“Right. But you moron.”
“Huh?”
“Do you happen to know about the Four Fairies?”
I asked suddenly.
There’s no one who doesn’t know the Four Fairies. It’s the most famous and terrifying name in this realm.
Do demons know this name too?
Even if this fox is a bit slow, I doubt she wouldn’t.
“Four Fairies! Why are you asking about that?”
“Why are you so surprised? Is it that shocking?”
“Just hearing the name brings misfortune!”
Is it that serious?
“Are you going to tell your mother?”
“What does that even mean?”
“Nothing. I guess even demons are scared of the Four Fairies?”
Saying that made the fox tremble all over.
She looked obviously frightened.
“Don’t even get me started. She’s a monster. Even demons fear her witchcraft.”
“Demons can be on the same side, right?”
“What do you mean by that?! The Four Fairies experiment on demons too!”
The fox shouted in horror and rambled on about the Four Fairies’ atrocities. Apparently, they not only use demons to create elixirs but also merge living humans with them to make slaves.
“Huh?”
“Wait. They merge humans and demons alive? Do they actually do that?”
“I’m too scared…!”
“…”
Humans and demons merging.
Half-demons.
What’s that about?
Hearing that made me think of the Gumiho.
The Mahee Gumi seems to be quite interested in half-demons too. And from the looks of the Four Fairies’ antics, it seems like they’re conducting experiments to create something similar to half-demons.
How can their interests be so similar?
“So, does that mean the Four Fairies can create half-demons?”
“Maybe that’s what they want.”
“What the heck is a half-demon? Is everyone wanting to create them, including your master?”
“I don’t know. How am I supposed to know that?”
Well…
It was my mistake to ask this fool anything.
“But if the two combine, it might create something like the union of Yin and Yang…”
“Then what happens?”
“I really don’t know.”
Great.
After finishing my chat with the fox, I went to find Seo Saengwon.
Currently, Seo Saengwon is not in a prison but rather in a special solitary confinement. This guy turned out to be more useful than expected, hence the special treatment.
“Saengwon, I’m here.”
“Let me out of here!”
“Hehehe, that’s not possible, you little rascal.”
“Argh!”
I approached Seo Saengwon and playfully put him in a headlock. Though it’s called solitary confinement, it’s still a prison. He was chained at his feet.
“I’ve helped a lot! Enough!”
“That’s true.”
I extracted several benefits from Seo Saengwon’s cleverness and knowledge. Still, I couldn’t just let him go.
“Anyway. Do you know what this is? It’s called Bong Ik Wan Cheon and is said to be a relic of the Bijonachals.”
“What’s this?”
Seo Saengwon stared at Bong Ik Wan Cheon with wide eyes.
“This is treasure for demons. A valuable artifact passed down through generations. According to legend, it possesses incredible power. How did you get this?”
“I killed the Bijonachals and took it.”
“…”
“How do I use this?”
“You could ask the Bijonachals…”
“I don’t know about that.”
“Then I don’t know either.”
What a useless guy.
Demons are no help at all.
—
“Hah!”
“Ha!”
“Raaah!”
The Bijonachals are gathered in the training ground practicing.
A group training in financial law, another group using unusual techniques, and a group practicing throwing nets.
If it were up to me, I would train archers, shield-bearers, and spearmen, but that would be considered rebellion against the Ming Dynasty.
Shields are practically useless, and I replaced spearmen with those using unusual techniques. As for archers? When I have more funds, I plan to purchase a large number of hidden weapons for training.
And.
“Hehe!”
Jaemi Son’s skills have grown tremendously.
As he has become a high-ranking officer, he is living comfortably and has dedicated himself to practicing martial arts. Plus, he’s even bought martial arts manuals with public funds, so he’s experiencing a storm of growth.
With everyone working hard, we can undertake various requests.
“What are you doing over there? Come here.”
“Oh, Hayoung.”
And I regularly receive body examinations from Hayoung.
There hasn’t been much progress, but research on my body constitution is ongoing.
Then one day.
“Son. Mom is here.”
The Four Fairies appeared from the darkness. Oh damn!!
I barely held back a scream.
“Mother, you have come!”
“Yes, but Son. What is that fox? Can you tell me about it?”
Always coming in without using the turn signals, she goes straight to the point instead of greeting.
But hiding this is impossible.
I have to tell her what happened.
“Well, you see, this is what happened…”
I immediately recounted the story of fighting the Bijonachals and the fox. And even mentioned that the Gumiho had appeared to give orders.
“Goodness, how did that happen?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
“Mahee Gumi… a very powerful great demon, right? If you had confronted her, surviving would have been difficult. You’re really my son for surviving so well. Praise, praise.”
“Hehehe, thank you.”
The Four Fairies ruffled my hair and praised me.
“By the way, it seems that Gumiho is also interested in half-demons.”
“Is that really such an important matter?”
“If it’s important, then yes? I’m curious about it too. Ah, while we’re talking about it, should we experiment a bit?”
“Excuse me? Experiment?”
“I got your seed last time, so how about we inject it into that fox? What do you think?”
“Ah!”
No way she’s suggesting such terrifying things!
“Hehehe, that’s not all. Since I already have your seed, we could catch various female demons and inject them too.”
“Mother! Please! I don’t want a child whose face I don’t even know!”
“Hmm, if my son says so…”
“Thank you!”
I’m saved!
But I’m still not at ease. The Four Fairies took my seed. And she’s keeping it safely with her magic.
Which means she can use it however she pleases, like a sperm bank.
I absolutely refuse to have a child whose face I do not know.
“Anyway, Mother. I’ve worked hard as you instructed. Don’t you think I did well? I’ve captured many demons and consumed a lot of Yodan.”
“Uhuh, it really does look like it. Good son for listening to mom.”
At least I did what I was ordered to do.
So, I shouldn’t get scolded, right?
“Keep building your strength like that. Got it?”
“Yes…”
“Oh, and since we’re at it, if you discover anything about Mahee Gumi, you have to let me know. Understand?”
“Does that mean I’m kind of a spy?”
“Similar, yes?”
“…”
What the hell.
Is this my fate now?
I’m forced to do what I’m told.
“Then I will inform you if I learn anything, Mother.”
“Good. Because it’s difficult for me to directly interfere with other great demons since I also operate in this realm. I feel really good now that things are like this.”
That was something I couldn’t just let go.
Even the Four Fairies, despite her title, would be wary when dealing with demons of that caliber, right?
I imagined the appearances of Mahee Gumi and the Four Fairies in my mind. Their powers… Let’s just assume they’re evenly matched. Perhaps I could use this situation to my advantage.
“Son? Then how about introducing me to some daughters-in-law soon?”
“WHAAAT?!”
Out of the blue!
“Huh? Didn’t you promise to introduce me? I’ve been looking forward to it, so are you really not ready?”
No preparation for that, you lunatic!
What am I supposed to do about it?
“But, you see, Mother, your infamous reputation is already widespread in the whole realm, so introducing you as my mother is quite difficult and it’s been really stressful for me, Mother.”
“Oh my… Is that so?”
“Yes. What should I do?”
Honestly, there’s no good answer here.
The moment I introduce her, it’s all over.
“I’m having so many worries over this.”
“Alright, let’s do this.”
– A chill ran down my spine.
Is there a plan?
“In fact, since I also operate in this realm, I have an undercover identity I use. I’ll visit soon.”
“Excuse me?”
“You can introduce me then. Ah, I’m really looking forward to it. My son finally bringing home a wife. I might even get to see grandchildren soon?”
What on earth is this crazy woman saying!
You mean you’re going to come in person undercover?
I’m screwed!
“Huh? But, Son.”
“Y-Yes?!”
“What about that bracelet?”
“Oh. This?”
The Four Fairies stared intently at the bracelet.
I guess by this point, she can figure it out.
“It’s called Bong Ik Wan Cheon, a treasure of the Bijonachals. I took it.”
“…”
“Do you know what it is?”
“Treasure of the demons.”
I knew at least that much.
“It’s also very valuable.”
“Valuable, you say?”
“Yes. If it’s something of that caliber… there are several who would covet it. Especially those demons who recognize its worth.”
Does that mean?
“Powerful demons might target it, so be careful, okay?”
“Y-Yes. I will be careful.”
The Four Fairies smiled and opened her arms. Knowing that it’s a gesture for a hug, I immediately buried my face in her chest.
“Ah, how warm. Holding my son like this feels so good.”
“Hehehe, me too.”
I said casually.
“Anyway. I have something for you to do.”
Crazy.
“I feel like the pigs are moving lately, could you investigate? It would be even better if you can dispose of them.”
“Pigs?”
What pigs is she talking about?
“Jeopalgi.”
“…!”
Jeopalgi?!
“The pig who established the kingdom of luxury has started moving for some reason. As I mentioned, it’s hard for a mom like me to handle other great demons directly… so I hope you take care of it.”
“Mother! Even so, Jeopalgi is one of the Ten Great Demon Beasts of the World!”
And Jeopalgi is a truly legendary name!
He’s a great demon from the Journey to the West!
What do you mean you want me to take on Jeopalgi!
“Mom believes in you. You can do it, right?”
“N-No…!”
“A good boy who listens well?”
“A good boy!”
Repeat after me!
“Hehehe, good. Then, Son. Shall we play together today?”
Is this really happening again…!
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