Chapter 91 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Heavenly Demon Becomes a Model
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Ring ring ring.
The dedicated desk phone for Divine Requests rang out. Jang Chaewon, who had been printing up an estimate on her laptop, picked up the receiver.
"Bokbok Interiors speaking. Ah, yes. Of course. I hope everything's been going well?"
Jang Chaewon carefully listened to the voice coming from the receiver, then furrowed her brow.
"Right now?"
She glanced at the Heavenly Demon, who was sitting at the reception table reading a book, then spoke into the phone.
"I'll check the schedule first and get right back to you."
After hanging up, Jang Chaewon rested her chin on her hand and stared blankly into space. She looked deep in thought. Feeling the Heavenly Demon's intense gaze, she answered.
"Ah, it's a lighting installation request."
"It sounded like it came through the Divine Request line just now."
"Yeah. They said it's something really expensive and heavy... They're offering to cut the installation fee if we come right now and do it."
"I see."
The Heavenly Demon set his book down, his face lighting up.
"Finally, a chance to use the drill I bought from Elder Lord's hardware store for myself."
But Jang Chaewon, still resting her chin on her hand, rubbed her forehead and didn't answer easily.
"What should I do? Should I really send the Heavenly Demon?"
"What are you talking about? Who else is there besides me?"
"That's not it... How should I put it? It's a rather unique client."
"What does that matter?"
"I'm worried you two might clash. To be honest, unique doesn't even cover it—this one's downright eccentric."
The Heavenly Demon stood up calmly, looking at the hesitant Jang Chaewon.
"As long as the job gets done well and I receive the divine power, that's all that matters."
"Hmm."
Jang Chaewon gazed at the unwavering look in the Heavenly Demon's eyes.
He might scoff at respecting one's elders and always use a high-handed tone, but he treated gods with considerable politeness.
So far, he'd completed every Divine Request without issue and was obsessed with building his internal energy... Even if the god was a bit eccentric, he probably wouldn't flip out.
"Wait, come to think of it, you've never installed lights before, have you?"
"I've seen it done plenty of times."
"What? No, that won't do. They'll find some excuse to complain."
Instead of answering, the Heavenly Demon smoothly entered the storage room.
He soon emerged carrying a blue toolbox containing the electric drill and nodded.
"Don't worry. No one can match my resourcefulness. I'll handle it somehow on-site."
"Hmm."
Jang Chaewon's worries surged again at the Heavenly Demon's confident tone.
He had a bold, innovative mindset that belied his appearance, but sometimes he made impulsive moves that didn't fit the interior design field.
Like painting the inside black, or removing a wall to eliminate mold on it.
"Anyway, the shop's slow today, so I'll go with you for the first time in a while."
* * *
The Heavenly Demon's Lamas pulled up near a luxurious mansion by a lake.
The buildings at the edge of a lush forest were dome-shaped, serene and romantic. Jang Chaewon passed through the beautifully landscaped garden and cautiously rang the doorbell at the main entrance.
"We're from Bokbok Interiors."
Bzzz.
Instead of a reply, a mechanical sound buzzed, and the front door opened automatically.
Stepping inside revealed a living room floored with cold marble tiles. It felt more like a mansion-style hotel than a home.
"Come on in."
A shadowy figure seated in the living room slowly approached.
Under the chandelier light stood a skinny man who appeared to be in his mid-fifties.
Wearing a canvas apron splattered with paint, the man was surprisingly dressed in heavy makeup like a woman's and what looked like a dress.
"It's been a while. Chaewon."
"Yes, it has. Have you been well? Kiln God."
Jang Chaewon bowed her head with an unusually deferential expression.
This heavily made-up man was the god who bestowed inspiration upon artists, the Kiln God.
He wielded considerable power, but his perverse tendencies and eccentric personality made him something of an outsider among the Earth Gods.
"You're as beautiful as ever, Chaewon."
"Pardon? Oh, yes."
"Those lovely eyes sparkle like golden sand reflecting the sunlight, and your fair skin is as translucent and serene as a full moon on a dark night. Such beauty without a trace of makeup—it's always astonishing and thrilling to behold."
As a god of inspiration, he showered her with unusually flowery praise.
Smiling faintly, the Kiln God noticed the Heavenly Demon standing blankly to the side and let out an "Ah."
"Ah, you must be the famous..."
His eyes sparkling as he looked at the Heavenly Demon, the Kiln God bent one knee slightly, as if greeting someone at a ball.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm the Kiln God."
"First time meeting you. I am the Heavenly Demon."
Even faced with the Kiln God's bizarre attire, the Heavenly Demon's gaze remained steady as he clasped his hands in a traditional greeting.
"Impressive."
"What about?"
The Kiln God's eyes gleamed as he met the Heavenly Demon's gaze.
That impassive, indifferent look wasn't feigned.
"Everyone... gets startled at least once when they first see me."
"Is that so?"
The Heavenly Demon blinked, genuinely surprised by the Kiln God's words.
In truth, the experts of the demonic murim often had unique tastes or bizarre habits.
Like the Delusional Killer who, past sixty, wandered in child's clothing, or the Five Poisons Boy who draped venomous creatures around his body instead of clothes.
There was even the Ten Thousand Needle Death Ghost, who enjoyed pain so much he embedded hundreds of needles in his body and used them as hidden weapons.
"I can't imagine what there is to be surprised about."
The Heavenly Demon meant it sincerely.
Having so many deranged demonic experts under his command, cross-dressing seemed downright ordinary by comparison.
"Truly, there are exceptional figures even among humans."
Unaware of this, the Kiln God assumed the Heavenly Demon had a broad mind free of any prejudice and let out an exclamation of admiration.
"This way, please."
The Kiln God led them to a large studio.
It was cluttered with paintings and tools, the floor laid with warm wooden planks.
And on the ceiling was a large godly canopy for divine realm lighting, dangling loosely as if the screws were loose.
"The godly canopy's pretty much done for anyway, so I figured I'd replace it with something nicer."
The Kiln God pointed to a large box in one corner of the studio.
"It was a gift from the Golden Dragon God a while back... but it's a bit too heavy for me to install."
Jang Chaewon opened the box to reveal a large, orb-like lighting fixture. The issue was that its surface was entirely adorned with divine spirit wood.
"Ah, I see."
A divine spirit wood light fixture this size would weigh a ton.
Not long ago, the Heavenly Demon had nearly been crushed moving a device made of divine spirit wood when his stamina was depleted.
"Heavenly Demon, can you lift it?"
"Of course."
"Use this ladder."
The Kiln God handed over a divine spirit wood ladder from the studio, and the Heavenly Demon bowed his head slightly.
"My thanks."
It was made of divine spirit wood only on the outside; the shape and installation method were much like human lighting fixtures.
"Storekeeper, turn off the breaker."
Having seen it done before, the Heavenly Demon followed safety protocol first.
"Got it."
Jang Chaewon flipped the breaker in the electrical panel, and the Heavenly Demon unplugged the light's cord, took out the drill from the toolbox, and began unscrewing the bracket that held the light in place.
Whirr.
Once the bracket was off, two thick cords about the size of an adult's fist dangled from the ceiling.
"What is this?"
The insulation was so thick and tough—like crocodile hide—that pliers couldn't cut it.
But the Heavenly Demon didn't panic. He gripped the cord between his thumb and index finger and circulated his internal energy.
"Eternal Demon Dragon Claw Hand."
Slash.
Blade-like energy poured from his fingers, cleanly slicing through the thick insulation.
'Impressive... This divine cord has considerable power.'
The pure energy flowing from his fingertips surpassed two jeong of power. It was due to the potent divine power rising from the floor. The Heavenly Demon deftly cut the wires and reattached the bracket.
Now all that remained was hoisting the massive light up to the ceiling.
"Hup."
With his Heavenly Demon Great Ability already primed, red energy poured from the Heavenly Demon's body.
But the orb shape of his "Our Clothes" made it awkward to lift the orb overhead.
Crackle.
Injecting energy, the Heavenly Demon transformed "Our Clothes" into a sleeveless work uniform similar to his Mad Demon Blood Battle attire.
At that moment.
"Ooh!"
Seeing the Heavenly Demon in the loose work uniform, the Kiln God let out a scream-like exclamation.
"Those magnificent, imposing pectorals..."
"Hm?"
"The forearms stacked like layers of bamboo, the hill-like biceps, the vividly protruding veins, this sculpted body of perfection! Truly... truly perfect! Perfect!"
The Kiln God gazed up at the Heavenly Demon's muscles with an ecstatic expression.
"You have the most magnificent body imaginable. Oh, my gosh!"
"..."
"It's coming. It's coming! Seeing your body fills me with inspiration as hot as the sun..."
The Kiln God, eyes closed in rapture, suddenly snapped them open.
"Heavenly Demon, be the model for my painting!"
"Model?"
The Heavenly Demon blinked and looked at Jang Chaewon.
"Storekeeper. What's a model?"
"Hmm. Simply put... they want to paint you."
"Hmm."
After a moment's thought, the Heavenly Demon shook his head firmly.
"I must decline."
"Wh-why?"
"I am an interior design expert. Not an artist."
"It won't take much time! One hour—no, thirty minutes tops."
Looking at the Heavenly Demon's resolute face, the Kiln God raised his voice.
"I'll pay ten million won as modeling fee!"
"Let me say it again: I am an interior design expert..."
"And double—no, triple—the contracted blessing!"
At that, the Heavenly Demon's expression turned earnest as he nodded toward the Kiln God.
"Where shall I pose?"
While the Kiln God fetched his painting tools, Jang Chaewon spoke in a worried tone.
"You okay with this?"
"With what?"
"Modeling. Your image will be passed down through generations in this world."
"No matter. My portraits are hung all over the murim without my permission by the Murim Alliance."
"...Those aren't portraits—they're wanted posters, aren't they?"
The Heavenly Demon shook his head calmly.
"Doesn't matter. Standing for just one shichen nets me fifteen years of internal energy, doesn't it?"
His current internal energy level was half a gapja plus ten years—forty years total. Completing this request would fill it to fifty-five years in one go.
"Something feels off about this."
Jang Chaewon couldn't hide her unease. Who'd have thought an eccentric god would be so picky—using the Heavenly Demon as a model, of all things.
"Giving blessings just for posing? That's weird."
Jang Chaewon's foreboding was spot on. The Kiln God returned from the room holding a very thin piece of cloth.
"Please take off all your clothes and wear this?"
"What is this?"
"Underwear. I want to examine every inch of your beautiful body."
The Heavenly Demon eyed the red scrap of fabric before him. Glossy silk, dyed an alluring crimson—it was so small he wondered if it could even cover his vital areas.
"Must I wear this?"
"Of course."
"Hmm."
Conflict finally flickered across the Heavenly Demon's face.
He'd seen hundreds of posters with his face on them. But never a painting of his body—let alone nearly nude.
"Don't think of it strangely."
The Kiln God spoke earnestly.
"Your body transcends the beauty flesh can express—it's a work of art. The ultimate beauty unimaginable in a human form... I must preserve this body for posterity."
"Hmm."
"I beg you. Blessings are governed by the law of causality, so modeling alone won't earn more divine power... But if a good request comes up, I'll introduce you."
"Is it truly necessary to paint my body?"
The Heavenly Demon subtly hinted at refusal, unable to shake his discomfort.
But the Kiln God's eyes blazed with desperation, urgency, and burning artistic passion.
"Contemporary artists are so starved for inspiration. I've been in a slump for ten years. Only if my inspiration strengthens can I ignite their artistic souls."
"Hmm."
"Of course, painting your body once won't fill every artist with inspiration. But I want to stimulate as many as possible to create great works."
The Kiln God even bowed to the Heavenly Demon.
"Please."
The Heavenly Demon looked surprised.
Artistic soul. It was the pure obsession every artist who devoted body and soul to their ultimate work possessed.
"Inspiration, huh."
As one who had reached the absolute pinnacle of martial arts, the Heavenly Demon could somewhat understand the Kiln God's feelings.
"Very well."
After deep deliberation, the Heavenly Demon nodded.
"But please make it as quick as possible."
In the returning vehicle, Jang Chaewon, seated in the passenger seat, spoke with a shocked expression.
"That was unexpected. I thought you'd never agree."
"Truthfully, it's nothing."
"Huh? Nothing? You stood nearly naked for thirty minutes."
Recalling the past for a moment, the Heavenly Demon shook his head.
"I've lived seven days and nights stark naked before over three thousand women. This is truly nothing."
"Three thousand? What? Did you do nude modeling there too?"
"It was merely the three thousand disciples of the Ice Palace each sharing a bit of their Extreme Yin Energy with me to attain it. Clothes block the energy transfer, so I had to remain nude."
Jang Chaewon blinked.
"What kind of absurd nonsense is that?"
"For a goal, it's a trifle."
"What?"
"Like an artist striving for an immortal masterpiece."
Recalling the Kiln God's desperate expression, the Heavenly Demon grinned, unaware of what was soon to come.
* * *
Half a month later.
Business at the shop had picked up, so the Heavenly Demon, Jang Chaewon, Go Eunjin, and Kim Chanwon were all frantically working.
At lunchtime, they all headed to the nearby Chinese restaurant.
Slurp.
Kim Chanwon, eating jjajangmyeon while watching TV, suddenly pointed at the screen.
"Hey, isn't that Mr. Cheon?"
"Pfft!"
Jang Chaewon and Go Eunjin, who had turned to look at the TV, spat out their fried rice. On the large screen was a close-up of a man's lower abdomen and thighs in a bent-over pose.
"Wh-what is that?"
Go Eunjin's jaw dropped, and the Heavenly Demon calmly replied.
"My buttocks."
Indeed, they were the Heavenly Demon's incredibly firm, toned glutes—ones Jang Chaewon had seen in person not long ago.
-...This is 'Wrathful Buttocks,' the latest work by Bong Jungu, who was selected among the century's top 100 artists. It starkly depicts a muscular, beast-like rear to critique the state of modern men, epitomized by the herbivore male.
The anchor on TV lavished the Heavenly Demon's buttocks with absurd flattery.
"Is that what they call art here?"
As the Heavenly Demon chewed his jjajangmyeon, silence fell over the restaurant. The screen kept showing the brown glutes, textured like a peeled tangerine.
-Famous works emphasizing body parts are common. But why the rave reviews for a painting of an unknown person's buttocks?
-It's not the body part itself that's special. Bong's work captures every ideal the buttocks can express, critiquing not just the frail appearance of modern people but their character too. It visualizes sharp insight into our era and society...
The critic, whom one expected to say, "What kind of art is this?", instead poured out praise.
The group sat with mouths agape, listening to the critic, as the Heavenly Demon nodded solemnly.
"So that's what it is."
"Do you get that nonsense?"
"Of course."
At Jang Chaewon's question, the Heavenly Demon nodded confidently.
"My very existence is a work of art, so my buttocks can be art too."
"No, you're wrong. That's not art..."
"Wrong? Didn't you hear their praise?"
Jang Chaewon, having spat out all her fried rice, weakly shook her head.
"Ah, no. Yeah, you're right. It makes sense now."
It was probably the Kiln God. That quirky, eccentric god must have injected pointless inspiration into humans.
When that implanted inspiration faded with time, would people come to their senses?
No. With the critics' high praise, that work would never lose value.
That's what art was.
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