[Could it be...Ghost Guiding Holy Mother?]

I approach her with a trembling voice.

It's then.

Blink

A huge eye suddenly appears where I am approaching, illuminating me.

Instinctively, I realize it belongs to Kang Min-hee.

At that moment.

Wiiiing!

The side path I am standing on suddenly widens.

And then, a familiar voice is heard.

"Why are you here?"

"Huh...!?"

When I come to my senses, I find myself surrounded by clouds bathed in golden sunset.

"This is..."

Startled, I blurt out words, realizing that I am speaking with my physical voice instead of spiritual communication.

When I turn around at the sense of someone's presence, I see Kang Min-hee sitting atop the clouds.

"Domain...?"

Only then do I understand why Kang Min-hee, who should have been on the side path towards the Nether Ghost Realm, appeared before me heading towards the Bright Cold Realm.

I realize why I always ended up heading towards the Bright Cold Realm no matter where I went.

Kang Min-hee had, in a mere 300 years, reached the Integration stage and bent space with attraction force.

And Kang Min-hee, who invited me into her unique Integration stage domain, is dressed not in the familiar black robes of the Black Ghost Valley but in her business suit from Earth.

Seeing Kang Min-hee reveal Earth's culture in front of me, I hastily touch my face.

"Ah. What..."

"I regained my memories. As expected of my pathetic ex-boyfriend. You sealed away my memories, turned into something resembling a woman, and stalked me all this time. It's really disgusting, Seo Eun-hyun."

"N-No, that wasn't my intention... No, more than that, rather than Seo Li being a woman..."

As I stammer from the shock, she laughs, taking a familiar liquid e-cigarette out of her pocket.

"I'm joking. I was annoyed when I got my memories back, but I wasn't really that angry."

"..."

"Oh, but it's true that I was disgusted. You might have your reasons, but it was still very perverted and creepy."

I break out in a cold sweat.

This is the retribution for staying by her side in Yuan Yu's body.

"Ah...I can't seem to recall the taste from back then... Even if I do roughly remember..."

After taking a puff of her e-cigarette, she waves her hand.

Simultaneously, the Earthly artifacts she enjoyed dissolves like illusions, turning into clouds and being absorbed everywhere.

Her clothes also change back to the black robe of the Black Ghost Valley she originally wore.

I look around at Kang Min-hee's unique domain.

Not knowing what to say, I first praise the scenery.

"...It's beautiful here..."

"Hmm..."

But Kang Min-hee glares at me, rolling her eyes.

"You. Don't you remember this scene?"

"Huh, what?"

"Even though the spot we're standing on being made of clouds is a bit of my romantic touch, the rest of the scenery is something we saw together. You're too much."

"Ah, no..."

'Damn it. The Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections is with the main body...!'

Grinding my teeth inwardly, I break out into cold sweat.

Seeing my flustered appearance Kang Min-hee bursts into laughter.

"It's fun teasing you. It's like all my gloom has flown away."

"You really..."

We exchange trivial chatter for a while.

And as the atmosphere eases, I cautiously ask.

"...Why didn't you come back from the Side Path?"

"Well, I found out the horrifying truth that my ex-boyfriend turned into a strange creature that's neither male nor female and was stalking me within the sect."

"..."

"Just kidding. Well, there's a bit of truth to that, maybe about 0.1 percent. The rest is..."

Kang Min-hee walks over to me and sweeps the nearby clouds.

As she brushes the clouds, a boisterous sound comes from somewhere.

It's the sound of children's laughter.

"To comfort these kids."

"...!"

Only then do I realize that the surrounding clouds aren't just clouds.

Actually, they aren't clouds at all.

Each and every grain that looks like clouds is a ghost!

"...I've never died before, so I don't know for sure. But do you know what I always hear when I communicate with ghosts?"

"..."

"'Sorrow.' They're always sad. Sad about losing their lives, about being dead, about the things they couldn't achieve..."

Kang Min-hee squats down and gently strokes the ghosts with her hand.

"When you're on the side path, there's nothing to do. During those times, I either read books I brought from the Bright Cold Realm or practiced the Ghost Path Method. Practicing the Ghost Path Method might sound funny, but it involves listening to these kids' stories. As I listen to their stories, my spiritual power increases..."

She continues.

"Do you know how many stories I've listened to?"

"...How many?"

"I don't know! Really...there were too many to count. I kept listening, and listening. And...at some point, I started thinking."

She smiles gently.

For some reason, I feel that I had seen that smile before.

I want to work for this company. I will think about what I can do for this company. I will do my best to work for the company as much as I can.

"I want to use my strength for these kids. I want to find out what I can do for them. If possible...I want to find out the best thing I can do for them."

The memory of watching her during a job interview from the side.

Yes, I had known that she was a strong person when I saw her confident demeanor.

"I also had a tough childhood. So...I want to do something for these kids who died in hardship. If there's a reason we've gained this power, wouldn't it be to use it for someone else?"

Indeed, she is still strong.

Only those truly strong can use their power for the weak.

"...So, is that why you didn't come back?"

"Hehe, even the way you talk is like an ex-boyfriend, seriously."

"No..."

"The reason I didn't return to the Black Ghost Valley is...I decided to leave it."

"What...?"

I ask, taken aback.

Kang Min-hee smiles boldly and replies.

"I confirmed that my ex-boyfriend crawled back, and more importantly... you know the Black Ghost Valley is only kind to its own members, right?"

"Well, that's true but..."

"And they are too harsh on rival sects or those who become enemies."

Her eyes darken.

"The harbor where the Nether Crossing Ship is docked is always filled with ghostly water refined from countless resentful souls. You've seen it too, right? And when disciples of the Black Ghost Valley die, they either resurrect them or turn them into ghost souls to continue their cultivation. If those above the Nascent Soul stage die, they enshrine them as Ghost Kings and keep them in the Grand Tomb Domain, treating them well. But...if they capture the souls of rival sects or enemies, they always refine them into dharma treasures or absorb them to convert into spiritual power. If not, they refine them into serving ghost spirits, erasing their will and enslaving them."

That's right.

Though they are kind to their own members, the essence of the Black Ghost Valley is the Devilish Path.

The Expending Soul True Devil Method involves consuming souls to convert into spiritual power, and the Corpse Devouring Secret Ritual Tome is even worse.

They help a part of the soul reach the Netherworld as minimum courtesy, but that's it.

The souls captured by the Black Ghost Valley are relentlessly exploited until they are no longer useful, only then finding rest.

"I'm leaving the Black Ghost Valley. I'm going to leave this place, liberate all the souls captured by the Black Ghost Valley, comfort them, and guide them to the afterlife. That's the goal I came up with while listening to these kids' stories."

"..."

"You'll keep this a secret, won't you, ex-boyfriend?"

Kang Min-hee asks with a sly smile.

I nod with a serious face.

She's undergoing secluded cultivation.

If she turns against the Black Ghost Valley, one of the Five Great Sects of the Human Race into enemies, the aftermath will be enormous. Hence, she's raising her cultivation before making her move.

"...How high do you plan to raise your cultivation?"

"For now, my goal is Grand Perfection Integration stage. The Star Shattering stage seems too high a wall to reach, so I set a realistic goal."

'I see...'

Her words about ex-boyfriend and such are half-jokes.

But her determination to liberate the souls from the devilish Black Ghost Valley is genuine.

I finally realize the true reason she became the Ghost Guiding Holy Mother.

'In the past life, you always...you kept..."'

She had continually strived to use her strength to liberate the souls.

And as the torment of these souls poured into her already fractured mind, she could no longer endure and went berserk.

"In any case, my goal is to elevate my cultivation and...let them spiritually ascend to the point where no ghost or soul appears before my eyes. That's my goal."

"..."

I feel there's something she isn't telling me.

But seeing the flickering intent in her eyes, I dare not ask what she is hiding.

I just look at her with a stiffened face.

"Won't...accepting so many ghosts cause problems for your mind?"

"Well... I hate to admit it, but that thing you stuck on me. It works well. My mind is clear. Thanks to that, I don't think you need to worry."

It's as she says.

Originally, I intended to use the Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace to alleviate any potential mental issues she might have.

But to my eyes, she has no mental problems at all.

Although I can't use the Formless Sword, the vision of Tribulating Heavens is still vivid.

Her heart essence is without the slightest problem and is rather clear and healthy.

'Is it thanks to the Spirit Sealing Bodkin...?'

At least for now.

It seems there's no need to worry about her awakening as the Ghost Guiding Holy Mother.

I smile faintly.

"...That's a relief."

Because of her, I left the perfectly fine Black Ghost Valley branch and came all the way to the distant Swiftwind Domain to create another side path.

But, I have no regrets.

Just seeing Kang Min-hee in good health makes the whole trip worthwhile.

"...Then I'll go. I...just came to check if you're alright."

"Hehe, you didn't come because you actually missed me, right?"

"Think whatever you want."

"I'll really think whatever I want."

"Sure."

I turn around and throw a Mysterious Bizarre Gu I created from a part of my soul to her.

"It's a piece of my soul. If anything goes wrong, contact me right away."

Through the art of the Mysterious Bizarre Gu, if Kang Min-hee encounters any issues, I can use the Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace remotely, albeit in a simplified form.

It's a fragment left behind in preparation for her awakening as the Ghost Guiding Holy Mother.

As soon as she receives my soul fragment, she nonchalantly throws it into some cloud and turns her back.

"Alright. Go on. I won't see you off. I'm saying it again but, keep it a secret."

"Got it."

I walk in the opposite direction, and before long, I find myself out of Kang Min-hee's domain.

'This is...'

Before I know it, I'm back on the side path.

The large ghostly figure of Kang Min-hee that had been beside me had disappeared at some point.

It seems she warped space and vanished to another location.

I wander around for a while until I finally find the path we first took to enter Kang Min-hee's side path.

After waiting there for a few days, I see Heo Gwak and Heo Ryeong hurriedly coming this way.

[Grand Elder Seo! Is Grand Elder Kang there?]

[...No. I went up to the entrance of the Bright Cold Realm, but I couldn't find a single trace.]

[As expected... Actually, near the entrance of the Nether Ghost World, we found traces suggesting that Grand Elder Kang jumped out of the side path!]

Startled by their words, I ask again.

[What, what does that mean...???]

[Unless she's a powerful Integration stage cultivator specialized in spatial techniques...she either fell into the Nether Crossing River or, if she escaped to the outskirts of the Netherworld, she likely got lost in the Interdimensional Void. She can return even if she becomes dimensionally lost, but it could take tens of thousands of years. In the worst case scenario, she's trapped in the Nether Crossing River...if not, she's dimensionally lost.]

[...!!!]

I act shocked and frozen.

[...For now, let's return to the Bright Cold Realm. We should propose to the Grand Elder Council to deploy the Nether Crossing Ship and approach the vicinity of the Nether Crossing River. If she's fallen into the Nether Crossing River, we need to plan a rescue. We can't afford to lose the possessor of the Ghostly Yin Transformation Immortal Root after tens of thousands of years!!!]

Heo Ryeong grits his teeth and returns the way we came with me.

We exit the side path.

I emerge into the Bright Cold Realm, dispel the Ghost King Transformation, and look back at the side path.

'Stay strong, Kang Min-hee.'

Kim Young-hoon seeks return.

Jeon Myeong-hoon and Kim Yeon seek revenge.

Kang Min-hee seeks salvation.

Oh Hyun-seok seeks peace.

Oh Hye-seo...well, she'll live her life as she wants.

Anyway, everyone has their own goals.

Kang Min-hee's goal, as long as she doesn't break down, I intend to support her.

I step out from the Ghost Soul Hall in the Nether Crossing Ship, which has the gate leading to the side path.

It's then.

Ziiing

Are you going to leave just like that, despite being tormented by fate?

You should have done whatever it took to further stabilize Kang Min-hee's mind before you left.

Suddenly, I feel a voice resounding from deep within my heart essence that had been closed off in recent days.

"...?"

I stand still and listen intently, but the voice does not come again.

In the end, it seems like a hallucination born from my lingering feelings for Kang Min-hee.

Towards her...it seems I still unknowingly have quite a bit of lingering attachment

In a domain bathed in the light of the setting sun.

Inside, Kang Min-hee picks up Seo Eun-hyun's soul fragment, holds it tightly, and smokes her pipe.

"...Hey. That's a lie."

There's something she hadn't told Seo Eun-hyun.

The story of her shadow.

And the hatred she felt towards herself for confusing the shadow with Seo Eun-hyun...

Saying that Seo Eun-hyun's influence was only 0.1 percent was a lie.

Along with that hatred.

To ensure she never mistakes Seo Eun-hyun for the shadow again.

To ensure she never confuses him with something of a ghost again, she had resolved to guide all the souls to the Netherworld.

"If you had...told me you missed me, maybe...none of this would be necessary."

Squeeze...

She lets go of Seo Eun-hyun's Mysterious Bizarre Gu she had been holding.

As soon as she grabbed the Mysterious Bizarre Gu, the weak sealing spell that had been placed on it was released.

The Mysterious Bizarre Gu does not hear her words.

Kang Min-hee merely mutters quietly to the Mysterious Bizarre Gu.

"...You dumb bastard."

Perhaps, the two of them are missing each other.

But perhaps, they are parting ways because they care for each other.

For each other.

Towards each other.

The meeting of these two, who had been running while looking in different directions, thus ends awry.

Now, all that remains is to leap towards their respective goals.

After parting ways once again,

A hundred years have passed.

"...The storage scroll of Lofty Dragon True Person... has opened."

Through the Ritual Worship Scripture of Wealth Virtue, I succeeded in building one axis.

Wo-woong!

I feel my lifespan increase by ten thousand years once again.

Kurung...

I look up at the sky, feeling the Heavenly Tribulation that had just passed over me.

Having built one axis from none, I have reached the mid Four-Axis stage.

'I will enter the storage scroll of Lofty Dragon True Person, assist the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect, and receive compensation from them.'

And using that compensation, I will create a small Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress for Kim Yeon.

'The reason Seo Hweol fears the Mad Lord is that if he becomes a puppet of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, even he will inevitably die.'

I have more than enough confidence to reach the Integration stage within the remaining five hundred years.

Moreover, if Kang Min-hee also overcomes her critical moment, I can work together with her who's also at the Integration stage and capture Seo Hweol, who possesses the main body, and modify him.

Then, using the small Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, we will gradually replace his soul with an artificial soul and kill him.

No matter how powerful Seo Hweol is, he will be doomed.

That is my plan to kill Seo Hweol.

Translator Notes: 'For Seo, Towards Seo' has a one character difference () in Korean which makes it 'For each other, towards each other' because just is 'Seo' but means 'each other'.

For Seo, Towards Seo:

For Each Other, Towards Each Other: . .