose?"
"Barrier for precious treasures. Once set, even Supreme Emperor can't breach it."
"Heh heh, treasures like... heavenly peaches?"
"Made it exactly for that. Perfect for Peach Blossom Palace courtyard."
"Then let's head there, test-install it."
"This? Dying to try."
What?
Seowangmo ignored them, breezed past.
Thus, Geomseon, Gwigok, Galhong—all failed—slumped at the bar, dejected.
Juseon slid them martinis.
"Not easy."
"Not easy."
"Not easy."
"Sigh, old as we are, her nose is sky-high."
Geomseon downed his martini.
"Just storm the palace and snag a peach?"
"Didn't Jongri Seonin say? Layers of barriers."
"Hmph! Barriers like that?"
"But if caught? No mere detention this time."
"...Can't."
Fearless Geomseon dreaded confinement.
No movies, no bikes.
"Not a day or two's work. Let's all keep trying."
Dang Gunak burned with desire for heavenly peaches too.
How thrilled would Taeju be receiving them?
Even mortals became immortals instantly upon eating.
No immortal ascension on Earth sans realm, but instant poison spirit for sure.
Transcending human limits.
What worries then?
Eternal life together, trading, chatting.
Not just personal.
Immortal realm involved.
Taeju vital for the new immortal world ahead.
First step: good ties with Seowangmo.
No permission, no peaches.
Hope the immortals are handling it.
Speak of the devil—Seowangmo ascending to the second-floor mall.
"Welcome, Seowangmo."
"Whew, seeing Dokseon's face eases my mind."
"Hm? What happened?"
"Those lunatics make me dread coming here. Drunks, bike maniacs, nonstop chatterboxes."
"..."
All struck out, looks like.
But first try.
Time would improve things.
"New arrivals?"
"Ah! Perfect timing—fresh item. Care to see?"
"Obviously."
Dang Gunak carefully withdrew the Cartier diamond set from infinite space.
Necklace, ring, earrings—any one worth a fortune.
"Ah!"
Seowangmo's eyes lit up.
"Diamonds, or gold adamant. A gift."
Uncommon splendor.
"...A gift? Why something so precious to me."
"Just fitting courtesy for our mall's VVIP."
"Hohoho, true—I have bought plenty."
She delicately lifted the necklace.
Dazzling diamond brilliance.
She owned some adamant, sure.
But this caliber?
Aaah...
First time seeing such precise polishing.
Blinding radiance.
Earth jewelers' handiwork.
Masterful diamond cutting.
"Really free?"
"Told you. Guests get treated right."
"No strings, Dokseon?"
"None! Just hope you enjoy."
"Hohoho! Dokseon, you're different from the others."
"Overpraise."
Warm vibes.
Four immortals spied secretly: Juseon, Geomseon, Gwigok, Galhong.
"Sweet talk worked."
"Diamonds are irresistible."
"Dokseon nailed women's hearts."
"Should've gone that route."
"Tch! Trade diamonds straight for peaches."
Gwigok shook his head.
"Big dams don't crumble at once. Poke small holes everywhere, let it fall itself."
All nodded.
"Leave peaches to Dokseon. We..."
"Focus on Immortal World construction."
"Good."
"Labor shortage, though? Immortal numbers won't cut it."
"Heavenly new celestials?"
"As if Supreme Emperor would."
"Hmm."
Labor critical.
Scale dwarfed the multiplex build.
Not easy.