Chapter 22 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: The Heavenly Demon and the Puppy (2)
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The next day.
Jang Chaewon's van came to a stop in front of an abandoned building on the outskirts of the city.
The area around the abandoned building felt weighed down by a heavy, dark air, and even in broad daylight, sunlight failed to reach this spot.
"How peculiar."
Stepping out of the car, the Heavenly Demon furrowed his brow.
A strange energy brushed against his nose—unpleasant yet oddly familiar.
"We just need to demolish that abandoned building, right?"
Jang Chaewon shook her head at the Heavenly Demon's question.
"No. We need to demolish the things inside it."
"I see. But..."
The Heavenly Demon glanced at Nameless, slung over his shoulder, and continued.
"Didn't you say we couldn't bring this one along on jobs?"
"Ah, it's fine for this request. I got permission, and more importantly, I can't stick around the whole time."
"Can't stick around?"
[This request can't be finished in a single day. So I'll be helping with your commute, Heavenly Demon.]
Jang Chaewon smiled at Nameless's words.
"The shop isn't far. Starting tomorrow, you can just commute with the nanobots."
"You're from Bobok Interiors?"
Just then, an elderly man with a refined appearance shuffled out from the abandoned building, hunched over.
"You're early."
"Nice to meet you. Silver Wolf God."
The old man, the Silver Wolf God, had eyebrows as white as snow despite his age, and skin cracked like the bark of an ancient tree.
Yet his eyes were clear as dew on grass blades, and a faint silvery energy emanated from him, giving him the air of an immortal sage.
The Heavenly Demon bowed politely toward the elder.
"Pleased to meet you, Elder."
"Ah, I've heard much about you. Come from afar, they say."
The Silver Wolf God smiled gently.
"But this job requires considerable strength... I'm not sure if you can handle it."
"If it's strength, I've got plenty."
As the Heavenly Demon flexed his thick forearm, the Silver Wolf God let out a hearty laugh.
"I see. With you, it should take no more than three days."
"Anything can be done in a day, Elder."
"It'll be tough. Even a sturdy spirit tree would take ten days—no, a fortnight."
The Silver Wolf God smiled kindly and pointed to the entrance of the abandoned building.
"Come inside first."
Surprisingly, the inside of the abandoned building opened into a beautiful garden.
Countless exotic flowers bloomed everywhere, and at the far end of the garden stood a massive door painted in vibrant rainbow hues.
The Silver Wolf God shuffled slowly to the inner part of the garden and pointed at the shimmering door.
"You just need to demolish the walls blocking this path."
As the Heavenly Demon and Jang Chaewon approached, the door swung open on its own.
Stepping through the parted doors revealed a long corridor.
Mystical light flowed from the beautifully adorned ceiling and walls, and fragrant flowers bloomed along the floor.
"Hm?"
Yet faint shapes stood scattered throughout the corridor.
Upon closer inspection, they were translucent walls blocking the path.
"Demolishing those transparent things blocking the corridor?"
"That's right."
"Hm. Then it shouldn't take half a day."
As he gathered his internal energy, hot energy rose from the floor, surging into his dantian like it might burst.
'One jiazi?'
The Heavenly Demon possessed just over fifteen years of cultivation. Yet nearly a full jiazi's worth of divine power was flooding in from the floor.
'An impressive god indeed.'
It was the strongest internal energy among all the divine territories he'd visited so far.
His crimson eyes flashed as he gathered pure internal energy—not his Heavenly Demon abilities—for the first time in a while, extending both hands toward the translucent wall.
"Fist Demon Seven Forms, Soaring Wind Dragon Fist!"
Crack. A dull thud echoed, but the translucent wall bore only the faintest crack.
"Impossible."
"It won't be easy. Those things are incredibly tough."
The Silver Wolf God's words ignited the Heavenly Demon's competitive spirit.
"Excellent!"
Brilliant light poured from the Heavenly Demon's eyes as he channeled his energy.
"Fist Demon Seven Forms, Thunder Blade Annihilation!"
Boom! Crash! Explosions rang out in succession, and finally, the translucent wall shattered.
"Heh heh heh."
Satisfied, the Heavenly Demon smirked—then his thick brows twitched.
Incredibly, the translucent wall wasn't just one layer, but many.
"If we're counting layers, there must be thousands at least."
The Silver Wolf God chuckled, and the Heavenly Demon's expression shifted slightly.
Watching this, Jang Chaewon bowed to the Silver Wolf God.
"Then, Elder, I'll head back to the shop."
"Do that."
Jang Chaewon smiled at the Heavenly Demon.
"Work hard, then. I'm heading back to the shop."
"Got it."
As she headed out the door, she glanced at Nameless perched on the Heavenly Demon's shoulder.
Two days later.
The Heavenly Demon entered the Silver Wolf God's abandoned building with Nameless once more, smashing translucent walls as usual.
With over a jiazi of internal energy at his command, his fists and kicks could shatter steel walls.
But the translucent walls were so sturdy that it took dozens of full-force strikes to barely break one.
"Take it slow, no rush. We're almost done."
The Silver Wolf God smiled kindly while tending to the flowers blooming on the corridor floor.
"They'll just grow back anyway..."
But his voice was too soft for the Heavenly Demon to hear.
Boom!
"Whew."
Having demolished about two-thirds of the walls blocking the path, the Heavenly Demon regulated his breathing.
[Heavenly Demon.]
Nameless, watching from a distance, spoke up.
[No need to push yourself.]
"No need to worry."
Sweat beaded on his forehead, but his expression was bright and cheerful.
It made sense—this was the first time since arriving in this world that he was using pure internal energy for his fist techniques, without relying on his straining Heavenly Demon abilities.
'A jiazi of power is this formidable.'
Only about a third of the translucent walls remained.
At this rate, clearing the rest would take a full day of nonstop demolition.
"Elder, what on earth are these walls made of to be so resilient?"
Tongue clicking in amazement, the Heavenly Demon watched as the Silver Wolf God slowly rose from tending the flowers.
"Hmm. Curious, are you?"
Staring at the translucent wall ahead with a deep sigh, the Silver Wolf God murmured lowly.
"It's lingering attachment."
"Lingering attachment?"
"Indeed."
"The kind that refuses to forget?"
The Heavenly Demon looked baffled, prompting a bitter smile from the Silver Wolf God.
"Exactly. Because it can't forget, can't let go... that's why it's so tough."
"I haven't the foggiest."
Sighing, the Silver Wolf God opened a door to the left corridor.
With a creak, pairs of eyes began glowing from the darkness within. One by one, shapes emerged from the open door.
"Those are..."
Focusing his gaze, the Heavenly Demon recoiled in surprise as the Silver Wolf God smiled casually.
"Yes, pups you could see anywhere in your old world."
The shapes emerging from the darkness were none other than countless puppies.
The Silver Wolf God pointed down the corridor with his gnarled, tree-like finger.
"This path shows cherished memories from their lives. With every step, happy recollections play out."
As the Silver Wolf God said, whenever the puppies advanced, joyful memories projected like films from the luminous ceiling and walls.
"So this place... is the Ghost Realm?"
"Ghost Realm. Close enough."
Only then did the Heavenly Demon realize the source of the eerie aura emanating from the abandoned building.
'This beautiful corridor is the River of Three Paths connecting the living world and the afterlife.'
"You're the Lord Impermanence, Reaper of the Underworld?"
"Ha ha ha. Hardly. I simply guide these poor souls to peace."
"Then why do these walls form?"
The Silver Wolf God's eyes flashed at the Heavenly Demon's question.
"Pups never loved at all are better off, in a way. I just implant happy memories as they walk this corridor. But..."
He pointed to one group amid the varied puppies.
These pups refused to move, their eyes filled with sorrow and melancholy.
"Ones raised with even a little love won't head to the afterlife, no matter how beautiful the memories. They cling to the humans who loved them."
'Silver Wolf God... so that's your role.'
Dogs descend from wolves, they say.
The silver-furred wolf spirit, the Silver Wolf God, guided tormented dogs to the afterlife.
"I ease these poor souls on their way—ones unloved, so their path to the beyond is gentle."
-Woof!
Then, from among the dogs inside the door, a small gray-furred puppy bounded toward the Heavenly Demon.
It was the very pup that had always visited him at the shop.
"You..."
-Woof!
The puppy wagged its tail joyfully, and the Silver Wolf God's eyes gleamed.
"You know it?"
The Heavenly Demon, silent, shook his head.
"Just seen it around."
The puppy's gray fur was matted with blood, bones exposed in places, yet it showed no pain—grinning wide as it rubbed against the Heavenly Demon's leg.
"What happened?"
Though calm, the Heavenly Demon's darkened gaze made the Silver Wolf God click his tongue softly.
"Hit by a car. Most common death these days."
Whine.
Shadows fell over the Heavenly Demon's eyes, and the puppy mirrored his gloomy expression.
At the same moment, with a hum, another translucent wall formed in the corridor. It bore a shadowy imprint like the Heavenly Demon's silhouette.
"Oh my... So the pup's attachment was to you."
"What is this?"
The Heavenly Demon touched the translucent wall etched with his shadow.
Instantly, fragments of memories flooded his mind.
Thud.
Dodging bird droppings from the sky, his foot had tripped over the little puppy.
Boom!
Instead of the puppy, the Heavenly Demon collided with the truck.
-Woof.
The puppy barked loudly in worry at the Heavenly Demon pinned in the car dent, but with a crash, he shoved the vehicle aside and walked on with a blank expression.
"Excellent meal."
Crouched with his massive frame, the Heavenly Demon set down a vinyl-wrapped bowl of jjajangmyeon in front of the shop.
Spotting this by chance, the puppy circled the shop eagerly, but the Heavenly Demon didn't emerge again.
Famished after a long wait, the puppy began lapping at the leftover jjajang sauce.
Salty and not to its taste, yet because it was the Heavenly Demon's leftovers, it ate heartily.
"You framed this lord!"
Enraged at the puppy tearing into the vinyl, the Heavenly Demon bellowed.
But the puppy was simply overjoyed to see him.
Just look at me a little. Pet me with that big hand.
As the Heavenly Demon grabbed it by the scruff, it hurt a bit, but feeling his touch made it happy.
"Scram."
Each time, the Heavenly Demon shoved the puppy away with his foot, feigning disinterest.
But the puppy knew.
How tormented and lonely this man's life had been. How coldly he'd sealed his heart.
That was a dog's gift.
By scent alone, it could sense a person's mood, emotions.
The puppy wanted to melt the Heavenly Demon's frozen heart. And stay by his side.
Splash.
On rainy days, huddling in an alley corner was best.
But today, too, the puppy yearned for the Heavenly Demon.
Unable to bear it, it dashed from the alley.
Racing to Bobok Interiors, it paused mid-crosswalk.
This was where the Heavenly Demon had saved it from an oncoming car.
Honk! Screech.
Amid blaring horns, the puppy's body flew dozens of meters.
Regaining consciousness after a while, it realized its body was wrecked.
But it couldn't close its eyes yet.
Just one last glimpse of the Heavenly Demon's face.
Dragging its shattered form, it finally spotted the hanok shop ahead.
In front, shielding from the downpour, stood a square wooden box with neatly placed food scraps.
He left it for me.
The puppy pushed on with renewed strength. Cross the street ahead, and it was there.
It wanted to die right in front of that shop. But its body no longer obeyed.
Growing cold, its gaze fixed on the Heavenly Demon beyond the shop.
Swish.
Someone scooped up the puppy's body. A janitor.
Shoved into a cold vinyl bag, it could see no more.
"Seen enough?"
Snapping back from the memory fragments, the Heavenly Demon answered the Silver Wolf God.
"Yes."
"What do you think?"
Savoring the puppy's memory shards, the Heavenly Demon shook his head.
"Trivial recollections. Pointless, blind devotion without reason."
"Well, one might feel that way."
Even at the Heavenly Demon's sharp retort, the Silver Wolf God smiled gently.
"Anyway, what you've smashed are attachments left by pups who couldn't move on due to cherished memories, like what you just saw. They thought these walls would keep them from the afterlife."
-Woof.
The puppy clung steadfastly, eyes only on the Heavenly Demon.
Hum.
Another translucent wall formed before the Heavenly Demon.
The puppy's reluctance to leave his side had birthed it anew.
"Another wall."
"Indeed."
The Heavenly Demon simply crouched, staring at the puppy.
-Woof!
Rubbing against him as he frowned sadly, the puppy nuzzled insistently.
The Silver Wolf God sighed helplessly.
"No helping it. With its attached master right here."
Approaching slowly, he took the Heavenly Demon's hand.
"No choice but to show your true heart directly."
With a warm touch, the Silver Wolf God gently stroked the puppy's head.
Brilliant light poured from the Heavenly Demon's eyes, and strange new memories flowed in.
Clack clack.
The Heavenly Demon hammered away, building a doghouse.
"This lord dwells in a shop with all sorts coming and going. Can't keep you inside."
He gazed impassively at the huddled puppy.
"So this lord is building the Ten Thousand Demon Palace. With such a fine house, no one will complain if you stay near the shop."
Staring at the puppy, the Heavenly Demon slowly extended a hand to its head.
Warm, soft fur met his touch.
"But it's too late now."
Stroking the puppy, the Heavenly Demon smiled faintly.
"Come find this lord again in your next life. I'll have the Ten Thousand Demon Palace ready by then."
In that instant, bright light burst from the puppy's eyes.
Simultaneously, all the translucent walls before the Heavenly Demon shattered.
-Woof!
Proudly barking as if boasting of clearing the remaining walls, the puppy strutted down the corridor on its own.
Parting was brief.
In the next life, it would meet its loving master, the Heavenly Demon, again.
-Woof!
Before entering the glowing door, the puppy barked once more at the Heavenly Demon.
As if saying not to worry.
Whoosh.
The puppy vanished into the light-filled door.
"What just happened?"
Regaining his senses, the Heavenly Demon saw the puppy that had rubbed against his legs was gone.
The myriad walls piled in the corridor, and the unfamiliar emotions in his chest...
"Simply conveyed the true feelings hidden in your heart."
"True feelings?"
The Heavenly Demon shook his head stiffly.
"That wasn't a memory you conjured, Elder?"
"Who knows. Perhaps."
The Silver Wolf God smiled faintly.
"But smashing those walls? Neither I nor you did it."
The Heavenly Demon stared at the now-empty corridor, walls gone.
That tiny puppy had single-handedly demolished attachments even mighty gods struggled against?
"Heh heh heh. Saving that pup forged a bond."
The Heavenly Demon shook his head at the Silver Wolf God's mutter.
"Never saved it."
"Intent aside, it didn't get hit by the car because of you. This world has many small acts that save tiny lives."
"I shattered the line between life and death long ago. Even for myself."
"Strange. I saw you save quite a few lives in your memories."
'You can peer into others' memories too?'
Irked, the Heavenly Demon clenched his fists.
But this was no mere human—a god. Anger changed nothing.
"They were useful organs for this lord. Cared for them because they had value."
"No need to say that. I know better."
"Know what?"
"Don't take it badly. I just meant the pup wanted to give you what no one else could."
Don't spout nonsense.
He wanted to shout, but the Silver Wolf God's clear eyes silenced him.
Deep down, he knew what the puppy had tried to give.
Not blind loyalty or fear-born respect, but unconditional love.
"You've worked hard."
As the Heavenly Demon stood silent, fists clenched, the Silver Wolf God turned toward the flowerbed.
"Payment as promised."
"...Then I'll take my leave."
Heavily turning, the Heavenly Demon heard the Silver Wolf God add shortly.
"Oh, one thing."
"...?"
"Pups have short reincarnation cycles."
A few days later.
Arriving at the shop, Jang Chaewon spotted something beyond the glass door.
"What's this? When did you set this up?"
In the shop's front corner stood a small wooden doghouse, and the Heavenly Demon was sanding down rough edges with sandpaper.
"Practicing woodworking?"
Approaching, she tilted her head.
The small house with its soft-curved roof evoked a child's crude drawing.
"It's a bit sloppy, but..."
Peering inside, Jang Chaewon stroked her chin.
"Somehow feels warm."
Crude yet oddly cozy.
Gazing at it, realization dawned, and she exclaimed.
"Wait, is this a doghouse?"
The Heavenly Demon sanded on without reply.
"But that puppy... hasn't come around lately. It's been a while."
His sanding paused.
"Not a doghouse."
"What?"
"This lord's lingering attachment."
Gazing at the distant sky, a faint new emotion glimmered in the Heavenly Demon's eyes—one unseen before.
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