Chapter 296 – Everyone Has a Plan (3)

“I’ve got the sugar…and the beef jerky too. Just in case, I’ve packed rice instead of gold. And this…and that…”

Hong Yeon-hwa checked the contents of her giant backpack, which was the size of her own body when she crossed over to this world.

The distance to Mount Taesan was quite far, so she decided to use the backpack again and stuffed her upper body inside to check the contents. The sight of her protruding buttocks reminded her of a pumpkin, and it was incredibly cute…but one question couldn’t be avoided.

“Do you really need such a big backpack? Even though the distance to Mount Taesan is quite far, it’ll only take about a day to get there.”

“Haven’t you only used the backpack once before? I want to use it a bit more!”

“What’s the real reason?”

“If the backpack is big, I can fit more snacks inside.”

“….”

If Hong Yeon-hwa didn’t have martial arts, her teeth would have rotted a long time ago. Or she would have turned into a piglet.

Where did the dignity of that majestic celestial being go, which she saw on the altar just a while ago?

Looking at Hong Yeon-hwa’s plump buttocks, a sigh escaped involuntarily.

“Ah.”

Is this…a celestial being?

The difference between her usual self and when she’s serious is too great.

Just out of mischief, she lightly patted Hong Yeon-hwa’s buttocks.

“Uh?”

But because of that, her balance was disrupted. Her lower body jutted out and she tried to regain her balance somehow…

“Eek!”

Hong Yeon-hwa finally managed to dive into the backpack.

Hmm…this wasn’t what I intended.

Feeling a little sorry, she looked into the backpack to take it out.

Swoosh.

Somehow, from the inside, Hong Yeon-hwa flipped her body and stuck her face out. With a rough expression.

“If you’re bored and want me to play with you, just say so. Don’t play tricks for no reason.”

“Sorry. It was just a mistake.”

“Hmph! Is it a mistake to put me inside the backpack? Speak the truth! Weren’t you lonely because I didn’t pay attention to you?”

Huh?

If she comes out like this, I can’t help but get annoyed again.

“…No? I wasn’t bored because you didn’t play with me. We have So-so, Sama-mang, and the ladies, so it’s fine, right?”

“You’re in the training grounds, trying to reconcile with the high-ranking members of the Shin-gyo who will end up fighting together.”

“….”

Tsk.

Playing dirty by relying on facts.

Like a baby kangaroo hiding in the backpack, Hong Yeon-hwa hid her body and only stuck her head out, tilting it.

“Hm? Come to think of it, it’s strange. I wanted to pack my own luggage… Why are you here? Don’t you need to reconcile with the high-ranking members of the Shin-gyo in the training grounds?”

“Reconcile… There’s no way I can do that.”

Chuckling, I gave that answer, and Hong Yeon-hwa’s expression showed that she realized something.

“I see. So, it’s finally your turn.”

“It just happened.”

My current state is the state of Hwagyeong.

If I elevate my Martial Spirit to the extreme, I should be able to exert power beyond the perfected Hwagyeong.

In other words, unless it’s a master of the same Hwagyeong, they can only hold me back and can’t match me.

Sura Geomma, the only master of Hwagyeong in the Thousand Demon Sect, decided to stay behind this expedition because his body hasn’t fully recovered yet.

Myeongwoljin is busy replenishing the talismans and artifacts consumed during the previous battle.

It would have taken a long time to obtain these things, which can’t be bought with money… Fortunately, the Thousand Demon Sect kept the items they collected from the fallen Gonyunpa and Mosanpa sects intact.

I didn’t know how to use them, but I knew they were extraordinary items.

At first, I thought about giving Martial Arts to Myeongwoljin, who helped me without asking for anything in return, but now that seems unnecessary.

Anyway, because of that, I don’t have anyone to spar with right now.

I’ve always trained alone anyway.

Maybe Hong Yeon-hwa didn’t want to bother me and decided to pack her own luggage for a similar reason?

Everyone is training seriously, and if I’m just resting on the side, it’s unfair.

You could say it’s Hong Yeon-hwa’s way of consideration.

…It’s not a lie that she wanted to bring a lot of snacks, though.

She really did put a lot in.

Anyway, now that Hong Yeon-hwa, who realized that she’s in a similar situation, asked with a proud expression.

“When you’re done organizing your backpack, how about we spar for the first time in a while?”

“Not a bad idea. In the meantime, I’ll quickly pack my luggage.”

“Hah! Do you think that’s easy? If you put in a lot of medicine, you won’t be able to put in much candy. To find the perfect ratio that suits your taste, you have to spend time thinking and thinking.”

“Well… I’m not someone who risks my life for snacks like you, Yeon-hwa.”

Instead of thinking about what to do before the picnic, Hong Yeon-hwa is the type who only worries about what snacks to bring…

When Hong Yeon-hwa pouted her face and made a pitiful expression, I closed the opening of the backpack right in front of her.

Not too hard, just enough to touch Hong Yeon-hwa’s neck.

“Eek!”

Surprised, Hong Yeon-hwa made a chick-like sound and jumped up.

“But it’s already too late. I’ve already tied the knot on the outside.”

To escape on her own, Hong Yeon-hwa would have to tear the backpack apart.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“What am I doing? I’m packing my luggage.”

“Luggage?! Do you think I’m luggage?!”

“Well, I don’t need snacks or anything. As long as I have you guys.”

“….”

Hong Yeon-hwa’s expression turned blank, as if she had just been punched in the face.

That line hit harder than I expected. It’s embarrassing, isn’t it?

While Hong Yeon-hwa was frozen in place, I wrapped the massive backpack around her.

Should I call this a fisherman’s bag too?

As I carried Hong Yeon-hwa, we headed towards the empty training ground.

Is she finally coming to her senses? I could hear Hong Yeon-hwa’s familiar laughter, full of happiness, from behind.

“Hehehe….”

As I watched her like this, memories of the past came flooding back, when I carried Hong Yeon-hwa and fought against the Nokrimdo assassins.

Is this how far we’ve come?

Without realizing it, I’ve truly crossed over into Hong Yeon-hwa’s world. Once this is all over, Hong Yeon-hwa, as well as Paengsoso and Sama Mang, will have a wedding ceremony together with Sama Yeoryeong.

After that, they’ll have children and live happily ever after.

…It’s just one step closer to fulfilling a long-cherished dream.

***

The next morning.

After finishing all the preparations, we left the main headquarters of the Thousand Demon Sect, greeted by the cheers of the Infinite Division members.

Our group, of course, along with Mawo and the Black Sword Chief, as well as other high-ranking members like Gwonma, Muyeong Daeju, and Hyeokok Manyeo.

Even the high-ranking officials of the Thousand Demon Sect, whom we had only exchanged greetings with, were with us.

Ah, as for how Hong Yeon-hwa managed to fit all the snacks into the massive backpack…

“Mawo, can you carry this for me?”

“It’s an honor, Thousand Demon Lord.”

I tapped Mawo, the biggest guy, on the shoulder.

Well… it’s a bit strange for Hong Yeon-hwa, the Thousand Demon Lord, to be carrying the biggest load.

As someone who knows that the backpack is filled with Hong Yeon-hwa’s preferences, it’s hard not to feel a bit suspicious.

As I watched Hong Yeon-hwa handing the backpack to Mawo with a troubled expression, she seemed to catch onto my gaze.

Hong Yeon-hwa clung to me with a bright smile.

“My love, my love.”

“What?”

The sensation of her ample breasts pressing against my back, the floral scent that wafted over me, and her voice filled with adorable coquetry that tickled my ears.

Hong Yeon-hwa, emitting an unmistakable aura of wanting something, got straight to the point.

“Carry me.”

“…Aren’t you faster than me?”

“Then hug me.”

With her arms wide open, Hong Yeon-hwa stubbornly demanded.

“Aren’t you even a little nervous?”

“What is there to be nervous about? With the current me, I can destroy anything.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“Quickly lift the Thousand Demon Lord!” The piercing gazes from the officers made me uncomfortable, so I immediately hoisted Hong Yeon-hwa onto my back and started running.

Running side by side, Paengsoso sighed deeply as he watched us closely.

“Sigh… I envy you, Hong Unni, in times like this.”

“Hmm? If you ask Paengsoso, as long as you’re the Lord, he’ll listen even if it’s a small request.”

“Well, that may be true, but… I guess I can’t be lifted up like you, Hong Unni, since I’m tall.”

“If you’re going to compare like that, then when I stand next to you, I can’t properly see the Lord’s face like you can. I have to look up and can only see your nostrils.”

“Nostrils…?”

She said she saw my nostrils when she looked up at me…?

Confused, I turned around, and Hong Yeon-hwa playfully patted my head with a bright smile.

“Don’t worry! Your nostrils look good too!”

“That’s not comforting at all!”

I remember thinking that her forehead looked cute when I looked down at Hong Yeon-hwa!

What the hell is with nostrils!

From now on, when I stand next to Hong Yeon-hwa, I’ll make sure to press my chin against my neck. As I made up my mind, Hong Yeon-hwa, who was giggling, changed the subject.

“Anyway, that’s what I meant. Both you and I have our own strengths and weaknesses, so there’s no need to be jealous. Well, if you’re really envious, I can take the Lord away later and have you carry Paengsoso all day long.”

“Huh? Is that okay?”

“What? What? Didn’t we agree not to monopolize Jinrang and discuss it properly?”

“Hmm.”

Paengsoso seemed intrigued, and Sama Yeoryeong chimed in as if reminding herself. And even though he didn’t say it outright, Sama Mang stood next to me and cleared his throat.

My plans are being decided in places unrelated to my intentions…

Actually, I don’t have any major complaints about this. The real problem is…

“When I see you two like this, it really feels like you’re close sisters, doesn’t it?”

“I think so too, Black Sword Chief. At least the Lord won’t have to worry about other wives causing trouble.”

“To be honest, I was a little worried and had some complaints… but if this is the kind of relationship you have, then it should be fine.”

They were officers whispering behind us like neighborhood ajummas.

They tried to keep their voices down, but in my heightened senses, they were still audible.

This is driving me crazy…

Anyway, we ran towards Taesan with a somewhat awkward feeling for three days.

“We… kept our promise… so, Thousand Demon… you keep yours… come this way…”

A ghost with a creepy appearance, as if it had jumped out of a horror movie, came to greet us.

What the hell is this? It’s freaking scary.