Yi-gang’s expression was unreadable.

Not showing emotions had been normal even before he entered seclusion training. Looking emaciated was no different.

But his eyes, the look in his eyes was different.

Cheok-yo felt a sense of crisis because of that.

Zzzt—

It felt like lightning was coursing through his back.

He forcibly suppressed his hostility.

Yi-gang was not showing any hostility towards Cheok-yo. The tension Cheok-yo felt was solely his own fault.

Yi-gang’s eyes were like mirrors.

Mirrors that perfectly reflected Cheok-yo’s bared teeth.

“Cheok-yo!”

Seo-mi shouted Cheok-yo’s name loudly.

Only then did Cheok-yo’s bristled fur calm down.

He forcibly withdrew his gaze that had been sent towards Yi-gang.

“Hmph.”

He sneered, but deep down, his guts felt cold. A human who hadn’t felt like a threat until recently now made Cheok-yo’s breath catch.

Dam Hyun chuckled from the side.

“Now it seems worth a try.”

Indeed, Yi-gang’s progress could not be underestimated even by a great yokai.

In the subtly changed atmosphere, the Golden Needle Phantom stood in front of Yi-gang.

“That guy, his eyes have become strange.”

The feeling that Yi-gang’s gaze was like a mirror was not unique to Cheok-yo.

Saying it’s like a mirror implies that it’s impossible to see into his soul.

The Golden Needle Phantom grabbed Yi-gang’s wrist to start taking his pulse.

Yi-gang remained calm.

The expression on the Golden Needle Phantom’s face became intriguing.

“Really, the Gateway of Life and Death has been opened.”

“The True Qi does not circulate perfectly on its own.”

“That’s inevitable since the major meridians are blocked. But it’s clear that becoming a Supreme Peak master isn’t far off.”

One of the Four Great Divine Physicians, the Golden Needle Phantom, confirmed Yi-gang’s achievement.

Pahan and Ha-jun gasped. It was only recently he had reached the Peak at a young age, and now he was looking towards becoming a Supreme Peak master.

However, the expressions on Yu Jeong-shin and the Golden Needle Phantom were not good.

The Golden Needle Phantom, still taking Yi-gang’s pulse, quietly clicked his tongue.

‘The meridians are stiff and rigid. Is this the influence of the inner demon? No, perhaps he has already started to enter the state of Qi deviation.’

Entering Qi deviation did not always happen instantly and violently.

There were types that gradually eroded a martial artist’s body from a certain point. Yi-gang might have been such a case.

Furthermore, Yi-gang’s expression was far from ordinary.

“Your expression is stiff.”

“It has been that way since breaking through the Gateway of Life and Death.”

Yi-gang was expressionless, like someone who neither laughed nor cried.

The Golden Needle Phantom was well aware of such cases. It was due to the severe inner demon, causing the loss of emotional expression.

It would be fortunate if it were temporary, but it might be permanent spiritual damage.

However, there was nothing that could be done at this moment. The Golden Needle Phantom eventually let go of Yi-gang’s wrist and stepped back.

Seo-mi, who had been quiet, spoke up, “Mother is coming out.”

They were gathered in front of the cave where the Nine-Tails resided.

The Heavenly Thunder White-Tailed Foxes returned to their fox forms and simultaneously bowed their heads.

The people naturally straightened up their appearances.

Soon, a presence was felt.

From the dark interior of the cave, a pair of fresh green eyes emerged, followed by Gumiho sticking out its enormous head.

An aged fox with ash-gray fur.

Even among the house-sized Heavenly Thunder White-Tailed Foxes, its size was overwhelming.

One of its front paws was easily as large as a human torso.

However, Gumiho’s condition did not look good. Its fur was clumped with moss and what seemed like bloodstains.

Her blue eyes looked down, and Gumiho gazed upon Yu Jeong-shin and the Golden Needle Phantom.

“You must be disciples of the Guardian Sect.”

Guardian Sect.

For most of the party, including Yi-gang, it was the first time hearing this term.

Could they have mistaken the name Azure Forest for Guardian Sect?

However, Yu Jeong-shin naturally performed a fist salute in greeting.

“Are you Gumiho? My name is Yu Jeong-shin. We now go by the name Azure Forest.”

“Yes, that was the name…”

It seemed that the Guardian Sect might have been the old name for the Azure Forest.

“It’s time for you all to come forth to the forefront of the world again.”

“Will Gumiho join us?”

“Queen Mother of the West has not given her permission.”

The name Queen Mother of the West was mentioned.

Those who were not disciples of the Azure Forest, like Pahan or Ha-jun, were mesmerized by this mysterious conversation.

The conversation between Yu Jeong-shin and the Nine-Tails continued for a while.

“…Yes, I wish to give this child a new body. It would be delightful if you could assist.”

A moment of silence passed.

There was a rustle behind the Nine-Tails.

The sound of footsteps, thud, thud, echoed from inside the cave.

Yi-gang’s previously unfocused eyes sparkled.

Soon, someone emerged from the darkness.

Yi-gang’s mouth slightly opened.A young woman with a slightly awkward expression walked out.

It was someone unmistakable.

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon, Namgung Seo-ryeon, walked out.

“Ah, hello.”

She greeted awkwardly.

Something astonishing happened next.

Even the Golden Needle Phantom and Yu Jeong-shin were surprised and admired.

“Wow, she really was a young lady.”

“Um…!”

That meant, to their eyes, the appearance of the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon was visible too.

Hair as dark as pitch, waving long.

A playful expression, and though she had no double eyelids, her eyes were refreshingly wide.

Yi-gang murmured, “How…”

How did she obtain a body?

Gone was the shyness, she ran towards Yi-gang with a smile as soon as she saw him.

“Yah!”

Then she leaped up and hugged Yi-gang.

At that moment, Yi-gang realized that what he saw was not all there was.

“It’s been a while!”

“…Yes.”

The body of the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon was incredibly light.

There was a sensation of touch, but no feeling of weight.

“I crafted flames myself to create a temporary body.”

The body of the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon, standing straight again, flickered strangely.

It was clear that it wasn’t a real living body.

“Still, it feels like I’ve truly gotten my body back. I can even walk around.”

“…That’s good.”

“You, but why do you look so down?”

Yi-gang tried to smile but couldn’t.

It might have been a side effect of passing through the Gateway of Life and Death, as he couldn’t control his expressions at will.

“It seems like something’s broken with this one.”

“I’m fine.”

“Oh dear?”

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon played around like she did when she was a spirit, grabbing Yi-gang’s cheeks and peeling his eyelids back.

“This is a serious problem.”

“I said I’m fine.”

When Yi-gang didn’t smile even as she pulled his lips back to check his gums, she reluctantly let go.

Then she greeted Yu Jeong-shin and the Golden Needle Phantom.

“So you are Seo-ho. No… Namgung Seo-ryeon was your real name.”

“No, it’s okay to call me Seo-ho.”She showed a polite attitude in front of Yu Jeong-shin.

The Golden Needle Phantom also expressed his admiration.

“Having heard that you were born with the blood of a yokai, I was curious, but I never knew you would be such a beautiful lady.”

“Oh my.”

She covered her mouth and smiled faintly, which was unlike her usual self.

Then, she finally approached Dam Hyun.

“It’s the first time we’re properly talking.”

“Uh…”

Dam Hyun was usually shameless in front of anyone.

But instead of being brazen, he was stiff as a board.

“I owe you a lot in many ways.”

“Uh… um…”

Dam Hyun’s face was the epitome of confusion.

His inherent misanthropy, contrasted with his affection for yokai.

The affection for the blue fox with whom he shared all his unspoken thoughts and past that he hadn’t disclosed to anyone else.

He was naturally taken aback when she suddenly appeared in human form.

“Thank you!”

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon warmly hugged such a Dam Hyun.

Dam Hyun froze in a strange posture.

His arms were stretched out as if he had become a jiangshi.

“Euk… uh.”

“Thanks to you, I made it this far.”

“No, uh… uh.”

“Really, thank you.”

Despite the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon releasing the hug, Dam Hyun couldn’t relax his posture.

Seeing Dam Hyun like this, everyone except Yi-gang snickered.

The Golden Needle Phantom burst into loud laughter at Dam Hyun.

“Puahaha, his ears are turning red.”

“…Kuk.”

The atmosphere softened with the sudden appearance of the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon.

The Nine-Tails quietly spoke up again.

“The day after tomorrow is the full moon. That time is strong in Yin energy, so I will hold a ritual to ask Queen Mother of the West about the matter.”

It meant that the day after tomorrow was the day to perform the ritual.

There wasn’t much time left to prepare. The expressions of the party hardened.

“Prepare.”

With the Nine-Tails’s command, the Heavenly Thunder White-Tailed Foxes returned to their human forms.

Yu Jeong-shin, Yi-gang, and Dam Hyun approached them to start discussing the upcoming matters.Just as the Golden Needle Phantom was about to join them, the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon approached cautiously.

She gently grabbed the hem of the Golden Needle Phantom’s robe.

“What’s the matter…”

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon put a finger to her lips, gesturing for silence, and the Golden Needle Phantom lowered his voice.

Since they couldn’t use telepathy, she whispered in his ear.

The Golden Needle Phantom’s eyes widened.

“What did you say?”

Surprised, the Golden Needle Phantom stepped back with the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon.

There, they had a secretive conversation.

“Then… okay.”

It wasn’t good news.

After a moment of contemplation, the Golden Needle Phantom nodded gravely.

“Yes, if that’s the case, we must prepare.”

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon forced a smile.

The Golden Needle Phantom had a heavy heart as he nodded once again.The great yokai, the Heavenly Thunder White-Tailed Fox, was both one and many at the same time.

Originally, the nine-tailed fox known as a retainer of Queen Mother of the West was precisely that identity.

The nine tails she harbored were each a life of Gumiho.

Currently, Gumiho possessed only four tails.

The remaining five were given to her children.

Seo-mi, Heuk-mu, and Cheok-yo each had one, and another fox not present in the Kunlun Mountains had one.

And one was given as a token to a martial artist of the Namgung Clan in the past. The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon brought that fifth tail.

What they intended to do was to birth the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon as another Heavenly Thunder White-Tailed Fox.

Dam Hyun asked Yu Jeong-shin a question, “Do we need to offer a sacrifice of this scale? Can’t the Nine-Tails do it alone?”

“It’s not something even a great yokai can do recklessly.” Yu Jeong-shin explained calmly.

“Essentially, the Heavenly Thunder White-Tailed Foxes are retainers of Queen Mother of the West, so even birthing a new one requires heaven’s permission.”

“Um… How do we get that permission…?”

“How could humans predict the will of heaven?”

Dam Hyun nodded and began the preparations.

Preparing a sacrifice fitting for the status of a celestial immortal was no ordinary task.

However, during these preparations, the Golden Needle Phantom’s role was a bit less.

He was busy examining Yi-gang’s body for the latter part of the ritual.

The results were as expected.

Yi-gang was in a bad state, both physically and mentally.

The Golden Needle Phantom came out, wiping his hands with a wet towel.

Just then, Ha-jun was waiting for him.

“Um…”

“Ah, about your brother’s condition?”

It was clear what he was curious about.

“Is it somewhat fine?”

“It’s quite bad.”

At the Golden Needle Phantom’s words, Ha-jun’s face darkened.

But the Golden Needle Phantom, seeing his reaction, smiled even more.

“The physical weakness is one thing, but the inner demon is the real problem.”

“The inner demon you say…”

“Yes, he could enter a state of Qi deviation and become a wreck at any moment.”

Ha-jun’s expression twisted even more upon hearing that.

As the Golden Needle Phantom chuckled, Ha-jun stared at him with a sulky expression.

“But don’t worry. I will prepare a medicine for him.”

“A medicine?”

“I’ll concoct a decoction to control the inner demon.”

“A decoction for the inner demon…”

Ha-jun looked puzzled.

He had heard about treating internal injuries with decoctions, but this was the first time he heard that an inner demon could be cured.

“Is that possible?”

“Boy, am I the physician or are you?”

The physician was indeed the Golden Needle Phantom. He was one of the Four Great Divine Physicians.

Ha-jun closed his mouth and stepped back.

“Just wait quietly.”

The Golden Needle Phantom reassured Ha-jun and then headed elsewhere.

The person he sought was none other than Pahan.

Pahan stroked his beard at the Golden Needle Phantom’s visit and the request he made.

“Are you asking me to gather medicinal herbs?”

“Can you not do it? Since you seem to know the mountains well, I’m asking you.”

“You said it’s to treat the inner demon. I won’t refuse if it’s for Young Master Baek.”

Since he had nothing else to do anyway, Pahan accepted the Golden Needle Phantom’s request.

“That’s right, just bring me what’s listed here.”

“Yes.”

Pahan, as the Golden Needle Phantom expected, knew the Kunlun Mountains well.

Being a soldier who had traveled through battlefields, he also had knowledge of medicinal herbs.

Therefore, he could realize that the list given by the Golden Needle Phantom was unusual.

“These are…”

“Huhu.”

“Are these really the herbs needed to treat the inner demon?”He asked again for confirmation.

But the Golden Needle Phantom just repeated his request with a smile.

“Bring them to me.”

“…”

Pahan eventually nodded.