It was clear that the great immortal Queen Mother of the West herself had not descended to earth.

It was not a matter of merely offering a little tribute.

However, it was certain that Queen Mother of the West was watching Yi-gang from inside the tent.

At a glance, the swaying tail of a leopard could be seen inside the tent.

Could it be true that Queen Mother of the West possessed the tail of a leopard and the teeth of a tiger?

Of course, even that could have been an illusion seen by Yi-gang.

“How can you refuse…why….”

Everyone else turned their heads away in silence.

Yi-gang’s question rang out clearly in the silence. It was a voice trying hard to suppress anger.

『Born a human and already dead, how can one be brought back to life?』Queen Mother of the West said mockingly, 『Your request is no different from bringing back the dead. Do you expect that from me?』

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon was born a human and died as one.

The statement that it was no different from bringing back the dead made the difficulty of the task palpable.

“I request it. Isn’t it possible for Queen Mother of the West?”

But that was why he had called upon Queen Mother of the West for such a favor.

He never expected such a sharp refusal.

『It could be possible. But I refuse. The tribute is far too insufficient.』

“What more do you desire?”

『There’s nothing you can offer.』

Yi-gang glared at Queen Mother of the West.

She seemed to chuckle from within the tent.

『My child, I see no mark of oblivion on you. Being reincarnated without oblivion, does that make you think it’s easy?』

Yi-gang was startled.

Queen Mother of the West had immediately realized that he had been reincarnated.

Having said this so loudly, everyone around must have heard it.

Noticing Yi-gang’s dismay, Queen Mother of the West scoffed.

『None but Gumi will hear this. And Gumi will keep her mouth shut.』

Her words held true. Gumi quietly nodded in agreement.

The others remained stiff, still turning their heads away.

『It’s natural for you to think lightly of reincarnation. But originally, souls must be cleansed with oblivion to undergo the cycle of reincarnation.』

“…Then.”

『I will not grant your request.』

The mocking laughter of Queen Mother of the West flowed from inside the tent.

Yi-gang felt a dull pain.

『Are you saddened by such triviality? Death is natural and inevitable for you humans.』

“…”

『Forget it. Your path ahead is filled with hardships anyway.』

It was unclear whether it was a curse or advice, but Yi-gang calmed his mind as much as possible.

The greedy gaze of Queen Mother of the West seemed to peek through the darkness.

With the sound of her tongue licking her lips, she opened her mouth again.

『I am more interested in you than in that worthless human soul.』

Then, a human hand suddenly stretched out from between the tent flaps.

It was the delicate hand of a beautiful woman, yet its size was like that of a giant’s.

From the palm that came right in front of Yi-gang’s nose, jewels sprouted abundantly.

『Would you not become one of my kindred?』

Gumi gasped for air.

Startled, her grey fur puffed up significantly.

Gumi started to speak but seemed to be silenced as she bowed her head again.

『I will give you whatever you desire. Wealth or anything else.』

Yi-gang, without saying a word, quietly observed the jewels sprouting from her hand.

The jewels slipped through her fingers and turned to dust.

『Or should I grant you a longer life?』

Instead, a peach suddenly emerged.

An indescribably sweet fragrance wafted through the air.

『Do you wish to taste the peach of immortality?』

At the same time, a burning thirst was felt, and saliva gathered in the mouth.

It seemed that biting into that pink fruit would quench that thirst.

“…”

Yi-gang tightly closed his eyes.

He had encountered many fortuitous opportunities so far.

Starting with reincarnation, meeting the Immortal Divine Sword, encountering the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon, to the events at the Five Elements Tomb, all were such opportunities.

Even if all those opportunities were combined, they would pale in comparison to the offer of Queen Mother of the West.

What was presented before him was precisely that peach of immortality.

The peach of immortality that grew in the Pan Peach Garden.

A mythical elixir from ancient times that took 3,000 years to bear fruit, granting longevity and immortality with one peach, and turning one into an immortal with two.

Moreover, becoming a retainer of Queen Mother of the West could allow one to ascend to the ranks of great yokai like the nine-tailed fox.

Perhaps one could become the greatest in the world.

『Answer me.』

Queen Mother of the West shook the Peach of Immortality as if to tempt him.

All that was needed was to take it. No need to worry about lifespan then.

But Yi-gang discarded his greed.

This was not a fortuitous opportunity.

“I will decline.”

Queen Mother of the West, who had sharply refused his request due to the insufficient tribute about the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon.

Such a person would not give Yi-gang the Peach of Immortality without expecting something in return.

“If you’ve collected all the tribute…”

There was no further business with Queen Mother of the West.

So, Yi-gang said, “Please return.”

As if to say, if you’re done, then leave.

At that moment, the Peach of Immortality resting on the palm of Queen Mother of the West rotted away at a terrifying speed.

The pink skin scattered into brown, and the white flesh melted away, emitting a foul smell.

Eventually, only a seed the size of a chestnut remained, dropping through her fingers.

『Ha-ha-ha…』

The hand returned to the tent.

Then, the loud laughter of Queen Mother of the West resonated. She laughed as if she was in a very good mood, then suddenly fell silent.

The darkness inside the tent slowly dispersed and vanished.

Queen Mother of the West had left.

Those around who had been stiff with tension collapsed all at once, their legs giving way.

Some gasped for air, having been unable to breathe properly.

“Wh-what… on earth… gasp.”

“Y-Yi-gang!”

They had not heard the conversation between Yi-gang and Queen Mother of the West.

Therefore, they did not understand why Yi-gang, who had been sitting in a meditative pose, had collapsed.

Yu Jeong-shin and the Golden Needle Phantom rushed to the collapsed Yi-gang.

Yi-gang was clearly under Qi deviation.

The veins in his neck bulged, and the back of his head stiffened.

“His condition is critical!”

“Bring my acupuncture kit. And clean water!”In front of the fading Yi-gang, a peach pit the size of a chestnut rolled around.

The traces of Queen Mother of the West’s visit vanished like an illusion, but why did only the peach seed remain?

Yet, soon, even the seed disappeared into the ground as if it too were an illusion.

Yi-gang desperately clung to his consciousness.

The attempt to turn the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon into a yokai had failed.

This meant that she only had until dawn at most.

There was no time to waste unconscious.

“Snap out of it!”

He thought so but…

Yi-gang eventually lost consciousness.The bitter and astringent taste in his mouth.

The pungent scent of medicine.

“Yes, swallow it down.”

Yi-gang gulped down the hot herbal medicine.

Ha-jun was supporting Yi-gang’s back, and the Golden Needle Phantom was personally feeding him the medicine.

Around them, people and foxes looked down at Yi-gang with worried eyes.

“It’s the only way to calm the inner demon.”

“…Gulp.”

“Oh, you’ve woken up!”

Yi-gang scrambled to his feet.

Despite being under Qi deviation, his body moved. Perhaps it was thanks to the Golden Needle Phantom’s emergency treatment.

“The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon…”

“Don’t worry too much. You were only unconscious for about an hour.”

It hadn’t dawned in the meantime.

But there wasn’t much time left.

Yi-gang grimaced at the bitter taste remaining in his mouth.

“What… did I eat?”

“It’s a decoction for curing the inner demon.”

“A decoction can cure the inner demon?”

When Yi-gang asked incredulously, the Golden Needle Phantom nodded.

Then, he pointed his finger to the east.

“Go look over there.”

“…”

Yi-gang nodded as he looked to the east.

On a rock with a good view down the mountain, the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon was sitting with her back to him.

Quietly crossing his arms, Dam Hyun whispered to Yi-gang, “…I was sorry before.”

It was an unexpected apology, but its meaning was clear.

Dam Hyun seemed to be recalling the time when Yi-gang had sent the Immortal Divine Sword away.

Back then, Dam Hyun had interfered with Yi-gang’s farewell.

“Send her off… well.”

Yi-gang nodded and headed towards where he had nodded.

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon was absentmindedly sitting on the rock, looking down the mountain.

Her legs were dangling off the edge of the rock, appearing quite precarious.

Yi-gang was about to caution her to be careful inadvertently.

“…”

But he immediately shut his mouth again.

Deliberately making a sound with his foot, she turned to look at Yi-gang.

“Ah… you’re awake.”

“Yeah.”

Yi-gang sat down next to her as she attempted to stand up with a bright smile.

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon chuckled and playfully nudged Yi-gang’s side.“It didn’t go well, did it?”

“…Indeed.”

Yi-gang tried to smile back, but he couldn’t.

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon showed no signs of sadness.

Instead, she spoke as if relieved, “Right. Perhaps this is for the better. It was too hard anyway.”

“Hard?”

“Yes, if a person dies, they should go to the afterlife. Staying here by force, trying to become a yokai…”

Yi-gang suddenly noticed the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon’s toes.

They appeared transparent, revealing the background.

Just like her words, she was not supposed to remain on this earth.

It was forcibly keeping her here, but even that was coming to an end.

“Just got a bit tired of it all. I used to want to live more but…”

“…”

“Yeah, it can’t be helped.”

She leaned her body against Yi-gang, who was sitting next to her.

It didn’t seem like she was being clingy, but rather that it was hard for her to keep herself upright.

“Still, I get to see the sun.”

The eastern sky was still dark.

But beyond the sharp ridges of the mountains, the color of the sky was becoming slightly pale.

Soon, dawn would break.

“Don’t be too sad when I leave.”

“Alright.”

Yi-gang spoke calmly.

He couldn’t be sad even if he wanted to.

His body had been strange since it had been afflicted with an inner demon. Whether his heart ached or he experienced joy, his face remained stiff.

“You can cry if you want.”

While he thought that would be difficult, the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon stopped speaking and looked at Yi-gang.

“…Why.”

“I didn’t expect that much.”

“What?”

The heart was sad, but weren’t the tears dry?

Yi-gang, touching his face, was startled.

His cheeks were damp. Tears were flowing like rain.

“What should I do when you’re crying so hard?”

“Who’s crying hard…”

“That’s what you’re doing.”

Yi-gang was indeed crying hard.

The tears flowed hotly, as if his tear ducts were broken.

He even snuffled his nose loudly.

Seeing this, the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon laughed out loud.

Turning his head, he saw the Golden Needle Phantom and the group looking at him.

Yi-gang recalled the ‘decoction for curing the inner demon’ he had taken. Could it be related to that?

“Hehehe. You might get a runny nose. Should I wipe it for you?”

“It’s okay.”

It was clear something was in that decoction.

Otherwise, the tears wouldn’t keep coming out like this.

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon seemed secretly pleased to see Yi-gang shedding tears.She kept offering her hand to wipe Yi-gang’s runny nose.

“Give me your nose. Huh! Hehe, oh.”

Then, with a thud, she lost her balance and fell.

Yi-gang caught the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon in his arms.

She tried to get up quickly, but each time, she lost strength in her arms and collapsed.

Yi-gang quietly said, “It’s cool today; just lie down for a bit.”

“…Should I?”

Then, she relaxed her body obediently.

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon asked to be positioned so she could see the dawn. Yi-gang did so.

She looked up at the eastern sky, then at Yi-gang, and burst into laughter.

“Hehe.”

“Why…”

“From below, you really do look ugly.”

Tears flowed, but her face wouldn’t have been distorted by them; she laughed a lot.

Yi-gang had a rough idea of what herbs were mixed in the decoction. No wonder the scent was unique.

Initially, tears flowed without expression. But the flowing tears eventually stirred emotions.

His face scrunched up, and his chest trembled.

“Am I that ugly?”

“Yes.”

Yi-gang looked down at the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon through blurred vision.

Suddenly, the sun peeking far away scattered red light.

The world seemed to be dyed in crimson.

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon whispered, “Thank you.”

“…”

“Yes, thank you very much…”

Her body was originally light, but now it felt utterly weightless.

Her voice had become faint.

“Thanks to you. Now, I’m really okay.”

“I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need to be sorry.”

Yi-gang’s shoulders shook slightly.

The sunrise was taking the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon away.

She could not achieve enlightenment, and her soul, infinitely faint, was dispersing.

This was annihilation. Her soul was scattering into eternal nothingness.

She would not be granted reincarnation, nor would paradise or hell be allowed for her.

“Don’t be sad…”

The body of the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon faded like dispersing mist.

“Again…”

Even to Yi-gang, who could clearly see souls, her form was no longer visible.

No sensation remained in his arms.

When people died, at least a body was left behind, but when a soul died, there was nothing.

Drip, drop—

Tears fell, drop by drop.

Yi-gang trembled like that for a long while.

Even after the effects of the decoction made from prunella vulgaris and rehmannia had worn off, tears continued to flow.

Dam Hyun and Ha-jun looked at Yi-gang with worried eyes.

How could the pain of parting be easy?

They may not have had many conversations with the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon and might not understand well, but Yi-gang surely felt differently.

“Will Brother be okay?”

“Um…”

Despite this, Yi-gang’s sorrow was too profound.

It was the moment he was about to grab his outer garment to approach Yi-gang.

Gumiho, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly lifted her head.

“…O Queen Mother. Could it be?”

What had happened?

Then, Yi-gang, who was thought to be only crying, shouted like thunder.

“Senior Brother! Gumiho!”

Dam Hyun immediately rushed to Yi-gang.

Gumiho and the Heavenly Thunder White-Tailed Foxes did the same.

Yi-gang was kneeling on one knee. It seemed he had not been just shedding tears all this time.

“What has happened? The soul…”

“The soul dispersed. Then it gathered again.”

“What!”

Gumiho was shocked to see what she had only dared to speculate actually confirmed.

Yi-gang was also greatly surprised.

“The soul dispersed. Then it gathered again. Into a flame.”

Beneath him, a small flame was burning.

It was not an ordinary flame. On the bare rock, a mystical blue flame had blossomed.

“Reincarnation. Then… how.”

“This… was here.”

Gumiho noticed the presence of something at the center of the flame.

“The seed of the Peach of Immortality…”

It was the seed left behind by Queen Mother of the West.

Gumiho realized the nature of what was happening.

Queen Mother of the West had not permitted the resurrection of the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon as a yokai.

But perhaps, having met Yi-gang, she had a change of heart, leaving behind a partial approval.

That approval was the soul’s ‘reincarnation.’

“…Today, at this place, we have gained a new child from the heavens.”

Erasing the Five Desires and Seven Emotions, and being reborn.

Stripped of all human memories, sorrow, and happy recollections that the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon had carried.

“A new Heavenly Thunder White-Tailed Fox has been born.”

From the blue flame, a fist-sized form wriggled.

Yi-gang’s eyes widened.

“Could it be…”

As the flame died down, only a fox with blue and white fur remained.

“This is my fifth child.”

Seo-mi, Heuk-mu, and Cheok-yo also lowered their bodies and welcomed the newly born sibling.

Yi-gang carefully lifted the baby fox in his hand.

It hadn’t opened its eyes yet, but its body was warm.

“Ah…”

He couldn’t tell if the heartbeat he felt was his or the fox’s.

“It was heaven that gave birth to the fifth child, but it would have been impossible without your help.”

Gumiho wrapped Yi-gang and the baby fox with her thick tail.

Then she said, “Will you name it?”

Perhaps because of the surrounding noise, the baby fox slightly opened its eyes.

The blue in its eyes was so beautiful it seemed not of this world.

Yi-gang didn’t ponder for long.“…Ho.”

Her original name, Namgung Seo-ryeon, Cheong Seo-ho.

Considering the nickname Dam Hyun had given her–-

“…Cheongho, I will name it Cheongho.”

She was finally born a fox.