Chapter 20 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Medicinal Immortal Cave Able Bear God (2)
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"Speak properly. It's not some grandmother—it's just an imugi."
"You're joking? It took on a human form. We even had a conversation."
The Heavenly Demon spoke as if it were no big deal.
"The Doll Snow Ginseng can transform into the shape of a newborn infant. The Ten-Thousand-Year Golden Turtle takes the form of a remarkably clear-minded old man. And of course, it speaks fluently."
"What are you trying to say?"
"It's commonplace. Spirit beasts with inner cores disguising themselves in human form."
"Disguising?"
Jang Chaewon, who had been suppressing her anger, finally shouted in protest.
"It's not disguising—they're living beings just like humans!"
"Just like humans... You mean human life is precious, don't you?"
The Heavenly Demon raised his head, his red eyes filled with an emptiness like a vacant sky.
"In the world I came from, imugi were a delicacy. Their blood purified the blood, their inner core enhanced one's internal energy, and their flesh made for nourishing tonic."
He turned his gaze back to Jang Chaewon and spoke in a low voice.
"If you ask which life is more precious between humans and imugi, I'd say the imugi. Humans are utterly useless."
"You..."
Jang Chaewon bit her lip.
Only then did she realize that the Heavenly Demon's mindset and thoughts were completely different from those of people in this world.
"Listen carefully. This isn't the world you lived in."
Jang Chaewon spoke with an incredulous expression.
"I don't know if spirit beasts are treated as food there, but in our world, they're yokai. They live alongside us, mingling together. They must never be treated as mere food. Do you understand?"
The Heavenly Demon stared intently into Jang Chaewon's eyes, clouded with anger.
After a long silence, he slowly opened his mouth.
"I understand."
"Come on in."
As they reached the mountainside, an old man in gaudy clothes waved his hand.
Smaller in build than the Black Bear Uncle from the rundown apartment before, but it was a bear in the form of an old man with deep, wise eyes.
It was none other than the yokai god said to heal the sick with food—the Able Bear God.
"Nice to meet you, Elder. I'm Jang Chaewon from Bokbok Interiors."
She politely handed over her business card and pointed to the Heavenly Demon.
"This is my employee, Heavenly Demon."
Jang Chaewon's voice was a bit cold.
She hadn't said a single word to the Heavenly Demon the whole way there, as if her mood still hadn't improved.
"Ah, you're that fellow from another world..."
The Heavenly Demon politely clasped his hands in greeting.
"Pleased to meet you."
The Able Bear God let out an exclamation and smiled warmly at the Heavenly Demon.
"Pleased to meet you too. I'm Able Bear, running this Medicinal Immortal Cave."
But as the Heavenly Demon looked up at the Able Bear God's clothes, he suddenly burst into admiration.
"What bold and unique style of attire. Able Boss. It looks quite valuable."
The Able Bear God roared with laughter and patted the Heavenly Demon's shoulder.
"Hahaha. I've got some handiwork skills, so I made it myself. You've got a sharp eye."
'Huh?'
Jang Chaewon rubbed her eyes.
The fabric of the Able Bear God's clothes looked luxurious, but the colors were garish and multicolored. At a glance, it was no different from the outfit of a street performer in a marketplace.
"As expected of someone in interiors—great sense. Come this way."
In a good mood, the Able Bear God chuckled heartily and pointed to the cave on the mountainside.
"You must be tired from the long trip. Have a seat here for a bit."
Above the cave hung a sign reading "Medicinal Immortal Cave," with a smaller stand-up sign beside it saying "Specializing in Medicinal Cuisine."
"Have a cup of this. It'll ease your fatigue and restore your energy."
The Able Bear God went into the kitchen and soon placed a steaming cup of tea on the table in front of the Heavenly Demon and Jang Chaewon.
"Thank you."
The Heavenly Demon picked up the clear teacup and drank it down in gulps.
Instantly, his bones felt cool and refreshed, and his vision sharpened as if his eyesight had improved.
But Jang Chaewon only smiled and didn't touch her cup.
Noticing the Able Bear God's gaze, she let out an "Ah."
"Able Bear God, you said you wanted wallpaper, right?"
"It's gotten old over time, and the walls are worn. I'm thinking of redoing the wallpaper."
"Then would you like to see some samples first?"
Jang Chaewon placed a small sheet of paper on the table.
It gradually grew larger, turning into a large, thick wallpaper sample.
'It's just like sorcery.'
The Heavenly Demon blinked.
This world truly was different from the martial world. Not only did various races live here, but unknown technologies and powers were used as if they were commonplace.
"This isn't the world you lived in."
Suddenly recalling Jang Chaewon's words, the Heavenly Demon smirked.
It didn't matter to him. He was merely a temporary visitor in this world anyway.
"Hmm. Tough choice with so many options. Trends have changed too."
While Jang Chaewon and the Able Bear God looked over wallpaper samples at the table, the Heavenly Demon stood up and carefully examined the inside of the Medicinal Immortal Cave.
"It's not a natural cave."
The interior was smoothed out like a building, and the ceiling and walls were wallpapered in gold and red like a Chinese restaurant.
As the Able Bear God had said, despite the deep colors, the wallpaper was stained with grime and contaminants from years of use.
"Hmm."
Stroking his chin as he surveyed the cave, the Heavenly Demon pondered.
Suddenly, the contents of all the interior design books he'd seen so far flashed through his mind.
"Strange. Why not make use of the cave's natural advantages?"
While he brooded seriously,
"What are you doing there?"
Jang Chaewon, who had come outside, spoke in a curt tone.
"The Able Bear God has chosen the wallpaper."
"I see. I'll prepare soon."
"No, we're good on the installation. I'll hire craftsmen separately later."
Jang Chaewon shook her head with a cold expression.
"Don't misunderstand. This site is still too advanced for your level."
"I'm not misunderstanding."
No emotion showed on the Heavenly Demon's face.
Looking at his robot-like face devoid of joy or sorrow, Jang Chaewon felt her insides boil for some reason.
"I'm not lying. Look. This pattern requires seam matching. It's not something you can handle yet."
The Heavenly Demon glanced at the wallpaper sample Jang Chaewon held up and shook his head.
"This wallpaper won't do."
"What?"
"This is an outdoor tavern. Applying wallpaper here seems wrong from the start."
"What are you talking about?"
As Jang Chaewon gaped, the Heavenly Demon turned to the Able Bear God.
"Able Boss. Instead of wallpapering, how about decorating in a different style?"
Surprised by the unexpected proposal, the Able Bear God blinked.
"A different style?"
"Yes. One that maximizes the cave's strengths, expresses maximum personality, and provides a sense of openness."
The Able Bear God stroked his chin as the Heavenly Demon spoke fluently and coherently.
"Hmm. Personality, eh."
After a moment's thought, Able Bear nodded.
"Sounds good. I was going to entrust this job to you anyway."
"Able Bear God, Heavenly Demon is still learning interiors. And most of that from books..."
Jang Chaewon waved her hands in panic, but the Able Bear God chuckled and shook his head.
"New ideas always come from bold young folks like that."
"Pardon?"
"It's an outdoor eatery anyway—interiors don't matter much. Give it a try."
At the Able Bear God's words, the Heavenly Demon clasped his hands and bowed.
"Thank you for your trust. I'll do my utmost."
Back inside the cave, the Heavenly Demon cracked his knuckles.
'As expected, this is divine territory too. My energy has recovered somewhat.'
Taking a deep breath, the Heavenly Demon circulated his energy.
Heat rose from the ground, and powerful divine power flowed through his Yongcheon acupoint, steadily storing in his dantian.
"W-wait a second. You said interiors—why are you cracking your knuckles?"
Feeling an ominous premonition, Jang Chaewon approached as the Heavenly Demon grinned and crouched low.
"Isn't demolition the basis of interiors?"
"What? Demolition? W-wait!"
Jang Chaewon's shout was swallowed by the Heavenly Demon's thunderous roar.
"Demon Fist Seven Forms, Soaring Wind Dragon Fist!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
With each explosive strike of the Heavenly Demon's fists, the smooth cave ceiling caved in roundly.
"Four Directions Ghost Demon Extreme Retreat!"
With a mighty shout, the Heavenly Demon spun like a top, unleashing hundreds of kick shadows.
Crack! Boom! Whoosh!
Each kick dislodged house-sized rocks from the walls.
Surveying the flying dust and tumbling rock chunks, the Heavenly Demon took a deep breath.
"Whew..."
Then, like a man without bones, he slowly extended his arms and began drawing circles in succession.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh.
It looked similar to Tai Chi outwardly, but his hands swirled not with soft energy, but with domineering force capable of tearing mountains.
Ruuuumble.
Finally, a storm-like wind arose, lifting the interior dust and stone fragments into the air.
At the same time, the Heavenly Demon thrust his arms out, hurling them dozens of yards away.
Kaboom!
The stone fragments flew straight into the sheer cliff visible ahead.
Struck by hundreds of chunks, the cliff collapsed entirely in its shape.
Rumble rumble rumble.
Jang Chaewon and the Able Bear God gaped as the cliff vanished in a cloud of dust.
"..."
The Heavenly Demon clapped his hands clean and pointed to the cave, looking at the Able Bear God.
"Able Boss. The interiors are done. Please take a look inside."
"Huh? Oh, right."
The Able Bear God entered the Medicinal Immortal Cave with a dazed expression.
Jang Chaewon, standing there stunned, had sweat pouring down her forehead like a waterfall.
"You, you... Are you insane?"
"Insane?"
"You wrecked someone else's business and call it interiors? Are you trying to shut us down?"
The Heavenly Demon frowned at her sweating profusely.
"Wrecked? I did the interiors."
"W-wait, come here a sec!"
Just then, the Able Bear God's shout came from inside the Medicinal Immortal Cave.
Hearing it, Jang Chaewon swallowed hard and clutched her head like the scream from Munch's painting.
"Ahh, we're done for."
"Don't worry. I'll check."
The Heavenly Demon strode confidently toward the Medicinal Immortal Cave.
Jang Chaewon, snapping out of her daze, stared at his back and followed as if entranced.
"This... this is what you call interiors?"
Able Bear blinked as he looked around the inside.
The Medicinal Immortal Cave interior resembled a demolished abandoned factory, pockmarked everywhere from the Heavenly Demon's fists and kicks.
"It's rough, but I matched it to the forest scenery, gave it a maximal vintage feel, and widened the structure."
Jang Chaewon squeezed her eyes shut.
Soon, thunderous reprimands would fall. Or worse, the divine realm managers handling territory affairs might get a complaint call right away...
"Exactly to my taste."
"Huh?"
As Jang Chaewon's jaw dropped, the Able Bear God narrowed his eyes and nodded at the Heavenly Demon.
"This is that trendy industrial interiors thing, right?"
"You knew? Impressive sense!"
The Heavenly Demon laughed heartily and pointed inside the cave.
"It's a popular technique in commercial spaces lately. They even stack pipes and bricks on purpose for a rugged feel."
"Hahaha. I knew it. Saw it in a magazine."
Jang Chaewon rubbed her eyes in disbelief as she listened to the two.
'No matter how I look at it, he just turned a perfectly fine shop back into a bare cave?'
"As expected, good call introducing you. The previous interior guys had no personality—just pushed bland, ordinary designs."
What was this about?
Did he genuinely like this wrecked factory look?
Glancing around furtively, Jang Chaewon's eyes landed on the Able Bear God's street-performer clothes.
'Ah.'
Only then did it all make sense.
A twitch at the corner of her mouth, Jang Chaewon sighed.
'W-well, at least it worked out.'
The Able Bear God, looking at the Heavenly Demon, exclaimed admiringly toward Jang Chaewon.
"You're truly blessed, shop owner!"
"Huh?"
"You've got an excellent employee."
"Ah, yes. Haha..."
"By the way, what was your name? I'll introduce you to more good jobs next time."
As the beaming Able Bear God patted his shoulder, the Heavenly Demon replied with a proud expression.
"Heavenly Demon."
Vrooom.
The car hummed along, filled with suffocating silence.
Jang Chaewon gripped the wheel with a weary face and cleared her throat softly.
"Ahem."
She kept shooting sidelong glares at the Heavenly Demon's profile before finally murmuring.
"Sorry."
"About what?"
"Saying you were an official employee handling divine requests, then not trusting you."
The Heavenly Demon, arms crossed and gazing at the sky, said quietly.
"It's commonplace."
"What?"
'I went out of my way to apologize, and he's being sarcastic?'
Gripping the wheel tightly, Jang Chaewon bit her lip.
"But that's it. I still don't buy into that barbaric, senseless worldview of yours."
"That's commonplace too."
No particular emotion showed on the Heavenly Demon's face.
"It's always been that way."
His voice seemed to carry an indescribable, abyssal darkness.
Suddenly, a strange thought crossed Jang Chaewon's mind.
Maybe I'm the one who's wrong?
Maybe the Heavenly Demon has lived a life beyond my imagination...
'Can't be helped...'
Recalling Nameless asleep in the Heavenly Demon's room, Jang Chaewon gripped the wheel tighter.
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